Using All the Tools in the Toolkit: Funding Advocacy for Social Change
As more philanthropists consider whether and how to invest in new types of organizations and advocacy efforts, they have a lot of questions. This article provides research-based, tactical guidance on how, when, and where to consider investing in advocacy efforts. It reflects new research, including more than 30 interviews with practitioners and philanthropists. Our interviewees shared that thoughtful, nuanced, and sustained advocacy and policy work can lead to scaled, durable progress on just about any social issue in the United States.
Betting on the Tortoise: Policy Incrementalism and How Philanthropy's Support Can Turn Small Sustained Steps into Big Impact
It might surprise some people to hear that profound shifts in US public policy have been the result of incremental policy making, step-by-step, over many decades. But here are four ways that funders can bet on the tortoise with strategic, sustained investments in social movements.
When Philanthropy Meets Advocacy
Increasing numbers of Americans want charitable organizations to step into the public policy arena and lead the causes they care about. And a handful of bold philanthropists—both on the left and the right—are stepping into the breach, with outsized investments to influence civil and political society. But if philanthropists are going to step up their advocacy work, what is the best way for them to proceed?(Stanford Social Innovation Review)
Audacious Philanthropy
Private philanthropists have helped propel some of the most important social-impact success stories of the past century, from virtually eradicating polio to ending apartheid in South Africa. These 15 examples demonstrate that effective initiatives build a shared understanding of the problems and their ecosystems, set concrete and compelling “winnable milestones," design approaches that work at massive scale, drive demand, and embrace course corrections. (Bridgespan.org and Harvard Business Review)
