4 Ways to Make Donor-Advised Funds Simpler and Fairer
At a time of increased criticism about how the philanthropic world operates, congressional legislation aimed at reining in DAFs needs to go further. Among other things, it should address issues such as the funds’ lack of transparency and their tax advantages over foundations.
By Craig Kennedy
Contributor
New Chair of Rockefeller Brothers Fund Wants the Public to Understand How Philanthropy Works
In an interview, Joseph Pierson, the new chair, and Valerie Rockefeller, the outgoing board leader, discuss general operating support, MacKenzie Scott’s giving approach, whether philanthropy should work to dismantle capitalism, and how the grant maker decided to divest from fossil fuels.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Is Philanthropy Taking the Wrong Approach to Addressing Polarization?
Donors have responded to the nation’s growing political divisions by funding projects that aim to build a more pluralistic society. But developing effective solutions to this challenging work requires a clear understanding of what helps — and what doesn’t.
By Chris Stackaruk
Contributor
PNC Bank and Walton Family Foundation Contribute $100 Million for Public Charter Schools
Also, Eli Lilly and Company pledged $92.5 million for research programs and aid for pharmaceutical-manufacturing students at Purdue University, and the National Fund for Sacred Places awarded $2.2 million to 16 historic churches in the United States.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Former Northeastern U. Student Who Dropped Out Gives $25 Million for New Professorships
Plus, the News Literacy Project landed $10 million from Los Angeles philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist to combat misinformation.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
A Half-Billion Dollars of Influence: Big Philanthropists and the Midterm Elections
Major charitable donors are becoming political heavyweights, thanks to controversial eight- and even nine-figure contributions.
By Drew Lindsay
Contributor
Charitable Giving to Fight Climate Change Now Tops at Least $7.5 Billion, a 25% Rise
Many more nonprofits are receiving aid as a result of the increased dollars. Still, the share of philanthropic money that goes to climate change is tiny compared with all funds donated to causes like education and the arts.
By Jim Rendon
Executive Editor
Foundations and Big Donors Step In to Tackle the Nation’s Nurse Shortage
Grant makers are backing ways to pay educational costs and make the jobs more attractive, especially to people of color, who often don’t choose the profession, and promoting innovations such as the use of robots for routine tasks.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Conservatives Care About the Climate, Too. Philanthropy Should Stop Ignoring Them.
A growing network of center-right nonprofits is committed to emissions reduction and has the potential to drive durable bipartisan policy solutions to the climate crisis. Grant makers should take a closer look at them.
By Carlos Curbelo and Neil Chatterjee
Salvation Army and American Red Cross Share $80 Million for Climate-Driven Disaster Planning
Also, Breakthrough Energy has awarded $50 million to develop jet fuel with lower emissions, and four Pittsburgh foundations gave $4 million to rebuild the synagogue where an antisemitic mass shooting killed 11 people in 2018.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Growing Public Support for Worker Rights Should be Matched by Increased Philanthropic Giving
As more employees organize and seek a voice in corporate decisions affecting their lives, grant makers have the best chance in decades to address labor-market issues that have long stood in the way of worker equity and opportunity.
By Don Howard and Rachel Korberg
Ballmer Group Commits $217 Million Through Its New Climate-Change Effort
Also, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $1.2 billion to end polio worldwide by 2026, and Bank of America gave $24 million for economic development in communities of color.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
The nation’s biggest private supporter of education says helping kids do better in math will help ensure they graduate high school and get well-paying jobs as adults. That means cutting support for reading, writing, and the arts.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Gates Foundation Boosts GivingTuesday With $10 Million Donation
The new gift, announced Tuesday, also represents the Gates Foundation’s ongoing efforts encouraging people to give.
By Thalia Beaty
Associated Press
Recent federal momentum on addressing hunger and nutrition is an opportunity for grant makers to rethink funding practices that have failed to bring about lasting results.
By Nancy E. Roman
Contributor
Plus, Jackie and Mike Bezos gave $710 million to Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital got $50 million to expand sickle cell disease research and to support other programs.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor