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Results for: Topic: “Blog”

Cross-Border Philanthropy and Counterterrorism Regulations: Guidance for U.S. Grantmakers

December 12, 2017 Andrzej Kozlowski Kia Sullivan / Grantmaking

Charitable giving plays a critical role in the global response to humanitarian, development, environmental, and other challenges. U.S. grantmakers recognize the important function fulfilled by cross-border philanthropy, and have long played a leadership role in this domain. Philanthropic dollars flowing abroad from the United States have steadily increased over the past several decades and show... Read More

How Small Funders Can Make a Big Impact in Higher Education

December 6, 2017 Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill / Grantmaking

Last month, Amazon patented a gift card that allows the purchaser to place restrictions on how recipients spend “their” money. The new technology allows gift-givers to limit not just price, but the sorts of products a recipient can buy—and even the item’s brand. Although holiday shoppers might question the generosity of a giver who puts... Read More

The Healing Power of “No”

November 20, 2017 Scott Brazda / Grantmaking

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the word “no” has a negative connotation. And that’s a shame because, if used properly, “no” might actually be the ultimate philanthropic teaching and learning tool. We live in a society where so many of us are afraid to say that magic word— “no”— and so, we become... Read More

Social Impact Culture: Three Strategies to Help Your Family Foundation Connect With the Next Generation

November 16, 2017 Laura McKnight / Family Philanthropy

How does today’s social impact culture affect the way you engage your children and grandchildren in your family’s philanthropy? That’s a question many trustees of America’s 42,000 family foundations are asking themselves as they look more closely at strategies to fulfill community passions, conduct responsible grantmaking, and inspire a philanthropic legacy for the next generation.... Read More

Why Academic Research Should Be Part of Every Giving Portfolio

November 13, 2017 Christian Braemer / Grantmaking

Benefunder is fueling innovation by providing a marketplace for researchers and philanthropists to come together to solve some of the biggest problems facing our world. Consider these statistics: 50% of wealth creation in the U.S. since WWII can be directly attributed to a research grant. Research impacts all cause areas: environment, life sciences, technology, education, and... Read More

Three Ways to Keep Delusional Altruism From Undermining Your Philanthropy

November 6, 2017 Kris Putnam-Walkerly / Grantmaking

Every philanthropist or philanthropic organization means well—it’s the nature of the business after all. And, as philanthropies, we all try to make decisions that are in service to our missions, represent good stewardship, and result in the greatest impact. But sometimes, in making those very decisions, we unintentionally do more to damage our impact than... Read More