News and Insights

Introducing Philanthropy & the Renewal of Democracy by Daniel Kemmis

04/23/2014

We’re very proud to present a new monograph from Daniel Kemmis, “Philanthropy and the Renewal of Democracy: Is it Time to Step Up Our Game?” We’ve published this in collaboration with the Kettering Foundation, because we believe that there is an intimate and vital connection between philanthropy’s aspirations to build a better society and the daily practice of democracy and civic engagement. In this new work, Kemmis offers both an appreciative history and some probing questions grounded in current events. more »

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Our New Report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

04/23/2014

We're excited to share with your our latest report, "Vision and Voice: The Role of Leadership and Dialogue in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." Produced in partnership with the D5 Coalition and the Seattle University Nonprofit Leadership Program, "Vision and Voice" is the product of a year-long process of research and dialogue with northwest foundation leaders about issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in philanthropy. It includes findings from interviews with 23 regional foundation leaders and an in-depth exploration of a unique peer cohort we facilitated, consisting of 10 leaders who met on an ongoing basis to discuss and support each other in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their organizations. more »

An Interview with Kelly Brown, Director of the D5 Coalition

04/16/2014

We've got a big conference coming up, and we're thrilled that Kelly Brown, director of the D5 Coalition, will be joining us to talk about diversity, equity and inclusiveness in philanthropy in both a plenary and a workshop session. To whet your appetite, here's a short interview Philanthropy Northwest CEO Jeff Clarke conducted with Kelly over email last week. more »

Partnering with Government to Disrupt Inequality

04/10/2014

by Audrey Haberman, The Giving Practice - Like many of you, I am thinking a lot about income inequality these days. I have been honored to serve on the Mayor’s Income Inequality Advisory Committee, which is tasked with presenting a proposal to the Seattle City Council to raise the minimum wage in Seattle. It has been a wonderful, difficult and complex process. more »

Want Greater Impact? Have a Conversation First

04/02/2014

by Ted Lord, The Giving Practice. Collective Impact, philanthropy’s flavor of the day, has entered its back-biting season — a positive sign, given that push back is often a signal that a creative disruption is working. In this blog post, I’ll parse why the funder community has so enthusiastically embraced Collective Impact and how it has already produced learnings that we shouldn’t throw out when its season as the shiny new thing inevitably ends. more »

Practices That Matter – Project Streamline Takes Stock of Streamlining

06/03/2013

Five years ago, Project Streamline – a field-wide effort led by the Grants Managers Network – published “Drowning in Paperwork, Distracted From Purpose,” a study of the burdens of application and reporting. In a new report, Practices That Matter, Project Streamline documents how, even as many foundations are increasingly aware of and committed to streamlining, the average nonprofit organization still experiences a burdensome process. more »

Everyone in the Room

06/03/2013

The Russell Family Foundation's Richard Woo on moving towards "...a sustainable and peaceful world for people, places and communities." Their work on the Puyallup Watershed Initiative embodies the three principles they follow: taking a place-based approach, embracing differences, and being a learning organization. more »

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