July 2025
Articles and News
Reverse Call for Proposals: A Disruptive and Bold Move to Change Development Financing
We love this effort from West Africa Civil Society Institute’s Re-Imagining INGOs (RINGO) project to flip traditional funding structures by allowing local civil society groups in West Africa to identify their own priorities and invite potential donor partners, rather than responding to externally defined calls. (WASCI)
The 100-year saga of one man’s attempt to pay off the national debt
Thanks to Rhodri Davies at Why Philanthropy Matters for sharing this fascinating example of the donor’s ‘dead hand’ in the UK: In 1927, Gaspard Farrer left a bequest that could only be used when the UK government was ready to pay off the entire national debt. Since that condition was essentially impossible to meet, especially as the debt kept growing due to wars, recessions, and financial crises, the money sat untouched in trust for nearly a century. (Telegraph)
Anchoring Communities: How to Combat Displacement Through Asset Ownership
“In many of the same communities facing displacement, space isn’t just a physical location but rather the foundation for resilience, cultural expression, and long-term autonomy. And disinvested communities, by owning their own spaces, have the chance to build something lasting and make systemic change—as the community examples that are featured here from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Durham demonstrate.” (Nonprofit Quarterly)
Studies and Resources
This new report from NCRP examined 773 major foundations' websites, comparing snapshots from March–November 2024 with current content, to see how the foundations responded to growing political pressure. They found that 73% stayed silent, while about 8% subtly acknowledged issues and another 8% adopted more assertive language—but only around 11% took bold, action-focused positions, despite collectively controlling a significant share of funding. (National Center for Responsive Philanthropy)
Voices That Matter: How Nonprofits and Foundations Engage With the Communities They Support
Based on survey responses from 241 nonprofits and 243 foundations, “Voices That Matter” examines how foundations and nonprofits seek to learn and collect feedback from those they serve. A companion blog post, Funders: Are We Really Listening? An Opportunity for Reflection and Change, discusses a major gap identified in the "Voices That Matter" report: while nearly all funders say they rely on feedback from nonprofits (96 %), most do not financially support nonprofits’ efforts to collect that feedback. (The Center for Effective Philanthropy)
For Funders
Philanthropy’s Moment: Moving Money Like It’s Our Only Job
Dr. Carmen Rojas, president and CEO of Marguerite Casey Foundation, argues that foundations and major donors must radically shift from cautious grantmaking to urgent, large-scale funding, treating their capital as tools to be deployed immediately. (Inside Philanthropy)
Philanthropy Must Stand, Deliver, and Listen
“Any response to this moment must include careful reflection on philanthropy's role in a democratic society.” (Benjamin Soskis for Stanford Social Innovation Review)
