Philanthropy

Engaging new community stakeholders in new ways is critical to transforming community investment systems. Philanthropy is a critical community stakeholder.

Going Beyond the Money

Philanthropy, especially local funders and community foundations, can be a powerful partner in all aspects of capital absorption, from convening local partners to making catalytic grants that unlock new investments. Philanthropy has its finger on the pulse of the community aspirations that contribute to identifying a shared priority. Its relationships can help engage local institutions and developers in the collaborative work of developing a pipeline and shaping the enabling environment.

Facilitating Systems Change

Philanthropy and community investment share important goals: advancing racial equity, supporting community aspirations, creating the conditions for healthy lives. Long-term sustainable outcomes in these areas will require changes in and across systems, from local community investments to grantmaking itself. Partnership will be key to success. 

Philanthropy Resources

We offer tools, research, and ideas to help those seeking systems change in philanthropy.

Equity in Philanthropy

Foundations and donors are dismantling inequitable systems and making changes that integrate racial equity into their grantmaking and programmatic strategies.

Past Programs

The Fulcrum Fellowship equips rising executives in the philanthropic, nonprofit, public, and private sectors to lead transformational change. 

Field Leaders

Meet some of the people working in philanthropy to advance equity in community investment.

Oklahoma City Community Foundation
President & CEO
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
MacArthur Foundation
Program Officer, Chicago Commitment Team
Chicago, Illinois
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Vice President and Program Officer, Global Philanthropy
Chicago, Illinois
California Community Foundation
Director of Housing and Economic Opportunity
Los Angeles, California
McKnight Foundation
Senior Program Officer
Minneapolis, Maryland
Chicago Community Trust
Director of Connecting Capital and Community
Chicago, Illinois
Cleveland Foundation
Program Director, Economic and Community Development & Social Impact Investing
Cleveland, Ohio
Wells Fargo
Vice President, Climate Aligned Philanthropy, and Partnership Lead
San Francisco, California
Chicago Community Trust
Senior Program Officer
Chicago, Illinois
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Senior Program Officer
Akron, Ohio
Chicago Community Trust
Director, Community Desk Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
The McKnight Foundation
Senior Program Officer, Vibrant & Equitable Communities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The California Endowment
Director, Impact Investments
Oakland, California
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Program and Strategy Officer
Richmond, Virginia

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