Propel Philanthropy

Propel Philanthropy Supports Social Impact Infrastructure Building

Propel Philanthropy asks funders to fuel our future with social impact infrastructure support. If you want a well-built house, you need a solid foundation. You also need plumbing, heating, and electricity. Social Impact Infrastructure Organizations (SIIOs) are the indispensable backbone for the philanthropic, nonprofit, and civil society sectors. We are the resource builders, conveners, networks, platforms, trainers, educators, researchers, media outlets, and advocates needed to build the future we all want to see.

Together We Are Stronger!

Each of us are committed to causes that hold profound importance that serve deserving needs. But unless we also come together to build a fully-functioning, properly-resourced social impact ecosystem, all our efforts are at risk of being significantly less effective. Given the scale of present challenges—from systemic inequities to climate change to the global health crises—today’s solutions demand that we invest in the infrastructure, resources, and long-lasting accelerators needed to propel philanthropy and other sectors from half-throttle to full speed ahead. Together we can create a better future for all!

Even Modest Grants Can Drive Big Results!

Under favorable conditions, modest grants can fuel extraordinary outcomes. Peter Brach, Founder of Propel Philanthropy, illustrates instances where capacity-building grants produced exceptional returns. There are times where adding just one team member – perhaps even a volunteer coordinator – can dramatically shift the course of an entire organization.

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The Communication Gap Between Organizations and Members

Some of us have witnessed pronounced communication gaps between SIIOs and their members. One unavoidable cause is the service provider/client relationship. As a result, many SIIOs – including those with the wealthiest members – can’t let their needs be known. The Propel Philanthropy community hopes to encourage funders and SIIOs to create space for the kind of honest dialogue that can lessen gaps and build bridges to progress.

Social Impact Infrastructure Organizations at a Glance

We’ve provided examples in seven critical areas where social impact support organizations achieve far-reaching accelerated results, in some cases globally. Examples include 1) Charitable, 2) Development, and 3) Human Capital Accelerators; 4) Donor-Serving Organizations; 5) Field-building Organizations; 6) Social Investment Accelerators; 7) Media Platforms in Philanthropy; and more.

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“Successful expansion is based mostly on finding and developing the right human capital."

—Gerald Chertavian, CEO of Year Up

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

—Abraham Lincoln

“The best minute is the one you spend on investing in people.”

—Kenneth H. Blanchard

“Particularly significant are the insufficient resources for organizational infrastructure — the people, technology and systems needed to fuel an organization’s sustainability and success."

—Paper, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations

“It doesn’t take long to learn that no matter how brilliant a strategy is or how well it’s funded, if you don’t have the right people at the helm, something will go wrong or it won’t meet potential.”

Building Infrastructure is Key to Accelerating Social Impact