2023 Year In Review
Research shows it’s human nature to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones. But some of us are wired differently – and that proclivity toward optimism is one reason we’re drawn to philanthropy.
I’m always awed by how you make your communities and our society better. You know…
Philanthropy Can Enable Thriving Communities by Building Common Ground
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
I once heard Deb and Jim Fallows, authors of "Our Towns," talk about their epic 100,000-mile…
Meet the 2024 Career Pathways Cohort
The new year brings new opportunities for growth, and nothing demonstrates that more than our Career Pathways program. This selective leadership development program cultivates bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers – and that’s exactly what you’ll find with the 24 members of the 2024…
Community-Focused Development can Create Ripples of Change
When tackling issues around health care, education, infrastructure, or anything else, philanthropy is often perceived as narrowly focusing on the most immediate causes rather than tackling structural or root causes.
But the reality is that philanthropy's role is much more expansive, influential…
The Community Foundation Advisory Group: A Recap of 2023 and What’s Next in 2024
As the current Co-Chairs of the Council on Foundations’ Community Foundation Advisory Group, we wanted to reflect on the conversations and issues we have covered over the past year and share some key takeaways with our peers across the sector.
The Advisory Group represents community foundations…
Philanthropy is a Catalyst for Unlikely Alliances
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
In the 1830s Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that he was astonished by Americans’ collective…
Celebrating our 2023 Council Award Winners
As we arrive at the end of the year, it can be tempting to focus solely on what we want to do better next year. Sometimes the challenges we face are so overwhelming that we want to turn the page to a new chapter as soon as possible.
At the same time, we know that our Council community engaged in…
For Philanthropy to Bridge Differences, Trust is Key
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference? Janet N. Ekezie is part of our Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort.
Philanthropy has the…
Introducing the Council’s 2023 Member Survey
At the Council on Foundations, we pride ourselves on being a learning organization – one that continuously seeks to understand, reflect, and evolve. It’s in that spirit that we introduce our upcoming member survey. All of our members have received invitations to participate from our research…
Philanthropy Can Further Social Cohesion: One Way to Get Started
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
The Constitution empowers us to create “a more perfect union.” Today, toxic polarization and…
Add Your Voice: Philanthropy’s Role in Bridging Divides
In a staff training, the facilitators from Resetting the Table asked us to think of a time we would have liked a do-over. I thought back to a few moments – personal and professional – when I could have shown up more productively. With those examples in mind, we talked about why we get stuck in…
Guidance for Funders on Relief to Morocco and Libya
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 near…
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 (SFFA) v.…
How Americans View Philanthropy: 3 Things Foundations Need to Know
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…