Bridging Funders to the Front Lines: Pluralism and Greater Philanthropic Opportunity | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.

In 2026, reports highlighted significant challenges facing the nonprofit sector, including democratic fragility and government overreach. Despite recognizing these issues, the reports overlooked the role of movement-rooted philanthropic intermediaries in driving solutions. Collaborative funds, which move between $4 and $7 billion annually, have shown high impact and understanding of community needs. However, this amount is a small fraction of the total foundation giving in the U.S. Emphasizing community-driven solutions is crucial for addressing pressing issues like inequality and climate change.

"Collaborative funds collectively move between $4 and $7 billion annually across more than 500 funds globally. These funds consistently rank in the top 15 percent of all funders nationwide for field impact."

"The absence of movement-rooted philanthropic intermediaries in reports on future solutions highlights a visibility gap that risks reinforcing the inequities that philanthropic investments aim to dismantle."

"As we continue to address the major challenges of this moment-be it inequality, climate change, or the refugee crisis-we need to get out of our comfort zones, listen to communities, and develop unlikely, unconventional partnerships."

Read at Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice.