Are Foundations’ Doors Opening?
At the start of the pandemic, many foundations loosened grant requirements and vowed to give more to grassroots groups, especially those led by people of color. Two years later, it’s uncertain what will stick.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
A Foundation’s Barriers Come Down, One by One
Before the onset of Covid and the uprisings that followed the murder of George Floyd, the trustees of the Stupski Foundation had already made a huge grant-making decision: The fund would give away all its money by 2029 and shut down. Plus: Read about whether foundations are keeping the <a href="https://sandbox.philanthropy.com/article/are-foundations-doors-opening">grant-making changes</a> they began during the pandemic.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Foundations Moved to Fix Cumbersome Applications — but Grantees Say More Is Needed
Efforts to ease the proposal and review process are part of a rethink about how grant makers can demonstrator they trust nonprofits to use philanthropic funds wisely.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Phil and Penny Knight Give Stanford $75 Million to Study the Causes of Cognitive Decline
Plus, Arthur Blank gives $50 million to a neuro-rehabilitation hospital, and the Tampa Museum of Art lands $25 million for an expansion project.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Bloomberg Philanthropies Give $250 Million to Address Pandemic Learning Gaps
Also, the Starr Foundation has given $50 million for research at the Sloan Kettering Institute, and the Brown-Forman Foundation pledged $50 million to five charities in Louisville, Ky.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
More Technology Experts Are Needed for Government and Nonprofit Jobs. Philanthropy Can Help.
Just as foundations bolstered the field of public interest law decades ago, they now have a critical role to play in creating a deeper bench of public interest technologists trained to advance the social good.
By Jenny Toomey
Contributor
Recent limits on state and local tax deductions have resulted in a drop in charitable contributions in affluent counties, according to new research. Some may see this as a reason to lift the limit, but doing so would primarily help the wealthy and do nothing to encourage others to give.
By Howard Husock
Contributor
Billionaire George Roberts Gives $140 Million to His Alma Mater
Plus, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and the Museum of the American Revolution received $50 million apiece, and Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning got $25 million.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Audacious Project Awards $900 Million to 9 Social-Change Groups
Also, the Wells Fargo Foundation will give $60 million to address the root causes of racial gaps in homeownership, and the Patrick F. Cadigan Family Foundation gave $49 million to Boston College High School to build a new wellness facility on its campus.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Book Bans Threaten Students Nationwide. Here’s How Philanthropy Can Fight Back.
Grant makers that focus on education, democracy, and culture need to support organizations battling coordinated book banning campaigns in school districts and libraries across the country.
By Suzanne Nossel
Contributor
Muslim American Giving Aimed at Poor Totaled $1.8 Billion Last Year, Study Shows
The study found the biggest share of gifts to meet faith obligations went to international organizations.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Most community-based groups led by people of color lack the resources to provide in-depth data about the success of their programs, placing them far behind in competing for grants. If donors truly want to cede more power to these organizations, they need to consider less costly approaches to determining effectiveness.
By Michael Nelson
Contributor
Artist Amy Sherald Gives University $1 Million to Honor Young Black Woman Killed by Police in 2020
Plus, Augustana College and four other universities receive big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
A New Effort Aims to Help Foundations Better Fund Black-Led Nonprofits
Abundance is a collaboration between three Chicago-area grant makers, Chicago Beyond, the Grand Victoria Foundation, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
By Jim Rendon
Executive Editor
A New Business-Charity Model Could Help Philanthropists Invest Their Money More Effectively
When businesses create their own nonprofits, everyone benefits. The charity gets expertise and volunteers from the for-profit company and the business has a chance to make a real social difference. Philanthropy should push for more such models.
By Lindsay Androski
Contributor
General Operating Support Is Vital to Advancing Equity, Strengthening Nonprofits, Say Leaders
A panel of experts discusses whether the trend of foundations giving general operating support will continue once the pandemic wanes.
By dan.parks
Contributor