These Big Apple philanthropists demonstrate that not every fresh idea is coming from the booming tech corridors on the West Coast.
By Drew Lindsay
Contributor
Singing From the Rooftops to Share a Love of Opera
An experimental arts nonprofit in Los Angeles overcomes technical challenges to perform in unusual places, like rooftops and limousines.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Charity Looks to Its Start-Up Days for ‘Cowboy’ Spirit
A nonprofit that had matured and become more specialized took steps to bring back the attitude of its early days, when workers were encouraged to push new ideas.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Charity Enlists Citizen Photographers and Drone Users for Sea-Level Monitoring Project
Based on images from beachgoers and recreational drone users during intense weather, the Nature Conservancy hopes to predict what the coastline could look like in the future.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
At Nexus, a Peek Into the Minds of Young, Wealthy Donors
The second annual Nexus USA Youth Summit convened close to 200 young people from many of the world’s wealthiest families, along with idealistic social entrepreneurs and impact investors.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
New Commercials Highlight Y’s Social Programs
The Y has started running paid commercials to change its image from that of a gym and swim club to a social movement, reports The New York Times.
New ‘Playbook’ Helps Foundations and Nonprofits Respond to Disasters
The guide from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy details best practices, including information on rebuilding, legal services, housing, and coordination with government agencies.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
Pay-for-Success Financing: What the Future Holds
Experts share what they’ve learned and offer advice in the last installment of this three-part video series.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Maria Vertkin: Careers Found in Translation
An immigrant launches a nonprofit that trains low-income, bilingual women to become medical interpreters, helping patients who don’t speak English communicate with doctors.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Veronika Scott: How a Coat Becomes a Bed
An art-school project blossoms into a design shop geared toward serving the homeless by producing a winter coat that turns into a sleeping bag.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Alejandro Gac-Artigas: Reversing Children’s Summer Slump
Sringboard Collaborative’s five-week summer reading programs for kids are showing impressive results in Philadelphia and Oakland by including sessions with parents.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Michael Brennan: Tech Expert Takes on Social Ills
The program officer at the Ford Foundation puts his Ph.D. in computer science to work as he explores the impact of technology on society.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Donnel Baird: Clean Energy in Old Buildings
Where banks look the other way, his BlocPower effort gets creative to attract environmentally minded investors to help nonprofits cut their energy budgets.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Ommeed Sathe: Facelift for a Midsize City
Prudential Financial is working revitalize Newark’s downtown, among other areas, and it has found someone committed to figuring out what works best for each community.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Max Kenner: Prison Path to Higher Learning
A fervent believer in the power of the humanities and sciences to transform lives creates a rigorous academic program through which inmates can earn associate and bachelor’s degrees.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
She’s addressing the causes of climate change by placing AmeriCorps members with local governments throughout California to work on energy projects.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor