Ideas have consequences. And as The Butterfly Effect reminds us, those consequences are often far-reaching and unexpected. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the social sector has absorbed ideas—about value, obligation, and exchange—without fully reckoning with where they came from or what they imply. The result is a system that behaves as if all exchange is the same.

But not all exchange is created equal.

Our sector has failed to distinguish between three foundational modes of exchange: tax, commodity, and gift. When we rely on the logic of the tax, we inherit bureaucracy and soft authoritarianism—compliance systems that prioritize order over trust. When we adopt the logic of the commodity, we get marketing plans, planned obsolescence, and a false economy that treats generosity as a transaction to be optimized. And when we gesture toward the gift, we often invoke its language without honoring its ethic. The gift is the most often referenced—and the least understood.

This project is grounded in a simple claim: the social sector needs a theory, ethic, and praxis that align with the gift. Not just different tools, but a different imagination. Not a new campaign, but a deeper reckoning with what it means to give, receive, and live in relationship.

Submission Guidelines

We welcome thoughtful contributions that challenge the conventional wisdom of the philanthropic sector. Before you pitch or send a draft, please take a moment to read the archive and get a feel for our voice: sharp, grounded, and allergic to jargon.

We’re especially interested in pieces that:

• Expose structural contradictions in how we fund change

• Explore the history and political economy of philanthropy

• Make theoretical ideas accessible and actionable

• Engage critically with dominant fundraising practices

• Offer fresh perspectives rooted in practice—not just opinion

We do not publish puff pieces, PR rebrands, or thought-leadership masquerading as critique. If your piece could double as a conference keynote or boardroom icebreaker, it probably doesn’t belong here.

Length: Most essays range from 1,200 to 3,000 words.

Tone: Smart, irreverent, and serious about ideas.

Style: Full paragraphs, full thoughts. No tweet threads, no fluff.

Please email submissions or pitches to jason@responsivefundraising.com with a short note about why your piece matters and how it fits the spirit of this project.

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an original take on philanthropy, fundraising, and the gift

People

Jason Lewis is the founder of Responsive Fundraising; a consultancy committed to creating places where fundraising can thrive. The Butterfly Effect is where we make sense of the ideas and opinions that inform our consulting practices.
Ann Criswell, CFRE, aids nonprofit leaders in enhancing their impact. With over 20 years of experience, she provides strategic insight and empathy to help organizations navigate challenges and build capacity.