"Not Just a Gift of Money." How a Major Foundation Embraced Endowment Funding to Advance Equity

"Not Just a Gift of Money." How a Major Foundation Embraced Endowment Funding to Advance Equity

Endowment funding is commonplace for institutions like hospitals and universities, but much rarer for social change organizations. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is one funder looking to flip that script.

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These Donors Are Revolting Against the “Charity Lobby” to Push Sweeping Philanthropic Reform

These Donors Are Revolting Against the “Charity Lobby” to Push Sweeping Philanthropic Reform

The newly announced Donor Revolt for Charity Reform is championing changes to the laws governing philanthropy that go well beyond the ACE Act. According to a recent poll, the American public is very much on board.

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Funding for a Better Farm Bill Has Been Sparse and Inconsistent. Is That Changing?

Funding for a Better Farm Bill Has Been Sparse and Inconsistent. Is That Changing?

Much of the country’s agriculture policy hinges on the U.S. farm bill, but related funding is limited and overly focused on the reauthorization every five years. There are, however, some major new players entering the space.

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This Real Estate Mogul Is Funding Psychedelics Research to Support the LGBT+ Community

This Real Estate Mogul Is Funding Psychedelics Research to Support the LGBT+ Community

Funding for psychedelics research is on the rise, with advocates pointing to benefits for veterans, trauma survivors and others. Robert Ansin’s Healing Hearts Changing Minds focuses on treatments to support LGBT+ people.

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The Latest in a Life of Firsts: Carnegie President Louise Richardson Talks About Her Role

The Latest in a Life of Firsts: Carnegie President Louise Richardson Talks About Her Role

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.

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Marc Benioff and the “Good Billionaire” Brand

Marc Benioff and the “Good Billionaire” Brand

The Salesforce cofounder and CEO has long been known as one of the good ones. But while he’s in the news for snapping up land in Hawaii, it seems timely to ask: What makes a “good billionaire,” and does Benioff measure up?

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How Do Grantmakers Get Started On Climate? Here’s How One Human Rights Funder Began

How Do Grantmakers Get Started On Climate? Here’s How One Human Rights Funder Began

Humanity United isn’t a climate funder, but it is coming to recognize just how interconnected climate issues are with its global human rights work. It’s one among many grantmakers reckoning with realities that impact every field.

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This Foundation Ended a Bold, 8-Year Experiment in Participatory Philanthropy. What Did it Learn?

This Foundation Ended a Bold, 8-Year Experiment in Participatory Philanthropy. What Did it Learn?

The Colorado Trust embarked on an ambitious effort to empower community members, but ultimately closed the program in 2022. A series of reports points to impressive achievements — along with challenges and missteps.

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“It Is So Worth It.” How This Regional Funder Shares Power Through Partner-Led Grantmaking

“It Is So Worth It.” How This Regional Funder Shares Power Through Partner-Led Grantmaking

Most of the Bush Foundation’s grantmaking dollars flow through an array of community regranting partners. We chat with its leaders about this maximalist power-sharing approach, tips for aspiring practitioners and much more.

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Four Reasons Why Narrative Change Is a Tough Ask for Philanthropy

Four Reasons Why Narrative Change Is a Tough Ask for Philanthropy

Trying to shift public narratives is a popular strategy for many funders right now. But is it paying off? Here are a few reasons why philanthropy-backed narrative change may be struggling to achieve impact.

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Which Latino-Serving Organizations Landed Grants From MacKenzie Scott's Open Call?

Which Latino-Serving Organizations Landed Grants From MacKenzie Scott's Open Call?

Groups that focus on Latino communities landed a lot of support in Yield Giving’s latest round of grants. The organizations span geography and issue area, including immigration, labor and healthcare.

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Unlocking Girls’ Leadership Starts with Asking the Right Questions

Unlocking Girls’ Leadership Starts with Asking the Right Questions

Guest author Jayanthi A. Pushkaran shares how EMpower–The Emerging Markets Foundation has developed a participatory funding model in India that empowers girls as experts on their own lives.

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Why This Major Funder Wants to Send More Kids to Summer Camp

Why This Major Funder Wants to Send More Kids to Summer Camp

Summer camps don’t get a lot of attention from big foundations, but Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies believes they can improve mental health, ease loneliness and isolation, and foster healthy development.

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Julia Koch Has a New Foundation. What Can We Expect From the Family’s Future Giving?

Julia Koch Has a New Foundation. What Can We Expect From the Family’s Future Giving?

For some time now, we’ve been watching the philanthropy of Julia Koch, one of the country’s richest women. Her priorities are starting to come into focus with the launch of her own foundation in late 2023. Here’s what we can expect.

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Black Migrants Are a Key Part of America's Multiracial Future. Funders Need to Empower Them

Black Migrants Are a Key Part of America's Multiracial Future. Funders Need to Empower Them

The number of Black newcomers to the U.S. is expected to skyrocket in the coming years. Guest author Nomzana Augustin believes now is the time for funders to commit to ensuring they can thrive.

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How the Segal Family Foundation Funds Globally, Acts Locally

How the Segal Family Foundation Funds Globally, Acts Locally

Most U.S. foundations fund close to home, and when they do support global causes, tend to fund large Western NGOs. But for years now, the Segal Family Foundation has been backing locally driven work in Africa.

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Post-Disaster Legal Aid Funding Fills a Growing Need — And Could Help Shore Up Democracy

Post-Disaster Legal Aid Funding Fills a Growing Need — And Could Help Shore Up Democracy

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.

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A Look at the Trellis Foundation’s Work to Reduce Barriers to Success for College Students

A Look at the Trellis Foundation’s Work to Reduce Barriers to Success for College Students

Based in Texas, the Trellis Foundation is all about boosting the success of low-income students and students of color. We dig into its two-year mental health learning collaborative, programs serving specific student groups and more.

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The Wallace Foundation Invested $52 Million in Audience Engagement. What Did It Learn?

The Wallace Foundation Invested $52 Million in Audience Engagement. What Did It Learn?

Through its five-year Building Audiences for Sustainability initiative, Wallace dug deep into the question of how arts organizations can grow their reach and revenue. A new report offers some key findings.

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How the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund is Working to Mobilize Voters and Build Power

How the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund is Working to Mobilize Voters and Build Power

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.

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