Which Pro-Democracy Initiatives Work? Philanthropy Has No Idea
Clear answers will require investments in solutions-focused research — and an easily accessible evidence base.
By Andrew J. Seligsohn
Contributor
Opponents as Allies: The Thorny Proposition of a First-of-Its-Kind Foundation Gathering
Grant makers at the National Council on Foundations annual meeting consider how to find the common ground to build broader coalitions for efforts in education, the environment, health, and more.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Op-ed (and Headline) Miss Essential Point: Pluralism Is Key to Racial Equity
Pluralism isn’t about flattening differences, but accepting each identity and experience so everyone can thrive.
Righteous Attitudes, Ideological Purity Tests, Zero-Sum Thinking: How Philanthropy Stokes Division
Privately, anti-polarization nonprofits and practitioners say philanthropy is part of the problem.
By Kristen Cambell
Contributor
How Nonprofits Lose Out When Volunteer Advocates Are Asked to Do Little Real Advocacy
Nonprofits worried about their brand are asking supporters to do little more than sign petitions and write checks. They should be helping them become effective citizen-advocates.
By Sam Daley-Harris
Contributor
Charitable Donors Operating in the Shadows Push Our Politics to the Extremes
Grant makers on the left and right finance a network of activists and advocates whose all-or-nothing, combative stances keep the political parties tethered to the poles.
By Daniel Stid
Contributor
The Donor Revolt Comes to Annual Giving: Israel, Gaza, and Campus Unrest
As colleges prep for commencement and reunion season, rank-and-file supporters issue ultimatums, pledge to withhold donations, and boycott events.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Columbia U.’s Firestorm Is Just the Beginning. Here’s How Philanthropy Can Respond
A young nonprofit leader argues that there’s a brief window of opportunity to ensure that hate won’t thrive on college campuses.
By Manu Meel
Contributor
‘Young People are Better at Leading Revolutions’
Celebrated social scientist and ‘Bowling Alone’ author Robert Putnam talks with Citizen University’s Eric Liu about how to address America’s civic malaise.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Why My Nonprofit Relies on the Ideas of an 83-Year-Old Scholar
A champion of interfaith cooperation says “Bowling Alone” author Robert Putnam has answers to our crisis in loneliness and despair. Yet no one is listening.
By Eboo Patel
Contributor