How Institutional and Corporate Philanthropy Can Do More Together

The philanthropic sector is under growing pressure to demonstrate impact. In a recent public survey, only one-third of respondents viewed philanthropic foundations as ethical or competent, raising questions about the sector's ability to deliver meaningful change. As nonprofits are increasingly asked to do more with less amid rising operational costs, the philanthropic sector has a timely opportunity to bring funders together, unpack challenges, and foster collaboration.

In a new report, the Milken Institute charts a path for stronger collaboration between two influential funder communities—institutional foundations and corporate philanthropies—illustrating how their differences can serve as complementary strengths in pursuit of shared priorities. Through examples of collaboration models and a framework for action, the report aims to help both funding communities identify opportunities, build trust, and collaborate more effectively.

The report explores:

• how institutional and corporate philanthropies operate differently—and how those structures shape the way each pursues its mission;
• potential misperceptions—including what each side wishes the other better understood about its work to break down barriers to collaboration;
• the unique value and complementary strengths each funder can bring to a partnership;
• a spectrum of collaboration models, from low-lift knowledge exchanges to more deeply coordinated funding vehicles; and
• a partnership-in-action framework to assess readiness to collaborate and address practical considerations for working effectively together.

Featuring real-world case studies and examples, the report demonstrates how institutional and corporate philanthropies can align resources, expertise, and influence to amplify their collective impact on the communities and causes they serve.