Discover Your Philanthropic Avatar
Discover Your Philanthropic Avatar: Are You a Sara Blakely, MacKenzie Scott, or Melinda Gates?
When it comes to philanthropy, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Just as everyone’s financial goals, career aspirations, and life passions are unique, so is the way we choose to give back. Whether you’re interested in innovation, empowerment, large-scale transformation, or supporting underfunded causes, there’s a philanthropic strategy that aligns with your vision.
We share many stories of everyday philanthropists on our podcast, Positive Impact Philanthropy, and thoughts we would share some high-profile examples here.
Let’s explore three distinct paths by taking a closer look at the giving styles of Sara Blakely, MacKenzie Scott, and Melinda Gates. Which approach resonates with you? How can you apply their strategies to your giving journey? Let’s find out.
Sara Blakely: The Hands-On Innovator
As the founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely built a billion-dollar company from the ground up. She brings that same entrepreneurial spirit to her philanthropy. Blakely’s giving style is hands-on and innovation-focused, often supporting women and budding entrepreneurs who need a hand-up to bring their ideas to life. Her philanthropic approach is bold and personal. Rather than focusing solely on established nonprofits, she gravitates toward grassroots initiatives and unique, underrepresented causes. Her recent donations, which include millions in pledges to women entrepreneurs during the pandemic, reflect her commitment to empowerment and transformation at a local level. She knows that when women are equipped with resources and knowledge, they have the power to uplift entire communities.
Is the Sara Blakely Approach Right for You?
If you’re passionate about supporting individuals with big dreams, you value creativity, and you enjoy being directly involved in your giving, you might connect with Sara Blakely’s style. If this sounds like you, we recommend:
Exploring micro-grants or seed funding opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs or small nonprofits.
Building relationships with recipients to gain insight into how your support impacts their journeys.
Contributing skills or mentorship to help guide and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Blakely’s style is ideal if you like to be hands-on and see tangible results up close. Though it may require more direct involvement, this approach can be deeply rewarding and allows you to foster personal connections.
MacKenzie Scott: The Strategic, Quiet Giver
MacKenzie Scott took the world by surprise with her approach to philanthropy. After her divorce from Jeff Bezos, she rapidly rose to the forefront of giving—quietly, efficiently, and without strings attached. Scott has since donated billions to organizations serving underserved communities and addressing systemic inequities, such as food insecurity, education, and social justice.
Scott’s giving style is grounded in trust-based philanthropy, which means she gives large sums directly to organizations with minimal conditions, trusting that they know best how to use the funds to maximize impact. She often works behind the scenes, without fanfare, using her resources to empower organizations that focus on structural change rather than short-term fixes.
Is the MacKenzie Scott Approach Right for You?
If you believe in the power of social equity, prefer to let your donations speak for themselves, and want to support organizations that challenge societal structures, Scott’s approach could be for you. You can adopt her style through:
Practicing trust-based philanthropy, providing funding without micromanaging how it’s used.
Seeking out high-impact nonprofits (not necessarily high-profile) that align with your values and consider multi-year commitments for stability.
Emphasizing anonymity if you prefer your impact to stay quiet, focusing on the cause rather than recognition.
Scott’s giving style is ideal for those who are drawn to causes related to social justice and systemic change and/or those who prefer an understated, hands-off approach. While it may lack the personal connection of Blakely’s model, Scott’s approach allows you to make a significant, lasting impact on pressing issues.
Melinda Gates: The Collaborative Changemaker
Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, exemplifies large-scale, collaborative philanthropy. Her approach focuses on solving global challenges through partnerships with governments, nonprofits, and private organizations, prioritizing data-driven solutions and long-term, transformative initiatives.
Gates’s philanthropic philosophy is rooted in addressing foundational issues like public health, education, and economic opportunity. She believes that collaborative efforts between sectors can yield the most sustainable, far-reaching impact, as seen in her work on global health, gender equity, and poverty alleviation. Gates invests heavily in research and data to inform her giving and ensure that the solutions are measurable and replicable.
Is the Melinda Gates Approach Right for You?
If you’re passionate about addressing root causes rather than symptoms, value collaboration, and want your giving to have a large-scale, global impact, you might resonate with Melinda Gates’s style. To follow her path, consider:
Partnering with larger institutions or joining a donor network or giving circle to pool resources and amplify your reach.
Supporting initiatives rooted in research and measurable outcomes that focus on sustainable, long-term solutions.
Funding systemic change initiatives that prioritize large-scale transformation over short-term relief.
Gates’s model suits those who enjoy strategic planning, data analysis, and working within complex systems to tackle global issues. While it may be the most demanding of the three, requiring ongoing commitment and collaboration, it also offers the potential for lasting, widespread impact.
Choosing Your Avatar and Making an Impact
Whether you’re most drawn to Sara Blakely’s hands-on, innovative approach, MacKenzie Scott’s trust-based, quiet philanthropy, or Melinda Gates’s strategic, collaborative efforts, each model offers a unique pathway to impact. By identifying your philanthropic avatar, you can tailor your giving strategy to align with your values, goals, and personality.
To get started:
Reflect on Your Core Values: Think about what issues resonate most with you. For example, are you passionate about social justice, education, or empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Assess Your Resources and Involvement Level: How much time, expertise, and funding do you want to contribute? Are you looking for a more hands-on role, or would you prefer to provide support from a distance?
Experiment and Refine: Don’t be afraid to try different giving methods before settling on one approach. Philanthropy is a journey, and your style may evolve as you gain more experience and insight.
Final Thoughts
Philanthropy is a deeply personal expression of our values and vision for the future. By choosing a philanthropic avatar, you’ll have a roadmap that resonates with your goals and passions, allowing you to make a meaningful difference in the world. Whether you see yourself as a Sara Blakely, a MacKenzie Scott, or a Melinda Gates, your approach will have the power to change lives and build a legacy that lasts.
In the end, it doesn’t matter who your philanthropic avatar is—the most important thing is the impact you create. So embrace your giving style and start making a difference today! Need support with your philanthropic planning? We can help!