As ‘Pro-Democracy’ Philanthropy Grows, Experts Warn of Many Obstacles to Combating Misinformation
The Knight Foundation just pledged $7 million to fight election misinformation in swing states. But recipients of grants to bolster accurate political information say their work is being thwarted by social media platforms, A.I., and escalating partisanship.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Reporter
Harold Alfond Foundation Commits $75.5 Million for Maine’s Community Colleges
Also, Bloomberg Philanthropies awarded $1 billion to eliminate tuition at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Home Depot Foundation gave $9 million to build and repair 500 housing units for more than 3,400 homeless military veterans.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Advice
How One Word Could Change Philanthropy
Embracing the word “solidarity” alongside “justice” and “equity” will help philanthropy rethink what it means to do good.
By Leah Hunt-Hendrix
Contributor
After 30 Years of Environmental Grant Making, Lois DeBacker Remains Optimistic About the Future
A pioneer in supporting environmental-justice groups, DeBacker will retire from the Kresge Foundation in September.
By Jim Rendon
Director, Fellowship Program and Impact Journalism
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Awards $33.5 Million to Protect Longleaf Pine Forests
Also, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation granted $25 million for a global pediatric cancer program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Google.org gave $5 million to offer training to government workers worldwide in the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Advice
What Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading This Summer
From post-apocalyptic fiction to lessons on democracy, here are six books to add to your summer reading list.
By Nandita Raghuram
Deputy Editor, Opinion
Can a Lottery Winner Run an Effective Foundation? Meet Roy Cockrum
How a onetime comic actor turned $60 million of Powerball winnings into a grant-making engine that has backed ambitious theater since 2014.
By GEORGE ANDERS
Editor-at-Large
Facing Arrest and Worse, Climate Advocates Need Legal Defenders. Philanthropy Can Help.
Protecting the environment is dangerous business. Those on the front lines need greater support to fend off fossil fuel industry threats.
Can Melinda French Gates Reignite Post-Dobbs Rage Giving?
Supporting women and girls of color should always be an urgent matter. French Gates is showing what that means.
By Cora Daniels
Contributor
Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Gives $25 Million to Cleveland Museum of Art
Also, the Nomis Foundation committed $20 million to the Salk Institute for neuroimmunology research, and Coca-Cola Foundation gave $10 million to clean up plastic waste and reduce water pollution on seven African islands.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Advice
How Philanthropy Can Make Sure Data Is Used to Help — Not Harm
Data on the communities grantees serve should be accurate, accessible, and used for their benefit. Grant makers can ensure this happens.
By Ryan Merkley
Contributor
A $150 Million Grant Will Strengthen Catholic Education in Northwest Indiana
Plus, the Shubert Foundation awarded $40 million in unrestricted grants to 653 nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and the Helmsley Charitable Trust gave $15 million to remove 15 million pounds of floating plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Advice
Major Funders Bet Big on Rural America and ‘Everyday Democracy’
Takeaways from a new $50 million venture with national grant makers investing in philanthropy-starved rural America: “No one is coming to do this work for us.”
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
How the Fearless Fund Ruling Distorts Charity, History — and Law
The wrongheaded decision should not dissuade nonprofits committed to racial equity from doing their critical work.
By Roger Colinvaux
Contributor
Cummings Foundation Awards $30 Million to Boston-Area Nonprofits
Also, the Marin Community Foundation committed $30 million for multiyear general operating support, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation gave $10 million to enable Catholic nuns in Africa to pursue higher education.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Advice
Melinda French Gates’s Apparent Embrace of Trust-Based Philanthropy Should Inspire Others
Her giving approach underscores the importance of human-centered grant making.