COVID-19 spotlighted the need to rethink policies to help all people meet their basic needs, particularly low- and moderate-income households most vulnerable to economic shocks. Even for those who have a reliable income, the lack of even $500 in savings can start the slide into financial hardship, unemployment, or homelessness when an unexpected repair or medical bill comes due. Thanks to the groundbreaking research of our colleagues at the Center for Guaranteed Income Research, we now know that guaranteed income can be a powerful and cost-effective tool to help. Direct, unconditional cash transfers – also known as guaranteed income programs – have emerged as one of the most flexible means of addressing financial insecurity, as well as a range of issues funders are concerned about, including mental health, physical health, children’s school achievement, employment, and earnings in adulthood.

COVID-19 exposed and exacerbated disparities, often along lines of race, gender, socio-economic status, age, and geography. Those disparities are often the result of policies and practices that systematically exclude certain groups. Structural inequality exists across a wide range of social issues, including health care, education, economic development, environmental impact, and many more. Even when a proposal has not been designed specifically to address structural inequality, considering factors that contribute to structural inequality can help funders recognize those proposals with the potential for lasting impact.

In 2022, indices that track the strength of democracy – both in the US and globally – measured declines in democracy and increases in authoritarianism. Yet democracy and democratic institutions have been a powerful force for ensuring that the interests of individuals are well met and that their futures are secure. CHIP has identified five elements of a strong democracy: empowered citizens, fair processes, responsive policy, information & communication, and social cohesion. As highlighted in this year’s High Impact Giving Toolkit, healthy local media ecosystems are at the heart of all five elements of a well-functioning democracy.

Climate- and weather-related disasters and floods have been rising disproportionately in both incidence and gravity. At the same time, communities face urgent man-made disasters including mass shootings, armed conflict, and refugee and migrant crises. Many individual donors and institutional grantmakers are moved to help when a crisis first hits. Yet the effects of a disaster persist long past the initial headlines. Ensuring a more secure future requires considering all four stages of disaster response.

Platinum Sponsor

Fidelity Charitable is an independent public charity that has helped donors support more than 328,000 nonprofit organizations with $51 billion in grants. Established in 1991, Fidelity Charitable launched the first national donor-advised fund program. The mission of the organization is to grow the American tradition of philanthropy by providing programs that make charitable giving accessible, simple, and effective.