Maritza Guzmán, MPA

In a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the State Infrastructure Fund is a beacon of hope, channeling donor dollars and optimism into safeguarding democratic processes across the United States. Our latest article on Inside Philanthropy explores how this fund is strategically mobilizing resources to support state-level initiatives that protect and strengthen democracy. #SarahHenry reports: How the State Infrastructure Fund is addressing threats to democracy Strategic initiatives supported by the fund at the state level The role of donor collaboration in driving impactful change Tagging The Overbrook Foundation CENTER FOR CIVIC POLICY John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation #DemocracyProtection #SocialImpact #StateInfrastructureFund #CivicEngagement #DemocraticResilience #DonorCollaboration #VotingRights #FairElections #DemocraticProcesses #PoliticalInfrastructure #DefendDemocracy #PhilanthropicImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #Philanthropy

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DAF is a great way to consolidate your giving into one fund.

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Capacity-building grants are key to helping nonprofits scale their community impact. Yet, when grants rely too heavily on metrics, they can overlook real community needs—creating a mismatch between funders and grantees, especially for Black and Indigenous-led organizations. This blog post from Exponent Philanthropy's Hannah Smith—Manager, Editorial and Publications—underscores the importance of making capacity-building grants more flexible, particularly for organizations led by Black and Indigenous people. At Foundant, we’re grateful to see these crucial discussions becoming more commonplace and encourage even more dialogue around equitable philanthropy in the future. Learn more at: https://okt.to/cEsTr5 #capacitybuilding #foundantforphilanthropy #capacitybuildinggrants

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Day 2 of 15: highlighting lessons from Urban Institute's Youth Apprenticeship Intermediary project. How Registration Agencies Can Promote Youth Apprenticeship (https://lnkd.in/eTE-6X_6), by John Marotta Jr. and I, is part of a series of resources featuring lessons for different types of key stakeholders in youth apprenticeship. State and federal apprenticeship registration agencies have taken different approaches to the registration of youth apprenticeship programs, with some states proactively seeking to expand them and others approach youth apprenticeship with more caution. This has contributed to a wide variation in the scale of youth apprenticeship opportunities across states. To support youth apprenticeship expansion, registration agencies can: - Remove barriers to simplify and expedite the process for registering youth apprenticeship programs, as well as proactively add incentives, such as funding for sponsors to launch or expand programs. - Create a clear process for intermediaries and other national apprenticeship stakeholders to coordinate with the registration agency and each other when they come to a new state, so that organizations are not accidentally overlapping in their efforts and instead collaborating smoothly. - Establish clear parameters for registering youth apprenticeship programs so that sponsors know what to expect from state to state. OA could facilitate this process by issuing standard guidance required for all states so that youth apprenticeships are approved through a consistent review process. - Use youth apprenticeship to bolster apprenticeship in nontraditional occupations, which is a goal for many registration agencies. Based on our YAI project, a larger share of youth apprentices enter nontraditional occupations than apprentices in the registered apprenticeship system overall.

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Whilst its hard to see that any progress has been made, to the contrary - it looks like 0 progress made and everything got worse, with recent years breaking through the 1.5C targets. We mustn't give up hope that the many initiatives that have been kicked off as a result of these agreements, have prevented worse things from happening... too optimistic? maybe But working in the sustainability and SDG space has never been more exciting, with many people sharing that a just transition to a more sustainable, de-growth and circular economy is, ...possible. The questions is how fast, to prevent worse things from happening (Climate Catastrophy, Ecological Collapse, ...the list is getting longer). Currently the ANNUAL financing gap to the 2030 SDGs is (according to UN estimates), around $4 trillion. This is the same as Germany's or Japan's Gross Domestic Product. This is a staggering number and concept that the money missing to achieve the SDGs is the same as the monetary value of ALL finished goods and services made in Germany or Japan on an annual basis. And yet, the world economy is worth around $100 Trillion, so $4 trillion = 4%. That ...almost...sounds doable? too optimistic? maybe When it comes to asset managers, total discretionary assets under management (AUM) of the 500 biggest managers amounted to USD 113.7 trillion at the end of 2022, down by 13.7% from the end of 2021. The largest, BlackRock, manages $10 trillion and the next biggest 2, Vanguard ($9 trillion) and Fidelity ($4 trillion). Surely, investing into solutions on a planet that is actually liveable with resources being consumed at a sustainable pace is what its at? Otherwise, what will be managed in 20 or 30 years?

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Supporting advocacy is essential to creating meaningful change. It requires ongoing commitment and support from foundations and funders. There are many ways funders can support advocacy. Keep reading for a few "on ramps" to get started. https://lnkd.in/e4Pn7rGa

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Are you looking for a way to give back to the grant profession? Interested in honing your leadership skills? Ready for service at the national level? These are just a few reasons why you should consider service on the Grant Professionals Foundation Board of Directors.

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Who will be the superpowers of philanthropy in the next 25 years? Who will have the capacity and resources to influence social, economic, and political arenas? The answer is women. Historically, women have always played crucial roles in philanthropy. Early social service work was seen as “women’s work.” Female philanthropy started with parochial institutions, where nuns, deaconesses, and women of all faiths offered comfort to the marginalized in their communities. Now, with women holding more than half of private wealth in the U.S. and the capacity to influence global change, their impact is poised to grow exponentially. Despite progress, support for women's and girls' organizations remains low, receiving just 1.8% of charitable giving. However, women are stepping up to fill this gap, often giving broadly, holistically, and collectively. They focus on aligning their passion with their resources, working collaboratively, and demanding transparency about the impact of their contributions. Women’s philanthropy offers vast opportunities: from supporting traditional nonprofits to becoming angel investors and engaging in impact investing. In my role as a philanthropic advisor, I work to help women donors align their values with their charitable giving, grow their confidence and celebrate their achievements. #PhilanthropyConcierge #WDM2024 #WomensPhilanthropy #WomenInLeadership https://lnkd.in/gSZhsadi

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✨Open Philantropy ❓Sure. But what is it really about?   ✅ Open philanthropy is a model where foundations and donors operate with a high degree of transparency, sharing information about funding decisions, strategies, and outcomes.   It’s a great way to address power imbalances between funders and fundees. 🤔 But how does open philanthropy work in practice and why should you and your foundation adopt this practice?   Find out more in KV Philanthropy Consulting’s latest article. 👇   #Philanthropists #Foundations #FondsdeDotation #OpenPhilanthropy #Grantmaking #Power #Imbalance #Charities #Associations

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Evaluators are critical thinkers, who ask (and try to answer) the trickiest questions. I am excited to see more opportunities for Evaluators in #socialfinance, and am so glad this Social Finance primer is helping to connect the dots.

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ICYMI: Our new Community Engaged Grantmaking guide offers a structured approach to democratizing philanthropy by outlining a spectrum of community engagement — from informing communities of grantmaking opportunities to community-driven decision-making through democratic participation. In this guide, we explore five distinct models of community engagement that help donors and foundations ensure that the voices of those most impacted by social challenges are central to the grantmaking process. We also share real-world case studies, such as how the Shift Health Accelerator Collaborative Fund and other leading organizations are already advancing equity and community involvement in their work. Read the full guide: https://lnkd.in/g7zdtSyx #participatorygrantmaking #communityengagedgrantmaking #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #alltogetherbold #ChangePhilanthropyBoldly

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Some very interesting reports from Blackbaud Institute on resilience and Gen-Z engagement for charities. If anyone has good examples of #ImpactReporting I would be most grateful! https://lnkd.in/eJ3DhhgZ Many development professionals expecting to increase their income in the next year. Learn how successful nonprofits use and optimize their revenue streams to weather an unpredictable fundraising environment and find resiliency. Read the full report to see how your nonprofit stacks up, with insights into how development professionals: ➕Increased their new donor acquisition 👩🏽‍💻Leveraged early tech adoption for higher revenue 📈Enjoyed income growth in giving days and awareness months https://lnkd.in/eEptYbhw One-third of Gen Z supporters say they plan to increase their giving this year. Are you ready to welcome them to the table?​ Combining strong survey data from 1000+ Gen Zers and hundreds of nonprofit pros with powerful first-person insights, our latest report from the Blackbaud Institute delves into the data to reveal key Gen Z giving behavior insights, helping fundraisers steward this generation and build meaningful, lasting relationships. ​ ​Read the full report to discover:​ 🌍Gen Z’s deeply held beliefs and unique global perspectives​ 💡Top motivators for Gen Z donors​ 🎈How they prefer to be thanked after donating​ 💭Engagement opportunities fundraising professionals may be missing out on

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“Those who have been systematically excluded from philanthropy are pushing funders to rethink their approach to disrupting inequality. To help shift deeply rooted power dynamics, foundations must ensure that historically marginalized communities set the agenda. They also need to make clear to established groups that they share or cede power to more diverse voices, just as funders must diversify their own ranks. It is worth stating the obvious: this work demands that foundations move beyond the typical “add and stir” approach to women or people of color or rural or disabled or LGBTQ+ people, which imagines that simple (and often symbolic) inclusion is all it takes to solve a deep-seated problem. Being attentive to power can be complicated, but some parts are straightforward. Funders can think about how they structure convenings and be intentional about who is invited and who is speaking. Foundation staff can compare their grants: Who gets more money? Who gets less? Who gets none? And foundations can build these considerations into their strategic work. Finally, foundations must hire people with less elite backgrounds and more diverse experiences to become program officers.”

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Ready to elevate your fundraising game? The Philanthropy Outlook 2024-2025 report, crafted by the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and proudly presented by CCS Fundraising, is here to guide you through the evolving landscape of charitable giving. Backed by rigorous research, this insightful publication forecasts growth opportunities for nonprofits across sectors. From households to foundations, explore projected trends and gain a competitive edge in fundraising. With detailed analyses and data-driven insights, this report empowers you to make informed decisions and maximize your impact. Don't miss out on this essential resource—access the report today and unlock the potential for transformational change! Check it out today! https://lnkd.in/drjrMT_V #Fundraising #Philanthropy #EconomicOutlook #CCSFundraising

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Stop 'talking the talk' and start 'walking the walk' ❗ This report is full of actionable insights on how funders can put systems thinking to better use when it comes to philanthropy 👏 No one can change a system or make long term-changes alone! So it's brilliant to see this forward-thinking approach of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and their continued effort in getting funders to increase their impact through collaborating 🤝 Read more ⤵️ #philanthropy #grantmaking #charities #systemschange #report #impact

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It's time to REDESIGN systems of power and governance in philanthropy. Do you know any extraordinary board members, trustees, or HNWIs who have an inkling that this is true? 🤔 Philanthropy's status quo is an ill fitting governance system that wasn't designed for social change--it doesn't work well for anyone involved or the outcomes we seek. We need systems that work for the complexity and humanity of the world. The good news is, we can create them. Together. We've designed a highly supported experience to do just that! We're working with the brilliant teams at Intrinsic Labs and Radical Optimist Collective. Click through to see the profile of potential participants we're looking for to take part in Metamorphic Legacy, a bespoke leadership experience to redesign governance. Share this post/the 1 pager with 🦄 trustee unicorns 🦄 you know and reshape philanthropy with us! #philanthropy #leadership #governance #redesign #boardmembers #trustees #HNWIs #creativity #boards #grantmaking #innovation #crappyfundingpractices https://lnkd.in/dXz4zR8X One pager: https://lnkd.in/dR-hGN-T

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DEMONSTRATING NEED & IMPACT IN FUNDRAISING In an increasingly competitive landscape, showing the need for your work and your impact is critical for securing donor support. Here’s how non-profits can strengthen their case in fundraising: 1. Evidence of Need: * Use data and research from credible sources to highlight the scale of the issue you address (e.g., homelessness rates in your area). * Gather letters of support from credible individuals and organisations. * Collect community input and share real-life stories that show how the issue affects individuals. * Testimonials and interviews provide powerful, first-hand insights. * Demonstrate unmet demand through waiting lists or gaps in services. * Share case studies that make the need relatable and personal. 2. Demonstrating Impact: * Use clear metrics and track your work, such as the number of people helped or services provided. * Go beyond inputs, outputs and outcomes and demonstrate the long-term impact of your work. * Partner with third parties for independent evaluations to build credibility. * Share case studies highlighting beneficiary stories to give a human face to your successes, before-and-after stories are incredibly compelling. * Offer transparent financials to show exactly how donations are being used and the tangible difference they make. 3. Combine Need & Impact in Your Storytelling: * Use your fundraising campaigns to tie together the need and impact. Share the problem and how your organisation is solving it in a measurable, sustainable way. * Visual content like photos, videos, and infographics can really bring the story to life. * By weaving together both the need and your impact, your organisation will not only build trust but also inspire meaningful support. Contract @Heaward Solutions to help build powerful bids that clearly set out your case and effectively tell your story. What strategies have worked for you when evidencing need and impact? Share your thoughts below! #NonProfitLeadership #Charity #Fundraising #Impact #Schools #SocialEnterprise #CIC #Community

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“By developing a futures culture, philanthropy can stay open and flexible and expand its toolbox with new, non-linear strategies and practices to embrace complexity and uncertainty as a feature of our times” Our latest publication, “Futures Philanthropy: Anticipation for the Common Good”, explores how and why philanthropy could play a role in fostering anticipation for the common good and what anticipation looks like when it is put in the service of society and common interests. Download your copy here! #FuturesPhilanthropy https://bit.ly/4dmtNN8

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