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 21, 2023 “Ask Yourself Those Hard Questions.” How — and Why — a Regional Funder Plans to Sunset June 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari James B. McClatchy Foundation just published a plan to spend down by 2030. CEO Priscilla Enriquez explains how they came to this decision, challenges along the way, and why funders are so protective of their assets.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 07, 2023 Six Questions for Michelle Morales, President of Woods Fund Chicago June 07, 2023/ Mike Scutari Woods Fund Chicago was one of the first foundations in the city to center racial equity. We chat with its president about the importance of giving young people a voice, a new fund supporting the migrant community, and more.Read More
June 06, 2023 Philanthropy Contributes to “Wealth Stratification” in Higher Ed. Can it Help Close the Gap? June 06, 2023/ Mike Scutari The wealth gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” in higher ed continues to grow at an alarming rate. A new book looks at how how trustees at wealthy schools — and their alumni — can reverse the trend.Read More
May 31, 2023 Seven Questions for Women’s Foundation of Colorado President and CEO Lauren Casteel May 31, 2023/ Mike Scutari One of philanthropy’s most committed advocates for inclusivity and diversity, Lauren Casteel has led the Women’s Foundation of Colorado since 2015. We discuss her career trajectory, why funders should take risks, and more.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
May 23, 2023 This Illinois-Based Tech Billionaire Is Moving Big Sums With a Unique Faith-Based Approach May 23, 2023/ Mike Scutari Steven Sarowitz started the Wayfarer Foundation to support spiritually rooted and justice-oriented nonprofits. We take a closer look at the grantmaker, part of Steven and Jessica Sarowitz’s plan to donate $1 billion in their lifetimes.Read More
May 18, 2023 “You Can’t Pick and Choose.” A Revealing Look at Why Leaders Accept Toxic Donations May 18, 2023/ Mike Scutari Unlike most nonprofit leaders who’ve received toxic gifts, Bard President Leon Botstein has clearly laid out his reasons for soliciting donations from Jeffrey Epstein. We suspect he isn’t the only decision-maker who thinks this way.Read More
May 18, 2023 Behind the Scenes of MacKenzie Scott’s Open Call — and a New Service that Emulates Her Approach May 18, 2023/ Mike Scutari Registration for Yield Giving’s open call for proposals closed in early May. Cecilia Conrad of Lever for Change, which is running the competition, shares early findings and a new service allowing others to replicate the process.Read More
May 15, 2023 “Build a Radically Different Future.” Six Questions for NDN Collective Founder Nick Tilsen May 15, 2023/ Mike Scutari Nick Tilsen is one of philanthropy’s leading advocates for building Indigenous power and self-determination. We chatted with him about his organization, lessons learned from 20-plus years of activism and more.Read More
May 04, 2023 “Hope, But Not Success.” Foundations Dug Deep for HBCUs in 2020, but Funding Gap Far From Closed May 04, 2023/ Mike Scutari A new report shows that after years of underinvestment, HBCUs saw a bump in support during 2020. Such schools have a long way to go toward funding parity, however, and the report’s authors are calling for lasting commitments. Read More
April 24, 2023 From the Ground Up: A Few Things to Know About the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation April 24, 2023/ Mike Scutari This venture philanthropy outfit takes its cues from the VC world to back social enterprises across the globe. Here’s an overview of its approach, its diverse portfolio, why it’s wary of “disruption,” and more.Read More
April 13, 2023 “Remind People of Our History.” Checking in with “Patriotic Philanthropist” David Rubenstein April 13, 2023/ Mike Scutari Billionaire David Rubenstein has funded the restoration of some of America’s most iconic monuments and landmarks. We chat with him about this unique philanthropic niche, other charitable priorities, and his new program on PBS.Read More
April 12, 2023 Inside the Omidyar Network’s Push to Build a “Culture of Belonging” in America April 12, 2023/ Mike Scutari Launched in October, the Omidyar Network’s newest focus area seeks to cultivate a sense of belonging among the body politic. We walk through its work with Senior VP of Programs Michele Jawando and Director David Hsu.Read More
April 06, 2023 Seven Questions for Henry Luce Foundation President and CEO Mariko Silver April 06, 2023/ Mike Scutari This funder supports universities, policy institutes, media organizations and museums. We check in with the foundation’s leader to discuss her career trajectory, advice for fundraisers and more.Read More
April 03, 2023 “Moving the Needle.” A Look at the Dallas Foundation’s Approach to Place-Based Giving April 03, 2023/ Mike Scutari As the oldest community foundation in Texas, the Dallas Foundation has built out an extensive grantmaking and partnership footprint across the region. President and CEO Matthew Randazzo walks us through its work.Read More
March 31, 2023 Forgive, Forget, Receive: Why (Most) Toxic Donors Get a Second Chance March 31, 2023/ Mike Scutari A year after South Dakota declined to press charges against T. Denny Sanford, organizations have welcomed the billionaire back into the fold. We look at the complex calculus that goes into accepting support from “toxic” donors.Read More
March 28, 2023 What I Learned From Three Thought Leaders on Trust-Based Philanthropy and Shifting Power March 28, 2023/ Mike Scutari IP’s Mike Scutari moderated a Mozilla Foundation panel on key trends in trust-based philanthropy, featuring some of the field’s preeminent thought leaders. Here are some takeaways from the discussion.Read More