Change Philanthropy

This groundbreaking book shows how to increase funding for social justice philanthropy. Social justice philanthropy provides direct services to alleviate suffering and works to transform the systems and institutions that cause that suffering. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, Change Philanthropy offers an insider's view what works and what doesn't work when developing grantmaking strategies in support of social change. It gives clear guidance showcases foundations of all types and sizes including Liberty Hill Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Needmor Fund, Jacobs Family Foundation, Discount Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Schott Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Open Society Institute. The book also includes a wealth of illustrative examples and contains practical suggestions and tips that can be applied immediately to support any social justice agenda.

• Offers a guide for increasing funds for social justice programs
• and suggestions for foundations on which programs to fund
• Gives step-by-step advice for developing a successful grantmaking strategy
• Includes a wealth of examples from leading foundations
• Sponsored by The Center for Community Change

Foreword xi
Christopher Harris, Deepak Bhargava

Acknowledgments xv

Introduction xvii

Part One Securing Success with Campaigns 1

1 Strengthening Unusual Alliances for Living Wages 3
The Case of the Discount Foundation

2 Supporting Citizen Action and Litigation for Education Reform 22
The Case of the Schott Foundation

Part Two Influencing Market Forces in Support of People and the Planet 43

3 Using an Endowment to Build the Field of Socially Responsible Investing 45
The Case of the Needmor Fund

4 Transforming Business Structures for Communities 65
The Case of the Jacobs Family Foundation and Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation

Part Three Aiding an Identity-Based Movement 89

5 Supporting the Development of an Immigrant Rights Field 91
The Case of the Ford Foundation

6 Maturing an Immigrant Movement 104
The Case of the Open Society Institute

Part Four Creating Infrastructure for Justice 123

7 Building Community-Based Power in Los Angeles 125
The Case of the Liberty Hill Foundation

8 Strengthening National Community-Based Networks 141
The Case of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Part Five Transforming Funder-Grantee Power Relationships Through Creative Foundation Structures 165

9 Addressing Internationally Women’s Needs for Funding 167
The Case of the Global Fund for Women

10 Responding to Disaster Recovery and Beyond 186
The Case of the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health, a Special Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Part Six Gleaning Lessons for Change 209

11 Lessons for the Road 211

Afterword: Race and Social Justice 227
Maya Wiley

Appendixes 231

A Words You Need to Know to Read This Book 233

B Lobbying 239
John Pomeranz

C Ten Questions to Consider Asking Inside Your Foundation 241

D Where to Turn for Next Steps 243

Notes 245

Index 261

Center for Community Change 277

About the Project Director 279

About the Author 281

The Author
ALICIA EPSTEIN KORTEN is the CEO of ReNual LLC, a consulting firm that supports foundations, nonprofit organizations, and socially responsible businesses with strategic planning and publications. She is a contributing author to Wake Me Up When the Data Is Over from Jossey-Bass.

The Project Director
MARJORIE FINE directs The Linchpin Campaign, a project of the Center for Community Change, whose goal is to expand the resources available to community organizing efforts in the United States. In 2009 she produced a downloadable resource entitled Untapped: How Community Organizers Can Develop and Deepen Relationships with Major Donors and Raise Big Money.

CHANGE Philanthropy

With the ongoing economic downturn there has been a dramatic increase in medical uninsured rates, homelessness, and small-business bankruptcies, as well as a crisis in education and diminishing job opportunities. To better address these burgeoning challenges, foundations and nonprofits are questioning their usual strategies and seeking new and more effective approaches for tackling much-needed, widespread social change.

Written for grantmakers, including foundation trustees and program officers, as well as nonprofit executive directors and others, Change Philanthropy is a guide for developing effective long-term strategies that address the causes of critical social problems. The book provides an insider's view of what works—as well as what doesn't work—with respect to grantmaking and grant funding strategies in support of social change. The book showcases a diverse selection of philanthropic institutions and collaboratives that have undertaken a structural analysis of social inequities, including the Liberty Hill Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Needmor Fund, Jacobs Family Foundation, Discount Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Schott Foundation, Ford Foundation, Open Society Institute, and the Gulf Coast Fund (a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors).

The book is filled with stories and illustrative interviews with successful grantmakers and foundation executives that clearly show how funds are distributed and secured for organizations that work for systemic change. In addition, Change Philanthropy includes useful tips, proven strategies, and practical ideas that can be put into place immediately to support a social justice agenda.

Change Philanthropy provides a critical road map for foundations and nonprofits that strive to have all citizens participate fully in the social, spiritual, economic, and political life of their nation.