The Please Be Good at Philanthropy Workbook

Going Deeper on Grantmaking Strategy and Practice

Jen Ford Reedy

• Publisher: Disruption Books
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Social Sciences
• eBook ISBN:
  9781633311510
• Subtopic: Nonprofit Organizations & Charities
• Index: Social Sciences

This companion workbook to Please Be Good at Philanthropy helps foundation board and staff members—and all students of philanthropy—explore grantmaking strategy through stories, discussion questions, practical exercises, and guided application. 

In her book Please Be Good at Philanthropy, Bush Foundation President Jen Ford Reedy argues that those working in philanthropy need to commit to doing it well and continuously improving, because their work affects peoples' lives. With this supplemental workbook, she gives readers a structured way to explore and evaluate their own organizations' strategies. 

The book contains two sections focused on deeper learning and practice. 

Section One – Going Deeper on Core Concepts 

The first part of the workbook supports the core chapters in Please Be Good at Philanthropy. Designed for individuals or groups, including in classroom settings, these chapters help readers deepen their understanding of core philanthropic concepts. The chapters cover: 

• Understanding the five truths of philanthropic strategy
• Committing to competence 
• Having a clear and useful purpose 
• Using an approach that matches your purpose—and managing the trade-offs thoughtfully
• Optimizing risk 
• Getting feedback and getting better 

Section Two – Going Deeper on Good Practice 

Part two focuses on the strategic choices involved in practicing good philanthropy. Using historical examples and key operational considerations, Reedy illuminates the trade-offs inherent in any philanthropic approach. She presents twelve strategic choices that foundations must make as spectrums and examines the implications of different choices for good practice. Topics include: 

• Strategies for managing trade-offs in your approach 
• Ways to spot great grant opportunities 
• An approach-analysis case study on the Bush Foundation 

Additional case studies and worksheets are free to download on the Bush Foundation website. 

Ideal for foundation board and staff members, philanthropy students, and those considering a career in foundation work, The Please Be Good at Philanthropy Workbook is a practical companion that readers will return to again and again.

(This is a non-consumable workbook.)

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction: Get Ready to Go Deeper
• Part 1: Going Deeper on Please Be Good at Philanthropy
• Part 2: Going Deeper on Good Practice
• Putting It All Together: Approach Analysis Example
• Spotting Great Grant Opportunities
• The Please Be Good at Philanthropy Case Studies
• Conclusion: Keep Using This Book