Hilary Pennington

After facing criticism about its lack of attention to disability inclusion, Ford set out to integrate the issue into all its work. Its successes and setbacks show what it takes to change a cultural mind-set.

A new Ford Foundation-backed project aims to mend toxic societal divisions that threaten philanthropy’s most fundamental work, including its ability to bring people together to address enormous challenges such as systemic racism and climate change.

A year ago today, foundations and donors committed to new ways of operating to help organizations survive the health and economic crises. In 2021, there’s much more for all of us to do.

We were heartened this spring when nearly 800 grant makers signed a pledge to, among other things, “loosen or eliminate the restrictions on current grants” and “make new grants as unrestricted as possible.” The pledge was a reassuring philanthropic response to the challenges facing nonprofits, many…

Foundation officials must get out of their own echo chambers and understand the realities of what nonprofits and their beneficiaries face every day.

The focus on results sometimes means grants makers and charities forget to ask clients what they think might make a difference, Hilary Pennington of the Ford Foundation and Fay Twersky of the Hewlett Foundation write.

Seven foundations are announcing today a plan to award at least $15-million to jump-start projects that promote better openness about what works.