With Donor’s Pledge Done, College Drops Scholarship Program
The New York Times examines what happened to a donor-funded program aimed at helping first-generation college students when the recipient universities stopped getting the contributor’s checks.
Donor’s ‘Lewd’ Acts Raised in Koret Foundation Court Fight
Court papers filed this week in connection with a legal battle over the Koret Foundation allege Stanford University ignored complaints of sexual harassment by Bay Area real-estate mogul Tad Taube, a leader at Koret and a Stanford donor, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
What Foundations Want From Grantee Evaluations
An association of small foundations shares grant makers’ opinions on different types of evaluations and tells how to measure the intangible, such as increased hope or confidence.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Vibrant Boston Arts Scene Lags in Public Funding, Study Says
Boston has one of the most active cultural sectors among major U.S. cities but lags behind other urban areas in institutional and government support, The Boston Globe writes, citing a new report by the Boston Foundation.
Rockefeller Fund Commits $130 Million to Cutting Food Waste
The program unveiled by the Rockefeller Foundation on Thursday in Davos aims to tackle hunger by slashing waste all along the global food-production chain, The New York Times reports.
Genomics Center Gets $100 Million From 2 Board Members
The New York Genome Center announced a combined $100 million challenge grant Wednesday from family funds led by two of its directors, James Simons and Russell Carson.
Report Hits Gates Foundation on Agenda and Corporate Ties
The study by activist group Global Justice Now assails the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s agenda and activities, accusing the world’s largest philanthropy of using its financial clout to distort global development priorities and benefit corporate partners, The Seattle Times writes.
$75 Million Donation Boosts Newborn Care at N.Y. Hospital
The gift from the foundation of hedge-fund mogul Steven Cohen and his wife, Alexandra Cohen, will establish a unit of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital dedicated to maternal and neonatal care, Crain’s New York Business writes.
Philanthropy Must Understand Racism Is Not Dead
In Washington, grant makers are about to undertake an ambitious effort to explore whether their work is doing enough to help blacks and other minorities.
By Tamara Copeland
Contributor
Grants Roundup: Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund Awards $5.8 Million to 211 Nonprofits
Other awards include nearly $2.5 million from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for 19 documentary and interactive digital-media projects.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
DiCaprio Announces New $15 Million Round of Green Grants
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio announced $15 million in new foundation funding for environmental and conservation efforts and ripped “corporate greed” in the energy industry in a speech Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Associated Press and Variety report.
Facebook’s Sandberg Donates $31 Million; Netflix Founder Creates Education Fund
Other notable gifts include $1.7 million to the Detroit Institute of Arts from a former volunteer and public-school teacher.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
New ‘Playbook’ Helps Foundations and Nonprofits Respond to Disasters
The guide from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy details best practices, including information on rebuilding, legal services, housing, and coordination with government agencies.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
Foundation Influence in Education Policy Deserves Greater Scrutiny
Public discussion, including criticism from groups that aren’t bankrolled by grant makers, is essential to ensure that private giving makes a difference.
By Jeffrey Henig and Jenn Hatfield
Leader at Haas Jr. Fund Stepping Down After Leading Marriage-Equality Fight
Under Ira Hirschfield’s leadership, the grant maker “hung in during lean and bad times” to help turn the tide in the movement, says one admirer.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Other awards include $3.4 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to expand the focus of the Knight International Journalism Fellows Program.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor