This Community Foundation Went All In on Trust-Based Philanthropy. Here’s What It Has Learned

This Community Foundation Went All In on Trust-Based Philanthropy. Here’s What It Has Learned

Beginning in 2018, Patricia Mejia oversaw the San Antonio Area Foundation’s adoption of trust-based philanthropy practices. It wasn’t always easy, but the move is paying off for grantees and the foundation.

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Foundations May Be Backsliding on COVID-Era Flexibility. Are Grantees Getting Fed Up?

Foundations May Be Backsliding on COVID-Era Flexibility. Are Grantees Getting Fed Up?

A new survey from Technology Association of Grantmakers suggests some funders who relaxed restrictions in 2020 are reverting to old practices. That raises tough questions about the grantee-funder relationship going forward.

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Four Things We Actually Like About DAFs

Four Things We Actually Like About DAFs

Donor-advised funds are the target of a lot of criticism, including in the pages of Inside Philanthropy — and for good reason. But setting aside their worst flaws, we have to admit that DAFs have a lot to offer.

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“Small Can Be Effective.” Five Things to Know About Richmond Memorial Health Foundation

“Small Can Be Effective.” Five Things to Know About Richmond Memorial Health Foundation

The Richmond Memorial Health Foundation is committed to fostering an equitable and healthy Richmond region. We check in with President Mark Constantine to explore its strategic framework, upcoming initiatives and more.

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Four Increasingly Dubious Reasons Funders Are Still Not Giving Unrestricted Support

Four Increasingly Dubious Reasons Funders Are Still Not Giving Unrestricted Support

Almost three years into the pandemic, unrestricted support hasn’t caught on the way nonprofit leaders hoped it would. We theorize as to why this remains the case — and why funders’ reticence is becoming harder to explain away.

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Philanthropy Trend Watch: A Few Ways the Sector Is Changing for the Better — and the Worse

Philanthropy Trend Watch: A Few Ways the Sector Is Changing for the Better — and the Worse

As the year draws to a close, we take a look at some developments in philanthropy that have us feeling optimistic about the future, and others that are less encouraging.

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Backed by a Huge Bequest, a New Arts Funder’s Grantmaking Strategy Begins to Takes Shape

Backed by a Huge Bequest, a New Arts Funder’s Grantmaking Strategy Begins to Takes Shape

The Ruth Foundation for the Arts has made a big splash in the arts world thanks to its penchant for flexible funding and a $440 endowment. We check in with executive director Karen Patterson on the foundation’s inaugural year.

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How Restricted Project Grants Distort the Missions of Nonprofits

How Restricted Project Grants Distort the Missions of Nonprofits

While we’ve seen some advances in the push for more general operating support, the norm is still restricted funding. Nonprofit veterans share the many ways project grants have led them astray and held back progress.

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IP Explainer: What Is General Operating Support?

IP Explainer: What Is General Operating Support?

Philanthropy is difficult to navigate. That’s why we’ve produced a series of explainers to demystify the basics of philanthropy. Today, we explain what general operating support is and why it’s so important for grantees.

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Nonprofit Survey Holds Lessons for Funders Looking to Curb Persistent Racial Disparities in Giving

Nonprofit Survey Holds Lessons for Funders Looking to Curb Persistent Racial Disparities in Giving

Nonprofit Finance Fund’s 2022 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey found that racial disparities in funding continued into 2020 and 2021. Responses from participating nonprofits offer promising advice for funders.

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Why Catalytic Funding Is Key to Closing the Racial Equity Gap in Philanthropy

Why Catalytic Funding Is Key to Closing the Racial Equity Gap in Philanthropy

Guest contributor Rebecca Ferguson makes a case for unrestricted support to younger, smaller nonprofits led by people of color, and shares how a new fund from Salesforce is focusing its attention there.

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“Unprecedented Change” or More of the Same? Reports Assess Funders’ 2020 Response

“Unprecedented Change” or More of the Same? Reports Assess Funders’ 2020 Response

Two new reports unpack philanthropy’s 2020 response to calls for racial justice and the COVID pandemic. While both studies cite positive developments, progress, as always, is in the eye of the beholder.

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Funder Spotlight: How the Fleishhacker Foundation Backs Bay Area Artists, No Strings Attached

Funder Spotlight: How the Fleishhacker Foundation Backs Bay Area Artists, No Strings Attached

The Fleishhacker Foundation supports arts organizations, artists and literacy programs in the Bay Area, with an emphasis on unrestricted funding. Here’s what you need to know about this San Francisco-based grantmaker.

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A Non-Arts Funder Commits Millions for the Arts—and Offers Elusive Endowment Funding

A Non-Arts Funder Commits Millions for the Arts—and Offers Elusive Endowment Funding

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation has made a huge arts commitment that includes often-overlooked endowment support. VP Jim Boyle explains how the foundation’s economic development focus area led them to the arts.

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COVID-19 Nearly Killed the Performing Arts. Innovations in Funding Can Revive Them

COVID-19 Nearly Killed the Performing Arts. Innovations in Funding Can Revive Them

The pandemic was devastating for working artists, many of whom lost their livelihoods. In this guest post, Maurine Knighton of Doris Duke Charitable Foundation shares how powerful unrestricted funding provides a lifeline.

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As More Social Change Funders Embrace General Support, How Are They Assessing Impact?

As More Social Change Funders Embrace General Support, How Are They Assessing Impact?

After decades of resistance, more funders large and small are embracing general support as a way to support meaningful change. How are they determining where to direct that support—and whether it’s working?

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Ford Extends Its Experiment in Flexible Funding by $1 Billion—and Hopes Others Will Follow

Ford Extends Its Experiment in Flexible Funding by $1 Billion—and Hopes Others Will Follow

In 2015, Ford launched a $1 billion experiment in long-term, flexible funding. The foundation just extended BUILD with another billion. Director Kathy Reich shares how the effort is impacting grantees—and how she hopes it will impact the sector.

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This Foundation Has Been Giving General Support for Years. What's It Learned?

This Foundation Has Been Giving General Support for Years. What's It Learned?

While nonprofits have griped forever about a lack of unrestricted grants, many funders remain wary of providing such support. The Sobrato Family Foundation recently shared its take-aways from 10 years of offering GOS funding.

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