Drinking the Kool-Aid

Philanthropy is changing as we speak. The old ways are giving way for the new. While pondering a new future, how was it back then for those who were in power, who decided who would be eligible for support, who would be let into the gilded halls of giving? Will some of them still be there as a new nonprofit landscape is emerging? Who are the new players that will see to that all participants will get a fair share? With emerging demands for equity in not only social, racial and economic terms, but in all areas of philanthropy, and hey, in society overall, it seems like a lot of the Kool-Aid drinking cadre will inevitably have to change too. 

But before we get lost in the future of philanthropy, which will be a topic for blogs to come, it’s worth noting that some organizations have a certain caché to people for reasons that might not be so obvious. It could be founded by a special person or have a known personality as ambassador for a cause that is a hot topic of the time. It could also be that there is a certain social value associated with a certain group of people that makes it almost impossible to resist being involved, or when it’s time, to give it up. Your engagement is giving you an asset that you can wield in other areas of your life and you will go to great lengths to maintain your affiliation with the group and its people. Or, it can also provide some cover for other pursuits you are involved in.  

Sometimes, the importance of being associated with an organization stretches the limits of ethical boundaries, of transparency or moral values; it could infringe on legal as well as financial limitations and instead of being a group for good and progress, it becomes a group of maintaining status quo. 

To challenge leaders in such organizations does not come without peril. There can be repercussions for pointing things out, for expressing opinions or delivering divergent views; for that, you could be ostracized. 

Many times, people opt for doing nothing. If you drank the Kool-Aid, why would you want to shake the bottle? It tasted good, so let it be. If someone thinks that the color should be different or there should be more or less, most of the ingratiates are inclined to go along with what’s already set as ingredients; the color and the amount worked before and it will work moving forward. 

In its place, they would ask, why would we want to change? We are not the ones mixing this, we are only making sure that there’s enough of liquid to last us who are here. If you decide to dilute or change the amount, that could cause trouble and then it’s not the same Kool-Aid as before. 

In essence, there are many who rather save their own skin even when faced with blatant and consistent deviation from what’s accepted behavior if it threatens their own standing and their ability to continue having access to the Kool-Aid.  

Democratization of power, transparency, professionalism and openness in all areas of philanthropy are way overdue. The drink of choice should not be a toxic mix of chemicals, emotions or other adrenaline-infused feelings to get things done. Nor should there be a diluted version. It is time for philanthropy to create a beverage that everyone have access to, and that doesn’t come with special favors or serves special interests. Plain, fresh and unadulterated water will do just fine. 

Let’s get to it!