Analysis on the Development of Global Philanthropy

This inaugural report aims to understand worldwide philanthropic practices and trends, providing comparative analysis across countries and regions. It seeks to develop a picture of the magnitude of global philanthropic investment and foster an evidence-based discussion on global philanthropy. The report details institutional philanthropy, including scale, age, and classification, and examines foundation finances, priorities, purposes, operating models, and impact assessment strategies, while acknowledging the challenges of scarce, inconsistent, and incomparable global philanthropic data due to varied definitions and cultural traditions.

Accelerating the Movement Toward Funding Practices That Strengthen Nonprofits

This essay, part of the "Funding Performance" monograph, highlights ingrained funding practices that undermine nonprofit financial health and effectiveness. Authors Jeri Eckhart Queenan and Jeff Bradach argue that recent funder pledges to loosen grant restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic could be a turning point, advocating for flexible, trust-based funding, specifically "multiyear, general operating dollars" (MYGOD) to empower grantees and achieve greater impact for constituents, especially during crises.

Philanthropy: the continued journey to real impact and better practice

York & McKegg reflect on the evolution of philanthropy towards impact-driven practice. They critique outcome-focused models and advocate systems thinking, trust-based relationships, and equity-centered engagement. Using Australian examples, they propose a framework for more adaptive, accountable, and inclusive philanthropic practice. The report encourages a shift from traditional, often rigid, approaches to a more dynamic and responsive philanthropy that genuinely empowers communities and addresses systemic issues. It emphasizes building trust and fostering collaborative environments for greater social impact.

Philanthropy and COVID-19 in 2020: Measuring One Year of Giving

This report quantifies over $20 billion in global philanthropic giving during 2020's pandemic. It evaluates funder responsiveness, trends in unrestricted support, and funding inequities, notably for communities of color. The authors advocate sustained funding and highlight gaps in long-term, trust-based grantmaking. The findings underscore the rapid mobilization of philanthropic resources in times of crisis while also pointing out persistent disparities and the need for more equitable and flexible funding models in the long run. It calls for greater attention to historically underserved groups.

New Bridgespan Group Report Sheds Light on Potential of "Impact-First" Impact Investing to Catalyze Social Change

This report announces Bridgespan’s new publication exploring "impact-first" impact investing models, which prioritize social returns before financial ones. It presents comprehensive data on social impact outcomes, analyzes capital flows, and provides compelling investor case examples. The report offers strategic insights for funders and nonprofits seeking to catalyze significant social change through the aligned deployment of capital, emphasizing how such investments can drive measurable and systemic improvements in communities.

How Philanthropy Can Support Systems-Change Leaders

This report outlines how philanthropy can nurture systems-change leaders who drive transformative and cross-sector impact. It emphasizes flexible funding, leadership pipelines, adaptive governance, and trust-based collaborations. Case examples demonstrate how sustained investment in leadership capacity can dismantle entrenched systems. The report provides funder guidance for identifying, supporting, and sustaining systems-change agents.

How Nonprofits Can Power Innovation Beyond Their Core Programs

This blog post presents a case study of a social-sector organization that implemented a transparent, inclusive, and structured decision-making process. Faced with internal challenges around representation and accountability, the organization redesigned its governance model to include diverse stakeholder voices, particularly those of historically marginalized groups. New systems were introduced to ensure clarity of roles, equitable participation, and open communication. The case highlights the cultural shifts and leadership practices required to foster inclusive decision-making. It offers practical steps for other organizations seeking to operationalize their values, balance power dynamics, and enhance transparency in both strategy and day-to-day operations.

How Nonprofits Can Map Their Programs to Their Strategy

This report introduces the "strategic engines " framework for nonprofits, encouraging them to foster innovation beyond their core programs. It outlines how to create dedicated structures and teams to incubate new ideas, ensure alignment with mission, and drive long-term impact. Emphasizing the importance of governance, culture, and experimentation, the report explores how organizations can build the internal capacity to test, refine, and scale innovative approaches. It provides case examples where innovation has become a lever for systemic change. The report positions nonprofits not just as service providers but as adaptive institutions capable of leading transformative change through disciplined innovation.

David Miliband, A Conversation with Badr Jafar

This research paper from Stanford PACS investigates how High Net Worth (HNW) donors utilize online information provided by philanthropic intermediaries to guide their giving. The study acknowledges the increasing number of platforms that organize and analyze nonprofit data to aid donor decision-making, but notes the unknown extent of their actual use and usefulness to donors. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the project focuses on HNW donors’ research practices and their engagement with online data for identifying potential grantees.
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