Calls for changes in funder practice are not new. Sector leaders have long asked funders to provide more unrestricted funding; streamline processes; listen to and trust their grantees; and pursue racial equity and racial justice. But little changed until 2020. Now, foundation leaders say they are making many changes to their work, and many say they will sustain these changes. (Will they? Time will tell.)
In this short talk, Naomi Orensten, director, research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy will share key findings from CEP’s research report, Foundations Respond to Crisis: Lasting Change? Attendees will leave the session with an understanding of the ways in which funder practice have shifted as well as opportunities for further progress. Participants will be encouraged to consider what this means for philanthropy, broadly, and for their own foundations. To foster learning and inspire further action, we hope that attendees will utilize the companion piece to this report, In Their Own Words – Funders Share Stories of Change. In this resource, eight foundation leaders share — in their own words — the most important changes they have made at their foundation since 2020 that they plan to sustain going forward.