$123 Million in Surprise, Unsolicited Grants Go to 71 Ariz. Charities
Also, GM has pledged $50 million to strengthen economic development in Detroit, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed $47.5 million to MIT and Harvard to analyze genetic data for links to common diseases.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Foundations Need to Back Up the White House’s Equity Agenda With More Equitable Research
The funding criteria, proposal processes, and research methods used by many philanthropic organizations make it harder for grantees to produce data that reflect the challenges — and opportunities — in communities harmed by structural racism.
By Brian Quinn and Tina Kauh
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
Foundations Offer Incentives to Help Cities Attract Workers Willing to Relocate
A growing number of philanthropy-financed projects are trying to spark economic development, promote civic and cultural life, attract skilled workers, and offset declining or sparse populations. Remote workers are especially attractive because they tend to have high disposable incomes.
By Olivera Perkins
Contributor
Major Research Group Broadens Definition of Racial-Equity Grants
Candid, a nonprofit that studies grant making, says it wants to help organizations that are combating racism find contributors and to help donors see who else is funding racial-equity work and which groups could use support.
Philanthropy Should Help Create Better Jobs, Not Just Better-Trained Workers
A new foundation-supported effort will promote business models that put worker and societal interests on par with profits — and shift the narrative that retraining low-income workers is the surest path to good jobs.
By Marina Gorbis
Contributor
Bezos Earth Fund Awards $73.7 Million, Pledges Additional $130 Million by Year End
Also, Edward Jones has committed $150 million to charities in the United States and Canada, and Open Philanthropy gave $42 million to Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Gates and Rockefeller Warn World Leaders About the Pandemic’s Impact on the Lives of the Poor
Two of the wealthiest foundations say that without larger government and philanthropic investments in the manufacture and delivery of vaccines to people in poor nations, the pandemic could set back global progress on education, public health, and gender equality for years.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
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
Haas Fund Spreads Its Work to Coach Nonprofit Leaders to Thrive
The ambitious new national effort comes as many nonprofit leaders have been stretched to the breaking point by the pandemic and many other challenges.
Facebook Awards $38 Million for Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Silicon Valley
Also, Apple adds $30 million to expand its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, and Home Depot and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation have together pledged $2 million for Hurricane Ida relief.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
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
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