Voices from the Field

Funder Spotlight: Hill-Snowdon Foundation

Posted on August 29, 2019 by The Whitman Institute

Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series by the Whitman Institute (TWI), featuring foundations that practice trust-based philanthropy, that acknowledge the power dynamics and realities facing nonprofits, and that invite more authentic relationships and communication with grantees. This piece originally appeared on the Whitman Institute’s website and appears with permission. The Hill-Snowdon Foundation is a DC-based foundation committed to supporting… Read More
Voices from the Field

An Investment Policy Statement Takes Emotion Off the Table

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Brad Norton

We all have emotions and biases. Fear and greed are two of the most powerful emotions and are often a foundation endowment’s worst enemies. As investors, we need to be self-aware and recognize how these emotions can impact our investment decision-making. In order to reduce investment risk related to emotions, crafting and implementing an Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”) is an… Read More
Voices from the Field

Improving Philanthropy with a Public Resource Library

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Jeffrey J. Fairfield

It’s been my privilege to manage The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust since its inception in 2006. When I took on this challenge, I never imagined how something as simple as giving money for charity could be so complicated. Mastering the private foundation rules, adopting best practices, keeping abreast of trends in modern philanthropy, and searching for outsized impact can make the head spin… Read More
Voices from the Field

A Healthy Democracy Needs Local and National Funding

Posted on July 26, 2019 by Joe Goldman

For many, this moment can feel overwhelming and even paralyzing. From climate crises to the opioid epidemic and growing social divides, it can seem impossible to prioritize our philanthropic efforts. As president of a national foundation focused on the health of the American political system, I receive calls daily from family philanthropists who have added the health of our democracy… Read More
Voices from the Field

Flipping The Script Through Impact Investing

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Richard Woo

A green sprout on a branch
In impact investing, we are witnessing the flipping of the script between the old and the new. Investors are striving to transform the mental formations (mindsets, deal sheets, and return expectations) that many times collide with the limits of natural resources, the call for equitable financial outcomes, and the health and well-being of people, places, and the planet… Read More
Voices from the Field

Obstacles and Pathways to Greater Giving for Social Change

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Alison Powell, Susan Wolf Ditkoff, Nidhi Sahni

Wooden pathway in the forest
America’s philanthropic landscape is filled with many bright spots. In 2017, Americans gave away over $400 billion to charity for the first time. Giving has also reached historical highs amongst America’s wealthiest families. The most recent data show that households with $500 million or more in assets contributed around $45 billion to charity in 2017… Read More