Today's Philanthropy Pulse
UNFI Foundation’s Charity Classic hits record $1.1M for food‑access grants
The annual Charity Classic golf event raised a record $1.1M, surpassing previous years’ totals. The fundraiser will allocate $50,000 grants to each of 22 grantees, supporting both rapid emergency relief and long‑term local food‑system resilience.
Jeff Bezos Pledged $10 Billion for Climate Change. With the 2030 Clock Ticking, His Wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, Is Leading...
Jeff Bezos pledged a $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund in 2020, but only $2.3 billion has been deployed, leaving roughly $7 billion to be spent before the 2030 deadline. His wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, now vice‑chair, is accelerating payouts, announcing $37.5 million for Pacific marine protection, $30 million for an AI Grand Challenge, and a $102.5 million homelessness commitment. The fund’s portfolio also includes $1 billion for food systems, nuclear energy, and Earthshot partnerships, while a new CEO, Tom Taylor, signals a shift toward execution. Compared with MacKenzie Scott’s $26 billion giving, Bezos’s philanthropy remains modest relative to his $268 billion net worth.
German, South African Organisations Launch Project to Support Workers in the Energy Transition
German foundation Friedrich‑Ebert‑Stiftung South Africa and the Sam Tambani Research Institute launched the Strengthening Workers’ Active Participation (SWAP) project to help coal‑dependent communities negotiate a just transition to renewables. The two‑year initiative, funded with about €1.05 million (≈ $1.13 million), will operate in...
More Billionaires, More Giving—But Inequality Persists
As the ranks of the ultra-wealthy have exploded, so has philanthropy. This is another good-news, bad-news story. David Callahan Reports: https://tinyurl.com/56nb4axe WealthInequality
College Philanthropy Grew to an Estimated $78 Billion Last Year
Philanthropic gifts to American colleges and universities reached an estimated $78 billion in fiscal year 2025, according to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) survey. The figure represents a 4 percent increase over the previous year and marks the...
Guggenheim Foundation Announces 2026 Class of 223 Fellows Across Arts and Sciences
The John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation unveiled its 2026 cohort of 223 fellows, selected from a pool of nearly 5,000 applicants. The 101st class spans 55 disciplines, with 30 fine‑art fellows and notable winners such as Sonya Clark and American...
Nonprofit Venetoulis Institute Saves Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette From Closure
The Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette announced Tuesday that the Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism will acquire its assets, averting a May 3 shutdown. The nonprofit, which runs the award‑winning Baltimore Banner, plans to keep Thursday and Sunday print editions while maintaining a...
As the Federal Government Cuts Funding, Nonprofits Are Turning to Cities
One‑third of U.S. nonprofits reported a disruption in federal funding in 2025, and 84% anticipate further cuts. For roughly 35,000 organizations, federal grants make up at least half of annual revenue, leaving a sizable funding gap. In response, nonprofits are...
Other Legacy U.S. Newspapers Which Have Gone Nonprofit
The Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette averted closure after a nonprofit journalism group agreed to acquire it, underscoring a growing trend of legacy papers turning to the nonprofit sector. Earlier conversions include the Salt Lake Tribune, which became the first for‑profit newspaper to...
Philea Publishes “Proven Practices in Gender Mainstreaming: Foundations in Conversation”
Philea has released a new report, “Proven Practices in Gender Mainstreaming: Foundations in Conversation,” that blends reflective essays, concrete case studies and step‑by‑step guidance for foundations seeking to embed gender equality. The publication ties gender mainstreaming to broader impact, arguing...
Unconditional Cash Transfers Prove Powerful Poverty Solution
Why I love @GiveDirectly. Giving cash to extremely poor people with no strings attached is a bold and effective idea. https://t.co/XA4f97haCL https://t.co/0wfRd3ksWC
Why UHNW Donors Are Turning to Unrestricted Trust
Ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals and family offices are increasingly favoring unrestricted philanthropy over tightly measured, project‑specific grants. The shift is exemplified by MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving model and the cash‑transfer approach of GiveDirectly, both of which prioritize flexible capital and minimal oversight. Advocates...
A Charity Raffle’s €100 Pablo Picasso Painting, and Other News.
A Paris charity is raffling Pablo Picasso’s 1941 work *Tête de femme* for €100 (about $109) per ticket, potentially raising €12 million ($13 million) for Alzheimer’s research. Meanwhile, the inaugural Medina Triennial will debut in New York with 39 artists exploring ecology and...
Crypto Giving: It’s Governance First, Not Technology
Crypto philanthropy is moving from niche to mainstream as 800 million global crypto users, including 65 million U.S. adults, are projected by 2025. Donors who give in digital assets typically contribute $10,000‑$15,000, far exceeding average online gifts, and enjoy tax benefits by...
Awareness Isn’t a Funnel, It’s a Filter
A new donor‑relationship model built from raw data across 26 charities shows that traditional branding concepts—personality, differentiation, and polished image—do not predict giving. The study splits “trust” into functional reliability and personal values alignment, arguing they require distinct strategies. Donor...
Philippines Approves PHP 24.73M Climate Adaptation Project to Strengthen Disaster Warning Systems in Camarines Sur
The Philippines’ People’s Survival Fund approved a PHP 24.73 million grant (about $445,000) to build the e‑SITIO Emergency Operations Center in Goa, Camarines Sur. The project will install an integrated early‑warning system, a Local Weather Monitoring System, and a radio‑frequency public‑address network to...
Humber River Health Receives $50 Million Gift
Humber River Health announced a $50 million (≈ $37 million USD) donation from Jay and Barbara Hennick, prompting the Wilson site to be renamed Hennick Humber Hospital. The gift, one of Canada’s largest to a community hospital, will fund advanced technologies, research, education and...
$1 Million Gift Advances Healthy Aging Research at OTU
Ontario Tech University has received a $1 million CAD (≈$740,000 USD) donation from the Sienna for Seniors Foundation to launch the Sienna Senior Living Research Centre for Healthy Aging and Happiness. The centre will pursue applied, human‑centred research across three pillars: enhancing...
Joyce Awards to Relaunch After Yearlong Pause with $100,000 Unrestricted Grants for Great Lakes Artists
The Joyce Foundation is reviving its Joyce Awards with a new model that awards four Great Lakes artists a $100,000 unrestricted grant each. An additional $40,000 will be directed to a regional nonprofit selected by the winning artist to expand...
Donors' Stated Values Clash With Actual Giving
There's a stark divide between what donors say they value and how they actually give, writes Grace Adams of Effective Altruism Australia. Guest Contributor, Grace Adams Reports: https://tinyurl.com/3ub2yy5f Related IP Resources: How Do Foundations Make Grant Decisions? -https://tinyurl.com/2p2pcn33 How to Write a Grant Report...
Washington’s Capital Gains Tax Charitable Deduction Has a Hidden Catch
Washington’s capital gains tax offers a charitable deduction, but it only applies when the donation is made to a “qualified organization” that is principally directed and managed within the state. The rule diverges from federal law, which merely requires 501(c)(3)...
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Will Go Nonprofit After Being Acquired by The Baltimore Banner’s Owner
The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, owner of the nonprofit Baltimore Banner, announced it will purchase the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette and operate the historic newspaper as a nonprofit. The deal, described as a “huge discount” by Baltimore Banner founder Stewart Bainum,...
Steering the Development Office From the Head of School Seat
The article argues that a head of school must view fundraising as a partnership with the advancement director rather than a peripheral task. By acting as chief relationship manager and storyteller, the head co‑creates data‑driven goals, personalizes donor outreach, and...
Billionaire Peterffy's Modest Giving Sparks Family Philanthropy Tension
Thomas Peterffy has an $80 billion-plus fortune, but a modest philanthropic record. While his children run a foundation, the generations may not exactly see eye to eye. Michael Kavate Reports: https://tinyurl.com/5b83z5pd Related IP Resources: Wall Street Philanthropists -https://tinyurl.com/3z58wwpf Grants for Climate Change -https://tinyurl.com/mvh59bw7 Environmental Conservation...
Identifying Gaps in Longevity Philanthropy Landscape
What philanthropies are missing from longevity science and medicine? Is the ecosystem of foundations and nonprofits actually complete, or are there glaring gaps no one’s filling? Drop your essay (or a one-liner) below. ✍️ Or repost. 👨🏻⚕️⚕️ https://t.co/46hZGxnIQx
Casey’s Awards $1.3M In Grants To K-12 Schools Nationwide
Casey’s, the third‑largest U.S. convenience‑store chain, awarded more than $1.3 million in Cash for Classrooms grants to 100 K‑12 public and nonprofit private schools across its 17‑state footprint. Individual grants can reach $50,000 and support playgrounds, accessibility upgrades, and classroom resources....
Nonsense Hub Expands Summer Ops as Nonprofit Marketing Budgets Surge
Nonsense Hub, a nonprofit‑focused marketing agency, announced a summer expansion to meet rising donor‑acquisition budgets. The move reflects a broader shift toward human‑centered outreach as charities pour millions into awareness campaigns.
Donations to Colleges Hold Steady Amid Higher Ed Disruption
U.S. colleges reported $78.8 billion in gifts for fiscal 2025, a modest 4% rise that merely kept pace with inflation. Alumni donor numbers declined, yet total alumni giving jumped 10.9%, reflecting larger gifts from fewer donors. Individual contributions grew 12% to...
Google.org and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation Are Launching a $10 Million Initiative to Train Rural U.S. Healthcare Workers in...
Google.org and the Johnson & Johnson Foundation have teamed up to launch a $10 million philanthropic initiative aimed at boosting AI literacy among rural U.S. healthcare workers. Each organization is contributing $5 million to fund training that focuses on foundational AI knowledge,...
Supporting New Research on the Impacts of AI
Google.org announced an additional $15 million for its Digital Futures Fund, expanding support for independent AI research. The new 2026 cohort will examine AI's impact on labor markets, infrastructure demands, and security governance. Since its 2023 launch, the fund has grown...
Charity Donations Through Deposit Protection Service Hit £1m Mark
The Deposit Protection Service (DPS) has raised about $1.25 million in interest donations for homelessness charity St Mungo’s since launching the partnership at the end of 2024. The funds come from interest accrued on tenants' safeguarded deposits, which tenants can elect to...
Liberal Funders and Donors, You Need to Invest in Progressive Leaders the Way the Right Wing Invests in Conservative Ones
On April 20, a free webinar with Vu and Rusty Stahl will examine how right‑wing donors bankroll cultural warriors, contrasting that model with the chronic under‑investment in progressive leaders. The piece cites Turning Point USA’s $87 million 2024 revenue and the...
Spurring Investment in Movement-Rooted Philanthropic Intermediaries
In early 2026 thought leaders highlighted turbulence across philanthropy—democratic fragility, government overreach, funding cuts, and pressure on nonprofits—but omitted movement‑rooted philanthropic intermediaries. Collaborative funds, which move $4‑7 billion annually across more than 500 global pools, consistently rank in the top 15...
Investing Close to Home to Build Intergenerational Wealth
ImpactAssets is enabling donor‑advised‑fund (DAF) investors to make direct loans to underserved entrepreneurs in Nashville. Former CFO Sallie Bailey has leveraged her $350,000 DAF to fund 15 small‑business loans, starting at $25,000, through ImpactAssets’ Client Recommended Investment service. Partnering with...
UNICEF and Undime Launch Tools to Safeguard Children in Digital Classrooms
On March 12, 2026, UNICEF Brazil and the education think‑tank Undime streamed a live conference that unveiled a new self‑assessment matrix, usage guide and free certified course aimed at helping school networks evaluate and strengthen their capacity to prevent and...
Schneider Electric Continues Support of PMMI Foundation as Visionary Benefactor
Schneider Electric has renewed its Visionary Benefactor status with the PMMI Foundation for a second consecutive year, marking the highest tier of corporate support. The partnership funds scholarships, student‑travel assistance, and hands‑on learning programs that introduce young talent to packaging,...
Fundraising Tip of the Week | April 13, 2026
The article emphasizes that a strong nonprofit board is defined by active contribution, not titles or attendance. It argues that fundraising is a core governance responsibility, not a separate function, and that every board member should be accountable for the...
Mimi Fishman Foundation and WaterWheel Foundation Auction Tickets for Phish’s Summer Tour and Band-Signed Drum Heads
The Mimi Fishman Foundation, in partnership with Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation, is auctioning 18 multi‑pass ticket pairs for the band’s 2024 summer tour and seven drum heads signed by all four members. The auction covers nine tour stops, including Madison Square...
How to Prevent 9 Million Deaths
International aid from wealthy nations plunged 23.1% in 2025, withdrawing roughly $40 billion— the steepest one‑year drop on record. The cuts triggered immediate humanitarian crises, exemplified by 136,000 refugees in Kenya’s Kakuma camp losing food assistance and 54 children dying of...
Targeted Donations Could Level the Playing Field for Universities Beyond the Elite | Letters
The article argues that university fundraising success hinges more on governance structures than on prestige, citing the University of Buckingham’s democratic model that attracted a $7 million gift before a 2017 charter change crippled its fundraising. It contrasts this with elite...
Grant Writing Is No Longer Just About Writing
The grant‑writing profession is shifting from pure drafting to a strategic advisory role. With success rates typically between 10% and 30%, nonprofits now rely on grant professionals to assess mission fit, funder priorities, and organizational capacity before an application is...
Transfers Of Wealth Might Be Excluding Nonprofits
A Harris Poll study titled “America’s Great Wealth Transfer” reveals that only 1% of older Americans view philanthropy as a primary purpose for their wealth, compared with 3% of younger adults. While 81% of the older cohort plan to leave...
GIANT and MARTIN’S Feeding School Kids Initiative Raises $1.2M to Fight Food Insecurity in Local Schools
The GIANT Company and MARTIN’S launched a Feeding School Kids campaign that collected more than $1.2 million from customers between January and March, complemented by a $100,000 corporate match. The funds were distributed to ten public school districts in Pennsylvania, Virginia,...
Funders Must Rethink Strategies for Civilian Protection
As the global security landscape grows more volatile, Jenny McAvoy argues that funders need a better plan to back civilian protection. Guest Contributor, Jenny McAvoy Report: https://tinyurl.com/5e8fedsw Global Security Grants -https://tinyurl.com/4duwfh36 Grants for Human Rights -https://tinyurl.com/y29n7rkt Grants for Humanitarian Aid -https://tinyurl.com/mmx8dzw8 GlobalSecurity
Does A.I. Belong in Your Grant Writing Process?
Nonprofit leaders are exploring ChatGPT to speed grant writing, but the article warns that AI should remain a polishing tool, not the origin of mission statements. It argues that the initial draft of any foundational text must be crafted by...
Recent Coverage of and Commentary About Philanthropy and Giving
A curated roundup of recent scholarship and commentary examines pressing issues in U.S. philanthropy. Articles explore building a climate‑activist ecosystem, the contested nonprofit status of NCAA athletic departments, tax benefits for nonprofit hospitals, and the future of arts tax policy....
Apache Foundation Launches $10 Million Responsible AI Fund Backed by Anthropic
The Apache Software Foundation unveiled a multi‑year $10 M Responsible AI initiative, seeding the effort with $1.5 M from Anthropic and $250 K from Alpha‑Omega. The program will fund model access, tooling, and ecosystem support for Apache’s big‑data projects, aiming to embed ethical...
Government Launches £1m Scheme to Encourage Wealthy to Donate to Disadvantaged Areas
Britain’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has unveiled a £1 million (approximately $1.27 million) initiative designed to spur high‑net‑worth individuals to donate to deprived communities. The scheme will create a network of regional philanthropic ambassadors tasked with connecting wealthy...
Family Offices Turn Wealth Into Strategic Impact Investing
I've seen both sides of wealth - making it and giving it away. Many overlook this: smart philanthropy via family offices is not charity. It’s about making strategic impact investments. They're not just writing checks, they're solving global problems while...
Tax‑Deductible Corporate Giving Could Accelerate Startup Impact
A very interesting observation by Elon below. And it’s just one example. Startups have brought more progress to the world this century than any NGO or government program. By far. When you hear NGO, think NoGO. They provide some incremental, mostly...
Ukraine’s Wartime Healthcare: Inna Ivanenko on Access, PMG, and Medicines
Inna Ivanenko, executive director of the Patients of Ukraine foundation, detailed how Ukraine’s health system is coping with wartime devastation. Over 2,530 facilities have been damaged, 327 destroyed, yet 700 have been fully restored and mobile clinics are delivering care...