Inside Philanthropy’s Post

"One big advantage of philanthropic collaboratives, especially ones as large as Blue Meridian, is that they can back major projects and initiatives on a scale that the individual partners might not be able to do on their own... For its current, big-ticket investment through its Place Matters portfolio, Blue Meridian strategically picked three locations with different characteristics, strengths and challenges... Dallas, while also in Texas, represents yet a third type of community. It has one of the most robust cradle-to-career backbones in the country, according to Shelton, and a Child Poverty Action Lab that works with neighborhoods to solve specific problems like teen pregnancy. It’s wealthier and more sophisticated than the other two communities in terms of data use, working with large-scale partners and engaging in more extensive policy work."

"Taking applications out of philanthropy will not be easy, and it won’t happen overnight. It might not even be right for every foundation in every context. More important than getting rid of applications are the organizational reflections and conversations that need to happen in order for foundations to have the impact they desire. If the team in the boardroom does not look like the program team or the people leading the ventures and communities you serve, you have an incredible opportunity to invite people in, listen deeply, and share power." In our newest blog, #CamelbackFellow and Founder of The Liber Institute Jonathan Santos Silva invites foundations and philanthropists to imagine a world where relationships, not applications, drive philanthropy and how this disruptive idea can lead to deeper impact, understanding, and a more equitable philanthropic landscape. https://lnkd.in/dMxwK9ds #philanthropy #socialimpact #socialimpactinvesting #grantmaking #funding #racialequity #governance #legacy #stewardship #philanthropist #funders #HNWIs #foundations #racialequity #genderequity #equity #diversityequityinclusion #nonprofits #thoughtleadership

While we may all feel a bit dismayed by the stagnation of policy progress in Washington, DC, I am optimistic about the work happening in states and cities to tackle some of the nation's most complex challenges. My optimism comes from the partnerships that are being forged between civic leaders -- mayors, in particular -- and philanthropy. >> Former Indianapolis mayor and Harvard University professor Stephen Goldsmith told me how policymakers and businesses can build stronger and more inclusive economies, alongside philanthropy. "One of the reasons that philanthropic partnerships are so impactful at the municipal level is that they can challenge the status quo and spark -- or scale -- solutions that bring community members to the table. Philanthropic capital is often the best way to take risks on the sort of cross-sector solutions to address these grand challenges." I took interest in the work of Siegel Family Endowment and the philanthropic commitment made in the city of #Atlanta under the leadership of Joshua Elder, and the investments made in #Birmingham through Birmingham Promise and Prosper Birmingham with mayor Randall Woodfin and J. W. Carpenter. I also expect that #Denver's mayor Mike Johnston is likely to lean on his #philanthropic roots in part to solve the #homelessness challenge facing the city. A paper written by my Whiteboard Advisors colleague, Erica Price Burns inspired this recent piece (and is linked in the article). My latest in Forbes.

Bravo to Overbrook’s President Eric Weingartner for his newly published article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 'Why Trust-Based Philanthropy Still Needs Metrics. Here, Eric shares a compelling perspective on the intersection between trust-based philanthropy and performance measurement. Eric insists that these two approaches are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other to drive greater impact; insisting that even small foundations can implement effective measurement processes without creating undue burdens on grantees. By developing simple, strategic metrics in collaboration with grantees, foundations can ensure accountability and foster stronger relationships. Brie Winnega Reamer, PhD Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (Stanford PACS) . . . #Philanthropy #Impact #TrustBasedPhilanthropy #PerformanceMeasurement #ImpactfulGiving

It's good to see more and more funders leaning toward #trustbasedphilanthropy in the last couple years as we think about how to change power dynamic and accountability by centering the needs of marginalized communities. "This trust-based future requires shifts in philanthropic mindsets and cultures, as well as the structures that scaffold them. It requires funders to relinquish their individual power to achieve a more equitable and democratic future." #socialimpact https://lnkd.in/eZMneZxQ

Moving Equity Work from the Margins to the Center - Why Structural Investments Are Needed to Create Solid Foundations for Community-Based Organizations Dive into Charitable Ventures' President & CEO, Anne Olin, and her insightful article, “Built on Solid Rock: Moving Equity Work from the Margins to the Center,” and discover how to build resilient organizations that can withstand the storms of social justice work. In this compelling piece, Anne explores the historical context of movement building and offers a roadmap for nonprofits to move from the personal and introspective to the structural and enduring. She highlights the challenges faced by social justice organizations, incorporating her own experiences, and provides actionable strategies to create sustainable structures that support lasting change. Don't miss out on this essential read! Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gaEFqe3X #socialimpact #buildingsustainability #wellnessandresilience

Not only philanthropic activity, but sense making activities of complex systems in an effort to make changes to the causes and sources of societal/social issues that are upstream and impactful and sustainable, we need new ways of thinking and new tools for engaging. Otto Scharmer.... Stepping up philanthropic activity at the 4.0 level requires shifting the impact focus of philanthropy from downstream (short-term metrics) to upstream (evolving and transforming mindsets and operating systems). These evolutions require an inquiry into the root causes of the challenges we face. An amazing number of change makers worldwide are pursuing these inquiries. But they often must operate in isolation and frequently lack the methods and tools to approach transformative change more consciously and more collectively.

"In the social justice movement space, community “intermediary funds,” as we understand them, are organizations that help allocate funding to people-powered activism. These organizations came to life from movements, and our ultimate aim is to reduce philanthropic infrastructure." Intermediary organizations have emerged from movements and prioritize resourcing movements for justice, especially those led by and for communities disproportionately impacted by systemic oppression. The Stanford Social Innovation Review mentions how the CLIMA Fund, a collaboration among four public foundations of which we are a part, works to provide a continuum of support to grassroots organizations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6Xmr63j Thousand Currents Global Greengrants Fund Grassroots International

Many foundations are leaning into trust-based philanthropy to shift power dynamics and explore more equitable practices in grantmaking. The Convergence Partnership, a national funder collaborative working to advance racial justice and health equity, is partnering with the Decolonizing Wealth Project to interrogate and disrupt the existing systems of moving and controlling capital. In a Q&A, Kresge Senior Health Fellow Chris Kabel shares reflections and lessons learned on how to advance reparative philanthropy and decolonize practices to share power and resources more authentically with grassroots partners. #philanthropy #healthequity #racialjustice

Like everything else in life, philanthropy evolves and responds to the needs of society. In this very interesting article, Otto Scharmer describes the evolution of philanthropy and identifies four types of philanthropy that vary in complexity, but are all valid ways to contribute to the betterment of society. From our little corner of Bastion, we want to create systemic change by fostering a philanthropy movement in Latin America. Our founders are walking the talk by investing their resources in this effort. We want to create new philanthropists, we want good-hearted Latin Americans to join us in creating change for our region. There are many ways to help in whatever kind of philanthropy they want to do. We are here to help them. #smartphilanthropy #latinamerica #bethechange