January 24, 2024 “Central to a Just Economy.” How a Collaborative Fund is Supporting Labor Rights in Brazil January 24, 2024/ Martha Ramirez Backed by the Ford Foundation, Laudes Foundation and Open Society Foundations, the Labora Fund is working to advance workers’ rights in Brazil, where nearly half of the labor force is made up of informal workers.Read More
January 19, 2024 Can Philanthropy and Government Work Together to Drive Socially Responsible Tech? January 19, 2024/ Paul Karon Five philanthropies are partnering with the National Science Foundation to advance the field of public interest technology — hopefully spurring the idea that public wellbeing must be a key element in tech development.Read More
January 10, 2024 10 Funders to Watch in 2024 January 10, 2024/ IP Staff Several large funding institutions will be in flux this year and others are emerging as major players. Meanwhile, national and global events will put leading funders to the test. Here are 10 we’re watching closely in 2024.Read More
December 18, 2023 Gates Sticks With U.S. Antipoverty Giving, But Deeper Structural Questions Remain December 18, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen In a year-end update, the Gates Foundation announced $100 million in new stateside antipoverty commitments. But amid sky-high wealth inequality, the chances that billionaire giving will get to the roots of the problem remain slim.Read More
December 05, 2023 The 50 Most Powerful Women in U.S. Philanthropy December 05, 2023/ IP Staff Women are wielding more power in philanthropy than ever before — as mega-donors, organization leaders, and catalysts. To spotlight these power players, we’ve compiled our most extensive list of women making an impact in the sector today.Read More
November 01, 2023 Ford Launches Global Network to Help Social Justice Groups Manage Risks and Rewards of Tech November 01, 2023/ Martha Ramirez Front-line organizations in the Global South face unique threats and challenges when it comes to digital technology. With $15 million in seed funding from Ford, the Digital Resilience Network will provide technical support.Read More
October 17, 2023 A Philanthropy Built on Chocolate Expands its Mission to Support Early Childhood October 17, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Chocolate magnate Milton Hershey and his wife Catherine left behind a fortune to provide a K-12 education for low-income children. Now, the Hershey Trust is opening a fleet of new schools for younger students.Read More
October 04, 2023 This Year at the UNGA, Philanthropies Unite Behind Democracy and Locally Led Development October 04, 2023/ Liz Longley Reflecting sector-wide trends, philanthropies threw their weight behind two collaborative global development efforts, seeking to bolster citizen engagement and shift power to those close to the ground.Read More
September 28, 2023 As Funders Press Forward for Local Journalism, Doubts Persist Around the Role of Racial Equity September 28, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Several criticisms have circulated around Press Forward, a recently-announced $500 million local news initiative backed by a host of funders. One issue stands out: its vague, noncommittal language around racial equity.Read More
August 01, 2023 This New Donor Collaborative is Looking to Strengthen Latinos' Civic Power in the U.S. August 01, 2023/ Martha Ramirez With an experienced organizer at the helm, the Valiente Fund is supporting organizations to build the civic, economic and cultural power of Latinos.Read More
July 24, 2023 This Group of Foundations Has a Message for Peers: Our Racial Justice Work Is Only Getting Started July 24, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Commitments to racial justice surged after the summer of 2020. Now, amid a cultural, legal and policy backlash, a group of funders is encouraging others to stay the course, and keep pursuing power-sharing practices.Read More
July 12, 2023 How a Dutch Princess Is Leading a Global Fight to End Child Marriage July 12, 2023/ Liz Longley Mabel van Oranje, a princess of the Netherlands, has emerged as a leader in the fight to end child marriage. We spoke with her about the groups she’s launched and how they’re channeling funds toward work on the ground.Read More
July 07, 2023 Funders for LGBTQ Issues' Latest Tracking Report: Some Good News, More Not So Good July 07, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe While foundations’ LGBTQ funding was still rising as of 2021, it mostly isn’t making it to those in greatest need. That includes Black and trans groups, and those in states where a raft of anti-LGBTQ laws are being passed.Read More
June 22, 2023 Six Years and $125 Million Later, Art for Justice Takes a Final Bow June 22, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Agnes Gund’s Art for Justice channeled a large chunk of money toward artists and activists focused on the carceral system. The fund is now winding down, but it made a big impact in a short time.Read More
June 12, 2023 These Fellowships for Latinx Artists Are a Bright Spot Amid Pervasive Underfunding June 12, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe The U.S. Latinx Art Forum administers art fellowships with support from Ford and Mellon. Here’s more on the awards, why the forum uses the term “Latinx,” and the impact of unrestricted support on artists struggling to pay the bills.Read More
June 07, 2023 As Government Budgets Pull Back, a Look at Philanthropy’s Role in Funding Public Libraries June 07, 2023/ Liz Longley 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. Read More
April 26, 2023 Report Finds Scant Funding for Disability Rights and Social Justice — and Points the Way Forward April 26, 2023/ Paul Karon A study commissioned by the Disability & Philanthropy Forum is a must-read for funders aiming to drive social justice for disabled people and address complex and overlapping issues of racial, gender and other inequities.Read More
April 25, 2023 “Defend, Develop, Decolonize.” Inside NDN Collective, a Thriving Backer of Indigenous Causes April 25, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen NDN Collective, a growing philanthropic intermediary and organizing force, works to build Indigenous power and has racked up an impressive array of backers. Its leaders would still like to see philanthropy go further and move faster.Read More
March 23, 2023 These Six Funders Are Leading the Way in Support for Native American Causes March 23, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Philanthropy has consistently overlooked Native American communities, devoting only a tiny percentage of its wealth to Native causes. But some foundations have been steady supporters. Here are the top funders. Read More
March 16, 2023 A Pittsburgh Funding Initiative Targets Racial Inequities in the Area’s Arts Scene March 16, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe BIPOC artists have historically received just a sliver of grantmaking in Pittsburgh. National and local foundations are partnering to move unrestricted funds to the city’s Black-led arts organizations.Read More