• Paper / Report

Beyond the Grant: Foundations as Impact Investors

  • Source : Bridgespan
  • 1 January 1970
This report analyzes the evolving role of foundations in impact investing, moving beyond traditional grants to deploy capital that seeks both social impact and financial returns. It explores diverse strategies and challenges foundations encounter in leveraging their resources to scale social innovations. Through case studies, the report illustrates how foundations can catalyze additional investments and drive systemic change, fundamentally transforming philanthropic approaches to funding social impact. It highlights the potential for foundations to foster larger-scale, sustainable social solutions through strategic financial deployment.
  • Paper / Report

A Reflection and Discussion of Philanthropy and its Relevance and Practice in Service and Society

  • Source : Providence College
  • 1 January 1970
This paper addresses the question: "What model of philanthropy has the most positive impacts on a community and is least disruptive to the vulnerable populations it intends to serve?" It critically reflects on various philanthropic models—traditional, organization-building, venture, and catalytic philanthropy—to identify their most significant elements. The conclusion proposes an archetype that combines strategic, emergent, and catalytic philanthropy, offering a guide for companies and foundations engaging in philanthropic endeavors. This archetype aims to maximize positive social impact while ensuring sensitivity and minimal disruption to vulnerable communities.
  • Paper / Report

What Philanthropy Can Learn from Healthcare Benchmarking

  • Source : Candid Lab
  • 1 January 1970
This paper suggests that the philanthropic sector can significantly improve its performance measurement by adopting strategies from healthcare benchmarking. It highlights the current dilemma in philanthropy where organizations with similar missions lack shared, validated metrics to assess social impact and efficiency. Drawing parallels with the progress made in healthcare performance measurement, the author examines how the nonprofit sector can adapt these developments to benchmark its own activities. The report underscores the importance of developing standardized yardsticks to facilitate more effective assessment and comparison among charities, ultimately leading to greater accountability and improved outcomes in social impact.
  • Paper / Report

Social Justice and a Relevant Philanthropic Sector: Grantmakingrantmaking: Grantmaking

  • Source : Centre for Effective Philanthropy (CEP)
  • 1 January 1970
This report examines how foundations can transition towards social justice philanthropy through grantmaking practices that prioritize equity and systemic change. It recommends strategies such as fostering trust with communities, providing flexible funding, implementing participatory grantmaking, ensuring data transparency, and adopting internal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles. The report incorporates insights from 40 foundations actively engaging in justice-oriented grantmaking, advocating for approaches that truly empower marginalized communities and challenge one-size-fits-all evaluations.
  • Paper / Report

Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2020: Data to Drive Decisions

  • Source : Candid Lab
  • 1 January 1970
This report, a collaboration between the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Candid, analyzes global disaster-related funding from foundations, governments, corporations, and other donors in 2019. It categorizes giving by disaster type and assistance strategy, highlighting the significant role of institutional philanthropy despite governmental aid surpassing it. Foundations can strategically fill funding gaps, supporting underfunded areas like disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and long-term recovery. The analysis aims to help donors maximize the impact of their disaster-related giving by providing insights into funding trends and imbalances.
  • Paper / Report

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND HIGH-CAPACITY DONORS: RELATIONSHIPS, PERCEPTIONS, AND BEHAVIORS

  • Source : Stanford PACS
  • 1 January 1970
This report examines the relationships, perceptions, and behaviors between community-based organizations (CBOs) and high-capacity donors. It explores how these interactions shape the funding landscape and influence philanthropic decisions. By analyzing donor motivations, particularly in the context of LGBTQ philanthropy and alumni giving, the report provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of donor-driven philanthropy in higher education. It discusses the role of identity-based giving and the impact of donor perceptions on nonprofit funding and the broader philanthropic ecosystem.
  • Paper / Report

Big Philanthropy in India: Perils and Opportunities

  • Source : Candid
  • 1 January 1970
This report explores the emerging landscape of "big philanthropy" in India, driven by the rise of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) since the 1990s liberalization. Influenced by American billionaire philanthropy, this trend brings ambitious goals but also risks. The report identifies three types of risks: financial (encouraging ambitious social goals and innovation despite failure risks), social (potential adverse impacts that need investigation), and personal (supporting "controversial" or "activist" issues). It highlights big philanthropy’s power to influence development and introduces the AMAR framework for Indian UHNWIs to assess risks and opportunities in their giving.
  • Paper / Report

Racial Equity and Philanthropy: Disparities in Funding for Leaders of Color Leave Impact on the Table

  • Source : Bridgespan
  • 1 January 1970
Dorsey, Bradach, and Kim shed light on the significant funding disparities experienced by leaders of color within the nonprofit sector. Drawing on data from Bridgespan and Echoing Green, they argue that substantial societal impact is undermined because advantages disproportionately flow to white-led organizations. The report recommends targeted investments, equitable practices, and anti-bias strategies to dismantle racial inequity in philanthropic allocations. It emphasizes that addressing these systemic biases is crucial not only for fairness but also for maximizing the overall effectiveness and reach of philanthropic initiatives, ensuring that diverse leaders can drive impactful change without facing unjust financial barriers.
  • Paper / Report

Bay Area Millennial Giving: Current Trends, Challenges, & Opportunities

  • Source : Stanford PACS Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society
  • 1 January 1970
This report investigates the giving decisions of high-capacity millennial donors in the Bay Area, an inequality hub. Based on 25 interviews, it explores their preferred causes, giving vehicles, sources of advice, and pain points. The study reveals that these millennials often prioritize political, local, and "existential" causes over traditional ones like religion or education. They also favor Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) for their tax benefits and convenience, departing from historical giving methods. The findings aim to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of millennial philanthropy by understanding their unique preferences and behaviors, leveraging their significant resources for pressing social issues.
  • Paper / Report

Participatory research to understand and assess the evolution and maturity of the philanthropic support ecosystem with WINGS

  • Source : WINGS
  • 1 January 1970
This report presents findings from a participatory research initiative evaluating the development and maturity of the philanthropic support ecosystem. Collaborating with WINGS, the research assesses the effectiveness of support organizations in enhancing the capacity and impact of philanthropy globally. Through qualitative and quantitative methods, the study identifies key trends, challenges, and opportunities within the ecosystem, providing actionable insights for stakeholders to strengthen the philanthropic sector and accelerate transformative social change.
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