Grants Roundup: Foundation Awards Boost News Outlets and Search for the Universe’s Origins
The MacArthur Foundation committed nearly $25 million to support nonprofit journalism groups, and two science-focused grant makers gave $40 million for a new observatory in the Chilean desert.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Knight Foundation and Columbia U. Launch $60 Million Center to Defend 1st Amendment
The institute will work to protect free speech at a time when the influence of newspapers is waning.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Gates Fund Commits $80 Million to Close Gender ‘Data Gap’
Announcing the three-year funding program Tuesday at the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen, Melinda Gates aligned the data effort with the United Nations goal to achieve gender equality worldwide by 2030, reports bdnews24.com, a Bangladeshi news website.
George Mason May Not Need State OK to Name School for Scalia
The state body that oversees Virginia’s public colleges — which was set to vote Tuesday on George Mason University’s plan to rechristen its law school for the late Supreme Court justice at the behest of a $20 million donor — now says the university may not need its approval to make the controversial change, The Washington Post and the Associated Press report.
Karl Rove’s PAC Calls for IRS to Audit Clinton Foundation
American Crossroads cited a media report on a Clinton Global Initiative commitment involving a private company co-owned by associates of the former first family in seeking a review of the foundation’s finances, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Nearly 2 Dozen Groups Urge Foundations to Spend More to Strengthen Nonprofits
Groups like GuideStar and the Council on Foundations say organizations like theirs need more resources to help charities and foundations advance.
By Suzanne Perry
Contributor
5 Universities Received Half of All Private Support for Basic Science Research
A survey of U.S. higher-education institutions found that half the money earmarked for basic research in 2015 went toward the life sciences.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Gifts Roundup: $200 Million for USC Cancer Studies; $20 Million for Carleton College Music Center
Other notable donations include a $55-million pledge to the Curtis Institute of Music from its outgoing board chair.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Clinton Global Initiative Helped Firm With Clinton Ties
A $2 million commitment announced at the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative supported a green-energy company partly owned by friends of the Clinton family, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Simons Fund Gives $40 Million to Study Origins of Universe
The foundation led by mathematician, hedge-fund billionaire, and science donor James Simons is funding a telescope to search for signs of gravitational waves physicists believe may hold clues to the beginnings of space and time, Scientific American writes.
Foundation CEOs Struggle to Boost Mission Investing
The pressure for strong financial returns continues to overshadow efforts to do good by reallocating portfolios.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Foundations’ Flint Pledge Fuels Debate on Philanthropy’s Role
The Christian Science Monitor looks at this week’s commitment by 10 foundations to pump $125 million into Flint, Mich., and what it portends about philanthropy’s role in responding to crises to which governments contribute or are slow to address.
Fighting Joblessness Is Key to Accomplishing Philanthropy’s Goals
A new study that finds a link between life span and income demonstrates the urgent need to build economic opportunity for the poor and middle class.
By David Flaks
Contributor
Grants Roundup: Wells Fargo and Sam’s Club Back Small-Business Development
Funding from the banking and retail companies is aimed in part at assisting firms led by minorities, women, and veterans.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
10 Grant Makers Commit Nearly $125 Million to Help Flint Recover From Water Crisis
Seven funds in Michigan and three based elsewhere are joining forces to improve health, education, and the economy in the wake of the disaster.
By Alex Daniels and Rebecca Koenig
Gates Foundation Funds Polio Vaccine in Eradication Effort
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $38 million to Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceuticals to develop a low-cost polio vaccine, Reuters reports.