MOST RECENT
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles launched under Eric Garcetti’s tenure, and has been closely linked to his priorities and fundraising efforts. We spoke with the head of the fund about what it’s accomplished and what’s next.
Based in New York, hedge fund veteran Mark Gorton is big in the livable streets movement as a donor and advocate. We catch up with him on the heels of a year that brought city life outdoors and onto the streets and sidewalks.
A group of major funders pledged $11 million to support groups led by and serving BIPOC communities in Detroit. We take a closer look at this latest example of philanthropy’s heightened focus on backing communities of color.
A Catholic charity fighting homelessness in Detroit received a $7 million grant from a family foundation based in California and Hawaii. It’s an interesting example of a small family funder reaching beyond its immediate sphere.
The East Bay Permanent Real Estate Cooperative puts property ownership in the hands of community members. It’s an innovative model, but runs up against the limits of what most 501(c)(3) funders support. Can that change?
After two years, we have a winner in the second round of MacArthur’s $100 million grant competition. Taking home the prize is Community Solutions and its public-health-inspired approach to functionally ending homelessness.
Improving energy efficiency in low-income housing offers much-needed savings and emissions reductions, but there’s often little incentive for building owners. A partnership formed to close the gap is going strong after eight years.
Dan Gilbert’s recent pledge to donate $500 million to Detroit, where he has an outsized role as owner, taxpayer, investor and philanthropist, offers an extreme example of billionaire donors’ growing role in American cities.
Organizations working in housing and homelessness have faced tough challenges over the past year. We check in with several groups to learn how they’ve adjusted and to better understand this unique fundraising space.
Trinity Church Wall Street in Lower Manhattan has amassed billions in real estate wealth. We talk to leadership about the church’s unique philanthropy, including social justice work and real estate development for cash-strapped institutions.