decisions

What’s M.I.A. (Missing In Action) in the GOP Debates?

By March 4, 2016

As last night’s debate demonstrated again, the GOP debates in this 2016 election season look more like ridiculous reality television than robust, complex, and respectful discussion of matters of meaning – particularly in addressing the deep needs and divides of this nation.  One ancient definition of debate is to “smash together” which certainly seems to be…

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A Climate Tipping Point?

By September 11, 2015

This week we wanted to highlight an article by our funder friend Compton Foundation. This post was first published on their site September 10th.  “Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.” Laudato Si…

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Feeding the Philanthropic Imagination

By May 21, 2015

Yesterday, I picked up a copy of Octavia’s Brood, which is an anthology of science fiction stories by amateur writers who happen to be seasoned activists for social change. I’ve been carrying one of its premises in my heart since I read the introduction: those working to bring about social, political, and economic equity are imagining new…

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Beyond the Rockstar Paradigm, Part II

By April 27, 2015

Years ago, I blogged that social movement leadership needed to live into models that do not solely hinge on a single, visionary, rockstar leader. One of TWI’s core partners, Building Movement Project, recently shared some key learning about their commitment to co-leadership.  Many of the points Frances makes resonate strongly with us, in particular the…

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Equity by Another Name

By April 13, 2015

Asset management lingo feels so different from a philanthropic organization’s programmatic lingo – from “Equity” Valuations to Social, Political and Economic “Equity” – it’s no wonder that attempting to reconfigure investments towards social impact can feel bewildering and mysterious, especially when the world of finances and investments feel so distant from a foundation’s programmatic work….

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