The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships
On the second day of the 2023 Philanthropy New Zealand Conference, and in a room filled with funders, kaikōkiri, and government agency officials, the J R McKenzie Trust (the Trust) was proud to launch The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships during a conference Masterclass. A follow-up to 2019’s The Philanthropic Landscape: A Review of Trends and Contemporary Practices, the kaupapa involved exploring what mana-enhancing practice looks like in a philanthropic landscape; reflecting on what matters in partnerships for purpose; sharing ideas and learnings; and influencing practice areas across the philanthropic sector.
The Trust’s Chair, Dr Chelsea Grootveld (Ngāitai, Ngāti Porou, Whānau-ā-Apanui, Whakatōhea, and Te Arawa) opened the session with an acknowledgement of Kat Dawnier and Kate Cherrington (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai, Kapotai, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Pākehā) from Centre for Social Impact (CSI) who co-authored the report, and of Robyn Scott, Executive Director of the Trust for her thought leadership.
Kate acted as the MC/facilitator and introduced Kat who provided an overview of the report’s findings. Kat confirmed that the five themes of the 2019 report still remained relevant in the current environment i.e., a focus on equity; power sharing; systems change; decolonising practice; and adaptability and learning. She stated that Volume II was very much embedded in partnerships and then introduced the nine characteristics of what matters in partnerships of purpose:
Humility, values, and courage to change
Trust and connection – doing the work of relationship-building
Focus on the kaupapa/purpose
Intergenerational horizons
Healthy accountability
Self-determination and agency
Reciprocity, leadership, and service
From allyship to coalition
Learning and unlearning.
A discussion panel comprising Aotearoa New Zealand- and Australia-based funders and Trust kaikōkiri was then invited to the stage to take part in a question and answer session. Members included Lizzie McMillan Makalio – Wesley Community Action, Jenn Chowaniec – Wayne Francis Charitable Trust, Lili Tuioti – Peter McKenzie Project (J R McKenzie Trust), Te Pūoho Katene (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Tama) – Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust, and Teya Dusseldorp – Dusseldorp Forum.
Kate posed the first question: “Within the context of your organisation and the communities you serve, what matters most in partnerships of purpose?” Answers ranged from:
“Recognising our humanity – people matter most.”
“Showing up consistently and learning as much as possible about the kaupapa so that you can go on the journey.”
“That which is most important to a leader makes them a leader i.e., the needs of the people.”
“Honouring each other and those we’re working for.”
“Trusting that you can build together and being able to be fully honest about what the challenges are and stepping together through hard times.”
The second question asked what the challenges were and how to overcome them. Panel comments included:
“Systems that are blocking great work or actively harming the work need to be called out and redesigned so that they are serving those they are meant to be serving.”
“Establishing trust and being willing to take a risk.”
“Systems inertia we impose on ourselves e.g., organisational structures that entrench behaviours – we need to dismantle those that don’t work.”
“Relationships mean investing in the person before the project – authentic relationships need to be long-term.”
“Think of funding as a responsibility instead of a power.”
The final question asked of the panel by Kate was “What is one of the biggest learning for those who are interested in doing their mahi in a different way?” Panel responses were as follows:
“See people for people – you need to shift your perspective.”
“Take the good learnings from how funders operate with agility during emergencies and apply them to business as usual.”
“Mahi tahi – the richness of sharing between members of the kaikōkiri ‘flotilla’ shows that the sweet spot is in the whole which is bigger than the sum of its parts.”
“People should be at the table because they all share the values of the kaupapa.”
“Its incumbent on those at the table to ask whose voice is missing and invite those people in.”
The Masterclass finished with Lizzie presenting on two of the programmes she has set in motion with her son through Wesley Community Action to great success: Whanaufluence and Bro-talk. Whanaufluence is a grassroots movement for club whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand. Discussions range from how to communicate with loved ones to dealing with grief, and guest speakers range from parenting experts to children. Bro-talk offers a way for club men (and now club women) to talk to each other in a safe way about sometimes challenging subjects.
Individual case studies, as well as video extracts from interviews with staff and trustees from participating organisations, can be accessed on the CSI website.
The launch of The Philanthropic Landscape Volume II: Shifting Culture and Power through Mana-Enhancing Partnerships provided the audience with unique perspectives and plenty of food for thought. Participants commented that they felt hopeful for the future of philanthropy and pleased to be armed with the research to support their mahi going forward.