As philanthropy steps up in a national crisis with emergency relief, will the recent growing attacks on it now evaporate? Or, in the dark times ahead, will the concentrated wealth of foundations and billionaires draw even more scrutiny?
Read MoreWith Mike Bloomberg entering the Democratic primary, IP’s David Callahan reviews his record of giving, looking at the strengths and weaknesses of a data-driven technocratic approach in an era of ideological and tribal political conflict.
Read MoreBefore he died last fall, the billionaire Paul Allen built up a powerful in-house capacity at his company, Vulcan Inc., to tackle urgent issues like wildlife protection and climate change. IP editor David Callahan takes an inside look at its unique strategy for impact.
Read MoreLaura and John Arnold are well known for their foundation’s prolific grantmaking. But the couple has long been engaged in political giving, too. And now they’re bringing these two strategies together in a single organization, Arnold Ventures.
Read MoreRob Reich has become one of the nation’s preeminent scholars of philanthropy by asking hard questions about the role of private giving in democracies. In an important new book, Reich deepen this critique. But just where, exactly, do his ideas lead?
Read MoreThe main philanthropic organization of eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam has gone through some big changes in the past year. With a new strategy, it’s looking to confront the rise of illiberal populism and "reimagine capitalism.”
Read MoreWith the news that she will give away her $37 billion fortune, MacKenzie Bezos is set up to become one of the world’s biggest philanthropists. IP Editor David Callahan offers a few thoughts about what Bezos can learn from other top donors.
Read MoreThere's a lot going on in philanthropy right now. And last January, we made nearly 40 predictions about what might happen in the world of giving in 2018. We take a spin through the list and see how we did.
Read MoreFor all the talk of a golden age of philanthropy, the rich are piling up new wealth much faster than they’re giving it away. Most give mere crumbs compared to their net worth. The Bridgespan Group is looking to change that.
Read MoreA who’s who of billionaire philanthropists spent millions to elect a champion of charter schools to a key office in California. Such giving is a key strength of the charter movement. But is this any way to make K-12 policy?
Read MoreDonald Trump may be a billionaire, but no recent president has inspired fiercer opposition within the far upper class. Many top philanthropists are among those who’ve given record sums in the most expensive mid-term election in U.S. history.
Read MorePaul Allen, who died recently, exemplified the best of big philanthropy. He embraced risk taking and cared deeply, journeying to the outer frontiers of scientific knowledge and to the front lines of the world’s biggest challenges. IP editor David Callahan assesses his legacy.
Read MoreNews last fall of a hidden $8 billion foundation based offshore in Bermuda underscores just how opaque the world of big philanthropy really is. In a post first published in November, we explore what other surprises might be coming.
Read MoreAs Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos turn to large-scale giving, they’re targeting two urgent but neglected areas. That’s smart. But if Jeff is really worried about inequality, his real power lies in changing how Amazon operates.
Read MoreAt one level, Winners Take All is a very satisfying read, skewering today’s elite for its hypocrisies. But it offers an incomplete and distorted look at America’s wealthy class and its role in social change.
Read MoreThe field of venture philanthropy first emerged two decades ago, fueled in part by the spirit of the dotcom era. IP Editor David Callahan talks to its leaders about what they’ve achieved and how this movement has evolved.
Read MoreAfter more than a decade of epic giving, Buffett is much richer than when he started. We check in on one of the most fascinating stories of big philanthropy.
Read MoreAs another foundation swings behind impact investing in a big way, there are some good reasons to fret about where things are going. Here are a few questions that still need to be worked out.
Read MoreImproving America’s schools has been something of a Holy Grail for funders—as well as a graveyard for ambitious philanthropic schemes. Lately, this funding field has been changing at warp speed.
Read MoreIn recent years, many foundations have put equity front and center in their work. But economic stratification only seems to be getting worse in America. Here's where funders have gone wrong.
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