By: Kaky McGinness Grant, Founder and Principal “Why would I give to a ‘pass though’ organization rather than make grants directly to the nonprofit organizations?” As philanthropists tackle complex problems—from improving public education to addressing systemic poverty—asking “how” to give effectively is just as important to ask as “where”, “why”, “to whom” and “how much.” […]

By: Kaky McGinness Grant, Founder and Principal “Don’t think about making women fit the world — think about making the world fit women.” – Gloria Steinem As we mark Women’s History Month this month, we find ourselves at a remarkable vantage point as many of our clients are women-led philanthropic efforts. In our work at […]

By: Leslie Gross, Senior Advisor A Solution Hiding in Plain Sight Robert Putnam revolutionized our understanding of community with his landmark book Bowling Alone, documenting how Americans increasingly pursued solitary activities rather than joining leagues, teams, and civic groups. That was 2000. Twenty-five years later, Putnam sees reasons for hope. “We’ve done it before,” he […]

By: Kaky McGinness Grant, Founder and Principal “In the time of change, learners inherit the earth while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer, Social Philosopher Grant Philanthropic Advisors closed its doors for two weeks over the holidays. During that time, I had the good fortune […]

By: Darcy Addison, Partner and Advisor As we step into a new year, it’s natural to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. (Get to the gym more, anyone?) But what if we set intentions for how we show up in our community too? The holidays typically bring a surge of generosity […]

By: Leslie Gross, Senior Advisor A foundation trustee called me last week, voice tight with frustration: “Our strategic plan commits us to equity. Our grantmaking advances equity. But now we’re being told to scrub ‘equity’ from everything we touch. How do we stay true to who we are?” Here’s what I told her and what […]

By: Porter Durham, GPA Partner Funding Quandaries  For any professional, being drawn into a “real life” conversation with folks who don’t know what you do for a living, and then hearing them out on their issues of the day, can be a thought-provoking eye-opener. When it happens in a thoughtful exchange of ideas, the conversation […]

As we’ve observed significant pullbacks in government funding from the nonprofit sector, we’re hearing comments and questions grounded in fear and also genuine curiosity.  “Whose job is it anyway to care for the most vulnerable in our country?” “Philanthropy will never be able to fill the gaps of large scale government assistance and interventions – […]

“As our case is new, so must we think anew and act anew.” Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was right of course. And were he with us today, he might say something similar, not about an impending civil war, but about how family philanthropies can adjust positively to a new “case.” As we reported in Part I […]

Philanthropic decision-making is more complex and critical than ever. Donors are asking deeper questions, grantees are navigating urgent challenges, and impact requires more than good intentions. It requires clarity, coordination and a strategic approach. That’s why we built Stratlas: a digital tool designed exclusively for our clients to bring structure, insight and geographic visibility to […]

I have been in the business of philanthropy for 24 years and I have never observed such seismic shifts in the sector. Some shifts we have seen coming for a long time, like the Great Wealth Transfer and passing of the baton of family leadership from Baby Boomers to Gen X and Millennials. Other shifts […]

In reflecting on women’s history month, I have been thinking a lot about my grandmother. She was a guiding light for me and my sister. She personified grace, intellectual curiosity and selflessness. Her conversations with us revolved around current events and community needs. She encouraged me and my sister to think critically, to speak our […]

One thing is abundantly clear, we are living in the middle of major economic and policy disruption affecting the nonprofit sector which ties directly into the philanthropic community. Everyday, I look at the news and learn about new policy changes impacting our sector and corresponding legal action. How do you make sense of it all […]

Why does Due Diligence matter? Building a strategic nonprofit portfolio requires more than just selecting causes that resonate with personal values. To ensure long-term impact, donors must conduct thoughtful due diligence to assess whether organizations are well-governed, financially stable, and delivering meaningful results. A strong philanthropic strategy is built on informed decision-making—one that goes beyond […]

Philanthropy is most effective when guided by strategy, intentionality, and a deep understanding of the organizations being supported. For philanthropists looking to maximize their impact, curating a well-rounded nonprofit portfolio is essential. Imagine a funnel—there are thousands of local nonprofits working to make the world a better place. Creating a strategic philanthropic portfolio requires funders […]

As a philanthropist, you have the exhilarating opportunity to maximize your impact with your charitable dollars, your time and your connections. Early on in the planning phase, you may consider: Should I focus on a specific issue or a specific place to drive my philanthropic efforts? Or maybe it is a combination of the two. […]

When natural disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, the devastation can be overwhelming. Communities face displacement, businesses suffer losses, and infrastructure can be crippled. In times like these, companies have a unique opportunity to step up, providing crucial resources and leadership in disaster response and recovery efforts. An inspiring example is The Biltmore Estate’ response to […]

Regular connection with the nonprofit community is critical to being an effective philanthropist. One of the most immersive ways to be effective is to conduct site visits at nonprofit organizations. These visits provide a firsthand look at how nonprofits operate, the communities they serve, and the tangible outcomes of their programs.  Site visits can broaden […]