September 11, 2023 “You Have to Actually Change.” A Major Theater Funder's Quest to Diversify Its Decision-Making September 11, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Theater Project has evolved significantly over the last 10 years. We walk through some key takeaways from a report on its work with program director Quita Sullivan.Read More
September 07, 2023 “Lean into Empathy and Humility.” A Conversation with Denver Foundation President Javier Alberto Soto September 07, 2023/ Mike Scutari In 2019, Javier Alberto Soto became president of the Denver Foundation after leading the Miami Foundation for 10 years. We check in with him to discuss his city-wide listening tour, the people he most admires and more.Read More
September 05, 2023 “We Follow Their Lead.” How Residents Guide the Black Belt Community Foundation’s Grantmaking September 05, 2023/ Mike Scutari Serving a 12-county region in southern Alabama, the Black Belt Community Foundation relies on community volunteers to guide its discretionary grantmaking. President Felecia Lucky walks us through how that works.Read More
August 30, 2023 “The Time Was Right.” How Three Funders Joined Forces to Simplify the Grant Application Process August 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Common App for the Arts, launched by three Bay Area foundations, consolidates each funder’s grants on a single user interface. We look at how it came together, plans for future iterations and more. Read More
August 24, 2023 A New Report Shows Promising Shifts in Funders’ Practices. Whether It’s Enough Is Still Up for Debate August 24, 2023/ Mike Scutari New findings from the Center for Effective Philanthropy show that funders cut reporting requirements and upped general operating support post-2020. It’s encouraging news, but still only represents incremental change.Read More
August 23, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Samuels Foundation Supports the Performing Arts and Healthy Aging August 23, 2023/ Mike Scutari The New York City-based Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation supports performing arts organizations and seeks to improve quality of life for older adults. We take a closer look at its history, grantmaking and more.Read More
August 21, 2023 Art for Social Change: An Arts Funder's Journey to More Fully Embrace Its Social Justice Mission August 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari Philadelphia’s Leeway Foundation supports women, trans and/or gender-nonconforming artists focused on social change. Executive Director Denise Brown walks us through its evolution, key grantmaking programs and more.Read More
August 10, 2023 “A More Even Playing Field.” How Would the End of Legacy Admissions Impact Alumni Giving? August 10, 2023/ Mike Scutari Across the country, it’s looking as if the days of legacy preferences may be numbered. Will ending the policy hurt revenues, or bring about a welcome change in the higher ed fundraising landscape? Read More
August 08, 2023 To Spend Down or Not to Spend Down? This Network Helps Family Funders Answer the Question August 08, 2023/ Mike Scutari The National Center for Family Philanthropy’s (NCFP) Strategic Lifespan Peer Network assists staff at spend-down foundations or at those considering taking that route. Program Director Daria Teutonico walks us through its work.Read More
August 04, 2023 Funder Spotlight: How the Hemera Foundation Promotes Buddhist Practice and Supports Children August 04, 2023/ Mike Scutari Operating as an LLC, the Boulder-based Hemera Foundation is inspired by Buddhist teachings and traditions. Here’s a closer look at its grantmaking and its plans to spend down a $32.9 million endowment by 2032.Read More
August 01, 2023 Is the Cleveland Foundation’s New Headquarters the Future of Place-Based Philanthropy? August 01, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Cleveland Foundation’s new building is anchoring a developing innovation district in an underserved part of the city. Lililan Kuri, the new president and CEO, explains how it could redefine the role of institutional philanthropy.Read More
July 31, 2023 Michael Milken Set the Standard for Rehabilitative Philanthropy. Does That Even Matter Anymore? July 31, 2023/ Mike Scutari The former junk bond king has been a case study in restoring one’s reputation through impactful and committed philanthropy. But don’t expect many other donors in need of reputational rehabilitation to follow in his footsteps.Read More
July 25, 2023 Nine Ways Funders Can Increase Diversity in Higher Ed in a World Without Affirmative Action July 25, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action sent a shockwave throughout higher ed philanthropy. Leaders in the field offer a to-do list to help fellow funders carry out their missions in this new legal landscape.Read More
July 18, 2023 “A Series of Compounding Crises.” The State of Post-Pandemic Theater Fundraising July 18, 2023/ Mike Scutari Three years after the pandemic, audiences haven’t returned to live theater en masse and donors are wary of a recession. Theatre Communications Group’s Teresa Eyring and other leaders help us navigate a fraught landscape.Read More
July 14, 2023 This Billionaire Heiress and Her Husband Have a Huge Philanthropic Footprint in Their Hometown July 14, 2023/ Mike Scutari Ronda Stryker and William Johnston are frequent mega-donors with a foundation that’s laser-focused on Kalamazoo, Michigan. Big as the numbers are on paper, there’s reason to think their local support extends far further.Read More
July 11, 2023 Susie Buffett Plays a Critical Role in the Family’s Giving. Who Is She, and What Does She Fund? July 11, 2023/ Mike Scutari If Warren Buffett ultimately channels more of his fortune to family philanthropies, we can expect his daughter Susie’s profile to grow. We take a closer look at this publicity-shy giver and her Sherwood Foundation.Read More
July 06, 2023 “Control, Impact, Ego.” How Wealthy Donors Make the Choice Between Foundation and DAF July 06, 2023/ Mike Scutari Why would a newly wealthy donor set up a private foundation when they could simply pour money into a DAF? Financial consultant Allan Henriques walks us through a surprisingly nuanced thought process.Read More
June 30, 2023 Last Year, William Buster Took Over a New $1.25 Billion Foundation. Here’s What He’s Learning June 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, the hefty New Hanover Community Endowment is on a mission to serve its home county. We checked in with its inaugural president and CEO on what’s been an eventful tenure so far.Read More
June 28, 2023 “The Privilege to Take Risks.” Alberto Ibargüen Reflects on His Tenure at the Knight Foundation June 28, 2023/ Mike Scutari After 18 years, Ibargüen announced he would step down as head of this influential media funder. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss his career trajectory, philanthropy’s role in society, and much more.Read More
June 26, 2023 Six Questions for Lu Zhang, New Executive Director of A Blade of Grass June 26, 2023/ Mike Scutari A Blade of Grass backs artists whose work advances social change. We checked in with new executive director Lu Zhang to discuss her career trajectory, key priorities in her new role and more.Read More