Pandemics, like any disaster, strain individual, family, community and societal resources. We know COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for people who are older or have serious underlying medical conditions, but young and relatively healthy people are … [Read more...] about The Hardest Hit: Who is Supporting Communities of Color During COVID-19?
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LGBTQ Funders Scramble to Protect Vulnerable Communities
Many grantmakers and related entities are adapting their work in response to COVID-19, and LGBTQ-focused funders are no exception. The affinity group Funders for LGBTQ Issues canceled its 10th annual spring conference and offered a virtual Funding … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Funders Scramble to Protect Vulnerable Communities
Transactional to Transformational: A Fellowship Aims to Disrupt Philanthropy as Usual
In late October, the Weavers Fellowship held its closing ceremony in New Orleans at the African American Museum for its first-ever cohort of five Black leaders who are, as fellow Marlon Peterson says, “reimagining Black possibilities.” Led by … [Read more...] about Transactional to Transformational: A Fellowship Aims to Disrupt Philanthropy as Usual
Aiming for Greater Impact, a Community Foundation Gets Behind Social Movements
With their geographic focus and home-field advantages, community foundations are well-positioned to deliver on the kind of bottom-up grassroots grantmaking that’s increasingly in vogue these days. But the fact is that the vast majority of community … [Read more...] about Aiming for Greater Impact, a Community Foundation Gets Behind Social Movements
High-Touch: How a Progressive Intermediary is Evolving With the Times
When the Proteus Fund came into being in 1994, the world of funding intermediaries was far less crowded than it is today. Sure, donors have collaborated through community foundations, giving circles and the like for decades. But with founding … [Read more...] about High-Touch: How a Progressive Intermediary is Evolving With the Times
To Combat “Brain Waste,” a New Fund Aims to Tap the Potential of Immigrant Workers
Facing a labor pool that remains under-prepared for the future of the work, workforce funders have gravitated in a big way toward grants to tackle the skills gap between jobseekers and available jobs. Among other priorities, funders have looked to … [Read more...] about To Combat “Brain Waste,” a New Fund Aims to Tap the Potential of Immigrant Workers
Beyond the (c)(3): Donors Change Tactics, Driving a New Era of Politicized Giving
The 501(c)(3) has enjoyed emblematic status in civil society for decades. Be it a public charity or a private foundation, the c3 has become almost synonymous with the word “nonprofit.” But while it’s far too early to declare an end to c3 … [Read more...] about Beyond the (c)(3): Donors Change Tactics, Driving a New Era of Politicized Giving
These Collaborative Funds Listen to Groups on the Ground in Backing a Justice Agenda
The criminal justice system and immigration enforcement have a lot in common in the United States, and little of it good. From their reliance on private detention contractors to racial profiling and outright abuse, both are complicit in the practices … [Read more...] about These Collaborative Funds Listen to Groups on the Ground in Backing a Justice Agenda
A Foundation Takes a Grassroots Approach to the Growing Border Crisis
Amid a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Seattle-based Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF) recently made $4 million in grants to border-adjacent nonprofit organizations. This support comes from a foundation that has been paying attention to … [Read more...] about A Foundation Takes a Grassroots Approach to the Growing Border Crisis
Full Spectrum: A Venture Funder’s Latest Moves to Fuel Progressive Change
When we spoke to New Media Ventures’ President Christie George following its 2018 investment round, no one knew how the midterm elections would play out. Now, with a Democratic edge in the House and a growing constellation of organizers challenging … [Read more...] about Full Spectrum: A Venture Funder’s Latest Moves to Fuel Progressive Change
How Has This Public-Private Effort to Defend L.A.’s Immigrants Shaped Up?
As the Trump administration continues its pressure campaign against undocumented immigrants, one common philanthropic response has been to provide legal aid to those facing deportation. Without a lawyer, immigrants challenging their detention face … [Read more...] about How Has This Public-Private Effort to Defend L.A.’s Immigrants Shaped Up?
“Nothing is Standard About What We’re Doing.” A New Fund Aims to Boost Racial Equity Training
Borealis Philanthropy, the progressive grantmaking intermediary founded in 2014, is announcing today the first round of $1.2 million in grants for its Racial Equity to Accelerate Change (REACH) Fund. Eight organizations providing racial equity … [Read more...] about “Nothing is Standard About What We’re Doing.” A New Fund Aims to Boost Racial Equity Training
From Talk to Action: Behind a Call for Funders to Back Social Movements
A decade ago, when the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) published a report called “Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best,” not everyone was thrilled. In a recent op-ed, NCRP president Aaron Dorfman recounts that the paper “had … [Read more...] about From Talk to Action: Behind a Call for Funders to Back Social Movements
Fight on All Fronts: A Progressive Group Looks to Build Political Power
Since the 2016 election, playing defense has been a constant refrain throughout the liberal funding world. And yet, despite the severe threat Trump’s right poses to all that progressives hold dear, most left-leaning philanthropies have maintained a … [Read more...] about Fight on All Fronts: A Progressive Group Looks to Build Political Power
How a Small Progressive Funder Innovates and Organizes to Make a Bigger Impact
Some of the boldest players in philanthropy are often relatively small, in terms of wealth and grantmaking. They can still be quite impactful with their funding, of course, but ultimately, they bump up against the limits of their own dollars.For some … [Read more...] about How a Small Progressive Funder Innovates and Organizes to Make a Bigger Impact
“Create Momentum for Change.” A Soros-Backed Arts Fellowship Focuses on Migration
Last year, the Open Society Foundations announced the first recipients of the Soros Arts Fellowship, an initiative to support innovative mid-career artists using art and public space to advance “pluralistic, democratic and just societies.” The eight … [Read more...] about “Create Momentum for Change.” A Soros-Backed Arts Fellowship Focuses on Migration
The Progressive Funders Looking to Build Power Across Divides in the American Heartland
The American heartland has been the source of endless soul searching since the 2016 election. Many in philanthropy found themselves reckoning with just how disconnected they had become (or always were?) from people and problems outside of the coasts … [Read more...] about The Progressive Funders Looking to Build Power Across Divides in the American Heartland
Here’s an Oil and Gold Pioneer That Northern California Nonprofits Should Know
While many of the fortune hunters of the American gold rushes died penniless and unknown, others in California turned early successes into a long-standing legacies of giving back. A good example of this is Clarence J. (C.J.) Berry, a Fresno, … [Read more...] about Here’s an Oil and Gold Pioneer That Northern California Nonprofits Should Know
The Private Money Shaping Public Conversation About Restricting Immigration
For years, the think tanks and organizations that pushed for tougher immigration restrictions operated on the fringes of public policy debates. Now, with a powerful friend in the White House, they are enjoying new influence. Promises to build a wall … [Read more...] about The Private Money Shaping Public Conversation About Restricting Immigration
Universal Representation: Behind a Public-Private Partnership Effort to Defend Immigrants
For people facing deportation, challenging the system without a lawyer rarely ends well. Of those who try, only around 3 percent secure a successful outcome. But what if a philanthropic backing for a public-private partnership could provide such … [Read more...] about Universal Representation: Behind a Public-Private Partnership Effort to Defend Immigrants
“A Different America.” A Movement Funder Tries to Change Who’s Invited to the Table
In the years following the 2008 crash, few people in the liberal philanthropy world were talking about social movement building. And belt tightening by the handful of funders that did operate in this space exacted a heavy toll on activist … [Read more...] about “A Different America.” A Movement Funder Tries to Change Who’s Invited to the Table
Building Trust: How a German Philanthropist Supports Social Movements
When Ise Bosch first decided to engage in social change philanthropy from her native Germany, she entered a very uncrowded space. In Transformative Philanthropy, a book released earlier this year, Bosch writes that in Germany, “wealthy people usually … [Read more...] about Building Trust: How a German Philanthropist Supports Social Movements
Strength in Numbers: Behind a Fundraising Push for Immigrant Rights
With the White House and government officials taking an increasingly hard line on immigration and border security, eight California charities working on behalf of immigrants have formed a new coalition to raise money.The California United Fund, as … [Read more...] about Strength in Numbers: Behind a Fundraising Push for Immigrant Rights
Rallying Around Relief: In the Face of Wildfires, California Funders Take Action
With flames ablaze and billowing smoke at both ends of the state, it seems that wildfires have become the new normal in California. In response, regional grantmaking associations have emerged as sources of fire-related relief information and central … [Read more...] about Rallying Around Relief: In the Face of Wildfires, California Funders Take Action
Undocumented on Campus: California Funders Come Together for Immigrant Students
Recent funding for undocumented immigrants has largely focused on legal aid, advocacy and keeping families together. But a group of California foundations is addressing the challenges facing this community related to higher education. While millions … [Read more...] about Undocumented on Campus: California Funders Come Together for Immigrant Students
Inside the Libra Foundation: How a Branch of the Pritzker Family Backs Movement Building
Crystal Hayling didn’t set out to manage a family philanthropy. But in the founders of the Libra Foundation, where she currently serves as executive director, she found a family with “a really important progressive vision about the work they’re … [Read more...] about Inside the Libra Foundation: How a Branch of the Pritzker Family Backs Movement Building
Need to Raise More Money For Social Change? Apply For One of These New Fundraising Grants
A group of foundations and other donors have pooled their resources to provide grants and loans that help progressive causes test new fundraising ideas or expand existing fundraising efforts.The Progressive Multiplier Fund, as the new grantmaking … [Read more...] about Need to Raise More Money For Social Change? Apply For One of These New Fundraising Grants
“Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far
Around the U.S., foundations continue to adopt equity strategies to tackle racial and economic disparities in their communities. Equity is a defining challenge of our time, and it has become a driving force of philanthropy over the last couple years. … [Read more...] about “Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far
A Time of Recovery: How Philanthropy Can Help the North Bay Arts Community After the Fires
When natural disasters strike a region, the immediate response of the philanthropic sector involves basic needs, housing and infrastructure rebuilding. But as we learn time and time again, disasters cause more than just short-term needs. In the long … [Read more...] about A Time of Recovery: How Philanthropy Can Help the North Bay Arts Community After the Fires
Behind the Creation of the New Social Justice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation
In July 2018, the Pittsburgh Foundation awarded its first round of grants through its newly created Social Justice Fund. The fund was co-designed in partnership with nine social justice leaders to support those working on social justice issues in the … [Read more...] about Behind the Creation of the New Social Justice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation
