I’m not feeling a barbecue this Fourth of July

At the end of almost every week, I find myself reflecting on how hard this past week was.

Opinion: The next generation of nonprofit workers are demanding more for themselves, and we should support them

They should be set up to do meaningful work that helps repair the world, while still living whole, happy, joyful lives.

Getting to Know You Series: Meet Marissa Martin of The Advocacy Institute

Elisabeth Rapport (ER): Tell me a bit about your professional background and what led you to The Advocacy Institute.

Chronicle of Philanthropy, Covid-19, Economic Mobility, Face Plant, FFIS, Foundation, Getting to Know You, Leadership, New York City Leadership, Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropic Sector, Philanthropy, Post Covid, Racial Equity, Robert Sterling Clark, Social Justice, Trust-Based PhilanthropyElisabeth RapportFebruary 15, 2022Foundation, pandemic, racial injustice, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, COVID-19, community, charity, democracy, Endowments, Funding, leadership, funding collaboratives, foundation, Covid-19, equity, Networks, Getting to know you, General Operating, Genral Operating Grants, expertise, New Year, New York City, human rights, philanthropy, philanthropic sector, impact, time, social justice, grantmaking, New York City Leadership and Professional Development Directory., Sterling Network NYC, Social Network Analysis, social and systems-level change work, money, Racism, systemic racism, Asian Americans for Equality, anti-Asian Racism, nonrofit, NYC, Grants, grantee, organizations, power, post covid, board members, social impact, governance, social change, Trust-Based Philanthropy, trustComment

A nonprofit thought leader’s resolutions for a new year: To follow and to fail

Although the New Year came in without much fanfare, amidst the pandemic and uncertainty, I did make a few resolutions that will guide how I do my work and live my life this year.

A New Generation of Foundation Leaders Need to Act Like Community Organizers, Not Gatekeepers

I am feeling something like hope these days. After many dark months and unthinkable trials, New York City is seeming more like itself again, or maybe like a wiser version of itself.

Vacation All I Ever Wanted…

…Vacation, have to get away. Those lyrics, from the aptly named “Vacation” classic summer anthem by The Go Gos, feel spot on for this moment in time.

Funders: It’s Time to Talk to Our Legal Teams About Power, Compliance, and Trust-Based Philanthropy

For philanthropy to have more equitable practices, we must examine and reimagine the way we do our work.

For All of Us in Philanthropy, the Moment of Rebuilding Is Here

Last year I spent the first Passover of the pandemic quarantined in my bedroom racked with a fever and body aches.

Chronicle of Philanthropy, Covid-19, Face Plant, FFIS, Flexible Funding Impact, Foundation, Getting to Know You, New York City Leadership, Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, Robert Sterling Clark, Social Justice, Sterling Network NYC, Trust-Based PhilanthropyLisa Pilar CowanApril 20, 2021Chronicle of Philanthropy, community, COVID-19, Covid-19, racial injustice, grantmaking, Grants, grantee, Getting to know you, organizations, General Operating, governance, pandemic, Racism, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, travel, Trust-Based Philanthropy, trust, NYC, social impact, social justice, social change, Sterling Network NYC, Funding, Endowments, democracy, Foundation, Headwaters Foundation, equity, New York City, Networks, new year, human rights, philanthropy, New York City Leadership and Professional Development Directory., social and systems-level change workComment

What One Grant Maker Learned in This Pandemic Year: Keep Asking Questions

I did not intend to become a columnist for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, nor did I imagine becoming a cartoon character.

It’s Not Advice My Grantees Need. They Need My Access to Power and Money.

My godmother Nina is not a warm and fuzzy fairy godmother. She is more of a lawyerly godmother.

Foundations That Are Serious About Achieving Equity Need to Rethink How They Work

Before I had kids, I never saw playgrounds. But once I was pushing a stroller around town, I noticed that they were everywhere.

The Year That Was, and the Year That Will Be

Over the last two years the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has launched a network, grown our grantmaking, joined several national funding collaboratives, been a founding member of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, created an evaluation system, redecorated our office, brought on new board members, updated our website and started a blog.

Foundation, Face Plant, Trust-Based Philanthropy, Sterling Network NYC, Nonprofit SectorLisa Pilar CowanJanuary 6, 2020grantmaking, funding collaboratives, miscommunicating, grantee, new yearComment

Face Plants: Balancing Great Relationships and Great Expectations

What makes for great relationships between funders and their nonprofit partners? We at The Whitman Institute (TWI) have always believed that it starts with respect, authenticity, and honesty across power differentials in ways that build trust over time.

Face Plant, Trust-Based PhilanthropyPia InfanteSeptember 3, 2019face plants, trust-based philanthropy Comment

Face Plants: The “We Blew It!” Edition

As with every young organization, we are making some mistakes as we grow. By acknowledging and reflecting upon them, we hope to avoid making similar oversights in the future.

Face PlantArbor Brothers StaffApril 9, 2019 Comment

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New York, NY 10065

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They should be set up to do meaningful work that helps repair the world, while still living whole, happy, joyful lives.

135 East 64th StreetNew York, NY 10065

135 East 64th Street
New York, NY 10065