MOST RECENT
For our latest State of American Philanthropy report, we analyzed the small pool of funders taking on the public policies and power arrangements that govern economic life. Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening.
For going on 10 years, the Solidaire Network has been advising wealthy donors seeking to support progressive causes. It’s also challenging assumptions about inheritance, wealth accumulation, and how to move money.
Nonprofits working toward economic justice face a historic moment in the wake of a pandemic and a racial uprising that exposed deep inequality. We spoke with several fundraisers in the field about how the landscape is shifting.
With California on the verge of receiving billions in public funding, a new initiative is looking to make sure this investment is distributed equitably to nonprofit organizations and underserved communities in the state.
Educating people about tax credits can be an effective way for funders to leverage their dollars for a great deal of poverty-fighting power. And there’s a dedicated funder network out there helping to lead the charge.
Since its 2016 launch, the Rosenberg Foundation’s Leading Edge fellowship program has backed some of California’s most promising social justice leaders. Here’s what some fellows in the 2022-2024 cohort are working on.
Philanthropic funders are mostly ignoring a key lever in the fight against poverty: financial sector oversight and regulation. While the industry lobby is formidable, increased attention could help protect hard-won local gains.
Advocacy funding from Silicon Valley winners has played a major part in the ongoing mainstreaming of guaranteed income, even as direct cash goes mainstream in both philanthropy and government. But not everyone’s thrilled.
Two years ago, the Boston Ujima Project began raising $5 million to seed an investment fund for businesses serving communities of color. We check in with leaders on how it’s going, and how the past year has impacted their work.
After many years of organizing for racial, social and environmental justice, Nwamaka Agbo has taken the helm at the Kataly Foundation. Mandy Van Deven spoke with Agbo about democratizing philanthropy, restorative economics and much more.
In a rare interview, we talk with African American finance billionaire Robert F. Smith about the extensive giving he’s done so far, where he sees it all headed, and how he hopes to move forward after a high-profile tax scandal.
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income is supporting local pilot projects and setting the groundwork for federal advocacy. Jack Dorsey is the initiative’s main benefactor, having contributed $18 million this year.
Wall Street billionaire Robert F. Smith’s philanthropic footprint continues to expand, with a common theme of tackling systemic inequities. This time around, he seeks to increase the number of Black certified public accountants.
Even before Congress moved to send emergency checks to Americans as a response to COVID-19, policy debates about income supports were changing. A dedicated group of foundations has been working in this arena for years.
The Rockefeller Foundation wants to resurrect the American Dream. It’s channeling much-needed funds into tax and fiscal policy reform, and to save the much-criticized federal Opportunity Zone program from its own shortcomings.
It has been 400 years since slavery began in the U.S. How can funders address slavery’s many legacies, like the racial wealth gap? What should a foundation with historic ties to slavery do? How can funders support black-led change?
Founded almost two decades ago, Common Future (formerly the Business Alliance for Living Local Economies) has lately embarked on a new, more inclusive chapter. Its reboot reflects the rise of equity as a key concern for many funders.
A set of commitments made at a recent convening of funders and nonprofits underscores that the fight against poverty has many fronts, from helping people access government benefits to unlocking capital for micro-finance.
Some of the nation’s wealthiest philanthropists have lately swung behind new work to make city economies more equitable and inclusive. We look at a data-driven initiative that is attracting big grant money.
A growing number of donors large and small contribute to an organization that’s buying up medical debt on the secondary market and forgiving up to $100 of debt for every dollar it receives in contributions—a sky-high ROI.
Despite the devastation caused by the 2008 crash, financial sector reform isn’t a priority for most funders. Michael Masters has bucked that trend, bankrolling one of the few policy shops in D.C. able to go toe-to-toe with industry lobbyists.
Like a lot of tech companies these days, PayPal is keen to help diverse young workers build STEM skills, get through college and connect to economic opportunity. So how is the company’s philanthropy playing out? We get an inside look.
In under three years, the Economic Security Project has galvanized a surprising level of buy-in for the idea of giving people cash without conditions. We discuss strategy and funding with the organization’s leaders, including Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.
The SunTrust Foundation, based in Atlanta, launched its Lighting the Way awards program in 2016 to recognize nonprofits in its market areas building financial confidence in their communities. Where are grants going?
More anti-poverty funders are looking beyond major cities to struggling rural communities. The latest example of grantmakers casting a wider net is the Communities Thrive Challenge, from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Rockefeller Foundation.
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are showing up more and more in philanthropy. We look at some of the main crypto-giving methods at play, as well as some of the risks involved.
Wells Fargo is the latest bank to make a big bet on urban community development, with a focus on Washington, D.C. The move comes amid multiple scandals around the bank, which badly needs some good publicity.
BOK Financial’s Learning for Life program is an exemplar of the popularity of financial literacy among financial services funders. We also check out its other giving and community involvement in its seven banking divisions.
JPMorgan Chase has been blazing a more sophisticated trail for corporate philanthropy. But as the bank giant rolls out its newest program of grants and investments, can it really claim it’s engaged in “systems change?”
While living donors and legacy foundations often eye other warily, they have a lot to gain from collaborating and more such efforts are emerging. Here's an example of that, focusing on economic equity.