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The CEP blog aims to offer a range of perspectives, experiences, and opinions related to effective philanthropic practice. We welcome submissions that address crucial issues facing individual and institutional donors and are not self-promotional in nature. The views expressed in these posts are not necessarily CEP’s own.

 

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Spaciousness, Trust, and Collaboration: Reflections on the Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s FundingMarcus Walton President & CEO, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)
Spaciousness, Trust, and Collaboration: Reflections on the Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s Funding

On behalf of the Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) staff, board, and community of colleagues representing multiple industry sectors and areas of focus, we reiterate our gratitude for being included in the 2021 cohort of grant recipients for Mackenzie...

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Reparations is an Investment in the FutureTonyel Edwards Partner, The Bridgespan GroupCora Daniels Senior Editorial Director, BridgespanIvy Nyayieka Racial Justice Media Fellow, The Bridgespan Group
Reparations is an Investment in the Future

What will it take to create a more equitable America? Increasingly, that conversation is turning to reparations for Black people and building a culture of racial repair for everyone, as the missing piece. As of now, at least 80 national funders, including the Ford...

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10 (Additional) Lessons Learned for Funders Considering the Grantee Perception ReportLaura Bacon Former Director, Partner Support, Luminate
10 (Additional) Lessons Learned for Funders Considering the Grantee Perception Report

In 2020, Luminate, a global philanthropic organization, commissioned CEP to survey its grantee partners through the Grantee Perception Report (GPR). In 2023, Luminate commissioned a second Grantee Perception Report. This blog is a follow-up to the “10...

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How to Move from Giving to Co-Creating: A Playbook for Program OfficersTracy McFerrin Founder and Principal, Credo AdvisorsKathleen Boyle Dalen Founder and Principal, KBD Consulting
How to Move from Giving to Co-Creating: A Playbook for Program Officers

Our beliefs and attitudes determine how we interpret and respond to the world. This is no less true for how we define success and failure than it is for how we approach philanthropy. Our mindset can make all the difference in how we show up, interpret, and respond to...

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Emerging Impacts: Going Deeper on the Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s Large, Unrestricted GiftsEllie Buteau, Ph.D. Director of Research Projects and Special Advisor on Research Methodology and Analysis, CEPChristina Im Senior Analyst, Research, CEP
Emerging Impacts: Going Deeper on the Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s Large, Unrestricted Gifts

The positive effects of MacKenzie Scott’s massive, unrestricted gifts are increasingly apparent and, to date, the experiences of recipient organizations belie widespread concerns about negative unintended consequences from her approach. These are among the key...

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Weaving Trust-Based Philanthropy into a Participatory InitiativeWinifred Olliff Director of Operations, Borealis Philanthropy, ConsultantKaty Love Consultant; Former Director of Grantmaking, Wikimedia Foundation
Weaving Trust-Based Philanthropy into a Participatory Initiative

Funders across the United States are shifting their approaches to philanthropy in order to more meaningfully involve and shift power to people from the communities they are funding. Two popular approaches that may provide a counterweight to the harmful power dynamics...

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Philanthropy’s Role in Making Climate Change a Greater Bipartisan PriorityMorgan Chrisman Director of Policy and Research, Climate Solutions Action FundGeorge Gemelas Co-Founder, Climate Solutions Action Fund
Philanthropy’s Role in Making Climate Change a Greater Bipartisan Priority

Recent commentary by former Republican officials has drawn attention to the question of philanthropic funding for engaging right-of-center constituencies on climate change. Writing in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Politico, former representatives Carlos Curbelo...

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Investing in the Black Rural South to Enable Social Mobility NationwideMike Soskis Principal, The Bridgespan GroupAngie Estevez Prada Consultant, The Bridgespan GroupMark McKeag Partner, The Bridgespan Group
Investing in the Black Rural South to Enable Social Mobility Nationwide

In the past decade, eye-opening data on the fading of the American Dream have prompted a range of philanthropic efforts to boost economic mobility in the U.S. In recent years, many funders have devoted more attention to elevating economic mobility...

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