Originally published by Forbes (February 19, 2018) Are you damming up philanthropic progress by paralyzing decision making and workflow? Nature abhors a bottleneck. Take a look at any stream or river and you’ll see what happens when debris piles up. The water will eventually find a way around, over or through, and the results can... Read More
While attending Exponent Philanthropy’s 2018 National Conference last month, I had a surprise: I saw a significant number of grantmakers genuinely excited about getting involved in advocacy! At the closing luncheon, I was seated with Melinda McAliney, Director of the Brown Sisters Foundation and Vario Philanthropy, in St Louis, Missouri. She noticed it too and... Read More
As a white, wealthy person who plays an active role in AMKRF (Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund)’s work, I occupy a unique position, and I am in constant reflection about who I am, how I show up, and the impacts and consequences of our work. At a personal level, I wrestle with multiple questions.... Read More
In 2016, the Potts Family Foundation created a statewide collaborative called the Oklahoma Early Childhood Initiative, later dubbed OK25by25. Our stated goal is to move Oklahoma into the top 25 of all states by 2025 in key early childhood metrics. Our key demographic is families with children, pre-birth to five. Through listening sessions with key... Read More
COVID-19 is like nothing any of us has ever experienced. Regardless of your field of interest or areas of funding, it is upending how we operate as funders and as a society. To paraphrase founding father Thomas Paine, these are indeed times that try our souls. Each day we are challenged with caring for our... Read More
For several days, I have struggled with how to make sense of what is happening in this country. I’ve heard commentators—black and white—prognosticate on what we must do, while trying to explain what brought us to today. I have read words from my colleagues in the philanthropic field, calling for action and offering heartfelt directions... Read More