When Giving Feels Hard, Turn to Collaboration

Even the most committed donors sometimes hesitate to give boldly—overwhelmed by decisions, uncertain about the landscape, afraid of scrutiny, pressed for time. The barriers are real.

A recent report from the National Center for Family Philanthropy (check out the full report here) outlines ten of the most common psychological barriers to giving. Among them:

• Fear of scrutiny

• Feeling unqualified to act

• Discomfort with risk

• Not enough time

What struck me most? Collaboration can help lower these barriers.

• Feeling uncertain? Join a learning circle or collaborative fund to explore complex issues with others.

• Worried about risk? Pool your resources and decision-making through trusted peer partnerships.

• Overwhelmed by logistics? Share due diligence, delegate tasks, or rely on group structures that reduce the administrative burden.

• Feeling alone? You’re not. Working with aligned peers builds motivation, accountability, and momentum.

Philanthropy is deeply personal—but it doesn’t have to be lonely. And, it shouldn’t be paralyzing.

Here’s the key takeaway: Strategic collaboration isn’t just a way to amplify impact; it’s a powerful tool to help donors get unstuck and give more boldly.

Sometimes, the answer isn’t more learning. It’s shared learning.

Not more planning. But co-planning.

Not solo risk. But linking arms.

Ready to explore how collaboration could help move past giving roadblocks? I’d be glad to serve as a sounding board. Just email me at deb@myco.consulting and we’ll find a time to talk.