Report

Values Proposition: How and Why We Transformed Our Investment Model to Align Our Capital With Our Mission

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Nathan Cummings Foundation

Mission-aligned investing presents a compelling opportunity for philanthropic organizations to reimagine how they use their financial resources to affect change. All of the institution’s capital is harmonized in service of its mission — a total-enterprise approach to impact. Yet, such an approach is relatively novel and still often met with skepticism or confusion. This report by the Nathan Cummings Foundation… Read More

Equity in Action Report

Posted on July 28, 2021 by McKnight Foundation

When the McKnight Foundation presented its first-ever public diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement for board approval in late 2017, one board member wisely reflected, “These are beautiful words. I just hope we can back it up with action.” McKnight is indeed backing up aspirational words with action. This report lifts up some examples of shifts they’ve made at the Foundation… Read More

Evaluating Complexity

Posted on June 11, 2021

While evaluation has traditionally focused on assessing programmatic impact according to pre-determined indicators, a new approach is needed for evaluating complex initiatives, as well as initiatives operating in complex environments where progress is not linear, predictable, or controllable. Nine propositions can help evaluators navigate the unique characteristics of complex systems, improve their evaluation practice, and better serve the needs of the social… Read More

Being The Change

Posted on June 4, 2021

Many foundations are adopting new approaches for creating social change—approaches that aim to influence the actions and investments of the public and private sector, as well as address the complex conditions that hold social problems in place. Based on interviews with 114 practitioners representing 50 foundations and 8 philanthropic services organizations, Being the Change explores how foundations are applying their assets, knowledge,… Read More

Water of Systems Change

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Mark R. Kramer

Foundations involved in systems change can increase their odds for success by focusing on less explicit but more powerful conditions for change, while also turning the lens on themselves… Read More

Impact Investing: Mapping Families’ Interests & Activities in 2020

Posted on June 4, 2021 by The ImPact

Impact Investing: Mapping Families’ Interests and Activities is part of a multi-year effort to study a problem that many ultra high net worth (UNHW) families have identified as critical, timely, and important: the existing impact investing opportunity set does not fully match their specific investment interests. The 2020 version of the survey, the second of three planned annual surveys, added… Read More

Legacy in Family Philanthropy: A Modern Framework

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Shira Saperstein, Janice Simsohn Shaw

Adult hand holding child's hand - legacy
Legacy is a fundamental consideration in the practice of effective family philanthropy, yet it remains one of the most ambiguous and often overlooked concepts in our field. Many families approach legacy with a retrospective lens—one that reflects on a philanthropic effort across a number of years or even generations. However, legacy is emergent and iterative. It ought to be considered… Read More

Strategies for Driving Equity in Grantmaking

Posted on April 16, 2021 by PEAK Grantmaking

In order to implement strategies that promote justice, inclusion, and equity, we must work with purpose and urgency to establish grantmaking practices that advance equity. This goes beyond narrowing the power gap (which helps all grantseekers and grantees) to a more specific focus on building power for under-resourced communities. On a tactical level, driving equity requires taking an intentional look… Read More

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