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 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
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 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
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
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
February 14, 2023 Frontline 360° Is Helping Grassroots Groups Land Federal Dollars — and Building a Movement February 14, 2023/ Laurie Mazur, Guest Contributor With backing from several major funders, this partnership is helping community-based environmental and climate groups secure government funding. It’s also helping such groups link up and build power. Read More
January 30, 2023 “Funded to Win.” These 11 Funders — and Counting — Are Stepping Up for Black Feminist Movements January 30, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In an open letter to philanthropy, 11 major funders have called on their peers to support Black feminist movements in the U.S. and abroad. Leaders from the Black Feminist Fund say this work is crucial to a safer and more just world.Read More
January 20, 2023 The 50th Anniversary Party That Wasn’t January 20, 2023/ Elizabeth Barajas-Román, Guest Contributor As we mark what should have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the fight for reproductive justice continues. Guest author Elizabeth Barajas-Román explains why women’s funds are so crucial right now.Read More
January 18, 2023 How Both ENDS Director Danielle Hirsch Is Using Philanthropy, Advocacy and More to Shift Power January 18, 2023/ Mandy Van Deven Both ENDS is a Netherlands-based organization that is challenging power dynamics in philanthropy in a number of ways. Director Danielle Hirsch talks about the group’s journey, its approach and why discomfort is a good thing.Read More
January 13, 2023 This Small Family Foundation Had the Labor Movement’s Back Before It Was Cool January 13, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe While foundation support for workers’ rights can be scarce, General Service Foundation has been on the case since the 1990s. Now, it's taking things a step further by investing its endowment in alignment with the cause.Read More
January 09, 2023 This CZI Spinoff's New Funding Tells a More Nuanced Story About Criminal Justice Reform January 09, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe The Just Trust’s new Safer Communities Accelerator is getting behind groups “working within the system and outside of it.” The trust’s overall approach involves funding direct services as well as broader justice reform advocacy.Read More
January 09, 2023 Funders Partner with the Biden Administration to Back Workers' Rights Around the Globe January 09, 2023/ Martha Ramirez With support from major U.S. funders, a new initiative called M-POWER is combining the forces of government, philanthropy and labor organizations to bolster workers’ rights and advance democracy.Read More
December 19, 2022 Climate Justice Pledge Keeps Winning New Commitments, but Many Funders Still Silent December 19, 2022/ Michael Kavate The Climate Funders Justice Pledge has helped shift $60 million in new commitments to BIPOC-led climate groups since early 2021. Still, despite its intentionally low bar, many top grantmakers have yet to sign on.Read More
December 05, 2022 At 42 and Counting, Horizons Foundation Punches Way Above Its Weight December 05, 2022/ Dawn Wolfe An iconic LGBTQ community funder, the Bay Area-based Horizons Foundation has spent decades building up the grassroots. Today, though it’s still modest in size, its impact extends to the national and international stage.Read More
November 07, 2022 Cautious Optimism: Giving to Protect Abortion Access May Not Be Fading Away November 07, 2022/ Dawn Wolfe Since June, one concern has been that an initial spike in giving to protect abortion access would fall away. However, the National Network of Abortion Funds still reports solid engagement from donors large and small.Read More
October 27, 2022 Organizers Are Burned Out. New Research Shows How Funders Can Improve Labor Standards October 27, 2022/ Kevin Simowitz and Chris Cardona, Guest Contributors The front-line workers who make organizing groups work are burned out, underpaid and under-appreciated. Guest authors from Ford Foundation and All Due Respect argue that funders can and must make organizing sustainable.Read More
October 24, 2022 Philanthropy Needs New Strategies to Save American Democracy October 24, 2022/ Mike Berkowitz and Rachel Kleinfeld, Guest Contributors With U.S. democracy in crisis, guest contributors Mike Berkowitz and Rachel Kleinfeld argue that philanthropy cannot stick to its usual playbook. They outline five ways funders can update their approach.Read More