February 24, 2023 Here Are Four Major National Funders Supporting Rural America February 24, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Rural communities are chronically overlooked by large national funders, with most rural grantmaking coming from place-based or regional givers. It’s a short list, but here are a few bigger names to note.Read More
February 23, 2023 Lifting the Curtain on Philanthropy Advising February 23, 2023/ Beth Breeze and Emma Beeston, Guest Contributors In this guest contribution, Beth Breeze and Emma Beeston, authors of a new book on philanthropy advisors, give us a look at some takeaways from their global study of a growing, but often under-appreciated professional field.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 16, 2023 In a Time of Crisis, Giving With Intention Means Relying on Good Information February 16, 2023/ Michael Thatcher, Guest Contributor As the ranks of small donors thin, it’s important that those who do want to give can assess their options with confidence. Guest author Michael Thatcher makes a case for impartial third-party evaluation as a vital part of that.Read More
January 31, 2023 With Big Backing From MacKenzie Scott and More, Co-Impact Targets Global Gender Inequality January 31, 2023/ Liz Longley Co-Impact seeks to improve health, education and economic outcomes for women across the Global South by tackling underlying forces at play. Here’s why the philanthropic collaborative has been a big draw for funders.Read More
January 11, 2023 How Philanthropy Might Surprise Us in 2023 January 11, 2023/ Philip Rojc Philanthropy can be a bit stodgy, but especially in recent years, the sector has kept us guessing. Here are a few ways philanthropy might surprise us in 2023 — some good, some not so good.Read More
January 10, 2023 A Matter of Trust: With a Big Boost from MacKenzie Scott, GiveDirectly is on the Rise January 10, 2023/ Liz Longley GiveDirectly, a leader in the push to give unconditional cash donations to those in need, has grown significantly since the pandemic hit. Part of that growth is a result of some huge gifts from MacKenzie Scott. Read More
January 05, 2023 MacKenzie Scott Is Funding to Empower People Globally. Here’s What We Know About Her Priorities January 05, 2023/ Liz Longley and Tate Williams At the end of the year, we gained a lot of new data about what MacKenzie Scott is funding, including a growing international portfolio. Here’s what we’re learning based on the latest donations and a new database.Read More
January 05, 2023 Bill Gates' Perpetuity Problem January 05, 2023/ Philip Rojc Bill Gates says he wants to spend down in 25 years, but that’s hard to square with the foundation he’s built — a technocratic global health juggernaut that, in an earlier era, would almost certainly have been intended for perpetuity.Read More
January 03, 2023 The Data on Funding for LGBTQ Causes Is Seriously Incomplete. Here’s Why January 03, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Claims of underfunding in the LGBTQ space aren’t wrong, but it’s also notoriously difficult to get a read on how much money is being moved and how much is needed. Ultimately, some of this handwringing may be unnecessary.Read More
December 23, 2022 Six Questions for Michael Roberts, President and CEO of First Nations Development Institute December 23, 2022/ Mike Scutari Michael Roberts heads First Nations Development Institute, which seeks to improve economic conditions for Native Americans. We chatted with him about the best advice he’s ever received, the perils of “racial equity fatigue,” and more.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
December 15, 2022 MacKenzie Scott’s Website and Grants Database Have Arrived, Open Call for Applications on the Way December 15, 2022/ Michael Kavate and Tate Williams The long-awaited website detailing MacKenzie Scott’s norm-shattering philanthropic project is here — complete with a searchable grants database and dollar amounts. The site also brings some good news for those hoping to apply.Read More
December 06, 2022 MacKenzie Scott Is Proving What We All Knew: Generous, Unrestricted Giving Works December 06, 2022/ Mike Scutari A report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy looks at how MacKenzie Scott’s gifts have transformed recipient organizations. We look at some of the key strengths and downsides to her approach.Read More
November 29, 2022 MacKenzie Scott’s Latest Round Gives a Big Boost to LGBTQ Groups at a Critical Moment November 29, 2022/ Dawn Wolfe MacKenzie Scott has backed LGBTQ groups since she first got started in 2022, but her latest round took that support to the next level, including funding for trans rights and intersectional groups, big and small. Read More
November 22, 2022 Green Groups Got Another Chunk of MacKenzie Scott's Billions. What Kind of Work Does She Fund? November 22, 2022/ Michael Kavate The billionaire philanthropist has sent millions to environmental nonprofits, but they remain a lower priority for the mega-donor thus far. What does this latest round of giving tell us about her priorities in this space?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 15, 2022 MacKenzie Scott’s Far-Reaching Giving Continues to Grow. What Impact Is She Having? November 15, 2022/ Philip Rojc Another update from America’s most exciting mega-donor shows an ever-evolving set of focus areas, which now include charter schools and lots of global giving. One question we still have: How does it all fit together?Read More
September 29, 2022 Billionaires Are Still Stingy, but There May Be Grounds for Hope September 29, 2022/ Philip Rojc A flagging stock market has probably been the biggest contributor to billionaires’ modestly improved giving ratios this year. But while the super-rich still don’t give away much, there’s also a growing list of interesting exceptions.Read More
August 01, 2022 In the Housing-Starved Bay Area, a MacKenzie Scott Gift Fuels Grassroots Approaches August 01, 2022/ Martha Ramirez 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.Read More