I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of philanthropy.
Specifically, how funders engage with and invest in communities and nonprofits. Most nonprofits have an ambivalent relationship with philanthropy. They need funding to survive, but also wished they didn’t have to depend on philanthropy to sustain their work and livelihood.
You know your community better than your funder. Yet funders often have the upper hand as they hold the purse strings.
However, there’s a phrase that goes: “Those who are closest to the problem, are closest to the solution“. This suggests that the people most familiar with or deeply connected to a problem are usually better equipped at finding the solution.
I’ve heard this phrase before, and recently read it in Nonprofit Quarterly’s article “Why Grantmakers Need to Break Their Restriction Habit—Permanently“. The article, focusing on the unintended harm restricted grantmaking has caused to nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve, proposed a new solution:
“Restricted grants imply that funders can see more than the nonprofit about the need, the situation on the ground, the best way to respond. The funders who actually think this way are few and far between. More common are the funders who believe what I believe—that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution; that nonprofit leaders have better, real-time information to make smarter choices than I ever could; and that nearly all nonprofit leaders are creative, smart, and honest.”
“Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution” is reflective of how nonprofits can make impact over time. Here’s how you can leverage this:
Co-creation and collaboration: When communities are directly affected by a problem, they often have unique insights, knowledge, and perspectives. They have firsthand information about the details, challenges, and complexities of the problem. This deep understanding allows them to identify potential solutions or approaches that others may miss. Nonprofits can make use of this by intentionally involving communities in decision-making processes to benefit from their lived experiences, knowledge, and insights. By building relationships (with community members and organizations with similar goals) and working together to generate solutions, this collaborative approach leads to more comprehensive and context-specific solutions that are relevant, practical, and effective.
Capacity building: Your organization’s programming supports participants in building life skills that can empower them to address the challenges they face. By providing training, education, and resources, nonprofits can equip those closest to the problem with the skills and tools necessary to develop and implement solutions. This approach promotes self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Data driven solutions: Nonprofits that are data driven regularly engage in data collection practices that prioritize the perspectives and experiences of the people directly affected by the problem. By gathering qualitative and quantitative data AND sharing their learnings, nonprofits can gain a deeper understanding of the issue, identify root causes, and develop targeted solutions.
Continuous learning and adaptation: When nonprofits foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, nonprofits can refine their approaches, adjust strategies, and improve their overall impact. By actively seeking feedback and reflecting on the experiences and insights of those closest to the problem.
Advocacy and amplification: By providing opportunities to raise awareness, mobilizing support, and influencing policy changes, nonprofits can help create an enabling environment where solutions can be implemented effectively, allowing communities to advocate for their rights and needs.
Key takeaway
When you’re closest to the problem, you’re closest to the solution. Through co-creation, collaboration, building capacity, being data-driven, continuous learning and adapting, and advocacy, your organization can foster inclusivity, innovation, and empowerment, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
Raise Your Voice: How can your organization leverage the phrase “those closest to the problem, are closest to the solution”? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.
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