As my fellow Exponent Philanthropy staff, colleagues, and board members continue on our journey to actively embrace equity, inclusion, and diversity I find myself, as a funder, thinking about things differently. Each new seed of insight doesn’t cause an immediate seismic shift in my grantmaking, but is a catalyst for cleaning my glasses, opening my... Read More
In a time when divisive politics often sends people to their partisan corners, funders have the opportunity to play a unique role as bridge-builders. By investing in efforts that bring together individuals and organizations from different sectors and viewpoints, you can contribute to reducing polarization while also laying the groundwork for more lasting societal change.... 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
People sometimes compare the foundation/grantseeker courtship to the dating process: Funders and grantseekers are looking to find each other and build long-term relationships. Sometimes the chemistry is there; other times, it isn’t. Rejection is an inevitable part of this process, so learning to say no politely and confidently is an essential skill. That said, let’s be... Read More
For nearly a century, donor-driven development has struggled to create sustainable change in the Global South. Today, funders realize the key to improving community self-reliance lies in healthy collaboration with beneficiary communities. A challenge, then, is how to collaborate with rural communities in the Global South. How do we maintain financial management standards when our... Read More
Data can be a scary word, but it also can be a thing of beauty when you’re looking to develop more efficient processes, make better decisions, or help your grantees find new ways of doing things. As a funder, you can have a role in supporting the data collection efforts of your grantees. This doesn’t... Read More