Want your charitable giving to make the greatest difference in the world? Today, we’re talking with Kris Putnam-Walkerly, author of Delusional Altruism, who advises philanthropists who want to achieve greater clarity, impact, and joy with their giving. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVQF5___XQ&t=11s

We’ll discuss why how you give matters, the 7 delusions of altruism, and how to create lasting change.

If you’re a philanthropist, donor, or an everyday person who donates time, money, and experience to help create a better world… tune in now!

Table of contentsDelusional Altruism: What Makes Philanthropy Effective or Not?Invest Like It’s Your BusinessHow Do Philanthropists Get in Their Own Way?How to Ask the Right QuestionsHow Can You Be Transformational in Your Giving?Links Mentioned: About Kris Putnam-WalkerlyBook A Strategy Call

Philanthropy Coaching

[7:08] “I also provide a lot of coaching and advising. So most of my clients now retain me as a private coach to help them navigate their philanthropic journey and help them get clarity on what they’re trying to accomplish. And help hold them accountable to accomplishing it. And really being a sounding board to them, because it can be a very lonely place to be. Either you’re the executive director, perhaps, of a foundation...but also for, perhaps, an ultra-high-net-worth donor...it can feel lonely because you can feel a lot of guilt with having all that wealth.”

The reason it’s lonely, as Kris mentions, is that there aren’t many people you can have a conversation with about your finances. Either people are asking for that money, or they don’t validate your struggles because you have money. 

Delusional Altruism: What Makes Philanthropy Effective or Not?

[9:35] “Delusional Altruism is really about how donors of all sizes and types are generally genuine in their altruism. They really want to make a difference, change the world, want to help others; but are getting in their own way and are preventing themselves from having the impact that they seek….So part of the challenge with effectiveness is, it’s hard to be effective when you’re getting in your own way.”

[10:05] “One of the challenges is a scarcity mindset, and this is when donors believe that maintaining a spartan operation for themselves or their grantees...somehow equates to delivering greater value in the community.”

[11:00] “If you want a non-profit to be successful, just like a business, it requires investment in your growth and in your success.”

[11:55] “I think a lot of people of wealth feel guilty. They feel guilty because maybe they inherited the wealth and didn’t earn it, and therefore don’t deserve it. Or maybe they made more money than they ever thought they’d make in their lifetime, sold a business, and suddenly have wealth... But the problem with that is it really holds funders back, from a mindset perspective. It often causes people to shrink, to kind of mask their talent and mask their ability to make a difference in the lives of others.”

[13:04] Rachel: “The business in the first place is service to mankind and to the world. And you are not taking money from society; you are giving something that’s more valuable, and the exchange of that is that you are profitable.” 

Invest Like It’s Your Business

[18:50] Kris: “Is that how you invest in your business? Do you only allow one cent of every dollar to go to pay your staff salaries? [Or] to go to pay for your own business development? So why are we asking a non-profit, who’s trying to save people’s lives, why are you asking them to do [that]?”

How Do Philanthropists Get in Their Own Way?

[20:20] “I think fear really is the primary cause of the scarcity mindset. And there are lots of different ways funders feel fearful; which might surprise you because you assume that the donor is wealthy, and with wealth should come confidence.”

[25:30] “Sometimes we...sort of stumble through our giving based on what...