How the Radical Fund Sustained Radical Imagination
John Fabian Witt’s *The Radical Fund* chronicles the 1920s American Fund for Public Service, revealing how a modest million‑dollar endowment helped radical organizers confront capitalism, white nationalism, and media dominance. The book argues that philanthropy must move beyond elite‑centric narratives, embracing risk‑taking and strategic communication to reshape public discourse. Witt highlights the fund’s multifaceted tactics—union schools, films, pamphleteers, and research—that amplified working‑class voices. Rojas uses these lessons to urge today’s foundations to question economic structures, demand accountability for racial oppression, and invest in bold storytelling that builds a more equitable future.
Mandel Foundation Commits $125M to Case Western Reserve
The Mandel Foundation has pledged $125 million to Case Western Reserve University, the largest single gift in its 73‑year history and the biggest ever for higher education in Ohio. The donation will fund a new 50,000‑square‑foot humanities building, double scholarships for...
ARMS RACE
The Supreme Court’s Callais ruling sharply narrows the Voting Rights Act, allowing partisan redistricting to replace race‑based criteria. The decision sparks an "arms race" as both Republicans and Democrats eye the dismantling of majority‑minority districts in Southern states and beyond....
Why Philanthropy Matters Newsletter April 2026 (#40)
Why Philanthropy Matters released its April 2026 edition, issue #40, continuing a series of bite‑size chapters that trace philanthropy’s long history and its future trajectory. The newsletter spotlights lessons for civil society, elite donors, and foundations operating in the US and UK,...
1st Day of the Month - £1 Donation for Wildlife :)
Protect the Wild used its monthly £1 (≈ $1.27) donation drive to fund a series of high‑impact wildlife campaigns in April. A new animation about the Guga hunt amassed over 12 million views and helped the petition approach 160,000 signatures. The group...
Family Giving in Higher Education: A Unique Blend of Personal and Collective Philanthropy
The article highlights how family philanthropy in higher education blends personal alumni connections with the strategic rigor of a foundation. Using the fictional Johnson family, it shows how multigenerational donors can shape legacy while providing institutions with structured, long‑term capital....
Tiwa Savage Music Foundation Awards 2.1 Million Dollars
Nigerian artist Kotrell releases his debut album *And Everything In Between*, a soulful exploration of love, self‑care and cultural relationship myths. DJ Sholz curates a live‑mix at Tate Modern’s *Nigerian Modernism* exhibition, marrying Afro‑beat percussion with digital DJing to showcase...
How AI Is Changing the World of Development Grantmaking
Rhodri Davies explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping development grantmaking, a topic featured in Devex. AI-driven analytics are automating eligibility screening, predicting project impact, and extracting insights from legacy grant data. Philanthropic foundations are adopting predictive models and real‑time dashboards...
GDT Podcast / Season 9 / Episode 2
The Givers, Doers, & Thinkers podcast’s Season 9, Episode 2 features Jeremy Beer interviewing business leader and philanthropist Rob Hays. Hays reflects on the setbacks that built his resilience and how those experiences shape his approach to charitable giving. The discussion highlights...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Funding a Fiat
The Fund for Vocations, a nonprofit that clears financial hurdles for candidates to religious life, announced a landmark $4.5 million anonymous gift—the largest in its history. Since its 2007 launch, the fund has paid more than $6.2 million toward student‑loan debt for...
GDT Podcast / Season 9 / Episode 1
The Givers, Doers, & Thinkers podcast launches Season 9 with episode 1 featuring Steve Zabilski, president and CEO of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. Host Jeremy Beer explores how strategic investment in fundraising and organizational capacity can transform nonprofit outcomes. Zabilski...
Kinetic Fundraising Philanthropy Summit 2026
The Kinetic Fundraising Philanthropy Summit 2026 convened leaders to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and charitable giving. A featured panel saw Rhodri discuss AI‑driven donor analytics and ethical considerations. The event, hosted by Why Philanthropy Matters, offered bite‑size learning...
TuneCore Lets Artists “Give Nature a Split” Of Their Streaming Revenue
TuneCore has launched “Give Nature A Split,” letting independent artists allocate a portion of streaming royalties to environmental projects. By adding “NATURE” as a collaborator, artists can automatically route chosen percentages to the EarthPercent‑run Sounds Right Fund, which backs Indigenous...
Self-Introspective Yale Report Should Be Model for Big Philanthropy
Yale’s Committee on Trust in Higher Education issued a self‑critical report that diagnoses an internal trust crisis and offers 20 recommendations focused on transparency, listening, and credible communication. The analysis argues that universities must earn public confidence rather than assume...
East Africa: Bayer Foundation and UNCDF Back Omia and SokoFresh
The Bayer Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), has launched the Food Systems Innovation Finance Facility, deploying its first two concessional loans of roughly $500,000 each to African agribusinesses. The loans go to Uganda’s Omia...
East Anglian Air Ambulance Launches £8.2m Appeal for New Cambridge Base as Airport Closure Looms
East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has launched an $10.5 million fundraising appeal to build a new base at New Shardelowes Farm near Fulbourn, as Cambridge City Airport faces closure in 2030. The charity currently operates two hubs, and losing the Cambridge...
Startup Profile: Sharely
Sharely is an embedded‑finance startup that builds infrastructure allowing investors to make tax‑efficient stock donations directly inside brokerage platforms. By embedding the donation workflow at the point of trade, the company eliminates the need for separate charitable‑gift paperwork and reduces...
No Pledge Either Good or Bad
Peter Thiel has publicly denounced the Giving Pledge, labeling it an “Epstein‑adjacent fake boomer club.” The pledge, launched in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, asks billionaires to commit to giving away at least half of their...
Podcast Episode 28: Evaluating and Funding a New Kind of Grant (Clubfoot Treatment)
GiveWell announced a new grant to MiracleFeet to expand free Ponseti clubfoot treatment in low‑ and middle‑income countries, following a site visit in Côte d’Ivoire. The program trains health workers, supplies materials, and educates communities, resulting in hundreds of children...
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,...
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...
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....
Liberty Mutual Establishes $600m Endowment to Support Long-Term Community Resilience
Liberty Mutual Insurance has created a $600 million endowment for its charitable arm, the Liberty Mutual Foundation, to fund long‑term community resilience initiatives. The endowment provides a permanent capital base that can weather economic cycles while supporting multi‑year projects in housing...
Financial Promises Made to Black Nonprofits in 2020 Faded Quickly, New Report Shows
In 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, corporations and foundations pledged millions to Black‑led nonprofits as part of a racial‑justice surge. A new Candid‑ABFE report shows most of those promises went to large nonprofits and dwindled by 2023, leaving smaller organizations...
Walking-Around Philanthropy
William A. Schambra urged philanthropy advisors to leave their offices and see grassroots work firsthand, coining the term “walking‑around philanthropy.” He contrasted his decade at the conservative Bradley Foundation with the tangible impact of modest $5,000‑$10,000 grants that repaired boilers...
NFWF Awards $32.8M in First Round of Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative Grants
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded $32.8 million in first‑round grants for its Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, with an additional $9.1 million in matching contributions bringing total impact to nearly $42 million. The seven‑year program, launched in 2025, targets...
Pursuit of Abramovich’s £2.35bn for Ukraine Ramps up with New Foundation Set up to House the Cash
A new charitable foundation, the Foundation for the Victims of Conflict, has applied to the UK Charity Commission to manage the £2.35 billion (≈ $2.9 billion) frozen from Roman Abramovich’s 2022 sale of Chelsea FC. The board features former UNICEF executives and a...
Hope for Sudan and South Sudan
The Sudan Relief Fund (SRF) has been delivering food, clean water, and medical aid in Sudan and South Sudan for more than 25 years, focusing on the war‑torn Nuba Mountains and displaced populations. Its flagship Mother of Mercy Hospital, led...
How to Encourage Employees to Volunteer
Companies are increasingly embedding volunteer programs into their culture to boost employee engagement and community impact. By creating awareness, scheduling dedicated volunteer days, and offering a mix of hands‑on and virtual opportunities, firms make participation easy and appealing. Recognizing contributions...
Charitable Giving Strategies to Reduce Your Washington Income Tax
Washington’s new 9.9% income tax introduces a charitable deduction under §309, limited to $100,000 per year, which can shave up to $9,900 off a taxpayer’s liability. The deduction mirrors federal IRC §170 gifts, but its cap means high‑income earners must look...
How Non-Profits and Governments Use Data to Drive Real System Change
Philanthropic groups are redesigning funding models in the Global South to make data a catalyst for systemic change. Generation India restructured payments, cutting input‑linked fees to 56% and tying 44% to verified job placement and retention, boosting employment outcomes. The...
Fundraising Tip of the Week | April 6, 2026
The latest Fundraising Tip of the Week reminds nonprofits that board members should be active partners, not occasional attendees. Limiting board involvement to formal meetings forfeits valuable networks, insights, and influence. Effective boards stay connected, curious, and contribute continuously to...
Podcast Episode 27: Scrutinizing One of Our Longest-Funded Programs
GiveWell revisited its long‑standing vitamin A supplementation program, scrutinizing decades‑old trial data and new research to refine impact estimates. While classic randomized trials reported a 19% drop in child mortality, the organization now estimates a more modest 1%‑11% reduction in...
How Philanthropy Is Reshaping Family Business Strategy
Family firms across the UK are moving from occasional charitable gestures to strategic philanthropy that is woven into their core business identity. By aligning giving with long‑term purpose, companies are using social initiatives to reinforce reputation, address talent shortages, and...
Fundraising Tip of the Week | March 30, 2026
The latest Fundraising Tip of the Week advises nonprofits to eliminate payment friction when promoting matching gifts. Many organizations limit donors to credit‑card transactions, ignoring alternatives like donor‑advised funds, checks, or cash. By offering multiple payment methods, charities can keep...
The Case for Whole-Organization Funding
Foundations traditionally favor program‑restricted grants, believing they ensure measurable impact, but this practice fuels a nonprofit starvation cycle by underfunding essential operating costs. Research shows a 17‑percentage‑point gap between actual indirect costs and what donors reimburse, translating to roughly $340,000...
Why Philanthropy Matters Newsletter March 2026 (#39)
The March 2026 edition of the "Why Philanthropy Matters" newsletter (issue #39) was released, offering bite‑size chapters that explore philanthropy’s long history to help readers apply past lessons to future impact. The issue links to a web‑based version and highlights...
Webinar for Launch of ERNOP “Philanthropy in Europe” Report
The European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP) launched its flagship "Philanthropy in Europe" report via a live webinar moderated by Rhodri Davies. The study offers the first comprehensive, cross‑national comparison of charitable giving across more than 30 European countries. It...
A Telling Takedown
In February, Glen Galaich, president of the Stupski Foundation, posted a Substack response to Tyler Austin Harper’s Atlantic article that warned about the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s outsized sway over humanities scholarship. Galaich initially praised Harper’s insight, calling it a...
A Day at the Diamond: Celebrating $100 Million in Community Impact
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation announced it has surpassed $100 million in charitable contributions, becoming the fourth professional sports organization and the youngest MLB franchise to reach that level. In 2025 the foundation raised a record $13.2 million and distributed $7.2 million to nonprofits...
Philanthropy and Decadence: What Would Walter Berns Do?
The essay revisits Walter Berns' arguments about virtue, decency, and free expression to propose a radical rethink of philanthropy’s tax‑exempt framework. It highlights historic NEA controversies over taxpayer‑funded avant‑garde art and contrasts them with today’s massive private grants, such as...