November 2022
Things We’re Loving This Month
Dolly Parton gets Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy
“The award reflected the good works of her Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, through which the superstar has distributed free books to children worldwide, increased college access, and even advanced medical research—famously playing a pivotal role in funding the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (she donated $1 million to its development).” (Vogue)
We Are For Good Podcast’s Mental Health Week
Mental health is one of the most silent, debilitating and dangerous threats to the nonprofit sector today, if left unaddressed. The We Are For Good podcast highlighted the issue with seven episodes of personal stories, actionable counsel of how to navigate burnout, and paths to healing.
Nonprofit AF’s Roundup of Funders Supporting Sabbaticals for Nonprofit EDs
We must prioritize nonprofit leaders’ rest and healing, and here are some cool funders doing that.
Articles and News
T. Rowe Price releases their first State of Baltimore Nonprofit sector report
First-of-its-kind research provides key data and insights on the current state of the nonprofit sector in Baltimore. (T. Rowe Price)
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta amassed a coalition of support to preserve and create 6,000 homeowners of color in Atlanta. Its focus is two-fold: 1. Create affordable homes for people historically precluded from homeownership, and 2. Reduce the significant racial wealth gap. (CFGA)
LION’s Local Journalism Awards show the potential of the next generation of nonprofit news outlets
The recent boom of local nonprofit news organizations is proving their model can serve smaller markets, too. (NiemanLab)
Ford Foundation Invests $10M to Support Southern Organizing via Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Over the next five years, Ford’s investment will augment the Babcock Foundation’s ongoing primary grantmaking strategy, which is to help strengthen the growing organizations and networks working together to advance racial equity. (Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation)
Only 7% of $1.7B COP 26 pledge is going directly to Indigenous groups
Only 7% of funds delivered so far to fulfill a $1.7 billion pledge to support the tenure rights and forest guardianship of Indigenous peoples and local communities, or IP and LC, have gone directly to those groups, according to a new “progress report” tracking the philanthropic commitments of funders who signed the pledge at last year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference. (Devex)
Studies and Research
How Alumni Like to Engage With Their Alma Maters, According to a Survey
More than half of alumni polled in a new survey said they were interested in helping current or prospective students at their alma mater by mentoring current students, helping the admissions office recruit new students, speaking with current students about their careers, or other methods. (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
Gifts by Donors Asked to Evoke Fond Memories Were 90% Higher Than Others
Prompting alumni to reflect on things they feel grateful for is what’s called a “nudge” in behavioral economics. One explanation for why the nudge we used with one group led it to pledge bigger gifts is that most people are inclined to focus more on their difficulties rather than their good fortune. (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
Resources
Blank Foundation Founder and President Discuss Family Philanthropy
Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank and Fay Twersky, president and director of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, discuss the family's collaborative approach to decision-making on the Giving Done Right podcast. (Giving Done Right)
Charities Aid Foundation World Giving Index 2022
CAF has been producing its World Giving Index for more than a decade. Read the report to find out how global giving changed as we began to come out of the pandemic. (CAF)
Why Philanthropy Matters’ Philanthropy Book Club
A regular series of short videos taking a look at some of the best books – both new and old – about philanthropy and civil society. Episode 1 highlights Maribel Morey’s “White Philanthropy”, and episode 2 focuses on William MacAskill’s “What We Owe the Future”. (Why Philanthropy Matters)
For Funders
5 Unexpected Benefits of Corporate Philanthropy
Taken altogether, as summarized in Aly Sterling Philanthropy’s corporate philanthropy guide, creating a CSR program allows your business to realize the full potential of your brand as a force for good. (Submittable)
Fund the People is Fighting for the Wellbeing of Nonprofit Workers — and Funders are Listening
“Foundation boards and CEOs need to just take a pause and think about what would happen if half the people who work in the organizations they fund leave?” said Rusty Stahl, Fund the People’s founder, president and CEO. “What would happen if they went on strike? What would happen if they burned out?” Nonprofits would start collapsing as a result. (Inside Philanthropy)
Eric Schmidt’s Exclusive New Club
The multi-hyphenate former Google C.E.O., philanthropist, D.C. player, and uber-connector has now started a charitable network that could one day rival the Gateses. (Puck)
Positive ESG ratings in the past led to 25% drop in philanthropic giving
New research from two Brigham Young University professors suggests that when it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings, if what's being measured doesn't match society's values, the company may be unhappy to receive a positive rating. (Phys.org)
Upcoming Events
Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowledgements to LANDBACK
Join the Indigenous Solidarity Network (SURJ, Catalyst Project, Resource Generation) this season to interrogate the legacy of the ‘Thanksgiving’ holiday and hear from frontline Indigenous leaders on how to join efforts to protect land and water at this year's “Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowledgement to LANDBACK,” Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 PT/ 4 ET. Click here to register.
Atlanta Regional Housing Forum: Leveraging Public Lands to Expand Affordable Housing
Join the Atlanta Regional Housing Forum in learning more about Atlanta’s Strike Force and the commitments made by local jurisdictions to address affordable housing. Wednesday, December 7, 2022, 9:30 - 11:45. In-Person & Virtual Event. Click here to register.
