Introducing The Commons: Can Philanthropy Bring America Together?

Featuring: What philanthropy elites can learn from Appalachia; and how the fight against inequality can save democracy [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Welcome to [The Commons]( Today the Chronicle of Philanthropy debuts a [major new effort]( to explore how America’s nonprofits and foundations are working to heal the nation’s divides. Organizations nationwide are bringing communities together and getting things done. We’ll look at potential solutions and examine how philanthropy can do more — and how it can avoid creating or deepening fissures. The Commons is taking on far more than political polarization. Fault lines based on income, race, gender, geography, and even age all threaten the progress that philanthropy seeks. The Commons brings you the rigorous reporting and expansive range of opinions you count on from the Chronicle. Plus, we’re offering resources and tools that can help you and your organization act. Send us your [ideas and feedback](mailto:thecommons@philanthropy.com). We’re eager to hear from you. [Stacy Palmer](mailto:editormail@philanthropy.com) CEO, Chronicle of Philanthropy GRASSROOTS [What Philanthropy Elites Can Learn From Appalachia]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( “We’ve got to stop hyperintellectualizing things,” says L.B. Prevette, a North Carolina leader of a program founded by New York Times columnist David Brooks to build community. ADVERTISEMENT OPINION [Why Community Leaders Fighting Inequality Are the Antidote to Polarization]( By Darren Walker [STORY IMAGE]( Polarization is not the cause of our alienation but rather the effect, argues the Ford Foundation’s Darren Walker BY THE NUMBERS [Data Don’t Lie: We’re More United Than You Think]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( A neuroscientist warns philanthropy: Your bridge-building efforts may be a waste of money. WEBINARS [April 18 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Affluent donors continue to take advantage of donor-advised funds. To better understand the motivations and giving preferences of those who hold these accounts, join us for How DAF Donors Are Giving Away Their Money. We’ll share insights to help you better connect with donors who give this way, and you’ll learn how nonprofits are successfully attracting contributions through DAFs. SPONSOR CONTENT | Classy [Revolutionizing Fundraising Strategies for a Digital Age]( ONLINE FORUMS [April 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join the Chronicle and a panel of nonprofit experts for the free online forum Using A.I. to Streamline Nonprofit Operations. Our guest experts will share practical examples of the latest A.I. applications and advice on how to manage the rapid pace of A.I.-driven change. Don’t miss this chance to learn how harnessing smart tools can introduce efficiencies and help increase productivity at your organization. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online The World Central Kitchen said seven of its workers were killed in Gaza while delivering humanitarian aid, in what the charity’s CEO called a targeted Israeli attack. World Central Kitchen and other groups have paused relief efforts in the region, which is on the brink of famine, and the Israel Defense Forces said they were investigating the incident. ([Washington Post]( Plus: The Celebrity Chef Who Beat the U.S. Military at Getting Aid Into Gaza ([Wall Street Journal]( subscription) Mercy for Animals’ Transfarmation project, which helps livestock farmers switch to specialty-crop production, is slowly creating a group of case studies as its nine farmers deal with financial and technical issues. ([Civil Eats]( More News - Philanthropic Fund Has Raised Over $2M For Entrepreneurs of Color Pursuing Capital ([Black Enterprise]( - Unionized Workers at Science Museum of Minnesota Await Contract as Cultural Nonprofits Face Changing Labor Market ([Pioneer Press]( - Kansas City, Mo.’s Nelson-Atkins Museum Is Auctioning Off a $18-Million Monet ([Artnet]( - Bryan Stevenson Reclaims the Monument, in the Heart of the Deep South ([New Yorker]( - One Grieving Mother Hasn’t Given Up Hope for a Gun Control Compromise ([New York Times]( Opinion - A Nonprofit Motive Need Not Be Bad for Business ([Financial Times]( subscription) - Green Shareholders Try to Sabotage America’s Energy Industry ([Wall Street Journal]( subscription) - Charitable misgiving: The modern billionaire philanthropist ([Hill]( - The Deaths of Effective Altruism ([Wired]( Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. EDITOR'S PICKS FUNDRAISING EVENTS [A Dozen Ways to Create Events Donors Love — Without Spending a Fortune]( By Lisa Schohl [STORY IMAGE]( Add a live peer-to-peer fundraising element to boost results while engaging guests in a fun way, and more tips from three event-planning experts. TRENDS [A New Slate of Community Foundation Leaders Want to Leave a Mark]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( Dozens of community foundations have new presidents. The group is turning well-capitalized philanthropies into players in progressive policy battles across the country. OPINION [Foundation Compensation: When Are CEO Salaries Too High?]( By Craig Kennedy [STORY IMAGE]( Without checks and balances, scrutinizing and challenging foundation leaders’ million-dollar paychecks is nearly impossible. RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — It’s an age-old problem: many nonprofit CEOs and senior leaders struggle to persuade board members to raise money — even though trustees care deeply about the nonprofits they serve. Experts cite a variety of reasons, including the need to define roles and responsibilities when recruiting board members. What does it take to create a vibrant culture of fundraising among board members? Join us on Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn from our expert guests as they share proven ways to solve this perennial challenge. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](. 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