Topher Wilkins

🌟 Embracing Systems Change in Philanthropy: A Necessity for Sustainable Impact 🌟 Heather Grady summarises Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors' Shifting Systems Initiative. This innovative approach is redefining philanthropy, focusing on long-term strategies that tackle the root causes of societal issues. 🛠️ Key Insights for Effective Philanthropy: - Shift Mental Models: Change deep-seated beliefs and attitudes. - Tackle Root Causes: Address conditions that maintain societal issues. - Empower Movements: Support community-led institutions to shift power dynamics. - Collaborative Funding: Encourage pooled resources and unified strategies for greater impact. 💬 Let's Discuss: What are your thoughts on systems change in philanthropy? How can we make a lasting impact together? #philanthropy #systemschange #socialimpact https://lnkd.in/gaY-Q57C

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“By developing a futures culture, philanthropy can stay open and flexible and expand its toolbox with new, non-linear strategies and practices to embrace complexity and uncertainty as a feature of our times” Our latest publication, “Futures Philanthropy: Anticipation for the Common Good”, explores how and why philanthropy could play a role in fostering anticipation for the common good and what anticipation looks like when it is put in the service of society and common interests. Download your copy here! #FuturesPhilanthropy https://bit.ly/4dmtNN8

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Interested in discovering how philanthropy can harness the future-thinking? 📖 In their latest publication, Philea - Philanthropy Europe Association and Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies chart a new pathway for philanthropic organisations to embrace the future as an extensive realm of possibilities ✨ The long-term nature of today's challenges requires us to rethink our way of working, moving from short-term plan to flexibility and innovation. Current practices must evolve to anticipate the common good, enabling communities to thrive towards the future 🔝 Dive into the report to discover how Mercator Foundation Switzerland, Assifero, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation have already implemented a future-thinking strategy. The 3 toolkits provided will also support organisations to start this journey, beginning with introspection and moving into action. https://t.ly/mlaeh #philanthropy #futurethinking #challenges #communities #giving

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ClimateWorks Foundation 2024 Funding Trends Report just dropped. In 2023, climate philanthropy hit a turning point, surging past $9 billion—a 20% jump from 2022—and outpacing overall philanthropic growth for the first time. Foundations led the charge, 3x more contributions over 4 years to reach $4.8 billion in 2023. Clean electricity, forests, and food systems remained top priorities, while fast-rising areas like super pollutants and sustainable finance gained traction. Public engagement emerged as the most-funded enabling strategy, signaling the growing importance of collective action. Yet, disparities persist. While funding to Africa, Asia, and Latin America grew by as much as 220%, 60% still flowed to the U.S. and Europe. The report calls for deeper, longer-term investments in regions and sectors with untapped potential, from Brazil’s pivotal role ahead of COP30 to the underfunded push for industrial decarbonization. The message is clear: philanthropy must go bigger and smarter—collaborate more, commit to multi-year funding, and scale solutions that match the speed of the crisis. The window is narrowing and we know the politics are tough but with decisive action, this could be the philanthropic moment we've been waiting for. https://lnkd.in/eYPEj9Cb

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Lead poisoning remains a critical public health issue, affecting countless children and communities. Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is tackling this challenge head-on with the launch of a major new initiative as part of its “Big Bets” program. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores how RPA aims to reduce lead exposure and protect vulnerable populations through strategic funding and partnerships. Paul Karon Reports: The rationale behind RPA’s focus on lead poisoning as a primary health concern How the “Big Bets” program is structured to tackle pressing issues with significant, targeted funding The anticipated impact on public health and community well-being through this initiative Tagging Latanya Mapp USAID UNICEF Open Philanthropy Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Good Ventures #Philanthropy #PublicHealth #LeadPoisoning #RockefellerPhilanthropy #BigBets #InsidePhilanthropy #SocialImpact #HealthEquity #EnvironmentalJustice

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🟠 Transforming Philanthropy Together The Center for Effective Philanthropy introduces new research on rural philanthropy and foundation-to-foundation collaboration, providing evidence-based insights to improve grant-making and partnerships. This research bridges the gap in guidance for funders by offering practical strategies for navigating collaboration challenges and enhancing rural impact. Whether you're a funder or a leader in the sector, this is a valuable resource for driving meaningful change. 👉 Download the publication and explore the insights here: https://lnkd.in/gfqFE6ni #RuralPhilanthropy #FoundationCollaboration #EffectiveGrantMaking #PhilanthropyInsights #U4Ccenter

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Climate Justice has become a catch phrase for addressing the inequities in the climate movement. As small funders/foundations and CSR enter the space we need to insure that we meets the needs of the most vunrable communities, and not just further exasperate injustice. In the article for Alliance Magazine, I explain how focusing on a just transition and decarbonisation is in it self an injustice to millions around the world. https://lnkd.in/d8h2AbtF

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🔑 Traditional philanthropy often separates funders and community members, creating power imbalances where funders set the rules and practitioners work to meet them. Participatory Grantmaking (PGM) offers a fresh approach by bringing funders and those impacted by funding decisions together. 🌱 Taking this approach a step further, what might happen if the funder were in the room? What would it look like for the funder and fundee to make a new table where they sit together to decide where to allocate funds? 🤝🏾 The Black Systemic Safety Fund project explored these questions and documented the learnings in a series of reports and digestible infographics. 📚 Learn more here: https://hubs.li/Q02Ywn_y0 #systemschange #shiftthepower The Ubele Initiative, Impact on Urban Health

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For those looking to better understand #ClimateJustice, #JustTransition, and #EnvironmentalJustice, Confluence Philanthropy just launched this resource. LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND: Definitions and Resources for Investing in Climate Justice "...embracing these principles may require a fundamental shift in thinking about the appropriateness of pursuing market-rate profits when investing in climate justice. By redefining what success looks like... ethical investors can play a crucial role in creating a more just and sustainable world." https://lnkd.in/eMzWkmFQ Made possible by the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the partnership and contributions of many: Authors: Dana Lanza, Laurin Liu Contributors: Lakshmin Datysgeld Guzman, Sarah DeNicola, Nina Kantcheva Tushev, and Olivia Knight Editorial Committee: Joshua Amponsem, Pedro Henriques da Silva, Mariama Williams And insights and expertise from Candide Group, Climate Justice Alliance Climate Justice Resilience Fund, CEI (Coastal Enterprises, Inc.), The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Morrison Foerster, Pawanka Fund, SHINE Collective, MALI OLE, Raphael Lenaruti, and Karen Swift.

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Typically, when philanthropy engages in movement-led grantmaking, funders set the table and send the invitations. But what's possible when we take a different approach? In this piece for Stanford Social Innovation Review, Colette Pichon Battle and Enei Begaye reflect on the outcome when movement leaders build the table together, and offer insights on what funders can learn from the Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective. Read more about how the Collective engaged in rapid response grantmaking, avoided the clashing of egos through consensus-based decision-making, and ultimately developed a strategy that supported field building, multi-generational power building, and movement infrastructure: https://lnkd.in/gnebP54P

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Unrestricted funding enables nonprofits and organizations to address complex challenges more effectively. EGA member, Shena Cavallo of Global Greengrants Fund co-authors this insightful article, which outlines the problems that arise from restricted funding, and how flexible funding can support more effective partnerships for lasting change. Restricted funding can have several implications, such as: • Driving competition and making collaboration more challenging • Forcing organizations to navigate complex funding requirements which diverts their time away from impactful work • Hindering effective rapid response to emergencies or security threats that activists, organizations, and movements can face “It is critical that donors understand how highly restricted funding — when it is the norm instead of the exception — can hinder and even undermine the intended impact of their investments, especially at the grassroots level. “ 👉Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eFiwtcGy

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I am honored that my blog made this list! While writing the blog, I thought about the current model of philanthropy- reactionary, event-driven, and dependent on the media cycle. To respond effectively to disasters, many things, from our language (#NoNaturalDisasters) to our overall response systems need to adapt. Center for Disaster Philanthropy's webinars are a great way to learn about maximizing your impact and equitable long-term recovery. Check them out!

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Since 2009, the Forest Investment Program (FIP) has disbursed about $US 440 million in 13 countries, accounting for almost one fifth of public international #climatemitigation finance for #forests during that period. Indufor North America just evaluated the FIP and found positive results; although two limitations were failure to focus enough on large-scale drivers of #deforestation and over-estimation of the expansion of #carbonmarkets. They say “Projects focused on land titling for #Indigenous communities, agroforestry, and policy reform/implementation stand out as especially cost-effective, generating sustainable outcomes and leveraging additional finance. Land titling projects in #DRC, #Indonesia, #Mozambique, and #Peru led to communities receiving land titles or registration documents that will protect their rights for generations at US$3-11 per hectare, within the typical range reported for community land titling projects in tropical countries. Projects focused on capacity building for sustainable agroforestry and participation in policy reforms and implementation have also been highly cost-effective, delivering outsized livelihoods benefits and policy reforms per unit cost.” Within this context, the FIP’s Direct Grant Mechanism (DGM) for #IndigenousPeoples and local communities stood out as one of the most successful and innovative components. The DGM has provided $US 34 million for 628 subprojects for strengthening political representation, capacity building, forest management, and tenure rights. DGM national steering committees are composed predominantly of Indigenous and community representatives. “In three countries, the DGM effectively contributed to the legal acknowledgement of significant areas of customary IPLC land” and helped build local capacity everywhere it works. That was only possible though because the DGM was able to adapt the #WorldBank procedures on procurement and safeguards to align them with the realities of the contexts where Indigenous and community organizations work. Even though less than 8% of the funds went to the Indigenous and community sub-grants, they seem to have had an outsized #impact. Hopefully funders will take that into account when designing future programs. #JeffreyHatcher #NehaSharma #PennyDavies #KevinCurrey

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💡Dr. Zeitz and Reverend Redeem Robinson are shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of #grassroots advocacy in the modern era. ✊🏼After delving into their shared experiences of #activism, including their #arrest for demanding #climateaction at the #WhiteHouse🏛️, they address the pressing issues of #voter apathy, the complexities of the #2024election landscape and the need for #reparations for African Americans. #listennow https://lnkd.in/eH53kx7c 🗽With candor and urgency, they examine the need for transformative change in American🦅 #politics and offer practical strategies for mobilizing communities toward a more just and equitable future. ⚖️✊🤝🏼🏳️‍🌈 #justice #equality #changemakers #solidarity #advocacy #activism #activist #equalrights #makechange Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: https://lnkd.in/eGCb5qzy

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Philanthropy support organizations (PSOs) or Social Impact Infrastructure Organizations (SIIO) are the glue that holds the philanthropic ecosystem together plugging in data gaps on both donors and NGOs, and creating an enabling environment for development to thrive. So why are donors not investing in these kinds of organizations? In this Alliance magazine article with support from Propel Philanthropy, Victoria Vrana of GlobalGiving shares insights from her vantage point investing in philanthropic infrastructure at the time with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation building SIIOs such as GivingTuesday and GlobalGiving. SIIOs need to better track their results and collaborate with each other to build synergy and attract more support. For funders, they need to fund SIIOs with multi-year general operating dollars, stick with them for the long haul and keep the big picture in mind that investing in a philanthropy support organization creates the infrastructure that simply multiplies the impact of thousands of NGOs. #AllwellTalksDevelopment #philanthropy #Africanphilanthropy #FundraiseWithAllwell #donor #grants #internationaldevelopment https://lnkd.in/dJtsg57V

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New Profit, through its Catalyze cohort in Unlocked Futures, will provide $100,000 of one-year unrestricted funding, $10,000 of funding for leadership development, and strategic advisory support to ten innovative nonprofit organizations focused on expanding access and opportunity in America.  The Unlocked Futures cohort will provide funding to organizations led by justice-impacted social entrepreneurs to increase visibility and remove barriers to capital for justice-impacted individuals and communities, including those who have been incarcerated or detained in a prison, immigration detention center, local jail, juvenile detention center, or any other carceral setting, those who have been convicted but not incarcerated, those who have been charged but not convicted, and those who have been arrested (LSAC).

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Climate change affects us all AND the issues we all care about — even if we don’t think they’re related. We’re currently reading this piece on the Lumina Foundation’s site that helps connect the dots, and is a call to action for the philanthropic sector to scale their support and funding for climate solutions. Originally published in Inside Philanthropy and authored by three of The Aspen Institute’s Higher Ed Climate Action Task Force members – Lumina Foundation President and CEO Jamie Merisotis, College Futures Foundation President and CEO Eloy Ortiz Oakley, and Waverley Street Foundation Managing Director and Chief of Staff Lande Ajose – the piece explores how the climate crisis hinders efforts to improve education, fight poverty, and address health disparities – key issues prioritized by philanthropy. Their advice for philanthropic organizations who want to advance their social missions while addressing climate change:     ✅ Amplify and prioritize climate issues to gain momentum      ✅ Promote equity by boosting communities who are at the center of the work and are most affected      ✅ Promote greater climate literacy and awareness You can read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/e8MuFBYE #Philanthropy #Climate #Sustainability #ClimateAction #HigherEducation #HigherEd #Nonprofit #GreenJobs

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Former TAI steering committee members Kecia Bertermann and Andy Martin highlight a key issue in philanthropy: the absence of mechanisms for incorporating disconfirming evidence limits grantmakers' impact. They raise an important question: what might philanthropy's version of peer review or judicial appeal look like? Their insights encourage a critical examination of how we can enhance accountability and effectiveness in grantmaking. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eq2txRK6 #Philanthropy #Grantmaking #Impact #PeerReview #Accountability #Innovation Stanford Social Innovation Review

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