Trustee rosters at major grant makers sorely lack socioeconomic and geographic diversity, a Chronicle analysis shows. What does that mean for philanthropy?
By Drew Lindsay and Rebecca Koenig
Inside Philanthropy’s Boardroom ‘Bubble’
At the 20 wealthiest national foundations, which control $162 billion in assets, plenty of board members have degrees from top private universities, but only a handful live in rural or poor parts of the United States.
‘Coastal Elite’ Concerns Extend to Foundations, Chronicle Data Shows
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders railed against the power of an entrenched leadership class. They didn’t target philanthropy, but they could have, based on our first-of-its-kind analysis of major grant makers’ boards.
By Drew Lindsay and Rebecca Koenig
On Gender and Race, Change Is Slow
A Chronicle review of trustees at 20 major U.S. grant makers suggests considerable work lies ahead.
By Drew Lindsay and Rebecca Koenig
A Progressive Environmentalist Fires Back at Trump Populism
Foundation leader Farhad Ebrahimi is using his inherited wealth to bring the fight over climate change into the social-justice movement.
By Marc Gunther
Contributor
Concrete Ways Philanthropy Can Fight the Spread of Misinformation
Encouraging scientists to become good storytellers and citizens and financing research on why people ignore facts are critical roles for foundations to play.
In the Trump Era, Big Foundations Must Give More to Black-Led Nonprofits
The centuries-long impact of racism and decades of neglect by philanthropy call for doubling down on aid to established organizations like the NAACP and new movements like Black Lives Matter.
By Susan Taylor Batten
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Jim DeMint Reportedly Out at Heritage Foundation
Also, Feed the Children looks within its own ranks in naming a new CEO, and the head of University of Utah Health System resigns after clashing with megadonor Jon Huntsman Sr.
Mixed 100-Day Record for Philanthropy in the Trump Era
Grants to strengthen news organizations have been important, but there’s still too little money going to the community-based nonprofits that can most effectively protest destructive policies.
By PABLO EISENBERG
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Ex-Congresswoman Fights Nonprofit Fraud Charges
Also, a Gates Foundation impact report says the grant maker boosted Seattle’s local economy by $1.5 billion in 2015, and a nonprofit breaks ground on a long-planned museum to honor Jackie Robinson.
Daily News Roundup: Metropolitan Museum of Art Mulls Ticket Charge for Non-New Yorkers
Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed the deficit-plagued museum’s proposal to make entrance fees mandatory for visitors from outside the city. Also, Livestrong says it’s turning a fundraising corner after three years of plunging donations, and an African charity teams with dating app Tinder to help super-rare rhinos breed.
New Leader, New Era: Rockefeller Foundation Plots Its Course
Rajiv Shah sits down with The Chronicle for a wide-ranging discussion about his plans to focus on a few big bets, strengthen the grant maker’s partnerships, and work with the Trump administration.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Donna Shalala Steps Down as Clinton Foundation President
Also, the University of Utah reinstates the head of the Huntsman Cancer Institute after encountering furious resistance from its benefactor, and tension grows at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas over fundraising for a new medical school.
Grants Roundup: Gates and Chan-Zuckerberg Back $12 Million Personalized-Learning Venture
Other notable awards include $8.6 million from JP Morgan Chase to support job training in the health-care field.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Majority of Foundations Say Trump Policies Are Prompting Grant-Making Changes
Some grant makers are increasing spending, while others are changing their priorities for giving, according to studies by the Center for Effective Philanthropy and Exponent Philanthropy.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: India Blocks Foreign Funding of Gates Grantee
Also, Forbes offers a detailed breakdown of David Rockefeller’s charitable bequests, and Time highlights philanthropic and humanitarian work on its list of the world’s 100 most influential people.