Do the Math: Foundations Can Afford to Advance the Nation’s Covid Reset
Solving big problems revealed by a year of cascading crises demands a surge in grant making. Fortunately, endowments have swelled enough in the past year to enable steady increases in giving.
By Aaron Dorfman and Ellen Dorsey
The Bezos Earth Fund Needs to Stop Shortchanging Environmental-Justice Nonprofits
The $10 billion fund should lead the way toward increased giving to groups working in communities hit hardest by climate change — rather than giving more to large, well-resourced environmental policy organizations.
By Peggy Shepard
Contributor
What One Grant Maker Learned in This Pandemic Year: Keep Asking Questions
Brave grantees and fast decision making by foundations were key to getting through the scariest days since lockdown. But it became clearer than ever that foundation officials have a lot to learn, writes Lisa Pilar Cowan.
By Lisa Pilar Cowan
Contributor
Conservatives Should Applaud — Not Fight — Efforts to Change Philanthropic Giving Rules
Rather than attacking proposals to overhaul donor-advised funds and other giving practices, conservative groups need to focus on the real culprit — the growing use of donor dollars to support political activities.
By Craig Kennedy and William Schambra
The Pandemic Response Shows Why Charities, Not Governments, Are the Best Option for Those in Need
Calls for more government help fail to recognize who is actually doing the hard work during this time of extreme crisis — the local groups that know their communities best and can respond quickly.
By Megan Rose
Contributor
Fundraisers at Small Nonprofits Need More Support. Peer Mentoring May Be the Answer.
The nation’s multiple crises have left small-nonprofit fundraisers stressed and exhausted. They are more likely to stick around if they can connect with informal networks of like-minded professionals.
As Violence Against Asian Americans Intensifies, the Moment for Philanthropy to Act Is Now
Grant makers can use the power of their voice and their dollars to make a difference, write the leaders of groups that represent Asian Americans and Native Americans.
How Covid Is Changing Strategic Planning: Fresh Thinking for Nonprofit Leaders
Even with growing optimism for the economy and the health crisis spurred by vaccines, charities and foundations must keep looking at a range of possibilities for how society rebounds. Here’s our latest research about what to keep in mind.
Attacking Traditional Philanthropy Is Wrongheaded and Out of Sync With Most Americans’ Giving
Systemic social and economic change is not and should not be the primary focus of philanthropic support. Expanding the reach of our nation’s great charitable institutions and supporting local causes is still the best way to help people achieve the American Dream.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
Chronicle Journalists Reflect on a Year of Social Distancing
In mid-March, our newsroom joined office workers nationwide to head home to do our work — and take care of our families and friends. Here’s what keeps us motivated.