January 02, 2024 How a Storied Arts and Humanities Institution Is Finding Support on Both Sides of the Atlantic January 02, 2024/ Wendy Paris Through its prestigious Rome Prize and other offerings, the American Academy in Rome gives artists and scholars a chance to live and work in the heart of the Eternal City. Fundraising, though, is an ever-evolving challenge.Read More
December 11, 2023 Lieutenant Dan: A Close Look at Actor Gary Sinise’s Longstanding Support for Veterans December 11, 2023/ Ade Adeniji Known in part for his role as platoon leader Lt. Dan Taylor in “Forrest Gump,” the actor has been engaged in veterans-focused giving for decades. We connected with Sinise to get the inside story.Read More
December 11, 2023 “A Massive Problem to Solve.” How Can Museums Engage Next-Generation Donors? December 11, 2023/ Mike Scutari As the largest wealth transfer in history takes place, fundraising trends don’t look so good for the arts. Sector stakeholders are trying to figure out how museums can better cultivate a rising generation of heirs.Read More
October 06, 2023 Why This Billionaire Investor Was Moved to Give “Songs of Love” to Sick Kids October 06, 2023/ Ade Adeniji Songs of Love connects children facing serious health conditions with musicians who compose original songs for them. We talked with Leon Cooperman about why he backs the organization, and his wider philanthropy.Read More
September 11, 2023 “You Have to Actually Change.” A Major Theater Funder's Quest to Diversify Its Decision-Making September 11, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theater Project has evolved significantly over the last 10 years. We walk through some key takeaways from a report on its work with program director Quita Sullivan.Read More
August 30, 2023 “The Time Was Right.” How Three Funders Joined Forces to Simplify the Grant Application Process August 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Common App for the Arts, launched by three Bay Area foundations, consolidates each funder’s grants on a single user interface. We look at how it came together, plans for future iterations and more. Read More
August 23, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Samuels Foundation Supports the Performing Arts and Healthy Aging August 23, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New York City-based Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation supports performing arts organizations and seeks to improve quality of life for older adults. We take a closer look at its history, grantmaking and more.Read More
August 21, 2023 Art for Social Change: An Arts Funder's Journey to More Fully Embrace Its Social Justice Mission August 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari Philadelphia’s Leeway Foundation supports women, trans and/or gender-nonconforming artists focused on social change. Executive Director Denise Brown walks us through its evolution, key grantmaking programs and more.Read More
August 07, 2023 "Your Agenda Is Making Houston Better." How the Houston Endowment Backs Its Home City August 07, 2023/ Wendy Paris We take an on-the-ground look at the Houston Endowment, which has been engaged in local giving for nearly a century. From the arts and parks to successes in reducing homelessness, its influence spans the city.Read More
June 26, 2023 Six Questions for Lu Zhang, New Executive Director of A Blade of Grass June 26, 2023/ Mike Scutari A Blade of Grass backs artists whose work advances social change. We checked in with new executive director Lu Zhang to discuss her career trajectory, key priorities in her new role and more.Read More
May 30, 2023 Literary Writers Get Peanuts from Philanthropy. With a New Prize, South Arts Is Doing What It Can May 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari 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.Read More
February 24, 2022 Eleven Ways Funders Are Supporting Social Justice Within and Through the Arts February 24, 2022/ IP Staff An increasing number of funders have been looking to spur social change through their arts funding, especially during the pandemic. Here are 11 examples we’ve been following.Read More