The book Stolen Focus by Joha

nn Hari has earned a lot of attention for its efforts to revive the art of thinking deeply and limiting distractions in a frenzied world.

Hari says that while attention span (or our lack of it) may seem to be a personal asset, it’s actually the product of community, connected to our social environment. Now that the internet is so woven into our societal fabric, placing unlimited diversions at our fingertips, there are new societal norms about how we interact through technology that have become accepted, but that truly disconnect us.

The solution to reclaiming our focus, he posits, must be a communal effort as well. Aside from keeping our smart phones in a lock box, there’s not much a person acting alone can do to quiet the constant chatter of the online world. As Hari points out in the book – a person can’t reduce smog in a city by wearing a gas mask.

The idea that solutions are a communal responsibility, one that requires the tweaking of systems to improve results for people, is at the heart of philanthropy. Community foundations connect networks of relationships between individuals, nonprofits, civic, and faith-based organizations on behalf of generous, visionary donors. Strategic giving facilitates systemic change; done well, charitable giving can be used as risk capital to showcase what is possible and inspire institutions and the people managing them to make
broader changes.

This requires patience and a thoughtful, collaborative approach that takes the long view. When issues arise, it’s tempting to react with a quick fix, but that approach doesn’t result in solid and meaningful change.

When we work with philanthropically minded people and families alongside their advisors, our discussions often lead to how to support innovative, strategic systemic solutions that address the causes of issues. In determining results, we focus on metrics that gauge how we’re making a difference, be that student reading scores, increases in skilled workers, or college completion rates.

Inevitably, our community's needs will continue to change as more people call our region home. I am hopeful that the solutions to some of our greatest challenges will evolve as well. As Hari noted in Stolen Focus, a committed group of mothers that focused on measurements of lead in paint changed how that industry evolved, improving products we use today in homes, churches, and daycare centers. Those who leave their estate to foundations trust us to help safeguard the future of our community by supporting creative changes locally. Strategic giving generates solutions that will be enacted long into the future. That is something to focus on: how investments in our community yield long-term results. Put another way, it’s not a task that can be accomplished with a gas mask.