House Republican budget proposals over the debt ceiling threaten many programs put in place by FDR and his vice president, Henry A. Wallace. The answer, say their grandsons, is to support social movements that hold those in power accountable.
East Palestine Disaster Shows How Philanthropy Can Halt Chemical Accidents in Their Tracks
When a derailed train leaked hazardous chemicals into an Ohio community, donors and advocates helped residents get the aid and information they needed. They also demonstrated how to effectively address and prevent future catastrophes.
By Ansje Miller
Contributor
What Grant Making in Russia Taught Us About How to Address the Assault on American Democracy
The recent ouster of lawmakers in Tennessee and Montana for their anti-majority-rule views shows how the authoritarian playbook works — and what’s needed to fight back. Philanthropy must take advantage of this moment to thwart autocratic behavior and bolster democracy.
The End of the Covid Health Emergency Must Not Spell the End of Progress Toward Health Equity
Philanthropic support helped fill gaps in government funding to ensure coronavirus vaccines and care were available to everyone. Those investments are still needed to sustain the long-needed public-health infrastructure built during the pandemic — and to prepare the nation for the next health crisis.
By Amy Pisani
Contributor
What Was the Philanthropic Pluralism Manifesto Really About?
A recent call by philanthropy leaders for greater civility and respect of those with different views appears to be an opening response to critics, especially those in Congress, who want to reform laws governing the field.
By Craig Kennedy
Contributor
To Effectively Support Democracy, Donors Need to Support Workers’ Rights
Investing in workplace organizing is one of the surest ways to build a thriving and inclusive American democracy — and disrupt movements that fuel division and dysfunction.
By Pamela Shifman and Shekar Narasimhan
What Covid-19 Vaccination Efforts Taught Philanthropy About How to Close the Racial Health Gap
Grant makers need to adopt what worked during the pandemic when vaccination rates for Black people improved sharply and apply those approaches to address other stubbornly high health gaps.
To Help Small Cities Thrive, Invest in the Networkers Who Can Turn Ideas Into Action
One group in Dayton, Ohio, is showing why grant makers should consider funding the people who know how to bring together thinkers and doers to make change happen.
By Stephen Starr
Contributor
No, Not All Philanthropic Views Are Good, and Many Don’t Deserve Our Respect
An essay in the Chronicle by six philanthropy leaders urging support for pluralism disregarded the real dangers caused by big donors, especially by those who fund efforts to take away rights and hurt marginalized groups.
By Vu Le
Contributor
Donor-Advised Fund Holders Should Unleash Their Dollars Now — Not Wait for Government Action
The co-creators of the #HalfMyDAF campaign are calling on more donors to join them as they launch two new rounds of matching funds to encourage people to grant 50 percent of their DAF dollars to nonprofits.
By David Risher and Jennifer Risher