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 27, 2023 Queer Fundraisers Need You Now September 27, 2023/ Jackson Cooper, Guest Contributor Drawing on past bad experiences with donors, guest author Jackson Cooper argues that organizations need to make sure they support their LGBTQ+ fundraisers, especially during a time of increased anti-LGBTQ+ animus.Read More
September 20, 2023 Social Service Funders Must Support LGBTQ+ Nonprofits to Advance Their Missions September 20, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Dawn Wolfe offers three reasons (actually four) why funders backing direct social services need to include and prioritize LGBTQ+ nonprofits in their portfolios, and why failing to do so may perpetuate harm.Read More
September 18, 2023 Over $83 Million Out the Door in Eighteen Months: An Update on CZI’s Justice Reform Spinoff September 18, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe The Just Trust spun out from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2021 with $350 million to spend on criminal justice reform over five years. It’s seeking to channel the movement’s ideological diversity and bring in new donors.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
September 12, 2023 In an Age-Segregated Society, New Support for Cogenerational Leaders September 12, 2023/ Wendy Paris In an aging America where people of different ages often lack opportunities to interact, there’s lots of pent-up demand for cross-generational engagement. This philanthropic initiative seeks to deliver on that.Read More
September 11, 2023 Hands-On Help: The Other Side of MacKenzie Scott’s Recent Early Childhood Ramp-Up September 11, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In her early childhood giving this year, MacKenzie Scott is pairing advocacy with direct service funding, including support for programs that provide one-on-one, in-home maternal and infant healthcare.Read More
September 07, 2023 Stephen and Ayesha Curry Tell Us About the Future of Their Philanthropy September 07, 2023/ Ade Adeniji The NBA power couple are ramping up their giving in their adopted home city of Oakland, with a continued focus on healthy food, education and recreation for youth. We connected with them to learn more.Read More
September 05, 2023 Funders Get Behind a New Plan for School-Based "Health Hubs" in Detroit September 05, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Located at school sites and offering free health care for students and other resources for families, the health hubs have secured philanthropic backing from the Kresge Foundation, the Ballmer Group and others. Read More
August 31, 2023 As the Opioid Crisis Rips Across America, Where Is Philanthropy? August 31, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Some of the country’s largest health philanthropies have shifted their focus away, and only a handful of others have stepped up. Why isn’t philanthropy doing more about this national health emergency?Read More
August 29, 2023 Righting the World: How Five Globally Bestselling Authors Give August 29, 2023/ Liz Longley While writers don’t often make it into the ranks of the very rich, these bestselling authors have engaged in some substantial philanthropy. Their giving varies widely, but they do share some interests in common.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 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 09, 2023 This Megadonor’s Attempt to Curtail Ohio Voters’ Rights Is a Symptom of Our Larger Problem August 09, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe An effort in Ohio to raise the vote threshold needed for a state constitutional amendment failed, despite a big push from a wealthy conservative donor. It’s yet another reminder of the inescapable influence of wealthy donors.Read More