Philanthropy Can’t Achieve Its Goals Unless Democracy Works
In 2019, philanthropy and democracy celebrated a new milestone in their long partnership: the nation’s more than 100,000 foundations distributed the highest dollar amount on record, more than $75 billion to support public goods including cutting-edge medical research, early-childhood education,…
By STEPHEN HEINTZ
Contributor
Editor’s Notebook: Philanthropy’s Quickened Pace
Racial justice grant making is taking off but a debate is raging over whether philanthropy is doing enough fast enough.
Personal networks and connections strongly influence the funding decisions of wealthy donors, leaving out the very groups that need help most, especially those led by people of color, say the authors of a new study.
Safely Reopening America Requires Reinvesting in Public Spaces
The pandemic has revealed the power of our public parks, plazas, and trails to provide social connection and a respite from our homebound lives. But it has also magnified enormous disparities in quality and access to these spaces, say the leaders of a philanthropic effort to transform the nation’s civic commons.
By Judilee Reed, Chantel Rush, Sam Gill and Dana Bourland
Commercial DAFs Keep Touting Their Donors’ Crisis Giving. Here’s What They Aren’t Saying.
Fidelity and other big providers do little to spur giving. That’s why charities need to persuade donors to act — or Congress needs to step in.
By Alan M. Cantor
Reporter
To White Leaders of Philanthropy: Do It Differently This Time
The drive to act immediately is understandable. But first recognize that when white-led institutions impose their definition of action during moments like these, it can be an obstacle to the actual work needed to create systemic change.
By Ajuah Helton and Kishshana Palmer
How a Record-Breaking Injection of Funds Can Best Power Black-Led Groups
The ACLU saw a deluge of funds after Trump’s election similar to what is happening today — and it learned that investing the money in new staff and capabilities paid big dividends in expanding its mission, says its leader.
By Anthony Romero
Contributor
Don’t Destroy Foundations’ Ability to Respond to the World’s Next Crisis
Patriotic Millionaires, a group of wealthy Americans, wants Congress to increase giving rates to 10 percent of assets for the next three years. But there’s nothing patriotic about limiting the flexibility of foundations, writes a top official of the Philanthropy Roundtable.
By Joanne Florino
Contributor
What Big Philanthropy Can Learn From the Citizen Networks Helping Us Survive Today’s Crises
Neighbors have informally created mutual-aid efforts that provide hand sanitizers, masks, bail for protesters, and other necessities. The democratic approach to giving aid is a model for how philanthropy can make a bigger difference.
By Rob Reich and Mohit Mookim
We’re All Dealing With Anxiety and Uncertainty. Let’s Not Let That Affect How We Make Grants
When I feel like we’re making too little progress, it’s tempting to switch gears and adopt the latest approach — but what nonprofits need most now is consistent, flexible, long-term funding — and lots of it.
By Lisa Pilar Cowan
Contributor