Movement-building Philanthropy News
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Inside the Black Freedom Fund’s Journey to Independence and Permanence
Launched in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the pooled fund is now a legally independent organization. It’s facing stiff headwinds this year, but it’s in it for the long haul.
Could the Most Cost-Effective Climate Mitigation Strategy Be Funding Communities?
Donors take note: This new report estimates the philanthropic cost per ton of emissions averted by traditionally hard-to-measure community efforts. The numbers are startlingly low.
Four Funders Supporting the Right to Protest
With the right to assembly under attack in the U.S. despite its First Amendment protections, here are some grantmakers who’ve been pushing back.
Beyond the Ballot Box: The Power and Possibility of a Continuous Civic Life
Emma Bloomberg draws on examples from her own work, calling on philanthropy to “focus less on the national news cycle” and fund community organizers, as well as the infrastructure to support them.
Three Ways Funders Can Step Up to Protect Democracy and Dissent
Vina Kay of the Piper Fund discusses why funders need to urgently protect the right to protest as authoritarian trends mount in the U.S.
Woods Fund Chicago’s Michelle Morales on the Myths of Perpetuity
We connected with Morales to discuss how the foundation defines fiduciary responsibility, philanthropy’s myths that have become rules, and why “we should all be working ourselves out of a job.”
Why a Key Women’s Foundation Is Ramping Up Its Support in the Midwest
After the success of its Ms. South program, the Ms. Foundation for Women has launched Ms. Midwest, aiming to go where underfunding of women and girls of color is most pronounced.
Youth Leaders’ Climate Fund Is Growing, But Not Fast Enough to Meet Demand
A year after its launch, the Youth Climate Justice Fund has secured some substantial backers, but its vision is much bigger. It hopes to move $100 million by the end of the decade.
Will More Philanthropies Step Up to Help Workers? Recent Funding Developments to Note
With Labor Day just behind us, here’s a primer on some of the ways philanthropy is supporting workers in the face of ongoing threats to labor rights.
This California Foundation Has Supported Progressive Causes for Almost 90 Years
It’s not the biggest in the state, but the Rosenberg Foundation — established in 1935 — has long played an important ecosystem role for a whole range of social justice causes. Here’s a look at what it’s backing today.
Six Things to Know About the Libra Foundation’s New President, Supriya Lopez Pillai
The longtime activist and philanthropic change agent will take the helm at the influential Pritzker-family-backed social justice grantmaker Libra Foundation later this year, following the departure of former President Crystal Hayling.
Philanthropy Must Safeguard Our Right to Protest, a Key Pathway to Progress
As the rights to free expression and assembly come under attack, guest author Rajasvini Bhansali argues philanthropic funders have an urgent role to play in protecting front-line organizers.
Who’s Funding Policy Advocacy for Immigration Reform and Immigrant Rights?
Public sector policy determines what happens to immigrants in the U.S. and those seeking to enter. That’s why advocacy support is a key lever for immigrant rights funders like these.
An Urgent Moment for The Movement Cooperative, a Progressive Election Infrastructure Hub
With backing from institutional grantmakers and its own members, TMC provides shared access to collectively purchased database and software resources. Now, it faces the mammoth challenge of the 2024 contests.
“A Very Powerful Moment.” The California Endowment Goes Big for Community Organizing
With an $85 million investment, the heavyweight regional grantmaker aims to strengthen movement infrastructure statewide. Outgoing CEO Robert Ross called its board approval a career highlight.
Bill Drayton on Ashoka’s Work to Make “Everyone a Changemaker”
Ideas like “social entrepreneurship” and “changemaking” show up everywhere today, and that has a lot to do with Drayton and the global organization he founded. Here’s a look at Ashoka’s work and backing, and what’s next.
“Not Standard Corporate Philanthropy.” Progressive Values Drive the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation
Amalgamated Bank has been around for a century, while the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation only got started in 2018. But both organizations bring a progressivism to their offerings that’s unusual in corporate giving.
This Funder is Zeroing in on Underrepresented Voters — and ID-ing Insurrectionists
Public Wise is working with organizations around the country to give a voice to overlooked voters, while building movement infrastructure. The group is also on the lookout for those who could undermine democracy.
“As the South Goes…” Meet a Fund that’s Powering Frontline Southern Movement Groups
Launched in 2020, the collaborative Southern Power Fund is confronting philanthropic underinvestment in the South by moving “we see you money” and long-term support to front-line movements.
A New Fund Backs Civic Engagement and Power Building for Communities of Color in California
Major Golden State grantmakers have gotten behind PIVOT, a collaborative fund to resource democracy work and build community power. Its initial grants have prioritized voter organizing alongside wider movement building.
Beyond Trust-Based Philanthropy: Ms. Foundation Report Advocates for Care-Based Giving
A new report looks at the toll of chronic underinvestment on the leadership of women and nonbinary people of color, and offers a new framework for funders looking to better support these leaders.
A Foundation’s Bid to Build Access and Change Narratives Around Government Spending
As a torrent of federal funding comes online, the Marguerite Casey Foundation is aiming to help shift public resources toward historically excluded communities and change the conversation around government spending.
The Paul G. Allen Foundation Gets Behind a Youth-Led Campaign to Boost Civic Engagement
Rhizome is a national, youth-led network seeking to build civic engagement among American young people. Here’s how it got the attention and support of the late Microsoft cofounder’s foundation.
Black Feminists Are Organizing with Little to No Funding. Here Are Three Ways to Change That
Despite their crucial role at the front lines of progressive change, Black feminist leaders face a marked lack of philanthropic backing. Guest authors Tynesha McHarris and Nicky McIntyre challenge funders to step up.
Youth Leaders Put Climate on the Agenda, But Get Philanthropic Scraps. They’re Ready for Abundance
The new Youth Climate Justice Fund, which debuted at Climate Week NYC, will channel the fundraising and organizing chops of young leaders to build the field and, hopefully, inspire a wave of similar funds.
“Transformation” at the JPB Foundation: Eight Questions with Deepak Bhargava, President-Elect
Bhargava, a longtime insider and former grantee of the JPB Foundation, will take over from founding donor and president Barbara Picower in February 2024. We connected with him to learn more about the transition.
Eight Questions for Ray Colmenar, President of the Akonadi Foundation
Ray Colmenar recently succeeded Lateefah Simon as president of the Oakland-based Akonadi Foundation. We spoke to him about his career, the notion of co-governance, Akonadi’s racial justice commitments and more.
How Can Funders Meaningfully Address Gender-Based Violence? Support Survivor Justice
In this guest contribution, Brook Kelly-Green of Schusterman Family Philanthropies and Ada Williams Prince of Pivotal Ventures highlight the need for funders to center and support survivors of gender-based violence.
Dear Philanthropy: Step Up for Reproductive Justice by Backing Black Women and Black-Led Nonprofits
It’s been a year since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. In this guest piece, Surina Khan and Janette Robinson Flint call on funders to better support Black women at the vanguard of the fight for reproductive rights.
The Next Generation of Asian Americans Are Poised to Lead. Does Philanthropy Have Their Back?
In this guest article, Asian American Futures Executive Director Reshma Shamasunder calls on philanthropy to be more supportive toward young Asian Americans working to build a more equitable world.
