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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.
Almost 20 years ago, I accepted my first job in philanthropy. Right before I started, a mentor of mine asked, “Brenda, who do you think you will be accountable to when you start your new program officer job?” “My new boss,” I said immediately. “No,” he said, “Try...
It’s easy to understand the appeal of impact investing, particularly for philanthropists with donor-advised funds (DAFs). With a DAF — which works like a charitable checking account — donors recommend both how the assets in their fund are invested and where they are...
There is one word that stuck with me across all of the sessions I attended at CEP’s Stronger Philanthropy conference last month, and which hitched a ride home with me as a whisper in my ear that has been present every day since. That word? Listen. Law and...
At Fund for Shared Insight, the funder collaborative I have the privilege of managing, our mission is to help foundations and nonprofits meaningfully connect with each other and with the people and communities they seek to help — and be more open to their input and...
In an era when government has become less capable of solving problems due to increasing political polarization, dysfunction, and fiscal austerity, philanthropists are recognizing the need to support effective policy reform efforts that can break through the gridlock...
As a new fellow at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one thing that has surprised me most is the constant advice I receive on my career in philanthropy. I am new to the sector, and thus appreciate the unique opportunity to receive thoughtful advice on my...
While the idea and practice of using feedback to better inform and improve performance is gaining prominence in the social sector, the earliest adopters have been almost exclusively organizations that provide direct services to clients. Providing direct services is...
This post originally appeared on the Community Wealth Partners blog. As Grant Oliphant of the Heinz Endowments kicked off the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2019 conference, he reminded us of the seriousness of the time we’re in — increasing income...
Last week, I had the pleasure of helping to lead a discussion at CEP’s biennial national conference about the critical partnership between foundation CEOs and boards. I was joined by two fantastic leaders from the Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF):...
This past September, the Howard Gilman Foundation received its first Grantee Perception Report (GPR) results from CEP, which included a few recommendations for next steps based on grantee feedback. As a team, we found the first of the recommendations to be...
Almost as quickly as it began, the 2019 CEP Conference has come to a close. From a highly interactive opening plenary about the role of money and markets in a just society with political philosopher Michael Sandel to a gripping and insightful conversation...
It’s been a whirlwind so far, but Day 2 of the CEP 2019 Conference is over, having brought thoughtful debate, new data to digest, and plenty of opportunities for conversation and reflection about navigating the challenges philanthropy faces in the current...
And in the blink of an eye, Day 1 of the CEP 2019 Conference in Minneapolis has come to a close. Highlights included a highly interactive and engaging opening plenary with political philosopher Michael Sandel, a special Twin Cities’ welcome from...
The 2019 Center for Effective Philanthropy Conference is finally here! If you’re one of the nearly 500 attendees joining us in Minneapolis-St. Paul tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming you to the Twin Cities. Unable to be with us? Fear not! We’re excited to share...
A considerable number of philanthropists and foundations seem to be trying to get their philanthropic vehicles “from zero to sixty” these days. With one of the largest wealth transfers in history underway and a new “golden age” of philanthropy anticipated, families...
Imagine the following scenario: an entrepreneur has achieved tremendous success and, finding herself a billionaire, is motivated to give back to help change the world. She contributes billions to endow a new foundation focused on a problem that she feels certain is...
The flight was delayed due to bad weather in Washington, and I found myself bumped to standby. Boarding the shuttle flight late out of Logan, coach looked full. A stewardess saw me floundering and gestured toward first class. “There’s an open seat up there,” she...
The Kenneth Rainin Foundation is celebrating our 10th anniversary of formal grantmaking this year. We’ve been thinking a lot lately about where we’ve been and where we’re going, so we were delighted with the timely invitation to participate in the Center for Effective...
The two of us were reminiscing recently about the first time we sat down with the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) team. It was in 2003, just a few years after CEP got its start. We immediately saw CEP’s big datasets and rigorous research as great means for...
[vc_row el_class="sixtysix-thirtythree"][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]It’s time to take back the discussion of effective philanthropy from those who don’t really know what they’re talking about. It needs to happen — and there’s...