Findings from a new survey conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) show that U.S. nonprofits faced major challenges but fared better than expected in 2020, thanks to an infusion of philanthropic and government funding. However, the data reveal concerning disparities in the experiences of women leading nonprofits and of nonprofits serving certain communities of color.
Empowered Women Make it Happen. At this year’s YWCA National Capital Area luncheon, they will gather virtually to honor four phenomenal women, who educated, fed, guided and advocated for communities as we all navigated a global pandemic.
The global reach of Covid and its staying power both as a killer disease and an economic menace attracted a philanthropic response of $20.2 billion last year, more than double the amount given to the previous top 10 disasters combined, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday. For many nonprofit leaders, however, the true measure of philanthropy’s response to both the pandemic and the racial-justice uprisings that followed the killing of George Floyd in May will be in whether foundations and other donors continue the less restrictive approaches to grant making they adopted during the pandemic’s early weeks.
It could not be clearer in those moments how firmly engrained white supremacy is in all the structures of our nation. The response from law enforcement at the Capitol was unrecognizable from the over-policing that occurs in many of the communities we serve and represent. The upswell of white supremacists came from across our country and from nearly every community. We at Maryland Philanthropy Network stand with our colleagues and leaders across the country in calling for change. Our communities and our future depend on it.
The events of 2020 inspired many words in these pages about the imperative of putting racial equity at the center of philanthropy. The opening days of 2021 have only reinforced the urgency of this message.
Maryland Philanthropy Network joined over 250 philanthropic leaders and peers, issued the following letter affirming the principles of a free, fair, and safe election season and asking fellow leaders to do the same.
More than 1 out of every 100 Americans have now been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, the virus that has overturned life as we know it for nearly a year. In the D.C. region, more than 200,000 people have gotten shots.
In light of the crises of 2020—a global health pandemic and resulting economic crisis, which have exacerbated long-standing inequities in our society, as well as a nationwide reckoning with anti-Black racism—nonprofits and funders alike have calle
Crises bring massive social, health and economic uncertainties, along with challenges and hardships. They also unleash unprecedented philanthropic leadership and opportunities for transformational social change.
