Philanthropy Can Help Rebuild Main Street for a Post-Pandemic World
The challenges facing downtown areas, especially in communities of color, were exacerbated by the pandemic but have existed for years. Local philanthropy is particularly well-suited to help them recover.
By Nancy Rauch Douzinas and Ann Golob
Foundations Are Undermining Social Equity Under the Guise of Accountability
Grant makers use conflict-of-interest policies to demonstrate they are being prudent with their dollars, but instead this approach allows them to keep an arm’s length from the very people most likely to advance meaningful change.
By Ruby Johnson, Rose Longhurst, Katy Love and Magda Pocheć
The Gateses’ Divorce Offers a Case Study in What’s Wrong With the Way Journalists Cover Philanthropy
The focus on personality obscures what matters: what Bill Gates is doing to transform global health and stave off climate change, writes a former Gates Foundation official.
By Craig Cramer
Contributor
MacKenzie Scott’s No-Strings Giving to HBCUs Sets High Bar for Other Donors
Novelist and billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has so far given at least $560 million to 23 historically Black colleges and universities. Her approach sharply contrasts with how many wealthy white donors have interacted with Black-serving nonprofits, including HBCUs, in the past.
Impact Investing Works. Here’s How Our Family Foundation Made Sure It Makes a Real Difference.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation voted in 2017 to ensure all of its endowment was invested in ways that were in sync with its charitable mission. Here’s how the chairman of its board, Jaimie Mayer suggests others can pursue the approach wisely.
By Jaimie Mayer
Contributor
A new $50 million philanthropic effort aims to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality care for children and families. As the Biden administration seeks to expand federal support for caregiving, more grant makers should embrace this opportunity to change what care looks like in the United States.
By Carla Thompson Payton
Contributor
If You Want to Work for Our Nonprofit, You Need to Get Vaccinated
The Los Angeles LGBT Center, like many organizations across the country, struggled with whether to require employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Its journey offers lessons for other nonprofits grappling with this issue.
By Lorri L. Jean
Contributor
Philanthropy Can Help Bridge the Gap Between the Idea of Disability Rights and the Reality
The Americans With Disabilities Act became law 31 years ago, but it did not end discrimination against that population. Philanthropy has a special role to play in supporting the ongoing struggle and demonstrating in both word and action what inclusion looks like, says the head of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
By Sam Gill
Contributor
How Philanthropy Can Make the Quantum Leaps Society Is Counting On
Letting people close to the problems make decisions about where money should go and building trust are essential if we want to do more than make incremental changes.
By Kathleen Enright
Contributor
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Message to Philanthropy: Immigrant Strivers Need Support, Too
At a time when immigration policy battles are taking center stage, some of Miranda’s recent grants are going to nonprofits that help immigrants rise to the middle class — reflecting the values depicted in his new movie “In the Heights.” His approach should be an example for other donors.
By Leslie Lenkowsky
Contributor