Profiles of Big Bets in Philanthropy Tackling Complex Issues

Stanford Social Innovation Review Feb 22, 2019
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
Click here for more.
Profiles of Big Bets in Philanthropy Tackling Climate Change Giving Compass

Giving Compass’ Take:

• Climate and Land Use Alliance’s (CLUA) is an example of how collaborative philanthropic investment can tackle a complex issue. In this post, The Bridgespan Group explains other big bets in philanthropy that are doing the same. 

• How can more donors get involved in big bets in philanthropy through collective impact? 

• Jean Case explains the value of big bets in philanthropy. 

Climate change is among the most daunting social problems for philanthropists to address. The issue is global in scale, involves a very large number of stakeholders and regulatory environments, and must take into account the continually evolving scientific understanding of how to slow climate change and help communities and countries adapt to it. Even the biggest big bets from individual funders may seem insufficient to make a dent in the problem.

Even the biggest big bets from individual funders may seem insufficient to make a dent in the problem.

Since 2010, the Climate and Land Use Alliance’s (CLUA) five main funders (Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, ClimateWorks Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and The David & Lucile Packard Foundation) have committed more than a half a billion dollars to a set of common strategies, with $211 million of that total coming in 2018. 

Learning and benchmarking are key steps towards becoming an impact giver. If you are interested in giving with impact on Impact Philanthropy take a look at these selections from Giving Compass.

  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    Breakthrough Philanthropy: Getting at the Roots of Change

    Giving Compass' Take: • In this Forbes post, Morgan Stanley gives an overview of systems change in philanthropy, and how it can tackle society’s most complex, interconnected problems. • Are enough organizations shifting their strategies in this way to make a difference? How can we encourage more systems change mindsets in the sector? • Here are three ways to adopt this approach and deliver long-term results. For anyone who doubts the breadth and depth of public generosity, here are a few numbers to consider: The U.S. has more than a million public charities1, funded by over 105,000 private foundations, along with millions of businesses and individuals, who together give more than $350 billion a year.2 Why then do so many social, economic and environmental challenges seem more intractable than ever? The answer may lie in how we look at society’s problems: As isolated issues to tackle, or as a complex, interconnected web of causes and effects. Enter the breakthrough notion of systems change, which is shifting how philanthropic organizations approach problem-solving. Systems change acknowledges that society’s ills are complex. To drive lasting progress, organizations should first analyze the systemic causes of a problem, then scale impact by partnering with complimentary organizations that each bring a specialized focus. If we continue as individual actors, we will continue to waste our precious assets and not achieve the results we seek. Philanthropic Systems Change Means Teamwork A key component of philanthropic systems change is collaborating with other organizations to attack different aspects of a failing system. Once an understanding of the system and actors is in place, organizations can act on pain points where there is an opportunity to affect change. Many social, economic and environmental challenges seem more intractable than ever. The answer may lie in how we look at society’s problems: As isolated issues to tackle, or as a complex, interconnected web of causes and effects. Red the original article about philanthropy getting at the roots of change by Morgan Stanley at Forbes.

Outside of their CLUA work, these funders pursue climate action with different strategies.But in CLUA, the funders are taking advantage of an opportunity to come together around a shared belief in land use as a climate change mitigation strategy.

 

Among its results to date, CLUA has been able to convince some of the world’s largest paper- and pulp-manufacturing companies to make zero-deforestation commitments.

CLUA demonstrates how collaborative philanthropy can bring together funders with different strategies but a common overall goal in order to focus large investments on a complex issue. Here are some other examples of big bets in philanthropy tackling larger problems:

  • Big Bet to the Bail Project (total grant size not public)
  • $39 Million to Opportunity Insights
  • $27 Million to the Susan G. Komen African-American Health Equity Initiative
  • $50 Million to TheDream.US

Read the full article about profile of big bets by The Bridgespan Group at Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Looking for a way to get involved?

If you are interested in Climate, please see these relevant events, training, conferences or volunteering opportunities the Giving Compass team recommends.

Loading...
Learn More
Are you ready to give?

If you are interested in Climate, please see these relevant Issue Funds, Charitable Organizations or Projects where you can get involved.

Loading...
Learn More

Sign in

Your personal information is confidential at Giving Compass. For more information, please visit our privacy policy. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use.