Philanthropy is Political.

Philanthropy is not apolitical. Let's stop pretending it is.

Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash

Philanthropy has always been political - to say otherwise would be disingenuous.

Who we choose to give our money to - or more importantly - not give our money to, is indicative of our politics. Every donation we give is a political statement in the form of dollar signs. The way we give is indicative of the way we want the world to be.

When I say political do I mean “big P” politics? Aligning oneself with a particular political party? No. I mean the act of expressing opinions and beliefs about the way the world works. I mean declarative statements and thought leadership about how big P politics impacts the world around us.

For the majority of my career I have been told by those more senior than me that I am to remain neutral - apolitical per se - to ensure that I do not offend donors or potential funders. I always found this sentiment strange as I watched our donors - many of whom were influential business owners - were free to declare their opinions and influence political outcomes. One might only look at companies like some of Nova Scotia’s largest developers to see that being politically active is acceptable when you have wealth. At this point, it’s hard to tell where CEO’s offices start and the premier’s office ends - it’s a well-known fact.

Halifax is a small town pretending to be a big city. The networks in this town are often insular and exclusive. In my experience, it’s been acceptable for law firms, banks, and other large industry leaders to sit on boards of charitable organizations and exert their outsized influence over the decision making of non-profit staff members. This is how the system works - it is intentional and it is dangerous.

As a non-profit leader, and front-line fundraiser, I am tired of the charade. Over the last four years I have had donors tell me to take down social media posts, to keep my opinions on the welfare of society to myself, stop talking about trans rights, and to stop talking about Palestine. I have been told by many that my opinions are career-limiting and that if I want to work with wealthy and well-connected people in this community, that I should keep them to myself.

But why is it acceptable for some to exert their political opinions in this province and not others? I think that’s a question we need to ask ourselves more and more in the nonprofit sector. We know we need to move money to move power, but we are not willing to speak truth to power.

So as 2025 begins, I remain deeply committed to speaking truth to power. I want to talk about who has the power, and what they choose to do with it. About how nonprofits and charities are impacted by the politics of donors and funders. We need this conversation more than ever before.

I’ve committed to being more consistent in my writing and started this Substack account that people can subscribe to if they are interested in following along. I have no idea where this will go, or how it will evolve, but you’re welcome to join me on this journey if you want to.

Here’s to a new year of always speaking truth to power, and more importantly, being bold about our vision for the future.

In solidarity.

Liz