What Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading This Summer
From post-apocalyptic fiction to lessons on democracy, here are six books to add to your summer reading list.
By Nandita Raghuram
Deputy Editor, Opinion
Can a Lottery Winner Run an Effective Foundation? Meet Roy Cockrum
How a onetime comic actor turned $60 million of Powerball winnings into a grant-making engine that has backed ambitious theater since 2014.
By George Anders
Contributor
Facing Arrest and Worse, Climate Advocates Need Legal Defenders. Philanthropy Can Help.
Protecting the environment is dangerous business. Those on the front lines need greater support to fend off fossil fuel industry threats.
By Betsy Apple and Alfred Brownell
Can Melinda French Gates Reignite Post-Dobbs Rage Giving?
Supporting women and girls of color should always be an urgent matter. French Gates is showing what that means.
By Cora Daniels
Contributor
Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation Gives $25 Million to Cleveland Museum of Art
Also, the Nomis Foundation committed $20 million to the Salk Institute for neuroimmunology research, and Coca-Cola Foundation gave $10 million to clean up plastic waste and reduce water pollution on seven African islands.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
How Philanthropy Can Make Sure Data Is Used to Help — Not Harm
Data on the communities grantees serve should be accurate, accessible, and used for their benefit. Grant makers can ensure this happens.
By Ryan Merkley
Contributor
A $150 Million Grant Will Strengthen Catholic Education in Northwest Indiana
Plus, the Shubert Foundation awarded $40 million in unrestricted grants to 653 nonprofit arts and culture organizations, and the Helmsley Charitable Trust gave $15 million to remove 15 million pounds of floating plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Major Funders Bet Big on Rural America and ‘Everyday Democracy’
Takeaways from a new $50 million venture with national grant makers investing in philanthropy-starved rural America: “No one is coming to do this work for us.”
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
How the Fearless Fund Ruling Distorts Charity, History — and Law
The wrongheaded decision should not dissuade nonprofits committed to racial equity from doing their critical work.
By Roger Colinvaux
Contributor
Cummings Foundation Awards $30 Million to Boston-Area Nonprofits
Also, the Marin Community Foundation committed $30 million for multiyear general operating support, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation gave $10 million to enable Catholic nuns in Africa to pursue higher education.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Civil Rights Are Under Siege. DEI 2.0 Is the Answer
Philanthropy needs to emerge from its defensive crouch and unleash a bold and creative response to DEI attacks.
By Gara LaMarche
Contributor
Melinda French Gates’s Apparent Embrace of Trust-Based Philanthropy Should Inspire Others
Her giving approach underscores the importance of human-centered grant making.
To Fight Antisemitism, Improve Holocaust Education
Broad philanthropic support for combatting antisemitism — and protecting democracy — must include greater investment in teaching about the Holocaust.
By Deborah M. Lauter
Contributor
DEI Isn’t a Dirty Word. How Funders Can Fight Back.
Despite an onslaught of attacks, including this week’s ruling against the Fearless Fund, the need for DEI programs is growing. Philanthropy can help fortify the field against future assaults.
Climate Philanthropy Falls Short in Rural Communities
Rural climate groups have been limited because their work combines two issue areas long neglected by big foundations.
By Jim Rendon
Executive Editor
Philanthropy has long neglected the domestic violence movement, but the stakes are getting higher, and more support is desperately needed.
By Brett J. Barnes
Contributor