NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Monday, November 26, 2018

A well-timed donation to a smaller organization, is likely to have a greater influence on the nonprofit’s trajectory.

A common misconception about philanthropy is that only big donations can unlock significant impact. That’s simply not true, especially as more and more startup nonprofits emerge. As Giving Tuesday draws near, I’m reminded of the power of small donations.

When the Lehman bankruptcy hit the wires, I was running a small, startup nonprofit that provided micro-grants to women-led startups out of my studio apartment. It was September 2008 and my interns and I sat on the edge of my bed spellbound as we watched the news unfold. We knew the live ticker indicating the stock market crash could spell the end of our venture.

Photo courtesy of Victor Camilo