Informing and advancing social justice philanthropy

At the Sillerman Center:

  • We create accessible publications that guide funding in social justice areas and explore just, socially responsible philanthropic practice.
  • We design and host free educational programming, webinars, strategy sessions and other gatherings for funders, their advisors and nonprofit leaders.
  • We teach courses, fund fellowships, mentor students and host guest speakers for the Heller-Brandeis community.
  • We collaborate with numerous community-based groups, university-based philanthropy centers, social justice funders and national networks to build strategy, co-sponsor events and long-term projects and to support and learn from each other’s work.

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Featured News and Publications

Investment Strategy for Social Justice Philanthropy

Our investment strategy resources unveil diverse strategies employed by foundations, demonstrating a promising trajectory for social justice philanthropy and investment strategy convergence. 

Ceding Power to Seed Community Recovery

This opportunity brief explores two cases of hyper-local democratic resource allocation that enabled historically marginalized members of defined communities to make decisions about how money gets spent.

Segregation Yesterday and Today: Exploring Possibilities for Systemic Change

This report, with our colleagues at the National Collaborative for Health Equity, explores the root causes of racial segregation and its far-reaching harms and also explores efforts across the nation to realize repair and redress. 

Youth Philanthropy Infographic Series

Our Youth Philanthropy Infographic Series explores the importance of youth philanthropy broadly and takes a deeper dive into the areas of mental health, unemployment, and technology access as they affect young people's ability to engage in work such as youth philanthropy.

Our Work

Plant with $100 bill wrapped around it

Projects

Our long-term ongoing projects provide learning opportunities for grantmakers and foster community building among funders, scholars and community leaders.
Sillerman folder on table

Publications

Our publications explore contemporary issues in philanthropy, provide guidance and resources to socially concerned grantmakers and illuminate equitable, democratic philanthropic practice.
Wall with "Make Good" mural painted on it

Fellowships

Each year, we select up to three eligible Heller students and help to place them in paid philanthropy-related summer internships.