Latest from Alliance
The false dichotomy between trust and results
As the trust-based philanthropy wave is washing over the sector once again, concerns over its ability to prove impact, facilitate learning, and evaluate previous approaches are bubbling up. As a philanthropy professional with over two decades of experience in learning, measurement, and evaluation, I believe it is a false dichotomy to pit ceding control against measuring impact. Trust-based philanthropy is having a moment – from the first ripples caused by news of MacKenzie Scott’s …
Patience: The Missing Piece of Your Fundraising Strategy
The frequency of disasters – from floods, to earthquakes, hurricanes and war – is borderline desensitizing. There’s one thing, however, that never fails to fill me with hope: no matter where tragedy strikes, people and institutions always rally with help for those affected. Due to the nature of these now-constant emergencies, charitable giving must be swift – seconds matter, lives are at stake. As a result, the general public, as well as scores of fundraising …
What if we apply the Inner Development Goals framework to philanthropy?
The Inner Development Goals (IDGs) are a framework to enhance transformational skills for sustainable development. While we have both vision and knowledge around how to achieve sustainability, we are struggling to reach significant progress in almost every sustainability goal. What we miss, according to this framework, is an insight into individuals: what are the abilities, qualities, or skills that play crucial roles in fulfilling sustainable visions and that we need to foster individually, as part …
The path forward for philanthropy and systems level transformation
In the dynamic and fast-paced world of today, discussions around strategic philanthropy, particularly its role in effecting systemic change, are gaining momentum. But why this pressing shift towards a systemic approach in philanthropy? Why, now? Simply put, we can no longer afford to put Band-Aids on gaping societal wounds. The complexity and interconnectedness of our world’s challenges demand a deeper examination of root causes, not just symptomatic relief. For philanthropy to be transformative, it needs …
How to promote ethical storytelling of trauma survivors
Successful nonprofit fundraising is often found through storytelling, a powerful rendition of the impacts an organization can make through its …
12 things charities that centre ‘lived experience’ get right
The charity sector is waking up to the value of lived experience – the insights of people directly affected by …
Locally-led Development: Beyond Promises to Action
Over the last couple of years, we have seen an unprecedented number of commitments by funders and philanthropists to support …
Multisolving allows us to address climate and other societal challenges
A climate science workshop series by Active Philanthropy: Episode 7 The start of the annual UN Climate Change Conference serves …
Giving Tuesday: Find Sustainable Success in 2023
In 2022, over $3.1 billion was raised on Giving Tuesday, and donor retention is 2.4 times higher from that day …
Climate action now will have short-and long-term benefits
A climate science workshop series by Active Philanthropy: Episode 5 What paths into the future are still viable, and what …
The Ukraine Airbnb initiative and the weaknesses of ‘disintermediated’ giving
When Russia invaded Ukraine last year, people wanted to help. The way they often do that is by giving money, …
Philanthropy’s crossroads: Navigating dilemmas to champion systemic change
As philanthropy grapples with weighty questions about its responsibility and role in addressing systemic issues, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and the …
Carbon emissions have created our warmer temperatures
A climate science workshop series by Active Philanthropy: Episode 3 The last decade really stands out: For nine years in …