Tactical Philanthropy Goes On Sabbatical

November 7, 2011 – 6:00 am

Almost exactly five years ago I sat down at my computer and typed out eight simple words.

“Welcome to the Second Great Wave of Philanthropy.”

They were the first words I ever wrote on this blog. At the time I never would have guessed that those little words would launch me on a journey of philanthropic discovery that would take me on a crisscrossing tour (both online and off) of America’s vibrant philanthropic community. I have learned so much from the Tactical Philanthropy community and have become only more convinced that the field of philanthropy is rushing forward toward a Second Great Wave of philanthropic activity that is fundamentally different from the philanthropy of the last century.

But now it is time for me to take a break from writing and focus on other areas of my life. Starting today, I’m taking a sabbatical of indefinite length from writing this blog. I hope I’ll be back at some point, but I can’t say with any certainty when. At this time, I find that I want to pour myself into other aspects of my life; my family, my community, my other personal passions and the building of my investment management business which gave rise to all of this half a decade ago.

While I won’t be writing with any regularity, I’ll still be following along with what’s going on in our field. I believe that the next five years will see the visible impact of the Giving Pledge, the advent of Social Impact Bonds and the coming of age of the effective philanthropy movement. While I won’t be chronicling this shared journey we are on together, I’ll still be a member of the tribe.

Writing this blog has certainly changed the trajectory of my life. I’d like to think that as a group we’ve helped nudge the trajectory of philanthropy along the path leading towards effectiveness.

Every one of you reading this has helped make this blog what it has been. You gave me the gift of your attention, interest and engagement. I am forever indebted to the Tactical Philanthropy community for helping make me the person I am today and nudging me along the path of my own personal life journey.

Thank you.

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54 Comments

  1. George Overholser says:
    November 7, 2011 at 6:12 am

    All great things must come to pass, Sean. Many, many thanks to you for the clarity, energy and leadership you have brought to this very important undertaking. To quote Steve Jobs, your work has created a “dent in the universe” — and that is no small feat!

    All the best,

    George

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 6:23 am

      Thanks George. You are one of the many people I never would have met had I never started writing this blog. I’m glad now to call you a friend and I’ll continue to follow your work closely. Good luck and thanks for teaching me so much.

  2. Adin Miller says:
    November 7, 2011 at 6:41 am

    Sean, I fondly remember first meeting you years ago at a Council on Foundations conference. You were sitting in the room with a laptop getting ready to take down notes for a post. You were probably the only one doing so too. As George poetically wrote, you have made a difference in our community. Your voice will be missed, but I know you will continue to positively affect our field and practice. God speed.

    -Adin

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 6:51 am

      Thanks for sharing the memory Adin. I remember my first COF conference in 2007. I was part of the first group of bloggers issued press passes. I heard later from the COF PR person at the time that inviting bloggers had been hugely controversial. Now COF has their own blog and does a great job encouraging people to blog and tweet. Times sure change fast.

      Good luck to you Adin!

      • Adin Miller says:
        November 7, 2011 at 7:09 am

        I was in the room at COF making the argument to let bloggers into the conference. Controversial understates the level of dissent around the table, but me and others carried the argument that day. We certainly have come a long way.

  3. Jim Canales says:
    November 7, 2011 at 6:49 am

    Sean,
    Thanks for bringing such passion, intelligence and thoughtfulness to this work. You have been one of a pioneers of the philanthropy/social media world and have helped to support and encourage others, like me, to follow your lead, even in a very modest way. I will certainly miss reading your work, but commend you for showing all of us the importance of focusing on what’s important in your life, even if it means having to make some hard choices. Please stay in touch!

    Respectfully,
    Jim

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 6:54 am

      Thanks Jim. It’s moving to see the first three comments on this post come in from people who I respect so much and who have been core members of the Tactical Philanthropy community for so long. Jim, you’re doing incredibly important work demonstrating how foundations can be transparent in pursuit of impact instead of just as a reaction to increased demands for accountability. I wish you the best!

  4. Mitch Nauffts says:
    November 7, 2011 at 6:57 am

    I hope the sabbatical is as long as it needs to be but that you’ll be back here, insightful and prolific as always, before long. Best of luck and all success on the next leg of your journey!

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 7:04 am

      Thanks Mitch. I really appreciate your support.

  5. Don Stannard-Friel says:
    November 7, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Sean, I just want you to know how proud your family is of your good and innovative work over these 5 years. You have become our teacher, a wise man in the clan, and we all look forward to you taking us on new adventures in the coming years. With love and admiration, Dad

  6. Rona Pryor says:
    November 7, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Sean, let me echo what’s already been said so well. Yours has been my “must read” blog for years – I’ve learned a lot from your insight and clarity. Best of everything as you focus on this next phase, and please do let us know of the occasions when we can hear from you!

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm

      Thanks so much Rona. You’re doing important work with SVPI. Keep it up! Our paths will cross again.

  7. Christine Egger says:
    November 7, 2011 at 11:27 am

    I’m going to miss learning from and with you here, Sean. Thank you for every post, and for the discipline and dedication to the sector that informed them.

    Here’s to finding other spaces to continue our conversations,
    Christine

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 12:02 pm

      “Learning from and with.” That perfectly describes how I think of my gratitude toward the Tactical Philanthropy community. Good luck in all you do Christine.

  8. Matt Klein says:
    November 7, 2011 at 12:29 pm

    Sean – Your blog has been at the top of my daily must-reads for years. It’s affected how I’ve done my work and advanced an important collective conversation. Your ideas and insights and your ability to identify, articulate and analyze issues and trends so well (and quickly!) have been inspiring. I’m sorry that the blog won’t be part of my daily routine but I know your influence will continue to be felt. Thanks and look forward to crossing paths again soon. Best, Matt

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks so much Matt. I really appreciate your thoughts. It has been a great five years!

  9. Larry Blumenthal says:
    November 7, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    All the best to you, Sean. Your insight and wisdom and tough questions will be missed.

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks Larry. Best to you as well.

  10. Emily Jones Rushing says:
    November 7, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    I will look forward to your thoughts as they reflect different kinds of connections. I prefer to think that you won’t be able to resist speaking when the time is right!

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks Emily. I do have a hard time keeping my mouth shut, so we’ll see!

  11. Paul Penley says:
    November 7, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    We will all be a little more disconnected while you focus elsewhere. Your voice and eye on the trends in philanthropy have been a priceless education for us all. Those of us blogging elsewhere will try to pick up the pace a bit for a while, but I’m not sure how many people could sustain the active conversation you facilitated for so many years. Well done!

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 1:37 pm

      Thanks Paul. Good luck with your blog!

  12. Michael Vitali says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    You took Tactical Philanthropy a thousand times farther than I expected, and you executed better than I could have imagined five years ago. You managed to build a genuine community with the strength of your writing and insights. Which is always the goal, but so infrequently the result of a blog.

    Congratulations, Sean. You deserve a break.

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 1:59 pm

      Thanks Michael. You’re probably the first person I ever discussed the blog idea with. I’m amazed, and honored, that you still follow along. Thanks being such an important part of something that became such an important part of me.

      • Michael Vitali says:
        November 7, 2011 at 4:03 pm

        “You’re probably the first person I ever discussed the blog idea with.”

        I checked my notes and we first discussed it in March 2006, with manifesto amendments and enhancements right through the summer. I remember suggesting that you secure the domain name tacticalphilanthropy.com, and much to my surprise you did — overnight.

        I come more from the asset management side of things but I was so impressed by your mastery of the subtleties of philanthropy and its tactical necessities. Bravo!

  13. Darin McKeever says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Sean –

    Congratulations for not simply writing and curating a blog – but for helping build and sustain a community. All those lofty words we sometimes use to describe philanthropy at its best — effective, catalytic, adaptive, moral, results-oriented — could be applied to the role you’ve played these last 5 years.

    Best wishes for a sabbatical that is as personally rewarding as this blog has been to so many of your readers.

    All the best,
    Darin

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks Darin. Those are really kind words. Thanks for all the insight you’ve offered me.

  14. Autumn Walden says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

    I remember 5 years ago when I first started at the Center, I happened upon your blog and I’ve been a follower ever since. Sean, your voice will be missed. But you have set a wonderful example for me and so many others. I’ve learned so much from you and the discussions on this blog. *sniff* Good luck in your new life chapter!

    Hugs!!!

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      You are too kind! Good luck with your own blogging!

  15. Diana Ayton-Shenker says:
    November 7, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Sean,
    Wishing you the all best in the next phase of this journey. Thank you for your inspiration, intelligence, and warm collegiality. What an honor to be a member of this tribe with you!
    yours in abundant living, mindful giving, & generous prosperity,
    Diana

    • Sean Stannard-Stockton says:
      November 7, 2011 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks Diana. I’m definitely sti

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