Chicago Botanic Garden Collects $10 Million for Conservation Science (Grants Roundup)
Also, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation grants $7.5 million to offer leadership development for Catholic nuns in Africa, and early-childhood education in Detroit gets a $2.5 million boost from three foundations.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Wells Fargo Pledges $1 Billion for Affordable Housing
The financial-services giant’s Wednesday announcement means a shift away from narrowly targeted efforts to improve diversity to address “systemic” issues that hurt minorities.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Billionaire Jeff Skoll Sings the Praises of the Giving Pledge
The first president of eBay, who signed the pledge in 2010, says it has had a profound impact on his life and his philanthropy.
By Marc Gunther
Contributor
How Gender Bias Creeps Into Grant Making
A study of the grant-selection process found that, among other things, the language men use in their grant applications gives them an edge.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
With a tax fight behind it, the company founded by the late actor Paul Newman wants other companies to follow its lead and give all profits to charity.
By Michael Anft
Contributor
U. of Chicago Nabs $75 Million for Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (Grants Roundup)
Also, three health companies make a combined grant of $15 million to house homeless people in Seattle, and Walmart gives $1 million to find jobs for military veterans and their spouses.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Use This Simple Form to Create a ‘Snapshot’ of Your Donors
It creates a handy way to prepare for meetings with wealthy individuals.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Listen Up, Grant Makers: Radio Is a Hot Way to Advance Knowledge and Culture
More Americans are listening to the medium than watching television — and they are tuning into in-depth investigations and a vast range of music.
By Vince Stehle
Contributor
Billionaire Robert Smith Pushes Plan to Boost Minority Students’ Access to Internships
His pledge to wipe out the student debt of 400 Morehouse graduates drew big headlines, but he has even bigger goals to help minority students, including a plan to help thousands nationwide get their first crucial work experience.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
One Foundation CEO’s Plan to Respond to Today’s Outrages. What’s Yours?
For too long, philanthropy’s anger has been diluted, blunted, and bludgeoned by a relentless barrage on our sense of basic humanity and civic well-being — fueled by race-, gender-, LGBTQ-, and immigrant-centric attacks flying under the guise of patriotism.
By Robert K. Ross
Contributor
Arnold Ventures Gives $17 Million for Reimagining Prison Program (Grants Roundup)
Also, the Kellogg Foundation has awarded $15.5 million to help more students from Michigan go on to college, and two childhood-literacy groups will share the $10 million X Prize.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Critiques of Philanthropy Are Important, but Some Have Entered the Realm of the Absurd
Even Sunday’s stirring announcement from Robert Smith that he’ll pay off the loans of Morehouse’s graduating class was greeted with reflexive skepticism. We need more of that kind of compassionate giving, not lambasting.
By PHIL BUCHANAN
Contributor
Gates Foundation Will Try to Answer the Question, Is College Worth the Cost?
The grant maker created a 30-member commission to explore the value that a variety of educational options can provide, including a four-year college, community college, and certificate program.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
4 Big Foundations Commit $20 Million to Promote the Census — and Call for More
Ford, JPB, Kellogg, and Open Society add new funds and issue a call for more grants, noting that the census affects a wide range of philanthropic missions and needs to be accurate.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Google.org Awards $25 Million Through Its AI Impact Challenge (Grants Roundup)
Also, the Pritzker Foundation dedicates $15 million for pediatric mental-health care in Illinois, and a charter school founded by the basketball star LeBron James receives $1 million for a new gym.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Inside L.A. LGBT Center’s $57 Million Campaign
Lorri Jean, long-tenured CEO of the nation’s oldest gay and lesbian community center, reflects on how her organization got donors to give big and what’s changed for fundraisers in the post-marriage-equality era.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor