Stanford PACS
@stanfordpacs.bsky.social
Engaging scholars, practitioners, and leaders to improve philanthropy and strengthen civil society. Publisher of @ssir.org. Repost ≠ endorsement.
pacscenter.stanford.edu
pacscenter.stanford.edu
Reposted by Stanford PACS
A new excerpt of my new book on adapting to climate change, Sink or Swim, is now up on @ssir.org celebrating the North American launch this week!
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social
ssir.org/books/excerp...
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social
ssir.org/books/excerp...
Locked In (SSIR)
An excerpt from Sink or Swim on adapting to the climate change we can't prevent
ssir.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
A new excerpt of my new book on adapting to climate change, Sink or Swim, is now up on @ssir.org celebrating the North American launch this week!
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social
ssir.org/books/excerp...
@bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social
ssir.org/books/excerp...
Reposted by Stanford PACS
"As a city leader, I care about people in my community who are experiencing homelessness, but I’m frustrated that we keep being told the only solution is putting more money into the same system. We need to be able to show that this spending works or we will lose residents’ trust."
Could We Radically Redesign Homelessness Services Around Outcomes? (SSIR)
Why the current system is broken and what local governments, nonprofits, and philanthropists could do to change it.
ssir.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
"As a city leader, I care about people in my community who are experiencing homelessness, but I’m frustrated that we keep being told the only solution is putting more money into the same system. We need to be able to show that this spending works or we will lose residents’ trust."
Stanford PACS Faculty Co-Director Patricia Bromley joined the Stanford Initiative on Business and Environmental Sustainability podcast to discuss this year’s Civil Society and Sustainability Conference, hosted at Stanford in March.
Listen to the conversation ⤵️
#CivilSociety #Sustainability
Listen to the conversation ⤵️
#CivilSociety #Sustainability
Ep. 36, Civil Society and Sustainability Conference
YouTube video by Stanford Graduate School of Business
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Stanford PACS Faculty Co-Director Patricia Bromley joined the Stanford Initiative on Business and Environmental Sustainability podcast to discuss this year’s Civil Society and Sustainability Conference, hosted at Stanford in March.
Listen to the conversation ⤵️
#CivilSociety #Sustainability
Listen to the conversation ⤵️
#CivilSociety #Sustainability
Reposted by Stanford PACS
In 2018, a group of funders established Farmed Animal Funders to accelerate progress toward a more humane, sustainable food system.
It offers a case study for philanthropists and advocates working on other new, underfunded causes on how to coordinate effectively to create wide-ranging impact.
It offers a case study for philanthropists and advocates working on other new, underfunded causes on how to coordinate effectively to create wide-ranging impact.
Building Donor Communities for New or Underfunded Issues (SSIR)
Five ways to engage philanthropists and advocates in early-stage or overlooked causes, such as intensive animal agriculture, that have outsized potential for impact.
ssir.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:24 PM
In 2018, a group of funders established Farmed Animal Funders to accelerate progress toward a more humane, sustainable food system.
It offers a case study for philanthropists and advocates working on other new, underfunded causes on how to coordinate effectively to create wide-ranging impact.
It offers a case study for philanthropists and advocates working on other new, underfunded causes on how to coordinate effectively to create wide-ranging impact.
Reposted by Stanford PACS
"Women’s generative AI hesitancy is rooted in rationality, not hysteria. It is not risk aversion. It is risk awareness."
The AI Gender Gap Paradox (SSIR)
A case for fierce ambivalence
ssir.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"Women’s generative AI hesitancy is rooted in rationality, not hysteria. It is not risk aversion. It is risk awareness."
Since 2010, @johannamair.bsky.social has served as @ssir.org’s academic editor. As she prepares to take on a new role as the director of @eui-stg.bsky.social, she sat down with the team to reflect on her time at #SSIR, the evolution of the field of #SocialInnovation, and what’s next.
Celebrating Johanna Mair at SSIR (SSIR)
A Q&A about her 15-year tenure as SSIR's academic editor and how the field of social innovation is changing.
ssir.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Since 2010, @johannamair.bsky.social has served as @ssir.org’s academic editor. As she prepares to take on a new role as the director of @eui-stg.bsky.social, she sat down with the team to reflect on her time at #SSIR, the evolution of the field of #SocialInnovation, and what’s next.
Following our Beyond the Summit Salon on Strengthening Democracy, Stanford PACS Advisory Board Chair Jeff Raikes and Executive Director Priya Shanker share their takeaways on the unique role of #philanthropy in advancing a shared vision for a #democracy that protects the rights of all people.
Beyond the Summit: Reimagining Democracy - Stanford PACS
Last month Stanford PACS convened over 70 leading philanthropists, leaders, and scholars, to reimagine the structures, systems, and norms that govern US democracy. The day was rich with reflections on...
stanford.io
October 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Following our Beyond the Summit Salon on Strengthening Democracy, Stanford PACS Advisory Board Chair Jeff Raikes and Executive Director Priya Shanker share their takeaways on the unique role of #philanthropy in advancing a shared vision for a #democracy that protects the rights of all people.
Reposted by Stanford PACS
"For years, I overextended myself in the name of purpose. I felt an unspoken pressure to keep going no matter the cost, to hold everything together because the stakes felt so high..."
An excerpt from The Future Is Collective by Niloufar Khonsari, with a new, original introduction from the author:
An excerpt from The Future Is Collective by Niloufar Khonsari, with a new, original introduction from the author:
Boundaries as an Act of Collective Care (SSIR)
An excerpt from The Future is Collective on embedding care into how we work
ssir.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"For years, I overextended myself in the name of purpose. I felt an unspoken pressure to keep going no matter the cost, to hold everything together because the stakes felt so high..."
An excerpt from The Future Is Collective by Niloufar Khonsari, with a new, original introduction from the author:
An excerpt from The Future Is Collective by Niloufar Khonsari, with a new, original introduction from the author:
Reposted by Stanford PACS
"I’ve been here before, having spent decades watching development institutions try and fail to catch up with tech.
As the same story unfolds, this time, we have to rewrite the script: AI offers a path to do more with less, if we invest in the infrastructure that will make it work for everyone."
As the same story unfolds, this time, we have to rewrite the script: AI offers a path to do more with less, if we invest in the infrastructure that will make it work for everyone."
Rails, Not Rockstars (SSIR)
The Global South's AI revolution is here, if we bypass the hype and fund the infrastructure that will enable it.
ssir.org
October 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
"I’ve been here before, having spent decades watching development institutions try and fail to catch up with tech.
As the same story unfolds, this time, we have to rewrite the script: AI offers a path to do more with less, if we invest in the infrastructure that will make it work for everyone."
As the same story unfolds, this time, we have to rewrite the script: AI offers a path to do more with less, if we invest in the infrastructure that will make it work for everyone."
📌 Take That for Data: Decoding Identity, Sport, and Technology
Join us on November 12 for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Courtney M. Cox (@courtmcox.bsky.social) of the University of Oregon, as our Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series continues!
🔗 events.stanford.edu/event/techno...
Join us on November 12 for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Courtney M. Cox (@courtmcox.bsky.social) of the University of Oregon, as our Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series continues!
🔗 events.stanford.edu/event/techno...
October 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
📌 Take That for Data: Decoding Identity, Sport, and Technology
Join us on November 12 for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Courtney M. Cox (@courtmcox.bsky.social) of the University of Oregon, as our Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series continues!
🔗 events.stanford.edu/event/techno...
Join us on November 12 for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Courtney M. Cox (@courtmcox.bsky.social) of the University of Oregon, as our Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series continues!
🔗 events.stanford.edu/event/techno...
Reposted by Stanford PACS
"Whether rooted in science or metaphysics, people throughout history have often held a belief that hidden patterns beneath everyday life set the world’s course, and that revealing those patterns can unlock flourishing and prosperity."
The Impossibility of Automating Economic Flourishing (SSIR)
In contrast to the worldview shaping the AI era, the true value of an innovative economy lies not just in its outputs, but in the lived human experience of creating the new.
ssir.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"Whether rooted in science or metaphysics, people throughout history have often held a belief that hidden patterns beneath everyday life set the world’s course, and that revealing those patterns can unlock flourishing and prosperity."
On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Ajay Piramal details the Piramal Foundation’s efforts to partner with government and civil society to not only #EndPoverty but prepare for what comes after: ensuring that people can flourish with #dignity and #agency.
Shifting the Poverty Paradigm: Piramal Foundation - Stanford PACS
A Journey of Purpose Eighteen years ago, I began the journey of building the Piramal Foundation with a simple belief: if we can instill compassion and empathy in rigid systems, especially among govern...
stanford.io
October 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Ajay Piramal details the Piramal Foundation’s efforts to partner with government and civil society to not only #EndPoverty but prepare for what comes after: ensuring that people can flourish with #dignity and #agency.
Congratulations to Johanna Mair (@johannamair.bsky.social), who has been awarded a 2025 Progress Medal from the Society of Progress for her groundbreaking research on social entrepreneurship! 🎉
October 17, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Congratulations to Johanna Mair (@johannamair.bsky.social), who has been awarded a 2025 Progress Medal from the Society of Progress for her groundbreaking research on social entrepreneurship! 🎉
Reposted by Stanford PACS
Millions use #GenerativeAI chatbots for emotional support, yet little research re: whether AI dialogues can improve psychological well-being
We test whether brief, structured dialogues grounded in psych research can reliably help
WP👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
We test whether brief, structured dialogues grounded in psych research can reliably help
WP👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
October 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Millions use #GenerativeAI chatbots for emotional support, yet little research re: whether AI dialogues can improve psychological well-being
We test whether brief, structured dialogues grounded in psych research can reliably help
WP👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
We test whether brief, structured dialogues grounded in psych research can reliably help
WP👉 osf.io/preprints/ps...
Congratulations to @johannamair.bsky.social, who has been appointed as the new director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance (@eui-stg.bsky.social) at the European University Institute (@eui-eu.bsky.social)!
Professor Johanna Mair appointed as new Director of the Florence STG
As of 1 December 2025, Professor Johanna Mair will join the EUI as the new Director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance STG at the European Uni
bit.ly
October 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Congratulations to @johannamair.bsky.social, who has been appointed as the new director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance (@eui-stg.bsky.social) at the European University Institute (@eui-eu.bsky.social)!
Reposted by Stanford PACS
Philanthropy advisor Ben Klasky sees donors hit four common roadblocks to giving:
1. Option paralysis
2. A less streamlined marketplace
3. Reputational risk
4. It's work
Luckily, there are ways to overcome each of these hurdles.
1. Option paralysis
2. A less streamlined marketplace
3. Reputational risk
4. It's work
Luckily, there are ways to overcome each of these hurdles.
Helping Donors Get Unstuck (SSIR)
Many philanthropists have the capacity and desire to give more. A few simple strategies can help them overcome common roadblocks.
ssir.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Philanthropy advisor Ben Klasky sees donors hit four common roadblocks to giving:
1. Option paralysis
2. A less streamlined marketplace
3. Reputational risk
4. It's work
Luckily, there are ways to overcome each of these hurdles.
1. Option paralysis
2. A less streamlined marketplace
3. Reputational risk
4. It's work
Luckily, there are ways to overcome each of these hurdles.
The Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series returns next week!
Join us and the Department of Communication on Thursday, Oct. 9 for a lecture and Q&A on “Open Worlds and the Constitutive Outsides of Artificial Intelligence,” featuring Lucy Suchman, Professor Emerita at Lancaster University.
Join us and the Department of Communication on Thursday, Oct. 9 for a lecture and Q&A on “Open Worlds and the Constitutive Outsides of Artificial Intelligence,” featuring Lucy Suchman, Professor Emerita at Lancaster University.
Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series: Lucy Suchman
stanford.io
October 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Technology, Culture, and Power Speaker Series returns next week!
Join us and the Department of Communication on Thursday, Oct. 9 for a lecture and Q&A on “Open Worlds and the Constitutive Outsides of Artificial Intelligence,” featuring Lucy Suchman, Professor Emerita at Lancaster University.
Join us and the Department of Communication on Thursday, Oct. 9 for a lecture and Q&A on “Open Worlds and the Constitutive Outsides of Artificial Intelligence,” featuring Lucy Suchman, Professor Emerita at Lancaster University.
"It didn’t just give me answers, it taught me to ask better questions."
We spoke with M’Chelene Shull, Executive Director of the Lee H. & Marion B. Thompson Foundation, about what she gained through our Education for #Philanthropy Professionals program.
Read the interview:
We spoke with M’Chelene Shull, Executive Director of the Lee H. & Marion B. Thompson Foundation, about what she gained through our Education for #Philanthropy Professionals program.
Read the interview:
Leading with Trust with M’Chelene Shull - Stanford PACS
M’Chelene Shull is the Executive Director of the Lee H. & Marion B. Thompson Foundation, a private foundation in Portland, Oregon that has supported conservation, environment, animal welfare, youth, a...
pacscenter.stanford.edu
October 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"It didn’t just give me answers, it taught me to ask better questions."
We spoke with M’Chelene Shull, Executive Director of the Lee H. & Marion B. Thompson Foundation, about what she gained through our Education for #Philanthropy Professionals program.
Read the interview:
We spoke with M’Chelene Shull, Executive Director of the Lee H. & Marion B. Thompson Foundation, about what she gained through our Education for #Philanthropy Professionals program.
Read the interview:
Explore recent research from PhD Fellow alum Minju Choi, Faculty Co-Director Patricia Bromley, and co-authors 👇
30 U.S. history textbooks. 874,125 sentences.
Only 1% of all sentences in the sample has any mention of Asians, with the most prevalent sentence topic being war. Learn how researchers suggest textbooks can give voice to Asians/Asian Americans: bit.ly/42IeZ7V.
@aeraedresearch.bsky.social
Only 1% of all sentences in the sample has any mention of Asians, with the most prevalent sentence topic being war. Learn how researchers suggest textbooks can give voice to Asians/Asian Americans: bit.ly/42IeZ7V.
@aeraedresearch.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Explore recent research from PhD Fellow alum Minju Choi, Faculty Co-Director Patricia Bromley, and co-authors 👇
Final days to apply for our Fall EPP!
Apply by Wednesday, October 1 for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals program to earn your Stanford PACS Certificate of Effective Philanthropy.
Explore our full list of course topics and speakers, and apply now to join us!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Apply by Wednesday, October 1 for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals program to earn your Stanford PACS Certificate of Effective Philanthropy.
Explore our full list of course topics and speakers, and apply now to join us!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
September 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Final days to apply for our Fall EPP!
Apply by Wednesday, October 1 for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals program to earn your Stanford PACS Certificate of Effective Philanthropy.
Explore our full list of course topics and speakers, and apply now to join us!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Apply by Wednesday, October 1 for our Education for Philanthropy Professionals program to earn your Stanford PACS Certificate of Effective Philanthropy.
Explore our full list of course topics and speakers, and apply now to join us!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Reposted by Stanford PACS
Many wise insights from Gov Spencer Cox & @ezraklein.bsky.social Gov Cox rightly notes his 2020 video w Chris Peterson was among most impactful in Strengthening Democracy Challenge, a striking example of cross-party engagement.
Grateful for their commitment. Hear it: 👇
youtu.be/WJB87niNCk0
Grateful for their commitment. Hear it: 👇
youtu.be/WJB87niNCk0
youtu.be
September 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Many wise insights from Gov Spencer Cox & @ezraklein.bsky.social Gov Cox rightly notes his 2020 video w Chris Peterson was among most impactful in Strengthening Democracy Challenge, a striking example of cross-party engagement.
Grateful for their commitment. Hear it: 👇
youtu.be/WJB87niNCk0
Grateful for their commitment. Hear it: 👇
youtu.be/WJB87niNCk0
Reposted by Stanford PACS
How can nonprofits and funders maximize the effectiveness of litigation?
"The takeaway here is *both-and*: Fund the best legal teams to develop the best legal theories and pursue litigation where necessary. But don’t only do that part of the puzzle."
"The takeaway here is *both-and*: Fund the best legal teams to develop the best legal theories and pursue litigation where necessary. But don’t only do that part of the puzzle."
Litigation in an Information Vacuum Is a Missed Opportunity (SSIR)
In an age of lawsuits, storytelling is paramount for long-term progress.
ssir.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
How can nonprofits and funders maximize the effectiveness of litigation?
"The takeaway here is *both-and*: Fund the best legal teams to develop the best legal theories and pursue litigation where necessary. But don’t only do that part of the puzzle."
"The takeaway here is *both-and*: Fund the best legal teams to develop the best legal theories and pursue litigation where necessary. But don’t only do that part of the puzzle."
Two weeks left to apply! 🙋🏽
Our Education for Philanthropy Professionals course enables you to dig in on principles, strategy and trends to sharpen your practice and refresh your thinking.
Learn more and apply now to earn your Certificate of Effective #Philanthropy this fall!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Our Education for Philanthropy Professionals course enables you to dig in on principles, strategy and trends to sharpen your practice and refresh your thinking.
Learn more and apply now to earn your Certificate of Effective #Philanthropy this fall!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
September 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Two weeks left to apply! 🙋🏽
Our Education for Philanthropy Professionals course enables you to dig in on principles, strategy and trends to sharpen your practice and refresh your thinking.
Learn more and apply now to earn your Certificate of Effective #Philanthropy this fall!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Our Education for Philanthropy Professionals course enables you to dig in on principles, strategy and trends to sharpen your practice and refresh your thinking.
Learn more and apply now to earn your Certificate of Effective #Philanthropy this fall!
🔗 stanford.io/3l4C2ma
Reposted by Stanford PACS
Should RCTs be the gold standard of impact measurement?
SSIR’s Aaron Bady speaks w/ Nicole P. Marwell and Jennifer E. Mosley about their new article, “The Nonprofit Sector Has an RCT Problem.”
Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT!
ssir.org/live-rct-conversation
SSIR’s Aaron Bady speaks w/ Nicole P. Marwell and Jennifer E. Mosley about their new article, “The Nonprofit Sector Has an RCT Problem.”
Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT!
ssir.org/live-rct-conversation
September 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Should RCTs be the gold standard of impact measurement?
SSIR’s Aaron Bady speaks w/ Nicole P. Marwell and Jennifer E. Mosley about their new article, “The Nonprofit Sector Has an RCT Problem.”
Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT!
ssir.org/live-rct-conversation
SSIR’s Aaron Bady speaks w/ Nicole P. Marwell and Jennifer E. Mosley about their new article, “The Nonprofit Sector Has an RCT Problem.”
Join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. PT!
ssir.org/live-rct-conversation
Join @stanfordkingctr.bsky.social on September 30 for The Future of Aid, exploring how foreign assistance is evolving in an era where traditional donors are stepping back and new actors—from #philanthropy to the private sector—are stepping in.
Details & RSVP: stanford.io/46mSRRp
Details & RSVP: stanford.io/46mSRRp
September 16, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Join @stanfordkingctr.bsky.social on September 30 for The Future of Aid, exploring how foreign assistance is evolving in an era where traditional donors are stepping back and new actors—from #philanthropy to the private sector—are stepping in.
Details & RSVP: stanford.io/46mSRRp
Details & RSVP: stanford.io/46mSRRp