Kresge and Hewlett Pour Another $45 Million Into Racial Equity
These latest grant announcements add to the multi-billion response from philanthropy that has materialized since the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
LeBron James Sets the Pace for Charitable Giving and Activism by NBA’s Rising Stars
As the NBA picks its new class, it is more important than ever that athletes follow James’s belief that community service matters as much as playing skills.
By Gregory R. Witkowski and Len Elmore
Jeff Bezos’s Earth Fund Awards $791 Million in First Round of Climate Grants
Also, the Gates Foundation is giving $70 million to develop safe, low-cost Covid-19 vaccine candidates, and the Heinz Endowments has doled out $12.1 million for racial-equity programs in the Pittsburgh region.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
3 Views on How Philanthropy Should Bolster Democracy
The Kettering Foundation and the Knight Foundation released a collection of essays on American democracy within days of the presidential election. Three of the authors joined us in conversation to discuss their essays.
By Margie Fleming Glennon
Chief Content Officer
How Philanthropy Can Save Local News — and Our Communities
The demise of local news organizations is sabotaging nearly every mission foundations and donors care about. Foundations can lead the way in ensuring businesses, government, and small donors contribute to the reinvention of the news industry so it truly serves our democracy.
By Steven Waldman
Contributor
Can Philanthropy Make Itself Compatible With Democracy?
The new presidential administration will be much more open to the progressive goals shared by much of the philanthropic world. One of those goals should be eliminating its own democratic deficiencies, says the author of a major new book on philanthropy.
By Paul Vallely
Contributor
Invest In and Strengthen People of Color: a Corporate Grant Maker Explains How
The head of Levi Strauss Foundation calls for corporate foundations to invest is community nonprofits and shares benefits and lessons.
By Daniel Lee
Contributor
Charles Koch’s Book Urges ‘Bottom-Up’ Approach to Philanthropy
The billionaire libertarian says what many progressive activists have long been saying — trust the people who have first-hand experience with a problem to come up with solutions.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
As GivingTuesday Nears, It’s Time to Drop the Donor-Fatigue Myth
Donors are poised to give more during this time of crisis. Nonprofits can tap their generosity by explaining their needs and diversifying who receives their appeals.
By Woodrow Rosenbaum
Contributor
Brown U. Lands $20 Million to Support Student Veterans
Plus, Howard University received $1 million to a new center to advance Black women leaders.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Biden Transition Team Signals Big Role for Nonprofits Throughout Government
People from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and Environmental Defense Fund are planning priorities for the Biden-Harris White House, as are foundations like Arnold Ventures, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Marguerite Casey Foundation.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Philanthropy’s Agenda for Rebuilding Our Democracy
We’ve spent four years defending our nation against authoritarianism, but we can’t stop now. Philanthropy needs to embrace a bold plan to overhaul a system badly out of sync with democratic principles.
By Joe Goldman
Contributor
Nonprofit Advocates Urge Donors to Support ‘Pillars’ of U.S. Democracy
Concerned about “serious threats” in the wake of the 2020 election, leaders at more than two-dozen nonprofit association signed a letter urging philanthropic leaders to support efforts to safeguard America’s democratic institutions.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Foundations Have Increased Giving and Loosened Restrictions Since Pandemic
Covid-19 is forcing foundations to change the way they work, with many increasing their payout, embracing looser grant restrictions, and reducing “what is asked of grantees,” according to a report released Thursday from the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plans to Ramp Up Giving
Blank, who co-founded Home Depot and whose net worth pegged at $6.2 billion, also says he plans to give “99 percent” of his fortune to his foundation.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Ford, Kellogg, and Omidyar Network Pool Grants to Continue Grassroots Groups’ Election Momentum
Also, the Lilly Endowment is awarding $25 million for youth services in Indiana, and the Gates Foundation has provided $10 million for a Covid-19 vaccine entering human clinical trials in young and older adults.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions