July 22, 2019

A Growing Backer of Early Childhood Learning Steps up with Another Set of National Grants

July 22, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Even as early childhood learning gains momentum, many foundations still focus on work closest to home. Which is why the emergence of J.B. and M.K. Pritzker as national funders in this space is a big deal. We take stock of the latest move by their Pritzker Children’s Initiative.

July 22, 2019

An Initiative to Improve Health in Schools Puts Trauma Front and Center

July 22, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Foundations and nonprofits are becoming more interested in addressing trauma among children and adolescents, as research points to its many negative effects on life outcomes. America’s Promise Alliance is one organization taking on this issue, tapping a $6 million grant.

July 18, 2019

Doing and Seeing: Barbara Dalio’s Immersive Approach to Education Philanthropy

July 18, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

While wealthy K-12 donors have often been accused of parachuting into complex education landscapes with preconceived reform ideas, the wife of a top hedge fund billionaire has worked very differently.

June 04, 2019

Inside the New Billionaire War on Poverty

June 04, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

In the past few years, some of America’s richest mega-givers have backed new work targeting poverty. Who’s giving? What approaches are receiving support? And will these donors eventually take a more systemic approach to fixing an unequal economy?

May 30, 2019

The Kids Are Alright: Millennials Reluctant to Give, But Donate Generously When They Do

May 30, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

A new study reveals that millennials give more to charitable causes than was previously thought. What motivates giving by these young donors? What causes do they support? And how can nonprofits and universities best connect with this group?

May 23, 2019

He Became a Billionaire Selling Tools. Now He’s Boosting Skilled Trade Education in High Schools

May 23, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Eric Smidt started the discount hardware store Harbor Freight Tools at 17 with his dad in 1977. Now worth $3 billion, his emerging philanthropy is laser-focused on helping high school students prepare for good-paying jobs in the trades.

May 16, 2019

Growing its Education Work, a Silicon Valley Funder Looks to Boost the "Whole Family"

May 16, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

The Omidyar Network, a longtime supporter of education abroad, has turned its attention to education needs at home, where it’s taking on both early childhood learning and parents’ post-secondary success. Here’s how things are playing out so far.

May 06, 2019

This Health Funder Has Big Plans to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Among Low-Income Women

May 06, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Foundations have scored some notable successes in expanding access to contraception and reducing unwanted pregnancies. The latest such effort taking flight is focused on Missouri, where a local health funder is backing a $20 million initiative.

May 02, 2019

One of the Few Big Backers of After-School and Summer Programs Steps up with a Major Grant

May 02, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Out-of-school programs play a critical role in the K-12 ecosystem, but most education funders are focused on other priorities. The New York Life Foundation is among the loyal supporters of such programs. Here’s a look at where it’s sending a $3 million grant.

April 29, 2019

Behind a $180 Million Corporate Pledge to Connect Youth with Opportunity Worldwide

April 29, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

A growing number of philanthropic initiatives are zeroing in on the many teenagers and young adults who aren’t engaged in either school or work. The latest effort, from a major financial products company, is addressing this vexing problem at a global level.

April 22, 2019

Critical Connections: A Foundation Breaks Down Silos to Boost its Impact on Early Childhood

April 22, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

The Packard Foundation has been helping give kids a strong start in life for over 50 years. But now it’s doing this work differently after adopting a new, more holistic funding approach to early childhood development that better integrates health and learning.

April 14, 2019

A Successful Program to Boost Diversity in STEM Gains a Wealthy Ally and Second Home

April 14, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

The tech sector is growing, but the diversity of its workforce has lagged behind. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has joined the growing ranks of funders taking on this challenge, with a big gift to change who’s in the talent pipeline for Silicon Valley jobs.

April 09, 2019

In a State with Deep Inequities, a Billionaire Couple is Catalyzing Action on K-12 and Jobs

April 09, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

In recent years, Barbara Dalio has quietly tapped a vast hedge fund fortune to help address Connecticut’s education problems. Now, in a big step up, she and her husband Ray are giving $100 million for a public-private partnership.

April 05, 2019

Census 2020: Inside Efforts to Make Sure Rural Communities Count

April 05, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

The 2020 census has put many foundations on a state of high alert, given the enormous stakes. One tough challenge is ensuring that residents of rural America are fully counted. Who’s supporting census work off the beaten path? And where are grants going?

April 04, 2019

A Changing Landscape: Five Trends to Watch in Charter School Philanthropy

April 04, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Last week, IP published an in-depth story taking stock of how private funding for charter schools has evolved in recent years, based on interviews with key grantmakers. Here, we look at the trends likely to shape giving in this space going forward.

March 27, 2019

Inflection Point: Taking Stock of Philanthropy and the Charter School Movement

March 27, 2019/ Caitlin Reilly

Conversations with top backers of the charter school movement reveal that while some foundations are doubling down on these schools, others are pulling back or rethinking their strategies. We take a deep dive into a funding landscape in flux.