An Accidental CEO Builds Up a Grass-Roots Charity
Kathleen Ruddy wanted to be a doctor. Instead, she’s built the charity world’s biggest supporter of pediatric-cancer research.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
By putting volunteers in charge, St. Baldrick’s Foundation has raised as much as $39 million in a year for pediatric-cancer research. But as its signature events have plateaued, it’s been trying to diversify its sources of income.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
Bullied years ago as a newcomer to the United States, Neda Nobari has poured millions into efforts to help those like her find confidence in an “America First” culture.
By Michael Anft
Contributor
The American Dream, in Overdrive
Ranjan and Chandrika Tandon, who gave $100 million to New York University, are finding ways to help people find balance in their lives.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
John Long’s philanthropy shifts to women’s rights and social justice to reflect the times — and his daughters’ influence.
By David L. Marcus
Contributor
When Miguel Fernandez sees armed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers storming houses and workplaces, it brings back memories of his family being ousted from Cuba when he was a child.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
22 Immigrant Philanthropists to Watch
These donors have committed large sums of money to charity, often in innovative ways. And there’s much more to come.
By Drew Lindsay
Contributor
Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, who has held senior jobs at Walmart and PwC, replaces Diana Aviv, who left abruptly in January.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
A Cancer Charity Uses Competition and Recognition to Keep Volunteers Engaged
Among other things, the group has a web page that spotlights the events, teams, and participants that raise the most money each year. Volunteers love the competition.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
To help local artists feel the gains of the area’s booming economy, the Octopus Initiative at the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art allows residents to take home original works of art for free for 10 months.
By Ariella Phillips
Contributor
How a Maverick Tapped Into a Wellspring of Giving
In his new memoir, Thirst, Scott Harrison recounts how the nonprofit skyrocketed to fundraising success — and explains why charities need to stop treating donors like nuisances.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
A Fundraiser’s Guide to Getting Narcissists to Give
New research based on the ice-bucket challenge shows that narcissists often fail to make promised donations. One possible solution: Be sure to recognize them publicly if they do give.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Nearly a quarter of the environmental charity’s donations each year come from bequests and other planned gifts, the result of decades of investment in training and personalization.
By Heather Joslyn
Contributor
Two relatively new organizations that work on global issues have several things in common that have led to big achievements.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Fundraising Is Stalled by Its Focus on What Works for White Men
Competition, deadlines, recognition, board positions, and peer pressure were keys to success for the donors of a generation ago. Today those approaches are failing to attract women, people of color, and LGBT donors.
By KATHLEEN LOEHR
Contributor
The Quantum Revolution Rolls On, and Philanthropy Is Falling Behind
This philanthropic indifference to the broader societal impact of developments in quantum is not only shortsighted, it’s baffling. Quantum developments could transform our lives in mind-boggling ways.
By Stephen Del Rosso
Contributor