In this edition of our quarterly newsletter, we share about the launch of a new challenge focused on rebuilding trust in American Institutions, updates about the 100&Change applicant pool and Yield Giving Open Call awardees, information about our leadership reorganization, and much more!
Dear Friends & Supporters,
2024 has been a watershed year for Lever for Change—from the Yield Giving Open Call, to the third round of 100&Change with the MacArthur Foundation, the Gulf Futures Challenge in partnership with the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, all the way up to the launch of The Trust in American Institutions Challenge with Reid Hoffman today.
This has put our work in the spotlight: The Economist mentioned our model, while Forbes took a deep dive into our history, Town & Country profiled us in their special issue on philanthropy, and Inside Philanthropy declared that Lever for Change has “become pretty much the premier implementation partner for high-profile philanthropic competitions funded by outside donors.”
Yet, our team is always focused on the scale and urgency of our mission. While we have made tremendous strides, we recognize that nonprofits and the communities they serve need more funding. Read about our progress below and join us as we continue to accelerate positive social change around the world.
– Cecilia Conrad, CEO
JUST LAUNCHED | The $10 Million Trust in American Institutions Challenge
Today, Lever for Change and Reid Hoffman announced the launch of The Trust in American Institutions Challenge, a $10 million open call designed to scale a bold solution that will build and restore public trust in the core institutions that form the pillars of our society in the United States. This challenge seeks transformative solutions that are poised to reverse recent trends and significantly increase public trust in institutions in the United States in the next five years. Applicants must register to apply before 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
Apply Now
100&Change Applicants Ready to Solve Challenges
We are in the midst of the third round of 100&Change, the MacArthur Foundation’s $100 million grant competition that launched in May. So far, we have invited ideas, received applications, and conducted Administrative Review. As part of our commitment to transparency, we are sharing some observations on the applications at this point in the process. Learn More
Yield Giving Awardees Now Included in our Network
On March 19, 2024, the Yield Giving Open Call announced that 361 awardee organizations received a total of $640 million for their work with people living in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. Lever for Change is proud to announce the induction of these extraordinary organizations into our Bold Solutions Network.
Town & Country: Changing the Giving Game
In Town & Country’s November 2024 issue, our CEO, Cecilia Conrad, and four other incredible nonprofit leaders shared about the power of large, unrestricted grants – something our model at Lever for Change helps funders facilitate. The article focuses on MacKenzie Scott’s grantmaking and how her gifts have changed the work for organizations that receive them.
Lever for Change Leadership Reorganization
In October, we announced a new structure for our leadership team, shifting from a combined CEO/President model to two separate positions of CEO and President. Cecilia Conrad will continue to serve as CEO, and Kristen Molyneaux, formerly the Vice President, Program Strategy & Learning, is now President of Lever for Change. Additionally, we recently recruited six new team members.
Insights from UNGA 2024
This year’s United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA) once again convened the global international development and social impact communities in New York City. Lever for Change was well represented, with four members of our team participating in events. While UNGA is often perceived as a sprawling and endless series of meetings, there was an undeniable sense of urgency in the air, with protests on nearby streets and activists demanding action in every arena.
The Impact of Intentional Disability Inclusion
Susan Sygall, CEO of Mobility International USA (MIUSA) – a nonprofit focused on advancing disability rights and leadership globally, and one of our Impact Partners – described the impact of requiring proposals to address issues of disability justice as part of equity and inclusion commitments. Applicants are not only asked to plan projects that would benefit people with disabilities, but also to strategize how their projects would benefit from disabled people as leaders, staff, decision-makers, role models, consultants, and experts.
Big Bet Philanthropy is Transforming the Sector
Big bet philanthropy, the practice of making multimillion-dollar investments in a single organization with the intention of transforming a sector, issue, or organization, has gone mainstream. In an article for Candid Insights, Cecilia Conrad, our CEO, shares how we've seen the philanthropic sector transform so that it is more nimble, courageous, and action-oriented and can disburse grant dollars more quickly. See what we've learned about how giving at scale is changing.
Read More
Quarterly Update on Funding: Progress toward $2.5 Billion
- To date, we have unlocked more than $2.4 billion in funding for high-impact solutions and strengthened dozens of top organizations. Our goal is $2.5 billion by the end of 2025, and we're nearly there already!
- So far, the sponsors of our challenges have given a total of $1.4 billion to outstanding organizations. More than 120 additional donors have contributed $992 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 10,292 times.
