International Fellows Program Alumni Conference

Cheers to a successful International Fellows Program Alumni Conference! The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Graduate Center, City University of New York International Fellows Program Alumni in Milan, Italy

Case Study: Together We Give

“In today’s world where individual giving often means writing a check, giving circles offer a more participatory form of grantmaking” – GRANTCRAFT a service of Foundation Center Developed as part of a series of stories shared through the Pittsburgh Philanthropy Project, Together We Give is a case study featuring Sankofa Fund of Southwestern Pennsylvania.  The study…

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Remembering Actor and Philanthropist Bill Nunn

On October 20th, Film Director Spike Lee announced the opportunity to pre-order the 40 Acres X Bill Nunn Legacy Foundation Radio Raheem Tee, a special limited edition release featuring original artwork by XPayne Art.  All proceeds from sales go to the POISE Foundation’s Bill Nunn Legacy Fund which primarily supports the Bill Nunn Theater Outreach Project . The POISE Foundation is…

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Celebrating 8 Years of Black Philanthropy

Eight years ago, my friend Tracey Webb (left) created something amazing and truly unique in BlackGivesBack.com.  Today she shared her farewell message for the blog. I salute Tracey for her dedication! She showcased a reality in philanthropy that many  never knew existed. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to her great work…

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Community Foundations & Giving Circles in the News

It has been a great news week for giving circles.  I’m particularly grateful for the Nonprofit Quarterly article, Asian Giving Circles Bring Heart, Focus & Community to Individual Philanthropy.  In it, Editor-in-Chief Ruth McCambridge writes: Some observe that giving circles hold great promise for a more grounded form of community-based philanthropy. This report, entitled “The Value…

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Give Get Grow Challenge: Bringing Community Foundations & Giving Circles Closer

I am a big fan of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP). Their work always inspires me, but the recent announcement of their Give Get Grow Challenge is particularly exciting. While their giving circles in some regions have strategically partnered with community foundations to start donor advised funds as a way to connect the AANHPI…

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Black Philanthropy Month: A Season of Change

Black Philanthropy Month 2015 is a multimedia campaign to inform, inspire and invest in Black philanthropic leadership. Entering its fifth year of observance, it is part of an unprecedented coordinated initiative to strengthen African-American and African-descent giving in all its forms. High-impact events, media stories, service projects and giving opportunities compose the annual campaign, which kicked off…

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C.S. Mott Foundation and the Fellowship Experience

From the BlackGivesBack Facebook page: “We’re proud of BGB contributor Akira Barclay, a 2012 Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society International Fellow! Her research topic focused on the evolution of Black giving circles and community foundations. She shared, “I will continue to use my position as a thought leader in the field to promote the…

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COF Fall 2014 Conference for Community Foundations #CF100

Global Perspectives for Local Action – Next week I will join Anderson Giovani da Silva, CEO, ICom – Instituto Comunitario Grande Florianopolis for a panel discussion about community philanthropy experiences and strategies from global practice.  I look forward to sharing how giving circles are strengthening the work of community philanthropy.