Covering Philanthropy in Changing Times

Dear Readers,

Last week Independent Sector’s 100 Days for Good podcast asked me to explain what it’s like to be a journalist in the Trump era — and how our reporters, editors, and I cover the nonprofit world in tumultuous times.

The hosts also asked me what makes our jobs so exciting, and that was easy — it’s the people who power the nonprofit world who inspire all of us at The Chronicle. It’s a special treat to meet so many outstanding people at nonprofits and foundations when I speak at professional gatherings. Not only do I get insights into how we can better serve our readers, but I get to call out trends I’m seeing in our reporting and commentaries.

One particularly provocative conversation was at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, where last month I moderated a panel on the politicization of philanthropy and major challenges for foundations and donors — just ahead of the announcement of this year’s Carnegie medal winners. (You can watch the entire discussion here.)

(The article my colleague Maria Di Mento wrote about how the superwealthy philanthropists who have won these awards decide where to give was one of the best-read articles we have published in recent weeks.)

At another event, a gathering of grant makers and other donors held by Exponent Philanthropy, Henry Berman, the association’s leader, asked me to offer some insights into what’s on the minds of nonprofit leaders. I talked about the growing calls for speedy grant making and advocacy support, especially among nonprofits worried about direct government cuts to their budgets or threats to policies they have pushed for in international affairs, the environment, health care, and so many other areas now under debate in Washington.

Of course, many grant makers already have a profound sense of the changes most nonprofits would like to see — and have presented their thoughts eloquently on our site and in our pages. Here are half a dozen of their calls to action:

• From the Haas Fund’s Pamela David: “Trump Era Requires Philanthropy to Change How It Operates”
• From grant makers Allison Brown and Liz Sak: “As the White House Changes Hands, Philanthropy Must Change, Too”
• From Eisner Foundation’s Trent Stamp: “To Become a Better Grant Maker, Rethink Everything”
• From Aaron Dorfman of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy and the grant makers Cathy Cha, Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, and Lateefah Simon: “5 Questions for Philanthropy to Ponder After 100 Days of Trump”
• From former Atlantic Philanthropies CEO Gara LaMarche: “Foundations Must Muster Their Money, Voice, and Courage to Fight Trump”
• And from Elspeth Revere, who spent two and a half decades at MacArthur, in a piece one reader suggested needed to be sent to every foundation: “After 25 Years of Grant Making, I Worry We Have Lost Sight of Nonprofit Struggles”

It’s been a delight in the past few months for my colleagues and me to participate in a broad range of panels and events, but what we’re most excited about is The Chronicle’s signature event this fall. I hope I will see many of you in Washington in September at our Philanthropy NEXT conference on emerging donors. Everything you need to know about how demographics are changing fundraising and nonprofit leadership will be showcased in a day filled with insightful conversations and easy-to-absorb ideas you can put to work the minute you get back to your office.

And the special post-conference workshop on how to court women donors will be packed with information every nonprofit needs. (You can hear more about the conference in this podcast interview with my colleague Cody Switzer.)

Sign up today so you won’t miss the early-bird discount. The price rises on Friday.

We love to hear from our readers in person, in your comments in articles, and by email. Do feel free to drop me a line at stacy.palmer@philanthropy.com.

Stacy Palmer
Editor
The Chronicle of Philanthropy