February 23, 2023 “Aligning to a North Star of Health Equity.” Five Things to Know About Texas’ St. David’s Foundation February 23, 2023/ Mike Scutari This Central Texas foundation is a prime example of a regional health funder doubling down on equity as it serves booming Austin and several rural communities. Here are a few noteworthy steps it’s taking.Read More
April 29, 2022 Five-Alarm Fire: Should Philanthropy Do More About Attacks on "Critical Race Theory" in Schools? April 29, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen As attacks on anti-racist education in schools continue, some advocates argue they’re part of a broader assault on public education. Funders have been stepping up, but the situation is urgent and the sector could do more.Read More
April 26, 2022 A Tale of Two Valleys: Five Ways Philanthropy Can Change to Make Silicon Valley More Equitable April 26, 2022/ Martha Ramirez A new report highlights five shifts funders can make to more effectively combat inequality. Though it’s geared toward giving in the Bay Area, its advice rings true for philanthropists across the nation.Read More
February 22, 2022 Getting the Call: A Look at MacKenzie Scott’s Recent Ed Giving February 22, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen What’s it like to get a bolt-from-the-blue gift from MacKenzie Scott? We talk to some recent recipients from the world of K-12 education and explore what this latest round of funding tells us.Read More
February 10, 2022 Funder Spotlight: All About the Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program February 10, 2022/ Michael Kavate The Kresge Foundation is one of the top environmental funders in the country—and one of the most focused on equity. We take a look at what it supports through its environment program and why.Read More
December 21, 2021 As Omicron Spreads, Who Is Funding Global Vaccine Equity? What Challenges Are They Up Against? December 21, 2021/ Paul Karon Even as philanthropic and public health organizations work to boost supplies of COVID vaccines in low-income countries, funders of COVID vaccine equity face an uphill battle. Read More
December 07, 2021 Funder Spotlight: How the MacArthur Foundation’s Working to Avert Climate Catastrophe December 07, 2021/ Michael Kavate In our latest IP Funder Spotlight, we look at how the MacArthur Foundation is addressing the threat of climate change, and now taking explicit steps to center equity in its approach.Read More
November 22, 2021 Who’s Backing a Campaign to Bring the Internet to Millions of U.S. Households That Still Lack Access? November 22, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen With philanthropic backing, EducationSuperHighway helped get the majority of U.S. classrooms online. Now, it’s working to close the wider broadband gap, with funding from Laurene Powell Jobs, Ken Griffin and others.Read More
November 08, 2021 To Counter #PhilanthropySoWhite, a Foundation Offers a Paid Introduction to the Sector November 08, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen Lack of diversity is a persistent problem in philanthropy. A new initiative aims to improve equity by recruiting candidates from a wide range of backgrounds for a two-year paid introduction to the sector.Read More
July 22, 2021 Why Three Leading K-12 Funders Are Lining Up Behind Education R&D July 22, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen Gates, CZI and Walton are all backing a new initiative that will enhance research into some of education’s thorniest problems. We take a look at why they’re betting big on R&D and who’s getting the first funding.Read More
March 02, 2021 Racial Equity and Justice in Education are “Drastically Underfunded,” Research Finds March 02, 2021/ Connie Matthiessen The Schott Foundation for Public Education took a close up look at the data to find out how much education philanthropy is doing to support racial equity and racial justice. Spoiler alert: not nearly enough.Read More
October 03, 2018 “Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far October 03, 2018/ Alyssa Ochs The San Francisco Foundation shifted to an equity grantmaking strategy over two years ago, an early adopter of a focus that’s become a driving force in philanthropy. How’s that been working out? And what are key takeaways for other funders? Read More
November 24, 2016 Funding Through an Equity Lens in South Carolina November 24, 2016/ Alyssa Ochs How does an equity focus translate into grant dollars committed? We look at the Mary Black Foundation's recent grant cycle to answer this question. Read More