In early 2022, Cecilia Conrad received a call from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving team, pitching an idea for an open call competition where any nonprofit could make their case for funding. Conrad’s nonprofit, Lever for Change, was created to democratize philanthropy and help wealthy donors give to grassroots organizations. This led to a partnership between Scott’s Yield Giving and Lever for Change, culminating in $640 million in unrestricted donations to 250 winners of the “Open Call.” This was a new approach for Scott, who typically approached nonprofits rather than the other way around.
Lever for Change has also worked with other billionaires, including Reid Hoffman, Melinda Gates, and Penny Pritzker, helping them give away over $2.2 billion in grants. The nonprofit’s typical challenges involve nonprofits applying for unrestricted grants online, which are evaluated by multiple reviewers before donors select recipients. Hoffman likens this process to Silicon Valley investing, with nonprofit founders as entrepreneurs and donors as investors. Lever for Change’s goal is to help donors make informed decisions about where their money can have the most impact.
The idea for Lever for Change stemmed from a 2016 challenge by the MacArthur Foundation, where Conrad helped lead an initiative to award a $100 million grant. After pitching the concept to Reid Hoffman in 2018, Lever for Change was founded as a spinout from the MacArthur Foundation, with $20 million in seed funding. Lever for Change launched its first challenge in 2018 with a $10 million grant for civic infrastructure in Chicago. The organization’s “Bold Solutions Network,” which started with finalists from the initial challenge, has since grown to include 116 nonprofits.
Hoffman has been a strong supporter of Lever for Change, contributing $5 million to operational efforts and pledging an additional $11 million over the next two years. Lever for Change operates on funding from MacArthur, Hoffman, and other operational donations, as well as fees for running challenges. The organization has facilitated over $2.2 billion in grants through competitive processes and the “Bold Solutions Network.” Changemakers like Hoffman believe in Lever for Change’s mission to shift the philanthropic landscape towards supporting smaller, diverse nonprofits.
Despite efforts to change the traditional philanthropic system, wealthy donors still tend to give to familiar institutions within their network. Lever for Change recognizes the challenges of convincing donors to fund a more diverse range of local nonprofits. The organization views its work as part of a broader shift in philanthropy, alongside other organizations like Blue Meridian, Co-Impact, and Borealis Philanthropy. These organizations aim to help wealthy donors vet smaller nonprofits and curate networks of potential grant recipients, promoting diversity and impact in philanthropic giving.
As Lever for Change continues to grow and impact the philanthropic landscape, it strives to bridge the gap between donor intention and action, encouraging donors to support a broader range of local nonprofits. With partnerships with influential funders like MacKenzie Scott, Reid Hoffman, and Melinda Gates, Lever for Change is leading the way in democratizing philanthropy and supporting grassroots organizations that might otherwise be overlooked. Through their unique approach to grantmaking, Lever for Change is paving the way for a more inclusive and impactful philanthropic ecosystem.
