by Tamir Novotny, Executive Director, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy
Foundations often have underutilized talent and insight into the very issues they’re working to address — in their own staff. Entry- and mid-career staff are the most diverse in the field, and are often the most-unwedded to standard operating procedure.
A new EPIP report suggests that less than a quarter of early- and mid-career philanthropy staff see a future for themselves at their current workplaces, and over half see themselves leaving philanthropy altogether within the next five years. While many respondents felt that their organization’s work was relevant to the world today, they often highlighted a gap between the stated values of philanthropy and their lived experiences within the sector. This report underscores a need for dialogue between senior executives and staff about how they are engaged, managed and cultivated.
Philanthropy cannot solve today’s most pressing challenges in the boardroom alone. Rather, that work requires foundations to engage the full range of their assets, including their people.
EPIP will be hosting a briefing on the report on Thursday, September 27th. To join us, sign up here.