Ukrainian Media, Facing Physical and Financial Harms, Needs Immediate and Long-Term Support
Philanthropy has stepped up its giving to media organizations in Ukraine, but those dollars will go further if they don’t focus solely on the current crisis but also advance the larger goals of global press freedom.
By Jeanne Bourgault
Contributor
Philanthropy Must Never Forget What the Pandemic Taught Us About How to Support Public Health
During the past two years, reaching marginalized people with information about Covid-19 has required giving grantees the freedom to use creative and unorthodox strategies. Grant makers must continue to trust these local nonprofits to lead such work and avoid returning to their old tightly controlled practices.
By Susan Watson
Contributor
Philanthropy Needs to Own Up to Its Role in Fueling Polarization
This week we are featuring articles from our recent archive on issues that are of special interest to our readers. To effectively address the toxic divisions that are stifling social change, grant makers and the nonprofits they support must acknowledge how their attitudes toward so-called opponents are contributing to the problem — and start listening to those with different perspectives.
By Suzette Brooks Masters
Contributor
An Urgent Response Is Needed to the Dire Staff Shortages Facing Nonprofit Government Contractors
Most government contracts don’t cover the total cost of providing services and restrict funding for expenses such as raises and benefits. Philanthropy needs to offer more flexible funding to make up the difference, and political leaders should enact policies that address contract shortfalls.
Money laundering doesn’t just make it harder to sanction Vladimir Putin and his cronies for the invasion of Ukraine. It depletes countries of funds needed to address the social problems that grant makers care about. There is no better time for philanthropy to do more to promote change.
By Michael Jarvis and Leslie Lang Tsai
MacKenzie Scott’s Gifts Are Game Changers for Racial-Justice Groups. But Now We Need to Do More.
Grassroots groups continue to be left out of the largess, so that’s why our organization is sending $2 million of our Scott gift to them.
By Lori Bezahler and Glenn Harris
Philanthropy Helped Reduce Institutional Placements for Foster Kids. Now Many Have Nowhere to Go.
Good philanthropic intentions fueled efforts to severely limit the number of foster children placed in group settings. But the movement has gone too far. More such facilities are needed for kids whose mental and behavioral challenges make placing them with families extremely difficult.
By Naomi Schaefer Riley
Contributor
Donating to Ivy League Schools Is Ineffective and Unnecessary, and It Reinforces Inequality
If donors genuinely want to support higher education, they should consider sending their funds to the institutions that really need it — those that promote economic and social mobility.
By Andrew Babbitt
Contributor
Ukrainian Leaders Show the Power of a Story to Move Policy. Immigration Advocates Should Take Note.
A comprehensive immigration overhaul will not happen unless the movement can change cultural attitudes about people who were not born in the United States. To do that, philanthropy needs to invest in narrative change at least as much policy advocacy.
By Wendy Feliz
Contributor
Donors Don’t Understand Inflation’s Impact on Charities. That’s Why Fundraisers Must Tell Them.
Because so many adults haven’t lived through inflation that’s as high as today’s, they don’t realize that costs are soaring for nonprofits.
By Gregory R. Witkowski
Contributor