January 31, 2024 “More Than Just a Check.” This Funder Couples Cash and Professional Support to Help Artists Thrive January 31, 2024/ Mike Scutari Creative Capital recently announced the winners of its latest round of awards, totaling $2.5 million. With a heightened focus on equity and accessibility, the funder is helping dozens of artists advance their careers.Read More
January 17, 2024 Grand Finale: A Family Foundation Focused on Free Concerts Announces its Spend Down January 17, 2024/ Wendy Paris The Levitt Foundation has a unique focus on creating music performance spaces as a way to support communities nationwide. The family recently announced it would spend down to boost its impact.Read More
January 03, 2024 After a Trailblazing Career in Tech, a Donor Couple Boosts Black History, Higher Ed and More January 03, 2024/ Ade Adeniji Drawing wealth from a successful run as an IBM engineer, Rodney C. Adkins and wife Michelle Adkins are big backers of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, along with universities and STEM education.Read More
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 21, 2023 A Tough Nut to Crack: Reflecting on the Delicate Dance of Holiday Fundraising December 21, 2023/ Karen Brooks Hopkins, Guest Contributor In her annual holiday posts, Karen Brooks Hopkins, president emerita of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, recalls memorable fundraising stories. This year, “The Nutcracker” and a high-profile donor present a unique challenge.Read More
December 20, 2023 “This is Just the Beginning.” Digging into Meow Wolf Foundation's Inaugural Round of Grants December 20, 2023/ Mike Scutari This year, Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment company Meow Wolf launched a new foundation. We get a status report from Executive Director Julie Heinrich on the heels of its first foray into grantmaking.Read More
December 13, 2023 “Literature as a Vehicle.” A Unique Book Prize Focuses on Works Addressing Racism and Diversity December 13, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Cleveland Foundation's Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognize books that contribute to our understanding of racism and diversity. Manager Karen R. Long walks us through the only juried American book prize of its kind.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
November 30, 2023 Philanthropy Born of Luxury Goods Helps Fuel a Revival of Art in France November 30, 2023/ Wendy Paris The arts scene in France is booming, thanks in part to the country’s embrace of American-style philanthropy — and the tax breaks that come with it. IP’s Wendy Paris reports from Paris.Read More
November 28, 2023 A Philanthropic Contest Asked for Creative Fiction About Money. Here Are the Winning Stories November 28, 2023/ Wendy Paris This investment company’s foundation took a unique approach to building financial literacy — a short story contest. The winners delivered some deep insights into managing money, including a lesson or two for funders.Read More
November 03, 2023 Based in Southern California, the Colburn Foundation Exclusively Focuses on Classical Music November 03, 2023/ Alyssa Ochs The Colburn Foundation is solely dedicated to classical music, following the wishes of its founder, Richard D. Colburn. Here's a closer look at this niche funder and how Southern California groups can connect with it.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 31, 2023 Why a Foundation Focused on Financial Inclusion Launched a Short Story Contest August 31, 2023/ Wendy Paris For the Principal Foundation, a corporate funder backed by Principal Group, funding a short story contest this year has been one way to inspire people to rewrite their personal narratives about money.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
August 04, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Hemera Foundation Promotes Buddhist Practice and Supports Children August 04, 2023/ Mike Scutari Operating as an LLC, the Boulder-based Hemera Foundation is inspired by Buddhist teachings and traditions. Here’s a closer look at its grantmaking and its plans to spend down a $32.9 million endowment by 2032.Read More