Phil Buchanan
philxbuchanan.bsky.social
Phil Buchanan
@philxbuchanan.bsky.social
I’m president of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, author of Giving Done Right the book and co-host of Giving Done Right the podcast.
Nonprofits doing invaluable work that benefits Americans of all political ideologies and party affiliations are under extreme pressure. We need to support them in this challenging time. cep.org/blog/in-conv...
In Conversation: The State of Nonprofits is … Precarious | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
In this conversation, CEP's Phil Buchanan and Elisha Smith Arrillaga discuss the state of U.S. nonprofits, based on new CEP research.
cep.org
June 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
Kind of incredible how much Trumpism really is just a dumber version of Pat Buchanan’s shtick.
April 5, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Foundations acting. Starting to see more and more examples of steps to address the brutal context we're in -- so we laid them out here in this post. Thanks to my colleagues Molly Heidemann and Kevin Bolduc for working with me on this. cep.org/blog/a-wave-...
A Wave Forming? Funders Taking Action in Response to a Challenging Context | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
As foundations respond to the current challenging context, there are an increasing number that are offering up good examples of how to do so.
cep.org
March 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com

The most effective way to protect the American system of checks and balances starts with courage from more people who believe in it, the New York Times editorial board writes.
Opinion | Who Will Defend the Defenders of the Constitution?
The president and his allies are encouraging a campaign of menace.
www.nytimes.com
March 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I think it's time for re-examination of assumptions that have guided some foundations' response to the current context. cep.org/blog/its-tim...
It’s Time for a New Approach to the Current Context | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Phil Buchanan examines the assumptions some U.S. foundations are using to navigate the current context - and why they may be wrong.
cep.org
March 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This data is stark. That's why my colleagues turned this around less than two weeks after survey close -- and got it out into the world today. Funders: this is what nonprofits are experiencing and what they're looking for from you all. cep.org/wp-content/u...
cep.org
March 6, 2025 at 1:27 AM
New research just out - on the effects of MacKenzie Scott’s big gifts: cep.org/wp-content/u...
cep.org
February 19, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
Another terrific CEP report about MacKenzie Scott's transformative giving. As our @kaboom-play.bsky.social CEO Lysa Ratliff told @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social, "It allowed us to move into what we needed to do to have a path to achieving our mission."

www.philanthropy.com/article/5-th...
5 Things We Just Learned About MacKenzie Scott’s Giving
A study by the Center for Effective Philanthropy reveals the profound impact of MacKenzie Scott’s unrestricted grants on hundreds of nonprofits.
www.philanthropy.com
February 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The White House memo of Friday is an astonishing assault on nonprofits. But we are not powerless. Institutional funders are definitely not powerless. My post, just up this morning. cep.org/blog/how-fun...
How Funders Can Respond to an Unprecedented Threat to Nonprofits | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
The Trump administration’s hostility for and threat to the nonprofit sector is clear; how should funders respond?
cep.org
February 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This is a powerful piece that illustrates the folly of the anticipatory obedience that we’re witnessing. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/o...
Opinion | To Obey Trump or Not to Obey
The voluntarily surrender of the public’s power is how autocracies are built.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Appreciated my terrific colleague David McKinney’s call for us to focus on young people in this moment: cep.org/blog/now-is-...
Now is the Time to Lay the Foundation for Long-Term Civic Resilience | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Regardless of where you fund, don’t leave youth voices out of the conversation: now more than ever it's critical to systematically listen.
cep.org
February 7, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Are we just going to quietly go about our business as the federal government is seized by those intent on violating not just every norm but also the U.S. Constitution? Where is the protest? The speaking out? The calling this what it is?
February 3, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
Not sure this will be of help, but passing it along. Should be writing about USAid being disappeared. Also impacting nonprofits here.
February 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Don't be cowed or intimidated. Stand up for DEI which, when done well, is both the right thing and the smart thing to do -- driving superior performance and results. cep.org/blog/standin...
Standing Strong for DEI | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
What happens when a term becomes so politicized that identifying with it — or not — carries too much baggage for a funder?
cep.org
January 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Loved this conversation with the brilliant Dr. Sephus. She is showing us what commitment to making a difference -- and giving back -- looks like.
🎧 🎉 The Season Finale of the Giving Done Right podcast is out now! @philxbuchanan.bsky.social and I talked with Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D. about Bean Path, a nonprofit tech hub she's building in Jackson, MS, her hometown. This is the dose of good news you need today: givingdoneright.org/season-4-epi...
Season 4, Episode 16 - Giving Done Right Podcast
givingdoneright.org
January 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
To say breezephilanthropy.bsky.social, @gracenicolette.bsky.social, & I had a fun discussion re critics of philanthropy is 2 understate things massively. Beth is brilliant, funny, & crucially, her message re the need for more generosity could not be more important. link.chtbl.com/givingdoneri...
Giving Done Right
From the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), Giving Done Right is the show with everything you need to know to make an impact with your charitable giving. Whether you’re donating a few hundred do...
link.chtbl.com
January 16, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
🎧NEW SHOW out today! What do the critics of philanthropy in society get right v. wrong? Isn't it hypocritical that many critics lob their critiques from endowed chairs at universities? @philxbuchanan.bsky.social and I asked Beth Breeze ALL our hard questions: givingdoneright.org/season-4-epi...
Season 4, Episode 15 - Giving Done Right Podcast
givingdoneright.org
January 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
Calling All Donors (and Would-Be Donors): The Vital U.S. Nonprofit Sector is Under Threat and Must Be Protected, a must-read by @philxbuchanan.bsky.social cep.org/blog/calling...
Calling All Donors (and Would-Be Donors): The Vital U.S. Nonprofit Sector is Under Threat and Must Be Protected | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Nonprofits are facing significant, arguably unprecedented, challenges and it’s crucial that donors, whatever their ideologies or particular programmatic goals or priorities, pay attention. Three devel...
cep.org
January 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Nonprofits are under what feels to me like unprecedented stress right now. I explain why, and what we might do about it, here: cep.org/blog/calling...
Calling All Donors (and Would-Be Donors): The Vital U.S. Nonprofit Sector is Under Threat and Must Be Protected | The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Nonprofits are facing significant, arguably unprecedented, challenges and it’s crucial that donors, whatever their ideologies or particular programmatic goals or priorities, pay attention. Three devel...
cep.org
January 14, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Phil Buchanan
An encore episode today...this was one of the most listened-to shows from prior seasons. @philxbuchanan.bsky.social and I got to ask Paul Niehaus of @give-directly.bsky.social all of our tough questions about giving cash to the poor and effective altruism. givingdoneright.org/season-4-fro...
Season 4, From the Archives - Giving Done Right Podcast
givingdoneright.org
January 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Catch up on Season 4 of the Giving Done Right podcast. This is our longest season yet -- and most far-reaching in terms of guests and topics covered. givingdoneright.org
The Giving Done Right Podcast
Welcome to Giving Done Right, a podcast on everything you need to know to make an impact with your charitable giving.
givingdoneright.org
January 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM