WHAT MAKES OUR APPROACH UNTRADITIONAL?

 

WHAT WE DO: Part-time
Philanthropy Officer

 

Learn more about our offerings for clients needing a fractional/part-time philanthropy officer, here. 

WHAT WE DO:
donor advised funds

 

Learn more about our offerings helping clients maximize the impact of Donor-Advised Funds, here.

WHAT WE DO:
SPECIAL Projects

 

We also lead a limited number of special projects for clients each year, learn more here. 

MEET our
experts

 

Learn more about our consortium of more than 40 proven social entrepreneurs and subject-area experts, learn more here. 

The only impact advisory of its type in the world.

Untraditional Philanthropy works with individuals, families, foundations—and their advisors—to increase philanthropic impact. We are also the only advisory bringing together a consortium of 40 nonprofit leaders, subject area experts, and social entrepreneurs offering one-on-one guidance to high-capacity donors interested in doing things a bit differently.

Chandler Arnold founded Untraditional Philanthropy after spending 25 years leading successful social change efforts at the local, national, and global levels. He’s also developed award-winning social impact initiatives with some of the country’s strongest brands and most generous families.

What do we mean by “untraditional”?

Our work is guided by seven radical beliefs that shouldn’t be radical at all.

  1. WE BELIEVE PHILANTHROPY IS CHANGING—AND THAT IT SHOULD. A range of equity failures, a pandemic that disproportionally affects the poor, and rapid climate change make it clear traditional approaches will not save our world. There are better ways.

  2. WE BELIEVE THE BEST IMPACT ADVISORS ARE PROVEN LEADERS IN THE SOCIAL IMPACT SPACE. Just as you’d consult a tax expert for tax guidance, those best positioned to guide charitable giving are those who truly understand the complexities of the impact space. Note: we don’t offer financial advice. After you and your financial advisors decide what to donate, we help you deploy that funding most effectively.

  3. WE BELIEVE CHARITABLE GIFTS SHOULD FLOW TO THOSE DOING THE BEST WORK, NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST MARKETING. Name recognition is not a proxy for impact. In fact, it often isn’t. We know who is doing the best work in various fields because we’ve spent decades working in each of these fields ourselves.

  4. WE BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO REIMAGINE THE DYNAMIC BETWEEN DONORS AND THOSE THEY FUND. We understand firsthand how developing a *truly* trusting relationship between a funder and the nonprofit leadership team opens space to speak candidly about challenges and dramatically increases impact. This includes trusting leaders via general operating gifts whenever possible.

  5. WE BELIEVE PHILANTHROPIC ADVISORS SHOULD BE RIGOROUS + DRIVE RESULTS. To this end we 1) give philanthropic decisions the same strategic attention investment banking and private equity advisors give business investments, 2) conduct robust due diligence with a focus on donor fit, 3) invest in proven leadership teams.

  6. WE BELIEVE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES INCREASE IMPACT. In fact, we know they do—both from our own experience and well-documented research. To this end, more than 85% of our social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and subject area experts identify as people of color, women and/or members of the LGBTQ+ community.

  7. WE BELIEVE PHILANTHROPY IS ABOUT MORE THAN WRITING A CHECK. While financial gifts are critical, we also work with high-capacity donors to explore a range of other ways to support causes they believe in—from volunteering to skills-based advising to making introductions to board positions.

Our approach isn’t for everyone. And that’s intentional.

Our model is bold and untraditional. And we know it isn’t for everyone. But, if our approach resonates with you, we suspect you will realize that pretty quickly.

And then the good stuff begins.

Who we work with:

  • Individuals + Families

  • Wealth Managers + Advisors

  • Family Offices + Foundations

  • Corporations

  • Nonprofits + Social Enterprises

“The social sector talks a lot about how high capacity donors can help proven social entrepreneurs, but not enough about how proven social entrepreneurs can help high capacity donors.

We turn traditional thinking on its head. And we drive real results. After leading social impact efforts for 25 years, I know this approach represents an idea whose time has come.”

— Chandler Arnold, Founder, Untraditional Philanthropy

What’s next?