About Us
Our Approach
Our grantmaking philosophy is supported by five grant-making pillars we’ve honed over the past 15 years. Together, they open a new approach to philanthropy that works more effectively for nonprofits and donors alike.
Listen First
Nonprofit leaders are experts in their fields and have a unique understanding of the communities they serve. Give them the tools they’re asking for and their organizations will flourish.
Focus on Capacity
An effective nonprofit is more than its programs. Help them grow stronger from the inside to accomplish their mission with an internal structure that will make an impact well into the future.
Long-Term Grants Only
Innovation takes time. Remain committed to funding a nonprofit’s grants for multiple years so that a process can be built and perfected with enough time to tackle new challenges.
Commit to a Community
Focus on one community at a time by listening to their cross-generational challenges. Then approach solutions from different angles to create a web of thriving services.
Collaborative Cohorts
Nonprofits have wisdom to share. Find nonprofits with mutually supporting missions and have them meet regularly to present grant proposals to one another for tangible feedback.
Our Mission
Magic Cabinet shifts philanthropy to center community.
Our Vision
We are excited to announce the launch of our first cohorts of rural powerbuilding organizations, expanding our grantmaking to include organizations that are building rural community power and poised for outsized impact.
As we prepare to launch our next Magic Cabinet cohorts, we're leveling up our model and setting a new standard for how we enter and engage with communities.
Funders are increasingly tapping intermediaries to serve as a bridge to BIPOC-led, community-based, and 'hard to reach' organizations. In this piece, Proximate examines how funders can transition from a transactional approach to more reciprocal relationships with intermediaries.