Weekly Reads—April 28, 2025

Enjoy PEAK’s weekly roundup of timely insights from the grantmaking community and beyond.

“In the current scenes playing out on the national and global stage, philanthropy must embrace its supporting role and bring to bear all our tools and strategies to our maximum capacity if we are to have any credibility in speaking about our values and missions. We understand that this is a long game, and that what we invest in now will help us all build a brighter future. By having a multiyear, flexible spending approach with significantly increased payout, and offering support beyond the grant, we can be true allies to our nonprofit partners and community-based groups and contribute to our collective resilience.” [more]
Gabriela Alcalde and Thomas Mitchell, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, for the Center for Effective Philanthropy

“It may be tempting to lie low and guard our resources—but that will not serve the nonprofits we fund, the people they serve, and the institutions we rely on to thrive. For those who can afford to increase their giving to address increased needs, let’s give more. The stakes for democracy are existential, and the price of inaction is our freedom.” [more]
Tonya Allen, McKnight Foundation; Deepak Bhargava, Freedom Together Foundation; and John Palfrey, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for Nonprofit Quarterly

“When thinking about power and trust, we can help our philanthropic colleagues and boards see that power can manifest differently. It is a powerful position to be in deep relationships with organizations, creating necessary, impactful change for our communities. Endowments are a way to deploy trust-based capital without strings, but with support.” [more]
Daniel Ash, Field Foundation of Illinois; Sharon Bush, Grand Victoria Foundation; and John H. Jackson, Schott Foundation, for The National Center for Family Philanthropy

“A lack of familiarity with trust-based philanthropy has led to the impression that this giving approach is un-strategic, under-supervised, and less likely to produce results. However, philanthropy is more impactful when it’s collaborative and when accountability is shared.” [more]
Vanguard Charitable