Financial Inclusion
With a New Initiative, This Foundation Is Putting Its Own Spin on Guaranteed Basic Income
How the Irvine Foundation Navigates the Intersection of Economic Mobility and Civic Engagement
Funders supporting civic engagement work know that many factors contribute to citizen disillusionment, like social media’s tendency to foment hyper-polarization or the diminution of institutions such as civic clubs, unions and religious … [Read more...] about How the Irvine Foundation Navigates the Intersection of Economic Mobility and Civic Engagement
Just Value Is Taking On Biased Home Appraisals with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Help
Google Gets Behind Guaranteed Income to Relieve Homelessness on Its Home Turf
There is growing momentum behind the concept of guaranteed income — that is, programs that provide recurring direct cash payments to ease poverty. Pilots have been rolled out around the country — more than 150 to date — and preliminary analyses show … [Read more...] about Google Gets Behind Guaranteed Income to Relieve Homelessness on Its Home Turf
New Multisector Effort Looks to Unblock the Funding Spigot for Indigenous Communities in the U.S.
An extraordinary meeting took place earlier this spring at the White House. It was a roundtable convened by senior Biden administration officials including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Treasurer Lynn Malerba. Haaland is the first Native … [Read more...] about New Multisector Effort Looks to Unblock the Funding Spigot for Indigenous Communities in the U.S.
This Economic Equality Intermediary Is Backing a Movement Whose Time Has Quietly Come
A new partnership between funding intermediary Common Future and WorkFour, a relatively new nonprofit that advocates for a four-day workweek across sectors, is a logical fit for a number of reasons. Common Future supports efforts to create an … [Read more...] about This Economic Equality Intermediary Is Backing a Movement Whose Time Has Quietly Come
A Funding Intermediary Goes to Bat for Government-Run Options in Local Economies
In a philanthropic sector increasingly crowded with intermediaries channeling donor money, often in innovative ways, the Economic Security Project has been one of those most willing to push the envelope. In its efforts to promote economic mobility … [Read more...] about A Funding Intermediary Goes to Bat for Government-Run Options in Local Economies
What Does Cogenerational Funding Look Like? These 10 Grantees Paint a Picture
Our nation and world are aging. More older folks are running around than ever before, sometimes literally. I recently went on a hike with an 81-year-old friend who I definitely did not outpace on the trail. But intergenerational hiking — and working, … [Read more...] about What Does Cogenerational Funding Look Like? These 10 Grantees Paint a Picture
Seven Questions for McKnight Foundation President Tonya Allen
McKnight Foundation President Tonya Allen spent the majority of her career in Michigan, including leading Detroit’s Skillman Foundation, before moving to take the helm of the $3 billion, Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation in 2021. We most recently … [Read more...] about Seven Questions for McKnight Foundation President Tonya Allen
A Philanthropic Contest Asked for Creative Fiction About Money. Here Are the Winning Stories
The Principal Foundation recently announced the winners of its first-ever short story contest, Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative, designed to increase financial literacy by using creative writing to spark conversations about money. A panel of … [Read more...] about A Philanthropic Contest Asked for Creative Fiction About Money. Here Are the Winning Stories
A Cross-Sector Coalition Raises Nearly $1 Billion to Tackle Racial Wealth Inequality in the Twin Cities
With the 2020 police murder of George Floyd and the massive uprising that followed it, Minneapolis and its twin city St. Paul gained an association with systemic racism in the U.S. and the simmering rage that racism has inspired. Last month, a … [Read more...] about A Cross-Sector Coalition Raises Nearly $1 Billion to Tackle Racial Wealth Inequality in the Twin Cities
Military Experience Is Less Common Today, But These Funders Are Staying True to Veterans
For many ordinary Americans, Veterans Day may now seem like a way of honoring a past that has little to do with them. After all, it’s been 50 years since the draft was used as a means of recruiting. The U.S. Armed Forces last issued a final draft … [Read more...] about Military Experience Is Less Common Today, But These Funders Are Staying True to Veterans
Private Credit Philanthropy: The Ares Charitable Foundation Ties Funding to Investment Performance
As the world of financial services continues to expand, ever-new subcategories arise within it, each one generating its own new crop of philanthropists. We looked at the changing face of Wall Street giving back in 2019, for example, specifically … [Read more...] about Private Credit Philanthropy: The Ares Charitable Foundation Ties Funding to Investment Performance
Philanthropy Helps Tap Gentrifiers’ Social Connections in Philly Poverty Alleviation Project
Gentrification has an understandably bad rap, but in Philadelphia, the Samuel S. Fels Fund and a handful of other philanthropies are modeling how anti-poverty funders can respond to and work within the context of gentrifying neighborhoods — for the … [Read more...] about Philanthropy Helps Tap Gentrifiers’ Social Connections in Philly Poverty Alleviation Project
Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest
We often think of the arts and finance as sitting on opposite ends of the spectrum. (Certainly, when I took out a hefty student loan for a master’s degree in fine arts, there was no financial advisor whispering “good decision!” in my ear). Principal … [Read more...] about Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest
A Philanthropic Push to Diversify the Ranks of Researchers in Economics and Other Social Sciences
New faculty members often face a catch-22: it's hard to land research grants because they haven't the time or resources to develop their research interests, but they can't do the research without the grants. Since grants are crucial to an academic's … [Read more...] about A Philanthropic Push to Diversify the Ranks of Researchers in Economics and Other Social Sciences
On the Ground with the Ballmer Group, One of LA’s Leading Antipoverty Funders
Two dozen high school and college students sat in a circle in an office building off Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles, drawing what they saw as obstacles to their dreams with magic markers on balsa wood boards — part of a leadership program … [Read more...] about On the Ground with the Ballmer Group, One of LA’s Leading Antipoverty Funders
Is “Tech for Good” Actually Good? A New Framework Seeks to Help Funders Vet Proposals
There’s been an increasing number of technology-related proposals in philanthropy that purport to have positive impacts on equity and justice. Known as “tech for good” or “tech justice,” these projects often promise to advance human rights and social … [Read more...] about Is “Tech for Good” Actually Good? A New Framework Seeks to Help Funders Vet Proposals
MacKenzie Scott’s Open Call Is Live. Here’s What You Need to Know
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 22, 2023. After over $14 billion in giving and nearly three years as the most talked-about philanthropist in the U.S., MacKenzie Scott has issued her first open call for applications. It’s … [Read more...] about MacKenzie Scott’s Open Call Is Live. Here’s What You Need to Know
How the Economic Security Project Is Rallying Funders to Support Guaranteed Income
A few years ago, the idea of the United States providing people with guaranteed income — a set dollar amount each month with no strings attached — would have been unheard of. If the federal government regularly attempts to gut funding for existing … [Read more...] about How the Economic Security Project Is Rallying Funders to Support Guaranteed Income
With Big Backing From MacKenzie Scott and More, Co-Impact Targets Global Gender Inequality
Co-Impact has set its sights on improving health, education and economic outcomes for hundreds of millions across the Global South, and forever changing the way the world sees women at all levels of society. But progress means beating back bias so … [Read more...] about With Big Backing From MacKenzie Scott and More, Co-Impact Targets Global Gender Inequality
A Matter of Trust: With a Big Boost from MacKenzie Scott, GiveDirectly is on the Rise
If there’s one hallmark of MacKenzie Scott’s giving, it’s the idea of trust. Her support is typically made with no strings attached, and empowers organizations on the receiving end to use their best judgment on how and when the funds are used.So it … [Read more...] about A Matter of Trust: With a Big Boost from MacKenzie Scott, GiveDirectly is on the Rise
Global Gender Equity Requires Access to the Online Economy. Who’s Backing Digital Financial Inclusion?
Many forces perpetuate the global economic gender gap and hold women back from economic progress, despite the fact that women’s entrepreneurship is growing around the world. The World Bank estimates that there are more than 6 million women-owned … [Read more...] about Global Gender Equity Requires Access to the Online Economy. Who’s Backing Digital Financial Inclusion?
As Its Racial Equity Program Expands, Bloomberg Takes a Data-Driven Approach to the Wealth Gap
Think “Bloomberg Philanthropies” and thoughts naturally turn to public health or climate giving — areas where it’s staked a leadership position. But Bloomberg also has a growing racial equity portfolio called the Greenwood Initiative that recently … [Read more...] about As Its Racial Equity Program Expands, Bloomberg Takes a Data-Driven Approach to the Wealth Gap
How Philanthropy Can Help Connect Rural Communities to Federal Infrastructure Funds
With unprecedented federal infrastructure investments beginning to reach communities across the U.S., there is hope that “the time is ripe to make wider and more resilient geographic prosperity a real possibility,” as a recent Brookings report put … [Read more...] about How Philanthropy Can Help Connect Rural Communities to Federal Infrastructure Funds
The Latino Donor Collaborative Model: Gaining Equity By Gaining Clout
Many equity-focused philanthropies align their work around supporting the most vulnerable members of the communities they serve. But others, like the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), take a more top-down, research and communications-focused approach … [Read more...] about The Latino Donor Collaborative Model: Gaining Equity By Gaining Clout
A Funder Effort to Fight Poverty—One Taxpayer at a Time
Over the last few months, Vanessa Valdes has spent much of her time traveling around New Hampshire, attending meetings in community centers and church basements, and passing on a simple message: “File your taxes. We can help.” Valdes is on the front … [Read more...] about A Funder Effort to Fight Poverty—One Taxpayer at a Time
After 200 Years, the Reparations Fight Is Gaining New Traction and Philanthropy Is Slowly Getting on Board
Note: This article was originally published on January 4, 2022.Black people in the United States have been fighting for reparations for enslavement, Jim Crow and other abuses committed by white Americans since at least 1783. That’s the year Belinda, … [Read more...] about After 200 Years, the Reparations Fight Is Gaining New Traction and Philanthropy Is Slowly Getting on Board
Kendeda Doubles Down on Employee Ownership, an Underused Part of the Equity Toolbox
The impacts of COVID-19 on the labor market and the economy at large seem to be shifting constantly, often in unexpected ways. In recent months, labor shortages and worker strikes have come into focus as employers and workers grapple with evolving … [Read more...] about Kendeda Doubles Down on Employee Ownership, an Underused Part of the Equity Toolbox
