What's Happening?
MacKenzie Scott and Laurene Powell Jobs are advocating for a shift in philanthropic practices towards a trust-based model. This approach emphasizes empowering communities by involving them in decision-making
processes and valuing learning and endurance over strict performance metrics. Scott and Powell Jobs argue that true generosity should not be about control but about fostering participation and trust. They highlight the importance of treating funding as a relationship rooted in shared purpose and collective movement towards change.
Why It's Important?
The call for trust-based philanthropy represents a significant shift in how philanthropic efforts are traditionally conducted. By moving away from a top-down approach, this model seeks to empower local communities and organizations, potentially leading to more sustainable and impactful outcomes. This approach challenges the conventional metrics of success in philanthropy, advocating for a more holistic and inclusive evaluation of impact. The adoption of such practices could influence other philanthropists and organizations, leading to broader changes in the sector.
Beyond the Headlines
The shift towards trust-based philanthropy also raises questions about power dynamics in charitable giving. By decentralizing decision-making, this model could democratize philanthropy, allowing for more diverse voices to be heard and considered. It also challenges the notion that wealth equates to wisdom, suggesting that those closest to the issues are best positioned to address them. This approach could lead to a reevaluation of how success is defined in philanthropy, prioritizing long-term relationships and community resilience over immediate, quantifiable results.
