Executive Summary: Amplifying Movement Knowledge for Philanthropy

This executive summary provides an introduction to the research of the Social Movement Learning Project. Although social movements have long been the backbone of large-scale social and political change, too often philanthropic support falls short of what movements need. With the long-term goal of enhancing philanthropic understanding and support of social movements, Innovation Network’s Social Movement Learning Project team undertook research to better understand the barriers and challenges to social movement funding. This paper provides an overview of the findings from an extensive literature review and conversations with over 40 funders, movement-builders, and evaluators.