As philanthropic organizations, we’re hopefully starting a new year with a renewed commitment to do good for others. It’s at the root of every philanthropic mission, after all. And, as philanthropies, we all try to make decisions that are in service to our missions, represent good stewardship, and result in the greatest impact. But sometimes, in making those very decisions, we unintentionally do more to damage our impact than to further it.

I call this Delusional Altruism®, and I’ve seen it manifest itself in many ways.

Fortunately, there are also simple things you can do to recognize and combat Delusional Altruism in your own philanthropic practice.

Here are three:

  • Ask “What will it take to do this right?” Whether you are considering an investment in your own operations or an investment in a grantee partner, think from the mindset of doing it well rather than doing it cheaply.
  • Always keep grantees front and center. One foundation I work with always asks themselves, “What will this decision mean for our grantees? Will it help them to succeed or make things easier for them? Or does it just make things easier for us?”

Delusional Altruism can creep up on well-meaning foundations without being noticed, but you have the power to shine the light on it and stop it before it starts!

Read the full article by Kris Putnam-Walkerly about delusional philanthropy from Putnam Consulting Group