Author Archives: Bret Bicoy

In last month’s column I wrote there’s a “tectonic shift occurring that has the potential to fundamentally change the world of philanthropy.” I noted that many funders are beginning to see the limitations inherent in Strategic Philanthropy, the dominant concept in awarding grants the last few decades. Strategic Philanthropy involves turning a successful pilot projectContinue reading “Philanthropy’s Tectonic Shift Continues”

Although few outside the philanthropic world realize it, we are in the midst of a monumental philosophical debate on how to use charitable dollars so they have the greatest impact on society. The outcome of this discussion will have enormous implications for the manner in which charitable dollars will be granted out to nonprofit organizationsContinue reading “A Tectonic Shift in the World of Philanthropy”

Last year my wife finished the college degree that was disrupted by her marriage to me nearly 20 years ago. She wants to become a teacher so the shelves and desk in our bedroom are filled with books, educational materials and notes from her recently completed student teaching assignment. As I sat down at theContinue reading “Lessons from Kindergarten”

Last week I had the opportunity to tell a story before a sold-out crowd at the Women’s Fund “Tales of Our Lives” Story Slam. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the genre, a story slam is an opportunity for people to step up to the microphone and share a tale from their lives.Continue reading “A Hawaii Boy Goes Home”

At first glance, you’d think the worlds of my late brother Bernie Jr. and mine couldn’t be further apart. I work in the realm of philanthropy while Bernie Jr. was a venture capitalist. Yet we both used to say that we basically have the same job, only in different sectors of the economy. My brother’sContinue reading “The Overhead Myth”

Our whole community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a couple of Door County’s most generous souls. Ruth Barker and Lee Traven, two absolutely wonderful people who lived long and inspiring lives, each left this world in April. Ruth Barker and her late husband Hartley were named by the Door County CommunityContinue reading “The Least Expensive Gift You’ll Ever Make”

Of all the federal holidays throughout the year, I enjoy the Fourth of July most of all. At Christmas we’re expected to go shopping and buy things for each other. Thanksgiving has become nine hours of football, combined with a huge meal, then followed by a week’s worth of turkey sandwiches. Sadly too many haveContinue reading “Firepits and the Fourth of July”

Apparently the charities of our community are doing something right! Ninety-one percent of high net worth households have “some” or a “great deal” of confidence in the ability of America’s non-profit organizations to effectively address the challenges facing our society. As a comparison, only 25 percent of these same households have any confidence at allContinue reading “A Study of Charitable Giving in Wealthy Households”

The Tampa Bay Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting recently published a list of “America’s 50 Worst Charities.” Collectively these 50 organizations raised $1.3 billion during the last decade but they handed more than $1 billion of that to paid for-profit fundraising corporations. That means on average, that less than 25 cents out ofContinue reading “The Worst Charities in America”

Giving, at its highest levels, is gratifying for the donor. I have seen it for myself countless times during my two decades working in philanthropy. The words “joy” and “pleasure” come to mind, but they don’t quite capture the experience. The most generous people I know give back because it’s incredibly fulfilling, as if philanthropyContinue reading “Curing Donor Fatigue: The Search for Fulfillment”