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 12, 2023 Laurene Powell Jobs Pledged $3.5 Billion for Climate Action. Here’s What She’s Backing So Far January 12, 2023/ Michael Kavate Billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs is now one of the world’s top climate funders. Find out where her Waverley Street Foundation’s first two years of grants went, who’s helping make those decisions, and what we still don’t know.Read More
December 21, 2022 Green Heavyweights: The Nation’s 25 Largest Environmental Grantmakers December 21, 2022/ Michael Kavate We compiled a list of the top green funders in the U.S., based on the most recent full year of giving data available. One big takeaway: Living billionaires now dominate the list.Read More
May 25, 2022 Can Philanthropy Give Underdog Cities a Leg Up as They Compete for Federal Funding? May 25, 2022/ Philip Rojc 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.Read More
March 10, 2022 A New Book on George Soros’ “Life in Full” Examines His Giving—and Impact on Philanthropy March 10, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen A new book edited by Peter L.W. Osnos examines the many facets of the life of George Soros, including a chapter on his philanthropy written by Ford’s Darren Walker. It’s an insightful look at what makes Soros so unique as a donor.Read More
December 09, 2021 Who Are the Next Billionaire Climate Mega-Donors? December 09, 2021/ Michael Kavate Growing numbers of America’s super-wealthy are wading into giving to avert the climate crisis. Here’s a list of billionaires who are just getting started in climate funding, or otherwise signaling greater potential giving ahead.Read More
November 11, 2021 Having a Hard Time Keeping Up with All the Recent Climate Pledges? Here’s a List November 11, 2021/ Michael Kavate The recent U.N. climate change summit and the U.N. General Assembly before that prompted quite a few billionaires and foundations to announce new philanthropic commitments. We’ve collected the most notable ones here.Read More
October 27, 2021 Is Ford’s New Billionaire Board Member a Harbinger of Old Philanthropy’s Declining Influence? October 27, 2021/ Philip Rojc Even as their relative clout inevitably shrinks, legacy institutions will need to engage with today’s super-rich. By bringing Laurene Powell Jobs onto its board, the Ford Foundation’s doing that in an unusual way. Will it pay off?Read More
September 30, 2021 Another Multibillion-Dollar Climate Pledge, and More Questions Than Answers September 30, 2021/ Michael Kavate and Tate Williams In the latest billionaire climate commitment, Laurene Powell Jobs will give $3.5 billion over the next decade to respond to the global emergency. Find out what we know—and what we don’t.Read More
October 28, 2020 “Patient Capital” Has its Limits: Another Outlet Folds After its Main Funder Cuts Off Support October 28, 2020/ Mike Scutari California Sunday Magazine recently shut down after its primary funder, Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective, cut its support. It’s a reminder that billionaire patrons’ commitment to civic good isn’t immune to concerns of profitability.Read More