Trust-based philanthropy practices

Surdna Foundation: Be Fearless Spotlight Story

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Case Foundation

On the eve of its 100th anniversary, the Surdna Foundation is stronger, more nimble and more effective as a philanthropic organization than it has ever been. The secret to its success? Stakeholders who encourage failing forward, experimenting with new ideas and collaborating with others… Read More

Igniting the Spark: YOUTHadelphia, A program of The Philadelphia Foundation

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Youth Philanthropy Connect

In 2006, The Philadelphia Foundation established YOUTHadelphia to build youth leadership skills by empowering teens to give back to their community. YOUTHadelphia is a unique youth philanthropy model, with a defined focus on mentoring among the cohort of youth, centered around the fact that newer youth are mentored by returning youth committee members… Read More

Better Together: Realizing the Promise of Collaboration in Family Philanthropy

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Michael Moody

Unique challenges arise, and unique opportunities open up, when family donors get involved in collaborative work in philanthropy. This report explores those special challenges and opportunities, and offers a set of recommendations for how to realize the promise of working better together. The insights here are based primarily on in-depth dialogues about family philanthropy collaboration that occurred during the third… Read More

We Can’t Force Philanthropy to Talk About Power Dynamics, Can We?

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Jen Bokoff

As a sector, we embrace and use power every day, but we don’t talk about it. Why? Well, for one thing, the dynamics are challenging to discuss; power itself can never be eliminated. With increased awareness of power, however, conversations, relationships, and strategies can shift in surprising ways. Since power can be a touchy subject, I wanted to try to… Read More

Philanthropy Lessons: The Power Dynamic

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Jen Bokoff

This video from Exponent Philanthropy's 9-part Philanthropy Lessons series explores the dynamics of grantor/grantee relationship, and provides practical actions that family foundation staff can take to lessen the power differential between your foundation and your grantees… Read More

Foundations Can Get More Done by Giving Nonprofits More Power

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Kathleen Enright

For as long as foundations and individuals have given money to charitable causes, the power dynamic has been part of the equation. To many people, the idea that grant makers and nonprofits could work together on equal footing has seemed like a fairy tale, because one of them holds all the resources and decision-making power. In recent years, tension between… Read More

In Times of Growth: Planning for an Influx of Assets

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Elaine Gast Fawcett

An influx of assets is a powerful transition point in your philanthropy. With rising resources comes the budding potential to do more of what you’re already doing—or, perhaps, try something new. This Passages Issue Brief will help you plan now for growth tomorrow, and manage change if you’re in the midst of it today… Read More

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