Reports of a Massive Increase in Racial-Justice Funding Paint a Distorted and Dangerous Picture
A new analysis shows how conservative groups have seized on inflated estimates of giving following 2020’s racial-justice protests to falsely signal that grassroots groups fighting systemic racism are getting more than their fair share.
By Lori Villarosa
Contributor
A Student’s Call to Education Grant Makers: Listen to Us
Youths are the true experts on today’s college experience, says a student intern at the Stupski Foundation. Philanthropic organizations need to embrace strategies that bring their voices into the decision-making process.
By Jodi Go
Contributor
Grassroots advocacy and justice organizations hold the playbook for restoring reproductive rights. But we cannot do it alone, and we cannot do it while chronically underfunded.
By Kia Guarino and Christel Allen
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
Diverse Donors Led the Shift to Social- and Racial-Justice Giving in 2020, New Report Says
Foundations and companies turned to leaders and donors of color to help guide their racial-justice giving.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Author Edgar Villanueva Calls for Donors to Work More for Diversity and Inclusion
Institutionalized philanthropy in the United States perpetuates practices that marginalize people of color, he says. The second edition of his “Decolonizing Wealth” book explores how to heal division and restore balance.
What Would Ruth Bader Ginsburg Do? Finding Answers to the Gender Gap in Jewish Nonprofit Leadership
A Leading Edge report, supported by a grant made to honor the late justice, examines how Jewish nonprofits can close the gender gap. Experts say the advice can also help other groups improve leadership diversity.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
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
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
MacArthur Grant Aims to Help People With Disabilities Find Work in Philanthropy
Fellows get training through an organization called RespectAbility as part of the organization’s push to make up for a void on foundations staffs: Less than 1 percent of people at foundations have a disability, according to a recent study.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Message to Philanthropy: Immigrant Strivers Need Support, Too
At a time when immigration policy battles are taking center stage, some of Miranda’s recent grants are going to nonprofits that help immigrants rise to the middle class — reflecting the values depicted in his new movie “In the Heights.” His approach should be an example for other donors.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor
Education Innovations Deserve as Much Philanthropic Investment as Support for Medical Research
A new fund aims to let people closest to the challenges facing schools work hand in hand with research and development experts to find new approaches that will help students of color and those who live in poverty.
By Romy Drucker, Bob Hughes and Sandra Liu Huang
How MacKenzie Scott’s Gifts to Leaders of Color Fuel Transformation
Unrestricted dollars from the billionaire allow us to experiment, make discoveries, and protect the health of our organizations — as well as ourselves and our colleagues.
By Bianca Casanova Anderson
Contributor
Nonprofit ‘Salary Secrecy’ Targeted in the Name of Pay Equity
Organizations are facing pressure to be transparent about pay, particularly when hiring. Making salaries public could help close gender and racial pay gaps and end wage discrimination.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
To Achieve Racial Equity, Invest in the College Success of Parents
Student parents are often overlooked and underfunded. But addressing their challenges is critical to tackling many of the most pervasive and complex problems our country faces.
By Nicole Lynn Lewis and Vinice Davis
Disclosing Salaries Is Good for the Fundraising Profession and Society as a Whole
The CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals takes issue with an argument against including salaries in job postings.