Access Philanthropy

Recent Posts

News & Resources

Funder Affinity Groups

by

Funder Affinity Groups

Funder affinity groups are ongoing open-facing collaborations of grantmakers interested in a specific area of grantmaking (health, environment, K-12 education, for example). Inside Philanthropy explains Affinity Groups:

— A group or network of funders that come together around a shared interest.
— Circles where funders can interact, and often collaborate, to maximize impact.

There is a funder affinity group for about every community or issue imaginable.
Most affinity groups are hosted by a larger organization, such as the Minnesota Council of Foundations. We thought we would jump on the wagon and provide a couple links for affinity groups sponsored by the national Council of Foundations and Minnesota Council of Foundations:

— The National Council of Foundations affinity groups
— Minnesota Council of Foundations affinity groups

Implications for Grantseekers:

— As a prospecting resource, lists of affinity group foundation members are a good way to find out which funders are interested in K-12 funding or homelessness.
— Also as a prospecting tool, sometimes affinity groups will list the names of program officers who represent the foundation at the affinity group table. Good to know which program officers are serious about health issues.
— Often affinity groups will talk about upcoming conferences or webinars. It’s good to know what issues are in the forefront of climate change funders and what kind of language and terms funders are using.

Impact of Mega Grants on smaller nonprofits

by

Most philanthropoids seem okay with the huge McKenzie Scott-size grants that foundations are putting out for good causes. But some foundation employees are side-barring concerns about the impact these grants are having on everyday grant programs.

Two Ford Foundation (low level) grant people point out the $420 million commitment the Foundation made for equity last month takes away $80 million/year from the grants budget.

These guys believe it won’t be the big annual grantees who will suffer from this decrease, but small, newer, less well-known groups, who will have an $80 million smaller chance to develop a relationship with Ford and other funders.

Hopefully, the mega-mega $400 million commitment will have a larger-than-life impact on equity, and this will overshadow and justify fewer grants to smaller, newer, community-led groups. It worked for health, libraries, and school lunches at the beginning of the 20th century. So, maybe.

A look at the funding shifts in Mental Health in MN

by

Mental health has long been a neglected issue area among funders. The money designated for mental health usually went to hospitals. But, during the last decade, we have seen funders taking this area more seriously, and considering its issues independently of physical health issues.

Access Philanthropy took a look into the top funders and what they’re most interested in, in our new report: “Mental Health Funding Trends in Minnesota”. Link to the Report