What's It Look Like to Put Prize Money Behind the Ideals of "Star Trek?"

What's It Look Like to Put Prize Money Behind the Ideals of "Star Trek?"

The new Roddenberry Prize invited pretty much anyone in any field to apply, as long as they’re after a “boldly better future.” So who landed these hefty awards?

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It's Personal: A Look at a Campus Arts Gift by a Former Hollywood Power Player

It's Personal: A Look at a Campus Arts Gift by a Former Hollywood Power Player

While most of the giving of Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney, is focused in Los Angeles, he hasn't forgotten where he went to school—far away, in Ohio.

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Why is Matt Damon Encouraging Everyone to “Buy a Lady a Drink?”

Why is Matt Damon Encouraging Everyone to “Buy a Lady a Drink?”

Damon is among the handful of celebrity philanthropists who's really moved the needle on his cause, clean water. So what's he up to now, in working with a beer company? 

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Behind a Hollywood Power Couple's Commitment to Boost Diversity in Film

Behind a Hollywood Power Couple's Commitment to Boost Diversity in Film

The Oscar nominees are finally more diverse this year. And within the film industry itself, one power couple is taking a stand on diversity, and putting up new funding, too: Will and Jada Smith.

 

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Beyond the National Anthem: This NFL Quarterback is Also Giving for Racial Justice

Beyond the National Anthem: This NFL Quarterback is Also Giving for Racial Justice

Colin Kaepernick’s name has been in the news lately, as the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers takes a stand (or rather a knee) for racial justice. He's engaged in philanthropy for the cause, too. 

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Doubles: A Few Things to Watch From a Tennis and Tech Couple With Philanthropic Interests

Doubles: A Few Things to Watch From a Tennis and Tech Couple With Philanthropic Interests

Superstar athlete Serena Williams recently got engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. We take a look at the nonprofits interests of these partners and what might lie ahead.

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Intergenerational Funding: What This Foundation is Doing to Bring Children and Seniors Together

Intergenerational Funding: What This Foundation is Doing to Bring Children and Seniors Together

The Eisner Foundation, born out of Hollywood wealth, is still pretty new. But it's become a leader in a funding niche that should be getting a lot more attention: Building bonds between the old and young. 

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The Greatest: Another Gift from Lebron James, This Time, To Honor a Fellow Athlete

The Greatest: Another Gift from Lebron James, This Time, To Honor a Fellow Athlete

There's a reason we included Lebron James on our list of top philanthropists of color. Now's he's made another major gift, this time to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

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Win-Win: How A Former NFL Player Aims to “Gamify” Philanthropy

Win-Win: How A Former NFL Player Aims to “Gamify” Philanthropy

Former NFL linebacker Mike Brown tell us how he moved to Silicon Valley, learned to code, and is now bringing fantasy sports and charity together through a new platform called Win-Win.  

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Jane Fonda's Philanthropy: A Hollywood Legend Keys in on Reproductive Health

Jane Fonda's Philanthropy: A Hollywood Legend Keys in on Reproductive Health
Not only a storied Hollywood actress, Jane Fonda is also well known for her activism. But what about her philanthropic giving? We take a look.
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The Hip Hop Mogul Getting Behind a Black College, and More

The Hip Hop Mogul Getting Behind a Black College, and More

Before Sean "Diddy" Combs went on to much success, he got his start as a student at Howard University. We take a look at Diddy's gift to Howard and his philanthropy broadly.

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Light Years Ahead: How George Lucas Has Been a Pioneer in K-12 Philanthropy

Light Years Ahead: How George Lucas Has Been a Pioneer in K-12 Philanthropy
Lucas's foundation has now been going for 25 years. Along the way, an interesting thing has happened: a growing number of other K-12 funders have gotten on the same wave length as the Star Wars creator.
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Donor Non Grata: When a Philanthropist and His Money Turn Radioactive

Donor Non Grata: When a Philanthropist and His Money Turn Radioactive
Ever since allegations of widespread sexual harassment came to light, everyone from large public universities to small town senior centers want nothing to do with Roger Ailes and his charitable giving.
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Past as Prologue: Where Serena Williams's Philanthropy Comes From

Past as Prologue: Where Serena Williams's Philanthropy Comes From
If you want to understand the rising giving of the tennis superstar—focusing on education equity, gun violence, and gender representation in schools—start with her background.
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To Boldly Give... A Look at Roddenberry Family Philanthropy

To Boldly Give... A Look at Roddenberry Family Philanthropy
As Star Trek celebrates its 50th birthday, we take a look at the philanthropy of creator Gene Roddenberry’s family, including a new prize with a total of $1 million in annual awards.
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An Activist Actor's Climate Group Is Moving Rapid Grassroots Grants

An Activist Actor's Climate Group Is Moving Rapid Grassroots Grants
Mark Ruffalo’s The Solutions Project has quickly grown into a legit clean energy campaign, and in the past year, a grantmaker. Here's a look at its plan to deploy nimble community-based grants.
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And It's Jordan, Again! Is This NBA Legend Aiming for the Giving Big Leagues?

And It's Jordan, Again! Is This NBA Legend Aiming for the Giving Big Leagues?
Following up on his $2 million civil rights gift, Michael Jordan—the hoops star turned billionaire—has given $5 million to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. Where's this leading?
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Who Knew this Hollywood Legend Was Such a Backer of Animal Welfare?

Who Knew this Hollywood Legend Was Such a Backer of Animal Welfare?
Doris Day is a spry 92 years old, and while she stays far from cameras these days, she’s continued her lifelong support of animals, making grants with a focus on senior and special needs pets.
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The Two-Pronged Focus of Danielle Steel's Philanthropy

After decades of publishing best sellers, author Danielle Steel is just as rich as you'd imagine. Meanwhile, her two philanthropic focus areas are driven by her personal story. We take a peak.
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Silent No Longer: Behind an Unexpected Civil Rights Gift by an NBA Legend

Silent No Longer: Behind an Unexpected Civil Rights Gift by an NBA Legend
Michael Jordan has often taken flak over the years for not speaking out on social issues. Which is why his $2 million move to help build trust between law enforcement and communities is so notable.
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