Can Philanthropy Ever Truly Be Democratized? Here Are Three Things Standing in the Way

Can Philanthropy Ever Truly Be Democratized? Here Are Three Things Standing in the Way

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.

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Patience and Trust: Lessons from a 13-Year Grantmaker-Grantee Relationship

Patience and Trust: Lessons from a 13-Year Grantmaker-Grantee Relationship

The Langeloth Foundation has been backing the Transitions Clinic Network for over a decade with sustained, flexible funding. In this guest piece, the leaders of both organizations discuss a relationship that extends “beyond dollars.”

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IP Explainer: Who Should Decide What Gets Funded?

IP Explainer: Who Should Decide What Gets Funded?

Philanthropy is difficult to navigate. That’s why we’ve produced a series of explainers to demystify the basics. Today, we go over a key debate happening in the sector: Who should be making funding decisions?

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Seven Questions for Dr. Hanh Cao Yu, Chief Learning Officer at The California Endowment

Seven Questions for Dr. Hanh Cao Yu, Chief Learning Officer at The California Endowment

We caught up with Dr. Hanh Cao Yu to talk about how her experiences as a refugee of the war in Vietnam shaped her, what led to her career in philanthropy, her current work, and more.

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What I Learned From Three Thought Leaders on Trust-Based Philanthropy and Shifting Power

What I Learned From Three Thought Leaders on Trust-Based Philanthropy and Shifting Power

IP’s Mike Scutari moderated a Mozilla Foundation panel on key trends in trust-based philanthropy, featuring some of the field’s preeminent thought leaders. Here are some takeaways from the discussion.

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This Community Foundation Went All In on Trust-Based Philanthropy. Here’s What It Has Learned

This Community Foundation Went All In on Trust-Based Philanthropy. Here’s What It Has Learned

Beginning in 2018, Patricia Mejia oversaw the San Antonio Area Foundation’s adoption of trust-based philanthropy practices. It wasn’t always easy, but the move is paying off for grantees and the foundation.

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Philanthropy Needs a New Normal: Here Are 3 Ways We’re Reimagining Our Grantmaking

Philanthropy Needs a New Normal: Here Are 3 Ways We’re Reimagining Our Grantmaking

Nonprofits are responding in the moment to a flurry of fast-moving challenges. In this guest opinion, director of programs at the Langeloth Foundation shares three ways they’ve adapted to meet grantees’ needs.

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Staying the Course: The Need for Mission-Driven Spending in Turbulent Times

Staying the Course: The Need for Mission-Driven Spending in Turbulent Times

In recent years, more foundations have made payout decisions based on mission and need, not just market forces. Guest author Dimple Abichandani encourages funders to continue this practice, even in a volatile economy.

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What Does it Look Like to Truly Shift Power in Philanthropy? Here Are 3 Real World Examples

What Does it Look Like to Truly Shift Power in Philanthropy? Here Are 3 Real World Examples

Deb Nelson of the Just Economy Institute recounts cases in which overturning funding models made a profound impact. In all of them, collaboration between people of different races, classes and generations were key.

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Answering the Call: One Foundation’s Approach to Shifting Power and Funding Racial Justice

Answering the Call: One Foundation’s Approach to Shifting Power and Funding Racial Justice

Since 2020, philanthropy has had to reckon with historic uprisings demanding racial justice. In this guest opinion, the Pink House Foundation’s leadership share how they responded, including handing over decision-making power.

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How Billionaire Couple Tegan and Brian Acton Are Giving in the Bay Area and Beyond

How Billionaire Couple Tegan and Brian Acton Are Giving in the Bay Area and Beyond

Part of an ongoing series on family philanthropy, we take a closer look at the giving of Tegan and Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp. After an acquisition windfall, the Actons are giving extensively in the Bay Area and nationally.

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A Non-Arts Funder Commits Millions for the Arts—and Offers Elusive Endowment Funding

A Non-Arts Funder Commits Millions for the Arts—and Offers Elusive Endowment Funding

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation has made a huge arts commitment that includes often-overlooked endowment support. VP Jim Boyle explains how the foundation’s economic development focus area led them to the arts.

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