October 31, 2022

A New Koch in Town: Four Things to Note About the Philanthropy of America's Richest Woman

October 31, 2022/ Ade Adeniji

Since her husband David Koch’s passing in 2019, Julia Koch has kept a fairly low philanthropic profile. But the sheer scale of her fortune means much larger giving may be coming down the line. Here are a few things to look out for.

February 09, 2022

Philanthropy Is Backing a Data Hub on Schools and COVID. Critics Fear an Agenda

February 09, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen

An economist’s work on COVID-19’s impact on schools has drawn controversy, heightened by connections to funders and a conservative think tank. The debate reflects underlying concerns over the role of philanthropy in education.

July 27, 2021

Who’s Funding the Latest Conservative Assault on Public Education?

July 27, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen

In “A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door,” authors Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider outline a conservative push to dismantle public education. We spoke with Berkshire about what’s driving the effort and who is funding it.

September 16, 2020

“More Flexible Options.” An Influential Donor Looks to Redesign American Higher Education

September 16, 2020/ Mike Scutari

Few higher ed funders are willing to address the sector’s unsustainable cost structure. But a new partnership between Charles Koch’s Stand Together and Arizona State University takes the issue head-on.

July 10, 2019

Billionaires vs. the Blob. Behind a Challenge to the "Forever War" Foreign Policy Consensus

July 10, 2019/ Michelle Sieff

Philanthropy has been largely passive as endless wars and soaring defense spending have diverted resources away from pressing domestic challenges. Now, in a striking collaboration, George Soros and Charles Koch aim to disrupt the status quo.

February 28, 2019

Man Bites Dog? Not Quite. But Koch Support for Criminal Justice Reform is Pretty Interesting

February 28, 2019/ L.S. Hall

Charles Koch’s foundation has been giving millions for research and policy advocacy aimed at reducing mass incarceration, changing sentencing laws, and other criminal justice reforms. But this funding isn’t as a surprising as it might seem.

December 14, 2017

Getting Realist: Charles Koch Ramps Up Efforts to Reshape U.S. Foreign Policy

December 14, 2017/ Mike Scutari

The billionaire is giving millions to universities to promote a less interventionist U.S. foreign policy. It's a ripe moment for such grantmaking, with the public weary of war and an "America First" populist in office.

June 29, 2017

Charles Koch and a Sports Legend Walk Into a Bar Together. Will Poverty Fall as a Result?

June 29, 2017/ Philip Rojc

Koch backing of the anti-poverty group Stand Together is part of a larger shift toward a kinder and gentler philanthropic profile—after years of bad press. Now, NFL star Deion Sanders is in the mix.

March 13, 2014

Why Is This Koch Brother Getting Jazzed About Training Electricians?

March 13, 2014/ IP Staff

The Charles Koch Foundation handles most of the brothers’ contested involvement in higher education. Until now, they have seen universities mainly as a vehicle for promoting their libertarian ideology. Late last month, however, Charles Koch told Wichita Business Journal about his foundation’s new interest in postsecondary vocational education.