A Throwback Thursday: Three Leaders on Their Call to Serve

When passion for the common good is born of personal experience. Plus: We launch The Commons in Conversation [Philanthropy Today Logo]( This is a special weekly edition of Philanthropy Today featuring stories and content from [The Commons](. You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. If you no longer want to receive the Philanthropy Today newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Visit [The Commons]( for our latest content, sign up for [The Commons LinkedIn newsletter,]( and join the conversation in our [Commons LinkedIn group](. From The Commons TOP STORIES [Editors’ Picks: How Three Leaders Were Called to Serve]( [STORY IMAGE]( When we launched The Commons in April, we promised to bring you stories of nonprofit leaders working to close divides. Three of those individuals stand out, because their work is born of a deeply personal experience, for good or for bad. Launched: The Commons in Conversation From senior editor Drew Lindsay: How can philanthropy advance change in our age of division? Yesterday, we kicked off our new interview series, The Commons in Conversation, to explore that question — and potential answers — with nonprofit and philanthropy leaders. In this first episode, Chronicle of Philanthropy CEO Stacy Palmer and I talked about our upcoming guests — including an Emmy award-winning screenwriter — as well as fall stories in [The Commons]( that will examine philanthropy and politics from new angles. You can find a recording of our conversation on the Chronicle’s [YouTube page](. And … we invite you to join us Wednesday, September 4, at 2 p.m. ET for a conversation with our first guest, philanthropist Laura Arnold, co-founder and co-chair of Arnold Ventures. Stacy and Laura will talk about efforts to reduce partisanship as the 2024 election promises to impact a wide range of policies. The event is free, but [register here]( for reminders. Of the Moment News and other noteworthy items: - Inside Higher Education’s Jessica Blake and Kathryn Palmer [look at colleges emphasizing civil discourse and civic engagement]( to help manage tensions over the Israel-Hamas war. - John Paul Lederach, author of [The Pocket Guide for Facing Down a Civil War]( writes in the [Washington Post]( about new research that shows Americans greatly overestimate the willingness of their political opponents to use violence. “That means we have a rare opportunity to de-escalate.” - Christa Case Bryant of the Christian Science Monitor writes about how an NPR station in central Pennsylvania is trying to win “[an ideologically diverse range of listeners]( through in-person events, on-air conversations, and a weekly newsletter that pulls back the curtain on their work.” SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Online Forums [September 10 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( It’s rare to find an organization that coordinates all of its digital outreach to create a consistent and user-friendly experience for supporters. Join us for Creating a Positive Donor Experience in a Digital World to learn from Allison Fine, president of Every.org, Mardi Moore, executive director of Rocky Mountain Equality, and Stacy Bridavsky, executive director of Lil BUB’s Big FUND, how to keep donors informed and engaged on many channels. [September 24 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( A June appeals court ruling put philanthropists on notice: Any grants limited to people of a specific race may be illegal. Join The Future of Race-Based Grant Making to hear from Marc Philpart, executive director of the California Black Freedom Fund; Dr. Carmen Rojas, CEO of Marguerite Casey Foundation; Thomas Saenz, president of MALDEF; and Olivia Sedwick, counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, as they explore the American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund decision. Editor's Picks BIG GIFTS [Melinda French Gates Announces Where $1 Billion in New Funds Will Go to Help Women and Girls]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The philanthropist asked a diverse group of leaders to take part in distributing some of the funds, and she’s financing a competition to attract new ideas to improve female health worldwide. PERSONAL ESSAY [‘While I Breathe, I Hope': A Black Nonprofit Leader and Daughter of the South Returns Home]( By Tycely Williams [STORY IMAGE]( A veteran fundraiser takes up a new job as CEO and pursues the American ideals that she, her family, and generations of Black philanthropists hold dear. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [A Silicon Valley Funder Diversified Its Board. Big Changes Followed]( By Jim Rendon [STORY IMAGE]( Recruiting former grantees onto the board has helped the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund better connect to communities and boost fundraising. [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037