Two years ago, the Hewlett Foundation’s U.S. Democracy Program (then, the Madison Initiative) launched a grantmaking strategy to combat digital disinformation. The premise was that disinformation posed a unique challenge to U.S. democracy, and we should move quickly to learn more about the impact of this problem and to assess solutions to counter it. Because…
The Listening Post is a monthly email by Hewlett Foundation Vice President Fay Twersky dedicated to lifting up exceptional ideas, voices, and questions that can help all of us become more effective in our philanthropy. In each issue, Fay weighs in on a new topic, curates the latest sector resources and news, and shares what…
The importance of human connection has come into abrupt focus with the coronavirus pandemic’s stay-at-home orders over the last month. People are finding ways to overcome their physical isolation — singing together from their balconies, participating in video calls with extended family, and checking in on their neighbors. Members of Congress are no exception. Congress…
Open Educational Resources (OER) can be a valuable tool in creating greater equity among diverse populations at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Although current OER implementation at HBCUs is limited, there is a significant opportunity for growth and impact. Many of the challenges that HBCUs face regarding OER implementation may be mitigated by the …
For the past two years, the Hewlett Foundation has been supporting efforts to examine the threat of digital disinformation in order to develop solutions to this vexing problem — one part of our broader Madison Initiative to strengthen the institutions of democracy in a polarized age. These grants have gone to think tanks, universities, and…
How can nonprofits build stronger muscles around diversity, equity and inclusion? This is a challenging question that many peer funders and the nonprofits that we support are currently grappling with. While there are no easy answers, a new assessment following two years of capacity-building grants offers some lessons. First, a bit of background: Since 2004,…
What are the key elements of democracy in the United States? How are they faring under the current strain? These are big, difficult, and alas all too relevant questions. The Bright Line Watch project monitors perceptions of a core set of democratic principles or “bright lines” and now has three years of data to illuminate…
Impact evaluation and other forms of research that have the potential to inform policy decisions are becoming more prominent in sub-Saharan Africa. And while researchers working in their own countries bring contextual knowledge, relationships, and sustained attention that help ensure results are used in policy decisions, many research teams funded by donors do not include …
As part of an effort to elevate beneficiary voice in our philanthropic practice, the Hewlett Foundation commissioned a field scan, conducted by Valerie Threlfall and Rebecca Klein of Ekouté Nonprofit Consulting, to examine how other funders are trying to systematically gather and use feedback from the people their grants are intended to benefit. In this…
In Ghana, the Center for Democratic Development’s I Am Aware program provides information to citizens about the quality of health, education, water and sanitation, roads, security and governance in 216 districts. We’re privileged to support the program with a grant from our Transparency, Participation, and Accountability strategy that focuses on service-delivery monitoring, and recently had…