Trump Calls Climate Change the “Greatest Con Job Ever.” What Paths Are Open to Philanthropy?
In the face of Trump's actions, climate funders and philanthropy-supporting organizations are taking steps to adapt.... Read more.
Three Newly Major Foundations from Texas, Nebraska and Delaware
Here is a trio of philanthropies whose endowments passed the $500 million mark in recent years thanks to major contributions. What’s ahead for them?... Read more.
A Mixed Picture for Climate Philanthropy Following Climate Week NYC
There were sparse pickings this year in terms of pledges and commitments, but several new reports shed light on how climate giving is evolving – for better or... Read more.
Meet Three Foundations That Got Dramatically Larger in 2023
Every year, foundations explode in size as bequests land in their coffers. Here’s the story of three such cases.... Read more.
There’s More Funding Than Ever Going Toward This Search for Climate Breakthroughs
The Climate Breakthrough Award celebrates its 10-year anniversary with its biggest group of winners yet. What makes this funding stand out?... Read more.
5 Things to Know About Brian Eule, the Heising-Simons Foundation’s Incoming President
After a year at PBS' "Frontline,” Eule will step into the leader’s seat at a foundation where he once managed the journalism portfolio.... Read more.
How Might the Trump Administration Target Ford, OSF or Other Nonprofits?
Here’s what two legal experts had to say about the administration’s potential strategy, what nonprofits can do, and what still stands in the way of broad repression... Read more.
Will Philanthropy Get a Cut of the $3.3 Billion Murdoch Succession Deal?
Here's a look at what James Murdoch, Liz Murdoch and Prue Murdoch MacLeod’s giving histories tell us about what they might fund with their shares of the payout.... Read more.
More Stealth Foundations: 5 Mega Foundations That Lack Websites
These five philanthropies have 10-digit endowments but no presence on the internet. Here’s what we know about them.... Read more.
Meet a New Billion-Dollar Fund from a Billionaire Crypto-Science Power Couple
With a distinctive funding process and asset base, the Navigation Fund offers one more glimpse at where the giving of the rising mega-rich may be headed. Also, it's... Read more.
The Sierra Club Fired Its Leader Ben Jealous. Is There a Lesson for Philanthropy?
It’s one of the highest-profile leadership shake-ups among big green nonprofits in recent years. Michael Kavate weighs in on what we might take away from the situation... Read more.
Climate Mental Health Issues Are on the Rise. But Funding? Still Limited
Who’s backing work at the intersection of climate change and mental health? Precious few, but there are some funders getting behind the intrepid nonprofits tackling... Read more.
Little-Known Houston Investor Fayez Sarofim Left Behind $3 Billion Foundation
The Egypt-born, Harvard-educated money manager was a top art collector and part owner of an NFL team. His will established a giant new Houston foundation.... Read more.
Could the Most Cost-Effective Climate Mitigation Strategy Be Funding Communities?
Donors take note: This new report estimates the philanthropic cost per ton of emissions averted by traditionally hard-to-measure community efforts. The numbers are... Read more.
Meet the Head of the New Ballmer Outfit Set to “Become the World’s Largest Climate Funder”
Tom Steinbach is a master billionaire whisperer who has spent his career at the summit of climate philanthropy. How will he direct Rainier Climate’s billions?... Read more.
Nine Things to Know About Bezos Earth Fund’s New Leader Tom Taylor
The former Amazon senior vice president is tasked with spending the fund’s remaining $6.7 billion over the next five and a half years.... Read more.
Is the Sector Really Expanding Payout? Or Is That a Dangerous Illusion?
Reports of increased payout are everywhere, but the same names predominate. To what extent is the sector actually increasing its funding in response to Trump's cuts?... Read more.
Philanthropy in the Ivory Tower: Four Top University Programs on Giving
University programs focused on the study and practice of philanthropy offer distinct perspectives on giving away money. Here are four that should be on your radar.... Read more.
8 Things to Know About the Ford Foundation’s Incoming President, Heather Gerken
Here are some key facts about the Yale Law School dean, expert on democracy, introvert, “intellectual guru,” podcaster and apparent fan of peer pressure (but... Read more.
What’s Up in Climate Philanthropy? Seven Themes After Six Months of Trump
Most climate philanthropies want to be mice rather than lions, billionaires now like climate justice as much as day-old caviar, and other lessons from months of... Read more.
Three Publications Offering a Long View on Philanthropy
These academically oriented but largely accessible outlets provide needed context on how today’s developments fit into wider currents of philanthropic history.... Read more.
No USAID, No U.S. Climate Leadership: How International Regrantors Are Responding
With USAID basically gone and the U.S. government going backward on climate, how are climate intermediaries who fund abroad taking action?... Read more.
Billionaires to the Rescue? The Megadonors Who Might Fund the Fight for Democracy
The ultra-rich have the resources to fund the fight against looming authoritarianism — if they step up. Among these top philanthropic billionaires, how likely... Read more.
990 Watch: Four Billionaires in Trump’s Cabinet, Healthcare and Investing
What do recently released tax disclosures tell us about the philanthropy of Kelly Loeffler, Jeremy Grantham, Thomas Frist and Eric Wepsic?... Read more.
You’ve Got Critique: Three Philanthropy Newsletters That Will Singe Your Inbox
There’s a growing number of philanthropy critics out there. Michael Kavate thinks you may find this trio — a Bill Gates-focused journalist, a Stanford scholar... Read more.
Can Working Together Triple U.S. Climate Funding? New Group for Advisors Aims High
The Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition is bringing together top consultants, billionaire funders and support organizations to talk about how to convince donors... Read more.
Climate Regrantors Speak Up: How They’re Responding to Trump
We heard from several climate funds and a fiscal sponsor on new strategies, funding trends and what’s needed amid Trump administration rollbacks.... Read more.
Have Outspoken Funders Suffered Under the Trump Administration?
Michael Kavate contacted over a dozen funders who have stood up for their values under Trump. Here’s what they said about the backlash.... Read more.
Gates Sets An End Date: 2045. But Do We Really Know How Much He’ll Spend?
The Microsoft cofounder says he will spend “virtually all” his assets in the next 20 years and shutter the foundation. It’s anyone’s guess how much that... Read more.
A Book for Our Times: Dimple Abichandani’s “A New Era of Philanthropy”
Michael Kavate reviews the former General Service Foundation executive director's new book — a playfully critical insider's look at a field often painfully resistant... Read more.
