The Product Validation Process: From Idea to Evidence
A 3-step product validation process to de-risk your ideas
Philanthropic Strategy: Three Easy-to-Miss Tips for Impact (One Pager)
Discover three often-missed tips for philanthropic strategy that can transform your impact
This one-page guide summarizes the key concepts and actionable strategies from our in-depth blog post Strategic Giving: How to Avoid 9 Common Pitfalls
Philanthropic Strategy: Don't Miss These Easy-to-Overlook Tips
Without such a framework for philanthropic impact, donors may face several challenges:
- Implementing solutions without a deep understanding of the problem, potentially wasting resources and causing harm.
- Using a generic approach that fails to consider unique strengths and specific contexts, limiting overall impact and long-term dedication.
- Overlooking crucial qualitative factors and missing opportunities for significant change by focusing solely on easily quantifiable outcomes.
To address these challenges, a three-sprint approach is proposed:
A Note From the Author (Dan Wu, JD/PhD)
- As a former startup SVP of Product, I've lived the challenges this covers. The tools here are the ones I've used to build and manage responsible, high-growth products that generated 6-8 figures.
- I help social impact leaders like you do the same, by finding who will buy, what to say, and what to sell through Silicon Valley product principles, fusing modern agility with Harvard PhD insight.
Sprint 1: Relevant & Important Problems
This initial sprint focuses on directing philanthropic efforts towards the most critical issues where a significant and lasting difference can be made.
- Voice of Stakeholder Analysis: Understanding oneself and the needs of intended beneficiaries through reflection, brainstorming, and relationship-building.
- Strategic Prioritization Matrix: Aligning problem areas with personal goals, resources, and networks to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.
- Identification of Core, Unmet, and Urgent Needs: Addressing the most critical gaps for meaningful initial impact.
Sprint 2: Wider and Deeper Problems
This exploratory sprint aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape and uncover systemic issues requiring thoughtful interventions.
- Light Voice of Stakeholder Analysis: Quickly gathering available data and conducting initial outreach for rapid learning and early refinement.
- Extended Voice of Stakeholder Analysis: Connecting with diverse stakeholders across sectors to gain broad perspectives and identify systemic patterns and network deficiencies.
- Refined Problem Prioritization Matrix: Investigating deeper causes of identified problems and analyzing past efforts to develop sustainable solutions.
Sprint 3: Viable Solutions
This solution-oriented sprint develops and validates practical interventions that are effective, sustainable, and foster trust with those being served.
- Solutions Prioritization Matrix: Defining criteria for effective solutions, considering validated initiatives, and brainstorming personalized adaptations.
- Offer Creation Project: Initiating solution exploration early, brainstorming formats based on stakeholder feedback, and refining for viability.
- Impact Validation & Refinement Process: Validating solution impact through concrete commitments, mapping beneficiary journeys, and continuously measuring and evaluating outcomes.
For an example case study applying this method, check out AI Strategy: Case Study of How We Helped a $6 Billion Foundation
Philanthropic Strategy: Maximize Your Impact
Following these three sprints focused on identifying, exploring, and solving relevant problems will equip you with strategies to implement a more effective and impactful philanthropic strategy, ensuring your efforts are both meaningful and sustainable.
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