Libraries & Literacy Philanthropy News
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The Literary Arts Are in Crisis. Funders Can Help More Than They Realize
Katherine Don surveys the dire state of funding for writing and literature amid federal cuts, arguing that there is actually a lot grantmakers can do at relatively low cost.
Takeaways From Our Deep Dive on Writing and Literature Funding
Here are some key highlights from our recently updated report on how philanthropic funders are backing writing and literature in the U.S.
Why the Mellon Foundation’s Lifeline for Humanities Councils Is So Important
Though relatively modest, the humanities heavyweight’s commitment to cover rescinded federal dollars stands out as many grantmakers shy away from publicly filling in funding gaps.
As the Trump Administration Targets Funding for Libraries, Who Has Their Back?
With the administration aiming to ax the Institute of Museum and Library Services, here’s a look at some important library funders and why backing libraries is vital right now.
Who’s Funding the Wayback Machine? Saving Information Under Threat
The Internet Archive has been preserving online content since 1996. It’s an even more crucial repository as the Trump administration purges federal websites.
Why Book Lover James Lewis Went in Big for Libraries and Librarians
The investment advisor’s $25 million gift to the American Library Association will back scholarships for future librarians, and comes amid attacks on the freedom to read.
The Latest in a Life of Firsts: Carnegie President Louise Richardson Talks About Her Role
After a year leading the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Dame Louise Richardson joined us to discuss her transition from Oxford University to Carnegie, her goals for the grantmaker, polarization in the U.S. and more.
Righting the World: How Five Globally Bestselling Authors Give
While writers don’t often make it into the ranks of the very rich, these bestselling authors have engaged in some substantial philanthropy. Their giving varies widely, but they do share some interests in common.
As Book Banning Campaigns Spread, this Funder is Defending the Right to Read
Across the country, conservative groups are working to ban books. The American Library Association is standing up to these challenges, with a big boost from Solidarity Giving, founded by billionaires Brian and Tegan Acton.
As Government Budgets Pull Back, a Look at Philanthropy’s Role in Funding Public Libraries
Libraries are an indispensable public good, but from the start, private wealth has played a major part in their creation and expansion. As library budgets are threatened, we take a deep dive into philanthropy’s support.
Literary Writers Get Peanuts from Philanthropy. With a New Prize, South Arts Is Doing What It Can
With scant funding available for writers, a new literary prizes program from the Atlanta-based South Arts is a refreshing anomaly. The amounts aren’t vast, but this is good to see in a region where writers often struggle.
The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started
With roots in Chicago, the Logan brothers — Richard, Jonathan and Daniel — all have their own foundations. They’re each carrying on and evolving a long legacy of giving that began with their late parents, David and Reva Logan.
How Philanthropy Can Combat a “Ferocious” Wave of Book Bans
As book bans in schools become a key front in the culture wars, organizations like PEN America are betting that Americans’ faith in free speech will prove stronger. Do funders have their backs?
Getting to Know Manu Chandaria, the First Carnegie Medal Recipient From Africa
The latest round of Carnegie Medals for Philanthropy included the first recipient from Africa, Kenyan-born businessman Manu Chandaria. IP spoke with the donor about his upbringing, his business and his giving.
Round Four: Here’s What You Need to Know About MacKenzie Scott’s Latest List of Gifts
At long last, our two-time winner for Philanthropist of the Year has dropped another Medium post—this time with the names of grantees included. Here are some key takeaways.
Five Things to Know About MacKenzie Scott’s Latest Round of Gifts
The groundbreaking grantmaker left it to her latest grantees to publicize their gifts—or not. Since then, there’s been a steady stream of gift announcements, some of them massive. Here’s what you need to know.
Funder Spotlight: How the Fleishhacker Foundation Backs Bay Area Artists, No Strings Attached
The Fleishhacker Foundation supports arts organizations, artists and literacy programs in the Bay Area, with an emphasis on unrestricted funding. Here’s what you need to know about this San Francisco-based grantmaker.
Seven Rounds, $100 Million. How a Global Foundation Responded During the Pandemic Year
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s $100 million response to the pandemic played out in more than 200 grants that backed communities around the globe. We take a close look at where the money went and why.
A Foundation Goes All in to Support Rural Libraries
We’re written before that library giving hasn’t been a big funding space. But the Tocker Foundation has focused squarely on bolstering libraries in rural Texas for decades, with gratifying results.
Planet Word: A Philanthropist’s Mission to Build a Museum of Language
The real estate heiress and former reading teacher Ann Friedman had a dream to open a museum of language in D.C., and it’s now under construction. Friedman tells us how this project emerged and who—besides herself—is putting up the money.
A League of Readers: Behind a Big Gift to Boost Literacy
A nonprofit that focuses on getting evidence-based techniques to teach reading in the hands of educators recently received a $9 million gift from the founder of American Girl. Here’s where the money’s going.
A Major Gift Underscores the Role of Childcare Providers in Early Learning
Millions of infants and toddlers are stuck in mediocre childcare that can hurt their development. Funders are finally paying more attention, including in Philadelphia, where $3 million is flowing to help caregivers do a better job.
Behind the New $1 Million Library Gift from “Mr. Philadelphia’s” Foundation
The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation keeps a pretty low profile, quietly giving money away to local groups involved in arts and culture, education, and human services. But here’s a gift that stands out.
Growth Industry: A “Disruptor” Helps Libraries Navigate an Expanding Funding Landscape
While libraries increasingly acknowledge the untapped potential of philanthropy, most librarians didn’t sign up to be fundraisers. They now have help thanks to a new data tool.
Leverage Point? A Foundation Sees School Libraries As a Key to Boosting Student Achievement
A foundation’s legacy project links library capital improvements in inner-city schools to big gains in academic achievement. Will other K-12 funders follow its lead?
Towards a Fine-Free Future: A Funder Tackles a Barrier to Public Library Engagement
While funders uniformly promote greater inclusivity and access to the nation’s public libraries, a unique gift suggests the most vexing “barrier to entry” may be financial.
Let’s Get Inclusive: An Atypically Large Gift Yields Lessons for Libraries Everywhere
While most libraries lack the New York Public Library’s size and stature, a recent gift suggests the rewards that may come if they embrace funder-friendly concepts like accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
Stuff That Works: A Funder’s Valuable Advice for Public Libraries
The Knight Foundation is encouraging public libraries to embrace concepts traditionally associated with nonprofit arts and performance organizations.
Libraries in the Spotlight: Who’s Stepping Up for More Than Books?
Libraries tend to have a hard time attracting major private support. But in the wake of another big recent library gift, it looks like more funders grasp how giving to libraries can advance their varied goals.
It’s One of the Most Reliable Funders of Literacy Programs. Where Do the Grants Go?
You’d think the shocking fact that 30 million U.S. adults can’t read would draw the attention of loads of funders. But that’s not the case. Which is why the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is so important.
