Funding When Democracy Is in Decline
As the United States joins the ranks of countries with contracting civic space, some lessons from funders with experience working amidst uncertainty.
New and innovative ideas for leaders of foundations (more)
As the United States joins the ranks of countries with contracting civic space, some lessons from funders with experience working amidst uncertainty.
Revitalizing communities that have been hit hard by post-industrial decline can take decades, but government and philanthropy often operate on short-term funding timelines. In this episode, Barbara Wheeler-Bride talks with Bo Kemp, CEO of the Southland Development Authority, about this mismatch, and how his nonprofit is working with individuals, businesses, and municipalities in Chicago's south suburbs to reinvigorate the economy. Their innovative strategies, including owning assets like housing and property, could provide a template for other struggling regions across the United States. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360®
Artificial intelligence is a top-of-mind topic not just for leaders in philanthropy and the nonprofit sectors, but across all of society. As nonprofit and social impact organizations explore how AI tools might help them further their mission, many are wondering: What are the risks? Can the field scale up AI adoption without creating deeper societal inequities? In this episode, Barbara Wheeler-Bride talks with Jacqueline Watts of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation about how the foundation funds AI for social good. The conversation includes takeaways for donors, funders, nonprofit leaders and their teams who are grappling with questions about how or whether to use artificial intelligence. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360®
What if—rather than focusing on funding "what works"—philanthropy asked what people and societies need to live well and flourish, and built the resources to match?
Donors have the motivation and the means to give, so what’s slowing them down? Host Barbara-Wheeler Bride interviews two donor advisors about some of the roadblocks and friction philanthropic donors face when it comes to giving. First, a check-in with Mary Jovanovich, senior manager and charitable consultant at DAFgiving360®, about what she’s hearing from families and individuals. Then, a conversation with Ben Klasky, founder of Seismic Philanthropy, about “option paralysis,” why he thinks donor-advised funds may be getting a bad rap, and what nonprofits can do to better engage with donors. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360®
Impact investing has grown exponentially over the past 20 years. How is the field evolving? What are the new approaches and strategies that are making impact investing more accessible and appealing to funders of all sizes? How can the curious get started? Megan Kashner from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management joins the show to address critiques levied at the field and how to tell if an investment is having an impact. Giving With Impact is developed with the support of DAFgiving360®
As federal funding disappears and community organizations close, much of the power to respond sits with foundation boards—and the moment to use it is now.
The Baby Boomers' wealth transfer is one of the greatest opportunities in the history of the philanthropy and nonprofit sector. There is still work to do.
Funders should measure capacity building by what changes, not just what grantees like.
I had a mandate to create an investment portfolio wholly devoted to impact that would not sacrifice returns. After a decade, it outperformed its benchmarks of traditional market indexes and demonstrated that socially positive investments are long-term value investments.