There it was again… another foundation with "making a difference" in their mission. This time, it was a community foundation at whose annual meeting I spoke.

The annual report boasted of the many established organizations which received grants from their unrestricted pool; it proudly celebrated the manifold local, national and international agencies which were beneficiaries of donor advised or restricted funds; and they enticed potential donors to endow their annual gifts to their favorite charities through an endowment invested with them. All true, good, worthy, and responsible.

But, "making a difference?" Difference means that something is changed because of one's involvement, beneficence, generosity, or foresight. Where, I wondered, were the investments in the young idealists whose ideas need seed money to test out? I looked in vain for the capital for innovative local programming in the arts, culture, education, or health care? In a city where venture capital is the means by which many of the wealthy gain their prominence, where was the venture capital for the next great idea or project?

Making a difference means taking a risk. To fund the same old university, hospital, symphony, church or synagogue, or museum is legitimate and deserving. Don't stop! But philanthropists who spend their time looking for the next high flier in business might do well to set aside a portion of their philanthropic dollars for higher risk ventures in the not for profit realm. Indeed, any new venture, any untested idea, any unproven young professional, any budding artist may fail, or fall short, or disappoint, or disappear. But without such risks, our social weal will be much the same as it was before your involvement. And, if it is the same as it was without your support, is that really making a difference?

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