Blog Post: Insights into Philanthropy

TFN Member Karen Payne gives her insights into philanthropy:

One of my main reasons for joining TFN is a desire to work with others who want to transform philanthropy.

I’m American, but I married an Englishman and I’ve lived in England for 14 years. Like Fred (TFN’s Chair and Co-founder), I grew up in a working class culture of tithing, and giving away money was considered a normal part of being a good person regardless of how much or little you had. It was also a Catholic culture that placed emphasis on maintaining the dignity of people who were recipients of ‘charity’. That was cutting edge in the 1950s.

What I’ve learned working in the transformative philanthropy movement in the U.S. is how philanthropy allows us to connect with people committed to deep social change. With traditional charity, there seems to be a view that giving money helps alleviate suffering and decrease guilt, rather than the more positive benefits of being connected in tangible ways to people/organizations that are working to create a more just and sustainable society – not just give handouts to victims of inequality and exploitation.

I’ve seen among my own family and friends in the UK that people often have a negative attitude about private giving.  They are kind and have good values, and most are not wealthy. It seems that the dismissive attitude about philanthropy develops partly because of high taxes – people understandably think that the government should do everything – and they feel that the wealthy should give more.  But another reason for the lack of enthusiasm could be that philanthropy has never been presented as something joyous and fulfilling, an opportunity to connect with inspirational people and a way of promoting your deepest values.

Like many people who have been involved in social justice/anti-war/environmental issues for decades, I find it a challenge to sustain energy and creativity in the face of sadness and dismay about how awful things can be.  I need to be connected to people and projects that inspire me – not just hear or read about them.  TFN has already given me that.

I also want to promote a type of philanthropy that can draw in more people and create a culture of philanthropy in which people are motivated to give by inspiration and generosity rather than pity and guilt – and where they recognize the profound benefits that giving away money has on their own lives, not just on the lives of people who are the recipients.

Karen Payne is co-founder of Wild Zones.  She researched, wrote and produced the website for Marion Rockefeller Weber’s innovative philanthropy initiative, “Flow Funding”.  She is also co-author of “Inspiring Youth to Bring About Change: Tools for the Generosity Generation” – a curriculum for teens to learn about philanthropy and participate in Youth Giving Circles.  Karen is delighted to have sponsored Just Vision at TFN, which raised £7,377 to support distribution of the documentary Budrus in Israel and Palestine.  She writes for TFN in a personal capacity.

One Response to Blog Post: Insights into Philanthropy

1. Pete Yeo says:

   June 6, 2011 at 5:42 pm

   Thanks for sharing Karen. Hope to chat with you at some point up in London. PY

   Reply