A Paradigm Shift in Philanthropy

January 2022

Progress Newsletter

By Bill Somerville, PVF Founder

There needs to be a paradigm shift in philanthropy to match the shift in the world over the pandemic. During the past two years, we have seen that the philanthropic dollar can be there first, even before the private investment dollar; it can be there for emergencies, vital needs, new concepts, far out ideas.

The philanthropic dollar can be the venture dollar going where others fear to tread. It can be the dollar that encourages people to experiment, to be there and give people momentum. It can encourage people to take risks that are thoughtfully given and thoughtfully received. One doesn’t need to be risk adverse or timid. Something might not work out, but it is worth trying.

Some examples of how we can shift the way philanthropy operates include:

• Put funding directly in the hands of the individuals associated with programs to come up with new ideas and try them out.

• Challenge and fund agencies to try new dimensions to their work, new ways to do things.

• Set aside money to identify people, places, programs where you can help make things possible.

• Be experimental – fund new groups such as individuals coming out of incarceration, young adults under 25 with ideas, or people new to the nonprofit field.

• Don't depend on long proposals. Make the application process simple and inviting. Help people to conceptualize their thinking.

Be willing to take risks in funding. Venture and trust people. This is what's been effective to serve our communities during the pandemic and this is what PVF has always strived for.

Where's Bill? Visiting Our Partners

Bill recently took the editors of the Palo Alto Weekly and the Redwood City Pulse on a site visit to two of PVF's longstanding community partners: St. Francis Center and the Redwood City Catholic Worker House.

Read about his experience on our blog at the button below!

About the Editors

James Higa, Executive Director, brings 28 years of executive experience from Silicon Valley, working with Steve Jobs to change the face of technology. He was at the birth of the personal computer revolution as a member of the original Macintosh team and was deeply involved in the creation of many products and services at Apple over 3 decades. He has a long history of public service as a board member of Stanford's Haas Center and in grassroots relief efforts.

Bill Somerville, Founder, has been in non-profit and philanthropic work for over 50 years. He was the director of a community foundation for 17 years, and in 1991, he founded Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. Bill has consulted at over 400 community foundations, on creative grantmaking and foundation operations. Bill is the author of Grassroots Philanthropy: Field Notes of a Maverick Grantmaker.

About PVF

PVF is a demonstration foundation practicing unique forms of grantmaking

and innovative philanthropy. Our primary interest is in the creative

and significant use of the philanthropic dollar.

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation's website: www.venturesfoundation.org

Philanthropic Ventures Foundation | 1222 Preservation Park Way, Oakland, CA 94612 info@venturesfoundation.org | (510) 645-1890

Subscribe to our Progress Newsletter

Subscribe to "Radical Collaboration", an occasional tiny newsletter on new leaders, ideas, and projects that PVF has found & funded: tinyletter.com/philanthropicventuresfoundation