Backed by some major funders, a partnership of advocacy organizations is tackling an issue that both costs the U.S. economy billions a year and causes huge hardships for roughly a third of Americans—employment discrimination against people with a … [Read more...] about Funders Are Backing a Push to Clear Criminal Records. For Many Involved, It’s Personal
New Venture Fund
A Look at Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw’s Support for Jewish Causes and Social Justice
Some serious wealth has emerged in the entertainment and sports industries in recent decades, and many top figures in this sector are engaged in philanthropy. Not all of them have the same kind of money, however, and not all give at the same level. … [Read more...] about A Look at Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw’s Support for Jewish Causes and Social Justice
Six Roles Philanthropy Has Played in an Election Like No Other
No matter how it plays out—and it is still playing out—the 2020 election has been unlike any other in American history.Taking place against the backdrop of the greatest public health crisis of our time, it’s been one for the record books. Total … [Read more...] about Six Roles Philanthropy Has Played in an Election Like No Other
Crunch Time: Democracy Funders Confront a Perilous Election—and Its Aftermath
This article was originally published on October 15, 2020.With only weeks until Election Day, the window is closing for philanthropy to drive voter engagement and safeguard this election cycle. The situation on the ground is looking as chaotic as … [Read more...] about Crunch Time: Democracy Funders Confront a Perilous Election—and Its Aftermath
MacKenzie Scott’s Big Giving Is Just Getting Started. What Should She Fund Next?
Close your eyes and imagine for a moment that you have a nearly limitless amount of money—a fortune so big that it’s five times larger than the endowment of the Ford Foundation, which for decades reigned as the biggest grantmaker in the world. And … [Read more...] about MacKenzie Scott’s Big Giving Is Just Getting Started. What Should She Fund Next?
Unprecedented: Why a Modest Health and Equity Funder is Digging Deep for Democracy
This article was originally published on June 17, 2020. “Today we march, tomorrow we vote.” Among the many impassioned messages protesters have brought to the streets following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many others by police, … [Read more...] about Unprecedented: Why a Modest Health and Equity Funder is Digging Deep for Democracy
Millions Are Protesting Police Violence. Who’s Been Funding Reform Efforts?
Calls for better policing, especially in the wake of police brutality against black people and subsequent unrest, are nothing new in the United States. Neither is continually stalled progress. Just look at the aftermath of the “long, hot summer of … [Read more...] about Millions Are Protesting Police Violence. Who’s Been Funding Reform Efforts?
COVID and the Count: Funders Confront New Challenges to the 2020 Census
April 1 was Census Day, a reference date the Census Bureau uses to record who lived where for its once-a-decade count. Nonprofit organizers had a lot planned. They hoped that in-person events, including house parties, bus tours and independent … [Read more...] about COVID and the Count: Funders Confront New Challenges to the 2020 Census
A Quiet Giant, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Gives Big for Reproductive Care
Every year, private funders give hundreds of millions to support sexual and reproductive health, including abortion access. But one of the top funders in this space, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (STBF), doesn’t publicize its grantmaking. … [Read more...] about A Quiet Giant, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Gives Big for Reproductive Care
Playing Matchmaker, a New Platform Looks to Connect Jewish Donors and Nonprofits
Two trends that IP has been reporting on lately are the reliance of donors on more sophisticated due diligence to guide their giving, and the robust state of Jewish philanthropy, with donors and funding organizations in this space engaged in record … [Read more...] about Playing Matchmaker, a New Platform Looks to Connect Jewish Donors and Nonprofits
Paths to Influence: How Leading 2020 Political Donors Approach Philanthropy
This article was originally published on February 20, 2020. For members of America’s far upper class, philanthropy and political spending don’t always align. But when they do, the impact can be significant. Some leading political givers still do … [Read more...] about Paths to Influence: How Leading 2020 Political Donors Approach Philanthropy
The Fight of a Lifetime: 30 Key Players in Progressive Philanthropy
Philanthropy is famous (or notorious) for avoiding the appearance of political involvement, even when there are plenty of fully legal means for 501(c)(3) funders to take a side. But in this era of stark polarization, more funders and … [Read more...] about The Fight of a Lifetime: 30 Key Players in Progressive Philanthropy
Vanguard Defenders: What Top Foundations Are Doing to Protect Abortion Access
Abortion—not many topics stir up equal passion, matched by high levels of private funding. Forty-seven years after Roe v. Wade, abortion opponents are making historic gains, energized by Republicans in office and a conservative majority on the … [Read more...] about Vanguard Defenders: What Top Foundations Are Doing to Protect Abortion Access
A New Push Looks to Help Women’s Funds Build Power From the Inside Out
Grassroots women’s and LGBTQ+ organizations are key engines of social change. Philanthropy is slowly acknowledging the fact that, along with funding for external programs, social justice groups need money to develop their infrastructures. It turns … [Read more...] about A New Push Looks to Help Women’s Funds Build Power From the Inside Out
Wall Street Greens: The Top Givers to Environmental Causes from Finance
A striking number of leaders from the financial sector have become big players in environmental philanthropy. While we write all the time about these funders, I can’t say we yet have a grand theory of “why Wall Streeters care about nature.” And maybe … [Read more...] about Wall Street Greens: The Top Givers to Environmental Causes from Finance
It’s Now the Biggest U.S. Grantmaker and Getting Bigger All the Time. Here’s a Closer Look
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on March 13, 2019.The explosion of donor-advised funds onto the giving scene is a relatively recent story. In under a decade, DAF contributions as a share of total individual giving have doubled, as has … [Read more...] about It’s Now the Biggest U.S. Grantmaker and Getting Bigger All the Time. Here’s a Closer Look
In Solidarity: Here Are the Top Funders Supporting Labor and Workers’ Rights
It isn’t hard to see why philanthropy’s record on workers’ rights and labor policy is so mixed. Given the choice between supporting work in a highly politicized field that raises tough questions about inequality and corporate power—or just giving … [Read more...] about In Solidarity: Here Are the Top Funders Supporting Labor and Workers’ Rights
New Climate Justice Fund Takes Shape and Lands Another Backer
In recent years, the concept of resilience has grown as a philanthropic priority, aiming to strengthen the ability of communities to withstand impacts typically associated with climate change. There’s also a growing movement behind climate justice, … [Read more...] about New Climate Justice Fund Takes Shape and Lands Another Backer
Unrigging the Rules: How This Funder Is Taking on Inequality
Anna Lefer Kuhn began as executive director of the Arca Foundation in 2008, the week Lehman Brothers collapsed. During the crash and its aftermath, she says, it became clear that the financial sector’s concentrated economic and political power had … [Read more...] about Unrigging the Rules: How This Funder Is Taking on Inequality
Better Business: How Funders Can Achieve Big Impact Outside the Policy Arena
Progressive donors passionate about social change are understandably drawn to the political and policy space. Elected leaders, government policy and public institutions (and their large budgets) have a massive effect on our lives and either reinforce … [Read more...] about Better Business: How Funders Can Achieve Big Impact Outside the Policy Arena
Behind a Hard-Hitting Push Against Suffering in Africa: Well-Connected Leaders and High-Profile Donors
Backed by a combination of high-profile individual donors and major foundations, the 10-year-old Enough Project and its newer investigative arm, The Sentry, have become increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to prevent mass atrocities in Africa … [Read more...] about Behind a Hard-Hitting Push Against Suffering in Africa: Well-Connected Leaders and High-Profile Donors
Rockefeller Keeps Pushing On Food Waste, This Time With Anthony Bourdain
In an era of media personalities climbing to unprecedented heights, maybe we shouldn’t be so critical of celebrities using their fame to highlight a good cause. Take celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, whose witty and irreverent travel shows (No … [Read more...] about Rockefeller Keeps Pushing On Food Waste, This Time With Anthony Bourdain
Will Curbing Food Waste Catch on in U.S. Philanthropy?
Food and agriculture sustainability is a hot topic in philanthropy, both in poverty and environment funding circles. But food waste is not a huge cause yet, aside from a recently unveiled program from Rockefeller. Mainly an international program, … [Read more...] about Will Curbing Food Waste Catch on in U.S. Philanthropy?
These Donors Dig Dads: How Fatherhood is Getting Attention from Philanthropy
There's lots happening in philanthropy these days around fatherhood, and with Father's Day just around the corner, we figured it was a good time to survey some of more innovative and promising fatherhood-fostering initiatives out there. But … [Read more...] about These Donors Dig Dads: How Fatherhood is Getting Attention from Philanthropy
