10 Funders to Watch in 2024

10 Funders to Watch in 2024

Several large funding institutions will be in flux this year and others are emerging as major players. Meanwhile, national and global events will put leading funders to the test. Here are 10 we’re watching closely in 2024.

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Six Problems Philanthropy Barely Tried to Solve in 2023

Six Problems Philanthropy Barely Tried to Solve in 2023

To some extent, trying and failing to solve big problems comes with the territory of philanthropy. But sometimes, funders fail even to try, paying scant attention to issues well worth their dollars. Here are examples from this year.

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Big Ideas, Big Giving: The Legacy of Hewlett Foundation’s Larry Kramer

Big Ideas, Big Giving: The Legacy of Hewlett Foundation’s Larry Kramer

After more than a decade at the helm of the $13 billion foundation, Larry Kramer will step down at the end of the month. IP’s David Callahan looks back on what made his tenure unique, and some of his key accomplishments.

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New Support for Slashing Super Pollutant Emissions, as Major Green Funders Pledge $450 Million

New Support for Slashing Super Pollutant Emissions, as Major Green Funders Pledge $450 Million

For years, a handful of major funders have been involved in the fight to curb methane emissions and other super pollutants. That support just got a big boost surrounding COP28, with new funders and more money.

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What These Three Funders Can Teach Philanthropy About Supporting Nonprofit IT

What These Three Funders Can Teach Philanthropy About Supporting Nonprofit IT

It wouldn’t be a huge stretch to say all funders are IT funders these days, given the centrality of tech tools to so much nonprofit work. We look at how that plays out through the lens of three grantmakers on the front lines of IT funding.

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At a Critical Moment for Action, Uncertainty Looms in Climate Philanthropy

At a Critical Moment for Action, Uncertainty Looms in Climate Philanthropy

With federal spending on the way and climate impacts becoming more extreme, it’s an all-hands-on-deck moment for climate action. But several climate funders are in a state of flux, causing anxiety among grantees.

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What the Heck Happened in New York Last Week? A Climate Philanthropy Roundup

What the Heck Happened in New York Last Week? A Climate Philanthropy Roundup

One of the year’s busiest weeks for the climate movement and philanthropy concluded last Wednesday. Here’s a look at some of the most notable philanthropic pledges that emerged from Climate Week NYC.

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A Grassroots Legal Empowerment Organization Attracts Global Climate Justice Dollars

A Grassroots Legal Empowerment Organization Attracts Global Climate Justice Dollars

Namati trains paralegals who can work as grassroots climate justice and land rights advocates in their own communities. It’s an approach that has garnered attention from big names in philanthropy.

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Climate Philanthropy Giants Launch $180 Million Fund to Implement Federal Legislation

Climate Philanthropy Giants Launch $180 Million Fund to Implement Federal Legislation

Some of the largest foundations backing climate action have created a three-year funding effort to support access to huge federal spending on the horizon. Here’s a rundown of who’s involved and where the money’s going.

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In Response to Violent Extremism, Some Funders Seek to Defuse Hate

In Response to Violent Extremism, Some Funders Seek to Defuse Hate

Following disturbing acts of violence in recent years, some foundations are getting involved in anti-hate work, including efforts to curb division in American communities.

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Can Philanthropy Curb the Growing Threat of Wildfire? West Coast Funders Are Giving It a Shot

Can Philanthropy Curb the Growing Threat of Wildfire? West Coast Funders Are Giving It a Shot

For a century, communities in the Western U.S. have worked hard to prevent and extinguish wildfires. But residents may have to learn to get along with a certain amount of fire. A few funders are navigating this tricky territory.

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Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers

Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers

We compiled a list of the top green funders in the U.S., based on the most recent full year of giving data available. One big takeaway: Living billionaires now dominate the list.

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Foundations and Governments Pledged $1.7 Billion to Indigenous Land Protection. How Are They Doing?

Foundations and Governments Pledged $1.7 Billion to Indigenous Land Protection. How Are They Doing?

A pledge to help Indigenous people protect the world’s tropical forests is moving millions, but so far, most of the money isn’t going to Indigenous-led groups. Participants call it “quite alarming” and hope to see that change.

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In the Climate Fight, Who’s Funding the Eco-Right? More Big Names Than You Might Expect

In the Climate Fight, Who’s Funding the Eco-Right? More Big Names Than You Might Expect

There’s a relatively small list of conservative groups calling for climate action, and they have not drawn a lot of funding. But they do count some big, perhaps surprising names among their backers. Here’s a list.

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11 Major Foundation Racial Justice Pledges and Progress to Date

11 Major Foundation Racial Justice Pledges and Progress to Date

Two years after a historic summer, Inside Philanthropy gathered data on 11 major foundations’ racial justice commitments. Here’s a pledge-by-pledge rundown of how much money is moving and where it’s headed so far.

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Foundations Made Impressive Moves in the Aftermath of George Floyd's Death, but Much Work Remains

Foundations Made Impressive Moves in the Aftermath of George Floyd's Death, but Much Work Remains

Following the summer of 2020, major foundations moved hundreds of millions to BIPOC-led groups, mostly in general support. But the work has just begun. Here’s what movement leaders say they need from the sector next.

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Two Years After Historic Uprisings, Where Does Philanthropy’s Commitment to Racial Justice Stand?

Two Years After Historic Uprisings, Where Does Philanthropy’s Commitment to Racial Justice Stand?

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, philanthropies committed billions to racial equity. Two years on, how much money has moved? Where has it gone? In this special report, IP charts the progress of 11 major foundation pledges.

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How Is Philanthropy Backing Science Journalism?

How Is Philanthropy Backing Science Journalism?

The pandemic drove home the need for quality science journalism, but the field has struggled along with the rest of the industry. Here are a few ways key funders are supporting training and coverage.

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Eight Questions for Jonathan Pershing, Climate Diplomat and Hewlett Program Director

Eight Questions for Jonathan Pershing, Climate Diplomat and Hewlett Program Director

The former climate diplomat and leading grantmaker discusses what climate philanthropy can learn from the past year’s historic investments in climate action — and what makes him “worry deeply.”

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What Was Philanthropy’s Role in Passing the Biggest Climate Bill in U.S. History?

What Was Philanthropy’s Role in Passing the Biggest Climate Bill in U.S. History?

The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was a massive effort involving players from all sectors. Philanthropy, too, had a supporting role. Here are key areas where funders contributed, from movement-building to policy work.

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