Philanthropy Must Confront This Era of Catastrophe With a Moonshot Response
If grant makers don’t act quickly and boldly to address the twin crises of climate change and threats to democracy, the future costs may be insurmountable. The philanthropic world needs to come together in a massive and coordinated effort to confront these existential threats.
By Loren McArthur
Contributor
Ford and Mellon: Targets for the Philanthropy Roundtable’s CEO
In her criticisms of “woke” philanthropy, Elise Westhoff has made special mention of two foundation presidents: Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation and Elizabeth Alexander of the Mellon Foundation. Both leaders are Black.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Montana State U. Lands $101 Million for Nursing School
Plus, six other universities and three health systems all received big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
A new measure in the Senate would prod foundations and donor-advised funds to stop hoarding assets. As a Giving Pledge signatory, I’m not the only big giver who thinks this is much-needed policy change, writes Melanie Lundquist. Plus: See our briefing on the Accelerate Charitable Efforts Act featuring Lundquist and four other expert speakers.
By Melanie Lundquist
Contributor
Grassroots Efforts Play Key Role in Hurricane Ida Relief
Mutual aid groups that enable people to pool resources and distribute donations to care for one another have moved swiftly to help people in Louisiana and elsewhere harmed by the devastating storm.
By GLENN GAMBOA and HALELUYA HADERO
A Third of Foundations Increased Their Giving in 2020
Fueled by a strong stock market, private foundations reported an average 13.1 percent return on their investment assets and community foundations 12.1 percent, allowing many to maintain or increase their giving, according to a new survey.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Philanthropic Support for Communities of Color Is More Robust Than the Data Suggest
Recent research purports to show that philanthropy has fallen well short of what’s needed to support communities of color. But the research itself falls short by focusing on grants to groups that combat systemic racism rather than those that address day-to-day hardships.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
Bill Gates’s Personal Values and Actions Are Relevant to His Philanthropic Work
The head of CharityWatch takes issue with a recent opinion piece saying the media shouldn’t focus on the billionaire’s “personal foibles.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies Commits Additional $31 Million to Partnership for Healthy Cities
Also, four foundations partnered to create a $5.7 million fund that will back grassroots organizations in Detroit, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has given $2.3 million to expand news coverage of health, race, equity, and poverty in the South.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Can the Gates Foundation Cede Power to Those It Seeks to Help?
Recent events, including the impending divorce of Bill and Melinda Gates, are an opportunity for the world’s wealthiest philanthropy not only to diversify its board but to let those it serves participate in the grant-making process.
By Meg Massey and Ben Wrobel
Also, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation gives almost $18 million to fight wildfires in Greece.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Critical Race Theory’s Growing Influence Shows Why Philanthropy Needs to Play the Long Game
An academic treatise first published 25 years ago has propelled a long-overdue reckoning with racial injustice in this country. Critical Race Theory’s journey offers lessons for grant makers on the importance of patience when it comes to changing social narratives.
By Gara LaMarche and Diane Wachtell
Ford and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations Put $7.5 Million Into Efforts to Give Tenants Clout
The funding takes a very different tack from most philanthropic work on housing. It seeks to build organizing power for those at risk of eviction rather than making low-cost loans, for instance.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
How Women Will Shape Philanthropy in the Decade Ahead: Watch Our Online Briefing
Liz Thompson, a major donor, and Abby Falik, CEO of Global Citizen Year, discussed how women’s giving differs from men’s and offered advice on how fundraisers can best cultivate women donors.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Bucknell U. Receives $40 Million for Scholarships and Athletics
Plus, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Berklee College of Music, and others landed big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Philanthropy Can Help Communities Weed Out Inequity in Automated Decision Making Tools
Foundations should work with governments and advocates to ensure new data technology advances social good — and protects people from harm.
By Chris Kingsley and Stephen Plank