This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. As funders, we are expected to measure things: how many dollars given, how many grants distributed, how many organizations served, and what results from the funded dollars. These are all…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. From 2005 to 2009, Margaret Spellings served as the U.S. secretary of education, where she had responsibility for implementing No Child Left Behind. The bipartisan initiative, which President George W.…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. 100&Change is a MacArthur Foundation competition for a $100 million grant to fund a single proposal that will make measurable progress toward solving a significant problem. Almost 2,000 proposals were…
The SDGs represent a very high level of ambition not only because of the breadth of the issues involved ranging from poverty to inequality to safeguarding the environment but also…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. The nonprofit sector has never faced more difficult challenges — or had the potential to create greater impact — than it does today, argue William F. Meehan III, director emeritus…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. I’ve been frustrated for 20 years watching children be forced, based on ZIP code, based on parents’ income, based on the parents’ parents’ ZIP code and income, not be able…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Many foundations try to solve specific problems. They seek to end homelessness, help veterans, protect oceans, or improve K-12 education. All worthy goals. But what if the programs aimed at solving those problems don’t…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. It is increasingly acknowledged that the global gender gap is severe, with major negative economic and social consequences, and that accelerating progress toward gender parity has enormous benefits. Yet progress…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. This year, we added two new top charities, Evidence Action’s No Lean Season program and Helen Keller International’s vitamin A supplementation program, and retained our seven top charities from 2016. We also added…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Below are several relationship imbalances between donors and nonprofits that cause tension and reduce social impact—and how to address them, from the Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of the…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but the word “no” has a negative connotation. And that’s a shame because, if used properly, “no” might actually be the ultimate philanthropic teaching…
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators. Last year, individual donors gave $280 billion to 1.5 million non-profits. The vast majority of Americans claim to care about charitable effectiveness, yet only 15% spend even two hours a…