26-Year-Old’s $70 Million Donation Puts Him on the List of Top Donors of 2021
Austin Russell, the founder of Luminar Technologies, determined that per capita philanthropic giving in Orlando lagged other cities.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Why a Young Billionaire Who Led Trip to Space Gave $125 Million to Children’s Hospital
When Jared Isaacman led the first all-civilian trip to space, he and his wife, Monica, donated $125 million to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital — and encouraged others to give as well.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
How a Truckdriver-Turned Harvard MBA Came to Give $101 Million for Nursing Education in Mont.
Mark and Robyn Jones believe their donation to Montana State University will have a bigger impact than if they had made a similar gift to Harvard Business School, where Mark earned an MBA.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Our Annual Philanthropy 50: Top Donors Returned to Pre-Pandemic Causes in 2021
Despite the continuing Covid threat and racial-justice problems, the nation’s wealthiest donors have largely returned to old standbys — handing out big sums to universities, medicine, and their own foundations. But there are exceptions and some interesting new faces.
By Maria Di Mento and Ben Gose
MacKenzie Scott Gives $133.5 Million to Communities in Schools to Aid Underserved Students
Plus, Memorial Sloan Kettering, three universities, a private school in Palm Beach, and a medical center in Bellingham, Wash., landed major gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Legislation Intended to Speed Up Giving Gets a Boost in Congress
Republicans and Democrats in the House introduced a measure that would affect donor-advised funds and foundations. It resembles a proposal in the Senate.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Community Funds Urged to Set Annual Distribution Rate
The Council on Foundations, which represents many community funds, said the minimum annual distribution should be the same as for private foundations, at least 5 percent of assets.
By dan.parks
Contributor
JPMorgan Chase Commits $30 Million to Address Wealth Gaps in Six U.S. Cities
Also, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation awarded $25 million to boost community-health partnerships in Flint, Mich., and the New York Life Foundation has committed $1.2 million to expand childhood-bereavement programs for children whose parents or caregivers have died from Covid-19.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Education Grant Makers Need to Leave Their Covid Comfort Zones and Spend Time in Schools
A lack of physical proximity to teachers, administrators, and students has diminished philanthropy’s role in schools during the pandemic. To regain trust and relevance, education donors need to take creative steps to get back in schools and resume in-person convenings.
By Celine Coggins
Contributor
Jewish Federations Bolster Security for Communities and Institutions
An effort called LiveSecure comes amid heightened fears about the vulnerability of Jewish institutions and anti-Semitic incidents.
Billionaire Couple Offers Money to an Unusual Beneficiary: Philanthropic Foundations
A prominent technology billionaire couple today made an unusual pledge: offering money to expand programs foundations have started that are demonstrating early success.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Grant Makers Should Stop Resisting Nonprofits’ Pleas for Increased Technology Funding
A lack of coordination among foundation IT and program staff is one of several factors that prevent nonprofits from getting the funding they need to upgrade their technology and become fully functioning participants in the digital age. Plus: Read our cover story on cybersecurity.
By Chantal Forster
Contributor
January Data Shows Several Warning Signs for Nonprofits and Fundraisers
The stock market swoon could cause donors to reduce giving, experts say. Meanwhile, wage hikes and inflation are putting heavy pressure on nonprofit budgets.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Let’s Worry Less About How DAFs Help Donors and More About How They Can Help Those in Need
A Council on Foundations member and community fund leader finds fault with a recent opinion piece by the council’s leader who argues that donor-advised funds democratize philanthropy.
Few Donor-Advised Fund Grants Are Anonymous, Controversial Study Says
However, one expert and advocate for new regulations on donor-advised funds said the study has serious methodological flaws that casts doubt on its findings.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Why We Need to Keep an Eye on the Gates Foundation’s Board Expansion
The addition of three outsiders to the family fund is an important first step, but we need to keep our eye on how the new trustees deal with demands for a power shift and greater feedback from the people the philanthropy serves.
By Benjamin Soskis
Contributor