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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.
by Cynthia SteeleCEP Staff | Sep 6, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
There is no group more qualified to lead solutions to our world’s most pressing problems than the communities who directly experience them. For young people in emerging markets — who are disproportionately affected by issues such as climate change, gender inequity,...
by Regine WebsterCEP Staff | Sep 1, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
From a global pandemic to the recent invasion of Ukraine, globally impactful disasters are an increasingly frequent part of our reality, and thus an important factor as funders consider grantmaking priorities and the funding landscape in which they operate. In light...
by Chloe HeskettChloe Heskett | Aug 30, 2022 | InterviewInterview
[vc_row el_class="sixtysix-thirtythree"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]A little more than six years ago, Olatunde Sobomehin co-founded the organization StreetCode Academy, a California-based nonprofit that provides technology access, skills learning, and...
by Natalie Roetzel OssenfortCEP Staff | Aug 25, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
With midterm elections looming on the horizon, many foundations are asking the question: What can we do to get out the vote, educate the voting public, and support our grantees’ important election season advocacy work? The good news is that even during an election...
by Taryn HigashiCEP Staff | Aug 23, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s report, Much Alarm, Less Action: Foundations and Climate Change, reveals that many non-climate funders see climate change as outside the scope of their mission and resources, but still believe that it’s an urgent problem and...
by Alex Gray, Sally RayCEP Staff | Aug 18, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
From a global pandemic to the recent invasion of Ukraine, globally impactful disasters are an increasingly frequent part of our reality, and thus an important factor as funders consider grantmaking priorities and the funding landscape in which they operate. In light...
by Jehan VeljiCEP Staff | Aug 16, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
The Hewlett Foundation believes that the climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our lifetime and impacts everything we do — it’s why we have dedicated over $1 billion to driving climate solutions and why we’ve been huge advocates to get more money into...
by Sheila LeddyCEP Staff | Aug 11, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
It seems that a week does not go by without another stark warning about climate change and the closing window to mitigate its worst impacts. The most recent reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change are nothing less than scary. Increasingly, warnings...
by Chantal ForsterCEP Staff | Aug 9, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
The calls for transformation in philanthropy have become so commonplace in the past two years as to become a new normal. Whether it’s trust-based philanthropy, participatory grantmaking, common data platforms, or calls for alternate reporting formats, important shifts...
by Paige BrownCEP Staff | Aug 4, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
As the director of the Climate and Energy Funders Group (CEFG), one part of my job is fervently making the case for more donors to fund climate and clean energy work. We absolutely need more funders in the space. Yet, I understand how donors can be torn by the urgent...
by Vince StehleVince Stehle | Aug 1, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
This post first appeared on Media Impact Funders’ blog. It is reposted here with permission. Across America, there is a battle being fought in state houses and school boards over the future of our society, and whether we will continue to build on progress to be a...
by Arturo Garcia-CostasCEP Staff | Jul 28, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
Even before the pandemic and nationwide racial justice demonstrations gripped the nation in 2020, “climate philanthropy” was rapidly expanding and evolving, with large foundations and mega-donors pledging billions of additional dollars to address the climate crisis....
by Patricia McIlreavyPatricia McIlreavy | Jul 26, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
From a global pandemic to the recent invasion of Ukraine, globally impactful disasters are an increasingly frequent part of our reality, and thus an important factor as funders consider grantmaking priorities and the funding landscape in which they operate. In light...
by Jessie RasmussenCEP Staff | Jul 21, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
Philanthropy has never had an opportunity like we now have to make a meaningful difference in the lives and futures of America’s youngest kids. Big, private investments in early childhood advocacy can be a game-changer for millions of families. Many lawmakers see...
by Stephen Heintz, Deborah BurkeCEP Staff | Jul 19, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
Of all the obstacles to human dignity, creativity, and survival, the accelerating impact of the climate crisis is one of the most existential. The result of burning carbon and other greenhouse gases for over 150 years is already causing hotter temperatures, more...
by Shawn ReifsteckCEP Staff | Jul 14, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
Climate change alarm bells have been ringing for decades, but only more recently has the crisis begun to unfold at a breathtaking pace with far-reaching impacts that leave no community untouched. As the climate emergency has intensified, the philanthropic response has...
by Katarina MalmgrenKatarina Malmgren | Jul 12, 2022 | ResearchResearch
As a kid growing up in Louisiana, one of the first times I ever learned about climate change was in science class, when we were taught that we were slowly sinking into the sea. Our teachers explained this coastal land loss to us in maybe the most American unit...
by Jimmy Simpson, Jr., Jen de ForestCEP Staff | Jul 7, 2022 | YouthTruthYouthTruth
I (Jimmy) pulled the brim of my baseball cap down and turned as far as possible towards the airplane window so I could hide my tears from the man sitting next to me in 22B. I don’t think I succeeded. How could I? I was watching Netflix’s new hit show “Heartstopper,”...
by Mena BoyadzhievMena Boyadzhiev | Jul 6, 2022 | Assessment & Advisory ServicesAssessment & Advisory Services, Assessment & Advisory ServicesQ&A
In my conversations with funders who engage with the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) on assessments and advisory engagements, I’ve heard that what many of our foundation partners find most challenging are the “Now what?” discussions that come after an...
by David DahlinCEP Staff | Jun 30, 2022 | Guest AuthorGuest Author
Welcome to the new era of impact investing with opportunities to invest in Main Street as well as Wall Street and significantly amplify funder’s mission attainment. In 2017, the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance was launched to create a network of leaders...