Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Post

Coming your way on Tuesday, February 6th, 1-4 pm ET, we'll be hosting "Making the Case for Trust-Based Philanthropy." This interactive 3-hour workshop is the perfect opportunity to gather with your peers for a breakdown of all that you want to know about making the case for trust-based philanthropy! Join us as we discuss: 💡 Talking points for getting the conversation started 💡 Answers to the most frequently asked questions 💡 Ways to get ahead of tricky misperceptions 💡 Opportunities to leverage insights from nonprofits to jumpstart change. Learn more and RSVP below

“As we approach Giving Tuesday, our message is twofold. First, to large-scale funders: We acknowledge that changing systems and practices that have been in place for generations is hard. But it is never too late to take steps toward a more equitable approach to giving. And to everyone else reading this piece: Remember that anyone who gives is a philanthropist. You have the power to give differently, to give in a way that respects leaders who are confronting challenges within communities you deeply care about.” Philanthropy doesn’t always get it right. Let’s rethink how we give

“As we approach Giving Tuesday, our message is twofold. First, to large-scale funders: We acknowledge that changing systems and practices that have been in place for generations is hard. But it is never too late to take steps toward a more equitable approach to giving. And to everyone else reading this piece: Remember that anyone who gives is a philanthropist. You have the power to give differently, to give in a way that respects leaders who are confronting challenges within communities you deeply care about.” Philanthropy doesn’t always get it right. Let’s rethink how we give

Centering Lived-Experience in Philanthropy According to Overlooked (Part One), a Center for Effective Philanthropy study, “the biggest predictor of strong foundation-grantee relationships is foundations’ understanding of grantees’ organizations and the contexts in which they operate.” The funders who take the time to understand their grantees’ communities, engage with them on the issues, and ask them for input build trust and deeper relationships. This approach empowers the grantees to do their best work, and to thrive themselves. https://lnkd.in/eK6ZhXev

Innovative corporate philanthropy models have led to a 25% increase in community project funding and support. But why are these models making such a difference? 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀: 1) Corporate philanthropy promotes lasting community support. 2) Giving to the community helps to improve corporate reputation and trust. 3) Donation matching results in higher employee engagement and satisfaction. The main reason for this is that these models insert giving into core business strategies, using the company's resources and expertise to create long-term impact. So, what can we do? Integrate these innovative philanthropic strategies in a way that matches your company's mission and community needs.

Looking for a quick, insightful read? Check out this The Chronicle of Philanthropy article on how Mackenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates are revolutionizing philanthropy. While their approaches to giving differ, both are trailblazing by embracing trust-based philanthropy and challenging traditional power dynamics in the sector. A must-read for anyone interested in the future of giving! https://buff.ly/46MXggj

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes this winter to get our mission language & board governance more focused so that we can more effectively appeal to corporate and foundational giving programs. This article helps explain why that work was so necessary:

Grab your virtual ticket and join us for a special skill-building webinar on Making the Case for Trust-Based Philanthropy on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, 1-4pm ET. This #webinar breaks down all that you want to know about making the case for #trustbasedphilanthropy, including: 💡 Talking points for getting the conversation started 💡 Answers to the most frequently asked questions 💡 Ways to get ahead of tricky misperceptions 💡 Opportunities to leverage insights and data from nonprofits to jumpstart change Learn more and register below!

Yesterday, we held an incredible discussion on the opportunities for philanthropy to reimagine top-down models to center individuals and communities in creating their own solutions. FSG CEO John Harper was joined by Steve Phillips, founder and author of Democracy in Color, and Mark Kramer, co-founder and current board chair at FSG. It was great to hear reflections from both Steve and Mark, who have been in the philanthropy space for decades as donors, researchers, community organizers, and authors. Some insights from the conversation: 💭 “It’s not that we don’t need philanthropy, and it’s not that we don’t need strategy or research. It’s that we shouldn’t be focused on trying to find innovative new solutions rather than supporting individuals and communities to create their own solutions” - Mark Kramer 💭 “People are more important than strategies or plans. Without the right people, strategies or plans will fail.” - Steve Phillips 💭 “It is exciting to see philanthropy shift from being the center of social change efforts to being more of a facilitator, connector, and learner in a larger ecosystem of actors working to create lasting change.” - John Harper Watch the recording here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e5saqRiR

Philanthropy as I know it: Traditional philanthropy and corporate philanthropy, while both rooted in the idea of giving back to the community and supporting those in need, differ fundamentally in their motivations, guiding principles, and operational approaches. Traditional philanthropy is deeply embedded in philosophical beliefs and moral teachings found in Philosophies. It is often driven by a sense of duty and compassion, reflecting the teachings of the Masters of different philosophical schools about loving one’s neighbor, helping the poor, and acting justly. E.g The Bible, particularly in passages such as Matthew 25:35-40 and James 1:27, encourages believers to care for the hungry, the sick, the stranger, and the widow, seeing these acts as direct services of ones faith. In Chapters 7–12 of The Vagwad Gita shows the path of bhakti (Devotion) yoga, help is proffered and spirits are healed through love—through the soul’s love for that which is eternal, and through the love of the eternal for each soul. Traditional philanthropy is thus motivated by spiritual vocation and the desire to embody Eternal values through tangible acts of kindness and support expecting none in return. Organizations like Missionaries of Charity, Ramakrishna Mission for example, engage in humanitarian work that aligns with their philosophical mission bind with their faith on the eternal. Corporate philanthropy, on the other hand, is primarily driven by strategic business interests, though it also aims to contribute positively to society. This form of philanthropy involves companies donating money, resources, or time to social causes, but the motivations can range from enhancing corporate reputation to fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandates, improving employee morale, and creating a favorable business environment. Unlike Traditional philanthropy, corporate philanthropy is often tied to measurable outcomes and strategic benefits for the business. For instance, a corporation might sponsor environmental sustainability projects to improve its public image and comply with regulations, or invest in community education programs to build a skilled workforce that could benefit the company in the long term. Examples of corporate philanthropy include the initiatives of companies like Google’s Google.org, which funds innovative projects for social change, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which, while not a corporation, exemplifies strategic, large-scale philanthropy influenced by business acumen. In essence, while both Traditional and corporate philanthropy seek to address societal issues and support those in need, they are distinguished by their underlying motivations: Traditional philanthropy is driven by Philosophy and moral imperatives, aiming to reflect and spread life changing universal values, whereas corporate philanthropy is often driven by strategic goals that align social good with business interests.