When Ali came to the L.A.-focused foundation in 1999, it was a nearly all-white institution that steered clear of backing advocacy and organizing. As he steps down from his job, Ali talks to IP Editor David Callahan about Weingart’s transformation.
Read MoreIt’s clearer than ever the U.S. would be better off with higher taxes on the wealthy, a more robust government, and less reliance on charitable giving. Still, in coming decades, giving by the rich is only going to become more important.
Read MoreAs 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 MoreFoundations are supposed to be good at playing the long game—peering around corners and over the horizon. But few funders have ever keyed into obvious and terrifying biosecurity risks, spotlighting a weakness in the sector.
Read MoreWhat does the next decade hold in store for the world of philanthropy? IP David Callahan looks into a crystal ball to offer a set of predictions about giving in the 2020s.
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 MoreHerb Sandler—who passed away today at the age of 87—was emblematic of a cadre of living donors that has been reshaping philanthropy. In this 2015 profile of Sandler, IP editor David Callahan explored his strategies and his record of achievement.
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 MoreNever mind that nonsense about how a firewall exists between philanthropy and partisan politics. This election day, we’re republishing our handy primer on how donors can sway elections—and get a tax break!
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 MoreIn the wake of the Kavanaugh confirmation fight, we’re republising a piece from June on how both foundations and major donors on all sides have sought to influence Supreme Court rulings over many decades.
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 More
