George Soros Hands Control Over His Family’s Philanthropy to Son Alex
The new chair of Open Society Foundations says he is “more political” than his father and that he’s likely to make political donations that advance voting rights and abortion rights.
By Armin Langer
Contributor
Mellon Foundation Awards $25 Million to 9 Cities Through Its Monuments Project
Plus, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $50 million over five years to continue the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation will give $3.8 million to protect and preserve 40 historic sites through its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
On Dobbs Anniversary, Donors Must Take the Long View in Response to Abortion-Access Crisis
As more states peel back abortion rights or ban the procedure entirely, philanthropy needs to maintain a crisis response while also planning for a fight that could go on for years.
By Jonathan Wittenberg and Wendy Sealey
Why Grant Makers Should Reject Shiny New Things
Social change takes a lot of time. Too often, foundation officials get bored and forget that.
By Lisa Pilar Cowan
Contributor
Economic and racial justice won’t happen if Black people can’t buy homes and build wealth at the same level as white Americans. The philanthropic world should be a leader in this fight.
Melinda French Gates Effort Aims to Accelerate Women’s Power and Influence
Pivotal Ventures, Gates’s limited-liability company, has committed up to $20 million to match gifts made by members of three donor networks. Sudnya Shroff (pictured here) says the money doubled her philanthropy’s power.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Carbon to Sea Initiative Receives $50 Million to Use the Ocean to Remove Atmospheric Carbon
Plus, the Anschutz Foundation gave $50 million to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to improve patient care, and the Open Road Fund will make $50 million in grants to the Black descendants of enslaved Americans.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Billionaire Arthur Blank got his family involved in setting priorities. Mental health and democracy are also getting attention while grants in arts and early-childhood education will be discontinued.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
The Onslaught of Anti-Trans Legislation Demands a Crisis Response From Philanthropy
Several women’s funds across the country are showing what an effective response to attacks on trans rights looks like — and why the historic underfunding of the LGBTQ+ community is no longer tenable.
Kendeda Fund’s $30 Million ‘Living Building’: Inspiration for Nonprofits
Diana Blank’s foundation put up $25 million to build the structure — and another $5 million to tell its story and help others launch similar projects.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Nonprofits Often Live on the Fiscal Brink. The Kendeda Fund Did Something About It.
In a rare move by a grant maker, the Kendeda Fund gave $8 million to 37 groups to boost their cash on hand. <b>Plus:</b> Read about why grantees of Diana Blank’s Kendeda Fund say she put on a “<a href="https://sandbox.philanthropy.com/article/1-billion-of-trust-based-philanthropy-before-mackenzie-scott-there-was-diana-blank"><b>master class</b></a>” during her 30 years of big giving.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
$1 Billion of ‘Trust-Based Philanthropy’: Before MacKenzie Scott, There Was Diana Blank
Why grantees of Diana Blank’s Kendeda Fund say she put on a “master class” during her 30 years of big giving.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Plus, Omaha investor Wally Weitz gives $25 million to University of Nebraska Foundation, former Pawsox owner Madeleine Mondor gives Providence College $10 million for nursing, and two other nonprofits landed big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Chicago Botanic Garden Receives $21 Million to Save Endangered Plants From Extinction
Also, Baylor College of Medicine has received $30 million to name its new Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, and the Stupski Foundation awarded $15 million to strengthen health clinics across Hawaii.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Nonprofits that help local economies thrive are doing the work needed to promote individual liberty and counter authoritarianism across the globe. Philanthropy should invest in them rather that pouring more funds into big government programs.
By Brad Lips
Contributor
Hedge-Fund Billionaires James and Marilyn Simons Give Stony Brook $500 Million
Plus, the Chartwell School, a private school that serves youths with dyslexia and other language-related learning issues, received a $45 million bequest, and two donors gave $25 million to help people struggling with homelessness and opioid addiction.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor