Foundations

How Much We Give Is Important, but How We Give It Is, Too

By Kathleen Enright

There is disagreement over how much foundations should pay out during this crisis, but there should be no disagreement over the need for all foundations to transform the way they give to help build more effective and sustainable nonprofit organizations. This essay is a response to the keystone article in the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for more reaction pieces like this one.

Foundations

Philanthropy Must Go Beyond Traditional Grantmaking

By Helmut K. Anheier

The COVID crisis has laid bare the limitations of conventional foundations and put a spotlight on alternative approaches to philanthropy and creating positive social change. This essay is a response to the keystone article in the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for more reaction pieces like this one.

Foundations

Unprecedented Times Call for Foundations to Take Unprecedented Actions

By Darren Walker 1

During this historic disruption, foundations should not put their own survival above the survival of the civil society and nonprofits that they serve. This essay is a response to the keystone article in the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for more reaction pieces like this one

Foundations

Focus on Outcomes, Not on Dollars

By Diana Leat 1

The important issue isn’t the preservation of a large endowment, but how to exercise informed, imaginative, and sensitive judgement in pursuit of outcomes for the common good. This essay is a response to the keystone article in the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for more reaction pieces like this one.

Foundations

Now Is Not the Time for Foundations to Default to Minimum Payout

By Phil Buchanan

Foundations should step up in a time of unparalleled crisis—and strong market returns have made it easier for them to do so. This essay is a response to the keystone article in the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for more reaction pieces like this one.

Foundations

The Case for Foundations to Do More in Times of Crisis

By John Palfrey

Spending more today will mean having less for the future, but the current crisis is unprecedented and the financial trade-off is very modest.

Foundations

Foundation Payout Policy in Economic Crises

By Larry Kramer 4

There is no one right answer to the question whether to pay out more during a financial crisis, which depends on balancing the needs of present and future beneficiaries and so varies depending on a funders’ goals and objectives. This is the keystone article for the Up for Debate series on foundations' payouts during big crises. Visit the series page for responses to this essay.

Philanthropy & Funding

Outcomes-Based Contracts in a Time of Crisis

By Louise Savell & Mara Airoldi

Have outcomes-based contracts allowed more flexibility and adaptability in responding to the COVID-19? Lessons learned on building more resilient strategies to tackle social problems.

SSIR’s 2020 Social Innovation Reading List

By SSIR Editors

Highlights of this year’s book reviews and excerpts on topics including nonprofit management, the future of capitalism, technology trends in social movements, and the rich history of Black philanthropy.