The “assets model of community development,” as distinct from the “deficits model,” has really caught on in philanthropy in the last 30 years. Articulated first by John McKnight at the Asset-Based Community Development Institute, the […]
“A strong national network of community foundations is good for communities. Community foundations can be a constant source of good new ideas, local expertise, and financial support for local programs, if they have the capacity […]
Endorsed as essential reading in the field, this small book summarizes the workings and accomplishments of the Ford/MacArthur Leadership Program for Community Foundations. The initiative, operated between 1987 and 1993, had many design features key […]
Philanthropy has much to offer in contributing to progress in all the areas in which it puts forth commitment, resources, and skills. Making progress in “racial equity” or “social justice” is also possible, but difficult. […]
Op-Ed: Philanthropy Must Address Structural Inequities (pdf) By Steven E. Mayer. Until foundations address the structural inequities that contribute significantly to human suffering, their own … Jan 9, 2008.
This paper is the culmination of five years’ work evaluating Ford Foundation’s portfolio of grants, “Community Philanthropy and Racial Equity in the American South.” It is based on reflective, focused, and appreciative conversations with nearly 100 philanthropic organizations operating in both African American and White American settings. […]
Can community foundations learn, if given the opportunity, to be effective vehicles for channeling support low-income neighborhood organizations, while increasing their own resources, grantmaking skills, and leadership role in the community? That was the question […]
As we said after Katrina, foundations have many useful assets – purchasing power, influence and leadership, knowledge of communities, and development know-how – all of which can be used creatively to aid a more equitable reconstruction of Gulf Coast communities wrecked by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. […]
Philanthropy by definition is a noble endeavor. Yet people want to know, “what good does philanthropy do?” The answer is hard to get, partly because philanthropy doesn’t really want to know, and evaluation doesn’t really know how to serve up good answers. This article illuminates the dilemma. […]
This parable is useful for illustrating a key dilemma in philanthropy: Do we use our charitable resources to save drowning babies one at a time, or do we look upstream for the causes of casualties […]
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