2011 Letter from the executive chair

January 4, 2011

I like to ask questions

I believe that philanthropy does not start with having the right answers, but by asking the right questions.

Finding the right questions is not as easy as you might think and, frustratingly, often leads to further questions.

This approach requires an investment of patience, time and money, but considerably reduces the risk of wasting vast amounts of these precious resources.

We have become firm believers in using research and evaluation to help us formulate some of these questions, and possibly find some of the answers. It assists us in understanding whether we are making a positive and sustainable impact… or not. It can highlight where things are, and also where they could be.

American Community activist Saul Allinsky once said:

One of the most important things in life is… that ever-gnawing inner doubt as to whether you’re right. If you don’t have that, if you think you’ve got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated.

I hope that asking the right questions will avoid the above condition!

The last year has been a very productive one for our Foundation. I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues and our partners who have worked tirelessly and with endless enthusiasm.

I very much look forward to the next year of our journey together.

Trevor Pears

To read the current Letter from the executive chair click here