Reimagining Institutional Philanthropy

Powell, Seldon & Sahni challenge conventional institutional philanthropy, urging funders to embrace humility, share power, and embed equity in their practices. Drawing on interviews with U.S. foundation leaders, they highlight strategies such as participatory grantmaking, providing flexible funding, and fostering honest self-reflection. These approaches are presented as crucial for building trust with grantees and catalyzing meaningful systems change, addressing the growing gap between philanthropic aspirations and actual societal impact.