Ex-Movie Executive Abandoned Hollywood for Cambodian Charity
The Wall Street Journal profiles Scott Neeson, a former leader of 20th Century Fox International and Sony Pictures who now spends most of his time in Phnom Penh running the Cambodian Children’s Fund.
Ford’s Sharpened Focus on Inequality and Operating Funds Draws Praise
The fund’s pledge to provide lots more administrative support has made many nonprofit leaders hope other foundations will do the same.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Gates Foundation Gets Great Press, but Skeptics Have Emerged
While the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s work gets far less mainstream-media scrutiny than giving by the conservative Koch brothers, numerous researchers, academics, and development experts have raised questions in scholarly papers about the governance, transparency, and spending priorities of the world’s biggest philanthropy, Vox writes.
Republican Businessman Pours $175 Million Into Climate Push
The money from Charlotte, N.C., entrepreneur Jay Faison will go to nonprofit groups he established to promote clean energy and win GOP support for policies tackling global warming, Politico and Reuters write.
2016 Candidates Get Boost From Allied Nonprofits
Several 501(c)(4) groups are gearing up to support particular 2016 presidential aspirants, a new step in the evolution of nonprofit politicking, reports The Wall Street Journal.
In Ferguson, a Gift to Heal Divisions
A pair of anonymous donors gave $100,000 to the St. Louis Community Foundation with one goal: to let a diverse group of community members decide together how it should be used.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
X Prize Launches $7 Million Contest to Find Ways to Teach More Adults to Read
The competition, started with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, is seeking creative approaches using tablets and smartphones.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Data and Behavioral Science Key New Wave of Poverty Programs
The Wall Street Journal reports on the growing “randomista” movement of poverty experts and campaigners embracing experimental, data-driven programs to help poor and indebted people save more and achieve financial stability.
Founder of Iraqi Refugee Nonprofit Wins Charles Bronfman Prize
Becca Heller, 34, the youngest recipient of the $100,000 award for young Jewish humanitarians, was honored for her legal-assistance work in the Middle East.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Lacking Donor Support, Jewish Group Cuts Back on Advocacy
Two years after launching an effort to beef up its political advocacy and grass-roots work, aid charity the American Jewish World Service is scaling back such work, laying off 10 staff members dedicated to community organizing, The Forward writes.
Planned Anarchy: Playtime That Frees Kids From Structure
Digging in the mud, climbing trees, and building forts are all part of a wild, unstructured environment available at Ithaca Children’s Garden, a type of stimulation that advocates say is missing from many kids’ lives.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
San Diego Attorney’s Nonprofit Network Under Scrutiny
A prominent San Diego environmental lawyer and his firm have filed suit on behalf of more than 30 nonprofits, almost all of them established and led by him, his relatives, or close associates, that appear to flout state and federal regulations on governance and reporting, according to investigative news site inewsource.
In the Drive to Prove Results, a Los Angeles Charity Gets Snagged in High-Profile Controversy
The Los Angeles LGBT Center became entangled in a national scandal caused by a researcher faking results about its work to promote same-sex marriage.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
Q&A: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Embedded Reporter
Journalist Ricky O’Bannon says the role has allowed him to experiment and tell stories about classical music, not just sell tickets.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Science-Education Nonprofit Adopts Venture-Capital Approach
100kin10 launches its fellowship program, bringing grant seekers together to hone their ideas before they submit applications.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
18 Winners of TheDream.US Scholarships Tell Their Stories
In a photo essay by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the recipients share their thoughts on college and what it’s like to be undocumented students. Two $15-million gifts are kicking off a campaign to raise more for the program.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor