Most 20th century institutions are unfit for 21st century problems. Will this generation’s winning innovators build new ones, or get hoodwinked by the old ones?
This is a wonderful anatomy of the philanthropic space and a wonderful challenge. To this I would add that there are level 5 founders who are doing critical, original work on a shoestring and are looking for visionary investors who get it. I know because I am one of them -- an academic refugee who entered the nonprofit world 20 years ago to create necessary change, saw the institutional lay of the land, and went on to found a nonprofit dedicated to leveraging the power of storytelling to resolve our most intractable problems in new ways that actually work. My founding partner and I welcome the opportunity to connect with philanthropists looking for an innovative, entrepreneurial place to invest. More at my substack and here: https://www.storyincubatorwritinglab.org
Thank you for doing this hard work and then sharing your hard-earned wisdom. I know you are a fan, as am I, of classical education. It does provide the tools to discern and question an organization's priorities before investing. Whatever is true and pure and right, do that--but make certain that the outcome actually matches the intent, and ask, as Thomas Sowell would, "And, then what happens..." before committing.
Many large endowments now support work that the original donors would be appalled to have associated with their names. Social welfare became social justice. Art that elevates became elevating particular artists (whose art is ugly, but the artist fits a category). Educating the poor became indoctrinating the malleable. The faithful who built and endowed Christian churches for the glory of God would not recognize the religion being taught and practiced using their funds.
Money donated to hospitals and colleges effectively raises the cost of healthcare and education by funding a project, which is then depreciated on the balance sheet...
The art museum in my city spent large sums on what can best be described as giant hanging sculptures of black dung. The art had an interesting "story" that was supposed to explain its worth. However, since art should be a form of communication, the fact that this art communicated nothing of value seems to be a critical missing piece. The Pieta does not require a story; it communicates more than mere words can convey. How do we help communities develop an appreciation of art if we show them dung rather than the Pieta?
I always appreciate Joe’s thought leadership. I particularly appreciate this article where he calls on the “donor class” to consider if their generosity may actually be counterproductive to a healthy well-functioning society. This is an important message and will require courage and resolve. While the article is directed to those with means to write checks large enough to create leverage, I would argue that the Level 5 engagement described is available to anyone who wants to invest their time and talents in influencing institutions to choose a better course. Certainly, it seems that those with a progressive ideology understand this all too well. As someone who jumped into the fray of homelessness in Austin back in 2018 with a card table on a sidewalk to collect signatures on a petition to eliminate public camping in Austin (the entrepreneur in me), I know that with some effort, time and persistence, one person can make a difference. Today, I have a non-profit that provides short term housing for hardworking families to help prevent a potential slide into homelessness. Fortunately, we have some “level 4” donors who support this mission. But more broadly, this has provided an opportunity to engage with a wide variety of city leaders involved with homeless services to help shape better policy for handling homelessness in Austin. Through this we can illuminate previous failed policies which have been propped up for too long by Level 1 and Level 2 donors. And I’m very pleased to be working closely with the Cicero Institute to help bring fresh, entrepreneurial thinking to truly help those in need here in Austin to rise to independence and restore personal dignity.
This is a wonderful anatomy of the philanthropic space and a wonderful challenge. To this I would add that there are level 5 founders who are doing critical, original work on a shoestring and are looking for visionary investors who get it. I know because I am one of them -- an academic refugee who entered the nonprofit world 20 years ago to create necessary change, saw the institutional lay of the land, and went on to found a nonprofit dedicated to leveraging the power of storytelling to resolve our most intractable problems in new ways that actually work. My founding partner and I welcome the opportunity to connect with philanthropists looking for an innovative, entrepreneurial place to invest. More at my substack and here: https://www.storyincubatorwritinglab.org
Thank you for doing this hard work and then sharing your hard-earned wisdom. I know you are a fan, as am I, of classical education. It does provide the tools to discern and question an organization's priorities before investing. Whatever is true and pure and right, do that--but make certain that the outcome actually matches the intent, and ask, as Thomas Sowell would, "And, then what happens..." before committing.
Many large endowments now support work that the original donors would be appalled to have associated with their names. Social welfare became social justice. Art that elevates became elevating particular artists (whose art is ugly, but the artist fits a category). Educating the poor became indoctrinating the malleable. The faithful who built and endowed Christian churches for the glory of God would not recognize the religion being taught and practiced using their funds.
Money donated to hospitals and colleges effectively raises the cost of healthcare and education by funding a project, which is then depreciated on the balance sheet...
The art museum in my city spent large sums on what can best be described as giant hanging sculptures of black dung. The art had an interesting "story" that was supposed to explain its worth. However, since art should be a form of communication, the fact that this art communicated nothing of value seems to be a critical missing piece. The Pieta does not require a story; it communicates more than mere words can convey. How do we help communities develop an appreciation of art if we show them dung rather than the Pieta?
Hey, why’d you use your religion as an excuse to destroy a college student who simply said he didn’t want to work for people like you.
A college student of all people.
No one with power, just a kid.
Thankfully, your crash out showed how valid the kids preference is.
Nice work.
Well said! Thank you
I always appreciate Joe’s thought leadership. I particularly appreciate this article where he calls on the “donor class” to consider if their generosity may actually be counterproductive to a healthy well-functioning society. This is an important message and will require courage and resolve. While the article is directed to those with means to write checks large enough to create leverage, I would argue that the Level 5 engagement described is available to anyone who wants to invest their time and talents in influencing institutions to choose a better course. Certainly, it seems that those with a progressive ideology understand this all too well. As someone who jumped into the fray of homelessness in Austin back in 2018 with a card table on a sidewalk to collect signatures on a petition to eliminate public camping in Austin (the entrepreneur in me), I know that with some effort, time and persistence, one person can make a difference. Today, I have a non-profit that provides short term housing for hardworking families to help prevent a potential slide into homelessness. Fortunately, we have some “level 4” donors who support this mission. But more broadly, this has provided an opportunity to engage with a wide variety of city leaders involved with homeless services to help shape better policy for handling homelessness in Austin. Through this we can illuminate previous failed policies which have been propped up for too long by Level 1 and Level 2 donors. And I’m very pleased to be working closely with the Cicero Institute to help bring fresh, entrepreneurial thinking to truly help those in need here in Austin to rise to independence and restore personal dignity.
Lisa Hugman
Cofounder
Family Bridge
Really thoughtful and well-said.
Yes.
Great stuff!
Great stuff! See also this piece that Samo Burja asked me to write: https://www.palladiummag.com/2025/08/22/the-case-for-crazy-philanthropy/
Your financial support of JD Vance has not softened his heart.
Joe are you going to Reindustrialize?