by Denver Frederick | May 30, 2024 | Blog
A topic that’s gaining traction among philanthropists and changemakers alike is the strategic funding of advocacy efforts, and I’m excited to have with us today two distinguished experts to discuss it. William Foster is a managing partner at the Bridgespan Group and co-author of Betting on the Tortoise: Policy Incrementalism and How Philanthropy’s Support Can Turn Small Sustained Steps into Big Impact. His research provides a deep dive into how major policy victories are often not the result of sudden leaps, but rather the culmination of strategic incremental efforts backed by steadfast philanthropic support. And joining him is Deborah Bielak, a partner in the Bridgespan San Francisco office. She is the co-author of Using All the Tools in the Toolkit: Funding Advocacy for Social Change. It highlights the diverse strategies philanthropists can employ to drive policy and political changes that resonate with their objectives.
by Denver Frederick | May 17, 2024 | Guest Interview
A topic that’s gaining traction among philanthropists and changemakers alike is the strategic funding of advocacy efforts, and I’m excited to have with us today two distinguished experts to discuss it.
by Denver Frederick | Feb 7, 2022 | Guest Interview
The very first endowed chairs were established by the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, in Athens all the way back in 176 AD. He created one endowed chair for each of the major schools of philosophy.
Today, nonprofit endowments are all too rare, especially for social change organizations led by people of color, whose endowments are nearly four times smaller than those of white-led organizations. This, according to a new Bridgespan Group analysis, and here from the Bridgespan Group to discuss it with us are William Foster and Darren Isom.
by Denver Frederick | Jul 9, 2018 | Guest Interview
In a given year when $60 billion is given to foundations, only about $2.5 billion of just 4% goes towards advocacy work. But with advocacy campaigns having had a track record of success from ending Apartheid in South Africa to LGBTQ rights, the question becomes, why isn’t more of this happening? This is among the items examined in a recent article on the Stanford Social Innovation Review titled, When Philanthropy Meets Advocacy. It’s a pleasure to have with us its co-author, Susan Wolf Ditkoff, who is a partner at The Bridgespan Group and the co-head of their philanthropy practice.
by Denver Frederick | Aug 7, 2017 | Better Than Most
One of the very best nonprofit organizations in the world just so happens to have one of the very best corporate cultures. It is the Bridgespan Group which helps mission-driven organizations and philanthropists to advance their learning and accelerate their impact. Their Boston headquarters is in Copley Square and I visited there recently to hear from the staff about some of the unique and exceptional aspects of their work culture.
