Giving to Community Colleges and HBCUs Soared Last Year
Philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Michael Bloomberg were big players in the flow of cash to institutions that typically don’t raise a lot of money, according to an annual survey by the Voluntary Support of Education program at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Elon Musk Gave $5.7 Billion to Charity in 2021, SEC Filing Reveals
The contributions, revealed Monday, put Musk in second place on the Philanthropy 50, the Chronicle’s annual list of top donors.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
What MacKenzie Scott’s Gift Means to Me and the Organization I Chair
Philanthropist Elaine Wynn finds a kindred spirit in MacKenzie Scott and hopes for a new generation of philanthropic leaders.
A new Ford Foundation-backed project aims to mend toxic societal divisions that threaten philanthropy’s most fundamental work, including its ability to bring people together to address enormous challenges such as systemic racism and climate change.
By HILARY PENNINGTON and Mark Freeman
Donors like to see their names on new building additions, and some find ways to promote diversity while doing so, but there are more direct ways to make staffs and collections more inclusive, a Georgetown scholar argues.
U. of California at Irvine Receives Nearly $60 Million Bequest for Depression Research
Plus, two other universities, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and a health system for children all landed big gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
MacKenzie Scott’s Investment in the Global Queer and Transgender Movement Is a Game Changer
For years LGBTIQ groups have received scraps from philanthropy despite continuing mistreatment and a growing backlash against the community worldwide. Scott’s generous support for groups like ours shows why giving more is critical.
By Katie Hultquist
Contributor
Persistent Myths About Disaster Giving Continue to Create Major Funding Shortfalls
Philanthropy stepped up in a big way to address the pandemic, but its support for relief and recovery efforts following other climate-driven and humanitarian disasters remains stunningly low. Grant makers need to break out of old patterns that stand in the way of increased giving.
By Regine A. Webster
Contributor
26-Year-Old’s $70 Million Donation Puts Him on the List of Top Donors of 2021
Austin Russell, the founder of Luminar Technologies, determined that per capita philanthropic giving in Orlando lagged other cities.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Why a Young Billionaire Who Led Trip to Space Gave $125 Million to Children’s Hospital
When Jared Isaacman led the first all-civilian trip to space, he and his wife, Monica, donated $125 million to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital — and encouraged others to give as well.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
How a Truckdriver-Turned Harvard MBA Came to Give $101 Million for Nursing Education in Mont.
Mark and Robyn Jones believe their donation to Montana State University will have a bigger impact than if they had made a similar gift to Harvard Business School, where Mark earned an MBA.
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
Our Annual Philanthropy 50: Top Donors Returned to Pre-Pandemic Causes in 2021
Despite the continuing Covid threat and racial-justice problems, the nation’s wealthiest donors have largely returned to old standbys — handing out big sums to universities, medicine, and their own foundations. But there are exceptions and some interesting new faces.
By Maria Di Mento and Ben Gose
MacKenzie Scott Gives $133.5 Million to Communities in Schools to Aid Underserved Students
Plus, Memorial Sloan Kettering, three universities, a private school in Palm Beach, and a medical center in Bellingham, Wash., landed major gifts.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Legislation Intended to Speed Up Giving Gets a Boost in Congress
Republicans and Democrats in the House introduced a measure that would affect donor-advised funds and foundations. It resembles a proposal in the Senate.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Community Funds Urged to Set Annual Distribution Rate
The Council on Foundations, which represents many community funds, said the minimum annual distribution should be the same as for private foundations, at least 5 percent of assets.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Few Donor-Advised Fund Grants Are Anonymous, Controversial Study Says
However, one expert and advocate for new regulations on donor-advised funds said the study has serious methodological flaws that casts doubt on its findings.
By dan.parks
Contributor