Assets & Financial Inclusion
Most Recent
A Funding Intermediary Goes to Bat for Government-Run Options in Local Economies
A new fund at the Economic Security Project is channeling money from some big-name grantmakers to promote publicly run businesses as a way to keep local markets competitive and to channel federal funding.
The Leader of This Growing West Coast Funder Is Zeroing in on the Promise and Perils of AI
The Heising-Simons Foundation’s CEO Fund allows the head of the foundation to choose a priority area to support. Sushma Raman reflects on why she chose to focus on AI, and on her first year as head of the foundation.
A Conversation with Flozell Daniels Jr., CEO of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Flozell Daniels Jr. heads up this North Carolina-based funder focused on economic justice and racial equity in the South. In a candid chat, he reflects on his career, philanthropy’s blind spots and more.
Gates Sticks With U.S. Antipoverty Giving, But Deeper Structural Questions Remain
In a year-end update, the Gates Foundation announced $100 million in new stateside antipoverty commitments. But amid sky-high wealth inequality, the chances that billionaire giving will get to the roots of the problem remain slim.
A Cross-Sector Coalition Raises Nearly $1 Billion to Tackle Racial Wealth Inequality in the Twin Cities
In its mission to take on stubborn racial wealth divides in Minneapolis-St. Paul, the GroundBreak initiative has the backing of partners spanning philanthropy, the private sector and government. Here’s a closer look.
This Chicago-Based Initiative Is Combining Grants and Investments to Cultivate Black Ownership
One of the factors driving the racial wealth gap is a lack of owned commercial property. In an effort to remedy that, a multifaceted initiative is purchasing properties to house local businesses in communities of color.
Philanthropy Helps Tap Gentrifiers’ Social Connections in Philly Poverty Alleviation Project
In Philadelphia’s Norris Square neighborhood, the nonprofit Xiente is putting philanthropic dollars to use partly in pursuit of an ambitious goal: tapping well-off newcomers’ social networks to help existing residents rise.
This Funding Intermediary Is Giving Guaranteed Income a Boost
UpTogether is one of a number of philanthropic efforts supporting local guaranteed income pilots across the country. In the wake of the pandemic, funders remain interested in direct cash, no longer quite so radical an idea.
A Billionaire Couple Takes Aim at the Medical Debt Weighing Down American Families
Medical debt forces families to choose between buying groceries and paying bills, and prevents them from seeking further care. The Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation gave a boost to an effort to wipe out such debt.
What the Fall of Silicon Valley Bank Says About Who’s Allowed to Take Risks
Guest author Lynne Hoey reflects on the ironies of a system in which people of color seeking resources are told they lack expertise by the same wealth-holders who fail again and again, and get bailed out.
What We Learned From a Deep Dive into Economic Justice Advocacy Funding
For our latest State of American Philanthropy report, we analyzed the small pool of funders taking on the public policies and power arrangements that govern economic life. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening.
“It’s Not Just About Moving Money.” How Solidaire Is Challenging Wealth, Power and Privilege
For going on 10 years, the Solidaire Network has been advising wealthy donors seeking to support progressive causes. It’s also challenging assumptions about inheritance, wealth accumulation, and how to move money.
Fundraisers for Economic Justice See Challenges and Opportunities in a Historic Moment
Nonprofits working toward economic justice face a historic moment in the wake of a pandemic and a racial uprising that exposed deep inequality. We spoke with several fundraisers in the field about how the landscape is shifting.
California Foundations Look to Ensure Billions in Government Aid Are Allocated Equitably
With California on the verge of receiving billions in public funding, a new initiative is looking to make sure this investment is distributed equitably to nonprofit organizations and underserved communities in the state.
A Funder Effort to Fight Poverty—One Taxpayer at a Time
Educating people about tax credits can be an effective way for funders to leverage their dollars for a great deal of poverty-fighting power. And there’s a dedicated funder network out there helping to lead the charge.
How This Fellowship Lets Social Justice Leaders Explore Bold Ideas
Since its 2016 launch, the Rosenberg Foundation’s Leading Edge fellowship program has backed some of California’s most promising social justice leaders. Here’s what some fellows in the 2022-2024 cohort are working on.
Financial Sector Oversight Is Crucial to Tackling Inequality. So Where Is Philanthropy?
Philanthropic funders are mostly ignoring a key lever in the fight against poverty: financial sector oversight and regulation. While the industry lobby is formidable, increased attention could help protect hard-won local gains.
Why Do Big Tech Givers Like Guaranteed Income So Much—and Is That a Good Thing?
Advocacy funding from Silicon Valley winners has played a major part in the ongoing mainstreaming of guaranteed income, even as direct cash goes mainstream in both philanthropy and government. But not everyone’s thrilled.
How Boston Ujima Project Is Building Community Wealth and Challenging Funding Norms
Two years ago, the Boston Ujima Project began raising $5 million to seed an investment fund for businesses serving communities of color. We check in with leaders on how it’s going, and how the past year has impacted their work.
How Nwamaka Agbo Is Leading Kataly’s Work to “Redistribute and Redefine Wealth”
After many years of organizing for racial, social and environmental justice, Nwamaka Agbo has taken the helm at the Kataly Foundation. Mandy Van Deven spoke with Agbo about democratizing philanthropy, restorative economics and much more.
“Moving Forward.” Robert F. Smith Talks About the Future of His Philanthropy
In a rare interview, we talk with African American finance billionaire Robert F. Smith about the extensive giving he’s done so far, where he sees it all headed, and how he hopes to move forward after a high-profile tax scandal.
With Billionaire Backing, 30 Mayors Rally Around Guaranteed Income
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income is supporting local pilot projects and setting the groundwork for federal advocacy. Jack Dorsey is the initiative’s main benefactor, having contributed $18 million this year.
Robert F. Smith’s Latest Move Supports Black CPAs as a Path to Building Generational Wealth
Wall Street billionaire Robert F. Smith’s philanthropic footprint continues to expand, with a common theme of tackling systemic inequities. This time around, he seeks to increase the number of Black certified public accountants.
Money in People’s Pockets: How This Funder Network Confronts Economic Hardship
Even before Congress moved to send emergency checks to Americans as a response to COVID-19, policy debates about income supports were changing. A dedicated group of foundations has been working in this arena for years.
American Dreaming: What’s Interesting About This Foundation’s New Anti-Poverty Funding
The Rockefeller Foundation wants to resurrect the American Dream. It’s channeling much-needed funds into tax and fiscal policy reform, and to save the much-criticized federal Opportunity Zone program from its own shortcomings.
Making Amends: How Funders Can Address Slavery’s Legacy
It has been 400 years since slavery began in the U.S. How can funders address slavery’s many legacies, like the racial wealth gap? What should a foundation with historic ties to slavery do? How can funders support black-led change?
Equity Rebrand: How One Nonprofit Is Embracing Change and Attracting New Funders
Founded almost two decades ago, Common Future (formerly the Business Alliance for Living Local Economies) has lately embarked on a new, more inclusive chapter. Its reboot reflects the rise of equity as a key concern for many funders.
Diverse Investments in U.S. and Abroad Fuel a New Push for Inclusive Mobility
A set of commitments made at a recent convening of funders and nonprofits underscores that the fight against poverty has many fronts, from helping people access government benefits to unlocking capital for micro-finance.
Billionaires vs. Poverty: Behind a Push to Use Data to Boost Economic Opportunity in Cities
Some of the nation’s wealthiest philanthropists have lately swung behind new work to make city economies more equitable and inclusive. We look at a data-driven initiative that is attracting big grant money.
Leveraging Donor Dollars, a Nonprofit Clears Millions in Medical Debt for Low-Income Americans
A growing number of donors large and small contribute to an organization that’s buying up medical debt on the secondary market and forgiving up to $100 of debt for every dollar it receives in contributions—a sky-high ROI.
