Philanthropy Helped Reduce Institutional Placements for Foster Kids. Now Many Have Nowhere to Go.
Good philanthropic intentions fueled efforts to severely limit the number of foster children placed in group settings. But the movement has gone too far. More such facilities are needed for kids whose mental and behavioral challenges make placing them with families extremely difficult.
By Naomi Schaefer Riley
Contributor
Why Philanthropy’s ‘Free College’ Programs Don’t Always Live Up to Their Promise
New college scholarship programs aim to do what’s proved elusive so far: generate benefits for communities as well as students.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Airbnb Co-Founders Pledge $10 Million for Their Charity’s Ukraine Efforts
Plus, MIT lands $100 million from the Chan brothers, and five universities and the Rhode Island Foundation all received big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
MacKenzie Scott Gives Boys & Girls Clubs of America $281 Million
The charity’s national office will receive $25 million. The remainder will be divided among 62 local Boys & Girls Clubs, chosen by Scott and her advisers.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Senators Issue Bipartisan Call for Restoring Tax Breaks for Donors Who Don’t Itemize Their Returns
Sen. Charles Grassley also raised questions about whether donor-advised funds require greater regulation to speed giving.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Donating to Ivy League Schools Is Ineffective and Unnecessary, and It Reinforces Inequality
If donors genuinely want to support higher education, they should consider sending their funds to the institutions that really need it — those that promote economic and social mobility.
By Andrew Babbitt
Contributor
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Commits Additional $300 Million for Amazon Conservation
Also, more companies and foundations commit grants to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
What Fundraisers Are Doing as the Pandemic Eases
A new study shows a realignment of fundraiser priorities and concern about the challenges of keeping donors — and staff members.
By dan.parks
Contributor
It’s not just basic humanitarian assistance but threats to civil society, global hunger, and health care that require grant makers to focus on what comes next, says Mark Malloch-Brown, head of the Open Society Foundations.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Economic Data Shocks Charity Officials Just as They Were Hoping for a Post-Pandemic Boom
A raft of troubling economic developments — stubborn inflation, a bear market for stocks, and sagging consumer confidence — have clouded the environment for nonprofits.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Ukrainian Leaders Show the Power of a Story to Move Policy. Immigration Advocates Should Take Note.
A comprehensive immigration overhaul will not happen unless the movement can change cultural attitudes about people who were not born in the United States. To do that, philanthropy needs to invest in narrative change at least as much policy advocacy.
By Wendy Feliz
Contributor
As Asian Hate Incidents Continue, Nearly $10 Million Flows to Groups Fighting the Attacks
The new Asian American Foundation, which has raised $1 billion, is focusing its early grants on tracking crimes and helping people learn how to stop an attack in progress, as well as other efforts to improve understanding of Asian culture.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Give to Help Ukrainian Refugees
Plus, the billionaire novelist MacKenzie Scott gave $10 million to help refugee children continue their education, Barnard College landed $55 million to prepare women for STEM careers, and three other nonprofits received large donations.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Ballmer Crafts New Funding Strategy to Confront Gun Violence
Steve and Connie Ballmer usually support economic-mobility efforts, but they came to the conclusion that gun violence hinders economic gains because it scars entire communities.
Open Society Foundations Commit $25 Million for Ukraine Democracy Fund
Also, the O’Donnell Foundation gave $100 million to endow a new public-health school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the Anthem Foundation pledged $30 million to address maternal health and improve health outcomes for mothers.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Philanthropy has poured millions of grant dollars into addressing homelessness, with minimal impact.
By Daniel Heimpel
Contributor