Inside Philanthropy’s Post

"Trust-based philanthropy is a lifeline to grantees – it tells us that a funder has confidence in us, they believe in us, and they expect us to hold ourselves accountable. When things don’t go according to plan, funders and grantees can work on these situations together, and a trusting relationship is established and reinforced." - Hannah Chotiner-Gardner #ICYMI Tina Lee of the Dropbox Foundation sits down with grantee partner, Hannah Chotiner-Gardner of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to discuss the importance of embracing #trustbasedphilanthropy. Tina Lee emphasizes "If we’re asking nonprofits to innovate in their programmatic giving, we need to innovate in our support." 👏 Continue reading below for more gems and insights 💡.

I’m pleased to share Panorama Global’s analysis of the latest round of MacKenize Scott’s giving. Last month, she announced $640 million in gifts to 361 organizations as a result of her first Open Call for proposals, which was managed by Lever for Change.   As I told Thalia Beaty of The Associated Press, this round of gifts was exciting for a couple of reasons:  - It was the first time there was a transparent, open application process.  - Scott significantly exceeded her planned giving during this round. Instead of providing 250 $1million grants, she instead gave 279 organisations $2 million, and an additional 82 organizations received $1 million.  - 26% of the grants went to groups working in the “Democratic Process” category – the first time she has provided such a high percentage of grants to groups working on this urgent and critical issue.  https://bit.ly/4ax8Lt8 You can get Panorama’s Collaborative Learning for Impact Philanthropy initiative’s full analysis here: https://bit.ly/3JcqTg6  

Grateful that the experiences of the Black-led and benefitting nonprofits I champion is being told! In the latest piece uplifting the new YOUNG BLACK & GIVING BACK INSTITUTE report, Inside Philanthropy keeps it really real about the state of funding for these orgs and our mission to fund Black-led social change. To Funders I say, ...if creating long-term grant pathways for Black organizations is the goal, there needs to be internal organizational systems-change. This way funding Black-led social change is what you DO and who you are, not simply what you've done. Excerpt: "'At some point, not taking action becomes a choice,' Cooper said, 'especially given that the information needed to make changes is already out there.' But rather than dwelling on the reasons behind the ongoing underinvestment in Black-led nonprofits, Cooper’s focus remains on what is going to move the needle for these organizations. 'You can't just have a Black fund and all your other practices are just like they used to be before. Is this performative? It all has to work together. You have to do a whole entire system change at your organization for it to really work… It's got to be an entire organizational shift. It just can't be one simple policy, or one pledge for a year. It's not going to work.'" Read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/d4EWm6BV #BlackPhilanthropy #BlackAugust #BlackLedChange #Grassroots  #BlackAndGiving

Big question! what would you do? I would repeat the DFID PACS programme in every country over and over again (including the global north- find it hard to differentiate so broadly!) to truly change the world by giving civil society organisations every support they need until everybody is free of challenges to accessing more than just basic needs and expressing their identities. Glad that the Rebuild India Fund is doing this and more! Yet, I believe that with high need refugee communities, internally displaced persons and economic/health/climate/political shocks increasingly impacting lives across the world- one needs to decolonise philanthropy everywhere and bring power back to communities in the most humble, non-discriminatory manner beyond the filters of geography and stages of organisational growth.

Thanks to those who posted this, and the author. The philanthropy construct is laden with so much historical baggage that no matter how much we try to politically sanitise it, it stinks of virtue signaling at best, and whats left to say of the colonising effect of dominant philanthropic models. There is no perfect way to do this and no one can pretend to have it all figured out. I've seen and listened to those who pretend and I just roll my eyes back to the hills because wow, the hypocrisy is often thicker than the layer of peanut butter on my slice of bread when I used to be peanut butter-loving 8 year old. In this age of crass philanthro-capitalism dominated by big men who're often the figures behind the big money or the real decision makers, some of whom actually are clear in their empire building intention with the tax breaks the cherry on top of the cherry on top, philanthropy is more often than not, a messy, toxic business desperately in need of growing a soul. But this here in this article is the vision of "philanthropy" I got to experience as a social justice activist. At a time when we most needed a solidarity partner as opposed to a donor or philanthropist coming to us with their log frames or fancy words intended to establish their relevance, and often "superior" status in the "value chain of change". The struggle was real, we were busy, we needed a supportive, trusting neighbour and not a school inspector of the old days standing there with their red pen and stick and probing eyes. We could do what we did best because the donor was not a haunting shadow looming so large over our backs that we couldn't even see our own image anymore. We were good at what we did, we knew our story, we were fierce and needed donors who saw themselves as part of the circle. Who listened, observed attentively, made time to understand what it is that inspired us so that they can connect to our true passions, were a phone call away when we needed advice, connection with a critical stakeholder that they had access to and we didnt (what I call value addition), and most of all, left us alone to do our thing. This is the solidarity approach I practiced, or at least fought for, when I got to work for funding organisations. I obviously also worked in the traditional model where it's the donor/philanthropists way or the highway. And because we needed to get money to social justice organisations, we would craft the narrative to suit the powers that be's appetite whilst strategising with the people driving change on how to beat the system at its own game. Le system yade yasenza ootsotsi base Jozi maaan. Anyway, am glad the philanthropic world is finally catching up with what were were saying more than 20 years ago, and that black feminists are at the centre of this hopefully progressive shift🕺🏿 Thanks to the feminist funds who have been doing their best to inspire this move in an incredibly complex space of deep and seemingly intransigent interests.

This is an important Inside Philanthropy piece by my colleague Martha Ramirez about the funding challenges faced by small, Black-led nonprofits, featuring a recent report on this topic by YOUNG BLACK & GIVING BACK INSTITUTE. For me, this is the key quote: "You can't just have a Black fund and all your other practices are just like they used to be before. Is this performative? It all has to work together. You have to do a whole entire system change at your organization for it to really work… It's got to be an entire organizational shift." It seems to me that we need no less than "an entire organizational shift" across the board, including #foundations, other #funders, #nonprofits, #government, and more. One reason it's easy for the right wing to attack affirmative action and DEI initiatives is because many of these programs have just been tacked on like an extra appendage to larger entities, while others are the province of smaller, and thus more vulnerable, organizations. #dei needs to become #businessasusual.

Discover the latest strategies for modern philanthropy in this Bloomerang blog! Learn how giving is evolving and how you can make a lasting impact. #Philanthropy #FutureOfGiving

https://lnkd.in/g-VcjREy.                              Generous endowments are a gift.  Long term sustainability is a serious responsibility,  theirs NOT hers.   Her wise approach to philanthropy is the exact opposite of what gets other benevolent givers in trouble.  Financial dependency takes on a life of its own.  The initial gift should be made subsequent to determining sustainability,  along with other critical factors.  Succeeding or failing beyond that point rests wholly on the shoulders of those fortunate organizations.  To think otherwise is a prime example of looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth.  Choosing expenditures wisely seldom happens with a feeling of entitlement or knowing there is a backup team waiting to rescue you continuously.    Hard work,  dedication,  a sustainable plan,  keeping expenses to a minimum,  having clear and concise transparency will open the doors to additional donations from other sources.  Consider the generous gift as a chance to show the world your ability to succeed, rather than lowering expectations to join the masses of mediocre charitable organizations who think responsibility begins and ends with reeling in the "big one".  To think otherwise is a genuine disappointment for all concerned.  The philanthropy world can really learn a lesson from Makenzie Scott.  I genuinely hope they do and take it to heart as they wheel their good fortune to the bank.

📰✨ Exciting Read Alert! ✨📰 Hey everyone! I just finished reading an insightful article by Marc Gunther in the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled "Giving in the Light of Reason." 🌟 In this thought-provoking piece, Gunther delves into the concept of effective altruism and how data-driven decision-making can significantly enhance the impact of our charitable contributions. 📊💡 He challenges us to rethink traditional philanthropy and adopt a more analytical approach to giving, ensuring our donations truly make a difference. Some key takeaways: 🔍 The importance of research and evidence in choosing causes to support. 💪 How strategic giving can lead to more sustainable and scalable solutions. 🌍 Real-world examples of organizations that are leading the way in effective altruism. For anyone passionate about making a positive impact in the world, this article is a must-read! Let's all strive to give not just with our hearts, but also with our heads. ❤️🧠 Check it out and let me know your thoughts! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gEhepz94 #Philanthropy #EffectiveAltruism #SocialImpact #StanfordSocialInnovationReview #MarcGunther #GivingSmart

What Are Your Funders Thinking? Hint: Some Know They Are “Unreasonable” By Susan Schaefer There’s a predictability to conferences that makes the more intimate ones a privilege. My role at the Clinton Global Initiative is a particular privilege: to ask, listen, and write. The leaders I heard in sessions and interviews hailed from the Ford, Surdna, Open Society, and Kellogg foundations, among others. They are remaking their organizations for a new era. What do these leaders want you to know? How can you work within their existing systems? How can you effect philanthropic change within the current structure?