Family philanthropy benefits enormously from continuous inquiry. But it can be challenging to identify paths to deepen knowledge, explore new ideas, and ultimately, build a culture of curiosity. Embarking on a learning journey—a series of experiences designed to better understand your role in the funding landscape and how to improve your work—can be a creative and inspirational way to promote reflection and instill a culture of exploration and growth. A well-crafted learning journey has the power to strengthen and expand knowledge, build confidence, and deepen relationships. Learning journeys enhance the power of collective learning within families and with the causes and communities you serve.

A learning journey can be an opportunity to familiarize yourself with trends and developments in the field—including new players and challenges—and determine where you can have the most impact in an ever-changing ecosystem. Additionally, they are a way to explore the art and science of grantmaking, from pathways to expanding general operating support and other trust-based philanthropy approaches to values-based investing and limited life foundations. Funders frequently resist structured or intentional learning because of concerns about cost and time, or they simply may not be in the habit of incorporating learning into a regular cycle and practice. But learning should be central to your work, not an afterthought. It can often be the most imaginative way for your family to explore, connect, grow, and embrace philanthropy together. Collective learning as a family is at the heart of family philanthropy and can be a level setting process to ensure that all of your current (and, in some cases, prospective) board members have a baseline knowledge on a particular topic to work from. It can also help ensure that next generation trustees find their voice. The goal is to create a culture of continuous and collective learning.

Major benefits of a thoughtful learning journey are the following:

  • Learning journeys encourage more generous and impactful giving by opening your minds to new possibilities and questions. These can include new and innovative funding opportunities; creative and inclusive approaches to investments and governance; and other tools.
  • They help funders move from pure monitoring and evaluating of grantees to more authentic engagement with the communities with whom you partner. This shift can help counterbalance the inherent power dynamics at play in the field and deepen humility about one’s role in it.
  • They prepare the next generation to step into this work. Even for a longstanding philanthropic family, it is important to ensure the next generation has actual experience and training to become effective funders.

For all these reasons, a learning journey can provide inspiration to bring more commitment, engagement, and joy to the work. Ideally, your learning journey will create an environment where your board and staff better understand how you operate while simultaneously cultivating open mindedness and curiosity.

Read the full article about learning journeys in family philanthropy by Christine Sherry at the National Center for Family Philanthropy.