Gratis
A Dialogue on Identity, Strategy, and Philanthropy
Philanthropy’s Responsibility: Funding Faith in Democracy
Bridging Broken Connections: The Benefits of Intergenerational Programs
How the New Orchestrators Blend Capital, Soft Power and Systems Thinking
How Should Funders Respond to an “Existential Threat?”
Since the Trump administration took office in January, it has posed two distinct threats to philanthropy: first, that it would roll back many of the gains that foundations have helped achieve over the past half-century across a broad range of issues. … [Read more...] about How Should Funders Respond to an “Existential Threat?”
Toplines September 27, 2025
Note: I’ll be taking a break from Toplines for a bit, starting next week. Back again by late October. Since the Trump administration took office in January, it has posed two distinct threats to philanthropy: first, that it would roll back … [Read more...] about Toplines September 27, 2025
A Bold Reset: Philanthropy’s Chance to Reimagine Global Health Now
No Time Like Now: “Giving in Time”
Building Bridges Is Good. Building the Power to Counter Extremists Is Better
Over the past week, nonprofit groups that work to bridge partisan divides and lower America’s political temperature have swung into high gear. I mentioned a few of these groups last week, including Braver Angels, Living Room Conversations, and … [Read more...] about Building Bridges Is Good. Building the Power to Counter Extremists Is Better
Funders Have Supported Narrative Change When It Mattered Most. We Must Do It Again
Beyond Bill Gates: A Practical Playbook for Activating More UHNW Giving
A Few Thoughts at an Ominous Moment
Over the past eight months, as the Trump administration has closely followed an authoritarian playbook, it has seemed only a matter of time before weaponized federal agencies are turned against foundations and top donors. Trump himself has served … [Read more...] about A Few Thoughts at an Ominous Moment
Toplines September 13, 2025
Over the past eight months, as the Trump administration has closely followed an authoritarian playbook, it has seemed only a matter of time before weaponized federal agencies are turned against foundations and top donors. Trump himself has served … [Read more...] about Toplines September 13, 2025
To Support Civil Society, 4 Traps for Foundation Leaders to Escape
Philanthropy Can — and Must — Protect Human Connection in the Age of AI
Retreating on Identity Will Not Unify Us
In his recent piece, “Philanthropy’s Identity Focus Strengthens the Right. Is There Another Way?,” David Callahan argues that the left’s embrace of identity has backfired, fueling polarization and making space for Trump, while philanthropy should … [Read more...] about Retreating on Identity Will Not Unify Us
Philanthropy’s Identity Focus Strengthens the Right. Is There Another Way?
Toplines September 6, 2025
A hallmark of majoritarian political movements is that they tap into universally held aspirations and unite people in broad coalitions. Such movements have been scarce in America lately. Both the left and right have mostly focused on … [Read more...] about Toplines September 6, 2025
Toplines August 30, 2025
Today, I’m going to do something different and write a bit about how Inside Philanthropy works, as well as what we found in our recent survey of subscribers. Here are a few things to know about IP: Inside Philanthropy surveys our … [Read more...] about Toplines August 30, 2025
Toplines August 23, 2025
One sure way to offend some people in the nonprofit sector is to suggest that they could learn a thing or two from the business world. I was reminded of this after my column last week on duplication and mediocrity among nonprofits, which … [Read more...] about Toplines August 23, 2025
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Philanthropy: Funding the Future, Backward
The Hidden Engines of Philanthropy: Why Volunteer Fundraisers Deserve More Attention
There Are Too Many Nonprofits. What’s the Solution?
Toplines August 17, 2025
There are a lot of nonprofits — including some well-known ones — that shouldn’t exist. And, as the sector looks ahead to leaner times, in which it will need to do more with less, that’s no longer okay. Hard times require hard choices, and now’s the … [Read more...] about Toplines August 17, 2025
Top 10 Storytelling Mistakes Made by Foundations and Nonprofits — And How to Fix Them
Whale Hunting at the Met: What I Saw in the Months Before Matthew Pietras Was Unmasked
The Elephant in the Room
Toplines August 9, 2025
For over a century, top foundations have worked to solve critical problems with an approach that centers knowledge and reason. Along the way, they’ve been deeply protective of their reputation as nonpartisan pragmatists who work at a remove from … [Read more...] about Toplines August 9, 2025
