by Denver Frederick | Aug 8, 2016 | Guest Interview
Foundations are often taken to task for being too risk-averse but no one could apply that epithet to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. RBF, a 76-year-old foundation, played a huge and long-term role in brokering the U.S. and Iran nuclear agreement — which is now perhaps the most prominent and most committed philanthropic initiative to cease investing in oil, coal, and gas.
In this segment from the Business of Giving, Stephen Heintz, the fund’s president, tells the story behind its decision to divest from fossil fuels, despite its wealth being derived from one of America’s great oil fortunes. He also shares his thoughts on the Iran deal, how foundations can leverage and maximize its influence, their learning from grantees, the challenge of measuring the unquantifiable, and the history of Rockefeller family philanthropy.
by Denver Frederick | Jul 3, 2016 | Guest Interview
In this segment, Laura Callanan describes how Upstart Co-Lab got its start and how it works to create opportunities for artists as innovators, collaborators, and agents of social change. The New York group links artists addressing issues like criminal justice, the environment, and urban resiliency with entrepreneurs, impact investors, and sustainable companies in an effort to attract capital for creativity.
by Denver Frederick | Mar 6, 2016 | Guest Interview
While 80% of major philanthropists wish to make $10+ million gifts to social change organizations, only about 20% of these major gifts are so directed, with the preponderance going to traditional institutions such as universities and hospitals.
In this segment from The Business of Giving with Denver Frederick, Chris Addy, a partner at the Bridgespan Group and co-author of “Making Big Bets for Social Change,” explains the reasons behind this “aspiration gap.”
He discusses the lack of “shovel-ready opportunities” available and what social change organizations need to do in order to be able to attract these mega-gifts.
