An Activist and a Historian Are Among 25 ‘Genius Grant’ Recipients
The winners are an eclectic group that includes scientists, economists, poets, and filmmakers. The work of several recipients involves topics dominating the news, such as voting rights and how history is taught in schools. Race figures prominently in the work of about half of them.
$5 Billion Conservation Effort Promises a New Approach but Faces Hurdles
The effort will involve Indigenous people, who have a track record of managing healthy ecosystems with vast biodiversity. But doing so on such a vast scale might require a willingness to take more risk.
By Jim Rendon
Executive Editor
A Giving-Local Mind-Set Reinforces the Chasm Between Wealthy People and Those in Need
When philanthropists mostly donate to causes and services in their own backyards, they perpetuate inequitable giving trends and fail to recognize historic discriminatory practices that have kept people of color out of higher-income areas.
By Davey M. Kim
Contributor
The 24-hour event, broadcast on six continents, generated pledges from foundations, vaccine pledges from numerous countries, and a commitment from the U.S. government for humanitarian needs caused by the pandemic.
John and Tashia Morgridge Pledge $125 Million to Their Alma Mater
Plus, five universities and St. Jude Children’s Hospital received large gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Philanthropy Needs to Rethink How It Supports Efforts to Rebuild Our Nation’s Infrastructure
As Congress debates a potential massive increase in federal infrastructure funding, grant makers should embrace a more expansive view of such projects — one that paves the way toward more equitable and sustainable communities.
By Katy Knight
Contributor
Chicago Couple Give Northwestern U. $480 Million Gift
The donation from Patrick and Shirley Ryan will support education and research programs in applied microeconomics, business, digital medicine, neuroscience, and global health.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
$123 Million in Surprise, Unsolicited Grants Go to 71 Ariz. Charities
Also, GM has pledged $50 million to strengthen economic development in Detroit, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed $47.5 million to MIT and Harvard to analyze genetic data for links to common diseases.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Foundations Need to Back Up the White House’s Equity Agenda With More Equitable Research
The funding criteria, proposal processes, and research methods used by many philanthropic organizations make it harder for grantees to produce data that reflect the challenges — and opportunities — in communities harmed by structural racism.
By Brian Quinn and Tina Kauh
Reports of a Massive Increase in Racial-Justice Funding Paint a Distorted and Dangerous Picture
A new analysis shows how conservative groups have seized on inflated estimates of giving following 2020’s racial-justice protests to falsely signal that grassroots groups fighting systemic racism are getting more than their fair share.
By Lori Villarosa
Contributor
Foundations Offer Incentives to Help Cities Attract Workers Willing to Relocate
A growing number of philanthropy-financed projects are trying to spark economic development, promote civic and cultural life, attract skilled workers, and offset declining or sparse populations. Remote workers are especially attractive because they tend to have high disposable incomes.
By Olivera Perkins
Contributor
Major Research Group Broadens Definition of Racial-Equity Grants
Candid, a nonprofit that studies grant making, says it wants to help organizations that are combating racism find contributors and to help donors see who else is funding racial-equity work and which groups could use support.
Philanthropy Should Help Create Better Jobs, Not Just Better-Trained Workers
A new foundation-supported effort will promote business models that put worker and societal interests on par with profits — and shift the narrative that retraining low-income workers is the surest path to good jobs.
By Marina Gorbis
Contributor
Bezos Earth Fund Awards $73.7 Million, Pledges Additional $130 Million by Year End
Also, Edward Jones has committed $150 million to charities in the United States and Canada, and Open Philanthropy gave $42 million to Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Gates and Rockefeller Warn World Leaders About the Pandemic’s Impact on the Lives of the Poor
Two of the wealthiest foundations say that without larger government and philanthropic investments in the manufacture and delivery of vaccines to people in poor nations, the pandemic could set back global progress on education, public health, and gender equality for years.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
A Student’s Call to Education Grant Makers: Listen to Us
Youths are the true experts on today’s college experience, says a student intern at the Stupski Foundation. Philanthropic organizations need to embrace strategies that bring their voices into the decision-making process.
By Jodi Go
Contributor