Parks & Gardens
With DEI Under Fire, a Historic Trust Doubles Down on Funding Civil Rights Sites
In recent years, including through the events of 2020, we’ve tracked several ways in which philanthropy is stepping up to preserve historic Black history and civil rights sites. Billionaire Robert F. Smith, for instance, gave nearly $39 million to … [Read more...] about With DEI Under Fire, a Historic Trust Doubles Down on Funding Civil Rights Sites
Why Philanthropy Should Recommit to America’s National Parks
In recent years, and particularly in the last few weeks, we have witnessed tangible impacts of the polarizing and divisive discourse heard all too frequently. And in an era when people often emphasize what divides us, we must not forget the power of … [Read more...] about Why Philanthropy Should Recommit to America’s National Parks
How City Parks Foundation Channels Funds to Small Parks Nonprofits Across New York
Nineteenth-century landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted is best known for co-designing Central Park, New York City’s planned oasis smack dab in the middle of Manhattan. Like so many native New Yorkers, this reporter holds many fond memories of … [Read more...] about How City Parks Foundation Channels Funds to Small Parks Nonprofits Across New York
“Hear New Voices.” A Look at Mellon’s Latest Move to Reimagine America’s Cultural Landscape
Earlier this year, Time magazine named Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander one of the 100 most influential people of 2022. Alexander, wrote playwright Lynn Nottage, “has put real investment into creating spaces that reflect the … [Read more...] about “Hear New Voices.” A Look at Mellon’s Latest Move to Reimagine America’s Cultural Landscape
Eight Things to Know About Billionaire Arthur Blank’s Expanding Environmental Philanthropy
Home Depot co-founder Arthur M. Blank could be the next billionaire to make a major splash in environmental philanthropy. Last August, his philanthropy, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, reorganized to focus on three core areas—democracy, … [Read more...] about Eight Things to Know About Billionaire Arthur Blank’s Expanding Environmental Philanthropy
“Monuments Must Change.” Mellon Examines Symbols of Power in the American Landscape
It’s the largest initiative the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has ever taken on—$250 million for a wide-ranging effort to “transform the nation’s commemorative landscape.” Announced at the end of 2020, Mellon’s Monuments Project is a key part of the … [Read more...] about “Monuments Must Change.” Mellon Examines Symbols of Power in the American Landscape
Funder Spotlight: A Brief Look at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a new series of posts highlighting interesting funders that are on our radar, including key details on how they operate and what they’re up to right now.What this funder cares aboutThis one’s pretty easy: southeast … [Read more...] about Funder Spotlight: A Brief Look at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
To Build Vibrant, Climate-Friendly Spaces, Funders Are Teaming Up With Local Governments
The new climate projects supported by the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities do more than just protect the environment and improve communities. In a sense, they create doorways to other worlds.Take the abandoned roadway along a … [Read more...] about To Build Vibrant, Climate-Friendly Spaces, Funders Are Teaming Up With Local Governments
The Pride of Chicago: A Big Gift for Big Cats
Lions, the second biggest cats in the world (after tigers), will be getting a new home at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, thanks in part to a recent gift of $15 million from Windy City philanthropists Richard and Roxelyn Pepper. The Pepper family has … [Read more...] about The Pride of Chicago: A Big Gift for Big Cats
Wall Street Greens: The Top Givers to Environmental Causes from Finance
A striking number of leaders from the financial sector have become big players in environmental philanthropy. While we write all the time about these funders, I can’t say we yet have a grand theory of “why Wall Streeters care about nature.”And maybe … [Read more...] about Wall Street Greens: The Top Givers to Environmental Causes from Finance
Another Big Gift for a Zoo—Again with a Focus on Conservation
We’ve seen big gifts in recent years for zoos and gardens that explore conservation and connect visitors to the natural world in meaningful ways. For thousands of years, zoos introduced humans to other species. In response to the growing threats of … [Read more...] about Another Big Gift for a Zoo—Again with a Focus on Conservation
Take a Hike: Why a Foundation is Giving Millions for Nature Trails
Nature trails can offer opportunities for exercise and stress reduction, connect people to their local environments and neighbors (potentially improving appreciation for both), bridge communities, and drive recreation and tourism economies. All these … [Read more...] about Take a Hike: Why a Foundation is Giving Millions for Nature Trails
In Boston, a Foundation Sees “Radical Trust” as a Key to Managing Public Places
Think Boston public spaces, and you’ll probably picture the Public Garden, with boats swanning across the lagoon. Or a concert along the Charles River Esplanade. But it’s the smaller spaces, the hundreds of diverse public places sprinkled around … [Read more...] about In Boston, a Foundation Sees “Radical Trust” as a Key to Managing Public Places
Behind a Big Boost for a Legacy Institution, Deep-Pocketed Conservationists
Legacy institutions like museums, libraries, zoos and gardens are continually balancing the maintenance of historic missions with efforts to evolve and attract contemporary audiences and funders. For example, in recent years, we’ve seen zoos around … [Read more...] about Behind a Big Boost for a Legacy Institution, Deep-Pocketed Conservationists
Unlocking Potential: What a Funder is Doing Around Chicago’s Rivers
With so much attention lately to such high-profile environmental issues as climate change and ocean protection, domestic U.S. grantmaking for rivers is easy to overlook. Yet as we’ve often reported, there’s a lot of funder action in this space. For … [Read more...] about Unlocking Potential: What a Funder is Doing Around Chicago’s Rivers
What It Takes: From Philadelphia, Lessons About Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
In 2017, the Knight Foundation placed a big bet on the idea that a city-wide revamping of parks, libraries and recreation centers as civic spaces, and that investments in improving residents’ interactions with government, could be the way to … [Read more...] about What It Takes: From Philadelphia, Lessons About Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
Behind a Big Investment in City Parks: A Foundation With Deep Pockets and a Timetable
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation finds itself facing a pretty remarkable question. How much can a philanthropy do for just two distinct regions, giving $1.2 billion in 20 years? (Well, it’s more money than that, given investment returns, and we’re … [Read more...] about Behind a Big Investment in City Parks: A Foundation With Deep Pockets and a Timetable
Places to Gather: How a Community Foundation is Growing Public Spaces
It’s generally accepted that well-maintained public spaces can provide many benefits to communities, like opportunities for exercise, cultural exploration, entertainment, and stress reduction through immersion in nature. An overarching argument for … [Read more...] about Places to Gather: How a Community Foundation is Growing Public Spaces
Shifting Debates: Awards Spotlight Environmental Research With Impact
The Heinz family is a philanthropic powerhouse, especially in Pennsylvania where the Heinz Endowments are a major supporter of arts, education and the environment. Teresa Heinz has taken a step back from her leadership role there, but she’s still … [Read more...] about Shifting Debates: Awards Spotlight Environmental Research With Impact
Big Gifts Flow to These Legacy Nonprofits. What Are the Takeaways?
It's always interesting to watch how big legacy nonprofits try to stay in step with key trends in philanthropy. Surprisingly, many institutions that were founded over a century ago do a better job than you might think at moving with the times. For … [Read more...] about Big Gifts Flow to These Legacy Nonprofits. What Are the Takeaways?
Philanthropy’s Fixing Up Parks and Public Spaces. How Do We Know It’s Helping Communities?
Everyone loves a nice park. Same goes for libraries, public plazas, trails, etc. But how much of a positive impact do revamped public spaces have on a community or city? Or more importantly, could they have a negative impact?We’ve asked these very … [Read more...] about Philanthropy’s Fixing Up Parks and Public Spaces. How Do We Know It’s Helping Communities?
Who’s Behind Houston’s Largest Parks Grant Ever and Why It Matters
The city of Houston has long been a quiet leader in philanthropy and, more than ever, there's some serious giving power here.One prominent theme in Houston’s local giving scene is a strong interest among donors in outdoor recreation and urban green … [Read more...] about Who’s Behind Houston’s Largest Parks Grant Ever and Why It Matters
Getting It Right: A Parks Project Fueled by Private Dollars, With An Eye on Equity
Philadelphia is about to unveil the first phase of a highly anticipated public parks project with the potential to transform parts of the city. Hatched by a group of volunteers, a formidable partnership is now working to realize the full vision of a … [Read more...] about Getting It Right: A Parks Project Fueled by Private Dollars, With An Eye on Equity
Many Things: The Surprising Appeal of Funding Community Parks
We're living in a golden age of public parks philanthropy. In city after city—including New York, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago and Tulsa—deep pocketed mega-givers have invested big in public parks. Often these donors are … [Read more...] about Many Things: The Surprising Appeal of Funding Community Parks
City Funders Backing a New Park as a Way to Help Repair Old Wounds
In cities across the country, local foundations are getting on board with ambitious parks projects in hopes that they’ll improve their cities’ futures. Sometimes, however, they try to repair damage from the past, including from urban renewal projects … [Read more...] about City Funders Backing a New Park as a Way to Help Repair Old Wounds
A Historic Zoo Gift in the City With the Most Robust “Overall Philanthropic Culture” in the U.S.
A $50 million gift from the John P. McGovern Foundation suggests that funders concerned about issues like accessibility, conservation and community engagement are finding a lot to like in those familiar oases of imagination and adventure—zoos.At the … [Read more...] about A Historic Zoo Gift in the City With the Most Robust “Overall Philanthropic Culture” in the U.S.
Small Is Beautiful: A Grant Program Fixes up Neighborhood Parks
Atlanta has emerged as an unlikely standout in the realm of creative land use and urban green space, and we’ve mostly documented this rise in the context of some of its larger philanthropy-backed projects. In addition to the Atlanta BeltLine, which … [Read more...] about Small Is Beautiful: A Grant Program Fixes up Neighborhood Parks
Mini-Grant Program Taking on Detroit’s Vacant Lots, One by One
Detroit has become something of a Petri dish for experimentation in philanthropy. Over the past five years, foundations have helped bail out the city government, built a light rail line, supported entrepreneurs of color, and launched a number of … [Read more...] about Mini-Grant Program Taking on Detroit’s Vacant Lots, One by One
This $100 Million Project is the Latest Example of the Boom in Parks Philanthropy
A major parks project is moving forward in Atlanta, fueled mainly by philanthropy. As usual with these efforts, there's a lot to like, as deep-pocketed donors pay for green space that improves the quality of life in a major metropolis. And, as usual, … [Read more...] about This $100 Million Project is the Latest Example of the Boom in Parks Philanthropy
