Social Justice
The Power of Place-Based Partnerships in the Fight for Equity
Last month, a federal appeals court suspended a grant program for Black female entrepreneurs operated by the Fearless Fund, setting a dangerous legal precedent that jeopardizes foundations’ ability and willingness to make identity-based grants to … [Read more...] about The Power of Place-Based Partnerships in the Fight for Equity
Half of Criminal Justice Reform Funding Goes to Nonprofits Based in Just Two States
New York and California are home to America’s largest cities and two of its most robust economies. Together, they’re home to 18% of the national population and they hold a combined 11% of the country’s incarcerated population. They are also home to … [Read more...] about Half of Criminal Justice Reform Funding Goes to Nonprofits Based in Just Two States
Once a “Juvenile Lifer,” This Foundation Leader Works to Elevate an Overlooked Population
Eddy Zheng’s resume doesn’t resemble that of your typical foundation leader — not even close. Zheng, whose family immigrated from China when he was 12, was arrested at the age of 16 and charged with kidnapping and robbery. He was incarcerated for 19 … [Read more...] about Once a “Juvenile Lifer,” This Foundation Leader Works to Elevate an Overlooked Population
Facing Threats to Racial Equity Work, Borealis’ REACH Fund Continues Consistent, Steady Approach
When we last looked at Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equity to Accelerate Change (REACH) Fund in 2019, the then-new fund had just announced its first $1.2 million in grantmaking to nine organizations providing racial equity training to nonprofits … [Read more...] about Facing Threats to Racial Equity Work, Borealis’ REACH Fund Continues Consistent, Steady Approach
Pivotal Ventures Makes the Case for Why “Care Can’t Wait”
Ten Questions for Saida Agostini-Bostic, President of Funders for LGBTQ Issues
Since 2021, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, a philanthropic support organization that organizes funders and supports power-building for queer communities, has been helmed by Saida Agostini-Bostic.Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a network of over 100 … [Read more...] about Ten Questions for Saida Agostini-Bostic, President of Funders for LGBTQ Issues
“We Can Still Be Hopeful.” Talking Trans Funding with Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ Alexander Lee
Alexander Lee has been a nonprofit founder, foundation and nonprofit board member, and leader in the LGBTQ movement for roughly 20 years, beginning when he founded and served as the executive director of the Transgender, Gender Variant & Intersex … [Read more...] about “We Can Still Be Hopeful.” Talking Trans Funding with Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ Alexander Lee
Patrons, Playwrights and More: Five Notable Arts Philanthropies Founded by People of Color
Stereotypes of the typical arts patron aside, funders backing the arts come in all shapes and sizes. IP’s white papers on music, theater and the visual arts provide a snapshot of givers in each field — affluent donors, large private foundations, and … [Read more...] about Patrons, Playwrights and More: Five Notable Arts Philanthropies Founded by People of Color
What the Collapse of a Major HBCU Donation Tells Us About Structural Inequities in Philanthropy
Last month, I first started tracking a strange story coming out of Florida A&M University. Florida A&M (FAMU) is an HBCU founded back in 1887 whose alumni include tennis great Althea Gibson, film producer Will Packer and Florida politician Andrew … [Read more...] about What the Collapse of a Major HBCU Donation Tells Us About Structural Inequities in Philanthropy
With Racial Equity Under Fire, Will Grantmakers Sustain Their Commitments?
Today marks 159 years since Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free the last remaining slaves in the U.S., two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This is also the third year that Juneteenth, sometimes known … [Read more...] about With Racial Equity Under Fire, Will Grantmakers Sustain Their Commitments?
It’s Time to Invest in Loving Systems to Support Black Male Student Success
This May marked the anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education, a decision that aimed to establish equal access to quality public education for all students regardless of race. Seventy years have passed since the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Invest in Loving Systems to Support Black Male Student Success
Funding for Criminal Justice Reform: A Quick Rise Followed By a Hard Fall
The entire philanthrosphere knows that funding has its cycles. Just like any other area of human activity, philanthropic funders are subject to shifts in public opinion, the revelation of new information, or even just the allure of the next shiny new … [Read more...] about Funding for Criminal Justice Reform: A Quick Rise Followed By a Hard Fall
Funders Launch Initiative to Provide Legal Education and Defense for Racial Justice Organizations
The Supreme Court’s decision to effectively end affirmative action in college admissions last year has put philanthropic funders on guard, and is having a broader impact on race-conscious programming across the country. Last week, a U.S. court ruled … [Read more...] about Funders Launch Initiative to Provide Legal Education and Defense for Racial Justice Organizations
In Case You Missed It, Struggling Men and Boys Are Also on Melinda French Gates’ Radar
Now that she’s made her official exit from the Gates Foundation, all eyes are on where Melinda French Gates will take her own giving in the years ahead. Her announcement last month that she’ll move an additional $1 billion out the door through 2026 … [Read more...] about In Case You Missed It, Struggling Men and Boys Are Also on Melinda French Gates’ Radar
Six Questions for Morgan (Mo) Willis and MARS. Marshall, Co-Directors at Third Wave Fund
In January 2024, Third Wave Fund, an organization founded in 1992 that resources and supports youth-led, intersectional gender justice and activism, welcomed Morgan (Mo) Willis (she/they/he/all pronouns) and MARS. Marshall (they/he pronouns) as … [Read more...] about Six Questions for Morgan (Mo) Willis and MARS. Marshall, Co-Directors at Third Wave Fund
Melinda French Gates Charts a Course for a “New Chapter.” Here Are Some Takeaways
It didn’t take her long. Just two weeks after the news broke that Melinda French Gates was leaving the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she made another big announcement: She is committing $1 billion through 2026 “for people and organizations working … [Read more...] about Melinda French Gates Charts a Course for a “New Chapter.” Here Are Some Takeaways
To Build Black Wealth, This Regional Regrantor’s Initiative Is Directly Funding Individuals
The Story Behind a Donor’s Million-Dollar-Plus Gift to Back the Fight for LGBTQ+ Civil Rights
Seven Funders Working to Improve Child Welfare and Foster Care
Funders Must Step Up to Engage Pro-Equality Voters This Year
How Trish Adobea Tchume Cultivates the Conditions for Liberatory Leadership in Philanthropy
One of the first lessons I learned as a young organizer is that leadership is a practice, not a position. It is how we are, not who we are — despite what the hero narrative may lead us to believe. So when I started writing articles for Inside … [Read more...] about How Trish Adobea Tchume Cultivates the Conditions for Liberatory Leadership in Philanthropy
Just Value Is Taking On Biased Home Appraisals with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Help
Why This Donor Was Inspired to Step Up for Tulsa Race Massacre Victims
As with Juneteenth, long celebrated annually in June by Black Texans, it is only in the last few years that historical realities of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 have been widely recognized. The terrorist act involved a white mob’s planned … [Read more...] about Why This Donor Was Inspired to Step Up for Tulsa Race Massacre Victims
Three Ways Philanthropy Can Respond to Attacks on Affirmative Action, According to Black Leaders
From Supreme Court cases to state-level legislation, the past year has brought unprecedented attacks on critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion, school curricula and the books available to the general public, as well as affirmative … [Read more...] about Three Ways Philanthropy Can Respond to Attacks on Affirmative Action, According to Black Leaders
The Gill Foundation, an LGBTQ Powerhouse, Dives Into Pro-Democracy Funding
Behind a Latina Donor’s Big Gift for Critical Race Studies at UCLA
As has long been the case, university campuses are front and center in today’s culture wars. Philanthropic donors have played and are playing a prominent role in many of those battles, with ongoing skirmishes over institutions’ positions on the … [Read more...] about Behind a Latina Donor’s Big Gift for Critical Race Studies at UCLA
Eight Questions for Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation
As the new CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, Julián Castro took over the role from Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, who served as CEO from 2015 to 2023. A big name on the national political scene, Castro now helms a regional grantmaker with an … [Read more...] about Eight Questions for Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation
To Mobilize Voters, the Latino Community Foundation Reaches Beyond California for the First Time
Come every election season, there's always a lot of talk about Latino voters — and for good reason. Not only do Latinos make up a significant share of the U.S. population at almost 20%; they're also the second fastest-growing racial and ethnic group … [Read more...] about To Mobilize Voters, the Latino Community Foundation Reaches Beyond California for the First Time
With a Big Commitment, Ford Looks to BUILD Gender and Reproductive Justice
Since the Ford Foundation unveiled its BUILD Initiative in 2016, it has supported a wide range of nonprofits working to combat inequality. UltraViolet, which promotes gender justice, is the most recent organization on that list. BUILD will invest $4 … [Read more...] about With a Big Commitment, Ford Looks to BUILD Gender and Reproductive Justice
