By continually asking ourselves how creative concepts can be applied in our work, philanthropy will realize the potential to move from transactional change to transformative change. Being an Innovation Philanthropist calls for diligence.
3 ways to be an Innovation Philanthropist:
1. Invest in unrestricted funding, including multi-year grants.
Without strong support for core operations, organizations lack the capacity to think creatively. The freedom to pause – to dedicate focused time for learning, visioning, strategizing – outside of ongoing programmatic initiatives, is critical to harnessing the intellectual wealth and passions of an organization’s staff and volunteers. Philanthropists need to invest in and champion unrestricted funding, supporting the pause to leverage growth.
2. Advocate for creative thinking strategies and ensure diversity of thought.
Incorporating the elements of creativity in board, committee and staff work is critical for innovation. Understanding the innovation process enables philanthropists to call for and foster the necessary elements.
Insisting on a diverse board or group of decision makers and ensuring that every voice is heard is critical to the creative process needed for innovation. Seeing and solving a challenge or opportunity demands that many perspectives are considered and incorporated. As leaders, we are largely responsible for the diversity of volunteers as well as the environment of inclusivity which ensures the full value of every voice at the table.
3. Challenge non-profit leadership to enable a culture that prioritizes generative thinking.
Ask often; ‘What problem are we trying to solve’ and ‘what future do we want to see as a result of our efforts’. Instilling a culture of generative thinking is enabling more than governing – it is tackling tough questions that represent the pinnacle of organizational effectiveness.