He co-founded the Breakthrough Communities project in Oakland, directed a Ford Foundation initiative and served on the Berkeley Planning Commission.

The freedom of speech and, by extension, the freedom to give to causes of one’s choosing, are fundamental to American democracy. These freedoms must apply equally to all individuals and organizations,...

“Acts of political violence — from the recent murder of Charlie Kirk to the murder of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman of Minnesota — have…

In CEP’s third annual State of Nonprofits report, nonprofits report difficulty pursuing their missions in a complex environment.

On April 15, 2025,  Don Chen, president of the Surdna Foundation, spoke at the Global Impact Investing Network‘s West Coast Impact Forum and Investor Training on Surdna’s intentional decision to apply...

Starting on April 9, an array of powerful funders and philanthropy-serving organizations spoke up for the right to give in accordance with their values, and against political intimidation.

We’re announcing a public sign-on statement to support philanthropy’s freedom to give. We are united to protect our freedom to express ourselves, to give, and to invest in our communities. Join us by ...

With so much change demanded from a new federal administration, where do we acquiesce and where do we draw the line?

The Surdna Foundation is committed to being a force for solidarity and cooperation to repair harm, bridge divides, and bring people together to stand up for the principles of liberty and justice for a...

From declaring a “national energy emergency” to exiting the Paris Agreement, here is everything climate-related Trump did on Day 1.

A show about practicing the future we deserve. Hosts Chera Reid, Trinel Torian and Efrain Gutierrez from invite visionaries from the field of philanth...

Five truths for how donors committed to equity can continue to push forward.

Media Contact: Chloe Heskett | chloeh@cep.org | 617-395-4092  Cambridge, MA — The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) announces the election of a new Board Chair — Tony Richardson, president of […...

Impact funds led by women and people of color aren’t high risk, says Surdna Foundation's Don Chen. They’re “tremendous opportunities."

Family philanthropy done well can achieve lasting and meaningful change in the world and within the families themselves. To be effective, NCFP believes funders must employ four principles…

Annual Highlights

We are so delighted to present the legendary Anat Shenker-Osorio. Yes, that’s right, that Anat Shenker-Osorio. Maybe you’ve heard her on Ezra Klein, MSNBC, on her excellent podcast Words to Win By...

How many of us in the nonprofit world can track our interest in climate to nightmares we had about natural disasters at age ten? Anyone? Oh, right, just Don Chen, President of the Surdna Foundation, f...

How many of us in the nonprofit world can track our interest in climate to nightmares we had about natural disasters at age ten? Anyone? Oh, right, just Don Chen, President of the Surdna Foundation, f...

The Surdna Foundation supports social justice reform, healthy environments, inclusive economies, and thriving cultures across the United States. We dismantle the barriers that limit opportunity to cre...