“Moving Forward.” Robert F. Smith Talks About the Future of His Philanthropy

“Moving Forward.” Robert F. Smith Talks About the Future of His Philanthropy

In a rare interview, we talk with African American finance billionaire Robert F. Smith about the extensive giving he’s done so far, where he sees it all headed, and how he hopes to move forward after a high-profile tax scandal.

Read More

With Billionaire Backing, 30 Mayors Rally Around Guaranteed Income

With Billionaire Backing, 30 Mayors Rally Around Guaranteed Income

Mayors for a Guaranteed Income is supporting local pilot projects and setting the groundwork for federal advocacy. Jack Dorsey is the initiative’s main benefactor, having contributed $18 million this year.

Read More

Robert F. Smith’s Latest Move Supports Black CPAs as a Path to Building Generational Wealth

Robert F. Smith’s Latest Move Supports Black CPAs as a Path to Building Generational Wealth

Wall Street billionaire Robert F. Smith’s philanthropic footprint continues to expand, with a common theme of tackling systemic inequities. This time around, he seeks to increase the number of Black certified public accountants.

Read More

Money in People's Pockets: How This Funder Network Confronts Economic Hardship

Money in People's Pockets: How This Funder Network Confronts Economic Hardship

Even before Congress moved to send emergency checks to Americans as a response to COVID-19, policy debates about income supports were changing. A dedicated group of foundations has been working in this arena for years.

Read More

American Dreaming: What's Interesting About This Foundation's New Anti-Poverty Funding

American Dreaming: What's Interesting About This Foundation's New Anti-Poverty Funding

The Rockefeller Foundation wants to resurrect the American Dream. It’s channeling much-needed funds into tax and fiscal policy reform, and to save the much-criticized federal Opportunity Zone program from its own shortcomings.

Read More

Making Amends: How Funders Can Address Slavery’s Legacy

Making Amends: How Funders Can Address Slavery’s Legacy

It has been 400 years since slavery began in the U.S. How can funders address slavery’s many legacies, like the racial wealth gap? What should a foundation with historic ties to slavery do? How can funders support black-led change?

Read More

Equity Rebrand: How One Nonprofit Is Embracing Change and Attracting New Funders

Equity Rebrand: How One Nonprofit Is Embracing Change and Attracting New Funders

Founded almost two decades ago, Common Future (formerly the Business Alliance for Living Local Economies) has lately embarked on a new, more inclusive chapter. Its reboot reflects the rise of equity as a key concern for many funders.

Read More

Diverse Investments in U.S. and Abroad Fuel a New Push for Inclusive Mobility

Diverse Investments in U.S. and Abroad Fuel a New Push for Inclusive Mobility

A set of commitments made at a recent convening of funders and nonprofits underscores that the fight against poverty has many fronts, from helping people access government benefits to unlocking capital for micro-finance.

Read More

Billionaires vs. Poverty: Behind a Push to Use Data to Boost Economic Opportunity in Cities

Billionaires vs. Poverty: Behind a Push to Use Data to Boost Economic Opportunity in Cities

Some of the nation’s wealthiest philanthropists have lately swung behind new work to make city economies more equitable and inclusive. We look at a data-driven initiative that is attracting big grant money.

Read More

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.

Read More

Up Against Wall Street: How This Little-Known Hedge Funder Backs Financial Reform

Up Against Wall Street: How This Little-Known Hedge Funder Backs Financial Reform

Despite the devastation caused by the 2008 crash, financial sector reform isn’t a priority for most funders. Michael Masters has bucked that trend, bankrolling one of the few policy shops in D.C. able to go toe-to-toe with industry lobbyists.

Read More

PayPal Gives: What a Silicon Valley Firm is Doing to Help Close the “Opportunity Divide”

PayPal Gives: What a Silicon Valley Firm is Doing to Help Close the “Opportunity Divide”

Like a lot of tech companies these days, PayPal is keen to help diverse young workers build STEM skills, get through college and connect to economic opportunity. So how is the company’s philanthropy playing out? We get an inside look.

Read More

Who’s Helping Push the Idea of a Basic Income into the Political Mainstream?

Who’s Helping Push the Idea of a Basic Income into the Political Mainstream?

In under three years, the Economic Security Project has galvanized a surprising level of buy-in for the idea of giving people cash without conditions. We discuss strategy and funding with the organization’s leaders, including Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.

Read More

How the SunTrust Foundation Gives in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States

How the SunTrust Foundation Gives in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic States

The SunTrust Foundation, based in Atlanta, launched its Lighting the Way awards program in 2016 to recognize nonprofits in its market areas building financial confidence in their communities. Where are grants going?

Read More

Unusual Suspects: Two Big Funders Move Off the Beaten Path to Boost Community Development

Unusual Suspects: Two Big Funders Move Off the Beaten Path to Boost Community Development

More anti-poverty funders are looking beyond major cities to struggling rural communities. The latest example of grantmakers casting a wider net is the Communities Thrive Challenge, from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Rockefeller Foundation.

Read More

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.

Read More

What a Big Bank is Doing to Boost Economic Opportunity in a Single City

What a Big Bank is Doing to Boost Economic Opportunity in a Single City

Wells Fargo is the latest bank to make a big bet on urban community development, with a focus on Washington, D.C. The move comes amid multiple scandals around the bank, which badly needs some good publicity.

Read More

Learn for Life: A Major Southwest Bank Backs Financial Literacy for Youth

Learn for Life: A Major Southwest Bank Backs Financial Literacy for Youth

BOK Financial’s Learning for Life program is an exemplar of the popularity of financial literacy among financial services funders. We also check out its other giving and community involvement in its seven banking divisions.

Read More

Unique Assets: A Bank's Urban Philanthropy Keeps Growing

Unique Assets: A Bank's Urban Philanthropy Keeps Growing

JPMorgan Chase has been blazing a more sophisticated trail for corporate philanthropy. But as the bank giant rolls out its newest program of grants and investments, can it really claim it’s engaged in “systems change?”

Read More

Old and New: What's Interesting About the Partnership Between Rockefeller and Chan Zuckerberg

Old and New: What's Interesting About the Partnership Between Rockefeller and Chan Zuckerberg

While living donors and legacy foundations often eye other warily, they have a lot to gain from collaborating and more such efforts are emerging. Here's an example of that, focusing on economic equity. 

Read More