On September 25, 2025, the Trump administration issued an executive order addressing domestic terrorism and organized political violence. On December 4, 2025, the Attorney General issued a memorandum that “reshapes how domestic terrorism will be defined, investigated, charged, and resourced across the federal government.” Taken together, these developments prompted many funders to consider their possible... Read More
In a year defined by political polarization, rising community needs, and shifting expectations across the philanthropic sector, 2025 challenged funders to reconsider how they show up and where they can make the greatest difference. Nonprofits faced mounting pressures, from constrained budgets to expanding service demands, requiring deeper partnerships, greater flexibility, and renewed trust. Against this... Read More
Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP) is a mindset that helps lean funders move from grantmakers to changemakers. Grounded in humility, passion, curiosity, and patience, CLIP encourages funders to build deeper relationships, understand the systems they operate in, and leverage all their assets, not just grant dollars, to spark lasting change. In this final case study,... Read More
Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP) is a mindset that transforms lean funders from grantmakers into changemakers. Its four core practices—leading with purpose, centering equity, engaging deeply in community, and making long-term, flexible commitments—help funders amplify their impact and drive systemic change. This case study highlights how Michael Weinberg, program director at the Thornburg Foundation, puts these... Read More
The Holloway Family Foundation’s Annual Relay Grant is a streamlined, trust-based approach to grantmaking that places funding decisions directly in the hands of women nonprofit leaders of color. In 2020, several reports highlighted persistent disparities in philanthropic giving to women and girls of color, as well as inequities faced by organizations led by people of color... Read More
Philanthropy thrives when it listens, learns, and evolves to meet the needs of the communities it serves. In recent years, lean funders have increasingly recognized that racial equity is not an optional add-on but central to their mission, regardless of focus area. Yet, as this report shows, progress is neither uniform nor assured. While some... Read More
