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Daniel Heimpel believes foundations’ invested assets are a deeply underutilized tool in their efforts to tackle the housing crisis. His path forward? Use grants and investments in tandem to ease the way for affordable housing.
The Cleveland Foundation’s new building is anchoring a developing innovation district in an underserved part of the city. Lililan Kuri, the new president and CEO, explains how it could redefine the role of institutional philanthropy.
Amid a housing equity crisis and following a successful pilot program in L.A., guest authors Almas Sayeed and Jessica Melendez make a case for why philanthropy should back community land trusts.
The Burnhams of San Diego have been engaged in local philanthropy for decades. The family’s largest gift to date backs a “think and do tank” that asks community members to guide improvements in the San Diego-Tijuana region.
Housing affordability is an ongoing problem in the United States, with about 19 million Americans considered cost-burdened by housing and utilities. Here are some of the funders trying to make a difference in this space.
In L.A. and elsewhere, the homeless service sector’s workers are often critically underpaid, and some are at risk of becoming homeless themselves. Part of the problem is funders’ focus on numbers over actual wellbeing.
Housing may be the most urgent need for people with disabilities. However, argues guest author Micaela Connery, philanthropy has fallen far behind in addressing that need. She suggests how funders can improve their approach.
The Garden State’s been lagging behind the Empire State on efforts to foster age-inclusive communities. As New Jersey’s population grows older, these funders are looking to change that.
Community development has come a long way since the 1960s, but according to guest authors David Fukuzawa and Nancy O. Andrews, reaching its full potential will require big shifts in how philanthropy funds it.
A market boom and billions from venture capitalist Michael Moritz have catapulted Crankstart into one of the nation’s biggest grantmakers. Here’s where the money’s headed and who’s calling the shots.
There are certain issues where philanthropy has tried to make a dent and failed. Others are seemingly so intractable that funders have mostly shied away. Here are some key areas where the sector has struggled to move the needle.
Thanks to a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, United Way Bay Area is expanding its housing justice work. It’s one example of how the mega-donor’s unrestricted funding is being used to tackle a pressing regional need.
As the U.S. housing crisis escalates, a growing movement of advocates are saying yes to more housing in their backyards. While it has its controversies, YIMBYism may be an under-explored opportunity for impact.
A new partnership run by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute aims to disrupt the connection between housing instability and time in jail — starting in four communities across the country.
A collaboration backed by Bloomberg, Ford and more will help smaller cities access more than $1 trillion in federal infrastructure funding. It’s one way philanthropy can magnify its impact by influencing where public money goes.
Even before the pandemic, California had around 28% of the nation’s homeless population. Here’s how five Golden State funders are approaching a problem that continues to stymie philanthropy.
In IP's weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what's happening in a particular area of philanthropy. This week, we take a look at who is funding work on housing and homelessness. Here’s what you need to know.
People are driven to solve problems in their communities. According to the head of nonprofit LavaMaeX, grassroots efforts can make a huge impact when seed funding is paired with the right training and resources.
A longtime Los Angeles grantmaking institution, the Weingart Foundation has thoroughly committed itself to addressing the region’s stark inequalities. As part of that process, it’s also looking inward.
Why do so many climate funders back the Urban Land Institute, a major professional network for the emissions-heavy real estate sector? We take a look at this intriguing corner of philanthropy.
Focused on southeastern San Diego, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is moving resources—and governance—from its founding family to the community it supports. Its leaders call it a way to decolonize wealth.
The Kresge Foundation is one of the top environmental funders in the country—and one of the most focused on equity. We take a look at what it supports through its environment program and why.
The Rasmuson Foundation supports Alaska-based artists and nonprofits in the areas of health, social services and housing. Here’s what you need to know about the state’s largest private funder.
For the latest in our ongoing series on family philanthropy, we get to know the Roy + Patricia Disney Family Foundation, run by upward of a dozen Disney family members. Board Chair Susan Disney Lord gives us the rundown.
The U.S. has enormous unmet needs, while billions already pledged to philanthropy remain unspent. Guest author Sean Davis proposes a solution that would fund for-profit companies to take on large-scale infrastructure projects.
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill promises sweeping improvements to our water systems, transportation and more. Kresge President Rip Rapson explains why philanthropy has a crucial role to play in delivering on that promise.
A new grants database offers further insights into the giving of billionaire couple Steve and Connie Ballmer, who have moved hundreds of millions to a wide variety of anti-poverty efforts. But are they still playing it too safe?
Magnify Community was established as an “innovation lab,” designed to spur historically low local giving in Silicon Valley. Having sunset, Magnify is sharing its results, including what worked and what didn’t.
Established by the hotel tycoon, the foundation tackles issues like early childhood development and homelessness. A 2019 bequest from its namesake's son more than doubled its endowment to $7.5 billion.
The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles launched under Eric Garcetti’s tenure, and has been closely linked to his priorities and fundraising efforts. We spoke with the head of the fund about what it’s accomplished and what’s next.