You hit so many interesting points here and I feel like you are beginning a really good conversation, not least about respecting those who have been toiling away at social justice and including them as equals. Thanks!
Wonderful and challenging commentary. You have nailed some of the unease I have been feeling but couldn’t quite put my finger on, without seeming churlish. Like Aaron, I hope this is the beginning of some really important conversations. Thanks.
Can’t agree more about the need for empathy and the often-times “dissing” of nonprofits. This from a former foundation grantmaker and now advisor to donors of all kinds. And was nice to hear you talk of the “colonias”. I used to fund nonprofit work there from the Mexican side.
Absolutely on the button. You’ve articulated what many who interact between the nfp and entrepreneurship space have long noted. An important and challenging conversation for us all to have.
Have you ever had an experience where someone writes your story - articulating what you feel and just cannot say it as well because you are in the moment? This is how I feel reading this article- someone understands the journey of non profit work. Thank you.
I am leery of the tech philanthropists’ honesty and motives. Nonprofits don’t need to be “imaginative, fun, epic charities” despite what Scott Harrison said. Silicon Valley companies are not especially fun or epic, despite what the media says. They succeed due to a lot of hard work. That is the same way that non-profits have a positive impact.
The author of this post, Kristen Joiner, described her experiences helping disadvantaged children on the Mexico-Texas border. That is where Lyndon B. Johnson got his start too, as a public school teacher there. He didn’t have fun, but he did manage to get the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed during his presidency. Unfortunately, LBJ is not remembered for his empathy and compassion, maybe because those traits are perceived as more feminine and thus less valuable?
COMMENTS
BY Aaron Johannes
ON February 11, 2016 02:08 PM
You hit so many interesting points here and I feel like you are beginning a really good conversation, not least about respecting those who have been toiling away at social justice and including them as equals. Thanks!
BY Karen Wilcox
ON February 11, 2016 02:27 PM
Wonderful and challenging commentary. You have nailed some of the unease I have been feeling but couldn’t quite put my finger on, without seeming churlish. Like Aaron, I hope this is the beginning of some really important conversations. Thanks.
BY Emily Purser
ON February 11, 2016 03:45 PM
so many quotable lines in this article - a lovely analysis and useful analogy, with a dash of genuine hope for lasting flavour - thankyou 😉
BY Pat Krackov
ON February 11, 2016 05:06 PM
Can’t agree more about the need for empathy and the often-times “dissing” of nonprofits. This from a former foundation grantmaker and now advisor to donors of all kinds. And was nice to hear you talk of the “colonias”. I used to fund nonprofit work there from the Mexican side.
BY Ryna
ON February 11, 2016 10:17 PM
Absolutely on the button. You’ve articulated what many who interact between the nfp and entrepreneurship space have long noted. An important and challenging conversation for us all to have.
BY Musimbi Kanyoro
ON February 12, 2016 07:29 AM
Have you ever had an experience where someone writes your story - articulating what you feel and just cannot say it as well because you are in the moment? This is how I feel reading this article- someone understands the journey of non profit work. Thank you.
BY Ellie Kesselman
ON February 14, 2016 11:35 AM
I am leery of the tech philanthropists’ honesty and motives. Nonprofits don’t need to be “imaginative, fun, epic charities” despite what Scott Harrison said. Silicon Valley companies are not especially fun or epic, despite what the media says. They succeed due to a lot of hard work. That is the same way that non-profits have a positive impact.
The author of this post, Kristen Joiner, described her experiences helping disadvantaged children on the Mexico-Texas border. That is where Lyndon B. Johnson got his start too, as a public school teacher there. He didn’t have fun, but he did manage to get the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed during his presidency. Unfortunately, LBJ is not remembered for his empathy and compassion, maybe because those traits are perceived as more feminine and thus less valuable?