Citizen Power and Social Change

An experiment to create solutions for homelessness. Plus, a romantic comedy with our political antagonism in the lead role. [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 Ordinary Citizens Solve Our Toughest Problems?]( By George Anders [STORY IMAGE]( An effort in Bend, Ore., backed by big funders looks for answers to youth homelessness. INTERVIEW [A Hollywood Director Tells How He Built a Rom-Com Around Political Strife]( By George Anders [STORY IMAGE]( In a new video interview as part of the Chronicle’s The Commons, filmmaker Erik Bork explains why he chose to revisit deep tensions after the 2020 election — and how his surprising movie, “The Elephant in the Room,” could help reduce today’s polarization. Upcoming Events in The Commons Next up in The Commons in Conversation interview series: - Nealin Parker of [Common Ground USA]( will report on nonprofit efforts to head off political violence in advance of the November elections. October 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The event is free; [registration is required](. - How do average Americans respond to common nonprofit vernacular like “community,” “diversity,” and “democracy”? Amy McIsaac leads a language perception project at [Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement]( and will talk about words that bring us together and those that divide us. This is a special pre-election event on October 30 at 12:30 p.m. ET. The event is free; [registration is required](. Of the Moment News and other noteworthy items: - In [Democracy: A Journal of Ideas]( Democracy House trustee Ian Simmons and Issue One chief advancement officer Louisa Imperiale argue for a reimagining of philanthropy’s investment in democracy reform. “This means start-up nonprofit reform organizations being turned into lasting institutions,” they write. “This means long-term funding for the critical work these organizations do. This means foundations whose endowments are explicitly for the purpose of safeguarding democracy from whatever threatens it.” - A [new Gallup poll]( indicates that 80 percent of Americans think the country is greatly divided — a record high. Only 18 percent of poll respondents believe the country is united. Thirty years ago, almost a third of Americans believed that. - CBS News [reports]( on [Reuniting America by Fostering Trust]( (RAFT), which brings together people with different points of view for white-water rafting trips. “When we play together, it allows us to form relationships that otherwise we would never even consider,” says trip organizer Ken Powley, CEO of the nonprofit [Team Democracy](. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Webinars [October 10 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for Steps to Take to Build a Planned Giving Program to learn from Aquanetta Betts, director of planned giving at George Mason University, and Sean Twomey, senior director of planned giving and impact at the Wilderness Society, how to jump start your planned giving efforts. They’ll share smart tips for attracting charitable bequests, which totaled $42.7 billion last year, and other planned gifts. Editor's Picks RURAL PHILANTHROPY [National Grant Makers Bet This Rural Education Program Can Scale]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( The Ballmer Group, Blue Meridian Partners, and others are helping Partners for Rural Impact take a model from Harlem and adapt it for Appalachian Kentucky and beyond. ESSAY [My Journey as a Black Christian DEI Leader at a Jewish Nonprofit]( By Whitney Weathers [STORY IMAGE]( Her colleagues gave the author a new understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. After the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, it was her perspective of allyship that changed. OPINION [The Case for Doing Away With the Charitable Deduction]( By Robert McClelland [STORY IMAGE]( A tax code tweak that replaces the deduction with matching grants could encourage everyone to donate. [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