I’m done being busy
I have a good friend who really wanted a job in philanthropy. When she finally got a position in philanthropy she promised that she wouldn’t be like other Program Officer and constantly complain about how busy she was. She reasoned that this was the job that she wanted, busyness shouldn’t be an issue. A few minutes after she told me this, I asked her how work was going. She sighed and said “busy”.
There are many, many reasons why foundation staff are so busy, but I think that most of those reasons can be boiled down into a few self-created reasons.
- We don’t delegate because someone might do it better than us. Fear of being replaceable is a very real but you are more likely to be replaced if you are running around like crazy, trying to be Wonder Woman, Martha Stewart and Michelle Obama rolled into one. None of us can do it alone. Let go a little bit.
- Foundations are process driven places and we often rely on lots of paperwork, rather than a little bit of good judgement to make grantmaking decisions. Maybe if we spent less time requesting duplicate copies of 990’s and specialized logic models, we would have a clearer head to figure out if the program is actually a good idea.
- Foundation positions are seen as cushy jobs, so easy that anyone could do it. How hard could it be to give away money, they ask. Very hard actually, but I think many of us have internalized this criticism of the field and insist of telling everyone near and far how extraordinarily busy we are. Lest someone assume that we are expendable. Enough already.
I’m done with it all. I am the master of my outlook calendar and I have a lot of say in how my foundation interacts with grantees. I’m sick of us all being too busy to enjoy the richness of this work and the wonder of what generosity can do to strengthen communities. I’m declaring a moratorium on busyness. Who’s with me?
January 31st, 2010 at 10:53 pm
I’m with you! And congratulations on staying focused on the potential of your work — rather than the minutiae. I left my last staff job in favor of self-employment, but the same busyness can afflict all of us, wherever we are. Part of the human condition, I guess.
Btw, I’m a boomer … far from retiring to the lake cabin (although that sounds good some days). And really glad to see a new generation of change agents.
Best regards,
Pam
February 1st, 2010 at 10:09 am
I’m with you, Trista! I also think this isn’t just an issue within philanthropic organizations, but within the larger nonprofit sector, and I’m sure in other sectors as well.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 am
Where do I sign-up? I have been working the past 2.5 years to develop and grow a non-profit Visual and Performing Arts Charter School with no luck. A 1-page proposal is not enough room to explain to philanthropic organizations that we are not a private/religious school, we do not charge tuition or require admissions tests. After explaining all of that, there is very little room left for the mission, vision, and purpose of the rganization. I feel as though I have entered the game too late and I am not adequately prepared. Many of the good resources available are costly, which is an oxymoron for a ‘new’ nonprofit. So what would be the best way for me to break-in o the other side, e.g., working for a philanthropic organization as opposed to trying to get funding from one?
Thanks,
Monise
February 4th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Let’s be clear. That emphasis on paperwork, proof, and arguments for making a grant arises from a work culture that overly inflates academic research, and the culture of ‘traditional academic’ settings often, there’s more emphasis on say-nothing reports than being a learning organization. Enough with the blond worship of titles, white papers and academia.
Onwards with learning — in all it’s forms.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I’ll join you!… as soon as I have a free minute:) Thanks for making the point that paperwork doesn’t replace judgement. Well put-