Building on #MeToo, Foundations Look to Change Workplaces in the U.S. and Around the World

Building on #MeToo, Foundations Look to Change Workplaces in the U.S. and Around the World

Translating early energy and activism into long-term change is a persistent challenge of social movements. A major new funding collaborative seeks to keep the momentum of #MeToo alive with millions in grants to challenge workplace harassment.

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Out of the Shadows: What Philanthropy is Doing to Support Sex Worker Movements Around the World

Out of the Shadows: What Philanthropy is Doing to Support Sex Worker Movements Around the World

While sex work or trafficking occasionally make headlines, sex workers and their rights have been largely ignored by the public and by philanthropy. But new funding movements, giving circles, and collaboratives are seeking to change that.

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Changing the Narrative and Building Power: A Muslim American Fund Takes the Long View

Changing the Narrative and Building Power: A Muslim American Fund Takes the Long View

Rapid response funding will always be necessary for a community that often finds itself under political attack. But the Pillars Fund wants to go beyond that, changing how American Muslims are seen and building capacity from the ground up.

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“The Fight of Our Lives.” How a Funder Collaborative Backs Civic Participation

“The Fight of Our Lives.” How a Funder Collaborative Backs Civic Participation

The Defending the Dream Fund is among the new rapid-response efforts that have popped up since the 2016 election. It recently made its third round of grants—its biggest yet. Who’s behind the fund, and where’s the money going?

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From Passion to Impact: Inside a Growing Push to Help Individual Donors Get More Strategic

From Passion to Impact: Inside a Growing Push to Help Individual Donors Get More Strategic

A host of new efforts are under way to expand a “portfolio approach” to giving that can help individual donors—big and small—be more effective funders. Here’s a look at some of the key players leading the charge.

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"A Different America." A Movement Funder Tries to Change Who’s Invited to the Table

"A Different America." A Movement Funder Tries to Change Who’s Invited to the Table

The Third Wave Fund almost shut down a few years ago. Now, back from the brink and with two new leaders taking the reins, it’s dedicated to empowering those who’ve been locked out of mainstream philanthropy.

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Building Trust: How a German Philanthropist Supports Social Movements

Building Trust: How a German Philanthropist Supports Social Movements

Ise Bosch’s giving takes plenty of cues from American philanthropy. But in work that spans several continents, she’s also advancing the role of the “donor activist” in a way that’s rare in the U.S. and often unheard of abroad.

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Inside the Libra Foundation: How a Branch of the Pritzker Family Backs Movement Building

Inside the Libra Foundation: How a Branch of the Pritzker Family Backs Movement Building

Its assets may come from one of the nation’s wealthiest families, but the Libra Foundation takes empowering the grassroots seriously, and it’s stepping up its work with new staff and strategies.

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Donor Organizers: Behind an Inclusive New Approach to Social Justice Funding

Donor Organizers: Behind an Inclusive New Approach to Social Justice Funding

The Giving Project is energizing diverse small donors who are not well-represented in philanthropy. And it’s moving money to the kind of community-led organizing work that’s underfunded by larger foundations.

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Behind the Creation of the New Social Justice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation

Behind the Creation of the New Social Justice Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation

The Pittsburgh Foundation recently unveiled a new Social Justice Fund that was co-designed in partnership with nine local leaders to support social justice work in the region. Here’s a closer look at this unusual effort.

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Pop Pluralism: A Funder Collaborative Works to Shift Norms in Entertainment

Pop Pluralism: A Funder Collaborative Works to Shift Norms in Entertainment

Popular culture has tremendous potential as a leverage point for social change. But actually making an impact is tricky. A grantmaking outfit bankrolled by heavy hitters is taking on that challenge.

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Donor Organizing: A Funder's Commitment to Next Generation Progressive Philanthropists

Donor Organizing: A Funder's Commitment to Next Generation Progressive Philanthropists

There are more left-leaning heirs around than ever. But organizing them into a potent force within philanthropy takes work—and money. Surdna is pitching in. 

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Ripple Effect: A Foundation Looks to Women and Girls of Color to Take the Lead

Ripple Effect: A Foundation Looks to Women and Girls of Color to Take the Lead

In a new five-year plan, the Ms. Foundation for Women aims to invest $25 million in organizations led by and for women of color. It is also launching a 501(c)(4) to help amplify this group’s political reach and power.

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Weaving Networks: One Funder's Model for Bottom-Up Grantmaking

Weaving Networks: One Funder's Model for Bottom-Up Grantmaking

More and more funders are talking about inclusive, bottom-up philanthropy these days. The Marguerite Casey Foundation is a 17-year veteran in that space. We dig into how it approaches its work.

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Checking in With the East Bay Community Foundation as it Shifts Toward Civic Engagement

Checking in With the East Bay Community Foundation as it Shifts Toward Civic Engagement

EBCF has around since 1928 and gives away tens of millions each year. It’s in the midst of a transformation as it hits its 90th anniversary, looking to have more impact by driving social change.

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At the Table: A Grantmaking Group's Bid for Youth Inclusion

At the Table: A Grantmaking Group's Bid for Youth Inclusion

Including young people in its governance structure is just one way Minnesota-based Youthprise is fostering philanthropy’s next generation. What can be learned from its model?

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Means to an End: How a Venture Funding Group Backs Civic Tech

Means to an End: How a Venture Funding Group Backs Civic Tech

Unlike most other venture philanthropy shops, New Media Ventures has a strong progressive mission. And since the 2016 election, it’s been stepping up its funding of left-leaning tech entrepreneurs.

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Power Shift: A Funders Group Works to Up Philanthropy's Social Justice Game

Power Shift: A Funders Group Works to Up Philanthropy's Social Justice Game

The Neighborhood Funders Group began coordinating support for community organizing nearly 40 years ago. But in a threatening time, it’s pushing for greater urgency and a more active role.

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Shared History: Elevating Structural Change Grantmaking in the South

Shared History: Elevating Structural Change Grantmaking in the South

Local philanthropy may be on a roll in the South, but grantmaking to tackle entrenched inequities still lags. Summing up a two-year research dive, a report gives insight into why that is and what funders can do about it.

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Look Inward: A Push to Get Funders to Think More Candidly About Power and Equity

Look Inward: A Push to Get Funders to Think More Candidly About Power and Equity

Addressing power and privilege in the foundation world isn’t easy, but NCRP keeps trying. Most recently, it’s put together a guide to help more funders have these difficult conversations.

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