After a number of years of declining faith in the efficacy of social justice philanthropy, grantmakers and practitioners alike are showing renewed optimism, according to Social Justice Grantmaking II, a benchmarking study released today by the Foundation Center that provides an in-depth look at current attitudes and giving patterns of social justice philanthropists. The report updates the Foundation Center's groundbreaking 2005 study on this topic and includes numerous recommendations based on interviews with social justice grantmakers and practitioners. They cite a changed political environment, the success of community organizing in the recent election, and new ideas and energy in the field among a number of factors reinvigorating a commitment to social justice philanthropy. Among other … Continue Reading
Weathering The Storm
Timed to coincide with the various events these two weeks, the Israeli press has had a significant uptick in North American Jewish philanthropy and financial 'doings' related stories. Here are a few links, just some of the news stories appearing in Haaretz these past few days: Blogger: Federations must connect with young Jews When some people, who want to do cool and interesting things, approach the organized Jewish communities and federations, more often than not they get resistance - in terms of money, in terms of support, in terms of anything. Sallah Shabati no more Perhaps the ultimate example of targeted giving came in the form of the cash-stuffed envelopes in which Long Island businessman Morris Talansky donated funds directly to Ehud Olmert. Battling Over the Blue Box (eJP … Continue Reading
A Brave New Philanthropic World
It's time to face facts. The world under globalization is becoming leaner and leaner - a process now exacerbated by the omnipresent financial crisis. This ever-increasing economic efficiency is mirrored by another important shift - the new relationship between government, corporations and private philanthropists. We at Yesod label this "the triangle of influence" - the three primary agents of social change. Corporations are the newest of the three agents, but are taking the lead in issues ranging from the global environment to AIDS in Africa and local economic empowerment. They bring a business mindset to the world of social change in terms of value for dollar spent, effective business models, and an institutional structure that is affecting the philanthropic world. Complimentary to this is … Continue Reading
Think Big to Make Change Happen
Filed under Jewish Philanthropy, Philanthropy in Israel, Using Technology Wisely
The opening of the UJC's General Assembly last night also witnessed the launch of JGooders, a groundbreaking online arena for Jewish Good Doing. Drawing on some of the best concepts from the U.S. and U.K., and focusing solely on Jewish and Israeli charities, JGooders philosophy is simple: to increase the world of good deeds and good doers by connecting social initiators with social enablers. I had the opportunity a few days ago to sit with two of the founders, long-time communal professionals Ronit Dolev and Smadar Fogel. With the backdrop of a beautiful November afternoon at the Tel Aviv Port (highly recommended to all) watching the sun set over the horizon, I was treated to their vision, a well thought out business plan and a site demo. Here in Ronit's own words, A Dream Comes … Continue Reading
Turning Dusk Into Dawn
by Ariel Beery and Aharon Horwitz Once a year the Jewish world experiences an exceptional gathering of movers and shakers - and this year it is coming to Jerusalem. The General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities and Federations of North America, to be held November 16-19, will attract participants from across the spectrum of Jewish communal leadership, and, most significantly, those who invest in and foster the many activities and ventures identified with the Jewish community. It is only natural, then, that this year's financial crisis has got most if not all of these participants - resource providers and those who depend on them - in a bit of a haze. With uncertainty clouding the philanthropic skies, discussions in this GA's halls are more likely to be about sustaining what exists than … Continue Reading
The Modern World of Social Change
The world of social change is in transition. Globally, national governments are no longer fulfilling the role of social change facilitator. In its stead, local and municipal governments are becoming increasingly powerful and effective. We see that in the response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans as well as with the forest fires in California in the last few years. In short, this transition is the definition of glocalization’ - the more globalized we become, the more localized we become. Within this new reality, the increasing force of local businesses and the third sector is front and center. Foreign Affairs recently published an article on “Global Corporate Citizenship,” which argues that “companies must not only be engaged with stakeholders but be stakeholders themselves alongside … Continue Reading
English