Giving Compass' Take:

• Kris Putnam-Walkerly discusses how philanthropists can be more effective grantmakers if they leave the office to communicate with the individuals they are serving. 

• What are some examples of grantmakers and foundations who take the time to visit communities? 

• Here are five best practices of extraordinary grantmakers. 

Effective grantmaking rarely happens if grantmakers spend all their time behind their desks. Solving intractable problems requires that funders have a true understanding of the issue, a range of partners to join in the work and an ability to continually learn from collective actions and apply that learning to ongoing efforts.

  • You learn more than if you’d stayed in the office. Imagine a program officer who wants to know about issues facing the elderly in his community. He receives reams of data about illness, clinical services, nutrition and mobility.
  • You identify new needs and opportunities. Too often, funders are not aware of needs in the community that may align with their missions.
  • You and your team become better stewards of community resources. When your founding donors or current donors made their gifts, they put their trust in you to make the best choices to achieve their charitable intent.
  • You increase your effectiveness and your ability to meet your mission. Developing a deep, firsthand understanding of your issue and community will allow you to achieve your ultimate philanthropic goals.

There are many more reasons to break out of your bubble and engage more deeply in learning about the issues you address and the places you serve, whether that’s a single county or multiple communities around the globe. In fact, there’s no good reason not to. There may be excuses, but no good reasons.

Read more about achieving stronger grantmaking by Kris Putnam-Walkerly at PEAK Grantmaking