4 Ways to Make Donor-Advised Funds Simpler and Fairer
At a time of increased criticism about how the philanthropic world operates, congressional legislation aimed at reining in DAFs needs to go further. Among other things, it should address issues such as the funds’ lack of transparency and their tax advantages over foundations.
By Craig Kennedy
Contributor
Is Philanthropy Taking the Wrong Approach to Addressing Polarization?
Donors have responded to the nation’s growing political divisions by funding projects that aim to build a more pluralistic society. But developing effective solutions to this challenging work requires a clear understanding of what helps — and what doesn’t.
By Chris Stackaruk
Contributor
Former Northeastern U. Student Who Dropped Out Gives $25 Million for New Professorships
Plus, the News Literacy Project landed $10 million from Los Angeles philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist to combat misinformation.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
A Half-Billion Dollars of Influence: Big Philanthropists and the Midterm Elections
Major charitable donors are becoming political heavyweights, thanks to controversial eight- and even nine-figure contributions.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Conservatives Care About the Climate, Too. Philanthropy Should Stop Ignoring Them.
A growing network of center-right nonprofits is committed to emissions reduction and has the potential to drive durable bipartisan policy solutions to the climate crisis. Grant makers should take a closer look at them.
By Carlos Curbelo and Neil Chatterjee
Growing Public Support for Worker Rights Should be Matched by Increased Philanthropic Giving
As more employees organize and seek a voice in corporate decisions affecting their lives, grant makers have the best chance in decades to address labor-market issues that have long stood in the way of worker equity and opportunity.
By Don Howard and Rachel Korberg
Recent federal momentum on addressing hunger and nutrition is an opportunity for grant makers to rethink funding practices that have failed to bring about lasting results.
By Nancy E. Roman
Contributor
Plus, Jackie and Mike Bezos gave $710 million to Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital got $50 million to expand sickle cell disease research and to support other programs.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Wealthy Donors Want Their Giving to Be Different Than Their Parents’, New Study Says
But 82 percent of parents who give believe their children share their philanthropic goals.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
N.J. Entrepreneurs Give U. Penn $50 Million for Autoimmune Research Center
Plus, MacKenzie Scott gave $30 million to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Sheryl Sandberg gave $3 million to the ACLU to fight abortion bans, and three medical centers received big gifts for medical research programs.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Typical Post-Disaster Giving Practices Could Hamper Hurricane Ian Recovery
Large relief organizations continue to receive the bulk of philanthropic funds following disasters despite well-documented evidence that they are least capable of providing help on the ground. Tapping into community foundations and identifying effective local nonprofits are far better strategies for getting dollars where they need to go.
By Ben Smilowitz
Contributor
Major Federal Funding to Close the Digital Divide Won’t Succeed Without Philanthropic Support
Digital inequity touches nearly every issue grant makers care about. Yet connecting marginalize people has remained an elusive goal for decades. New government investments totaling $42 billion have the potential to finally change that picture but will require targeted donor dollars to reach their potential.
By Lynette Bell and Larry Irving
Michael Bloomberg and the Gun-Violence Prevention Movement: It’s Complicated
The former New York City mayor draws praise for his longtime advocacy, but critics wonder whether a billionaire can be at the center of a true movement. Plus, read our special report on the evolution of the gun-control movement.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
More Big Donors Are Supporting — and Talking About — Mental Health
Wealthy donors publicly gave more to mental health last year than in any other year over the past decade, according to a Chronicle tally.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Retired Boston Pops Musician Gives Boston U. $100 Million for Medical School
Plus, an extensive public parks effort in Houston receives $100 million, Bard College lands $25 million for Indigenous studies, and a health-care nonprofit receives a big gift from MacKenzie Scott.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Nuclear Weapons Are an Ever-Present Danger — and Grant Makers Need to Pay Attention
Preventing nuclear war remains one of the most underfunded areas of philanthropy at a time when the war in Ukraine has raised risk levels. With the biggest grant maker in the field preparing to pull its funding, new donors are urgently needed to step in and fill the gap.
By Istra Fuhrmann and Alexandra Toma