Shark tank for NGOs?

One request I get frequently from the funding circles I run is whether it's possible for a funder to observe a round. This is quite understandable—I think how grantmaking happens is fascinating and mysterious, even to other grantmakers.

A compelling idea that came to mind is creating "Shark Tank but for charities." While I know readers here appreciate blog posts as a medium, I suspect video content would be more engaging and accessible for most audiences. In theory, three grantmakers with different but complementary perspectives on NGOs, plus a cohort of charities, could create a compelling episode.

I believe this format could have a few benefits:

1) Making philanthropy engaging and accessible Generally, philanthropy isn't perceived as particularly fun or interesting, yet I believe it genuinely can be. Our funding circles are social and entertaining while enabling better decisions than traditional grantmaking approaches. I suspect that donor fatigue stems more from format limitations than inherent disinterest in giving.

2) Providing calibration opportunities for donors One of the most common questions doctors receive is "Is this normal?" Grantmakers often have similar uncertainties. There's no formal school for grantmaking, and best practices remain opaque. A show featuring real interactions between charities and grantmakers could illuminate key dynamics: what questions to ask, what exemplary organizations look like, and how decisions get made. I could even envision post-credit segments where grantmakers elaborate on their reasoning for additional depth.

3) Demonstrating effective grantmaking practices Well-chosen "Sharks" could pose essential questions I wish were asked more frequently in the NGO sector: "What's your theory of change?" or "How does your cost-effectiveness compare to similar interventions?" The rigorous questioning that makes Shark Tank compelling should be applied more consistently to charitable work.

Potential concerns (and why I'm cautiously optimistic):

1) NGOs wouldn't participate I'm not convinced this is true. When I asked several organizations, many expressed interest if there was a reasonable chance of funding (say, above 33%). If grantmakers selected five projects they were genuinely considering funding, or issued an open call, I believe there would be substantial interest. Many entrepreneurs now appear on Shark Tank primarily for publicity—we could similarly feature all participating charities with donation QR codes during the show, ensuring visibility to potential funders regardless of outcome.

2) Grantmakers wouldn't participate I know this concern is unfounded, as I've already floated the idea with several grantmakers who expressed genuine interest. Like podcast appearances, there's some reputational risk, but for certain personalities, it would be genuinely enjoyable. I'm confident I could recruit two other grantmakers, particularly for episodes focused on cause areas where they have expertise and passion.

3) The show wouldn't be entertaining without hostile interactions. This concern has more merit. I expect both grantmakers and charity representatives would be more collegial than the sometimes cutthroat for-profit environment. However, I suspect it would remain compelling, especially with innovative organizations. And some grantmakers are ok with being critical even in a setting like that (although maybe not to quite the same extent).

What's your take? Promising concept or misguided idea? If there's sufficient interest, my next step would be producing a pilot episode to test the format.

P.S. I appreciate that others have had this idea (example 1, example 2) but I have not seen anyone execute it (if someone has I would love to see the link!).