"Every philanthropic dollar is a loss. The moment a grant leaves a foundation's account, it is gone. There is no equity position, no return on capital. Philanthropy is not venture capital with a mission statement; it is money set on fire in the hope that the heat does something useful."
"Foundations impose layers of process-applications, budgets, logic models, quarterly reports, site visits, final evaluations-as if these rituals of control could somehow unspend the money if things go wrong. They can't. What they can do is consume a staggering share of the resources they were meant to deploy."
"Imagine you're sick-not dying but struggling enough that you need help. You go to the doctor. But before you can be seen, you're told: 'Write your own diagnosis. Research the treatment options. Propose a course of care.' That's a grant cycle."
Philanthropy results in a financial loss as grants, once given, do not return. Foundations impose extensive processes on grantees, which consume resources and complicate funding. Grantees must write their own diagnoses and proposals, endure long wait times for funding decisions, and navigate complex reporting requirements. This system creates inefficiencies and burdens nonprofit leaders, who must manage multiple applications and reports, often leading to frustration and wasted resources.
Read at Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.
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