United Philanthropy Forum

06/17/2021

Few Foundations Are Backing Work on Sickle Cell Disease. It's Time for That to Change — Inside Philanthropy

In honor of #WorldSickleCellDay coming up this weekend, we encourage you to check out this Inside Philanthropy article that explores ways #philanthropy in the United States has shown a "particularly weak response" to sickle cell disease, an autoimmune disorder that disproportionately affects Black people. http://ow.ly/hcxQ50F9Sjw

In the United States, philanthropy has shown a particularly weak response around one disease that disproportionately affects Black people. We look at the state of philanthropy around sickle cell disease, and what needs to improve.

06/16/2021

MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett Support the Forum & Broader Philanthropy Infrastructure

United Philanthropy Forum is incredibly pleased to have been selected to receive a $3 million gift from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett. The announcement was made on June 15 via a blog post by Scott with the headline, “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear.”

United Philanthropy Forum is incredibly pleased to receive a $3 million gift from philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett. The announcement was made on June 15 via a blog post by Scott with the headline, “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear.”

06/15/2021

United Philanthropy Forum Releases Statement on the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act

While the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act was born out of a proposal that did not include input from the broader sector, the Forum is committed to doing our due diligence, engaging the field, and finding consensus on common sense and equitable solutions.

Please read our full statement. http://ow.ly/I6Ct50F9YCM

Last week, Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and King (I-ME) introduced the Accelerating Charitable Efforts (ACE) Act, a bill that seeks to impose legislative mandates on donor-advised funds (DAFs)and private foundations. The Forum will work with our members, national partners, and experts in the field to take....

06/15/2021

Happy Pride Month! The Forum stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community and commits to fighting bigotry and hatred.

Happy Pride Month! The Forum stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community and commits to fighting bigotry and hatred.

06/14/2021

Donors of Different Generations View the Value of Charities’ Work Differently

This piece from The Chronicle of #Philanthropy explores how donors of different generations view the value of #charity and the implications such results have on attracting new donors.

Also, when rating a charity’s “impact,” Americans say long-term results are more important than immediate results, according to a new survey from the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance

06/11/2021

Black Arts Matter. So Why Isn’t Philanthropy Supporting Black Artists? — Inside Philanthropy

In this guest editorial for Inside Philanthropy, Heather Infantry and Nicole Williams write: Black artists are resilient, always finding innovative ways to produce their work that satisfy their inherent need to express both joy and trauma. However, the time for reparations is well overdue. http://ow.ly/LwRG50F4Gel

Atlanta is a thriving center of Black art, but regional arts funding has overwhelmingly backed white-led organizations. In this guest opinion, advocates outline local efforts to confront the problem, and call for the nation to do the same.

06/10/2021

Gates Foundation changes could bring transparency, accountability

"Reports that Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates are discussing leadership changes for their foundation — including adding a board and outside directors — in the wake of their divorce announcement have renewed criticism about the organization’s governance model." http://ow.ly/EWu150F4Go9

Philanthropy experts say changing the Gates Foundation’s governance could bring much-needed accountability to the world’s largest private foundation, whose influence extends far beyond its grant making.

06/09/2021

Opinion | U-Va. is investing $100 million in saving democracy. Can it make a difference?

Educational philanthropists Bruce and Martha Karsh are giving $50 million to the University of Virginia to create a center for the study of #democracy. http://ow.ly/CSJO50F4G2Z

Can philanthropy help save our democracy? We're about to find out.

06/08/2021

A year later, racial reckoning yields uncertainty in giving

"Billions of dollars were committed to new philanthropic initiatives. Billions more were directed to new business practices designed to aid minority communities. From poverty and police conduct to housing and education, the causes ranged broadly, with many donors looking to address the underfunding of nonprofits, especially in Black communities."

http://ow.ly/EHhf50F4FOC

One year ago, as protesters filled America's streets demanding justice after George Floyd’s murder by police, corporations and major philanthropists pledged an outpouring of donations for racial equity causes.

06/07/2021

The time is now for foundations to meaningfully integrate disability within their work. To hold ourselves accountable, the Forum has signed on to the Disability Inclusion Pledge, an invitation from the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy to commit to moving toward a future of inclusion and equity for all. Simply put, #SocialJustice requires #DisabilityInclusion. To meet the urgency of this moment, we encourage you to join us in signing the pledge and to share the pledge with your members. The Council hopes to have at least 100 organizations signed on when it will officially announce the pledge in July to coincide with the 31st anniversary of the #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct.

To further meet the goals of the pledge, any funder or #PSO can sign up, at no cost, to become a member of the Disability and Philanthropy Forum, to access helpful resources on disability inclusion. https://lnkd.in/djCeSNK

The time is now for foundations to meaningfully integrate disability within their work. To hold ourselves accountable, the Forum has signed on to the Disability Inclusion Pledge, an invitation from the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy to commit to moving toward a future of inclusion and equity for all. Simply put, #SocialJustice requires #DisabilityInclusion. To meet the urgency of this moment, we encourage you to join us in signing the pledge and to share the pledge with your members. The Council hopes to have at least 100 organizations signed on when it will officially announce the pledge in July to coincide with the 31st anniversary of the #AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct.

To further meet the goals of the pledge, any funder or #PSO can sign up, at no cost, to become a member of the Disability and Philanthropy Forum, to access helpful resources on disability inclusion. https://lnkd.in/djCeSNK

06/04/2021

United Philanthropy Forum and CGLR Partner to Combat Pandemic-Related Learning Loss

The Forum is proud to announce our partnership with The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading as we join together to combat the long-term consequences of pandemic-precipitated learning loss facing children. http://ow.ly/1t5Z50F0A0F

United Philanthropy Forum and The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) have joined in partnership to combat the long-term consequences of pandemic-precipitated learning loss facing children of economically challenged families, fragile families and those who are marginalized.

06/03/2021

After a Year of Zoom Galas, Are Charities and Donors Ready to Party — and Attend Other Events — in Person?

What a great question to consider as you begin to plan your in-person events. http://ow.ly/o7OE50F0wx2

Many fundraisers were pleasantly surprised by the continued support they got from attendees and sponsors of virtual events last year. As they tiptoe toward gathering in person, some wonder whether the donors will follow.

06/02/2021

What Nonprofits Are Doing to Increase Diversity in Fundraising.

Here's a look at what some nonprofit organizations have been doing to increase funder diversity. http://ow.ly/eZ1I50F0uh6

A number of groups offer internships, mentoring, are working to expand the number of fundraising professionals of color and support pathways to leadership positions for those already working in the field. Here is a sampling of programs.

06/01/2021

After a Century of Silence, Philanthropy Helps Raise the Voices of the Past in Tulsa — Inside Philanthropy

"Spurred by an accusation of assault that was ultimately refuted, between May 31 and June 1, an angry white mob massacred dozens of Greenwood citizens in the streets and burned homes and businesses to the ground. As many as 300 Black residents died; nearly 10,000 were left homeless. Yet the two days of death and destruction were met by a silence that carried forward for decades."

Now, #philanthropy is responding. https://lnkd.in/dQ5zHmq

One hundred years after one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history, several efforts are underway to raise awareness and honor the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre . Here’s how private donors are contributing.

05/31/2021

We pause to acknowledge the survivors and descendants of the #TulsaRaceMassacre. One hundred years ago today, a violent mob tore through the #Greenwood district, a thriving Black community, killing at least 300 people and burning down businesses and homes. https://www.tulsa2021.org/

We pause to acknowledge the survivors and descendants of the #TulsaRaceMassacre. One hundred years ago today, a violent mob tore through the #Greenwood district, a thriving Black community, killing at least 300 people and burning down businesses and homes. https://www.tulsa2021.org/

05/31/2021

This #MemorialDay we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families. #WeRemember

This #MemorialDay we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and to their families. #WeRemember

05/28/2021

Fix the Form! A Campaign to Curb the Byzantine Process of Applying for a Grant — Inside Philanthropy

Kudos to our members the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) and PEAK Grantmaking for partnering with GrantAdvisor Co-Director Kari Aanestad and Laura Solomons, head of donor relations for the Sutton Trust, on a campaign that seeks to end the maddeningly common practice of making it impossible to view entire grant applications in advance of applying. http://ow.ly/ccIt50EUdci

Clunky, time-consuming grant applications are a hassle, but they also exacerbate inequity in grantmaking. The #FixTheForm campaign wants to improve the process, first by making full grant applications available in advance.

05/27/2021

A New Online Hub to Help Funders Working at the Intersection of Health, Climate and Equity — Inside Philanthropy

Kudos to the seven Forum members who created the resource mentioned in this article!

"The multi-pronged challenges that funders face can often extend beyond their expertise. This new compendium of resources on health, climate and equity aims to help them approach a complex landscape."

http://ow.ly/pfFd50EUd2K

A new compendium of resources on health, climate and equity aims to guide funders in managing the multi-pronged challenges they are facing, which often reach beyond their expertise.

05/26/2021

Community Foundation Support for Local Journalism Is Growing—and This Funder Is Leading the Way — Inside Philanthropy

"Community foundations have 'played a critically important role in advancing quality news and information, and are increasingly key partners in inspiring news collaborations, bringing their local expertise and convening power to the table,' wrote Sarah Armour-Jones." http://ow.ly/r03E50EUcYm

Community foundations are a growing force in local journalism ecosystems. We check in with leaders at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, whose discretionary journalism grantmaking far outpaces that of its peers.

05/25/2021

Companies Should Make Their Philanthropy More Racially Equitable. Here’s How.

"Companies can improve outreach to underrepresented youths, offer paid internships, broaden the definition of impact, and publicly compare their diversity data with their goals." http://ow.ly/dEEK50EUcCd

Companies can improve outreach to underrepresented youths, offer paid internships, broaden the definition of impact, and publicly compare their diversity data with their goals.

05/24/2021

What Makes a Bad Grant? It’s Time to Change How We Decide — Inside Philanthropy

"One important way to make the 'bad grant' discussion more productive and less stigmatized is by changing how we make these judgments in the first place. Historically, a grant has been evaluated based on what it does—what deliverables, outcomes, impacts, etc., we can point to. Since, again, these outcomes are often beyond our control, I’ve found that a better rubric is looking at the 'how' instead of the 'what.' This is especially important given what we know about skewed, inequitable giving practices."

Grantmaking is a learning experience. Guest contributor Isabel Sousa-Rodriguez of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation offers lessons on what makes a “good grant” versus a “bad grant,” which largely comes down to accountability.

05/21/2021

90% of Wealthy Households Gave to Charity Last Year, Study Finds

Three-fourths of rich donors don’t expect the pandemic to significantly change their giving patterns going forward. http://ow.ly/81O950EOzW2

Among those households, 21 percent gave cash specifically in response to the pandemic, according to a new study from Bank of America and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

05/20/2021

Charitable Giving Expected to Return to Pre-Pandemic Patterns in 2021

Charitable giving is expected to return to pre-pandemic patterns with declines anticipated. http://ow.ly/q9OY50EOzO3

Human-service charities whose programs were in high demand in 2020 may chart declines in year-over-year revenue in 2021, according to a new report.

05/19/2021

Gift that paid Morehouse student loans is changing lives

Check out this success story on how #philanthropy is helping these recent #graduates build #GenerationalWealth, which can ultimately lead to growth in the philanthropic sector. #PayItForward https://www.marketplace.org/2021/05/13/gift-let-morehouse-class-2019-graduate-debt-free-how-changing-their-lives/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_2348025_nl_Philanthropy-Today_date_20210517&cid=pt&source=&sourceId=

Billionaire investor Robert F. Smith paid off their student loans. Now they're trying to pay their good fortune forward.

05/18/2021

Bill and Melinda Gates: Philanthropy Caught in the Crosshairs of Society’s Obsession With Celebrity

Here's an interesting take on the divorce that's shaking up conversations on philanthropy. http://ow.ly/M7nv50EOyZK

When does an extremely normal event become global headline news, and when does a “historic achievement for humanity” fail to create much of a ripple in the news cycle? When the key players in both stories are high-profile philanthropists.

05/17/2021

From Talk to Action? Assessing Philanthropy’s Racial Justice Response — Inside Philanthropy

How do #BIPOC leaders in #philanthropy rate the sector’s attempts to address #RacialInjustice over the past year? Check out this assessment of how the industry has been putting action behind words.

How do BIPOC leaders in philanthropy rate the sector’s attempts to address racial injustice over the past year? We asked several prominent figures to weigh in. Here’s what they see changing, and what still needs to change.