'It's Mutual Aid on Steroids'

A barn-raising effort where nonprofits are helping each other. Plus, philanthropist Laura Arnold on bipartisan solutions for tough issues. [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 INNOVATION [Can 50 Nonprofits Really Build Something Together? A Hopeful Idea Begins to Spread]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Inside an effort dubbed “mutual aid on steroids” that’s getting a tryout in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and Lexington, Ky. INTERVIEW [Philanthropist Laura Arnold on What It Takes to Reduce Polarization and Partisanship]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( In the launch of a new interview series for The Commons, the Giving Pledge member and influential donor talks about the keys to bringing people together on tough issues. Next Up in The Commons in Conversation Our interview series continues with conversations about efforts in politics and Hollywood to close the country’s divides. Events are free; register below. - Layla Zaidane, CEO of Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project), talks about her work with Gen Z and millennial elected officials to bridge partisan divides. Wednesday, September 18, at 12:30 p.m. ET. [Register](. - Erik Bork, Emmy-winning screenwriter and producer, previews his soon-to-be-released The Elephant in the Room, a philanthropy-backed red-blue romantic comedy. Wednesday, October 2, at 12:30 p.m. ET. [Register.]( Of the Moment News and other noteworthy items: - As students return to colleges, Wesleyan president Michael Roth [writes in the New York Times]( about the value and problems of protests: “Demonstrations shouldn’t just entice you to come up with rhyming chants; they should push you to inquire about how different groups of people think about complex issues. And protests should lead to more discussion, not shut it down in favor of ever louder chanting.” - Education Week recently published a special report, [“Big Ideas for Upending Polarization,”]( which includes a survey of educators. [One interesting finding]( Only 4 percent said polarization is not an issue in their school or district. - Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, interim president of Freedom House, argues in [the Bulwark]( that political leaders are “blurring the distinction between genuine threats to our democracy and policy positions they oppose.” The result: Americans begin to see disagreement typical of politics as dangerous. 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 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [A Sneak Peek Into MacKenzie Scott’s Giving, Courtesy of Her Grantees]( By Stephanie Beasley [STORY IMAGE]( In the four years since Scott started surprising nonprofits with unrestricted, multimillion-dollar gifts, a few details about her selection process have become known. OPINION [I’m a Deadhead and a Nonprofit Leader: The Two Have a Lot in Common]( By Eboo Patel [STORY IMAGE]( The Grateful Dead offers nonprofits lessons on how to adapt to change while staying true to their original vision. TRENDS [New Era in Women’s Sports Fueled by Decades of Women Donors]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( Since Title IX’s enactment in 1972, female athletes, activists, and donors have steadily fueled a slow-burning revolution in women’s sports, culminating in today’s record-breaking participation. [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. 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