Posted on September 18, 2023. The Council is maintaining pages to assist funders for Morocco and Libya, which will be updated more frequently.
In early September 2023, devastating disasters struck both Morocco and Libya:
Morocco was hit by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake September 8…
To Stand Against Hate, Get Your Board Involved
It’s a call no one in philanthropy wants to receive: An organization you funded for its soup kitchen is also running an anti-LGBTQ “conversion therapy” program. Your climate-justice grant may have gone to a group that promotes bombings and arson to disrupt state and federal environmental agencies.…
Challenges Facing Global Grantmakers Get Increased Attention
Already, 2023 has seen significant global activity related to how civil society is regulated globally. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.N., and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have each issued new guidance for governments and financial institutions, and these developments represent…
Could the Supreme Court’s Decision on Affirmative Action Affect Philanthropy?
Will the Supreme Court end affirmative action in June? It seems likely, and the legal consequences may ripple beyond college admissions to other sectors, including philanthropy and the wider charitable sector.
As you may know, the Court heard two cases – Students for Fair Admissions (…
It’s a headline we’re hearing from many places these days: Trust in institutions is at an all-time low. So it was good news for philanthropy when a study released earlier this month showed that nonprofits are generally very trusted.
On the other hand: The study, What Americans Think About…
#FOTH2023 was an examination of philanthropy’s responsibilities and privileges as a partner to government agents. Nonprofit tax policy, the rise of populism, the 118th Congress, and much more was on the table for discussion from Feb. 27 to March 1. We also shared time connecting with colleagues…
How the Collaborative Keep Oakland Housed Became a HUD Secretary's Award Winner
When Logan McDonnell was appointed Executive Director of the California collaborative Keep Oakland Housed, it meant more than a career milestone: it was personal.
“Looking back at my childhood after the 2008 crisis, how my father fell so far behind on his mortgage, that spoke to me in regard to…
At home and across the country, the Council community flourished in 2022. Check out the graphic below to see the metrics behind the impact, and read the full Year in Review, including a letter from our President and CEO, to learn more.
Download the Year in Review.
Public Policy and Advocacy: The Go-To Tools in the Community Foundation Tool Shed
The Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association (PACFA) is an affinity organization that my foundation helped to re-activate several years ago for the 35 community philanthropies in the state to share ideas and strategies and, when appropriate, act collectively on issues.
At a recent meeting of…
2022 Scrivner Award Winner: The Social Equity Collaborative Fund's Partner-First Approach
Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties is honored to accept the Council on Foundations’ 2022 Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking for the work of the Social Equity Collaborative Fund (SECF). The Social Equity Collaborative Fund is an equity-focused pooled grantmaking fund borne of a…
Why Should Foundations Bother with Public Policy?
For those of us in philanthropy, it can feel difficult to keep track of the rapidly shifting policy landscape – and how it affects our work. Grantmakers have guidelines, program directives, and division of duties. We have well-established relationships with grantees and a good sense of…
Safety Matters: Why Career Pathways Puts Soft Skills First
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of participating in the Spring 2022 Career Pathways cohort. Prior to this spring, I had completed three other executive leadership programs. On the first day of Career Pathways Learning Session One, while reviewing the curriculum, we were asked what might be…
To What Ends: How Career Pathways Helped Me Re-Evaluate My Professional Purpose
My decision to pursue philanthropy was born out of frustration. I had been at the Obama White House for over a year and, like many of my colleagues, felt stifled and discouraged by a lame-duck session. Despite my fancy White House Policy Advisor title, the local impact that I hoped to foster…
Career Pathways: A Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery
Participating in the Council on Foundations' Career Pathways program changed my life for the better. How? The most valuable takeaway was to be bold and to tell the world who we are. In so many ways, Career Pathways helped me and the rest of my cohort cultivate our strengths and our voices.…
Creating a Culture of Care at HR Retreat 2022
As the HR Retreat approaches each year, I crave hummus. Perhaps because we opened the first Council on Foundations and CHANGE Philanthropy HR Summit (now HR Retreat) in 2016 with dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant in San Francisco. The mezze was amazing; the night was full of curiosity. Who were…
Three Insights from Career Pathways That Expanded My Leadership Opportunities
For the longest time, I wondered why I was unable to climb the executive ladder. Seriously, I’m pretty good at my job. I am a team player and a sought-after expert. I represent my organization with integrity. So, why can’t I get past the invisible wall and achieve a role at the executive level?
I…