What Just Happened at the Open Society Foundations? And What Comes Next?

What Just Happened at the Open Society Foundations? And What Comes Next?

Chris Stone is out as president of OSF. What led to his departure from one of the world's largest foundations? And what challenges, internal and external, does OSF face as it confronts a new era of authoritarianism?

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Philanthropy vs. Gun Violence: Pay Attention to Chicago

Philanthropy vs. Gun Violence: Pay Attention to Chicago

Amid a spike in homicides, Chicago's top funders are partnering to stem the deadly tide, putting the city on the forefront of a growing national push by grantmakers to reduce the carnage from guns. 

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A Low-Profile Funder Gives New Attention to Race and Community Violence

A Low-Profile Funder Gives New Attention to Race and Community Violence

William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust isn't a well known name in philanthropy, but it's made some sizeable grants lately to address community violence and advance racial equity more broadly.

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Behind the Fight Against Modern Slavery in Los Angeles

Behind the Fight Against Modern Slavery in Los Angeles

The first anti-trafficking group in the U.S., working locally with survivors who've escaped bondage, is now going stronger than ever. Where does its funding come from? 

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Data Quest: Why This Wonky Criminal Justice Group is Pulling in the Big Bucks

Data Quest: Why This Wonky Criminal Justice Group is Pulling in the Big Bucks

If there's an "it" organization in the criminal justice space right now, it's Measures for Justice, which is attracting support from a growing list of top funders. What's all the excitement about? 

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Making Peace: New Grant Dollars Flow to Stem Urban Violence

Making Peace: New Grant Dollars Flow to Stem Urban Violence

With an epidemic of gun violence creating a sense of crisis in Chicago and other cities, some funders are stepping up with new grantmaking efforts, including Google.org and MacArthur. 

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Ending the Standoff: Who's Trying To Change the Conversation on Guns?

Ending the Standoff: Who's Trying To Change the Conversation on Guns?

After years of deadlock on an issue that seems hopelessly polarized, some funders feel new optimism as they invest in state and local strategies to prevent gun violence. 

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A Juvenile Justice Funder Hits the Reset Button. What Happened?

A Juvenile Justice Funder Hits the Reset Button. What Happened?

The California-based Sierra Foundation tried working within the system to improve how juvenile offenders are treated by the law. When that approach hit roadblocks, it switched strategies.

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Knowledge for Justice: The Rising Tide of Grants for Criminal Justice Research

Knowledge for Justice: The Rising Tide of Grants for Criminal Justice Research

Rising interest among funders in criminal justice has coincided with another trend in philanthropy: new excitement about the potential of better data and evidence-based solutions. How's this playing out? 

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Is This for Real? The Latest on Koch Giving for Criminal Justice Reform

Is This for Real? The Latest on Koch Giving for Criminal Justice Reform

Even as another multi-million dollar Koch gift goes out the door to curb draconian criminal justice policies, the jury remains deadlocked about the motives for this philanthropy. 

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Forget Washington. Criminal Justice Funders Have Big Plans at the Local Level

Forget Washington. Criminal Justice Funders Have Big Plans at the Local Level

Trump's election hasn't slowed philanthropy's drive to reform U.S. criminal justice systems. Most of the reform action is local, which is exactly where top funders are directing a rising flow of grant dollars. 

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Capital Against Capital Punishment: Who's Fighting the Death Penalty?

Capital Against Capital Punishment: Who's Fighting the Death Penalty?

Reeling from defeats in November, opponents of the death penalty are still winning the long game. We look at the top funders behind a slow, steady movement to change attitudes and policy. 

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Off the Hook: A Funder Takes on Heroin and Opiate Addiction

Off the Hook: A Funder Takes on Heroin and Opiate Addiction
Didn't think the Laura and John Arnold Foundation could tackle yet one more issue? Think again. It's putting up some serious dollars to help opiate addicts become ex-users rather than criminals.
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Who's Helping the Formerly Incarcerated Lead the Fight for Criminal Justice Reform?

Who's Helping the Formerly Incarcerated Lead the Fight for Criminal Justice Reform?
There's a growing recognition that more grant dollars should be going to groups that are run by the same people they speak for. JustLeadershipUSA certainly fits that bill.
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The Mallet Effect: The Compelling Metric Behind a Historic Gift

The Mallet Effect: The Compelling Metric Behind a Historic Gift
Many organizations scrambling to whip up metrics that will pry open donor checkbooks soon realize it can be a frustrating and less-than-compelling exercise. We dig into a stark exception to this trend.
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With Violent Crime Spiking in Some Cities, Can Philanthropy Make Any Difference?

With Violent Crime Spiking in Some Cities, Can Philanthropy Make Any Difference?
Foundations are better at, say, backing programs to help teenagers graduate high school than making sure that those same kids don't get murdered this weekend. In Chicago, funders want to change that.
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A Veteran Tech Banker Invests in Criminal Justice Reform

A Veteran Tech Banker Invests in Criminal Justice Reform
Remember Frank Quattrone? He was a star banker in the dotcom era who narrowly dodged prison. Now, he and his wife Denise are among the growing ranks of givers who want to improve the justice system
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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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From Outrage to Action: Behind a Big Give for Criminal Justice Reform

From Outrage to Action: Behind a Big Give for Criminal Justice Reform
Bain Capital's Jonathan Lavine was "beside himself" when he read Bryan Stevenson's book, Just Mercy, about race and criminal justice. Lavine tells us how that anger translated into a $1 million gift.
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"Safer, Stronger Communities." A Young Tech Couple Embraces Criminal Justice Reform

"Safer, Stronger Communities." A Young Tech Couple Embraces Criminal Justice Reform
Like a number of young tech power couples, Instagram cofounder Mike Krieger and his wife Kaitlyn are already developing a philanthropic plan. Here's an early snapshot of their interests.
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