Donor Leadership
What do we mean by donor leadership?
Donors lead organizations and communities forward in many ways. Here, we are using the term “donor leadership” to mean specifically the leadership people take to inspire those with wealth towards greater philanthropy and civic engagement.
Why is donor leadership important?
If you are a donor, becoming a donor leader can greatly magnify your ability to do good in the world. No matter how much money and influence you have, it is probably less than what’s needed to address wide-scale social problems. Inspiring others to get involved can greatly increase your impact.
If you work in the field of philanthropy, you know that the unmet giving potential among people with wealth is enormous. In the U.S. people the average giving has stayed at 2-3% for the past 30 years, irrespective of how much income people have. Help the donors you work with to become donor leaders!
What do donor leaders do?
They play one or more of these roles:
Mentors: help people one-on-one by sharing their experience and offering guidance. Talking with friends, helping family members, and supporting newer members of donor networks are examples of mentorship.
Role model: publicly share their passions and experiences to inspire others to action. Speaking at a family meeting, writing an article, being on a panel, and speaking to colleagues are examples.
Conveners: bring donors together for collaborative learning and action. Some conveners launch new donor networks or help existing ones be more effective; others start giving circles or action groups.
Is donor leadership just another name for fundraising?
No, it’s distinctly different. Asking peers to support the causes you care about is a way to take leadership, and it can be a great contribution. But acting as a donor leader is about helping people discern their own interests and helping them to use their money and talents towards whatever impassions them the most. Their philanthropy may overlap with your own specific causes, and it may include collaborative learning and funding, or it may not.
Who can be a donor leader?
Some people who make their living supporting donors (e.g. as financial professionals, philanthropic advisors, or foundation staff) are often donor leaders themselves. By and large, however, donor leaders act as volunteers.
Donor leaders do not need to be wealthy, nor highly experienced as donors, nor public, nor outspoken in personality. They do need good listening skills, understanding of and compassion for the barriers that keep people with wealth from acting on their values, patience, persistence, passion about the rewards of philanthropy, and energy for helping to build a better world.