Chronicle of Philanthropy | News, Opinion and Advice about Philanthropic Giving

JUST Community launched a Saving Challenge before the summer began to leverage the power of community to create action and new habits. They offered a secured loan (capital) to be paid out at the end of the challenge. Each week they sent small pieces of content to encourage action (coaching). The Savings Challenge concluded with a large event (community) to celebrate their hard work. Here, women gather and talk at the Savings Challenge finale celebration. Credit:

Big Gifts

Can a Grant-Making Competition Stop Rich Donors From Getting Cold Feet?

In 2019, Lever for Change spun off from the MacArthur Foundation as a separate organization with an eye-popping goal: to drive $1 billion in philanthropic funding over four years to promising nonprofits.

The Latest

Advocacy

On the Sidelines at the U.N.: Hope, Cocktails, and Efforts to Be Heard
Transitions

Alcoa Foundation Names New President
Racial reckoning

Statues of Confederate Generals Have Come Down. What Should Take Their Place?
Measuring Impact

With 200,000 Nonprofits Rated, the New Charity Navigator Aims High, Falls Short
Letters to the Editor

Donors Looking to Combat Antisemitism Can Start With Universities

Opinion

Fighting Online Lies and Deception Requires Large-Scale Philanthropic Response

By Courtney C. Radsch and Michael Jarvis

Piecemeal responses to misinformation won’t work. Instead grant makers must help build an environment in which accurate and diverse information sources flourish.
What Would Philanthropy Look Like if Black Women Were in Charge?

By Cora Daniels

In her introductory column for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Cora Daniels explores the innovative approaches of Black women leaders and why the sector should follow their lead.
J.D. Vance Had a Point: Let’s Rein in All Large Endowed Institutions

By Craig Kennedy

Wealthy nonprofits, especially universities, increasingly demonstrate the same behaviors that led Congress to regulate foundations more than 50 years ago. The law should be updated to include these organizations.

The Philanthropy 50

The 2022 Philanthropy 50: Who Gives the Most to Charity

The Chronicle’s 23rd annual ranking of America’s biggest donors features a number of people making their debut, including a professional clarinetist and the world’s richest restaurateur. Bill Gates took the top spot by giving $5.1 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
People

Craig Newmark Aims to Protect the Country by Supporting Journalism and Cybersecurity Efforts

By Glenn Gamboa

The founder of Craigslist donated more than $80 million to his foundation and donor-advised fund last year and plans to give his fortune to charity during his lifetime.
Philanthropy 50

What’s Next for America’s Biggest Donors

By Maria Di Mento and Drew Lindsay

This year’s Philanthropy 50 ranks tops donors by their giving in 2022. Here’s what some of these philanthropists plan to do in 2023 and beyond.

Featured Newsletters

Philanthropy Today

Mellon’s $250 Million Effort to Rethink Confederate Public Monuments

Philanthropy Today

Plus, Alcoa Foundation names a new president; and land trusts offer an innovative way to help the middle class afford a home
Philanthropy Today

Charity Navigator’s New Ratings Aim High, Fall Short

Philanthropy Today

Plus, can a grant-making competition stop rich donors from getting cold feet? And fighting online lies and deception requires large-scale philanthropic response
Fundraising Update

Five Ways to Move Your Fundraising Beyond the Donor Pyramid

By Emily Haynes

Plus, nonprofit executive salaries haven’t kept pace with inflation

Advice

From A.I. to Excel: How to Choose the Right Tech for Your Nonprofit

Technology today plays a key role in creating a sustainable and vibrant nonprofit. Several experts joined the Chronicle in an online forum to discuss how charities of all sizes can embrace new tools, from the most advanced A.I. models to the simplest of excel spread sheets
How to Have Productive Site Visits: Advice for Grant Makers and Nonprofit Leaders

They are a huge investment of time and energy, and the goal of building authentic relationships is forgotten.
5 Ways to Dismantle the Donor Pyramid

Fundraisers are breaking from the 50-year-old orthodoxy — and getting results.

More News

Journalists of Color Worry a $500 Million Effort to Boost Local News Outlets Will Leave Them Behind

Several organizations are urging the Press Forward Initiative, a group of 20 funders led by the Knight and MacArthur foundations, to commit more explicitly to supporting diverse news outlets.
Ballmer Group Commits $175 Million to StriveTogether for Youth Economic-Mobility Programs

Also, Blue Meridian Partners awarded $124 million to the HBCU Transformation Project, and Virginia Tech received $50 million to bolster health-sciences research.
A Short History of the Fast and Furious Rise of DAFs

Just 30 years after Fidelity Charitable opened, contributions to donor-advised funds now top giving to foundations.
The House GOP Wants to Probe Nonprofits. Both Left and Right Have Pushed Back

The Ways and Means Committee is looking into whether the nonprofit tax code is rife with abuse, allowing nonprofits to be key players in political races, rather than serving charitable causes.
Latino Charitable Giving Rates Drop Sharply — but That’s Not the Full Story

Donations to established nonprofits are sliding, but Hispanic households give to people in need at high rates.
Clinton Global Initiative Will Launch Network to Provide New Humanitarian Aid to Ukrainians

Pope Francis urged all people to do their part to address the world’s problems, especially climate change and the care of children. Other programs announced at the gathering will address gender equality, economic inclusion, and public health.