2022 Is the Year for Grant Makers to Stop Talking and Start Doing
Because philanthropy has so little external scrutiny, foundation officials must assess whether they are actually making enough of a difference, writes Lisa Pilar Cowan, the author of a series of essays on grant making in a time of upheaval.
By Lisa Pilar Cowan
Contributor
More Civil-Rights Lawyers Are Needed to Fight Racial-Justice Battles. Philanthropy Can Help.
As the racial reckoning of 2020 plays out in courtrooms and state legislatures, grant makers should embrace a range of strategies, including funding law-school scholarship programs and public-interest centers, to help build a well-trained army of civil-rights attorneys.
To Do Their Jobs Effectively, Nonprofit Grassroots Leaders Need Health and Wellness Support
Philanthropy can improve its impact if it invests in the physical and mental wellbeing of community organizers, especially at a time when they are contending with multiple ongoing crises, including Covid-19 and the fight for racial justice.
By Gloria Walton
Contributor
Marketing Helps Nonprofits Reach People in Need. Why Do Grant Makers Refuse to Fund It?
Donors should recognize that new technology-fueled communications and marketing tools allow grantees to get the word out about the critical services they provide — especially during a crisis when people aren’t sure where to turn.
By Lisa David
Contributor
Did the U.S. News College Rankings Cost My School Millions in Philanthropic Dollars?
A college ranking guide that rewards wealth and privilege should never be factored into decisions about where to direct philanthropic dollars. Instead, donors should follow MacKenzie Scott’s well-researched and thoughtful approach to giving to HBCUs.
By Walter Kimbrough
Contributor
This day reminds us that donors pay attention to deadlines. Now is the time to impose them on donor-advised funds.
By Ray D. Madoff and John Arnold
Lessons From the U.N. Climate Meeting: Donors Need to Take Bigger and Bolder Action
Philanthropy must acknowledge its past mistakes and deploy a much smarter and more strategic approach to addressing the environmental catastrophes threatening our planet.
By Leslie Johnston
Contributor
To Stop Gun Violence, Grant Makers Need to Follow the Covid-19 Collaborative Playbook
Rather than trying to devise its own solutions, philanthropy should collectively support approaches that combine changes in government policy with community action.
By Burgundi Allison and DAVID BROTHERTON
Local Foundations Need Solid Local Journalism if They Hope to Advance Their Missions
Local philanthropic funding can transform journalism in a community, but too few donors make the connection between the issues they care about and maintaining vibrant newsrooms in their cities and towns.
By Josh Stearns and Teresa Gorman
Nonprofits Should Consider the Potential Costs of Reducing Their Climate Impact
Nonprofits, unlike private companies, need to realize that trying to reduce their own greenhouse-gas emissions means fewer resources are available to care for the people they serve.
By Daniel Stein
Contributor