April 2024
Articles and News
MacKenzie Scott, Stop Ignoring Small Nonprofits Like Mine
“Given that 92 percent of U.S. nonprofits operate on budgets of less than $1 million a year, it makes no sense for Scott — and philanthropy more broadly — to measure a nonprofit’s worth and potential by its annual budget.” (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
What’s in a Name? The Ethics of Building Naming Gifts
Is it possible for modern capital fundraising to be grounded in socially just principles? (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
After years of concerns about how quickly the money reserved for charity gets distributed and whether donor-advised funds need to operate more transparently, proposed new federal regulations are now pending. Though the regulations would not create new requirements for how rapidly these funds distribute money, they do provide some new guidelines for what uses for DAFs are allowed by law. (The Conversation)
These Donors Are Revolting Against the “Charity Lobby” to Push Sweeping Philanthropic Reform
In the latest development in that ongoing saga, a coalition of donors has come together around an effort they’re calling the Donor Revolt for Charity Reform — and they’re willing to fight prominent philanthropic stakeholders to push for legislative changes that go well beyond the ACE Act’s provisions. The battle may seem like a decidedly uphill one, but the organizers and initial signatories are armed with both a multipronged strategy and updated data showing that the majority of the public sees things their way. (Inside Philanthropy)
How Movement-Accountable Intermediaries Can Change Philanthropy
Leaders of several intermediary organizations share how they envision their role within—and how they ultimately hope to upend—the philanthropic landscape. (Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Studies and Resources
Politics and the Charity Sector - We don't do politics, we give people a voice
A new report, produced by a collaboration between the Shelia McKechnie Foundation and nfpResearch, explores how aware the public is of the political work of charities. This includes whether they feel this is a space that charities should occupy, and who people think should be involved in politics. (nfpResearch)
Podcast Episode- Solidarity Forever: Building Movements Amid Today’s Crises
Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix on their new book, “Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea.” (The Intercept)
For Funders
Using Philanthropy To Address Racial Harm And Inequity
Learn how the United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA) is using racial justice to inform their grantmaking efforts, and how other philanthropic organizations can help work to undo the legacies of harm inflicted upon communities of color. (Blue Avocado)
Justice Funders recently released an updated version of their Resonance Framework, a Just Transition guide for philanthropic transformation. Learn how your organization can help redistribute wealth, democratize power, and shift economic control. (Justice Funders)
The Barbie Land Approach to Funder Listening
“But much like Barbie Land needs many different Barbies to function, the ways in which funders hear community voices shouldn’t begin and end with just supporting their grantees to listen better. Funders should absolutely support grantees to listen well. They should also listen to their grantees, whether through the Grantee Perception Report, grantee convenings, or ongoing conversations. And they should also listen directly to the communities most affected by their grantmaking.” (Center for Effective Philanthropy)
