Stewarding a Giving Relationship: A Spectrum of Possibility Part I

This is the first of a 3-part series on stewarding a giving relationship between donors and cultural organizers. This blog series is co-created by myself and the excellent donor organizer, Hilary Pollan. This series comes ahead of An Exploration of Southern Cultural Organizing on April 16. During this participatory event we will expand our collective understanding of cultural organizing through conversation with Triangle NC-based artists and cultural organizers Derrick Beasley, Mike Williams, and Omisade Burney-Scott. There will be opportunities to connect and engage with other donors, funders, and cultural organizers, and explore how to engage in a giving relationship to support this transformational work.

So you’re thinking about starting a giving relationship? Fantastic! Before you rush to your local coffee shop already planning how you will use or give a donation, let’s slow down and really think about how to steward this relationship. What would a successful relationship between a Cultural Organizer and Donor look like and what questions should you be asking before accepting or giving financial resources?

In this two-way relationship, we like to think of the Cultural Organizer as the Guiding Agency and the Donor as the Supporting Agency. This relationship is like Geese flying in a flock: The Cultural Organizer guides the flock, with the other birds (Donors) creating the rest of the formation. As each bird in the flock flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following, allowing the full formation to travel more easily with the shared momentum. We’re after this shared momentum and ease in a giving relationship!

How do you get to that shared momentum, generative relationship? The first and most important question that both parties should ask themselves  is “How is the donor navigating their power”? Does the donor have an analysis about how their access to wealth and resources impacts the relationship and is that a conversation that is possible between you? How are they dismantling the power differences that have traditionally defined giving relationships? This conversation can determine the depth and dynamics of the relationship. 

This may seem daunting to ascertain as you sip your oat milk latte but this is really a question about values. Some questions that could facilitate a conversation about power include “what do you most want your resources to do?”, “how are you of service or in community beyond financial resources?” “what long term impact do you hope to have?” These are a few questions that can illustrate someone’s values regarding power.

The great news, well-stewarded giving relationships are possible! They require asking questions that allow both the Cultural Organizer and Donor to honestly name their needs and capacity from this relationship. Specifically, we encourage folks to explore the Spectrums of Resources and Relationships to the depth and dynamics of the relationship. Join us for the rest of our series as we will offer specific questions and examples to help guide this exploration!