What’s next for philanthropy?
A generative storytelling inquiry exploring the history of Lankelly Chase and its partners – and the future of the field
By the Generative Journalism Alliance
IN THE SUMMER OF 2024, a small group of journalists at the Generative Journalism Alliance (GJA) was commissioned to interview people who had been in relationship with Lankelly Chase.
Since then we’ve had the privilege of speaking with over 50 people about what was enabled through their relationships, what can be learned for the future of philanthropy or what comes after it, and what steps people are taking or willing to take in that direction.
The stories carry many generative visions of the future, as well as accounts of serious harm experienced by those entangled in this system, itself a byproduct of colonial capitalism.
Our generative approach to inquiry has been tested through this process, as we seek to both honour the stories of the past and surface learning that could enable people’s visions of the future to be brought to life.
Prior to its ‘transition pathway’ decision, the work Lankelly Chase was doing with its community partners was attempting to change the pattern and practice of philanthropy. People and movements who nobody else would fund, those who were out there on the margins, on the leading edge of systems change were gaining strength and momentum. New, relational and inquiry-led patterns and practices for philanthropy were emerging.
Yet the pain of innovation is in evidence. We’ve heard stories of trauma and harm to communities, many caused by Lankelly’s practices and how it has approached closing down. Although many people we spoke to agree with Lankelly’s analysis of the philanthropic field, and are acutely aware of the inherent tensions in philanthropic relations, many do not agree with Lankelly’s decision to close its doors and stop grant-giving in its current form.
So there may yet be much to resolve if we are to find a way forward. We hope these stories are a gathering up, a way to find proofs and make sense, and that they suggest a new way forward for those who might wish to find it.
Our intention is to honour the voices and stories of each person we’ve spoken to. We wanted to steer clear of co-opting or privileging any one story. While certain themes and common elements have suggested themselves to us, we looked for ways to make sure our editor’s pen did not do violence by layering what we thought we were learning on top of these living stories.
Our final form is a result of drawing out the most powerful language and through-lines found in each person’s own words and weaving them together.
Our interviews generally lasted for about an hour and netted about 20,000 words each. This means we’ve gathered more than 1,000,000 words worth of story.
The stories we have gathered, though, can and do stand on their own. The strength and beauty of each, in relationship to all the others, makes for a greater whole. In that whole picture, we hope you will find occasion to unfold these stories further by making your own meaning.
In the meantime, we know that we have only scratched the surface and that there are many more stories that could be told. We have managed but a small sample. We hope these stories open up further conversations that allow more voices to inform the future of philanthropy.
We are grateful to the folks at Lankelly Chase who have initiated this inquiry and committed to honouring the stories that emerged. We also feel a deep gratitude to those who shared their stories with us and who have given us permission to share them in the forms you see here.
Enjoy,
Generative Journalism Alliance