As we celebrate Magic Cabinet’s fifth anniversary, I am proud of the incredible journey we’ve embarked on together. These five years have been marked by growth, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to transformative philanthropy. We’ve reached milestones, welcomed new leaders to our board, and made significant strides in our mission to create positive and lasting change in communities.
Magic Cabinet is not just an organization. It’s a community of passionate individuals dedicated to reimagining the philanthropic landscape. In 2024, we’re expanding our horizons as we launch our first cohorts of fiscally-sponsored organizations and implement our first grantmaking initiative in Native communities. We’ll also see a shift in our engagement process as we work to deepen our relationships with community members. Exciting new developments are set to emerge as we leverage our philanthropic partnerships to move funds more flexibly and efficiently into communities.
As we reflect on a year filled with accomplishments and challenges, I remain inspired by the collective impact we’ve achieved. Now, more than ever, our shared commitment to equity, community, and opening up new paths for philanthropy drives our team and our mission forward.
Warm regards,
Christina Engel
CEO, Magic Cabinet
Magic Cabinet in the News
#ICYMI – Check out these highlights from our year, including a podcast, a news feature, and two new partnerships.
Magic Cabinet and PolicyLink Invest $3.6 Million to Advance Community-Led Solutions in Puerto Rico
A Matchmaking Participatory Grantmaker Helps Teams of Grantees Build Capacity
The Future of Smart Podcast:
Opening New Paths for Philanthropy
New Nonprofit Journalism Partnership Lifts Up Participatory Problem-Solving
Cohort Highlights
Magic Cabinet Cohorts have access to up to $2.5M in capacity-building grant funds over the five-year cohort cycle and collectively decide how to divvy up the funds among their organizations. From leadership development to staff recruitment and retention, here is how Cohort nonprofits prioritized their grant funds in 2023.
At the heart of Magic Cabinet is our mission to champion communities by working in solidarity with our nonprofit partners. These stories capture some of the transformative projects and initiatives that have emerged this year from our vibrant community.
Connecting with Our Community
Magic Cabinet Cohorts have access to up to $2.5M in capacity-building grant funds over the five-year cohort cycle and collectively decide how to divvy up the funds among their organizations. From leadership development to staff recruitment and retention, here is how Cohort nonprofits prioritized their grant funds in 2023.
What We’re Reading
Magic Cabinet hosts regular Team Coffee gatherings that have become a cornerstone of our workweek. It’s a space for our team to explore thought-provoking content and engage in insightful discussions about philanthropy, equity, power, and so much more. These were some of the discussion topics that resonated with our team this year.
Unpacking the Characteristics of Dominant Culture (Tema Okun)
Building a Personal User Manual (Open Practice Library)
Women’s History Month – “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”
Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions (Harvard Business Review)
The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis (Aftershock, the film)
Freedom Dreaming in Philanthropy (Freedom Dreams in Philanthropy)
Eradicating Ableist Language (The Open Notebook)
Using BICEPS to Identify Core Needs at Work (Paloma Medina)
Let’s Upgrade Our Meetings (WorkLife with Adam Grant)
Language and Learning Resource for Non-Indigenous People (Native Americans in Philanthropy)
Stacey Abrams – 3 Questions to Ask Yourself About Everything You Do (TED)
These ideas have been instrumental in fostering dialogue, broadening perspectives, and deepening our understanding of critical issues. We look forward to more enriching discussions in the coming year.
Thank you for joining us in our mission to reimagine and deploy a new type of philanthropy that helps foster community-led change and impact.
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