June 01, 2023 Can Philanthropy Ever Truly Be Democratized? Here Are Three Things Standing in the Way June 01, 2023/ Philip Rojc There’s been a lot of talk, and some action, around making the sector more egalitarian. But are we all kidding ourselves? Here are some inconvenient truths standing in the way of philanthropic democratization.Read More
May 31, 2023 To Build Community Power, Here Are Two Habits Funders Need to Break May 31, 2023/ Jenifer Fernandez Ancona, Jodeen Olguín-Tayler, Josh Stearns, Guest Contributors Funders often struggle to back civic engagement and community power building. In this guest piece, three authors whose organizations collaboratively fund that work suggest some changes in approach.Read More
May 25, 2023 Philanthropy Needs to Rethink Its Approach to Civic Engagement May 25, 2023/ Louise Lief, Guest Contributor Much of philanthropy frames civic engagement in a narrow way, with a focus on voting and elections. Guest contributor Louise Lief discusses what’s wrong with that, and what a better, broader approach looks like.Read More
May 18, 2023 Six Questions for Cathy Cha, President and CEO of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund May 18, 2023/ Martha Ramirez We spoke with the leader of this prominent California social justice funder to discuss her career, her experience as the daughter of Korean immigrants, threats to American democracy, and more.Read More
May 15, 2023 “Build a Radically Different Future.” Six Questions for NDN Collective Founder Nick Tilsen May 15, 2023/ Mike Scutari Nick Tilsen is one of philanthropy’s leading advocates for building Indigenous power and self-determination. We chatted with him about his organization, lessons learned from 20-plus years of activism and more.Read More
May 09, 2023 The D.C. Power List: The Most Influential Philanthropists Shaping National Policy May 09, 2023/ David Callahan Top philanthropists have become ever more adept at working the levers of power in order to shape federal policy. Here are the living donors who wield the most influence in the nation’s capital.Read More
May 02, 2023 The Education Culture Wars Are Only Growing Fiercer. These Funders Are Fighting Back May 02, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen A handful of philanthropies are supporting grassroots efforts to push back against well-funded attacks on public education. They’re hoping more funders will take a stand.Read More
May 02, 2023 Slow Government Payments Are One Barrier to Nonprofit Stability. Can Philanthropy Help? May 02, 2023/ Martha Ramirez From reimbursement delays to red tape, cumbersome contracts between nonprofits and government are often a burden, a new report finds. Here’s how that impacts philanthropy — and what private funders can do to help.Read More
April 27, 2023 It's Time for Philanthropy to Be as Bold as Leaders on the Front Lines of Social Change April 27, 2023/ Deborah Barron, Guest Contributor More progressive organizations are using a “multi-entity” approach, such as working through both a 501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4). Guest author Deborah Barron discusses how funders can back them more boldly and effectively.Read More
April 17, 2023 Voter Turnout Lags Among Rural Youth. This New Fund Aims to Change That April 17, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Young people in rural areas are some of the nation’s most persuadable voters. They’re also one of its most neglected voter demographics. But this new fund from the Rural Democracy Initiative is paying attention. Read More
April 13, 2023 What It Looks Like When a Multigenerational Family Foundation Makes All Voices Equal April 13, 2023/ Ade Adeniji When David and Georgia Welles launched the family’s Cricket Island Foundation, they prioritized family participation across generations. That continues today, and has led the funder to its current focus on youth organizing. Read More
April 12, 2023 Inside the Omidyar Network’s Push to Build a “Culture of Belonging” in America April 12, 2023/ Mike Scutari Launched in October, the Omidyar Network’s newest focus area seeks to cultivate a sense of belonging among the body politic. We walk through its work with Senior VP of Programs Michele Jawando and Director David Hsu.Read More
April 05, 2023 Is “Tech for Good” Actually Good? A New Framework Seeks to Help Funders Vet Proposals April 05, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Philanthropy is often approached to fund tech that will make the public sector more effective or equitable, but such projects often have unintended outcomes. Ford released a new report to help funders navigate proposals. Read More
April 05, 2023 The Evolution of the Woodcock Foundation: A Progressive Family Funder Branches Out April 05, 2023/ Ade Adeniji As this family foundation heads into its third generation, it’s backing social enterprises, taking on new issue areas, and exploring practices like impact investing and trust-based philanthropy. Read More
March 30, 2023 Jeff Yass Is One of America's Biggest Political Donors. What Does His Philanthropy Look Like? March 30, 2023/ Philip Rojc With a fortune of $28.5 billion, the Wall Street winner has deep libertarian beliefs that form the basis for his vast political giving and more modest philanthropic record — which does come with some interesting twists.Read More
March 24, 2023 “A Fragile Political Moment.” A Seasoned Donor Advisor on the State of Democracy Funding March 24, 2023/ Mike Scutari Mike Berkowitz is the co-founder and executive director of the Democracy Funders Network. We check in with him to discuss the network’s approach, trends in democracy giving, what’s keeping donors up at night, and more.Read More
March 21, 2023 For Real Climate Justice, Philanthropy Must Support the Front Lines, Fund Early and Fund Big March 21, 2023/ Supriya Lopez Pillai, Guest Contributor Even as climate justice groups remain underfunded, the restorative work they’re engaged in grows ever more urgent. Guest author Supriya Lopez Pillai says now is the time for funders to commit to more transformative approaches.Read More
March 03, 2023 Backed By Diverse Funders, Liberation Ventures Is Pushing for Reparations and a "Culture of Repair" March 03, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe With an eclectic mix of funders and a holistic and long-term plan, this field-building organization is seeking reparations for Black Americans. We connected with co-founder and managing director Aria Florant to learn more.Read More
March 02, 2023 What a Big Gift to the Heritage Foundation Says About the State of Conservative Philanthropy March 02, 2023/ Philip Rojc The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation recently committed $25 million to the Heritage Foundation, not surprising giving its longtime support. But the gift also reflects tensions in conservative giving.Read More
February 27, 2023 For This Funder Collaborative, the Road Back to Abortion Access Leads Through the States February 27, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The Collaborative for Gender and Reproductive Equity was working at the state level long before the end of Roe v. Wade. Today, it’s more convinced than ever that the states are where the fight over abortion will be won or lost.Read More