Transparency Boosts Donations, Even for Struggling Charities, Study Finds
An examination of GuideStar data showed big fundraising benefits for nonprofits that opened up their books.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
How the Chronicle Compiled Its Annual List of Top 50 Donors
Inside the methodology for tallying which philanthropists gave away the most money in 2018.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
The people on the Philanthropy 50, the Chronicle’s annual list of the biggest U.S. donors, collectively gave more than $7.8 billion last year. Artificial intelligence and privacy were among their top concerns.
By Maria Di Mento and Ben Gose
Power, Transparency, and New Ways to Give
The new trend in long-term, futuristic bets by some of the biggest U.S. philanthropists is drawing scrutiny by critics who say those enormous financial commitments need more public scrutiny and measurable goals.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
The Blackstone financier placed a big bet on the study of artificial intelligence and landed at No. 4 on the Philanthropy 50, the Chronicle’s ranking of the top donors.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Understanding the Modern Family in Philanthropy
Virginia Esposito, a champion of family foundations, talks about how they’re changing and what’s to come.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Evan Marwell started a charity with a specific goal and an inflexible eight-year deadline. Here’s what other charities can learn from him.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
Writer’s Notebook; Big Names, Big Legacies in the Philanthropy 50
Staff writer Maria Di Mento details her often amusing interactions over the years with Seattle tech pioneer Paul Allen, Philadelphia businessman Gerry Lenfest, and private-equity titan Pete Peterson, all of whom died last year.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Cathy Cha Leads Haas Fund: Ford Foundation Hires Head of U.S. Programs (Transitions)
In other news about people on the move, Henry Timms leaves the 92nd Street Y to run the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
The 2019 Philanthropy 50: Where They Live, Where They Give, and More
Find out more about America’s 50 biggest donors: their ages, source of wealth, where they live, and where they give.
By Maria Di Mento and Ariella Phillips
Lessons for Charity Leaders From EducationSuperHighway
Evan Marwell, who started a nonprofit designed to expire after eight years with its mission complete, says his approach can have impact and excite donors.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Chronicle’s Impact-Investing Report Missed a Key Ingredient
Matt Onek, head of Mission Investors Exchange, says our analysis of impact investing at the 15 wealthiest foundations should have more prominently noted the importance of program-related investments.
How Grant Makers Can Tune In to What Nonprofits Need Most
Foundation officials must get out of their own echo chambers and understand the realities of what nonprofits and their beneficiaries face every day.
By HILARY PENNINGTON
Contributor
All Donors Need More Education — Not Just the Wealthy
People who give $10,000 to $100,000 a year find it nearly impossible to figure out where to give and how to donate effectively, says one philanthropist who tried everything she could to learn more.
By SYLVIA BROWN
Contributor
Young Stars Are Born: a Theater for Life Lessons
Tada Youth Theater offers programs to get kids involved in singing, dancing, and acting.
By Ariella Phillips
Contributor
‘Forbes 400′ and ‘Giving Pledge’ Billionaires Who Gave Big in 2018
Only 21 people on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans appear among this year’s Philanthropy 50. And among the 143 U.S. signers of the Giving Pledge, 14 individuals or couples landed a spot on the Philanthropy 50.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor