If Foundations Want to Encourage Transparency, They Should Look in the Mirror
Grant makers are big proponents of transparency for everyone but themselves. To live up to their professed standards, they should embrace the same practices required of public companies and make available information about their entire operations, including how they invest endowment dollars.
Nuclear Weapons Are an Ever-Present Danger — and Grant Makers Need to Pay Attention
Preventing nuclear war remains one of the most underfunded areas of philanthropy at a time when the war in Ukraine has raised risk levels. With the biggest grant maker in the field preparing to pull its funding, new donors are urgently needed to step in and fill the gap.
Abortion Pills Offer Hope in a Post-‘Roe’ World. Philanthropy Can Help Fulfill Their Promise.
Access to telemedicine abortions is hampered by legal obstacles and lack of awareness, especially among marginalized communities. Donors can have a significant impact by investing in efforts to expand information and resources about abortion medication options.
Despite the Challenges, Donors Must Continue to Support Struggling Nonprofits in Afghanistan
The Taliban takeover forced many Afghan human rights groups to shut down or shift their focus. Despite sanctions and other restrictions, multiple avenues remain for funding organizations that are critical to building long-term peace.
A new breed of Black and brown journalists is reaching overlooked consumers through Facebook and Instagram. They need philanthropic investment to achieve long-term sustainability as trusted local new sources.
The absence of a Civilian Climate Corps from recent climate legislation is a wake-up call for grant makers to increase support for national service programs. Such efforts will allow more young people to respond to the environmental crisis and receive training for careers in the clean energy field.
What the Walton Foundation Learned About Crisis Grant Making During the Pandemic
When historians reflect on what life was like in March 2020, I believe they’ll record it as a moment of collective trauma — when everything certain became uncertain, when the anchors of our daily lives became unmoored.
Here’s One Way to Help Grantees Deal With Inflation: Give Them More Money
During periods of high inflation, foundations need to recognize that the benefits of long-term grants are undermined by rising costs. They should respond by increasing payments to nonprofits they support, many of whom are struggling to meet program goals due to higher expenses for travel, staff, and other necessities.
Investing in Better School Counseling Will Help Struggling Students Recover From Multiple Crises
As the school year begins, students need increased support to thrive in an era marked by school shootings, the pandemic, and racial violence. To address these challenges, philanthropy should help strengthen the long-neglected field of school counseling.
Nonprofits That Serve People Should Also Support Their Pets
The growth in pet ownership during the pandemic has left many families without the means to care for their animals. This crisis in vet care needs to be addressed by a wide range of philanthropic and nonprofit organizations and viewed as an integral part of helping vulnerable populations thrive.