Perfectly Legal: Eight Ways Charitable Cash is Shaping the 2020 Election

This is a great overview from Inside Philanthropy on how donors can use 501c3 donations to turnout the vote, protect or suppress the vote, build infrastructure, and more.

The Left Can Win by Emulating Conservative Philanthropy

This is a hot take from Deborah Barron, Founder of New Left Accelerator, in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. She endorses the idea of portfolio giving and getting creative in funding entities.

“Conservatives have long grasped this, making long-term investments in whatever legal vehicles are necessary — including advocacy groups and corporate entities — to effect change.

Now bold progressive grant makers are exploring how charities can engage in the full range of sanctioned activities, including lobbying. And innovative leaders are thinking beyond 501(c)(3)s and establishing a variety of organizations — including advocacy groups, political-action committees, and other entities — to accomplish their mission and win key battles.”

Read more

Giving by Women’s Funds Has Soared. And They’re Getting More Savvy and Strategic

A new study by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, “Women’s Foundations and Funds: A Landscape Study,” reveals the grantmaking practices and range of giving philosophies and principles among 209 American women’s foundations and funds that focus on giving to nonprofits that benefit women and girls.  It is the first study of its kind since 2009, when the Women’s Funding Network and Foundation Center issued the report “Accelerating Change for Women: The Role of Women’s Funds,” which studied 145 women’s funds in the Women’s Funding Network. 

Read more in Inside Philanthropy.

Millennial Donors

There's a fascinating new study from NextGenDonors about Millennial donors. It highlights preferences for giving as well as differences between those who created vs. inherited their wealth. As young people inherit $40 trillion in wealth and continue to become the next generation of self-made millionaires, understanding their unique characteristics becomes increasingly important.

Women in Philanthropy

This article, with insights from the Women's Philanthropy Institute, is of particular interest to me, given my work with Progressive Women Silicon Valley, a political giving circle.

A key takeaway: "Pockets of very powerful women at the community and grassroots level are forming their own giving circles, their own collective giving models, their own modes of engaging in philanthropy, to make powerful changes in their own communities and across the globe," said Mesch.

Giving Checklist

The Bridgespan Group has a comprehensive Giving Checklist for philanthropists. While directed at larger and more hands-on donors, there are many excellent questions to help you get started in thinking about how and why you give. AL Advising is developing a more customized questionnaire for clients -- stay tuned!