Funders in the Age of Political Entrepreneurship
This is a great piece from my friend Shelley Whelpton of Arabella Advisors. She discusses the changing role of individual donors in political philanthropy and their ability to be nimble and flexible.
Where to Give Now: August 2018
Labor Day is the unofficial kickoff for the campaign season. Before the frenzy begins, it’s important to step back, take stock of donations to date, and determine giving priorities for the coming weeks.
I highly recommend giving the vast majority of 501c3 and 501c4 donations and the bulk of candidate donations before September 1. This allows organizations and campaigns to better plan staff, media, field, and other budgets. Save 5-10% of your overall budget for last-minute asks such as late primaries, surging candidates, and organizational budget gaps.
Read MoreWhere to Give Now: May and June Primaries
Voters are voting! In May and June, a whopping 34 states will hold primary or runoff elections. There are numerous ways to organize the many upcoming races: House races by priority categories; all races by primary date; and priority states with “nested” races. At the end of this memo, you will see how we pull all of this data together for our Where to Give Now: Bang for the Buck recommendations.
If you would like to be shared on our 2018 Candidates spreadsheet to view all races, including Senate and other statewide races, email alexandra@ALadvising.com.
Read MoreBefore Giving Tuesday
With end of the year giving on our mind and Giving Tuesday just a few days away, I wanted to pass on some advice for how to maximize your donations and impact.
Many philanthropists have monthly or annual commitments that they fulfill towards the end of the year. It’s a good time to reflect on why and how you give. Shameless plug: you can complete my Giving Assessment (either just to start a conversation with your family or to take a deeper dive with my help) here.
Read MoreFasctinating study on giving circles
This new study on giving circles is really interesting. It matches many of the patterns and motivations for giving that I see in my work. This Fast Company story sums it up well. Hat tip to my friend Jason Franklin who contributed research to the study.
Where to Invest Now: Political Giving in the Trump Era
It’s time to take a breath. The special elections and Virginia primaries added a sense of urgency to what is typically a sleepy political season. The 24-minute news cycle, egged on by the unhinged Tweets of #NotMyPresident Trump, also add to our anxiety.
But we do need to pause and take stock of where we are and what still needs to be done going forward. Potential political investments fall into three categories: the Resistance; electoral investments and related efforts; and long-term power building in the states.
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