Independent Consultant to Funders and Nonprofits

Writing

These is some of the writing I’ve done lately.

Writing

I love to write! Here are a few pieces of work I’m particularly proud of…

I have been leading a research and framework-development initiative exploring definitions and potential measures of justice and equity in grantmaking, along with dimensions of power-shifting. A description of the first stage of the research and an interim report titled “Philanthropy, Social Justice and Shifting Power” are here. The Inside Philanthropy article highlighting the white paper’s findings was titled “What Exactly Is Social Justice Grantmaking, Anyway? The Philanthropic Sector Has Thoughts.”

I am the Editorial Director for Inside Philanthropy’s State of American Philanthropy project, nurturing over two dozen freelance writers, directing their research and writing efforts, contributing content to their briefs and bringing a consistent, incisive editorial voice to the series. These are the ones we’ve produced so far:

Giving for Animals and Wildlife
Giving for Climate Change and Clean Energy
Giving for Criminal Justice Reform
Giving for Community and Economic Development
Giving for Dance
Giving for Democracy and Civic Life
Giving for Early Childhood Education
Giving for Higher Education
Giving for Housing and Homelessness
Giving for Global Health
Giving for Global Humanitarian Assistance
Giving for Immigrants and Refugees
Giving for Jewish Causes
Giving for Journalism and Public Media
Giving for K-12 Education
Giving for LGBTQ+ Causes
Giving for Mental Health
Giving for Music
Giving for Northern California
Giving for the Northwest
Giving for Oceans and Freshwater
Giving for Theater
Giving for the Southwest
Giving for Southern California
Giving for STEM Education
Giving for Substance Use Disorders & Addiction
Giving for Violence Prevention
Giving for Visual Arts
Giving for Women and Girls
Giving for Workforce Development and Workers’ Rights
Giving for Writing and Literature
Celebrities, Athletes and Media Moguls Giving
Tech Industry Giving
Wall Street Giving

Previously I produced an Inside Philanthropy series on power, race and role-specific imperatives in philanthropy:
”A Long Way to Go: What Kind of Change is Needed Within Foundations to Advance Racial Equity?”
”Nothing Is Standard About What We’re Doing: A New Fund Aims to Boost Racial Equity Training”
Listening and Evolving: How a Community Foundation Put Racial Equity at the Center of Its Work
“These Six Big Ideas Could Shape Foundation Communications in 2020”

New York State Census Equity Fund at The New York Community Trust:
“What Funders Need to Know About the Next Big Democracy Challenge” – PNY Insights column on redistricting
“New York State Census Equity Fund Awards $1.4 Million to Community Organizations for 2020 Census Outreach” – Press Release
”After the SCOTUS Census Decision, These Essential Strategies for a Full and Fair Count Need More Support” - PNY Insights column (main post written by me for the NYSCEF, with update up top from Pat Swann)

J.M.K. Innovation Prize at the J.M. Kaplan Fund
“Leaders in Nonprofit Innovation Show How Power Dynamics in Philanthropy Are Shifting” – Chronicle of Philanthropy Opinion Piece for Davidson & Freitag
“Every Corner of the Nation: A Foundation Looks Off the Beaten Path for Innovative Ideas” – Inside Philanthropy news story
“J.M.K. Innovation Prizes Go to 10 Transformative Early-Stage Initiatives” – Press Release
“Philanthropy Amplified: Four Lessons from One Foundation’s Innovation Prize” – National Center for Family Philanthropy post

Restaurant Workers Community Foundation
”On the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall, 11 Movement-Building Lessons for Restaurant Workers”
“We Have More Questions Than Answers – And That’s a Good Thing”

Support Center
“Stronger Together: A Discussion of Nonprofit Capacity & Our Collective Needs” – Convening Report

Public Agenda
“Vast Majority of Americans Say Democracy Is in Crisis or Serious Trouble” – Press Release

Philanthropy New York monthly columns in the Policy Edition of the New York PhilanthroPost:
“Two Emblematic Markers of Policy Progress”
“Now Hear This: The Wisdom of Trans Voices”
“These Leaders Are Rallying to Stop New NY Taxes on Tax-Exempt Nonprofits”
“PNY Members Are Taking Action on Justice Summit Learning”
“A Starting Point for Gender Equity in Grantmaking”