The CEP Roundup - November 4, 2024

Welcome to The CEP Roundup, the Center for Effective Philanthropy's LinkedIn-exclusive newsletter. We hope this curated collection helps you discover resources, ideas, and peers in the philanthropic sector that can help you be more effective in your work.

Meeting Political Uncertainty: Reading & Resources Ahead of the U.S. Election

• What can funders do in times of political uncertainty? Read five suggestions from grantees , brought to you via analysis of CEP's Grantee Perception Report data by Kevin Bolduc , Elisha Smith Arrillaga, Ph.D. , and Nina Groleger .
• On a related note, Phil Buchanan 's recent piece on the CEP blog addresses - but does not attempt to answer - big questions for philanthropy when it comes to nurturing democracy, including: "When do we bridge and when do we fight? "
• In a blog post responding to and building on Phil's, Hilary Pearson, CM reflects on how Canadian funders grapple - or don't grapple - with policy, advocacy, and supporting a robust democracy, election season or not .
• YouthTruth , an initiative of CEP, recently released a report, "Youth Civic Empowerment: Insights from the Student Experience," which examines how well U.S. public schools are preparing students to fulfill their democratic responsibilities. Their findings are concerning .
• Don't have time to read the full YouthTruth report? Start with insights and key data points from Jennifer de Forest and then read up on one funder's approach to empowering youth for civic engagement in her Q&A with Kathryn Bradley of Stuart Foundation .
• Finally, hear from Eric Liu of Citizen University on the Giving Done Right podcast, in conversation with hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette on how donors can support a revitalization of civic engagement. Listen wherever you get podcasts or right here .

PLUS: Look for a new piece on the CEP blog tomorrow, Election Day, that will offer data-based insight into how both funders and nonprofits are affected by the political climate in the U.S.

More Good Reads

• Fund for Shared Insight 's Melinda Tuan reflects on the evolution of the Fund's work to make listening to communities a standard practice in philanthropy, and details the full meaning of the phrase "funder listening to shift power ."
• "I’m tearing out my hair, wondering what exactly funders are saving 95% of their money for." In an interview with Inside Philanthropy 's Mike Scutari, Vu Le shares his thoughts on foundation pay-out rates, perpetuity, his initiative Crappy Funding Practices , and what he might do if he gives up nonprofit sector advocacy .
• Archstone Foundation 's Laura Rath shared their 2024 Grantee Perception Report results in a thoughtful reflection that included a look ahead at continued and coming process changes as well as acknowledgement of what is working well for their grantees.

What We're Watching

"This work is built on relationships." A short film from Trees, Water & People shares the nonprofit and it's communities' experience with trust-based philanthropy. Watch "In the Right Hands - Trusting Community to Guide Philanthropy " for insight into a trust-based approach to funding in action.

Tune In

The most recent episode of the Giving Done Right podcast featured Ramsey Alwin of National Council on Aging and Chad Federwitz, PhD. of Pitkin County Senior Services . The two shared insight into the vital importance of support for aging and caregiving services in every community that allow all Americans to age with dignity. Listen wherever you get podcasts.

We're on a break this week, but look for the next episode of Giving Done Right - a lively discussion between colleagues about giving relationships, trust, and more - out on Nov. 14.

In the meantime, tune in to a new season of Becoming the Vision hosted by Chera Reid, PhD , Efrain Gutierrez , and Trinel Torian, PhD