Posts by David Phillips

Discussions about diversity arise in a variety of situations. Many boards are reluctant to bring up sensitive topics, and race, sexual orientation, and other matters are often difficult to discuss constructively. Mostly white boards committed to diversity still have difficulty recruiting and integrating people of color onto the board. We propose the following principles as…

The experience has been described as more terrifying than entering a lion’s den, more painful than the inquisitor’s thumb-screw, and hotter than a July afternoon in Arizona — but making a presentation to your board of directors doesn’t have to be difficult or frightening. In fact, with preparation and enthusiasm, you can make a professional…

Community foundations develop funds as well as make grants. They bring together people who care about their communities, they help donors achieve their charitable goals, and they invest in their communities by making effective and timely grants. But how they do this and the balance between these different things varies from place to place. Even…

What attracts us to some leaders, and makes us avoid others? I once knew a leader who could hold a room full of crusty, hard-nosed manufacturing managers spellbound for hours. People flocked to hear him speak. Even in the cold of winter, at -30C, they would leave hearth and home, and brave the elements to…

Charity auctions have been a part of the nonprofit world for a long time and for good reason. They are enjoyable for attendees, they add some excitement before dinner galas, and they have the potential to raise a great deal of much needed revenue for an organization. So, what are nonprofits doing differently now that…

Philanthropy in communities of color has historically gone unrecognized. In fact, many assume the relationship between philanthropists and ethnic communities is one of giving to people of color by people who are not. The majority of studies about philanthropy in America have focused on elite philanthropy, that is, the philanthropy of affluent white donors. These…