I have a confession to make: being a focused grantmaking organization can be no fun at all. This thought became strikingly clear to me last week when the Foundation hosted a reception for about 60 leaders of some of the most successful Atlanta-area nonprofits. We gather this group several times a year to provide them a peer-to-peer opportunity to discuss the issues they are facing, the shared challenges, and (perhaps) find new and creative ways to partner and collaborate.
These leaders represent a broad cross-section of charitable organizations: some work in housing (the Foundation’s focus), others in youth development, the arts, and education, and still others work to end domestic violence, preserve historic sites and provide legal assistance to people who couldn’t otherwise afford it. While we don’t talk about it much,we know that each one of these organizations provides an essential piece to the puzzle that can become a livable, thriving community. And now more than ever, each one of them is looking for - and truly needs - additional financial resources. In the past, they were seeking donors to build new buildings or expand their services. Today, some of them are asking for donations to keep their doors open.
These leaders represent organizations that we respect. In this relatively small community, they are our friends. And when your friends are in trouble, you naturally want to help. (I believe that’s part of what defines human nature.) Unfortunately, in the real world of limited dollars and cents, we can’t help everyone, and we certainly can’t help everyone to the extent they need. I believe that these nonprofit organizations know it is a stretch, but it’s their jobs and they ask for additional support. I see the disappointment when it doesn’t come.
I think that’s where the words “focused” and “disciplined” start rearing their ugly heads. We have to decide the area in which we are going to support our communities’ organizations so we can have a real impact. If we are “scatter shot” about our grants, we won’t be able to create a measurable difference; we won’t really help much at all.
This explanation absolutely makes sense from a rational, thoughtful point of view. I fully understand the importance of thinking strategically and ensure that we are leveraging our investments and catalyzing change. I just can’t help thinking, though, that it would be much more emotionally satisfying - and a lot easier - if we could stop keeping track of the budget for a while and just tell everyone “yes.”
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Yes-I wish that you weren’t right about what you said but you are.
Perhaps the only thing we can do for each other at times is to pray for inspiration
for an alternative solution to our challenges. God bless your heart.