A message from Henry Berman, CEO of Exponent Philanthropy One week ago today, we witnessed an assault on our nation’s Capitol. One week from today, that same Capitol will host the inauguration of our new president. Both events will be defining chapters in tomorrow’s history books. But tomorrow is not today. We cannot stand idly... Read More
Philanthropy has a new champion. Her name is MacKenzie Scott. Recently, Scott announced that in her relatively short time in philanthropy, she’s given $1.7 billion to 116 nonprofits. Many of the organizations are devoted to equity, and those organizations are largely led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. While the amount represents a... Read More
For several days, I have struggled with how to make sense of what is happening in this country. I’ve heard commentators—black and white—prognosticate on what we must do, while trying to explain what brought us to today. I have read words from my colleagues in the philanthropic field, calling for action and offering heartfelt directions... Read More
Giving Beyond Dollars By Henry Berman I speak often about how we as funders can support our nonprofit partners and communities, beyond giving funds. Among the methods we have at our disposal—conveying, advocating and offering connections. Recently, I spoke with Jalen Benson, a first-year medical student, and his colleague Julia Walczak, a nursing student. They’re... Read More
Recent press coverage has been rife with stories of public companies taking forgivable loans under the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP). In times of economic uncertainty, it’s understandable that many businesses quickly applied for whatever programs were available. But businesses with strong banking relationships crowded out many nonprofits from accessing the funding stream. The initial $349... Read More
Many years ago, Sister Janice of the Sisters of Notre Dame advised me to “never confuse the expression of religion with the essence of religion.” Amid Passover, Easter, and Ramadan, her words ring truer now than ever as COVID-19 makes us reassess how we celebrate these holy days. This Passover, a computer monitor was center... Read More