It’s commonly said in philanthropy that those closest to the problem are best positioned to develop the solutions. However, understanding this in principle and implementing it in practice can be two different challenges. In 2018, the Prospera International Network of Women’s Funds and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation began a conversation about how to … Continue reading Bringing Participatory Practices to Life at Fenomenal Funds

With polarization on the rise across the country and individuals retreating still further into their own bubbles of like-minded peers, the adage of “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” can seem like a quaint relic of the past. Indeed, the Pew Research Center reports that 77 percent of Americans believe the country is more … Continue reading Empathy Plus Action: Behind the Scenes of the Compassion Project

The New Venture Fund was proud to see a number of our fiscally sponsored projects listed among the recipients of MacKenzie Scott’s latest philanthropic contributions. In the essay that accompanied her list of donations, Ms. Scott notes that “equity can only be realized when all people involved have an opportunity to help shape it.” She … Continue reading Helping the Organizations that Help Us All

When Congress passed its $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill in November of 2021, communities across America were suddenly poised to receive a massive federal investment. While this is a tremendous victory for cities across the country, organizations like Next Century Cities know that significant work remains before every community can use those federal dollars effectively. … Continue reading Next Century Cities’ Big Opportunity to Bridge the Digital Divide

Water has always been at the center of the environmental movement, and for good reason. It’s universal and essential—the source of life on Earth. But for decades, the movement of those dedicated to protecting this invaluable resource has not fully reflected the diversity of people affected by it. Structural inequities, not lack of interest, have … Continue reading How the Fund for Lake Michigan Combines Racial Equity and Environmentalism

The events of 2020 fundamentally changed our country and the philanthropic sector, as donors and changemakers raced to respond to challenges including COVID-19, growing threats to democracy at home and abroad, and ongoing racial injustice. In this context, the value of fiscal sponsorship became readily apparent, and New Venture Fund experienced unprecedented growth in our … Continue reading How Three New Venture Fund Projects Are Helping to Advance Equity

The last two years have fundamentally changed our country and the social impact sector, as donors and changemakers raced to respond to intersecting challenges including the global pandemic, growing threats to democracy at home and abroad, and ongoing racial injustice. In this context, the value of fiscal sponsorship became readily apparent, and New Venture Fund … Continue reading COVID-19 Proved that Fiscal Sponsorship Can Help the Social Sector Create Even More Impact

2020 was a year that changed history, and New Venture Fund was proud to play a role helping respond to global challenges and improving the health and wellbeing of people and the planet.    New Venture Fund exists to allow nonprofits and philanthropists to maximize the impact of their charitable work. The immense need in 2020 led to growth throughout the philanthropic sector, and NVF was no exception. Giving to NVF grew significantly in 2020 as our … Continue reading New Venture Fund’s 2020 Impact

In 2004, a tsunami in South Asia killed more than 227,000 people in 14 countries and left another 387,000 without homes. In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana and wreaked havoc along the U.S. Gulf Coast, causing $81 billion in property damage—and forever changing communities. In each case, philanthropy groups responded the … Continue reading Improving Disaster Response: The Story of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Across the United States, grassroots activists, leaders, and advocates are organizing to advance racial equity in their communities. But many of those leaders have struggled to access sufficient resources, including the platform provided by fiscal sponsors like New Venture Fund. NVF has committed to an ongoing process of self-inquiry and action to center racial equity … Continue reading New Report: Leveraging Fiscal Sponsorship for Racial Equity