philanthropy - Wiktor Dynarski

Five Years in: Reflecting on Philanthropy as a Former Grantee

Jan 29, 2022

In a few weeks, I will be celebrating the fifth anniversary of my move from community-led civil society to private philanthropy. In these last few years, I have learned a tremendous amount, especially about funding practices and how they are shaped. Becoming someone ‘on the other side’ helped me dive into what grant-makers value in relation to strategy as well as how the grantees’ work and its outcomes fits into a broader vision. On the...

Six Lessons from 2020 to Reshape Philanthropy in 2021 and Beyond

Feb 1, 2021

Much has been said about the treacherous year that was 2020. We loved discussing its awfulness as much as we enjoyed saying our final goodbyes to it. Some outlets have even taken extra steps to remind us what exactly happened in this rollercoaster of a year, all with varying results. A few weeks ago, Netflix released its mockumentary Death to 2020, in which celebrities posing as fictional affluent figures take us through the last 12...

Changing Power Here and Now. How to Adjust Your Philanthropic Practice

Feb 24, 2020

Named by Inside Philanthropy the thorniest topic of 2019 (with race as its runner-up), the concept of power has been in the center of philanthropic discussions for a number of years, fueling conversations on who remains excluded from decision-making processes, how the sector perpetuates systemic oppressions (including those it seeks to dismantle), and about the very nature of institutional giving, especially in times of great disregard for and criticism of wealthy people’s engagement and influence...

When Funding Direct Services Enables Advocacy and Community Building Potential

Nov 18, 2019

In today’s private philanthropy, especially the part of the sector tailored to empowering and bringing about change for marginalized communities, one of the most prominent strategic tensions linked to a difference in perspectives between grant-makers and grantees is the issue of direct services and whether to engage in funding them or not. This tension, however, may not always speak to the needs of existing or prospective grantees for whom direct services can, and often are,...

Seven Things U.S. Philanthropic Institutions Get Wrong About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Jun 10, 2019

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become an important topic of conversation around institutional giving, especially for foundations whose primary goal is to support and build up marginalized communities and whose values are rooted in social justice principles. It is likely that, if you are a philanthropic professional yourself, you have heard the acronym D&I mentioned all around either at your workplace or throughout the various affinity groups you are active in. It is also...

Tracking Philanthropic Spending Matters. Especially for Trans and Intersex Movements

Mar 8, 2019

The question of how effectively monitor philanthropic response to human rights concerns and violations is one asked often, especially by beneficiaries who want to understand the bigger picture of availability of aid to their cause. Whether it poses further asks concerning accountability or influence on the work carried out by non-governmental actors and other stakeholders, knowing which groups both receive and disburse institutional funding is crucial in shaping how funders work and take strategic decisions...

To Heal Philanthropy. What Newcomers to the Sector Can Learn from Edgar Villanueva

Feb 1, 2019

“Decolonizing Wealth” should become a mandatory read for anyone who decides to make institutionalized philanthropy their career path. Or better yet, anyone considering the sector as part of their work experience, even if that consideration itself lasts a split second. The reasons for that are simple, Edgar Villanueva, who has been engaged in philanthropic work for the last 15 years (and would most likely, and rightfully so!, criticize the way I framed the sector as...

Five Years in: Reflecting on Philanthropy as a Former Grantee

Six Lessons from 2020 to Reshape Philanthropy in 2021 and Beyond

Changing Power Here and Now. How to Adjust Your Philanthropic Practice

When Funding Direct Services Enables Advocacy and Community Building Potential

Tracking Philanthropic Spending Matters. Especially for Trans and Intersex Movements

To Heal Philanthropy. What Newcomers to the Sector Can Learn from Edgar Villanueva

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Five Years in: Reflecting on Philanthropy as a Former Grantee

Six Lessons from 2020 to Reshape Philanthropy in 2021 and Beyond

Changing Power Here and Now. How to Adjust Your Philanthropic Practice

When Funding Direct Services Enables Advocacy and Community Building Potential

Seven Things U.S. Philanthropic Institutions Get Wrong About Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Tracking Philanthropic Spending Matters. Especially for Trans and Intersex Movements

To Heal Philanthropy. What Newcomers to the Sector Can Learn from Edgar Villanueva

Languages

Posts Categories

Annual Archive

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