Cover Story
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GRANT MAKING
Are Foundations’ Doors Opening?
At the start of the pandemic, many foundations loosened grant requirements and vowed to give more to grassroots groups, especially those led by people of color. Two years later, it’s uncertain what will stick.
Highlights
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Grant Making
A Foundation’s Barriers Come Down, One by One
Before the onset of Covid and the uprisings that followed the murder of George Floyd, the trustees of the Stupski Foundation had already made a huge grant-making decision: The fund would give away all its money by 2029 and shut down. Plus: Read about whether foundations are keeping the grant-making changes they began during the pandemic. -
Grant Making
Foundations Moved to Fix Cumbersome Applications — but Grantees Say More Is Needed
Efforts to ease the proposal and review process are part of a rethink about how grant makers can demonstrator they trust nonprofits to use philanthropic funds wisely.
Features
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Fundraising
The Venerable National Geographic Society Learns How to Be a Nonprofit Again, With a Fundraiser at the Helm
Once a highly profitable media giant, the organization now banks on philanthropy and its “save the planet” mission. -
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The National Geographic Society’s First Woman CEO Takes on Ugly Truths From Its Past
The National Geographic Society has to address ugly truths in its history as it reboots under new CEO Jill Tiefenthaler and taps the society’s 134-year legacy of exploration. -
Executive Turnover
Large Numbers of Nonprofit Leaders Are Stepping Down — and the Competition to Find New Ones Is ‘Fierce’
The churn has pushed salaries for nonprofit leaders up as much as 30 percent over the last two years. -
Leadership Transitions
Without a Succession Plan, ‘You’re Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ ’
The more groups plan for a change in leadership, the better their chances of having a smooth transition. Plus, read a companion piece about the competition for nonprofit leaders as many are stepping down.
Departments
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The Face of Philanthropy
Nonprofit Aims to Promote Dance in the South
South Arts has created a program to bolster modern dance companies from Louisiana to North Carolina. -
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One Response by Fundraisers to Racial Reckoning: an Affinity Group for Black Donors
The antipoverty organization hopes the group will strengthen its ties to supporters and help them connect with one another. -
Communications
Charity’s Guide Helps Nonprofits Use More Equitable Language
International nonprofit Room to Read worked with Global Press to evaluate its communications and update language to preserve the dignity of all people and cultures. -
Giving
What Giving Tallies Miss: New Report Finds Significant Charitable Activity Outside of Nonprofits
Many gifts of cash and goods aren’t counted because they don’t go to formal charities.
Opinion
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Opinion: In Case You Missed It
Philanthropy Needs to Own Up to Its Role in Fueling Polarization
This week we are featuring articles from our recent archive on issues that are of special interest to our readers. To effectively address the toxic divisions that are stifling social change, grant makers and the nonprofits they support must acknowledge how their attitudes toward so-called opponents are contributing to the problem — and start listening to those with different perspectives. -
Opinion
Foundation Demands for Expensive Reporting From Grantees Means Long-Neglected Groups Are Still Left Out
Most community-based groups led by people of color lack the resources to provide in-depth data about the success of their programs, placing them far behind in competing for grants. If donors truly want to cede more power to these organizations, they need to consider less costly approaches to determining effectiveness.