The traditional model of community development finance is limited by market conservatism and a focus on scale, rather than local control. We need a new paradigm that prioritizes impact over scale, emphasizes flexible and creative financing strategies, and empowers community voice. | Open access to this article is made possible by The Center for Community Investment, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Nonprofits seeking to improve communities face the hard work of building trust. Success requires prioritizing the people you work with and proceeding patiently.
We created the Foundation Practice Rating to encourage UK foundations to improve their practices.
Public health requires a more intentional effort toward building social connectedness.
Philanthropy focused on place helps leverage resources and empower communities. SSIR publisher Michael Voss speaks with Gina D. Dalma of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Peggy Davis of the Chicago Community Trust, and Chris Boyce of Schwab Charitable about what a place-based approach to philanthropy looks like. A sponsored podcast developed with the support of DAFgiving360.
Systems change efforts that focus on boosting social capital and collective efficacy through building relationships within communities show promise. But do we have the patience to wait for them to work?
While allies and advisors are important in our work, it’s more important to support and develop our own Indigenous power, leadership, and decision-making.
Neighborhood investment trusts can help create more inclusive economies in cities and restore the fabric of US democracy.
Research-practice partnerships can help academic researchers and school district leaders discover what works for schools and classrooms.
Indigenous intermediaries are crucial to overcoming asymmetries between impact investors and Native America through the building of relationships of trust, creation of an ecosystem for impact investing in Indigenous communities, and performance of the due diligence investors need to manage risk.
