Jacqueline Ackerman

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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We all want to be able to put healthy food on the table for ourselves and our families. But many of us face significant barriers to doing so. This week, Congress is again considering cuts to #SNAP, a policy that is proven to improve food access and reduce poverty. This comes at a time when new research from the Urban Institute shows that current SNAP benefits are not keeping up with rising food costs. The study—funded by RWJF—shares the latest data on the gap between meal costs and SNAP participants’ monthly benefits, a gap that remained high in 2023 despite that year’s cost-of-living adjustment to benefits. It is so important that we look at the numbers and see the reality of families’ experiences on this vital program! https://lnkd.in/ekiVjH7n

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In this article on Devex, CAPS Co-founder and Chief Executive Dr. Ruth Shapiro highlights the importance of #collaboration within the evergrowing Asian philanthropic sector, also a key goal of the newly established Commission on Asian Philanthropy.     CAPS’ latest report, DECODED: Collaborative Giving in Asia, confirms this need, showing that existing collaborative models in the region are relatively sparse and those that do primarily address local issues. Read the full report for further insights: https://lnkd.in/gq5tjn6H

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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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The Impact of Logic Models on Nonprofit Grant Writing 💡 In nonprofit grant writing, logic models are essential for securing funding. They provide a strategic framework for demonstrating impact and aligning resources with desired outcomes. This article explores their vital role in enhancing credibility and achieving funding success for nonprofits! https://lnkd.in/eX5Q7UEs   --- #GrantWriting #LogicModels #GrantServices #NonprofitImpact #NonprofitConsulting #IMPACTability #MaximizeYourImpact #SoukupStrategicSolutions #NonprofitSuccess 

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I just learned about a report called #BestBets by Innovations for Poverty Action thanks to a call with Elizabeth Koshy. The report looks at the innovations that are "supported by solid evidence....and have some commitment from partners." But to take these emerging innovations forward, there is still a need to address key questions around cost-benefit, efficient delivery /distribution, targeting, long-term impacts, and so on. I was speaking to Elizabeth about the evidence linked to entrepreneurship and MSMEs. The two big bets in this report linked to that space are: 📢 Soft-skills training to boost business profits and sales 📢 Consulting services to support small and medium-sized businesses I know so many organizations working on these issues. How can we make sure that a learning agenda is integrated so that benefits can go beyond just the implementing agencies. Flagging this to colleagues at Access to Finance Rwanda and Mastercard Strive. https://lnkd.in/e-_9uxuC

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I ❤️ this piece. Thanks Jen Bokoff and Celia Turner for sharing these hopeful and clear requests to funders at a time of challenge. "We hope that you embrace risk as a necessity of social change. Grassroots activists and movements are taking risks every day. We hope you explore how risk aversion may limit the impact that both you and your grantee partners can make, and consider creative ways to navigate internal risk appetite. Remember that who defines risk is political: Be aware of the power dynamics inherent in assigning risk and take your grantee partners’ definitions of risk seriously. Our question should always be, how can we navigate risk with care together?"

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Want to amplify your grant’s impact? Data-driven grantmaking is the key! By leveraging data, grantmakers make evidence-based decisions, ensuring funds reach where they’re needed most. Discover how data can transform your grant strategies today. 👇 #CommunityForce #CF #NonProfitTech #ScholarshipManagement #GrantsManagment #grant #socialimpact #FellowshipManagement #automation #efficiency #nonprofit #foundation #university #government #impactfulgrants #highereducation

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How can the UN tackle declining contributions from key donors? This Thursday, John Hendra will present his in-depth analysis on this pressing issue in his article, ‘Reductions, Reallocations, and Replenishments – Will this be the year of the big squeeze on the UN Development System?’, during the virtual launch of the 'Financing the UNDS 2024: Resourcing the Future'. Read the article here: https://shorturl.at/fzmXf And don't forget to register to join the live discussion: https://lnkd.in/dgfj-Z2j UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office OECD - OCDE #SustainableDevelopment #GlobalChallenges #UNFinance #FinancingTheFuture

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#Eval24 is 1 week away! Will you be there? In this month's newsletter we make it easy for you to see where the Social Finance TIG will be and when, and how to stay connected while you're at the conference. #AEASFTIG

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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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The result of the #USelection is staggering and heartbreaking. Read Equality Fund's CEO Jess Tomlin's op-ed in Context Newsroom on the power of movements to protect people’s fundamental rights and drive change. "This means making sure grassroots movements have the support they need to thrive in their work protecting and defending women's rights. The new political reality in the U.S. requires other governments to step up as funders and advocates, alongside more philanthropic dollars, bringing in the innovation of the private sector and critically harnessing our power as individuals in supporting movements every day." https://lnkd.in/gwnX_gS7 #GenderEquality #MomentToMove

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How can foundations and grantmakers be more intentional about sharing power with communities directly affected by systemic racism and health inequity? A new @RWJF case study provides a behind-the-scenes look at our $5 million participatory grantmaking initiative, Building Local Alignment. Review how we worked to cede decision making control to outside experts and what lessons have emerged for our foundation and other funders as we seek to advance equity. Check it out today! #CommunityPower #EquityInAction #ParticipatoryGrantmaking https://bit.ly/3YdySRr

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@TheJustTrust's 2024 annual report is here! This year we dive into how our layered approach to grantmaking is powering the next generation of reform, and how we’re making sure progress happens on this issue no matter what. Check it out! bit.ly/4dBVilR

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How do you know if your #nonprofit is ready for a major fund development, #endowment, or #capital #campaign? We've developed a readiness rubric across seven dimensions to help organizations assess optimal timing for feasibility planning, committee recruitment, or launch. Reach out if Fairmount can help you plan for your next big #fundraising effort.

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This report was a labor of love, 2+ yrs in the making with Tunette Powell, PhD, Laura Bornfreund, the whole CEP team, CEP fam advisory committee, school leaders, and lots of CEP scholar partners across the US. This one was a journey for me, and it tracked with my own kid’s transition into elementary school last year. Kids don’t need to get “ready to learn”. Kids are BORN ready. They’re born curious, eager to explore and discover. Who asks more questions than a little kid? They start kindergarten ready to take on the world. But somewhere along the way the fire is dimmed by our systems. Often it happens during the elementary years. And kids from historically marginalized groups- Black, AI/AN, Latine, and other children of color, multilingual children, and children w disabilities- are disproportionately subject to systemic shortfalls and resulting negative experiences in school- and that’s not new. We can do so much better for our kids, collectively. Here, we propose 14 core ingredients (14 might be the CEP’s lucky number, IYKYK) for a quality elementary experience that prioritizes the joy in learning, a school environment that actually centers kids and the ways in which they learn, research backed instruction, and an elementary system that meaningfully attends to systemic biases that for too long have made schools the foundation of our unequal society, deepening opportunity and outcome gaps. The framework, like all our work, takes a historical lens. And it’s more than a vision, it’s actionable- it includes core, observable indicators and examples of school communities where these ingredients are being implemented, today. In the coming weeks, The Children's Equity Project and New America will kickoff a series digging deep on each of the 14 core ingredients. We’ll be hosting discussions on district, state, amd federal enablers. Stay tuned! Deeply appreciate funding from Trust for Learning and Heising-Simons Foundation foundation.

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When #GenderEquity is ignored, disparities widen. To achieve equitable and lasting change, it is critical that funders take a gender equity frame to their work as we do at Global Greengrants Fund. Bridgespan's new report explores five practices that can help any funder in any field increasingly consider gender in their grantmaking. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_umXChA

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The National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) and 21/64 have partnered to explore the ways that consultants and advisors help foundations and donors achieve their goals, and how consultants and advisors can better serve the needs of their clients. If you are a donor, grantmaking foundation staff or trustee, consultant to grantmakers, or philanthropic advisor who works with donors, this survey is for you! It will take no longer than 15 minutes. Learn more and take the survey: https://lnkd.in/drfkGKgv

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