Sharing Philanthropic Power With Grantees Is Messy and Challenging but Worth the Effort
Two Baltimore groups came together to shake up the top-down grant making model in their city and bring more support to nonprofits working in struggling communities. Here’s what happened.
By Danielle Torain and Julia Baez
To Address the Clothing Industry’s Climate Problems, Philanthropy Needs to Get in Fashion
Grant makers serious about confronting the climate crisis need to consider how the clothes on their backs are contributing to the problem — and invest in clean energy solutions to apparel manufacturing.
By Lewis Perkins
Contributor
More Technology Experts Are Needed for Government and Nonprofit Jobs. Philanthropy Can Help.
Just as foundations bolstered the field of public interest law decades ago, they now have a critical role to play in creating a deeper bench of public interest technologists trained to advance the social good.
By Jenny Toomey
Contributor
Recent limits on state and local tax deductions have resulted in a drop in charitable contributions in affluent counties, according to new research. Some may see this as a reason to lift the limit, but doing so would primarily help the wealthy and do nothing to encourage others to give.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
Book Bans Threaten Students Nationwide. Here’s How Philanthropy Can Fight Back.
Grant makers that focus on education, democracy, and culture need to support organizations battling coordinated book banning campaigns in school districts and libraries across the country.
By Suzanne Nossel
Contributor
Most community-based groups led by people of color lack the resources to provide in-depth data about the success of their programs, placing them far behind in competing for grants. If donors truly want to cede more power to these organizations, they need to consider less costly approaches to determining effectiveness.
By Michael Nelson
Contributor
A New Business-Charity Model Could Help Philanthropists Invest Their Money More Effectively
When businesses create their own nonprofits, everyone benefits. The charity gets expertise and volunteers from the for-profit company and the business has a chance to make a real social difference. Philanthropy should push for more such models.
By Lindsay Androski
Contributor
Ukrainian Media, Facing Physical and Financial Harms, Needs Immediate and Long-Term Support
Philanthropy has stepped up its giving to media organizations in Ukraine, but those dollars will go further if they don’t focus solely on the current crisis but also advance the larger goals of global press freedom.
By Jeanne Bourgault
Contributor
Philanthropy Must Never Forget What the Pandemic Taught Us About How to Support Public Health
During the past two years, reaching marginalized people with information about Covid-19 has required giving grantees the freedom to use creative and unorthodox strategies. Grant makers must continue to trust these local nonprofits to lead such work and avoid returning to their old tightly controlled practices.
By Susan Watson
Contributor
Philanthropy Needs to Own Up to Its Role in Fueling Polarization
This week we are featuring articles from our recent archive on issues that are of special interest to our readers. To effectively address the toxic divisions that are stifling social change, grant makers and the nonprofits they support must acknowledge how their attitudes toward so-called opponents are contributing to the problem — and start listening to those with different perspectives.
By Suzette Brooks Masters
Contributor