March 09, 2023 Salesforce Stumbles, but Its Equity-Focused Philanthropy Marches On March 09, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The tech giant has hit rocky terrain of late, but the company’s philanthropy continues to move millions. Its Catalyst Fund is supporting Black-led nonprofits promoting leadership and job skills for young people of color. Read More
February 27, 2023 For This Funder Collaborative, the Road Back to Abortion Access Leads Through the States February 27, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The Collaborative for Gender and Reproductive Equity was working at the state level long before the end of Roe v. Wade. Today, it’s more convinced than ever that the states are where the fight over abortion will be won or lost.Read More
February 22, 2023 This Fund Has Backed Native American Students for 50 Years. Despite Strides, It Faces Huge, Unmet Need February 22, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Native Forward, the largest organization supporting Native American scholars in the U.S., is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Even after a gift from MacKenzie Scott doubled its budget, it is able to fund just 14% of applicants.Read More
February 14, 2023 With the Help of Local Donors, a Children’s Health Campaign is Edging Closer to a Big Goal February 14, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen For some donors, supporting Intermountain Health’s campaign to enhance care for kids throughout the region is highly personal. For others, it’s become something to rally community around in the wake of the pandemic.Read More
February 07, 2023 Why This Donor Couple in the Northwest is Giving Big to a Unique Youth Mentorship Program February 07, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Gary and Christine Rood prioritize health and children, and their giving has grown significantly in recent years. The couple’s latest move sent $33 million to Friends of the Children, which has landed some big gifts lately.Read More
February 02, 2023 Omidyar’s Latest Effort to “Reimagine Capitalism” — Funding Intrepid Journalists February 02, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The Omidyar Network’s Reporters in Residence program is backing journalists who cover economic issues neglected by the mainstream media. It’s the latest philanthropic effort to boost a struggling field — and spur systemic change.Read More
January 30, 2023 “Funded to Win.” These 11 Funders — and Counting — Are Stepping Up for Black Feminist Movements January 30, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In an open letter to philanthropy, 11 major funders have called on their peers to support Black feminist movements in the U.S. and abroad. Leaders from the Black Feminist Fund say this work is crucial to a safer and more just world.Read More
January 17, 2023 This Fund Wants to Dial in on Discriminatory Justice Policy in Massachusetts. Can It Succeed? January 17, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The New Commonwealth Fund is on a mission to tackle systemic racism and the racial funding gap. Its latest grants include a data-driven effort to show how criminal justice policy in the Bay State adversely affects youth of color.Read More
January 04, 2023 Backed by a Broad Swath of Patient Funders, Early Ed Advocates Scored a Major Win in New Mexico January 04, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen As support for early childhood education stalls in Washington, advocates and funders are focusing on the states. In New Mexico, a range of funders providing both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) support contributed to a big win.Read More
December 19, 2022 Is Tutoring the Answer to COVID Learning Loss? These Funders Want to Find Out December 19, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Pandemic-related learning loss threatens to widen the achievement gap. Arnold Ventures and other funders are backing an ambitious research project to determine if and how high-intensity tutoring can help.Read More
December 15, 2022 The U.S. Is in a Mental Health Crisis, but Funding Is Still Scarce. This Group Hopes to Change That December 15, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Mindful Philanthropy, which was founded by a group of mental health foundations, is pushing funders to boost support for an urgent — and still vastly underfunded — issue.Read More
December 12, 2022 Can Futurism Change the World? This "Philanthropic Futurist" Thinks So December 12, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Trista Harris uses the tools of futurism to help nonprofits and foundations make better decisions. We check in with her about how she came to this work, and how organizations can apply futurism to navigate turbulent times.Read More
December 07, 2022 To Advance Health Equity, a Big Hospital Gift Targets the Earliest Childhood Experiences December 07, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Real estate investor John Schreiber and his wife Kathleen are long-time Chicago philanthropists. A recent $25 million gift underscores a more recent priority for the couple: early childhood, including conditions before birth.Read More
November 30, 2022 To Combat an "Urgent Threat," a Donor Couple Makes a Big Commitment to News Literacy November 30, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Billionaire couple Melanie and Richard Lundquist are throwing their support behind the News Literacy Project to arm students and the public against mis- and disinformation.Read More
November 22, 2022 A Restaurant Giant Steps Up for Students — One Classroom at a Time November 22, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Andrew and Peggy Cherng, the college sweethearts who started Panda Express, have directed millions toward education and healthcare for low-income children and youth through the company’s foundation, Panda Cares.Read More
November 17, 2022 Why a California Health Foundation is Backing Graduate Education Loans for Dreamers November 17, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen For young adults brought to the U.S. when they were children, paying for college can be prohibitively expensive. That’s especially true for graduate school, so Cal Wellness is backing a unique fund that provides financial aid.Read More
November 16, 2022 For MacKenzie Scott, Health Foundations Offer a Path to Advancing Equity in Rural America November 16, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen In her latest round of funding, MacKenzie Scott backed several health conversion foundations in rural communities. The support could go a long way in areas that rarely see an influx of high-dollar philanthropy.Read More
November 09, 2022 A Tech-Focused Family Foundation Takes a Cerebral Approach to Education Funding November 09, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen The Siegel Family Endowment’s inquiry-driven approach to education philanthropy reflects its founder’s scientific roots. Here’s how the foundation makes its decisions and what it funds.Read More
November 02, 2022 "Downright Dangerous." How a Donor Couple is Tackling the Thorny Issue of Wealth Inequality November 02, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen James Stone is one of a growing number of wealthy donors highly concerned about inequality. The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation is supporting research examining the forces that create and perpetuate it.Read More
November 01, 2022 Six Questions for Dr. Laura Gerald of Reynolds Trust, as it Reckons With its Past and Plans for the Future November 01, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen North Carolina’s Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust announced it is divesting from tobacco — and taking a frank look at its history and the source of its wealth. Dr. Laura Gerald unpacks the process and the result.Read More