Do More Than Give: The Six Practices of Donors Who Change the World

by Leslie R Crutchfield, Mark R. Kramer, Leslie R. Crutchfield

How donors change the world through the six catalytic practices of high-impact philanthropy Do More Than Give provides a blueprint for individuals, philanthropists, and foundation leaders to increase their impact. Based on Forces for Good , this groundbreaking book demonstrates how the six practices of high-impact nonprofits apply to donors aiming to advance social causes. Rather than focus on the mechanics of effective grantmaking, reporting, or evaluation, this book instead proposes that donors can become proactive catalysts for change by rising to meet the challenges of our increasingly interdependent world. Key principles include: going beyond check writing/traditional volunteering; advocating for change; leveraging business; forging peer networks; empowering individuals; leading adaptively; and developing learning organizations. In good economic times or bad, this book provides guidance for givers to increase the impact of their charitable resources and go beyond check-writing to help solve problems and change the world.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Matt Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...for all of the creativity that is poured into financial innovation, few people spend their days trying to invent financial instruments that can solve - rather than cause - social problems."
- this goes far beyond just 'financial' instruments. I want to be one of those few and hope to aspire more than a few to do the same!

This was a great book for me as I'm starting my career in philanthropy. The book, written for donors wanting to be more catalytic and have higher impact, laid out some very specific ways that 'high-impact' donors are successful at achieving the greatest good. I am a member of EA (effective altruists) - a millennial generation group of aspiring philanthropists who are looking to have a greater impact on the social issues facing our world. This is definitely a very 'sexy' topic right now. You've got more young kids making tons of money in tech/ finance and they are looking to 'change the world.' But they want to make sure they are having the greatest impact. I'm excited to read Doing Good Better, as this book was what I expect to be along similar lines.

I love lists and examples under each bullet point and that is exactly how this book is organized. 6 attributes of highly impactful donors and their stories and specific steps that we can take to give as they do. It also talked about the 6 attributes of high- impact non-profits which I've noted at the bottom. Here are my quick notes to go back and read (many times in the future I'm sure)...


Commit to your cause:
- donors who pick a strategic focus are able to achieve more than those who sprinkle 'a little here, a little there'
-once you've made this firm commitment to a cause, you're able to really become an advocate for change



1. Advocate for change

- it's easy to feel good when your money went to a service that (fed a hungry family, built a school, repaired club foot for a child), but SYSTEMWIDE CHANGE is rarely achieved without a range of advocacy and policy lobbying efforts!!!!!

- fund non profits that combine service and advocacy
* GIVE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT rather than funding specific projects so the organizations can raise advocacy-specific funding more easily

-commission research to understand more about the issue



2. Blend profits with purpose

- creating shared value can achieve change MORE SUSTAINABLY (tap into the power of business!)
- some of the largest companies are realizing that they can do more good through their core business activities than through their foundations
-FOR CORPORATIONS:
1. Determine the expertise & resources within your business that can advance a social cause
2. Deploy business skills/ know-how/ and other non-financial resources to help nonprofits achieve greater impact
3. Create shared value by inventing and selling new products and services that address pressing social or environmental needs while generating a financial return
4. Partner with nonprofits to develop solutions to social problems or penetrate new markets
5. Create social investment funds to support social enterprises that can improve economic prosperity in markets or geographic locations important to the company



3. Forge nonprofit peer network:

- invest in building collaboration between the entire field of nonprofits in a single space
- funders give power away by holding entire network accountable and sharing ideas to benefit the whole
*coalitions and alliances!!!!!! Get people talking and convening



4. Empower the people:

- view individuals as a potent participants in the process of solving social problems
*Commission public opinion polls



5. Lead adaptively:

- see social problems for what they are - emergent, complex phenomena that require adaptive responses, rather than issues that can be resolved simply by making a grant to a nonprofit



6. Learn in order to change:

- Measure and evaluate effectiveness
*help build 'learning organizations'



Here are the traits of High Impact Non-Profits:

1. Advocate AND Serve (services & policy work)

2. Make markets work
- influence business practices
- build corporate partnerships
- develop earned-income ventures at scale

3. Inspire evangelists
- get others to passionately tell your story

4. Nurture nonprofit networks
- help their peers succeed
- networks of nonprofit allies
- share expertise, wealth, and talent
"Don't worry about which organization gets the credit"

5. Master the art of adaption
- build a 'learning' organization
1. Listen to feedback from external enviro
2. Modify plans/ programs
3. Reflection/ evaluation
4. Ongoing learning

6. Share leadership
- no oversized egos
- strong 'seconds in command'
- large and powerful board

[May-Ling · Rating 2 out of 5]

i stopped reading at page 86. pretty much, this book is for philanthropists, which means that you should have money before indulging. it reminds me (and depresses me) about how power works in this world, and basically persuades people to use their power in non-profit, much like they already do in for-profit - practicing advocacy (AKA lobbying) and pulling strings to be more effective than just dollars.

the point of the book comes across quickly and then it's just case study after case study, but it wasn't put together interestingly enough for me, so i put it down.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will make donors re-think their philanthropic strategies. It pushes donors to do more than passively cut checks but instead be active participants and advocates for change. It encourages donors to narrow the scope of their giving and commit to a cause, to listen to the people they serve, and to advocate and lobby for their causes. The book also discusses shareholder advocacy and voter proxies, networking, and sharing knowledge.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be re-reading this book. The message and examples of how to make giving go farther were very engaging. I particularly liked the chapter on collaborations.