As many of you readers already know, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation utilizes a trust-based philanthropy approach in our work. That means we thrive on relationships grounded in mutual trust and respect, and we seek to imbue those traits into every interaction—whether it’s with a grantee partner, an individual leader, a funder, a collaborator, or an ally.
Read MoreHeadwaters Foundation in Missoula, Montana is a new health conversion foundation that has been committed to embracing trust-based philanthropy since its inception. This commitment has led to a number of innovations – including GO! Grants that are designed to put grant funds in the hands of grantees in less than a month – as well as some informative lessons. As part of our ongoing series on trust-based philanthropy, we sat down with Headwaters CEO Brenda Solorzano to get the full scoop.
Read MoreHi everyone. Before we begin, thank you to all the colleagues who donated to my organization on my birthday last week. It helps our mission of developing more leaders of color and strengthening organizations led by communities of color. If you haven’t donated, it’s not too late.
This blog post is going to be a little more serious than usual. I’m going to say things that may be very difficult for many people to hear. Especially if you work for a foundation that provides restricted funding, please take a deep breath. I don’t expect everyone to agree, but we need to have this conversation. Next week’s post will be lighter. Unless something else comes up.
Read MoreTHE ROBERT STERLING CLARK FOUNDATION CONVENES LEADERS TO TAKE INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO ADVANCING ECONOMIC MOBILITY IN NEW YORK CITY
(ROBERT STERLING CLARK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NETWORK OF CROSS-SECTOR LEADERS TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY IN NEW YORK CITY)
City leaders across nonprofit, government, and business sectors join forces to make systems impact
Read MoreAbout two years ago, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation had a chance to rethink both what we do and how we do it. We adjusted our giving programs—painfully letting go of important issues and organizations with the belief that we could do more for New York City with a more focused giving strategy.
Read MoreOur colleagues over at Grantmakers for Effective Organizations have a Non-Profit Advisory Council of 9 Non-Profit leaders. Together they have written this open letter to Philanthropy, which we think is really worth reading. Their ideas can help grantmakers like RSCF to think about what nonprofits really need, and how we can offer authentic and useful support to them.
Read MoreSince his appointment as president a year and a half ago, Phil Li of the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has taken dramatic steps toward embodying trust-based philanthropy, including getting rid of lengthy reporting requirements and shifting toward multi-year unrestricted support. As part of The Whitman Institute’s ongoing series featuring funders embodying trust-based philanthropy, we sat down with him to get the scoop:
Read MoreThe Robert Sterling Clark Foundation has undergone a generational change in leadership with the retirement of Margaret C. Ayers after thirty-eight years of service and the arrival last year of Phil Li, our new president. The foundation’s transition has provided a welcome interlude for the Board. We have reflected on our programs and, in doing so, have thought about the nature of leadership in a foundation and, more broadly, leadership within the nonprofit and governmental sectors, especially in New York City.
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