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
September 14, 2023 "It's Got to Be an Entire Organizational Shift." How Funders Can Better Support Black-Led Nonprofits September 14, 2023/ Martha Ramirez While some strides have been made, many Black-led nonprofits are still out in the cold. New insight from the Young, Black, and Giving Back Institute focuses on resourcing the smallest grassroots groups.Read More
September 14, 2023 Trust-Based Philanthropy Is the Key to a Just Transition September 14, 2023/ Suzanne Singer and Emily Teitsworth, Guest Contributors Citing their own organizations’ partnership as an example, guest authors Suzanne Singer and Emily Teitsworth argue that trust-based giving is key to helping all communities benefit from the transition to renewable energy.Read More
September 13, 2023 Why This Major Antipoverty Funder Is Ramping Up Its Investment in HBCUs September 13, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Against the backdrop of rising funder interest and a controversial Supreme Court decision, the big-donor funding collaborative Blue Meridian Partners is tripling its investment in the HBCU Transformation Project.Read More
August 28, 2023 MacKenzie Scott’s Recent Giving for Early Education Spotlights the Power of Advocacy August 28, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Much of the celebrated megadonor’s recent giving has made its way to organizations promoting early childhood care and education. Many place their focus on advocacy, a strategy some other funders are hesitant to support.Read More
August 28, 2023 A Conversation with Jackie Broxton, President of the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation August 28, 2023/ Ade Adeniji Inspired by the story of a formerly enslaved woman who went on to become a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist in 19th century L.A., Jackie Broxton helped found a philanthropy that serves local foster youth.Read More
August 24, 2023 Eight Questions for Ray Colmenar, President of the Akonadi Foundation August 24, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Ray Colmenar recently succeeded Lateefah Simon as president of the Oakland-based Akonadi Foundation. We spoke to him about his career, the notion of co-governance, Akonadi’s racial justice commitments and more.Read More
August 10, 2023 “A More Even Playing Field.” How Would the End of Legacy Admissions Impact Alumni Giving? August 10, 2023/ Mike Scutari Across the country, it’s looking as if the days of legacy preferences may be numbered. Will ending the policy hurt revenues, or bring about a welcome change in the higher ed fundraising landscape? Read More
August 10, 2023 As It Backs Civil Rights Sites, the National Park Foundation Has Some Big Partners in Its Corner August 10, 2023/ Ade Adeniji The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and billionaire Robert F. Smith partnered with the National Park Service’s nonprofit arm on a new national monument honoring Emmett Till, one of several such sites the foundation’s supporting.Read More
August 10, 2023 The Wealthy Donors Behind the Assault on Affirmative Action August 10, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The campaign against affirmative action isn’t a lonely crusade by a committed activist and a band of disgruntled students; it’s an organized effort bankrolled by a powerful network of conservative funders.Read More
August 09, 2023 A Family Foundation's Legacy of Supporting Latino Communities Will Live on Through a New Fund August 09, 2023/ Martha Ramirez The Castellano Family Foundation, which was founded after the family behind it won the lottery, has sunsetted. But its work will live on through a new fund housed at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.Read More
August 07, 2023 What’s New with the NBA Foundation? Its Executive Director and an NBA Player Weigh In August 07, 2023/ Ade Adeniji The NBA Foundation got started in 2020 with a $300 million pledge and a focus on opportunity for Black youth. We check in with leaders about where it’s at, including board member and Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris.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 31, 2023 HBCU Moves: Seven Questions for Mildred Whittier, Spelman College Alumna and Fundraiser July 31, 2023/ Ade Adeniji Mildred Whittier helped launch Women for Golden Futures, a fundraising effort to support her alma mater Spelman College. We heard from her about the initiative, her history with Spelman, and how HBCUs can pull in more funding.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 As Book Banning Campaigns Spread, this Funder is Defending the Right to Read July 27, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Across the country, conservative groups are working to ban books. The American Library Association is standing up to these challenges, with a big boost from Solidarity Giving, founded by billionaires Brian and Tegan Acton.Read More
July 25, 2023 Nine Ways Funders Can Increase Diversity in Higher Ed in a World Without Affirmative Action July 25, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action sent a shockwave throughout higher ed philanthropy. Leaders in the field offer a to-do list to help fellow funders carry out their missions in this new legal landscape.Read More
July 24, 2023 Who Are the Top Black Donors to HBCUs? July 24, 2023/ Ade Adeniji HBCUs are poised to become a larger philanthropic cause following the Supreme Court ruling rejecting affirmative action. But for years, Black donors have been among their largest backers. Here are some of the biggest donors.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 20, 2023 It’s Time for Real Truth and Reconciliation — and Restorative Justice — in Philanthropy July 20, 2023/ Farai Chideya, Guest Contributor As the rights of marginalized groups and the nation’s very civic culture come under threat, guest author Farai Chideya spotlights the need for honest soul-searching in philanthropy, and shares some practical steps for funders.Read More