Recent press coverage has been rife with stories of public companies taking forgivable loans under the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). In times of economic uncertainty, it’s understandable that many businesses quickly applied for whatever programs were available. But businesses with strong banking relationships crowded out many nonprofits from accessing the funding stream. The initial $349... Read More
In March, Louisiana had the fastest growth rate of coronavirus cases in the world. To help the state until federal dollars were ready, the Irene W. & C.B. Pennington Foundation, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation each donated $400,000 to start a $1.2 million COVID-19 Response Fund—a request from Governor... Read More
As CEO of Knapp Community Care Foundation, Yvonne “Bonnie” Gonzalez applies forward thinking to bring more funding to better the health of Rio Grande Mid Valley communities in holistic and sustainable ways. The Knapp Community Care Foundation, a health conversion foundation created in late 2012, provides grants for services within the Rio Grande Mid Valley.... Read More
Last year was riddled with loss. The pandemic changed how many funders practice philanthropy; and the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black, Indigenous and people of color by police—and the ensuing protests—put race equity front and center for many funders. While some lean funders had already integrated race equity into their work,... Read More
How would philanthropy be different if foundation leaders spent most of their time out in the community listening, learning and engaging with people? In my work at Exponent Philanthropy, I interview hundreds of staff, trustees and donors of small, place-based foundations. I’ve learned that many organize their work in this way—seeing themselves not as grantmakers,... Read More
A little over a year ago, I was participating in Exponent Philanthropy’s Weekly Funder Discussions on Zoom, talking about the role philanthropy could play during the coffee and blankets stage of the pandemic. From my peers, I learned about being flexible in grant terms, the importance of listening well, and the need for open communications... Read More