September 28, 2023 As Funders Press Forward for Local Journalism, Doubts Persist Around the Role of Racial Equity September 28, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Several criticisms have circulated around Press Forward, a recently-announced $500 million local news initiative backed by a host of funders. One issue stands out: its vague, noncommittal language around racial equity.Read More
August 01, 2023 This New Donor Collaborative is Looking to Strengthen Latinos' Civic Power in the U.S. August 01, 2023/ Martha Ramirez With an experienced organizer at the helm, the Valiente Fund is supporting organizations to build the civic, economic and cultural power of Latinos.Read More
July 24, 2023 This Group of Foundations Has a Message for Peers: Our Racial Justice Work Is Only Getting Started July 24, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Commitments to racial justice surged after the summer of 2020. Now, amid a cultural, legal and policy backlash, a group of funders is encouraging others to stay the course, and keep pursuing power-sharing practices.Read More
July 12, 2023 How a Dutch Princess Is Leading a Global Fight to End Child Marriage July 12, 2023/ Liz Longley Mabel van Oranje, a princess of the Netherlands, has emerged as a leader in the fight to end child marriage. We spoke with her about the groups she’s launched and how they’re channeling funds toward work on the ground.Read More
July 07, 2023 Funders for LGBTQ Issues' Latest Tracking Report: Some Good News, More Not So Good July 07, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe While foundations’ LGBTQ funding was still rising as of 2021, it mostly isn’t making it to those in greatest need. That includes Black and trans groups, and those in states where a raft of anti-LGBTQ laws are being passed.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 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 07, 2023 As Government Budgets Pull Back, a Look at Philanthropy’s Role in Funding Public Libraries June 07, 2023/ Liz Longley Libraries are an indispensable public good, but from the start, private wealth has played a major part in their creation and expansion. As library budgets are threatened, we take a deep dive into philanthropy’s support. Read More
April 26, 2023 Report Finds Scant Funding for Disability Rights and Social Justice — and Points the Way Forward April 26, 2023/ Paul Karon A study commissioned by the Disability & Philanthropy Forum is a must-read for funders aiming to drive social justice for disabled people and address complex and overlapping issues of racial, gender and other inequities.Read More
April 25, 2023 “Defend, Develop, Decolonize.” Inside NDN Collective, a Thriving Backer of Indigenous Causes April 25, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen NDN Collective, a growing philanthropic intermediary and organizing force, works to build Indigenous power and has racked up an impressive array of backers. Its leaders would still like to see philanthropy go further and move faster.Read More
March 23, 2023 These Six Funders Are Leading the Way in Support for Native American Causes March 23, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Philanthropy has consistently overlooked Native American communities, devoting only a tiny percentage of its wealth to Native causes. But some foundations have been steady supporters. Here are the top funders. Read More
March 16, 2023 A Pittsburgh Funding Initiative Targets Racial Inequities in the Area’s Arts Scene March 16, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe BIPOC artists have historically received just a sliver of grantmaking in Pittsburgh. National and local foundations are partnering to move unrestricted funds to the city’s Black-led arts organizations.Read More
March 06, 2023 For This New Fund, “There Is No Technology Justice Without Disability Justice” March 06, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Disabled people rarely get a seat at the table when it comes to tech development and policy. With their new Disability x Tech Fund, the Ford Foundation and Borealis Philanthropy want to change that.Read More
January 30, 2023 “Funded to Win.” These 11 Funders — and Counting — Are Stepping Up for Black Feminist Movements January 30, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In an open letter to philanthropy, 11 major funders have called on their peers to support Black feminist movements in the U.S. and abroad. Leaders from the Black Feminist Fund say this work is crucial to a safer and more just world.Read More
January 17, 2023 Report: What Philanthropy Can Do About Workers’ Struggles in a Digitalized Global Economy January 17, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Though touted as a force for progress, digital technology has negatively impacted many workers, especially in the Global South. A new report backed by the Ford Foundation lays out the problem and how funders can respond.Read More
January 09, 2023 Funders Partner with the Biden Administration to Back Workers' Rights Around the Globe January 09, 2023/ Martha Ramirez With support from major U.S. funders, a new initiative called M-POWER is combining the forces of government, philanthropy and labor organizations to bolster workers’ rights and advance democracy.Read More
December 21, 2022 Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers December 21, 2022/ Michael Kavate We compiled a list of the top green funders in the U.S., based on the most recent full year of giving data available. One big takeaway: Living billionaires now dominate the list.Read More
December 12, 2022 Child Marriage Severely Limits Opportunity for Girls. This Powerhouse Trio Is on the Case December 12, 2022/ Liz Longley Michelle Obama, Melinda French Gates and Amal Clooney joined forces this fall to take on child marriage, a human rights violation that affects an estimated 23 girls a minute. Here’s what each philanthropist is bringing to the table.Read More
December 08, 2022 How One Organization Is Tapping Into the Lucrative Wedding Industry to Combat Child Marriage December 08, 2022/ Dawn Wolfe The wedding industry has a $160 billion market value, and it continues to grow. With organizational support from some big funders, VOW for Girls is channeling a slice of those profits toward ending child marriage.Read More
December 01, 2022 Visual Storytellers and Journalists Face Growing Risks. What Can Funders Do to Protect Them? December 01, 2022/ Martha Ramirez Backed by the Ford Foundation and others, a recent report from the Safer Storytellers Project outlines the steps funders can take to protect creators from increasing attacks and threats to their safety.Read More