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FILE - Climate activists march on Madison Avenue while protesting energy policy and the use of fossil fuels, in New York, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. Outside the gates of the United Nations, many civil society groups, activists and major philanthropic foundations are making plans on the sidelines of the General Assembly to push forward toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Advocacy

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

September 22, 2023

Outside the General Assembly this week, throughout New York City, civil-society groups, big philanthropies, and others attend cocktail parties, meetings, and protests to make their voices heard and chart new paths forward.

Caroline Rossignol, president of Alcoa Foundation.

Transitions

Alcoa Foundation Names New President

By M.J. Prest September 22, 2023

Also, the National Center for Youth Law has promoted its new executive director from within, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation has hired its first chief impact officer and director of racial justice.

Spray paint defaces the Jefferson Davis Monument along Monument Ave. in Richmond, Va.. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. Davis was the president of the Confederacy, which had its capital in Richmond.  A Stonewall Jackson monument in the city was also vandalized, spray-painted with the phrase “God is Gay.”

Racial reckoning

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

By Alex Daniels September 22, 2023

The Mellon Foundation has launched a $250 million nationwide effort to rethink public art and memorials. The debates over it are just starting.

illustration of Charity Navigator stars falling

Measuring Impact

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

By Drew Lindsay September 21, 2023

Once obsessed with overhead, the evaluator wants to judge impact and more. Data, however, is scarce.

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?

By Alex Daniels September 21, 2023

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.

Letters to the Editor

Donors Looking to Combat Antisemitism Can Start With Universities

September 20, 2023

On-campus antisemitism efforts are critical to creating an inclusive environment for the Jewish community but must be expanded.

Line art illustration of microphones and recorders for journalism symbol.

Nonprofit News

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

By David Bauder, AP Media Writer September 20, 2023

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.

An illustration of a businessman gives fake news thumbs up to the lies. (Andry Djumantara, Getty Images)

Opinion

Fighting Online Lies and Deception Requires Large-Scale Philanthropic Response

By Courtney C. Radsch and Michael Jarvis September 20, 2023

Piecemeal responses to misinformation won’t work. Instead grant makers must help build an environment in which accurate and diverse information sources flourish.

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 17: Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie Snyder look on prior to Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center for the 2015 NBA Playoffs on May 17, 2015 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Scott Halleran, Getty Images)

Grants Roundup

Ballmer Group Commits $175 Million to StriveTogether for Youth Economic-Mobility Programs

By M.J. Prest September 20, 2023

Also, Blue Meridian Partners awarded $124 million to the HBCU Transformation Project, and Virginia Tech received $50 million to bolster health-sciences research.

Giving

A Short History of the Fast and Furious Rise of DAFs

By Drew Lindsay September 20, 2023

Just 30 years after Fidelity Charitable opened, contributions to donor-advised funds now top giving to foundations.