MOST RECENT
In this guest opinion, Beth Huang of Tides outlines why philanthropic funders should deploy both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) funding — and work at the nexus between them — as the election approaches.
In this guest opinion, Alexis Anderson-Reed and Karundi Williams call on donors to move money as early as possible this year, in the face of a significant retraction in democracy funding since the 2020 cycle.
After a year leading the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Dame Louise Richardson joined us to discuss her transition from Oxford University to Carnegie, her goals for the grantmaker, polarization in the U.S. and more.
Increasing demand for legal aid in the wake of disasters casts light on a system that’s failing large numbers of Americans. Funders looking to restore trust in government institutions and democracy may want to take note.
Asian American and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing group of eligible voters in the nation. This funder collaborative is looking to mobilize AAPI voters in order to build a multiracial democracy that works for all.
Launched in 1994, Atlanta's Southern Partners Fund is led by community members hailing from regional grassroots organizations. We dig into its unique governance model, how it used a MacKenzie Scott grant and more.
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation recently passed a major milestone — $1 billion in giving since it started in 1995. At 81, Arthur Blank looks back on years of support for democracy, the environment, Atlanta and more.
As the 2024 election approaches, Craig Newmark is focusing his philanthropy on efforts to educate the public, strengthen cyber security and protect democracy — while cracking some jokes along the way.
To avoid the boom-and-bust cycle that plagues democracy philanthropy, guest authors Joe Goldman, Laleh Ispahani and Deepak Bhargava call on funders to give earlier this year — by April if possible.
The Heising-Simons Foundation’s CEO Fund allows the head of the foundation to choose a priority area to support. Sushma Raman reflects on why she chose to focus on AI, and on her first year as head of the foundation.
Public Wise is working with organizations around the country to give a voice to overlooked voters, while building movement infrastructure. The group is also on the lookout for those who could undermine democracy.
The 2024 presidential election is already flooded with political donations, but nonpartisan philanthropic funds will also play an major role. Here’s an overview of how philanthropy will shape this year’s election.
Threats to civil society from the authoritarian far right are only ramping up, warn guest authors Peter Teague and Mike Berkowitz. But philanthropy still has the tools it needs to safeguard American democracy — and itself.
Major Golden State grantmakers have gotten behind PIVOT, a collaborative fund to resource democracy work and build community power. Its initial grants have prioritized voter organizing alongside wider movement building.
The author and political strategist reflects on his long career in progressive giving — including the early days of the Democracy Alliance, the Obama years, and working with his late wife Susan Sandler to back racial justice leaders.
We spoke with the former head of LCF about her leadership during a critical period of growth, her career in philanthropy, and her hopes for the foundation’s future as Julian Castro takes the reins.
Facing another difficult election year, funders may want to take note of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation in Connecticut. It’s already seen notable success with its own bilingual get-out-the-vote campaign.
Democracy Frontlines Fund launched as a time-limited racial justice and democracy initiative in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The collaborative is extending its mission with another $35.5 million.
Sue Cross will be stepping down as the head of the Institute for Nonprofit News at the end of the year. She walks us through what she’s learned during her tenure about how philanthropy can support local news and much more.
The outcome of the 2024 election will have a huge impact on many of the goals advanced by philanthropy, but groups on the ground are seeing major funding shortfalls. Billy Wimsatt from Movement Voter Fund has a plan.
Reflecting sector-wide trends, philanthropies threw their weight behind two collaborative global development efforts, seeking to bolster citizen engagement and shift power to those close to the ground.
In this guest article, Equal Justice Works CEO Verna Williams makes a case for funders to sustain and step up their support for diversity and inclusion, giving people of color a better chance to enter fields like the legal profession.
An effort in Ohio to raise the vote threshold needed for a state constitutional amendment failed, despite a big push from a wealthy conservative donor. It’s yet another reminder of the inescapable influence of wealthy donors.
Across the country, conservative groups are working to ban books. The American Library Association is standing up to these challenges, with a big boost from Solidarity Giving, founded by billionaires Brian and Tegan Acton.
As left-of-center groups grow ever more reliant on big funders, is there a price to be paid? If and when the liberal donor class pulls back, the fallout may leave its beneficiaries impoverished in multiple ways.
OSF plans to let go of 40% of staff as it reaches a new stage in its longtime bid to bring focus to its legendarily complex operations. Critics point to a consolidation of power amid low morale and a shrinking global footprint.
After 18 years, Ibargüen announced he would step down as head of this influential media funder. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his career trajectory, philanthropy’s role in society, and much more.
Libraries are an indispensable public good, but from the start, private wealth has played a major part in their creation and expansion. As library budgets are threatened, we take a deep dive into philanthropy’s support.
Funders often struggle to back civic engagement and community power building. In this guest piece, three authors whose organizations collaboratively fund that work suggest some changes in approach.
Much of philanthropy frames civic engagement in a narrow way, with a focus on voting and elections. Guest contributor Louise Lief discusses what’s wrong with that, and what a better, broader approach looks like.