News Articles Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Friends In Philanthropy

October 2022

Friends in Philanthropy: October 2022 Issue

“I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will.”
– Dolly Parton on her intuitive approach to philanthropy

We talk a lot about giving strategy in this newsletter, and with good reason. A thoughtful approach to your philanthropy can be the difference between solving a problem and spinning your wheels.

(Just see this month’s first story on “going beyond the grant” for proof.)

But when you’re lost in thorny problems around setting priorities and measuring impact, sometimes it’s nice to be reminded how simple being charitable can be.

That’s Dolly Parton’s philosophy, anyway. In a recent interview conducted just before she accepted the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, the country music legend confessed she doesn’t worry too much about the strategic side of giving. She just listens to her instincts.

And her instincts are good. Between her literacy program, which puts 2 million books in kids’ hands each month, and other pursuits like disaster relief and scholarship programs, no one can seriously doubt Dolly’s making a difference.

Read on for more stories about donors and doers who are figuring out their own way to pull off the same feat.

A team putting their hands in the middle

How an Ambitious Foundation Handles ‘Going Beyond the Grant’ (National Center for Family Philanthropy) – Laurene Powell Jobs’s Emerson Collective knows a thing or two about supporting nonprofits beyond funding. (They even have a “capacity building menu”!)

Dolly Parton’s Donation Strategy: ‘I Just Give From My Heart’ (AP News) – The recent Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy winner doesn’t dig deeply into giving strategy. But from children’s books to disaster relief, when she sees a need, she fills it.

Could No-Interest Micro Loans Be the Key to Preventing Homelessness? (L.A. Times) – Software entrepreneur Adam Miller’s new $1M lending fund is meant to tide over L.A. residents on the verge of eviction. But is it sustainable?

How a ‘Tsunami of Suffering’ Pushed One Woman Toward Purposeful Giving (National Christian Foundation) – Susan Ibarguen faced a series of tragedies before a fateful Bible study session changed her life. Now her two-word purpose statement guides everything she does, including her philanthropy.

Welcome mat that says, "All are welcome here."

How Well Do We Love the Strangers Among Us? (The Better Samaritan) – Inspired by a dinner hosted by her Syrian refugee neighbors, author Catherine McNeil considers Biblical wisdom on how to treat strangers—especially strangers from another culture.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash.

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September 2022

Friends in Philanthropy: September 2022 Issue

“That’s probably the period of time where Melinda and I will be around to help make sure it stays on track.”
– Bill Gates on the informal plan to spend down the Gates Foundation’s endowment in the next 25 years

In our July issue, we noted that more foundations were pursuing a “time-limited” approach to their own existence. Now you can add the country’s largest charitable foundation to the list.

Speaking at the Forbes 400 Philanthropy Summit, Bill Gates revealed that he and ex-wife Melinda French Gates had discussed winding down the Gates Foundation over the next 25 years.

Of course, in a sense “winding down” also means “ramping up.” In order to spend down its endowment, the foundation plans to increase its giving, from $6 billion annually now to $9 billion by 2026.

The Gates Foundation is just the most prominent example of a larger trend in the industry, as philanthropies big and small become more thoughtful about how their structures and processes influence the outcomes they deliver. Read on for more insights you can incorporate to make your own giving more strategic.

Bill Gates Sees the Gates Foundation Winding Down in 25 Years (Geekwire) – Time-bound giving got a big boost when Gates said his foundation would likely spend down its endowment in the coming decades. The goal in the meantime? Bring infectious disease “largely to an end.”

A QCD Can Lower Your Tax Bill Even If You Take the Standard Deduction (Kiplinger) – A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA can benefit both you and your chosen cause in several ways. Here’s what your savings could look like, plus some rules you’ll need to follow.

What Foundation Trustees Need to Know To Keep Out of Trouble (Philanthropy Roundtable) – Rental payments, credit cards, staff sharing arrangements—here are some common “self-dealing” pitfalls trustees fall into, often by innocent mistake.

Someone pulling money out of their wallet

Nearly 6 in 10 Donors May Increase Giving Despite Economic Fears (CNBC) – Large majorities of Americans say they’re worried about the health of their communities. So 2022 might turn out to be a robust year for giving, whatever the economy brings.

The Messy Newman’s Own Estate Fight Has Lessons for Foundations (Wealth Management) – The late actor’s daughters are suing for more control over his foundation’s spending. A lack of written documents made the situation “ripe for conflict.”

Photos courtesy of Unsplash.

August 2022

Friends in Philanthropy: August 2022 Issue

“Everyone has rookie moments in their early years.”
– Ronnie Lott on why his foundation provides training and mentoring, and not just grants, for new nonprofits

Ronnie Lott knows all about development. As an NFL Hall of Famer, he experienced firsthand how far a talented young player can go when he gets the right coaching and support.

And in his second career as a venture capitalist, he became the one doing the mentoring, providing guidance, connections, and other forms of support to promising startups.

Now Lott’s foundation, All Stars Helping Kids, is taking the same “investor’s eye” approach to philanthropy. Early-stage nonprofits don’t just apply to the foundation for grants. They can also land chances for free training, peer networking, and one-on-one coaching.

In this month’s issue, you’ll learn more about ASHK’s effort to “go beyond the grant.” And you’ll also find out other ways smart givers are working through their own challenges, from the right way to measure their performance to how they should be taking care of themselves.

How Ronnie Lott’s Foundation Acts Like an NFL Scout (Exponent Philanthropy) – All Stars Helping Kids doesn’t just cut checks and run. The foundation helps promising new nonprofits develop through coaching, partnerships, and long-term funding.

‘We Were Idolizing Money’: How the Yoons Decided to Give More Than They Keep (National Christian Foundation) – Andy and Mel Yoon weren’t happy. Then David Platt’s book ‘Radical’ convinced them to make a commitment that would change their lives forever.

VIDEO: Ray Dalio Loves To Be Told He Was Wrong (Philanthropy Roundtable) – The founder of the world’s largest hedge fund and the bestselling author of ‘Principles’ thinks radical honesty is the key to success. Read a summary of his “Doers to Donors” interview here.

Everyone Needs to Practice Self-Aid. (That Means You.) (The Better Samaritan) – The cofounders of the “Spiritual First Aid” program have a simple argument: “To care well for others, we must care well for ourselves.” Here’s how to do that.

Are Common Financial Measures Holding Charities Back? (The Conversation) – Many assume charities must keep “overhead” costs low to be effective. But an analysis of more than 4,000 large nonprofits found plenty of reasons to doubt the conventional wisdom.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash.

July 2022

Friends in Philanthropy: July 2022 Issue

“What if we set a deadline to give away our whole endowment?” If you asked that question at a foundation in the 1980s, you’d have gotten a lot of funny looks.

Not anymore. In the last 10 years, 38% of new philanthropies chose time-limited models to guide their giving, according to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Why? For some founders, it’s to enjoy the satisfaction of “giving while living.” For others, it’s to break the gridlock that can result from guarding the endowment at all costs.

To be sure, time-limited grantmaking has its own drawbacks, and the vast majority of foundations are still designed to continue in perpetuity. But the dramatic rise of a whole new model is proof that in philanthropy, conventional wisdom is ripe for challenging.

Read on for inspiration that can reshape your own thinking, too.

Don’t Stop Giving To Charity During Rocky Markets. Just Give Smarter. (Forbes) – Need doesn’t pause during downturns—it rises. Here’s how to use non-cash assets and Roth conversions to keep giving, and rebalance your portfolio in the process.

5 Things You Have That Charity Leaders Need As Much As Money (National Christian Foundation) – Grants are great, but so is expertise. Don’t underestimate the good you can do for a charity just by giving advice.

More Foundations Are Speeding Up Their Giving (Barron’s) – In the ’80s, setting a timeline to spend down your endowment was unheard of. But in the last decade, 38% of new philanthropies choose time limits. What’s going on? (You can also read the full report here.)

How Putin’s War Is Threatening a Miracle Food Relied On By Millions (Christian Science Monitor) – The enriched peanut paste known as Plumpy’nut is one of the best tools UNICEF has to fight hunger. But disruptions in Ukraine are making it impossible to keep the supply flowing, and there’s no relief in sight.

A corporate meeting with individuals on their laptops

4 Tips for Bringing Philanthropy-as-a-Service (PhaaS) to Your Company (TechReport) – Platforms like Groundswell are making it easier than ever to involve employees in corporate philanthropy. Find out how and why to hop aboard the trend.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash.

June 2022

Friends in Philanthropy: June 2022 Issue

What will corporate giving look like in 10 years? If survey results are any indication, nothing like today.

That’s the conclusion the “corporate purpose” tech company Benevity reached after studying shifting attitudes among customers, employees, and investors.

Essentially they found that all these stakeholders want to be involved in how the company creates value for the world beyond the bottom line. And they generally have strong feelings about what that looks like.

Ultimately Benevity believes the conclusion is as simple as it is profound: “Purpose leads to more loyal customers, more engaged people—and a stronger bottom line.”

Read on for more stories and insights that can inspire you to build that future, whatever you do.

‘Stakeholder Philanthropy’ Is the Future of Corporate Giving (Benevity) – Surveys make it clear: customers and employees want a say in how companies give. Here are the 7 elements of a modern corporate philanthropy program.

Barrie Wells Would Rather Not Die Rich (Financial Times) – The 82-year-old British entrepreneur says it’s simple: why let your money sit in a bank when you can use it for good—like helping sick children play sports?

Why Cognitive Dissonance Is Key To Effective Philanthropy (Worth) – Optimistic and realistic. Patient and ferocious. Two nonprofit consultants say the best philanthropists learn to think in contradictions.

How One Woman Is Helping People With Disabilities Evacuate Ukraine (UNHCR) – When war broke out in her home country, Tetiana Barantsova escaped in a wheelchair. Now, from her new home in Latvia, she’s helping others do the same.

A blue arrow pointing up and a red arrow pointing down

Giving USA 2022: There’s Good News, and There’s Inflation News (ABC News) – The major annual report found U.S. charitable giving hit another all-time high in 2021—and it still lost ground to inflation.

Photos courtesy of Unsplash.