A Force for Good: Why Some Funders are Bullish on Public Interest Technology

A Force for Good: Why Some Funders are Bullish on Public Interest Technology

Warnings about the risks posed by technology have been growing louder and more urgent. But an initiative launched last month imagines a more hopeful future in which technologists advance the public interest. Who’s behind it, and what’s the plan?

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Getting Proactive: A Tech Giver’s Journey to More Strategic Giving

Getting Proactive: A Tech Giver’s Journey to More Strategic Giving

Tech entrepreneur Mark Vadon’s foundation once gave reactively to local causes in the Seattle area. Now, it’s laser-focused on empowering Native American communities. We get the inside story of how this grantmaker stepped up its game.

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Closing the Gap: Behind a Longtime Corporate STEM Funder’s New Work on Women and Girls

Closing the Gap: Behind a Longtime Corporate STEM Funder’s New Work on Women and Girls

The IT company Cognizant launched a foundation last year as part of its efforts to bolster STEM skills in the U.S. It recently started grantmaking and appointed an executive director. A focus on girls and women has figured prominently in its early moves.

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Before it’s Too Late: A Wealthy Couple’s Long Journey in Environmental Conservation

Before it’s Too Late: A Wealthy Couple’s Long Journey in Environmental Conservation

Richard Leeds and Anne Kroeker moved to the Pacific Northwest to work in tech. Awed by the region’s wild beauty, they became deeply involved in the land trust movement, supporting a wide range of projects over many years.

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With Oceans in Grave Danger, Some Donors See Hope in Tech Solutions

With Oceans in Grave Danger, Some Donors See Hope in Tech Solutions

Salesforce founder Marc Benioff and his wife Lynne are among a growing number of philanthropists focused on ocean health. Like other Silicon Valley givers in this space, they see a role for tech—most recently getting behind an Ocean Solutions Accelerator.

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A Closer Look at CZI’s Growing Push for Equity in Silicon Valley Communities

A Closer Look at CZI’s Growing Push for Equity in Silicon Valley Communities

As philanthropists, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan have been best known for their big ambitions around biomedical research and education. But they’ve also been major donors in their home region, with CZI moving grants to dozens of local groups.

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Giving “Without Friction or Fraud.” The First Bitcoin Donation Platform Turns Five

Giving “Without Friction or Fraud.” The First Bitcoin Donation Platform Turns Five

As the first bitcoin nonprofit recognized by the U.S. government, BitGive was a first mover in a crypto-philanthropy space that’s been growing fast lately. We explore the platform and check in with founder and Executive Director Connie Gallippi.

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“Philanthropy Made Easy.” A Platform to Help Small Donors Engage in Smarter Giving

“Philanthropy Made Easy.” A Platform to Help Small Donors Engage in Smarter Giving

While wealthy donors often get professional help to find grantees, smaller donors can have a tougher time figuring things out. We look at one of the new intermediaries, ALMA, that aims to guide givers of modest means by curating portfolios of nonprofits.

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What Does Facebook's Big Journalism Investment Mean for Local News?

What Does Facebook's Big Journalism Investment Mean for Local News?

A $300 million commitment to boost local news has turned Facebook into a major grantmaker in the nonprofit journalism space. We dig into the social media giant's strategy and what it means for beleaguered outlets moving forward.

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The Gates Foundation’s Latest Move to Help Teachers Become More Effective

The Gates Foundation’s Latest Move to Help Teachers Become More Effective

With the foundation more than a year into its education strategy reboot, we’re keeping a close eye on how its new priorities are playing out. One focus: making teachers’ professional development opportunities more aligned with high-quality curricula with proven track records.

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From Normal to Fearless: Jean Case Explores Courage in Business and Philanthropy

From Normal to Fearless: Jean Case Explores Courage in Business and Philanthropy

Through her leadership of a foundation which taps a tech fortune, Jean Case has been a relentless champion of changemakers and entrepreneurs. Now’s she out with a new book that shares some of what’s she learned along the way.

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In Leadership Picks, Clues About the Education Plans of Top Tech Philanthropists

In Leadership Picks, Clues About the Education Plans of Top Tech Philanthropists

The founders of Amazon and Facebook both plan to give away billions for education. With these efforts still in an early phase, we’re keeping a close eye on the leaders these philanthropists are tapping to advance their ambitious goals—including two recent executive hires.

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“This Model is Working.” A Bay Area Private Club Moves Millions for Social Causes

“This Model is Working.” A Bay Area Private Club Moves Millions for Social Causes

The Battery is known as an exclusive hangout for San Francisco’s tech leaders. But it’s also serious about its social mission, with a philanthropic arm that has now galvanized $15 million in giving. We recently caught up with its leaders to get an update.

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Pay It Forward: A Tech Chairman Steps Down to Ramp Up His Giving, With a Focus on Mentorship

Pay It Forward: A Tech Chairman Steps Down to Ramp Up His Giving, With a Focus on Mentorship

After many lucrative years in the tech industry, Keith Krach is leaving his executive job to focus on philanthropy. We talk with him about a recent $1 million gift and how his career shaped his interest in nurturing “transformational leaders.”

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A Tech Company Known for Backing Public Education Zeroes in on Leadership in Schools

A Tech Company Known for Backing Public Education Zeroes in on Leadership in Schools

Salesforce.org, the philanthropic arm of the software company, is known for directly backing public school districts in the cities where its employees live and work. What behind its largest gift ever to a national education nonprofit?

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A Big Gift for Homelessness From the Tech Billionaire Begging His Industry to Do More

A Big Gift for Homelessness From the Tech Billionaire Begging His Industry to Do More

Last month after a contentious campaign, San Francisoc voters approved a ballot measure to tax the city’s richest companies to help the homeless. Now one of the measure’s biggest supporters is putting millions of his own money where his mouth is.

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The Richest Americans Are Sitting on $4 Trillion. How Can They Be Spurred to Give More of it Away?

The Richest Americans Are Sitting on $4 Trillion. How Can They Be Spurred to Give More of it Away?

For 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.

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Brave New World: How Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Are Changing Philanthropy

Brave New World: How Cryptocurrencies and the Blockchain Are Changing Philanthropy

Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are showing up more and more in philanthropy. We look at some of the main crypto-giving methods at play, as well as some of the risks involved.

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In Los Angeles, a Foundation-backed Push to Bring More Diversity to the Tech Sector

In Los Angeles, a Foundation-backed Push to Bring More Diversity to the Tech Sector

The Annenberg Foundation has teamed up with city government and local venture capitalists to spearhead a new initiative to ensure diversity within LA’s growing tech scene.

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New Frontier: A Funder Invests to Connect Teachers to the Best Research on Brain Science and Learning

New Frontier: A Funder Invests to Connect Teachers to the Best Research on Brain Science and Learning

Researchers have made big strides in understanding brain development and how kids learn. But getting this new knowledge into classrooms isn’t easy. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is among a handful of funders that wants to change that.

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