In cash or in kind? For love or money? For now or forever? - Dr Dorothy Scott Oration
From PhilanthropyWiki
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In this speech presented to a public audience at Melbourne University, Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott reflects on the value of giving in kind, the value of giving for love, the philanthropic impulse and the need to nurture this within children.
Excerpt:
Most philanthropic giving in kind is not activism philanthropy but it also involves contributing knowledge and labour. From the expertise encompassed in not for profit boards of management to the efforts of the environmental volunteers who plant trees on a large scale, the contribution in kind is huge.
Philanthropic foundations themselves can also make a significant contribution in kind, as a recent study undertaken at the Myer Foundation by intern Lesley Harris, has illustrated. Based on surveying 10 foundations, Lesley identified the broad range of non-grantmaking contribution they made, from trustees using their influence to be advocates for grant recipient organisations, to serving on advisory councils and bringing together different organisations to pursue a common goal. Sometimes it goes much further than this. The work of the R.E.Ross Trust with Aboriginal communities along the Murray, drawing on Rebekah Lautman’s social work and community development skills, is an excellent example of the added value which a philanthropic trust can provide. In some areas of grantmaking, it is not a matter of in cash or in kind. Without the in kind support, the cash will not suffice. “Can we do deeds as well as donations?” could be a useful question to build into all grantmaking practice.