High Impact Philanthropy

Perhaps the biggest misconception that people have about philanthropy is that good intentions and a lot of money mean a lot of impact. But you don’t need Bill Gates’ money or Oprah Winfrey’s celebrity to effect meaningful change through philanthropy.

“Funders with more resources than you are often addressing bigger, more capital-intensive problems, like developing a new vaccine. But you can make a meaningful difference with a lot less money. The key is finding organizations that are using your money to the maximum effect,” says Katherina Rosqueta, executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Focus on the change you want to create, the actual impact…Be clear on the results you’re trying to achieve. Then support organizations that are doing that,” Rosqueta adds.

The practice of “high impact philanthropy” put simply means getting the best “bang” for your philanthropic “buck.” It is the process by which a donor can ensure that they make the biggest difference possible, given the amount of capital they invest. It sounds simple in theory, but the practice means a process of introspection, research, and strategy that 4Impact is here to help you with.