In this edition of our quarterly newsletter, we share highlights from the first few months of 2024, including headline-making news and celebrations with past awardees.
April 2024
A message from our CEO, Cecilia Conrad:
This month, Cecilia highlights our recent headline-making news about the Yield Giving Open Call, as well as celebrations with Ahlan Simsim, the awardee of the inaugural 100&Change competition, and our continuing partnership with the LEGO Foundation to highlight outstanding organizations from the Build a World of Play Challenge in a new Solutions Hub. We’re also shining a spotlight on highly rated members of our network in Asia, and making the case for greater transparency in philanthropy. Continue reading…
Yield Giving Open Call Announces 361 Awardees
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced that 361 organizations received $640 million for their work with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. This cohort of 361 outstanding teams from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico will enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources. These community-led, community-focused organizations work in urban and rural settings, with individuals of all ages, focusing on a wide range of issues. Yet, they share a common sense of purpose: the Open Call awardees are all making positive change in their communities by reducing disparities in economic outcomes, education, heath, and other critical issues.
Learn More
Bold Solutions Focused on Early Childhood
In December 2023, the LEGO Foundation launched the Build a World of Play Solutions Hub, in partnership with Lever for Change, to continue its commitment to ensure children globally are given opportunities to learn through play. The Solutions Hub features the top 24 ideas that emerged from the Build a World of Play Challenge, which sought to fund bold, innovative, and impactful solutions focused on early childhood. the Solutions Hub will inspire and encourage more organizations to invest in early childhood education and development.
Nineteen Top Nonprofits Working in Asia
Nineteen nonprofits from our database are working in Asia and are ready for funding. This list showcases organizations working in Asia that provide solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. It also offers opportunities for donors looking to expand their philanthropic goals. Each organization featured on this list has successfully navigated a meticulous vetting process, showcasing the robustness of their ideas, and approach, as well as the impact of their work. We encourage you to review the organizations on this list and see the bold ideas they've put forward to solve pressing issues.
How Transparent Philanthropy Can Liberate Billions of Dollars
Increased transparency in philanthropy can help build trust with donors, encourage collaboration among organizations, and facilitate better decision-making. In collaboration with Kevin McPherson of the Innovation Information Initiative, Pooja Wagh of MIT Solve, and Peter B. Kaufman of MIT Open Learning, Lever for Change’s Vice President of Knowledge, Jeff Ubois, explores innovative ways to leverage technology in grantmaking. A culture of transparency can ultimately lead to greater impact and unlock billions of dollars for good causes.
Lever for Change in the News
- Billionaire MacKenzie Scott expands donation promise to give away $640 million - ABC’s Good Morning America
- MacKenzie Scott donates $640 million, more than doubling her planned gifts to nonprofit applicants - The Associated Press
- Philanthropy Special Report: A growing industry is emerging to make philanthropy better - The Economist
- Philanthropy Special Report: No strings philanthropy is giving charities more decision making power - The Economist
- Creating Collective Impact (Video) - Bank of America Private Bank
- How Transparent Philanthropy Can Liberate Billions of Dollars — and Do More Good - Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Audacious Philanthropy: How Innovation, Risk, and Partnership Led to Transformational Impact in Education - Alliance Magazine
Catch up with Lever for Change In-Person!
Don't miss the chance to connect with a member of the Lever for Change team at one of these exciting upcoming events and conferences. Let's join forces and continue to find ways to fund bold, effective solutions!
- April 22 – 25: AVPN Global Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE
- April 25 – 27: Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Annual Conference 2024, St. Louis, MO
- April 23 – 25: International Education Funders Group (IEFG) Together 2024 in Colombia
- May 6 – 8: Barron’s Advisor Teams Summit in Las Vegas, NV
- May 6 - 9: Council on Foundations, Building Together in Chicago, IL
- May 22: Elevate Prize Make Good Famous Summit in Miami Beach, FL
- May 27 – 30: Philea Forum 2024 in Ghent, Belgium
- May 29 – 30: Banff Centre Giving Summit in Banff, Canada
- June 11 – 12: P150 Summit in San Francisco, CA
- June 24 - 26: Joy-Raising Summit 2024, in Chicago, IL
We look forward to seeing you in person!
Quarterly Update on Funding: Progress toward $2.5 Billion
- To date, we have unlocked more than $2.2 billion in funding for high-impact solutions and strengthened dozens of top organizations.
- So far, the sponsors of our challenges have given a total of $1.2 million to outstanding organizations. More than 100 additional donors have contributed $989 million to finalists and other highly rated proposals.
- Since the Bold Solutions Network’s launch in February 2020, we have shared Network members’ proposals with potential donors a total of 9,685 times.
