Philanthropy’s 30 Most Powerful Couples
These are partnerships that determine the fate of potentially billions of dollars in funding. Here, we round up 30 of the most prominent philanthropic power cou... Read more.
What Happened to Laurene Powell Jobs’ and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Once-Ambitious Green Group?
Launched with fanfare in 2019, Earth Alliance promised to ally billionaire dollars and celebrity clout against the threats of climate change and biodiversity lo... Read more.
MacKenzie Scott’s Website and Grants Database Have Arrived, Open Call for Applications on the Way
The long-awaited website detailing MacKenzie Scott’s norm-shattering philanthropic project is here — complete with a searchable grants database and dollar a... Read more.
Two Years After Historic Uprisings, Where Does Philanthropy’s Commitment to Racial Justice Stand?
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, philanthropies committed billions to racial equity. Two years on, how much money has moved? Where has it gone? In t... Read more.
Philanthropy’s Attempts to Remain Above the Fray Are Slowing Progress on Climate Change
For as long as philanthropy has been funding climate action, foundations have preferred a non-ideological stance that refuses to confront powerful political and... Read more.
Another Multibillion-Dollar Climate Pledge, and More Questions Than Answers
In the latest billionaire climate commitment, Laurene Powell Jobs will give $3.5 billion over the next decade to respond to the global emergency. Find out what ... Read more.
Now the World’s Wealthiest Person, What Kind of Mega-donor Might Elon Musk Become?
Elon Musk didn't get to be the richest human by following the crowd. After his recent call on Twitter for advice on how he might deploy his ballooning wealth, w... Read more.
First Details on Bezos’s Massive Climate Giving Favor Big Greens, Predictable Approaches
Long-awaited details on where Jeff Bezos will send his $10 billion climate commitment are beginning to come to light, and the first reported round of grants off... Read more.
Helping Philanthropy Understand and Connect With Native American Communities
Native communities in the United States receive disproportionately low philanthropic support, despite high levels of need, but also resourcefulness and organizi... Read more.
Why Aren’t Community Foundations Supporting Native American Causes?
Native American causes are a low priority among national funders, and community foundations are not picking up the slack. An analysis of 10 states found 0.15 pe... Read more.
Henry P. Kendall Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Henry P. Kendall Foundation supports healthy and resilient food systems in Boston and throughout New England. FOCUS AREAS: Healthy food, food sus... Read more.
Foundation for Louisiana is Taking on Climate Change’s Ripple Effects on Communities
Climate change is altering the physical landscape of Louisiana—and causing deep societal impacts, rooted in generations of systemic racism. One state communit... Read more.
Lessons from the Intersection of Coronavirus and Climate Resilience
While resilience funding has mainly focused on climate impacts, COVID-19 drives home the need to build capacity to withstand a range of shocks and stresses. A g... Read more.
How a California Water Funder Turned to Community Foundations to Get Local
Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity and quality problems, and drought-prone California is right on the frontlines. The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation en... Read more.
Fight Locally: Inside the 11th Hour Project, a Top Climate Funder
Wendy and Eric Schmidt’s 11th Hour Project puts a big focus on climate and energy—and its grantmaking has grown significantly. Foundation leaders explain th... Read more.
What Would it Take for Jeff Bezos to be a Positive Force in Climate Philanthropy?
There’s good reason to be apprehensive about Jeff Bezos’ $10 billion commitment to fighting climate change—and good reason to be hopeful, too. Here’s ho... Read more.
Henry and Wendy Paulson
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Goldman Sachs, former CEO FUNDING AREAS: Climate Change, Conservation, Animals and Wildlife, Religion, Education OVERVIEW: Henry M. “Hank”... Read more.
Forward-Thinking Funders Pitch Practical Changes for a Sector Under Fire
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is a new, five-year collaborative effort to curb power imbalances in the sector by building better relationships with grant... Read more.
As Top Foundations Resist Divesting from Fossil Fuels, What Might Change Their Minds?
Leading climate funders are still invested in oil and gas stocks despite a five-year push for divestment. In the second of a two-part article, we look at the mo... Read more.
Carl and Judy Ferenbach
SOURCE OF WEALTH: Cofounder of private equity firm Berkshire Partners, LLC FUNDING AREAS: Conservation, Sustainability/Climate, Food, Vermont OVERVIEW: Carl Fer... Read more.
Major Climate Funders Are Still Invested in Fossil Fuels. Why is That?
The fossil fuel divestment campaign has ballooned to $12 trillion in commitments. But after a five-year push, most leading climate funders are still investing ... Read more.
With a New Super Green Building in Atlanta, its Funder Hopes for a Ripple Effect
After more than four years and $30 million, Georgia Tech’s green “living building” is complete. The Kendeda Fund, which bankrolled the project, hopes it w... Read more.
For the San Diego Foundation, Climate Change is a Local Issue
San Diego’s vulnerabilities to climate change include drought, wildfire and coastal flooding. The region’s community foundation—like a growing number of l... Read more.
Why a Major Climate Funder is Backing Movement Building and Shifting Away from the U.S.
The Oak Foundation plays a unique role among the largest climate funders. Now that the foundation has shifted away from backing climate work in the U.S., progra... Read more.
After Disaster, a Community Foundation Evolves from Emergency Response to Climate Resilience
The Puerto Rico Community Foundation has played a big role in the long recovery from 2017’s hurricanes. Since the devastating storms, it’s also become a cha... Read more.
In Hawaii, Where Climate Change is a Fact of Life, a Community Foundation Gets Proactive
Hawaiians are watching climate change unfold before them, with their food, water and land at risk. Here’s what the Hawaii Community Foundation is doing to mak... Read more.
Is a Giant University Donation a Sign of the Times for Climate Giving?
A $750 million donation to Caltech for research is a landmark for climate change giving, albeit with the kind of contradictions we’ve come to expect from big ... Read more.
Power in Letting Go: How Participatory Grantmakers Are Democratizing Philanthropy
For years, a small band of grantmakers has seen the power in asking people closest to the problems to make funding decisions. New research suggests participator... Read more.
Where a $1 Billion Pledge for the Environment is Headed So Far
Hansjörg Wyss has been an environmental donor to watch for many years, gradually expanding his philanthropy and public profile. The billionaire is carrying ou... Read more.
Calls for Foundation Accountability Are Rising. Does a New Report Have Answers?
Between horrific scandals and critical books, scrutiny of philanthropy and the donor class is surging. A new report looks at how the sector might respond, with ... Read more.
