Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

by Chloe Heskett on July 29, 2025 at 2:17 pm

The SMS service that connects hungry neighbors with nearby food pantries? It runs on AI. The nonprofit fighting cancer by repurposing generic drugs? Also operating with AI. The nonprofit instantly The post Signals of Readiness: How Funders Can Vet AI in the Social Sector<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Shannon Farley<span> Co-Founder and Executive Director, Fast Forward</span></div><div>Chantal Forster<span> Independent Advisor, Warren West Advisory</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Ending homelessness is about housing. Except when it’s not.

by Megan Bell on July 28, 2025 at 4:30 pm

For those of us in philanthropy, AI can feel like both a buzzword and a black hole. But as more tools emerge, it’s worth considering how we might approach them thoughtfully.  Like so many others, we at the Farash Foundation have been cautiously exploring artificial intelligence. Our curiosity isn’t just about generating goofy images or The post Don’t Know Where to Start with AI? Try Using Your Values appeared first on Exponent Philanthropy.

by Maggie McGoldrick on July 24, 2025 at 3:18 pm

To improve its next-generation engagement and onboarding processes, the Sartain Lanier Family Foundation partners with Grant Philanthropic Advisors to develop a ‘learning ladder’ that introduces the next generation to important skills and philanthropic knowledge and supports a smoother transition to board service.  In 2024, the Sartain Lanier Family Foundation had begun to see the impact of its recent strategic planning

by Chloe Heskett on July 24, 2025 at 2:24 pm

Imagine a world where philanthropy embraces social change in all its complexity — where genuine change is made through transformational partnerships free from hierarchical bias. As leaders of community-based organizations The post Embracing the Complexity of Social Change: Moving From Transactional to Transformative Funding Partnerships<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Juan José Hurtado Paz y Paz<span> Director, Pop No'j</span></div><div>Camelia Proca<span> Founder and Director, Association for Liberty and Gender Equality - A.L.E.G.</span></div><div>Nikita Ketkar<span> CEO, Masoom</span></div><div>Emmy Zoomlamai Okello<span> Executive Director, Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH)</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by Chloe Heskett on July 24, 2025 at 1:24 pm

Individualism. Competition. Risk aversion. Short-termism. Scarcity. Presumed expertise. Many of the norms by which philanthropy operates perpetuate the very narratives our sector seeks to change. In this series on the CEP The post The Myths of Philanthropy<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Chloe Heskett<span> Senior Writer, Editor & Content Strategist, CEP</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 24, 2025 at 12:00 pm

In this time of crisis, nonprofits may be forced into mergers, acquisitions, and sunsets. A few principles will help leaders make the most of a difficult moment.

by Exponent Philanthropy on July 22, 2025 at 6:30 pm

Engaging the next generation in philanthropy can be both exciting and challenging. Whether you’re thinking of children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or younger staff and board members, many foundations struggle to find meaningful ways to bring them into the fold. “The most important thing is to treat young people as equals at the board table,” says The post Engaging the Next Generation: A Starting Point for Foundations appeared first on Exponent Philanthropy.

by Chloe Heskett on July 22, 2025 at 2:20 pm

Earlier this year, the Aspen Forum for Community Solutions team held its annual retreat in Montgomery, Alabama, visiting the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Sites. As part of this transformative experience, The post Getting Proximate: Effecting Change by Centering Community Voice<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Bakhtawer Abbasi<span> Communications Program Manager, Aspen Forum for Community Solutions</span></div><div>Jamiel Alexander<span> Senior Organizer, Aspen Forum for Community Solutions</span></div><div>Yelena Nemoy<span> Deputy Director of the Opportunity Youth Forum, Aspen Forum for Community Solutions</span></div><div>Elisha Smith-Arrillaga, Ph.D.<span> Vice President, Research, CEP</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm

An excerpt from Power to the Partners shows how designing coalitions is vital to successful organizational partnership

by [email protected] on July 21, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Foundations and nonprofits built the tools that companies now use for ESG reporting, brand credibility, and risk management. Is there a funding model for maintaining these tools so they remain credible, transparent, and financially viable?

by Brendan McCormick on July 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm

A strong board is the cornerstone of a thriving foundation. But finding the right members isn’t easy. From identifying key skills to managing generational shifts, foundations face challenges in building a sustainable board pipeline. Some foundations have developed successful strategies. Others are struggling to find enough qualified candidates. Here’s what funders are doing to strengthen The post Building a Strong Board Pipeline: Insights and Strategies for Foundations appeared first on Exponent Philanthropy.

by Valerie Threlfall on July 17, 2025 at 1:40 pm

I find it hard to believe, but I’ve been working in the feedback field for more than 18 years. During that time, I’ve supported both foundations and nonprofits to more The post The Challenge and Opportunity for Funder and Nonprofit Listening Right Now<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Valerie Threlfall<span> Founder and Executive Director, Listen4Good</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 16, 2025 at 1:00 pm

A path forward for diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

by Exponent Philanthropy on July 15, 2025 at 5:00 pm

As we reach the halfway point of 2025, we’re reflecting on the momentum you’ve helped build across our network of lean funders. From sharing bold new strategies to navigating uncertainty together, the first half of the year has been marked by connection, learning, and collective action. In this update, we’re excited to share highlights from The post 2025 Mid-Year Update: Milestones & Momentum from Exponent Philanthropy appeared first on Exponent Philanthropy.

by Melinda Tuan on July 15, 2025 at 2:21 pm

A newly released report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), “Voices That Matter,” finds that nearly all foundation respondents report actively working to understand the needs of the people The post Funders: Are We Really Listening? An Opportunity for Reflection and Change<div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Melinda Tuan<span> Managing Director, Fund for Shared Insight</span></div><div>Rick Moyers<span> Communications Director, Fund for Shared Insight</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Four priorities for NGOs turning to local government partnerships in the face of funding cuts to help build lasting, large-scale solutions to poverty.

by [email protected] on July 14, 2025 at 4:00 pm

Let us take clarity from destruction as we redevelop development.

by Seara Grundhoefer on July 10, 2025 at 2:07 pm

Nonprofits across the country are struggling with the intense pressures facing them, both internal and external, as revealed in CEP’s 2025 State of Nonprofits report, released just over a month The post Beyond Good Intentions: What New CEP Research Reveals About the Importance of Listening for Foundations and Nonprofits  <div class="print-only-coauthors"><div>Seara Grundhoefer<span> Analyst, Research</span></div></div> appeared first on The Center for Effective Philanthropy.

by [email protected] on July 9, 2025 at 1:00 pm

Documented, an immigrant-facing nonprofit newsroom, shares the creative and innovative ways they've gone about reaching underserved communities.