Paul Farmer’s Approach Shaped Our Foundation and Embodied the True Meaning of Giving
As the founder of Partners in Health, he understood that helping those in need meant living in their world and listening and learning from them. He set a standard that all in philanthropy should follow.
Let’s Celebrate Black Women After Black History Month Ends by Giving Them More Funding
Black women continue to be left behind in areas such as economic opportunity and maternal health. Philanthropy needs to provide more money to advance the Black women who are today’s grassroots leaders, not just commemorate yesterday’s heroes.
Will More in Philanthropy Adopt the MacKenzie or Melinda Approach to Giving?
Two women — Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott — are rewriting the rules of philanthropy. Their approaches suggest a new continuum of giving that should set the standard for the rest of philanthropic world.
A Charitable-Giving Tax Credit Could Shift the Balance of Philanthropic Power Away From the Wealthy
If low- and middle-income households received a refundable tax credit for donating to charity, more people would engage in civic life and the nonprofit world would be forced to refocus its priorities on those who don’t itemize their tax deductions.
As prices soar for gasoline, groceries, and other essential items, donors will have less to give and nonprofits and foundations may be forced to make cuts or look elsewhere for funds to cover higher operating costs. Nonprofit leaders, most of whom have no experience dealing with inflation, should start planning now.
A new Ford Foundation-backed project aims to mend toxic societal divisions that threaten philanthropy’s most fundamental work, including its ability to bring people together to address enormous challenges such as systemic racism and climate change.
MacKenzie Scott’s Investment in the Global Queer and Transgender Movement Is a Game Changer
For years LGBTIQ groups have received scraps from philanthropy despite continuing mistreatment and a growing backlash against the community worldwide. Scott’s generous support for groups like ours shows why giving more is critical.
Persistent Myths About Disaster Giving Continue to Create Major Funding Shortfalls
Philanthropy stepped up in a big way to address the pandemic, but its support for relief and recovery efforts following other climate-driven and humanitarian disasters remains stunningly low. Grant makers need to break out of old patterns that stand in the way of increased giving.
Education Grant Makers Need to Leave Their Covid Comfort Zones and Spend Time in Schools
A lack of physical proximity to teachers, administrators, and students has diminished philanthropy’s role in schools during the pandemic. To regain trust and relevance, education donors need to take creative steps to get back in schools and resume in-person convenings.
Grant Makers Should Stop Resisting Nonprofits’ Pleas for Increased Technology Funding
A lack of coordination among foundation IT and program staff is one of several factors that prevent nonprofits from getting the funding they need to upgrade their technology and become fully functioning participants in the digital age. Plus: Read our cover story on cybersecurity.