Candid insights

The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise

Fewer restrictions, greater impact: How Candid shifted to unrestricted support 

Learn how Candid took a bold, intentional approach to seeking unrestricted grant funding rather than programmatic support from funders to unlock more flexibility to advance our mission.

By Ann Mei Chang (she/they) and Aleda Gagarin (she/her)

March 6, 2024

How to find your first prospective donors: Tips for new nonprofits 

Learn how to find first-time prospective donors to support your cause using these practical tips for new nonprofits.

By Tracy Kaufman (she/her)

March 5, 2024

Demographics via Candid: One year in 

A year after launching Demographics via Candid, we reflect on what we learned from this demographic data-led, collaborative initiative and where we’re headed next.

By Aleda Gagarin (she/her) and Alison Jannette (she/her)

February 29, 2024

Looking back at five years of Candid’s demographic data collection 

Drawing on five years of historical data collection, we share four key insights about the demographic information of nonprofits’ leadership and staff that’s been shared with Candid.

By Mantin Diomande (she/her)

February 28, 2024

How to gather high-quality nonprofit client feedback

Experts from Listen4Good and Feedback Labs share research-backed best practices for how to gather high-quality nonprofit client feedback to improve programs and achieve greater impact.

By Valerie Threlfall (she/her) and Megan Campbell (she/her)

February 27, 2024

Black women and gender-expansive nonprofit leaders: Combating the absence of trust 

Learn about the challenges Black women and gender-expansive nonprofit leaders face, including a lack of trust—and the sector-wide implications of these disconcerting dynamics.

By Lauren Brathwaite (she/her)

February 22, 2024

Beyond efficiency: A human-first AI adoption strategy

Beth Kanter and Allison Fine weigh nonprofit AI tools’ risks and benefits, illustrating why a human-first AI adoption strategy is key to unlocking efficiency sustainably and responsibly.

By Beth Kanter (she/her) and Allison Fine (she/her)

February 21, 2024

Candid community: Expanding equitable access to nonprofit resources 

Learn how our growing network of Candid community partners support nonprofits’ success by providing free, local access to our resources, tools, and training.

By Samantha Ryder (she/her)

February 20, 2024

To bot or not to bot: Using generative AI in grantwriting

Learn what generative AI is, ways it can be useful for nonprofit grantwriting, and how to use it responsibly.

By David M. Holmes (he/him) and Kristin Hanlin (she/her)

February 14, 2024

Have grantmaker salaries kept up with inflation?  

In this article, we delve into the data to see whether grantmaker salaries have kept up with inflation between 2019 and 2023.

By David Wolcheck (he/him)

February 13, 2024

Impact investing: Catalyzing systemic change 

Get the low-down on impact investing, a growing trend for catalyzing positive change in the world of philanthropy and beyond.

By Daniel X Matz (he/him)

February 12, 2024

Protecting the right to give according to our values

Independent Sector’s Dr. Akilah Watkins and Council on Foundations’ Kathleen Enright share the sector-wide implications of a current lawsuit challenging the Fearless Fund’s right to invest in programs that support Black women entrepreneurs.

By Dr. Akilah Watkins (she/her) and Kathleen P. Enright (she/her)

February 8, 2024