January 30, 2023 “Funded to Win.” These 11 Funders — and Counting — Are Stepping Up for Black Feminist Movements January 30, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In an open letter to philanthropy, 11 major funders have called on their peers to support Black feminist movements in the U.S. and abroad. Leaders from the Black Feminist Fund say this work is crucial to a safer and more just world.Read More
September 06, 2022 Hey, Philanthropy: Division Isn’t Our Biggest Problem September 06, 2022/ Crystal Hayling, Guest Contributor Many foundation leaders believe division and incivility are the biggest problems afflicting democracy. Libra’s Crystal Hayling makes the case that some bridges should not be built — and that redressing injustice requires agitation.Read More
May 31, 2022 This Funding Initiative Has a Singular Goal: To Encourage Major Donors to Boost Their Giving May 31, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Crisis Charitable Commitment was created to hold funders to a higher standard. As in, give more. It recently debuted a slate of shovel-ready giving opportunities, including an advocacy push for higher taxes on the ultra-rich.Read More
May 04, 2022 “Healthcare, Not a Crime.” How Ipas Backs Abortion Care Abroad, and What U.S. Funders Can Learn May 04, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen As the U.S. backslides on abortion rights, much of the rest of the world is moving in the other direction. Here’s one abortion care organization that’s been leading that charge, even as support from U.S. philanthropy remains lackluster.Read More
January 19, 2022 The Most Powerful Heirs in Philanthropy January 19, 2022/ David Callahan As the rich get richer, the descendants of the uber-wealthy will shape the world of philanthropy for decades to come. As such, we’ve compiled our first extensive list of the heirs to family wealth who are making waves in the sector. Read More
November 18, 2021 A Year Ago, 12 Funders Committed to Support Racial Justice. Here’s What We’re Learning November 18, 2021/ Crystal Hayling, Guest Contributor Making progress on racial justice requires a willingness to learn and be changed. In this guest post, Democracy Frontlines Fund founder Crystal Hayling shares how its members are evolving since the fund started a year ago.Read More
July 07, 2021 As More Social Change Funders Embrace General Support, How Are They Assessing Impact? July 07, 2021/ Trip Brennan 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?Read More
May 26, 2021 How Green Philanthropy Has Changed—And How It Hasn’t—in Response to Calls for Racial Justice May 26, 2021/ Michael Kavate Environmental and climate leaders share what they think has changed in their field in the year since George Floyd’s murder sparked a nationwide racial justice movement—and where philanthropy can still do better.Read More
May 25, 2021 After a Year Like No Other, Three Foundation Leaders Talk About What Changed and What Comes Next May 25, 2021/ David Callahan In a panel convened by the National Center for Family Philanthropy, moderated by IP’s David Callahan, the heads of the Barr, Libra and Marguerite Casey foundations talk about how their institutions—and the sector—have evolved.Read More
November 17, 2020 With Federal Climate Action Back on the Table, How Will Funders Respond? November 17, 2020/ Michael Kavate With the election of Joe Biden, federal action on climate change will once again be possible. While it’s still unclear how the largest climate funders will respond, several players in this funding space shared their thoughts on the future. Read More
September 18, 2020 Newcomers to Movement Funding Join a Collaborative Effort to Support Black-Led Groups September 18, 2020/ Philip Rojc The Democracy Frontlines Fund is channeling $36 million from an eclectic mix of funders to some of today’s most dynamic Black-led organizing groups. It’s backed by a surprising number of billionaire donors and other unusual suspects.Read More
July 22, 2020 An Open Letter to Funders on the Fight for Racial Justice: “Get In and Stay In” July 22, 2020/ Crystal Hayling, Guest Contributor The legacy of the late Rep. John Lewis serves as a clarion call to stay in the long and hard fight for racial justice. In this guest opinion, Libra Foundation Executive Director Crystal Hayling encourages grantmakers to take a stand.Read More
July 10, 2019 As an Environmental Funder Charts a New Path, it Looks to Others to Lead the Way July 10, 2019/ Tate Williams The Libra Foundation is updating its environment program, centering racial justice and those closest to the problems—and staying open to new ideas. The shift is an example of how more funders are embracing bottom-up approaches. Read More
October 22, 2018 Inside the Libra Foundation: How a Branch of the Pritzker Family Backs Movement Building October 22, 2018/ Philip Rojc 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. Read More
June 05, 2017 Can the Arts Revitalize a Depressed Town? A Foundation Will Find Out After Buying Most of It June 05, 2017/ Mike Scutari A foundation pledges $10 million to revitalize a depressed town through the arts, agriculture and tourism. Is this a viable turnaround strategy for other distressed places in Amerca?Read More