September 11, 2023 “You Have to Actually Change.” A Major Theater Funder's Quest to Diversify Its Decision-Making September 11, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theater Project has evolved significantly over the last 10 years. We walk through some key takeaways from a report on its work with program director Quita Sullivan.Read More
August 31, 2023 Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest August 31, 2023/ Wendy Paris For the Principal Foundation, a corporate funder backed by Principal Group, funding a short story contest this year has been one way to inspire people to rewrite their personal narratives about money.Read More
August 30, 2023 “The Time Was Right.” How Three Funders Joined Forces to Simplify the Grant Application Process August 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Common App for the Arts, launched by three Bay Area foundations, consolidates each funder’s grants on a single user interface. We look at how it came together, plans for future iterations and more. Read More
August 23, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Samuels Foundation Supports the Performing Arts and Healthy Aging August 23, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New York City-based Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation supports performing arts organizations and seeks to improve quality of life for older adults. We take a closer look at its history, grantmaking and more.Read More
August 21, 2023 Art for Social Change: An Arts Funder's Journey to More Fully Embrace Its Social Justice Mission August 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari Philadelphia’s Leeway Foundation supports women, trans and/or gender-nonconforming artists focused on social change. Executive Director Denise Brown walks us through its evolution, key grantmaking programs and more.Read More
August 07, 2023 "Your Agenda Is Making Houston Better." How the Houston Endowment Backs Its Home City August 07, 2023/ Wendy Paris We take an on-the-ground look at the Houston Endowment, which has been engaged in local giving for nearly a century. From the arts and parks to successes in reducing homelessness, its influence spans the city.Read More
August 04, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Hemera Foundation Promotes Buddhist Practice and Supports Children August 04, 2023/ Mike Scutari Operating as an LLC, the Boulder-based Hemera Foundation is inspired by Buddhist teachings and traditions. Here’s a closer look at its grantmaking and its plans to spend down a $32.9 million endowment by 2032.Read More
July 28, 2023 Don't Leave Home Without It: A Quick Look at Ken Chenault's Philanthropy July 28, 2023/ Ade Adeniji The longtime American Express chief was one of the first Black CEOs of a Fortune 500 firm. Chenault backs a range of causes alongside his wife Kathryn, with HBCUs and arts and culture looming large.Read More
July 27, 2023 Backed by a Big Fortune, This Foundation Is Supporting Small Rural Communities in the West July 27, 2023/ Martha Ramirez The foundation of Edward Jaramillo and Amy Wyss, daughter of billionaire donor Hansjörg Wyss, gives in several small communities across the Mountain West. The funder prides itself on accessibility and a fast process.Read More
July 18, 2023 “A Series of Compounding Crises.” The State of Post-Pandemic Theater Fundraising July 18, 2023/ Mike Scutari Three years after the pandemic, audiences haven’t returned to live theater en masse and donors are wary of a recession. Theatre Communications Group’s Teresa Eyring and other leaders help us navigate a fraught landscape.Read More
July 12, 2023 Promoting Jewish Culture Through the Arts in Boston and Beyond July 12, 2023/ Wendy Paris Jewish Arts Collaborative is a unique, creative organization sharing Jewish culture in Boston and beyond. The donors and local leaders behind it explain how the effort got off the ground and what makes it so special.Read More
June 28, 2023 “The Privilege to Take Risks.” Alberto Ibargüen Reflects on His Tenure at the Knight Foundation June 28, 2023/ Mike Scutari After 18 years, Ibargüen announced he would step down as head of this influential media funder. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his career trajectory, philanthropy’s role in society, and much more.Read More
June 26, 2023 Six Questions for Lu Zhang, New Executive Director of A Blade of Grass June 26, 2023/ Mike Scutari A Blade of Grass backs artists whose work advances social change. We checked in with new executive director Lu Zhang to discuss her career trajectory, key priorities in her new role and more.Read More
June 22, 2023 Six Years and $125 Million Later, Art for Justice Takes a Final Bow June 22, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Agnes Gund’s Art for Justice channeled a large chunk of money toward artists and activists focused on the carceral system. The fund is now winding down, but it made a big impact in a short time.Read More
June 15, 2023 “Be Open to Evolving.” How a Regional Arts Funder Centered Equity, Increased Payout, and More June 15, 2023/ Mike Scutari Denver's Bonfils-Stanton Foundation made a lot of changes amid the tumult of 2020, but leaders knew there was more work to be done. President and CEO Gary Steuer walks us through the foundation’s ongoing evolution.Read More
June 13, 2023 “Equity, Accessibility, Social Justice.” A Closer Look at Western States Arts Federation June 13, 2023/ Mike Scutari This regional grantmaker works to strengthen arts ecosystems in Western states and Pacific territories. We dig into its combination of funding and advocacy, how it’s using a big MacKenzie Scott grant, and more.Read More
June 12, 2023 These Fellowships for Latinx Artists Are a Bright Spot Amid Pervasive Underfunding June 12, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe The U.S. Latinx Art Forum administers art fellowships with support from Ford and Mellon. Here’s more on the awards, why the forum uses the term “Latinx,” and the impact of unrestricted support on artists struggling to pay the bills.Read More
June 01, 2023 Art is for Everybody: Keith Haring’s Artistic and Philanthropic Legacy Lives on at the Broad June 01, 2023/ Wendy Paris Keith Haring remains a powerful force in contemporary art, long after his passing in 1990. He was also an influential activist and philanthropist. A new exhibit in Los Angeles explores Haring’s art and lasting impact. Read More
May 30, 2023 Literary Writers Get Peanuts from Philanthropy. With a New Prize, South Arts Is Doing What It Can May 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari With scant funding available for writers, a new literary prizes program from the Atlanta-based South Arts is a refreshing anomaly. The amounts aren’t vast, but this is good to see in a region where writers often struggle.Read More
April 26, 2023 This L.A. Collaborative Is Strengthening the Local Arts Scene and Challenging Funding Norms April 26, 2023/ Wendy Paris The Los Angeles Visual Arts Coalition (LAVA) is allowing smaller, avant-garde arts organizations to fundraise collaboratively, making the community more resilient and offering fresh opportunities to funders.Read More