This Bay Area Billionaire’s Foundation Is Booming. Here’s What We Know About Crankstart

This Bay Area Billionaire’s Foundation Is Booming. Here’s What We Know About Crankstart

A market boom and billions from venture capitalist Michael Moritz have catapulted Crankstart into one of the nation’s biggest grantmakers. Here’s where the money’s headed and who’s calling the shots.

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Seven Problems That Have Defied Philanthropy

Seven Problems That Have Defied Philanthropy

There are certain issues where philanthropy has tried to make a dent and failed. Others are seemingly so intractable that funders have mostly shied away. Here are some key areas where the sector has struggled to move the needle.

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In the Housing-Starved Bay Area, a MacKenzie Scott Gift Fuels Grassroots Approaches

In the Housing-Starved Bay Area, a MacKenzie Scott Gift Fuels Grassroots Approaches

Thanks to a $20 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, United Way Bay Area is expanding its housing justice work. It’s one example of how the mega-donor’s unrestricted funding is being used to tackle a pressing regional need.

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Amid a Surging Housing Crisis, Should More Funders Be Paying Attention to YIMBYism?

Amid a Surging Housing Crisis, Should More Funders Be Paying Attention to YIMBYism?

As the U.S. housing crisis escalates, a growing movement of advocates are saying yes to more housing in their backyards. While it has its controversies, YIMBYism may be an under-explored opportunity for impact.

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This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

A new partnership run by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute aims to disrupt the connection between housing instability and time in jail — starting in four communities across the country.

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Can Philanthropy Give Underdog Cities a Leg Up as They Compete for Federal Funding?

Can Philanthropy Give Underdog Cities a Leg Up as They Compete for Federal Funding?

A collaboration backed by Bloomberg, Ford and more will help smaller cities access more than $1 trillion in federal infrastructure funding. It’s one way philanthropy can magnify its impact by influencing where public money goes.

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California's Homelessness Problem Has Long Defied Solutions. Here’s What Five Funders Are Doing

California's Homelessness Problem Has Long Defied Solutions. Here’s What Five Funders Are Doing

Even before the pandemic, California had around 28% of the nation’s homeless population. Here’s how five Golden State funders are approaching a problem that continues to stymie philanthropy.

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IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Housing and Homelessness?

IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Housing and Homelessness?

In IP's weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what's happening in a particular area of philanthropy. This week, we take a look at who is funding work on housing and homelessness. Here’s what you need to know.

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Grassroots Initiatives Need More Than Seed Money to Thrive

Grassroots Initiatives Need More Than Seed Money to Thrive

People are driven to solve problems in their communities. According to the head of nonprofit LavaMaeX, grassroots efforts can make a huge impact when seed funding is paired with the right training and resources.

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What's Next for the Weingart Foundation?

What's Next for the Weingart Foundation?

A longtime Los Angeles grantmaking institution, the Weingart Foundation has thoroughly committed itself to addressing the region’s stark inequalities. As part of that process, it’s also looking inward.

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Lots of Climate Funders Back One of Real Estate’s Most Influential Professional Networks. What Gives?

Lots of Climate Funders Back One of Real Estate’s Most Influential Professional Networks. What Gives?

Why do so many climate funders back the Urban Land Institute, a major professional network for the emissions-heavy real estate sector? We take a look at this intriguing corner of philanthropy.

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How a Philanthropic Family Is Putting Power in the Hands of a Historically Underserved Community

How a Philanthropic Family Is Putting Power in the Hands of a Historically Underserved Community

Focused on southeastern San Diego, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is moving resources—and governance—from its founding family to the community it supports. Its leaders call it a way to decolonize wealth.

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Funder Spotlight: All About the Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program

Funder Spotlight: All About the Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program

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.

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Funder Spotlight: How Alaska’s Rasmuson Foundation Backs Arts, Housing and More

Funder Spotlight: How Alaska’s Rasmuson Foundation Backs Arts, Housing and More

The Rasmuson Foundation supports Alaska-based artists and nonprofits in the areas of health, social services and housing. Here’s what you need to know about the state’s largest private funder.

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How Multiple Generations of the Disney Family Come Together to Fund Social Justice in LA and Beyond

How Multiple Generations of the Disney Family Come Together to Fund Social Justice in LA and Beyond

For the latest in our ongoing series on family philanthropy, we get to know the Roy + Patricia Disney Family Foundation, run by upward of a dozen Disney family members. Board Chair Susan Disney Lord gives us the rundown.

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How to Solve the Giving Pledge Bottleneck—and Fund Large-Scale Solutions

How to Solve the Giving Pledge Bottleneck—and Fund Large-Scale Solutions

The U.S. has enormous unmet needs, while billions already pledged to philanthropy remain unspent. Guest author Sean Davis proposes a solution that would fund for-profit companies to take on large-scale infrastructure projects.

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How Philanthropy Can Ensure the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework’s Success

How Philanthropy Can Ensure the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework’s Success

The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill promises sweeping improvements to our water systems, transportation and more. Kresge President Rip Rapson explains why philanthropy has a crucial role to play in delivering on that promise.

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Quiet But Extensive: What New Data on the Ballmers' Anti-Poverty Grantmaking Tells Us

Quiet But Extensive: What New Data on the Ballmers' Anti-Poverty Grantmaking Tells Us

A new grants database offers further insights into the giving of billionaire couple Steve and Connie Ballmer, who have moved hundreds of millions to a wide variety of anti-poverty efforts. But are they still playing it too safe?

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A Three-Year Initiative Sought to Increase Local Giving in Silicon Valley. Here's What It Learned

A Three-Year Initiative Sought to Increase Local Giving in Silicon Valley. Here's What It Learned

Magnify Community was established as an “innovation lab,” designed to spur historically low local giving in Silicon Valley. Having sunset, Magnify is sharing its results, including what worked and what didn’t.

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Funder Spotlight: Flush with a Huge Bequest, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Has Ramped Up Giving

Funder Spotlight: Flush with a Huge Bequest, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Has Ramped Up Giving

Established by the hotel tycoon, the foundation tackles issues like early childhood development and homelessness. A 2019 bequest from its namesake's son more than doubled its endowment to $7.5 billion.

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