The Philanthropy That Jump-Started a Cure for Sickle Cell Disease
Since 2008, the Doris Duke Foundation has awarded $35 million to research scientists focused on the disease. Now several of them are bringing their gene therapy cure to clinical trial for FDA approval.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Foundations Seek to Advance A.I. for Good — and Also Protect the World From Its Threats
Some foundations are betting on the potential of artificial intelligence to solve climate-change problems and develop life-saving drugs. Others are backing nonprofits alarmed by A.I.’s possible threats to civil society and world stability.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Seeking to Curb Racial Bias in Medicine, Doris Duke Fund Awards $10 Million to Health Groups
The grants come amid a reckoning about the use of race in clinical algorithms and a broader push in philanthropy to promote equity in medical research.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Apple Doubles to $200 Million Its Support for Racial Equity
Half the money is in the form of philanthropy grants; the other half in investments focused on equity.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Nonprofit Bail Funds, Fueled by a Surge of Funds After George Floyd Protests, Face New Challenges
After receiving $140 million, the funds have experienced both transformative growth and major political backlash
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Land Trusts Offer an Innovative Way to Help the Middle Class Afford a Home
The nonprofits offer homes at low rates, but in exchange buyers have to give up some of the equity they would typically build up with a standard mortgage. That allows the trusts to offer homes to more people.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
Mission-Driven Lending Organizations Play a Key Role in Spreading Low-Cost Housing
Investments that foundations and businesses make are put into revolving funds that provide loans, housing down payments, and more. Plus: <a href="https://sandbox.philanthropy.com/package/affordable-housing-a-concern-for-every-cause">Read more</a> about what grant makers are doing to boost the availability of affordable housing while addressing health and education.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor
What’s Behind the Uneven Rates in Volunteerism: a Look at Fla. and Wyo. Point to Answers
Wyoming chalked up a big increase in volunteers during the pandemic as retirees and companies were attracted to open spaces to help local charities, and the interest continues to build. Florida faces the opposite problem as volunteers who left during Covid resist returning to in-person activities.
By Kay Dervishi and Yesica Balderrama
Disaster Giving Goes Mostly to Immediate Relief, Not Prevention or Long-Term Recovery
Foundation giving was 15 times greater in the year after the pandemic struck. But the emphasis on immediate relief worries experts, especially as climate change makes natural disasters more frequent and devastating.
By Kay Dervishi and Yesica Balderrama
Charities That Curb Medical Debt for the Needy Are Growing Fast — and Innovating
Help from MacKenzie Scott and other donors large and small are allowing organizations to help millions of Americans. Now relief groups are putting more money into advocacy work to help avoid debt and work with nonprofit hospitals to ensure patients in need get subsidized care.
By Kay Dervishi
Contributor