Co-author: Gopika Mahapatra
3 minutes read
Stewardship is a core value for faith-based philanthropists, but practising stewardship can be challenging. What does it really mean to be a good steward in one’s grantmaking and impact initiatives, what are some key principles that comprise effective stewardship and, maybe most challenging to unpack, how can these be meaningfully operationalised throughout an organisation’s processes?
In our recent Learning Circle, featuring Amit Antony Alex, Investment Director of Dovetail Foundation, and practitioners from various organisations in the faith-based giving ecosystem explored these challenges, surfacing intuitive and surprising ideas. Here are our three key takeaways for integrating stewardship into philanthropic practice.
- Stewardship radically reframes your role as a philanthropist
Reflecting on the roots of stewardship in their respective faiths, participants noted that being a good steward begins with recognising that the resources you hold are not truly yours—they belong to those in need, to the communities we support, and to the world at large. This shift in perspective reframes the role of the philanthropist from that of a giver to a custodian, entrusted with resources to be used for the benefit of others. Part of being a good steward involves decentering oneself from the practice of giving, moving away from a mindset of ownership toward one of responsibility.
When we acknowledge that these resources are not ours in the ultimate sense, it becomes easier to adopt the perspective of the communities we seek to support. Stewardship invites us to involve those communities in the decision-making process, recognising that they are best placed to understand their needs and potential solutions. In this way, stewardship is a radical encouragement to a trust-based approach to philanthropy, imploring us to unpack the often imbalanced power dynamic between funder and grantee to create spaces where grantees and the communities being impacted are seen as knowledge holders and core decision-makers in the appropriate use of capital. Ultimately, stewardship encourages a partnership model that empowers communities and ensures that philanthropy is more aligned with the values and priorities of those it aims to serve.
- Stewardship is not just about what you do, it’s how you do it
Stewardship permeates every interaction we have with grantees, partners, and colleagues. Several participants echoed the sentiment that the essence of stewardship is “love in action,” a commitment to infusing intangible values like compassion, patience, and care into the grantmaking process. These qualities are as crucial as the tangible facts of funding and program design and they shape the way decisions are made and relationships are built.
This perspective shifts the focus from simply providing financial support to nurturing meaningful connections. By cultivating trust and openness, stewardship creates a collaborative environment where grantees feel seen and valued as equal partners. Listening to the needs of communities and engaging them with humility allows philanthropy to become a shared endeavour that enriches all stakeholders involved. In this way, stewardship strengthens relationships and lays the groundwork for sustainable, long-term impact.
- Good stewards embrace innovation
At first glance, innovation and risk-taking might seem at odds with the caution and careful management of resources that is implied by responsible grantmaking. However, as many practitioners in the learning circle emphasised, responsible stewardship requires innovation. Stewardship is not about avoiding risk—it’s about taking the right risks to maximise impact.
Good stewardship requires a critical examination of how resources are being used and a willingness to adapt when necessary. This means exploring new approaches, testing unproven ideas, and investing in innovative solutions that could better serve communities. Starting with smaller experiments and doubling down on models that deliver impact can allow philanthropists to continually learn and improve. By balancing thoughtful risk-taking with a deep commitment to their mission, funders can ensure their resources are used in the most effective and transformative ways.
Continue to explore how faith values shape philanthropic practice
Stewardship, when thoughtfully practised, transcends the boundaries of effective resource management—it becomes a guiding philosophy for creating meaningful, lasting change. By reframing the role of the philanthropist, embedding trust and compassion into every interaction, and embracing innovation as a key component of responsibility, funders can transform their approach to giving.
Continue to explore how faith values can guide philanthropic practice by reading our reports on how values and beliefs shape giving in Asia. We also welcome you to be part of future Learning Circles, where practitioners from the faith-aligned giving community come together to discuss shared challenges and learnings in order to amplify their impact.
