AFN’s role in elevating asset building as a philanthropy strategy was recently featured in Inside Philanthropy’s top story on Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion donation to fund 25 million children’s saving accounts.
Read the article on Inside Philanthropy’s site (subscription required)
“This gift bucks billionaire giving trends in some exciting ways…
The last thing I like about the Dells’ big move is that it injects new energy into asset-building as a philanthropic strategy. Veterans of the sector will recall that, back in the 1990s and early 2000s, this was a centerpiece of the Ford Foundation’s work, with a big focus on closing the racial wealth gap. Many other funders like the Mott Foundation have also championed asset building, knitted together by the Asset Funders Network, and touting various ideas similar to what the Dells have now embraced. This work is important, so it’s exciting to see major billionaire donors put their money behind asset building. There’s a lot to unpack on that front, which IP will do in a separate article. ”
