Gifts From Warren Buffett and Phil Knight Top the List of 2023’s Biggest Donations
Among the recipients: Harvard, Henry Ford Health, and the 1803 Fund to revive a once-thriving Black neighborhood in Portland, Ore.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
The 10 Best-Read Articles in the Chronicle in 2023
Giving is down, leading a nonprofit has become nearly impossible, and A.I. looms on the horizon: Here are the stories that philanthropy and nonprofits cared about in 2023.
By Chronicle Staff
Contributor
Ta-Nehisi Coates Spearheads New Fund Combating Sexual Violence
Inspired to action after singer R. Kelly’s trial, author Ta-Nehisi Coates is teaming up with two nonprofits to create the Courage Fund.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Donors shouldn’t try to control a charity through their gifts after the fact, and charities should reject gifts that are offered with strings attached that they aren’t happy about.
By Ellen P. Aprill and Jill Horwitz
Memorial Sloan Kettering Lands $400 Million From David Geffen and Ken Griffin
Plus, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Howard University, and two other nonprofit institutions win multi-million dollar gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
MacKenzie Scott Reveals the Groups That Got Some of Her $2.1 Billion in Gifts in 2023
This year’s contributions went mostly to groups working on economic security, education, equity, and health.
By Thalia Beaty
Associated Press
New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Gives $100 Million to Fight Antisemitism
Plus, MacKenzie Scott contributed $15 million for affordable housing, and the Hollywood producer Chuck Lorre gave $10 million to back a research education program for aspiring scientists from under-served areas of Los Angeles.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
FedEx Founder Fred Smith Pledges $50 Million to Renovate Athletics Stadium
Plus, three other higher education institutions — Oregon State University, Evangel University, and Luther College — and two health-care organizations landed eight-figure gifts from big donors.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Fears That Charities Can’t Handle MacKenzie Scott Donations Are Unfounded, Study Finds
Concerns that the recipients of large, unrestricted grants from the billionaire philanthropist would experience negative consequences have turned out to be untrue. Instead, nonprofits report expanded programs and more financial stability.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Warren Buffett Celebrates Thanksgiving With $866 Million in Donations
The billionaire financier Warren Buffett gave $866 million to his family’s four foundations and provided details about what he plans to do with his fortune when he dies.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
$400 Million Gift to Caltech Will Fund Science Research at Other Universities
As CEO of Cryogenic Industries, Ross Brown saw firsthand how scientific research shaped the technology that made his company a success. He also learned along the way that midcareer researchers “with restless minds” need funding.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Scientist Leaves $200 Million to Boost the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Plus, Hoag Hospital in California landed a $50 million gift for dementia care, and financier Ken Griffin gave $30 million to the National Medal of Honor Museum.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Longtime U of Virginia Donors Give $57 Million for A.I. Research
Plus, University of Kansas athletics received $25 million, and Cornell landed $10 million for research on precision nutrition.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Summer Science Program Spent $2 Million Last Year. Then It Got a $200 Million Unrestricted Gift
The organization intends to double the number of students enrolled next summer, will seek to start partnerships with more universities, and expand into other STEM subjects.
By Thalia Beaty
Associated Press
NASA’s Endeavour Space Shuttle to Get New Home With $25 Million Gift
Plus, the University of Northern Iowa got $25 million for business-ethics education programs, a couple who emigrated from Ukraine are giving $17 million to advance treatment for a rare type of blood cancer, and three other nonprofits received major gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Performing-Arts Groups Work to Attract Big Donors After the Pandemic Downturn
Organizations are asking board members to step up, appealing for planned gifts, and emphasizing their community-outreach programs.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor