2013 Highlights: About Grant Makers

Funds Nurture Entrepreneurs With Far-Out Ideas to Benefit Society
The bad economy has prompted some foundations and donors to finance businesses in communities with a weak record for start-ups and to give a hand to businesses traditional investors won’t touch.

Google Uses Grants to Prove Technology Can Be Game Changer
The company, which gave $105-million last year, wants to show donors and charities the value of using technology and data to help society.

A Grant Maker Shifts Its Focus to Inequality and Climate Change
Simon Greer, who took over the Nathan Cummings Foundation last year, spent two decades as a community organizer, and he is using that approach to rally people with different views to promote big social changes.

Home Depot Channels Tens of Millions of Dollars to Veterans
The company and its suppliers have contributed more than $100-million since 2011 to develop housing and provide other care to former service members.

Small Grant Maker, Closing Down in 4 Years, Is a Force in Immigration
Darren Sandow, head of the Hagedorn Foundation, is helping the $31-million fund on Long Island become a leader in the immigration debate.

Applying for Grants Is Still a Burden, Say Fundraisers
While 77 percent of donors have taken steps to simplify things, fundraisers say they don’t notice much of a change, a new study finds.