Leveraging Donor Dollars, a Nonprofit Clears Millions in Medical Debt for Low-Income Americans

Leveraging Donor Dollars, a Nonprofit Clears Millions in Medical Debt for Low-Income Americans

A growing number of donors large and small contribute to an organization that’s buying up medical debt on the secondary market and forgiving up to $100 of debt for every dollar it receives in contributions—a sky-high ROI.

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There's an Institute for That? Behind a $100 Million Gift to Explore the Neurobiology of Compassion

There's an Institute for That? Behind a $100 Million Gift to Explore the Neurobiology of Compassion

The latest in Denny Sanford’s string of big gifts finds the credit card billionaire underwriting a new institute at University of California San Diego to research empathy and reshape medical training to benefit doctors and patients.

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The U.S. Faces a Severe Nursing Shortage. Who's Giving to Close the Gap?

The U.S. Faces a Severe Nursing Shortage. Who's Giving to Close the Gap?

The U.S. will need 1.5 million new nurses by 2026 to provide care for retiring baby boomers. Despite this looming public health crisis, philanthropy has been largely tuned out. Can a recent big gift out of D.C. help change the narrative?


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Breaking Barriers, a Fundraiser Rises to the Top of Her Game

Breaking Barriers, a Fundraiser Rises to the Top of Her Game

June Bradham fell into fundraising by accident, back when it was still a male-dominated field, but she went on to chart a stellar career that has included pioneering new research and building a successful consulting practice. How did she do it?

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“Aging is Living.” The Couple Working on Several Fronts to Confront a Graying America

“Aging is Living.” The Couple Working on Several Fronts to Confront a Graying America

They sold their company for $1.4 billion. Now, a San Diego couple is working on three fronts—philanthropy, research and policy—to make the United States’ culture and healthcare system more friendly to seniors in an era of rapid demographic transition.

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Ideas Guy: A Closer Look at the Donor Behind That $200 Million Gift to the Mayo Clinic

Ideas Guy: A Closer Look at the Donor Behind That $200 Million Gift to the Mayo Clinic

While many mega-donors have a hands-on relationship with the recipient organization, billionaire corporate turnaround specialist Jay Alix’s close ties with the Mayo Clinic are unusual. We dig into the intriguing backstory leading up to his historic gift.


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More Than Oil Wealth: A Closer Look at Houston's Growing Philanthropy Ecosystem

More Than Oil Wealth: A Closer Look at Houston's Growing Philanthropy Ecosystem

Houston’s philanthropic old guard, steeped in oil riches, is welcoming a new crop of funders with diverse sources of wealth and interests as the city undergoes profound demographic and economic change.

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Medicine's Blind Spot: A Foundation Takes on Diagnostic Error

Medicine's Blind Spot: A Foundation Takes on Diagnostic Error

Diagnostic errors are the most common cause of medical errors, causing an estimated 40,000 to 80,000 deaths per year. But there is little funding for research on this problem. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is looking to change that.

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Capital Project Gold Rush: What Can We Learn From a Foundation's Giving Spree?

Capital Project Gold Rush: What Can We Learn From a Foundation's Giving Spree?

The startling ramp-up of the Kansas City-based Sunderland Foundation is further testament to the explosion of regional philanthropy. Many of these funders embrace big capital projects as they work to boost their home cities or alma maters.

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"We Were Not Chasing the Money." Fundraising Lessons From a Path-Breaking Healthcare Gift

"We Were Not Chasing the Money." Fundraising Lessons From a Path-Breaking Healthcare Gift

We look at the story behind a big gift to a struggling hospital in an underserved urban neighborhood. Such donations are rare. So how did this one come about?

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To Avert a Public Health Crisis, Three Funders Come Together

To Avert a Public Health Crisis, Three Funders Come Together

It’s not often that we see funders pooling money to create a not-for-profit generic drug company. In fact, we’ve never seen it before. Which is why the creation of Civica Rx deserves a close look.

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“A Dysfunctional Market.” What This Foundation is Doing to Control Healthcare Costs

“A Dysfunctional Market.” What This Foundation is Doing to Control Healthcare Costs

The U.S. still has a major problem with access to health insurance and healthcare. But it has a far broader healthcare affordability problem. The Laura and John Arnold Foundation is on the case.

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"A Moral Imperative." Exploring the Idea of Donor-Funded Free Tuition

"A Moral Imperative." Exploring the Idea of Donor-Funded Free Tuition

More campus donors are keen to cover tuition costs and free graduates from decades of debt. This can make for great copy, as a big recent gift to NYU’s medical school showed. But is it the most effective use of philanthropic dollars?

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Grants to Tackle a Difficult—But Unavoidable—Issue: End-of-Life Care

Grants to Tackle a Difficult—But Unavoidable—Issue: End-of-Life Care

Despite a fast-aging population and growing strains on healthcare entitlements, only a limited number of funders are looking at ways our society can better manage how people die. Still, some money is flowing.

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Vital Signs: A New Way for Hospital Fundraisers to See How They're Doing

Vital Signs: A New Way for Hospital Fundraisers to See How They're Doing

It’s something that nearly all nonprofit leaders fret about: Are we raising as much money as we could or should? Now, there’s a powerful tool that helps hospitals answer exactly that question.

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Another Donor Revokes a Mega-Gift. Is a Pattern Developing?

Another Donor Revokes a Mega-Gift. Is a Pattern Developing?

Cancelled gifts seem to be on the rise. Does this have anything to do with how mega-donors have become more demanding and controlling? We dig into the latest case, from San Diego. 

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These Boston-Area Philanthropists Are Giving Big for Local Hospitals

These Boston-Area Philanthropists Are Giving Big for Local Hospitals

Robert and Karen Hale awarded $50 million gifts to both the Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital to support patient care innovations at the hospitals. 

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Bricks, Mortar, and Medicine: A Closer Look at a Campus Mega-Gift

Bricks, Mortar, and Medicine: A Closer Look at a Campus Mega-Gift

Emory's $400 million windfall is the latest reminder that biomedical research is one of the most powerful magnets for large-scale campus gifts. Such gifts are getting bigger, too. 

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The Texas Oil Tycoon Giving Big to Houston Hospitals

The Texas Oil Tycoon Giving Big to Houston Hospitals

Walter Oil and Gas is one of the largest private oil companies in America, and the Texas family’s net worth has been estimated at around $1.9 billion. We look at family's latest hospital giving. 

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Nursing Education: Who’s Funding It in Pennsylvania, and Why?

Nursing Education: Who’s Funding It in Pennsylvania, and Why?

The nursing shortage is a big concern nationwide. Here's how a health insurance funder is tackling the issue close to home.  

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