Philanthropic and Political Consulting
AL Advising works with progressive philanthropists to create a portfolio of civic engagement, policy, and advocacy investments including 501c3, 501c4, candidate, and related political giving.
I am quoted in this article from Vox / ReCode discussing next gen wealth and their changing giving habits.
“That’s what every political fundraiser’s dream always is,” said Alexandra Acker-Lyons, an adviser to many younger Silicon Valley political donors.
An article from Axios states, “Philanthropists are increasingly looking to steer or supplant government.”
The big picture: Philanthropists don't want to give a man a fish; instead they want to take credit for building a proof-of-concept that will persuade governments around the world to invest in large-scale programs of fishing pedagogy.
Why it matters: Politicians are accountable to the electorate. Charitable foundations and the billionaires who fund them, on the other hand, are accountable to no one. As Reich says, their actions therefore deserve more scrutiny than gratitude.
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.”
Let’s get out the crystal ball. One year from now, the Democratic and Republican conventions will be over. We will have a Democratic nominee and a Vice-Presidential candidate. Strategies will crystalize as we narrow down the states in play. Turnout operations kick into high gear (although — fingers crossed! — voter contact programs have been funded and running in key states for the better part of a year, if not longer). We are looking forward to the first general election debate (assuming our authoritarian President actually deigns to debate, and more than once).
How do we ensure we are in the best possible position to take advantage of the upcoming year, not only for the presidential election but critical Senate, House, and state and local races?
Read MoreA 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.
Several scholarly reports and other research at the intersection of philanthropy and politics have been published recently.
Here’s a round-up:
The Philanthropy Framework (Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors)
Warehousing Wealth: Donor-Advised Charity Funds Sequestering Billions in the Face of Growing Inequality (Institute for Policy Studies)
When Political Mega-Donors Join Forces: How the Koch Network and the Democracy Alliance Influence Organized U.S. Politics on the Right and Left (Cambridge University Press)
Why Competition in the Politics Industry is Failing America (Harvard Business School)