In The News

The Four Principles of Venture Funding

Stanford Social Innovation Review

An entrepreneur is a person with an idea, whether that idea launches a tech startup or a social change movement. But if you’re a venture capitalist or a philanthropic funder, how do you know which fledgling enterprises to back? From our perspectives from years in the California tech world (Terry and Jocelyn) and in social change philanthropy (Robert), we see four basic principles that guide successful investing in both situations.

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One Story, Many Voices: A Call for Increased Diversity and Equity in Jewish Life and Leadership

Jim Joseph Foundation

“Diversity” might not be the first word that comes to mind when we think about living a Jewish life—but it should be. Our heritage’s creation story—human beings created in the image of the Divine—makes an unequivocal statement that all people, whatever our race, ethnicity, class, culture, language, ability or identity, are infinitely valuable and equal. Our history of oppression …

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The Pittsburgh Attack Inspired Calls for Tikkun Olam. What to Know About the Evolution of an Influential Jewish Idea

Time

In the wake of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, many in the Jewish community have invoked the language of tikkun olam in their response to this tragedy. These Hebrew words are typically translated as “repair the world,” or “mend the world,” — or as those who knew one of the victims that day put it when describing …

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Why the “Jewish Continuity” Conversation Must Change in The Era of #MeToo

eJewish Philanthropy

As Jewish women continue to share personal accounts of sexual harassment by sociologist Steven M. Cohen and philanthropist Michael Steinhardt, I am struck by how some leaders in the Jewish community resist examining the links between the personal behavior of Cohen and Steinhardt and their shared investment in Jewish continuity, defined by marriage and child-bearing. …

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18 Foundations Call for Increasing Investments in Forests and Land to Fight Climate Change

International Institute for Sustainable Development

At the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS), a group of 18 philanthropic organizations signed a joint statement that calls for urgently increasing investments in conserving forests and lands to support their role in the fight against climate change. The organizations underscore the importance of conserving the world’s forests and lands for the benefit of people …

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Peace Is Not Enough

New York Times

Between 1989 and 2003, Liberia was somewhat synonymous with war. Stoking the existing tension among ethnic groups, military factions with power-hungry leaders unleashed an era of bitter internal conflict, coups d’état and uprisings during this period. Around 250,000 people died, and many more fled the country. When it was over, Liberia’s economic and political system …

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Trump administration expresses little concern after Guatemalan president closes anti-corruption commission

Los Angeles Times

A robust anti-corruption agency, seen as a model for Latin America, was created 12 years ago in Guatemala with strong U.S. support, and notched up an enviable record. The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala has prosecuted and jailed a former president, vice president and hundreds of corrupt police officials, politicians and businessmen.

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AJWS endorses global campaign to save the forests

San Diego Jewish News

Nine of the world’s leading philanthropic foundations announced their intent to commit at least $459 million through 2022 to the protection, restoration and expansion of forests and lands worldwide and the recognition of indigenous peoples’ and traditional communities’ collective land rights and resource management. These are powerful and under-appreciated climate solutions and must be urgent …

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