Fantasy Philanthropy

One outcome of ever-expanding coverage of philanthropy is that we've now got a bunch of armchair coaches who think they can guide charitable dollars better than the pros. Based on a lifetime in the sector, I say welcome and hallelujah!

Writing in the on-line magazine, Slate.com, Douglas K. Smith has an idea for harnessing that energy to bring new dollars and strategy to the sector with an idea he calls "fantasy philanthropy":

So, how would a fantasy league for philanthropy work?

To begin with, a bunch of philanthropists would commit serious capital over a sustained time frame—say, $275 million over five years (or "seasons," to keep the sports metaphor going). The philanthropists select a field, like education or health or housing. Then they recruit a set of nonprofits to participate in the league according to an agreed-upon set of metrics. For example, a league of nonprofits devoted to prenatal care might select metrics for the number (as well the growth in number over time) of women who get early care, high-risk women helped, healthy births, and, finally, the organization's financial soundness. Once everyone is on board, the philanthropists and the nonprofits set up a schedule for infusions of money linked to the outcomes of the competition.

I don't have any interest watching American Idol, but I think it is pretty fascinating that music execs figured out exactly how to give the people what they want. Here's a derivative that taps broader creative energy and dollars on behalf of social change. Go PhilanthroFillies!

Susan Herr