February 07, 2017

A Timely Recognition of Immigrants' Contributions to American Arts and Sciences

February 07, 2017/ Tate Williams

A foundation's suite of prizes to honor contributions of immigrants in arts and science carries added weight in the current political climate. We take a look at the latest winners.

February 06, 2017

Scary Times: Foundations, Trumpism, and the Fear Factor

February 06, 2017/ David Callahan

While some funders have signed a statement opposing Trump's Muslim and refugee ban, the biggest and best-known foundations have remained silent. What's that about?

February 02, 2017

Philanthropy Seeks Scientific Rigor on the Battlefield of American Elections

February 02, 2017/ Tate Williams

The latest move by Hewlett’s Madison Initiative will establish a lab at MIT devoted to the science of elections. Can philanthropy establish a level-headed foothold in our tumultuous elections?

January 25, 2017

Meet the Top New Fundraisers in America (Maybe): Barack and Michelle Obama

January 25, 2017/ David Callahan

If the Obamas come out swinging with their new foundation, offering hope for building the "new American majority," donors will respond. That won't be true if their "ask" is to fund a bowl of civic mush.

December 08, 2016

"Civic Tech" is One Antidote to Trumpism, and the Omidyar Network is Doubling Down Here

December 08, 2016/ Philip Rojc and David Callahan

The age of Trump is tailor made for the Omidyar Network, with its faith in market solutions and empowering citizens in a decentralized way. We look at two of its post-election investments.

November 03, 2016

New Citizens, New Power: What Funders Are Doing to Push Latino Civic Engagement

November 03, 2016/ David Callahan and Alyssa Ochs

The 2016 election may well hinge on Latino turnout. We look at what funders have been doing in recent years to boost Latino civic engagement, and remake the electoral map.

October 07, 2016

Raising Money for Democracy Reform

October 07, 2016/ IP Staff

Common Cause is still in the game after more than four decades and its mission is more timely than ever. But it faces some challenges. How's it doing on the fundraising front?

August 11, 2016

In Trump's Home City, a Funder Helps Push Back Against Islamophobia

August 11, 2016/ Alyssa Ochs

A handful of foundations around the country are making grants to promote more tolerance and understanding of Muslim Americans. One of them is stepping up such work in New York City.

April 28, 2016

Tom Steyer’s Climate Fight Marches On, But Will Young People Follow?

April 28, 2016/ Tate Williams

The hedge fund donor is in the climate fight for the long haul. His NextGen Climate is emphasizing people power in 2016, raising the question—will young people rally behind a billionaire?

October 29, 2015

The Other Money in Politics: How Philanthropic Dollars Shape Elections

October 29, 2015/ David Callahan

If we want to have a full and honest conversation about money in politics, we have to talk about the range of ways that supposedly nonpartisan foundations affect what happens at the polls.

March 04, 2015

Is Civics Education a Lost Cause? Not to Some Foundations

March 04, 2015/ L.S. Hall

After years of decline in civics education, a poll once found that more Americans could name the three stooges than the three branches of government. Funders are backing a new approach to tackling the problem.

August 18, 2014

Inside the Madison Initiative: Here's How Hewlett Is Taking on Polarization

August 18, 2014/ David Callahan

A few weeks ago, we ran a critique of Hewlett's new $50 million bid to rescue American democracy from the "mischief of faction." Now let's focus on what really matters: Who's getting the money, and why?