Keynote by George McCully at NTC Boston

(Note: My collection of vlog and blog posts on the NTC Boston 2005 can be found here)

The theme of NTC Boston2005  was "Enabling Technology Funding:  Issues for Grantmakers and Grantseekers."   The keynote was presented by George McCully, President, Catalogue for Philthanthropy.

This gentleman looks like a Harvard professor, with his red bow-tie and eminent presence.   His sense of humor was very subtle.  Some of his quips made me do a double-take because you wouldn't expect such subversive things to be uttered from someone who looked so distinguished.     For example, "I’m a trustee of a small family foundation, not by family, thank god.”   "Anyone who donates to Harvard is an alumni or social climber."

Unfortunately, I was sitting in the back of a large room with a poor sound system and accoustics. It prevented me from hearing every word clearly or podcasting. But you can hear him in this 1/2005 interview on NPR about the generosity index which was also covered.  He was also backlight, so no photo or video ...

He gave a history of his work with the Catalogue for Philthanthropy -- which is much better described on their web site than in my notes.   He presented the new/old paradigm for philanthropy  for individual donors.

He spoke about how the demographics of wealth has changed and fundraisers need to pay increasing attention to individual donors.  In the last five years, 1,000 private foundations have been created in MA.  The new foundations are the ones to go after.  Most aren’t staffed.    They view philanthropy as is an extension of their investment stock.   They don’t have any moral obligation at all to donate, thank you very much.  They worked hard for their money and they want to decide who to give to.

He talked about how the word “Philanthropy” was misunderstood or had negative meaning to these new younger donors.   “What is it, an intestinal disorder?”   

He then asked everyone if anyone knew when the word appeared.  (No raised hands.)   His classics background was clear as he gave us a brief history:

“Prometheus – through his mankind loving character  - and it isn’t clear if  he loves humanity or actual people – gave people the gift of fire, symbolizing all the arts that mortals have.  When I say arts, I mean it very broadly – science, craft, not just performing arts.   He gave us optimism.  Unless you are optimistic, what’s the point of giving?   Prometheus means foresight.  He gave to humans this point of view and the tools to make us civilized.   Philanthropy was considered an extension of this. -- working to improve the human condition because you believe in humanity.   However, no good deed goes unpunished.  As we know,  Prometheus was chained to a mountain. So be careful what good deeds you do.  Eventually he reconciled with Zeus.  So philanthropy is an education about human development."

He shared a visual diagram of his taxonomy of MA nonprofits that did with analyzing Form 990 information and google.  He described the nonprofit sector in MA at four levels:

Level 1:  Mega Charities (Harvard)
Level 2:  Charities of general philanthropic interest (2578 in MA -- the Catalogue is focusing on these)
Level 3:  Local philanthropic (e.g. Dover Historical Society)
Level 4:  Of interest to members only (Church, Schools, Etc.)

He spoke future plans to be able to map that information strategically to help make giving decisions.