Grassroots International’s Post

To read the full article, “The Future of Equitable Philanthropy” by Darren Isom, Cora Daniels and Lyell S., visit the link here: https://lnkd.in/gHNzxhNQ  A society anchored by a shared future is a powerful re-orientation for philanthropy, and this requires a level of innovation and imagination to redefine society’s notion of well-being by raising the bar for everyone rather than closing gaps to reach current levels of well-being that are too often still lacking Organizations leading the work on racial equity need philanthropic institutions to lean in and wield their full power committed to this work, and here are five truths to help donors committed to equitable philanthropy push forward:  1. Movements need to be durable to allow focus on the long term. 2. Our differences are our superpower, as these durable movements endure by strategizing and collaborating across issue areas and valuing the different experiences of our intersecting identities. 3. Sustainable progress is only possible through cross-racial solidarity. 4. The best way to disrupt a broken narrative is to replace it with a more beautiful and compelling one. Strategic alignment of narratives among justice movements is necessary to accelerate progress.  5. The prospect of winning should outweigh the risk of failure. Funders need to acknowledge their own power and where they occupy positions of strength to allow the movements advancing equity and justice to play offense instead of defense. At its core, equitable philanthropy is a joyful enterprise because it is anchored on our shared future.

An interesting piece of research from Stanford Social Innovation Review- “Where Strategic Philanthropy Went Wrong”, discusses the belief that despite significant progress in the scale and sophistication of strategic philanthropy, societal conditions across the United States have not improved. The authors suggest a new approach called empowerment philanthropy, which aims to foster political and economic self-determination by helping people find their own solutions and ensuring an effective multiracial democracy. Two key takeaways for us, especially in the context of our upcoming event on Philanthropies role in Politics and Policy: Philanthropy’s efforts on many issues in the US seems to be overwhelmed by the scale and immediate effects of government laws, policies, and court decisions.  Philanthropy may never create a more equitable and sustainable society in the longterm without facing its inherent limitations and increasing its engagement with the political process. The article in full can be found here https://lnkd.in/g3KNWrvn

This is a MUST read for anyone working in philanthropy. Gena Rotstein, FEA, MA penned a brilliant article in Stanford Social Innovation Review that speaks to the experience of the Silver Gummy Foundation's move to trust based philanthropy. Gena explains trust based philanthropy beautifully -- in one simple paragraph. Gena goes on to share their journey towards a new granting stream for Indigenous organizations and communities. She writes: "For the Silver Gummy Foundation, before we could even get an organization to express what they wanted funding for, we had to meet them where they are. The leadership teams of the organizations we supported off-reserve, and the leaders of community initiatives on-reserve, met with Silver Gummy leadership several times before they felt secure in inviting the foundation into their community. Effective grantmaking with Indigenous organizations shifts this relationship. Whether on-reserve or off, the organization invites the funder in. Grants are then finalized through ceremony as a binding act of agreement, in addition to signing a contract." Imagine that. Rather than going to a prospective funder with a hand out, we invite the funder in, and through conversation, determine if our values are aligned before providing the funder with the opportunity to give. Now that's doing philanthropy differently. While we do see a few funders making the shift towards a more conversational and trust based approach to grant-making, the "you fill out a form on line and we will let you know" practice continues to be most prevalent. I look forward to a time when more funders share power and experience the sheer beauty and wisdom of working together in circles of knowledge like the one described in this article. This is true relationship based fundraising. This is slow philanthropy. This is thoughtful, thought-provoking and deep philanthropy. This is how we will find solutions to the worlds most intractable problems. Thank you for your work Gena. #Philanthropy #Indigenous #Trust

This recent Stanford Social Innovation Review article sparked a vigorous debate within the philanthropic community. It criticised traditional strategic philanthropy, arguing that it has failed to address pressing social and environmental issues. This critique ignited strong reactions, with defenders of the model offering counterarguments. However, a deeper dive into the original article by Mark Kramer and Steve Phillips reveals a more nuanced perspective. While it challenged the status quo, it also advocated for a shift towards “empowerment philanthropy.” This approach aligns closely with the principles of trust-based philanthropy, which I often advocate and are central to our philanthropic pooled funds. Trust-based philanthropy supports communities in driving their own solutions, leading to increased impact, efficiency, and learning. In addition, it benefits the funders by maximising their resources, stimulating innovation and enhancing their reputation as effective partners for social change. Ultimately, the core issue is about power dynamics. Whether labelled strategic, empowerment, or trust-based, effective philanthropy should relinquish control to beneficiaries and create an environment where they can thrive. This fundamental shift in mindset is essential for achieving lasting social change. #philanthropy #socialchange #socialimpact #socialinvestment

The key aim of optimising philanthropy is to eradicate any action, which signifies an intent of domination and control including the manner in which it may be executed. The goal is to collaboratively make decisions where people feel included and heard. What this means in reality is that rather than an authority asserting that ‘This is how you need to do this!’, we must ask, ‘How can we do this better, together?’. The end goal is to create a culture where the centres of influence are not concentrated, but intentionally broadened to cater to philanthropic decision making. Having created this environment, we can confidently assume that the philanthropists and funders will work holistically with their grantees in service for the greater good of the communities. For an organisation like UMEED which is at the frontlines of deep-rooted issues, like patriarchy, women’s rights, agency in women etc., it is vital for funders to contextually align as well as empathise on cultural realities, to get to create meaningful sustainable impact. In implementing social impact programs at the grassroot level, UMEED currently faces outdated power dynamics right at the onset, whilst connecting with funders, building proposals, creating budgets, deciding timelines, defining the programs’ participants, and even in the process of aligning on impact indicators. To read the full article click here-> https://lnkd.in/gitnjPsk #philanthropy #philanthropymatters #fundraising #impact #womensempowerment #gender #nonprofit #giveback

In a world where connections matter more than ever, investing in social capital can be a game-changer for philanthropy. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores why building and funding relationships is crucial for creating lasting social impact. Julia Freeland Fisher, Guest Contributor reports: The importance of social capital in philanthropy Strategies for investing in relationships and networks Impact on community building and social change Join the conversation on how fostering strong relationships can enhance philanthropic efforts. Tagging MassMutual Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Walton Family Foundation The Joyce Foundation #SocialCapital #RelationshipBuilding #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #CommunityResilience #Collaboration #SocialChange #InvestInRelationships #TrustBuilding #NetworkStrengthening #SustainableImpact #CommunitySupport #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

The Power of Philanthropy: Addressing Global Challenges Discover how philanthropic initiatives are making a difference in addressing pressing global issues, including poverty, climate change, and healthcare. Explore inspiring examples and learn how you can get involved. #Philanthropy #GlobalChallenges #SocialImpact #GivingBack Stanford Social Innovation Review https://lnkd.in/g9i7PDiE Call to action: Share your thoughts: Let us know your thoughts on the role of philanthropy in addressing global challenges. Get involved: Explore opportunities to support philanthropic initiatives in your community.

Intergenerational funding is gaining momentum, bringing together resources and ideas across generations to address some of society’s most pressing challenges. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy features insights from Marc Freedman of CoGenerate, exploring the latest trends and innovations in this growing area of philanthropy. Wendy Paris reports: Overview of recent developments in intergenerational funding Insights from Marc Freedman on the importance of bridging generational gaps in philanthropy Examples of successful intergenerational initiatives Join the conversation on how intergenerational funding can create lasting social impact. Tagging The Eisner Foundation Briceno Venprendedoras United Way of Santa Barbara County RRF Foundation for Aging National Institute on Aging (NIA) Einhorn Collaborative Ashoka - New Longevity Friendship Bench Cycling Without Age Fit For Life Foundation #IntergenerationalFunding #SocialImpact #MarcFreedman #CrossGenerationalCollaboration #LifelongLearning #CommunityBuilding #InclusiveCommunities #GenerationalWisdom #ResilientSociety #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

What do you think of when you hear the word philanthropy? For many, the term conjures images of wealth and grand gestures, but true philanthropy runs much deeper. Social Venture Partners (SVP) is a nonprofit organization that supports youth-focused initiatives across Minnesota, and we are hosting a thought-provoking event aimed at demystifying philanthropy and exploring how anyone, regardless of their financial means, can make a lasting impact in our community. This event will dive into the essence of philanthropy—not just as a financial commitment, but as an intentional, sustained effort to create meaningful change. It will challenge traditional ideas of giving, showing that philanthropy isn’t reserved for the wealthy. Instead, it’s about engaging with the community in a way that is personal, inclusive, and transformational. Through an open and deep discussion, we’ll explore questions like: What does it mean to give in a way that truly supports the needs of a community? How can we, as individuals, redefine philanthropy to include acts of service, advocacy, and solidarity? Why is it important to move away from transactional giving and towards building lasting relationships? Whether you’re already involved in your community or are curious about how to start, this event offers a space to reflect on your role as a giver, learner, and advocate for change. By the end, you’ll walk away with a new understanding of what it means to be an engaged philanthropist—and the tools to start making a difference right where you are. A few tickets are still available! Join us! 🗓 Tuesday, October 1st ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 RSVP here:

We were recently mentioned in “How Movement-Accountable Intermediaries Can Change Philanthropy” in the Stanford Social Innovation Review! Written by so many brilliant folks, including Alicia Sanchez Gill, MSW, a member of our Advisory Council and Co-Executive Director of Emergent Fund, this article provides a fresh and much-needed insight on why intermediary funders, like Third Wave, are crucial for breaking down the gates of philanthropy. https://lnkd.in/e6Xmr63j Third Wave emerged from movements and is made up of individuals who come from movements, making us well-positioned to reach emerging, grassroots organizations lifting up the biggest and boldest calls to action for liberation—the ones often overlooked and deemed “too risky” by bigger funders. Remaining accountable to movements and community organizers, Third Wave and other intermediary funders are not committed to becoming the “biggest” or “best” in philanthropy – instead we are committed to resourcing our communities so well that one day the need for an organization like ours will cease to exist.