# 297: Why Big Giving Falls Short and How Fundraisers Can Push Back with Glen Galaich

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-fundraising-4083661/297-why-big-giving-falls-short-and-how-fundraisers-can-push-back-with-glen-galaich
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-fundraising-4083661/297-why-big-giving-falls-short-and-how-fundraisers-can-push-back-with-glen-galaich.md
Podcast: [What the Fundraising](https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-fundraising-4083661)
Published: 2026-04-28T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/ICAAL4636337462.mp3?updated=1777341343
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/ICAAL4636337462.mp3?updated=1777341343
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Duration seconds: 2803

## Resource

What happens when philanthropy becomes more about control than community? Can generosity still be called generosity when tax benefits and personal recognition take center stage? Join us for today's episode to question the hidden dynamics behind modern fundraising and explore what true public stewardship really looks like! This conversation features Glen Galaich, a respected philanthropy leader with more than 25 years of experience in donor education and fundraising. As the founder of the Stupski Foundation, which works across San Francisco, Oakland, and Hawaii, Glen has spent years examining how wealth shapes giving. He is also the author of the book Control: Why Big Giving Falls Short, in which he challenges traditional philanthropic systems and calls for greater accountability, trust, and honesty in the sector. Throughout the conversation, Glen unpacks the idea of donor-centric fundraising and its historical roots, tracing it back to Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth." He discusses how philanthropy often becomes tied to power, ego, and tax advantages rather than genuine generosity. Glen explains the psychological shifts that can happen when people gain significant wealth, often leading to insecurity and a stronger desire for control. He also explores trust-based philanthropy, participatory grantmaking, and the importance of unrestricted funding. Furthermore, Glen emphasizes that donors should act as public stewards, staying accountable to the communities they aim to serve, while fundraisers must create honest conversations and challenge unhealthy power dynamics within philanthropy. In this episode, you will be able to: - Recognize the difference between generosity and philanthropy. - Learn how donor control can affect community impact. - Understand the importance o…

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