Which Pro-Democracy Initiatives Work? Philanthropy Has No Idea
Clear answers will require investments in solutions-focused research — and an easily accessible evidence base.
By Andrew J. Seligsohn
Contributor
Megaphilanthropist and Science Champion Jim Simons Is Dead at 86
The billionaire philanthropist and math genius gave heavily to STEM after pioneering “quant” trading at his investment management firm Renaissance Technologies.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
A Trip to Alabama, Lessons About Race, and the Payoffs of Out-of-the Box Grants
Visiting the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice helped grantees better understand America’s history of racial injustice while promoting empathy and awareness.
By Anne Marie Burgoyne
Contributor
Opponents as Allies: The Thorny Proposition of a First-of-Its-Kind Foundation Gathering
Grant makers at the National Council on Foundations annual meeting consider how to find the common ground to build broader coalitions for efforts in education, the environment, health, and more.
By Drew Lindsay
Contributor
Novo Nordisk, Wellcome, and Gates Foundation Partner on $300 Million Global-Health Effort
Also, the Otto Bremer Trust gave $12.5 million to enhance quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, and Global Impact awarded $12 million to use social media to build confidence in vaccines.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Expiring Tax Breaks, Charitable Giving, and What’s at Stake for Philanthropy
Proposed changes to the tax code will significantly reduce donations, the author argues, spelling trouble for charities.
By Jack Salmon
Contributor
MacKenzie Scott and the Case for Giving to Very Small Nonprofits Like Mine
Ninety-two percent of organizations — including the one I founded — have budgets of less than $1 million and know what their communities need most. But Scott and others make it impossible for us to get needed funds.
By Sneha Dave
Contributor
Op-ed (and Headline) Miss Essential Point: Pluralism Is Key to Racial Equity
Pluralism isn’t about flattening differences, but accepting each identity and experience so everyone can thrive.
Righteous Attitudes, Ideological Purity Tests, Zero-Sum Thinking: How Philanthropy Stokes Division
Privately, anti-polarization nonprofits and practitioners say philanthropy is part of the problem.
By Kristen Cambell
Contributor
Charitable Donors Operating in the Shadows Push Our Politics to the Extremes
Grant makers on the left and right finance a network of activists and advocates whose all-or-nothing, combative stances keep the political parties tethered to the poles.
By Daniel Stid
Contributor
Google.org Commits $75 Million for Work-Force Development in A.I.
Also, four big foundations give $36.5 million to eliminate the blinding disease trachoma in 16 African countries, and Cigna Group Foundation promises $27 million to bolster mental health and wellness for young people and veterans.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Mega-Gifts Are Funding University Tuitions. Which Students Do They Help?
In 2018, Michael Bloomberg gave $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins to enable academically qualified low- and middle-income students attend his alma mater. The impact of this and other tuition-related gifts is becoming clear.
By Stephanie Beasley
Senior Writer and Fellowship Director
Packard Foundation Pledges $480 Million for Ocean Health
Also, the Bezos Earth Fund will award up to $100 million through the AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, and Davidson College has received $60 million from the Duke Endowment to expand its library.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Columbia U.’s Firestorm Is Just the Beginning. Here’s How Philanthropy Can Respond
A young nonprofit leader argues that there’s a brief window of opportunity to ensure that hate won’t thrive on college campuses.
By Manu Meel
Contributor
How ‘Yes, and’ Philanthropy Could Unite the Charitable World’s Opposing Forces
An innovative giving approach aims to maximize good while indulging donor choice. Could it settle the debate over philanthropic pluralism?
By Benjamin Soskis
Contributor
DAF Sponsors Aren’t All Created Equal. New Legislation Should Reflect That
Entirely separate legislation is needed for donor-advised funds managed by community foundations and commercial gift funds.
By Gerry Roll
Contributor