Lessons for Philanthropy From the 2020 Census
Foundations and nonprofits joined forces at the national and local levels in ways that ensure that even the pandemic and political threats didn’t get in the way of an accurate count, an essential move given how important the census is to achieving grant makers’ missions.
Philanthropy Buzzwords 2022: For Good or Bad, Technology Will Rule
Certainties for the coming year, including the continuing pandemic and ongoing racial inequities, will combine with explosive growth in technological innovations — and the techno-lingo that comes with it.
By Lucy Bernholz
Contributor
Merck Commits Additional $150 Million to Improve Health Equity for Mothers
Also, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has committed $103 million for Gulf Coast restoration projects, and the Open Society Foundations awarded $42.5 million to 15 organizations that serve Asian American and Muslim communities.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Nonprofits That Benefited From Michael Steinhardt’s Dirty Money Need to Own Up to Their Complicity
The Manhattan District Attorney’s finding that the philanthropist illegally purchased cultural artifacts offers a stark reminder to nonprofits about the importance of demanding greater accountability and transparency from donors.
By Lila Corwin Berman
Contributor
U. of Wisconsin at Eau Claire Receives $60 Million for New Event Center
Plus, four other universities received big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
To Reach Donors of Color, Fundraisers Should Focus on Faith, Family, and Community
Attracting Latino and Black donors requires recognizing cultural giving patterns that differentiate them from most white donors. Nonprofits that take a thoughtful approach to this process have the chance to significantly expand their pool of donors.
By Aracely Muñoz
Contributor
MacKenzie Scott Is Criticized for Not Providing Details in Latest Round of Gifts
Philanthropy experts expressed concern about the lack of transparency by Scott but said they appreciated signs that she is open to sharing more information about her philanthropy’s results in the future.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
2022 Is the Year for Grant Makers to Stop Talking and Start Doing
Because philanthropy has so little external scrutiny, foundation officials must assess whether they are actually making enough of a difference, writes Lisa Pilar Cowan, the author of a series of essays on grant making in a time of upheaval.
By Lisa Pilar Cowan
Contributor
Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Commits $200 Million for Nonprofit Arts Scene in Detroit and Buffalo
Also, Trinity Church Wall Street gave $20.1 million to charities that aid vulnerable communities in New York City.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
More Civil-Rights Lawyers Are Needed to Fight Racial-Justice Battles. Philanthropy Can Help.
As the racial reckoning of 2020 plays out in courtrooms and state legislatures, grant makers should embrace a range of strategies, including funding law-school scholarship programs and public-interest centers, to help build a well-trained army of civil-rights attorneys.
As Foundation Assets Grow Fast, Some Grant Makers Are Giving Much More
Investments made by foundations with assets greater than $500 million saw a return of 13.1 percent this year through November, prompting debates in many boardrooms about the wisdom of sending more money out the door now.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Bezos Earth Fund Announces Recipients of Nearly $450 Million
The grants will go to nonprofits that work on climate justice here in the United States and organizations around the world that support forest conservation by local and Indigenous communities.
By Jim Rendon
Executive Editor
Metropolitan Museum of Art Receives $125 Million From Trustee
Plus, Cornell University lands $30 million for its canine health center, and an animal hospital receives $25 million from financier Stephen Schwarzman.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
To Do Their Jobs Effectively, Nonprofit Grassroots Leaders Need Health and Wellness Support
Philanthropy can improve its impact if it invests in the physical and mental wellbeing of community organizers, especially at a time when they are contending with multiple ongoing crises, including Covid-19 and the fight for racial justice.
By Gloria Walton
Contributor
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates Offer Post-Divorce Philanthropic Plans
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates say that despite their divorce, they will still work with the Giving Pledge, the campaign they co-founded with Warren Buffett in 2010 to encourage billionaires to donate the majority of their wealth through philanthropy.
Marketing Helps Nonprofits Reach People in Need. Why Do Grant Makers Refuse to Fund It?
Donors should recognize that new technology-fueled communications and marketing tools allow grantees to get the word out about the critical services they provide — especially during a crisis when people aren’t sure where to turn.
By Lisa David
Contributor