In the growing turbulence of our times, the power of philanthropy also seems to be growing exponentially, yet awkwardly and in rough stages, like an adolescent. Those of us in advisory roles are riding the waves along with donors and nonprofits, yet our job is to somehow get out in front of it all, to deliver hindsight from the future on what could work, should work. Or really, what must work, so the gangly adolescent develops toward its full potential.

As a keynote speaker recently at the United Philanthropy Forum’s 2018 Annual Conference, Grant Oliphant, President & CEO of The Heinz Endowments, was both sobering and inspirational on this topic. It may be that another blogger shares with you the four premises he believes philanthropists must throw away if we are to take on the depth and breadth of tasks before us. I hope so, as they were the sobering elements of his presentation, and they were insightful and powerful. Yet what struck me even more were his thoughts on what we need to keep and where the hope lies.

As he pointed out, a lot of what is starting to happen – and what we need more of – is social change that comes from genuine social movements. We know that the most profound changes in our society have come about through social movements – that magical combination of leadership, vision, ideas, advocacy, coalition-building, and deep engagement of those affected by the social conditions that the movements seek to change. Philanthropic resources can play a vital role in supporting, strengthening and even building social movements, and in mobilizing people to become more engaged as citizens and social change agents. Philanthropists and foundations have an obligation to reach out, to support and strengthen positive change agents, and to help pave the way for lasting social change.

Read the full article about philanthropy by Leslie Pine at The Philanthropic Initiative.