Foundation Giving

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contractors install 1248 photo voltaic modules on top of a Kohl's Department Store roof June 2, 2010 in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The project is part of a SunEdison Corporation contract with Kohl's, a nation-wide department store. (Robert Nickelsberg, Getty Images)

Climate Change

How to Turn $75,000 Into $25 Million for Nonprofits

By Jim Rendon September 18, 2023

The Invest in Our Future fund will award $180 million to help organizations and communities win money from the Infrastructure and Inflation Reduction acts.

A health worker prepares to vaccinate a baby during a community health check-up and vaccination on April 28, 2022 in Akosombo in the Eastern Region, Ghana. (Nipah Dennis, Gavi)

Global Development

It’s Halftime for the Sustainable Development Goals. Are They Achievable?

By Eden Stiffman September 18, 2023

Danish author Bjorn Lomborg argues the United Nations promised too much — and recommends 12 priorities.

Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s at the Vatican, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Pope Francis will discuss how to address the world’s pressing issues with former President Bill Clinton to open this year’s Clinton Global Initiative, organizers announced Thursday.

Philanthropic Events

Pope Francis and Bill Clinton Will Discuss Climate Change at Clinton Global Initiative

By Glenn Gamboa, AP Business Writer September 14, 2023

The pontiff will discuss broad issues — including the refugee crisis and the welfare of children — during an onstage videoconference.

Medicine

The Philanthropy That Jump-Started a Cure for Sickle Cell Disease

By Kay Dervishi September 14, 2023

Since 2008, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has awarded $35 million to research scientists focused on the disease. Now several of them are bringing their gene therapy cure to clinical trial for FDA approval.

Education Giving

HBCU Coalition Receives $124 Million Gift From Blue Meridian Partners

By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press September 13, 2023

The money will go toward increasing enrollment, graduation rates and employment rates for graduates.

A ribbon cutting in August for a newly opened group of affordable housing units in Charlottesville, Va, that are partially owned by the National Housing Trust.

Big Philanthropy

A Housing Group’s Coup: Support From Jeff Bezos’s Amazon and MacKenzie Scott

By Jim Rendon September 13, 2023

The National Housing Trust just received an infusion of funds to help tackle the housing crisis.