Two Years On, Foundations Stand By Issuing Bonds In Pandemic

credit: Wikipedia

When the Ford Foundation took the unprecedented step in June 2020 of issuing $1 billion in debt to help stabilize other nonprofits, it delighted investors and inspired several other large foundations to follow suit.

Two years later, the foundations all stand by their decisions to take on long term debt, allowing several to essentially double the amount of their grantmaking, the AP reports.

But they also caution they are unlikely to repeat the move any time soon.

The foundations mostly issued social bonds ranging from $100 million to Ford's $1 billion.

The unusual move allowed them to increase their donations and take advantage of favorable market conditions, instead of dipping into their endowments.

As of June this year, the Ford Foundation has spent more than 90% of the funds it raised in its only bond offering, with 70% of the grants so far going to organizations led by people of color and 87% going to general support, meaning the funds could be spent any way the organizations wanted.

"It just let us put on steroids something that we wanted to do anyway," says Hilary Pennington, an executive vice president of the Ford Foundation.

Greg Ratliff, senior vice president at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, says issuing bonds was an innovative use of the foundation's assets.


Read the Entire Article

How's Your Community Doing?
Check Out it's
Community Vital Signs

Weston Town Hall Happenings For March 28, 2025

Weston Town Hall Happenings For March 28, 2025 | Weston, CT Patch.Land Mobile Radio Project, Sign Policy on Town Hall Campus, State Grant for Traffic Control, Budget Meetings and more Weston...more

Now Is Europe's Chance, Says Largest Impact Venture Capital Investor

President Trump appears to have turned his back on climate tech, notably in renewable energy, says Tove Larsson, General Partner at Norrsken VC.Meanwhile, the remaining funding to be allocated as...more

Colebridge Trust Gets West Midlands Mayor's Backing

Richard Parker visited Colebridge Trust in Fordbridge to see first hand how it helps those who face challenges in the job market.Trust has helped 500 people living in North Solihull and East...more

Imagine Big to Change the World, PROF Yunus Asks Students At Pku

Imagine big to change the world, Prof Yunus asks students at PKU.Inspires PKU students to imagine boldly at honorary doctorate ceremony."If you imagine, it will happen....Purpose of education is to...more

Universities Should Create Entrepreneurs, Not Just Job Seekers: Ca

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said that universities should build young people to become successful entrepreneurs rather than mere job seekers.He said wrong economic systems, where all...more

Times Inspiring Women 2024-25: Celebrating Gujarat's Remarkable Achievers

Reina Shukl pioneers advanced wellness solutions such as cryotherapy and infrared therapy to enhance recovery, performance, and overall well-being.Shivangi Desai is a leading health and nutrition...more

Zainab Ansell Honored For Transforming Tanzania's Tourism Industry

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) Vice-Chancellor Professor Appolinary Kamuhabwa addressed a delegation of 30 students from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in...more

Slow Food Negroni Week Fund: Education Scholarships 2025

Victor Okechukwu Chimezie from Nigeria is OD Young Person of the month March 2025.Receive Opportunity Alerts! Join over 100,000 email subscribers to receive weekly summary of opportunities.The Slow...more

Up to $10K Available From Cardinia Community Foundation Grants

Up to $10k available from Cardinia Community Foundation grants.Cardinia is a non-profit organization based in Cardinia, New York.For more information, visit Cardinia.org or call the Cardinia...more

City Staff Recommends Peterborough Council Fund 43 Organizations As Part of the Community ...

Peterborough city council will provide preliminary approval to 2025 Community Project and Investment Grants during a meeting on March 31.$20,965 in funding will be provided for project grants, with...more