What Philanthropy Has Accomplished

Grant makers’ support of early-childhood education is boosting grassroots organizing and bipartisan advocacy — and spurring more government investment.

Wealthy donors and foundations worried about wildfires are exploring ways to put the focus on resilience and risk reduction instead of disaster response.

Donors are pouring billions into saving the planet as activists demand more money and influence and question foundations’ policy solutions.

ArtPlace America, funded by some of the country’s largest grant makers, argued that arts and culture are community builders and not just some esoteric good.

After George Floyd’s murder by police a year ago, foundations, corporations, and individuals donated billions of dollars to nonprofits in support of racial-justice and equity efforts. But the increase in funding comes at a time when homicide rates are on the rise so grant makers may come under pressure to change course — especially from politicians in regions with strong support for the police.

In September 2019, Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire philanthropist, and Matthew Myers, president of the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, unveiled a $160 million, three-year campaign to end what they described as an epidemic of e-cigarette use among kids.

Small nonprofits were more responsive than big ones, and quick grant making was critical.

Foundations are putting unprecedented billions into racial equity, but some grant makers worry that too little is going to grassroots movements.

A Bay Area activist has persuaded tech giants like Cisco and government leaders to join forces to end homelessness by building homes rather than shelters. Now Covid might upend some of their gains.

A disparate group of top grant makers have been attacking the issue from all angles. Their efforts have created a sea change in the politics and rhetoric of incarceration — and have the potential to be a landmark success story