Candid insights
The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise
Reflections by a new philanthropist
Never. Never have I had a course that has had such an influence on my academic life, as well as my personal life, as this one. Philanthropy & Civil Society, a course offered at Binghamton University through the Learning By…
July 21, 2020
Today I become an advocate of community-centered fundraising
At the beginning of my career, I learned fundraising from Hank Rosso, founder of The Fundraising School and author of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising. Hank taught that “fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.” I also…
July 20, 2020
Virtual benefits here for a while—connecting donors to the cause and to each other
In his best-selling book, Together, former surgeon general Vivek H. Murthy, MD, writes, “The universal drive to connect is still alive and well. … It surfaces during times of crisis and in unexpected acts of kindness that remind us who…
July 17, 2020
Long-term planning in a time of flux and struggle: sharing Candid’s 2030 vision
This is a moment of immediacy. The entire globe is battling a pandemic. The streets of American cities are brought alive by righteous anger at racial injustice. Urgency eclipses long-term thinking, as it should. That sense of urgency is central…
July 16, 2020
Does your philanthropy have the clarity to be the change we need?
During COVID-19, we’ve seen how systemic racism and injustice magnifies personal hardship, undermines recovery, and prevents transformational change. We’re also witnessing what happens when too many nonprofit organizations balance on a financial knife’s edge. So, just when we need robust…
July 15, 2020
How many nonprofits will shut their doors?
We find ourselves amidst a pandemic-driven recession of uncertain scope and duration. Over the last months, Candid employees have been asked repeatedly, “How many nonprofits are going to shut their doors and go out of business?” There is no easy…
July 15, 2020
Beyond Words: What UK Grantmakers are Learning About Power and Trust
Philanthropy has to confront its contributions to maintaining systems of oppression if it ever is to contribute to the kind of systemic change needed in our society. State-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism is urging deep reflection on how to build…
July 14, 2020
How libraries are adjusting to the new normal during COVID-19
Hello, Candid Learning users! I’m Kent Mulcahy, the Grants Resource Librarian at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, one of Candid’s Funding Information Network (FIN) partners. As I type this, my senior pitbull, Frances, is adorably snoring loudly…
July 14, 2020
When a pandemic hits: How Chinese community foundations responded to COVID-19
"When a pandemic hits: How Chinese community foundations responded to COVID-19" is reprinted from Global Fund Community Foundations. When COVID-19 emerged in China, Chinese authorities took unprecedented measures to contain the virus. From mid-January, strict lockdowns were imposed across the…
July 13, 2020
What’s new at Candid (July 2020)
Since my last “What’s new at Candid” update, George Floyd’s death at the hands of police and the ensuing uprisings have sparked significant reckoning with racial justice in our sector. At Candid, this meant affirming our commitment to racial equity, accelerating updates to our racial equity webpage, and taking time to pause and share together. We have also published several…
July 10, 2020
Meeting the moment: more and better funding for human rights
When we launched our research to map the human rights funding landscape in 2010, we wanted to both increase funding for the human rights field and help funders spend it more effectively. As the COVID-19 pandemic and sweeping protests against…
July 9, 2020
How racial equity supports better grantmaking practices
As the philanthropic sector aims to build trust, strengthen relationships, and address the systemic power imbalances in our society, trusting nonprofits and the people they serve is crucial.
July 8, 2020