Let’s begin with some background music to set the stage for this blog post. Start the music in the video below, and continue reading… You’re now listening to a familiar tune called ‘Take Five’.[1] Catchy, isn’t it? If you’re not a musician, you might have a hard time putting your finger on what makes this song so alluring. Music historian … Read More
How to get unstuck
Family foundations start out with lots of dreams to impact their communities through their giving, advocacy, and support. They usually start by giving close to home and to those with whom they have a pre-existing relationship. But over time challenges arise. Personnel changes, program developments, lack of project fulfillment, and changing priorities by donors create situations where givers begin to … Read More
9 steps to greatness in giving
Nick Cooney’s 2015 provocative book, How to Be Great at Doing Good: Why Results Are What Count and How Smart Charity Can Change the World, helps donors consider that giving well is laden with both responsibility and opportunity. It’s easy to fall into a rut where we routinely give to the same organizations year after year, and fail to use our … Read More
Thank you Linda
Due to changes to our business model, we must regretfully say goodbye to our colleague, Linda Dzelme, who has been core to our team for the past four and a half years (at Stronger Philanthropy), and for the previous thirteen years for our client, Bridgeway Foundation. She has served with incredible enthusiasm, loyalty, and competence, and I know all who worked with … Read More
Changes ahead for Stronger Philanthropy
The current pandemic has unleashed a tidal wave of change that impacts both major donors and charities, and these changes also impact our work at Stronger Philanthropy. To successfully emerge from the pandemic, we must attend to the need for organizational renewal that corresponds to a new, ever evolving, landscape. Stronger Philanthropy has reviewed our priorities and considered how to … Read More
WE have a problem
Do you conduct due diligence on the charities you support? Recent news has reported on a spectacular failure that has put a celebrated charity on the front pages of Canadian papers. The federal government was prepared to invest over $900 million into WE Charity based in Toronto, but the deal fell apart. As I’ve read the astonishing reports (here and … Read More
Canada Cares Campaign for matching grants by feds
Today, Stronger Philanthropy joined forces with other charities and partners in the charitable sector across Canada to support the Canada Cares Campaign, a digital campaign mobilizing Canadians to call for a 1:1 matching funds program by the federal government. Charities across Canada have stepped up in a big way throughout this pandemic. In dark clouds of despair and uncertainty, Canada’s … Read More
Grants for charities working with seniors
Do you know registered charitable organizations that serve seniors in the Ontario counties of Brant, Essex, Kent, Niagara, or Northumberland? Let them know that grants up to $5,000 are available from Levante Foundation this summer. Click here for more information and to apply.
30 days of hope interview
Here is an online interview I did with Dr. Colleen Batchelder, Founder of LOUD Summit. In it, I discuss the state of philanthropy during a pandemic, and tips for charities seeking funding at this critical time. The LOUD Summit is a progressive Christian nonprofit based in New Jersey which seeks to create places of diversity, inclusion, and equality.