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.
‘Significant Gap’ Between Charities’ AI Use and Board Oversight, Report Suggests
Charity Excellence’s 2026 report finds that while 76% of UK charities are already using AI—mostly in informal, ad‑hoc ways—board awareness remains minimal, with only 3% of trustees acknowledging any AI use. More than 60% of charities are still in the early stages of adoption, and fewer than 3% have fully embedded AI into operations. The study highlights a stark disconnect between operational reality and governance, compounded by public ambivalence toward AI‑driven decision‑making in the sector.
Turn SMS Into Powerful Storytelling for Nonprofits
SMS storytelling is an underused strategy by nonprofits. Texts get opened, they feel personal. When you ask a question, people answer. And what comes back can become some of your most compelling content. https://www.nptechforgood.com/2026/04/20/7-steps-to-turn-your-sms-program-into-a-storytelling-engine/ 📱
MTN Ghana Foundation Opens Applications for 2026 Bright Scholarship
MTN Ghana Foundation has opened applications for its Bright Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year. The award covers tuition, accommodation and essential learning resources for Ghanaian undergraduates and vocational trainees. It targets students across the country to reduce financial barriers...
P&G & Charmin Extend Tree-Planting Initiative Across the U.S.
Procter & Gamble’s Charmin brand announced a new commitment to plant an additional one million trees in the United States by 2030, extending the partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation that already delivered one million trees between 2020 and 2025...
Minn. Paramedic Pushes for Memorial Honoring Fallen EMS
Veteran paramedic Adam Harvey is spearheading a campaign to erect Minnesota’s first EMS Line of Duty Death Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. His nonprofit, the Minnesota EMS Line of Duty Death Memorial Foundation, has raised roughly $50,000 and is...
Buy Invitational Selling—Profits Support Make‑A‑Wish
My friend Dennis Cummins, who is incredible when it comes to sales and communication, has just released his new book, Invitational Selling. For the first 48 hours, 100% of the proceeds from the launch will be donated to Make-A-Wish.Grab a copy today:...
Building Belonging: Technology Enhances Human Connection
Fundraising organizations are turning to technology to deepen donor and staff belonging. By automating routine tasks, streamlining payments, and enabling personalized communications, digital platforms free teams to focus on human connection. Professional associations are expanding online learning communities that unite...
Short Videos Inspire Donors, Drive Results
Short-form video has become a must‑have tool for nonprofit fundraising, delivering roughly 2.5 times more engagement than longer content. Platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts let organizations showcase impact in under‑minute clips, overcoming the sector’s modest 0.6 % average...
Giving Gamechanger: Why Now's the Time to Use a Donor-Advised Fund
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted last summer, introduced a 0.5% of AGI floor for charitable deductions and lowered the top‑bracket deduction cap to $0.35 per dollar. Corporations now need contributions exceeding 1% of taxable income, with a 10%...
UHUMANS, Fashion Enter Launch Surplus Fabric Initiative to Tackle Period Poverty
UHUMANS and Fashion Enter have partnered to turn surplus fashion fabric into reusable period pads, launching a pilot program in Leicester. The initiative targets period poverty, where roughly 3,000 local girls miss school each year, accounting for an estimated 37,000...
Bezos Earth Fund Channels $34 Million to Sustainable Fashion Tech
The Bezos Earth Fund announced a $34 million grant program to accelerate sustainable‑fabric innovation, targeting the fashion sector’s massive environmental footprint. Funding will flow to Columbia University, UC Berkeley, Clemson University and the Cotton Foundation to develop biodegradable fibers, spider‑silk‑inspired materials, and...
Fashion with a Long Game: Inside Witchery’s White Shirt Campaign
Australian retailer Witchery marks the 18th year of its White Shirt Campaign, donating 100 % of gross shirt proceeds to ovarian cancer research. The initiative has raised nearly AU$18 million (about US$12 million), funding more than 60 projects that are now moving into...
Legacy Income at Major Food Distribution Charity up by More than 5,000 per Cent in Five Years
Legacy income at food‑bank charity Trussell surged from £30,000 (≈$38,000) to £1.76 million (≈$2.23 million) in five years, a 5,767% jump after launching a dedicated legacy‑marketing programme in 2020. Across the sector, total legacy income rose 38% to almost £2 billion (≈$2.54 billion), with...
Crafting Impact Statements That Drive Results
The article offers nonprofit leaders a step‑by‑step guide to craft impact statements that turn raw data into persuasive narratives. It highlights that 93 % of donors are more likely to give when they see clear impact, and 59 % view shared accomplishments...
How Jo Horgan Pays It Forward
Jo Horgan, co‑founder and co‑CEO of Mecca, Australia’s top beauty retailer, was honored with the CEW Corporate Empowerment for Women award while unveiling the M‑Power initiative. The program, informed by UN gender‑equality research, commits $25 million to fund secondary education for...
Supporting Families at the Heart of the Fashion Retail and Textile Sector
Anna Pangbourne, CEO of the Fashion&Textile Children’s Trust, discussed how the charity, founded in 1853, continues to support families of workers in the UK fashion and textile sector. The Trust delivers practical grants—often within three weeks—to address urgent needs such...
Gene D'Adamo Announces Jan 2027 Retirement as CEO of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
Gene D'Adamo will retire in January 2027 as president and CEO of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust after a 12‑year tenure that saw $214 million in grants and the expansion of the Season for Sharing program, which has raised more...
Soles4Souls and Caleres Team Up to Outfit 200 Harlem Students With New Sneakers
Soles4Souls partnered with shoe retailer Caleres to deliver new sneakers to more than 200 Harlem students at P.S. 194 Countee Cullen. About 30 Caleres volunteers joined Soles4Souls staff for the "4EveryKid" event, part of a program that has equipped over 650,000...
Impact Reporting for Nonprofits: A Small Donor's Perspective
TechSoup’s Nick Mediati argues that small donors need impact reporting that goes beyond financial statements, emphasizing human‑focused metrics such as meals served or bikes distributed. He advises nonprofits to translate overhead expenses into relatable program support and to leverage modern...
Fundraising Tip of the Week | April 27, 2026
Lisa Greer’s April 27, 2026 fundraising tip urges nonprofit leaders to engage board members consistently, not only when money is needed. She argues that regular, transparent communication builds trust, keeps directors informed, and fosters authentic relationships. When board members feel...
New InDevelopment Magazine Explores GiveDirectly Origins
Highly ecommended: @notanastronomer's new magazone InDevelopment, with a first isue featuring @PaulFNiehaus on the origins of GiveDirectly and cash transfers https://t.co/T6LezBRInH https://t.co/iUpgIoTMGt
Suicide Prevention Charity Rebrands
Papyrus, the UK suicide‑prevention charity behind the 24‑hour HopeLine helpline, has unveiled a new visual identity aimed at children and young people. The refreshed logo keeps the speech‑bubble motif but adds a brighter purple‑green palette and a modern font. Alongside...
How New York State Is Quietly Manipulating "Environmental" Nonprofits Using Grant Money
The New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) allocates $400‑$425 million annually to environmental projects, but its grant structure forces nonprofits to adopt state‑defined policy pillars. By tying funding to land conservation, agriculture, parks, and climate resiliency, the EPF steers nonprofit...
The Donor Shift: Rethinking Acquisition
Fundraisers face rising acquisition costs, tighter privacy rules, and a crowded digital landscape, leading to a steady decline in new donor numbers. Research presented by Kimberley Blease shows that donor expectations now vary across five generations, demanding more relevance, trust,...
Tech: Moore, Microsoft Unveil Agentic Fundraising Platform
Moore and Microsoft introduced SimioAccelerate, an AI‑powered fundraising platform built on Azure and Moore's SimioCloud data. The free service provides donor insights and automated campaign creation for nonprofits of any size, while a premium subscription with advanced analytics launches in...
Illinois Grants $100,000 to Expand Lurie Children’s Resilience Schools Program
Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Resilience‑Supportive Schools Illinois program secured a $100,000 grant from Molina Healthcare’s MolinaCares Accord. The funding will accelerate teacher training and preparation for the state‑mandated student mental‑health screenings slated for the 2027‑2028 school year.
Beasley Detroit Partners With Forgotten Harvest In Hunger Fight
Beasley Media Group Detroit has partnered with nonprofit Forgotten Harvest to combat food insecurity in the Metro Detroit area. The collaboration will leverage Beasley’s radio stations—WRIF, WCSX, WDMK, and WMGC—to raise awareness and drive donations for the organization, which rescues...
Debenhams Group Expands Pennies Partnership After Raising £260k
Debenhams Group has broadened its micro‑donation partnership with Pennies to include Karen Millen, boohooMAN and PrettyLittleThing after raising more than £260,000 (approximately $330,000) in its first year. Customers have contributed over 850,000 rounded‑up donations, supporting charities such as the British...
Keys to Following Up with Disaster Response Donors
Effective disaster fundraising starts long before a crisis hits, relying on pre‑established benchmarks and conversion metrics. By segmenting donors based on payment method, channel, and designation, nonprofits can apply data‑driven strategies that move new, emotionally‑charged supporters toward lasting engagement. Rigorous...
Minor Hotels Channels Dollars for Deeds Funds to Bangkok Medical Centre
Minor Hotels, through its Dollars for Deeds programme, contributed more than 1.6 million baht (approximately US$44,000) to the Princess Sirindhorn Craniofacial Center at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok. The centre, the first dedicated craniofacial facility in Southeast Asia, provides specialized...
Alex Honnold Returns to San Francisco to Boost Clean‑Energy Grants
World‑renowned climber Alex Honnold flew to San Francisco this week to champion his eponymous foundation’s clean‑energy mission, delivering a corporate talk at Everpure and joining SF Climate Week. A $5 million donation from billionaire Chris Larsen last year doubled the foundation’s...
Doing Good
Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation has launched a "30 Days of Giving" campaign, awarding a $5,000 grant each day in June to nonprofits located in the 30 communities where Nexstar’s TV stations, networks and digital platforms operate. The program marks the...
Meta AI Veteran Launches New Work Foundation Nonprofit to Arm Gen Z Against AI‑driven Job Loss
Clara Shih, former head of business AI at Meta, has founded the New Work Foundation, a nonprofit that offers AI‑powered tools to help Gen Z navigate a job market reshaped by automation. The initiative debuts platforms like Field Report and...
Crystal Bridges' Free-Access Model Reshapes National Art Engagement
How did Bentonville, Arkansas become a national destination for art and culture? It all started with the vision of Alice Walton, who founded the @crystalbridges Museum of American Art in 2012. And now it continues with Olivia Walton...
Benevity’s SPLC‑Based Filter Draws Enterprise Backlash Over Conservative Nonprofits
Benevity, the employee‑giving platform used by nearly 1,000 enterprises, is under fire after it was revealed that many of its clients rely on a Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) hate‑list filter to block conservative nonprofits. Critics say the practice exposes...
A Road Map to Mobilizing Local Resources in Latin America
The article argues that Latin America’s philanthropy sector needs a clear roadmap to shift from dwindling international aid to robust local resource mobilisation. It highlights how digital mapping, futures thinking, and AI can support this transition, but stresses that cultural...
Building an Ecosystem to Support Disruptive Climate Action
Just Stop Oil, the radical flank of the climate movement known for high‑profile disruptions such as splashing soup on Van Gogh’s *Sunflowers*, disbanded in 2025. The group was a major grantee of the Climate Emergency Fund, which backs disruptive climate...
Leukemia Survivor Runs London Marathon, Celebrates 30‑Year Survival and Fatherhood
Josh Catford, 30, will run the London Marathon this Sunday to raise money for Anthony Nolan, marking 30 years since he survived infant leukemia and celebrating his recent transition to fatherhood. The Dorset‑based category manager hopes the race will inspire more stem‑cell...
Helix Electric Raises $1.2M for Families in Need
Helix Electric, a 3,000‑employee electrical contractor, acted as Gold Sponsor of the 44th Annual Family House Gala, helping raise $1.2 million for families with sick children. The March 7 event in San Francisco celebrated Family House’s 10‑year anniversary and reinforced its mission to...
Indian American Philanthropy Surges: Giving Quadruples Since 2019
The broader Indian American community was giving $1 billion a year in 2019. That number has now quadrupled. Here are some of the donors, couples and families leading that charge. Ade Adeniji Reports: https://tinyurl.com/5h49ef25 Related IP Resources: Grants for K-12 Education -https://tinyurl.com/y4a92a5f Grants for...
UNICEF and Rotary Launch HPV Vaccine Drive in Kiribati to Shield Girls From Cervical Cancer
UNICEF Australia and Rotary have partnered with Kiribati’s Ministry of Health to roll out a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for adolescent girls across the island nation. The campaign seeks to lower the country’s elevated cervical cancer rates and offers...
Bank of America Grants Funding for 18 Art Conservation Projects Across Ten Countries
Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project™ announced 2026 grants for 18 initiatives in ten countries, targeting iconic works such as Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Picasso’s The Old Guitarist. The program, unveiled at MoMA, underscores the bank’s expanding role in...
Veteran Kelly Races to Fund Well‑Being for Heroes
One other thing I want to highlight for our veterans is the great work being done by Open Army member @a32m2a32m2, and especially his wife, Kelly. Kelly is a Navy veteran who is racing to raise funds for veteran well-being through...
Philanthropic LLCs Give Billionaires Flexibility, Obscure Transparency
The rise of the philanthropic LLC is a big ongoing story as billionaires stretch their giving muscles. These complex vehicles give donors more leeway, but aren't always easy to track. Katherine Don Reports: https://tinyurl.com/trp4tfnc Related IP Resources: Omidyar Network -https://tinyurl.com/3xa6c7wm Emerson Collective -https://tinyurl.com/3n3xy9hm Chan Zuckerberg...
Sunnybrook Announces $41-Million Gift to Advance Canada’s Global Leadership in Clinical Trials
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre announced a $41 million CAD (≈$30 million USD) philanthropic gift to expand its Sunnybrook Clinical Trials program. The funding creates new leadership positions, boosts biobanking, data management and precision diagnostics, and supports first‑time investigators. By strengthening infrastructure and...
3 Ways a Board Member Can Help Raise More Money (Without Making the Ask Yourself)
The article shows nonprofit board members how to boost fundraising without making direct asks. It outlines three low‑pressure actions: introducing interested contacts to the organization’s work, connecting prospects with the executive director or development team, and making three thank‑you calls...
Her Planet Earth Leads All‑Female 553‑Nautical‑Mile North Atlantic Expedition
Her Planet Earth will helm a 15‑woman, 553‑nautical‑mile offshore sailing crossing from Reykjavík to Tórshavn in August 2026. The high‑risk voyage aims to showcase female leadership at sea while raising funds for a women‑led seaweed initiative in Fiji.
Independent Sector to Host Expert Panel on Charitable Sector Advocacy
Independent Sector announced a new Principles Panel on Advocacy, convening 25 leading experts to craft practical guidance for nonprofit leaders. The panel will meet starting April 24, 2026 and aims to publish its recommendations by fall 2026. It builds on...
40+ Foundations Commit to More Flexible, Transparent Grantmaking
Over 40 signatories of CHANGE Philanthropy’s Level Up pledge have committed to increase their grantmaking and roll out dollars more flexibly and transparently. Mike Scutari Reports: https://tinyurl.com/mr4th2hk Related IP Resources: Key Debate: Should Foundation Payout Be Higher? -https://tinyurl.com/mt42xwyk What Do the Terms “Perpetuity” and...
Beyond Generosity: Building Strategic Philanthropy Across Africa
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) urges African donors to move beyond sheer generosity toward structured, strategic philanthropy. Citing the 2025 CAF World Giving Report that names Africa as the most generous continent, RPA outlines five practical shifts—including pooled funding, role clarity,...