Fundraising

$10 Million Gift to Boost Economic Opportunities for Chicagoans Harmed by Discrimination

Plus, investor Fred Alger gives Mich. war memorial million for a new cultural center.

By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor

MacKenzie Scott’s No-Strings Giving Reverberates Way Beyond the Direct Beneficiaries

Many nonprofits that received money are giving some of it to local chapters or smaller groups they support, extending the impact of Scott’s giving even closer to the grass roots.

By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor

Gifts From MacKenzie Scott Put Overlooked Colleges and Universities in the Spotlight

MacKenzie Scott gave one of her largest publicized gifts — $50 million — to Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black state university in Texas.

By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor

Does MacKenzie Scott’s Giving Approach Signal a New Era?

It’s too early to tell whether MacKenzie Scott’s approach to giving will create a sea change in how other ultrawealthy donors give or what they support.

By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor

Nonprofit Powers Creation of Low-Cost Covid Vaccine

The nonprofit group PATH is using its connections with international government agencies, vaccine manufacturers, and scientists to create a coronavirus vaccine that can be manufactured in lower-income countries.

By Emily Haynes
Senior Editor

Warning Signs Emerge for Fundraisers in Latest Economic Reports

While overall growth remains strong, consumer confidence fell, the stock market was flat, and unemployment remains stuck well above pre-pandemic levels.

By Michael Theis
Contributor

The Pandemic Accelerated the Growth of Midlevel Fundraising Programs

During the crisis, midlevel programs increased online communications significantly. Going forward, fundraisers will need to recalibrate how much emphasis to put on digital, direct mail, and in-person events.

By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor

Richard King Mellon Foundation Awards $150 Million to Carnegie Mellon U.

Also, Cisco has committed $50 million to offer scholarships to students at historically Black colleges and universities, and the Annenberg Foundation has given a challenge grant of $25 million to protect wild cougars in Los Angeles.

By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions

After a Year of Zoom Galas, Are Charities and Donors Ready to Party — and Attend Other Events — in Person?

Many fundraisers were pleasantly surprised by the continued support they got from attendees and sponsors of virtual events last year. As they tiptoe toward gathering in person, some wonder whether the donors will follow.

By Emily Haynes
Senior Editor

Companies Should Make Their Philanthropy More Racially Equitable. Here’s How.

Companies can improve outreach to underrepresented youths, offer paid internships, broaden the definition of impact, and publicly compare their diversity data with their goals.

By Brandolon Barnett
Contributor

Children’s Hospital Receives $25 Million, and Dartmouth Lands $20 Million for DEI in STEM Fields

Plus, the University of California at San Diego Health and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum both received large gifts.

By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor

As Donors Return to Old Patterns of Giving, Here’s How to Ensure Nonprofits Get the Resources They Need

Now is the time for nonprofits to focus on people who give $2,000 to $20,000 a year and teach them to pay more attention to organizations that get results. They can make up for gaps in giving by Americans at both ends of the wealth spectrum.

By Sylvia Brown
Contributor

As Pandemic Eases, College Fundraisers Are Optimistic About Meeting Goals

But when it comes to fundraisers’ plans to return to the office, leaders and lower-level fundraisers are not on the same page.

By Michael Theis
Contributor

What Happens When a Nonprofit Stops Measuring Fundraisers’ Success Based on Money? Oregon Food Bank Is Trying to Find Out.

Fundraisers will no longer be judged by the gifts they bring in. The organization hopes the changes will lead to more authentic relationships with donors and less burnout for development staff.

By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor

Synchrony Pledges $50 Million to Expand Access to Education and Skills Training

Also, the Ballmer Group awards $38 million to train more behavioral-health specialists in Washington State, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has made its first round of grants toward its $500 million commitment to organizations led by people of color.

By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions

Fundraisers, Here’s a Way to Help Charitable Underachievers

Too many affluent people decide how much to give based on their income, not their wealth. Charity officials can help them change that mind-set — and enable them to reap the joy that comes from making a far more significant difference.

By Alan M. Cantor
Reporter