September 21, 2023 How the Meadows Foundation Supports the People (and Animals) of Texas September 21, 2023/ Wendy Paris Animal welfare is one of many causes championed by the Meadows Foundation, a 75-year-old family funder that gives in its home state of Texas. Here’s a look at how Meadows works and what it’s prioritizing right now.Read More
September 15, 2023 A Foster Youth Activist Calls on Philanthropy to Invest Endowment Dollars in Affordable Housing September 15, 2023/ Wendy Paris Daniel Heimpel believes foundations’ invested assets are a deeply underutilized tool in their efforts to tackle the housing crisis. His path forward? Use grants and investments in tandem to ease the way for affordable housing.Read More
August 23, 2023 Address Youth Homelessness or Youth Mental Health? Philanthropy Can Solve Both August 23, 2023/ Tricia Raikes, Guest Contributor In this guest article, philanthropist Tricia Raikes shines a light on the interrelated crises of youth homelessness and mental health, and tells us how her foundation has been addressing that nexus in Washington State.Read More
August 07, 2023 "Your Agenda Is Making Houston Better." How the Houston Endowment Backs Its Home City August 07, 2023/ Wendy Paris We take an on-the-ground look at the Houston Endowment, which has been engaged in local giving for nearly a century. From the arts and parks to successes in reducing homelessness, its influence spans the city.Read More
July 12, 2023 It’s Time for Philanthropy to Put Communities in Charge of Their Own Housing and Futures July 12, 2023/ Almas Sayeed and Jessica Melendez, Guest Contributors Amid a housing equity crisis and following a successful pilot program in L.A., guest authors Almas Sayeed and Jessica Melendez make a case for why philanthropy should back community land trusts.Read More
July 06, 2023 Eight Questions for Maria Kim, President and CEO of REDF July 06, 2023/ Martha Ramirez This unique funder supports businesses that provide jobs to people facing barriers to employment. We spoke with CEO Maria Kim about going from grantee to funder, the challenges in helping people get on their feet, and more.Read More
June 05, 2023 Nonprofit Homeless Response Staff Struggle to Afford Housing. Will Funders Respond? June 05, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe In L.A. and elsewhere, the homeless service sector’s workers are often critically underpaid, and some are at risk of becoming homeless themselves. Part of the problem is funders’ focus on numbers over actual wellbeing.Read More
August 23, 2022 Seven Problems That Have Defied Philanthropy August 23, 2022/ Philip Rojc There are certain issues where philanthropy has tried to make a dent and failed. Others are seemingly so intractable that funders have mostly shied away. Here are some key areas where the sector has struggled to move the needle.Read More
July 21, 2022 Amid a Surging Housing Crisis, Should More Funders Be Paying Attention to YIMBYism? July 21, 2022/ Philip Rojc As the U.S. housing crisis escalates, a growing movement of advocates are saying yes to more housing in their backyards. While it has its controversies, YIMBYism may be an under-explored opportunity for impact.Read More
July 12, 2022 This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration July 12, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen A new partnership run by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute aims to disrupt the connection between housing instability and time in jail — starting in four communities across the country.Read More
March 22, 2022 California's Homelessness Problem Has Long Defied Solutions. Here’s What Five Funders Are Doing March 22, 2022/ Martha Ramirez Even before the pandemic, California had around 28% of the nation’s homeless population. Here’s how five Golden State funders are approaching a problem that continues to stymie philanthropy.Read More
March 16, 2022 IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Housing and Homelessness? March 16, 2022/ IP Staff In IP's weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what's happening in a particular area of philanthropy. This week, we take a look at who is funding work on housing and homelessness. Here’s what you need to know. Read More
March 08, 2022 Grassroots Initiatives Need More Than Seed Money to Thrive March 08, 2022/ Kris Kepler, Guest Contributor People are driven to solve problems in their communities. According to the head of nonprofit LavaMaeX, grassroots efforts can make a huge impact when seed funding is paired with the right training and resources.Read More
November 15, 2021 How a Public-Private Collaboration Is Providing Shelter for Homeless Students in California November 15, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen Blue Shield of California is supporting California’s ambitious Homekey program to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness in the Golden State. For some students, it’s been transformative.Read More
May 05, 2021 A Detroit Charity Fighting Homelessness Gets a Big Grant From a Surprising Source May 05, 2021/ Dawn Wolfe A Catholic charity fighting homelessness in Detroit received a $7 million grant from a family foundation based in California and Hawaii. It’s an interesting example of a small family funder reaching beyond its immediate sphere.Read More
April 08, 2021 How a Data-Driven Push to End Homelessness Landed MacArthur’s $100 Million Prize April 08, 2021/ Philip Rojc After two years, we have a winner in the second round of MacArthur’s $100 million grant competition. Taking home the prize is Community Solutions and its public-health-inspired approach to functionally ending homelessness.Read More