MacKenzie Scott Donated $560 Million to 23 HBCUs. These Are the Other Things They Have in Common.

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August 9, 2021

From: Chronicle of Philanthropy

Subject: MacKenzie Scott Donated $560 Million to 23 HBCUs. These Are the Other Things They Have in Common.

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Chronicle of Higher Education

MacKenzie Scott Donated $560 Million to 23 HBCUs. These Are the Other Things They Have in Common.

By Oyin Adedoyin

A study found that the grantees tended to enroll higher numbers of first-time degree seekers, charge more, and have higher graduation rates, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education. Stable leadership helped, too.
Gifts Roundup

NYU’s Business School Lands $50 Million From Namesake Donor

By Maria Di Mento

Plus, five additional universities received big gifts.

Nonprofit News From Elsewhere

Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign, faces demands that he resign in the wake of accusations that he participated in efforts to discredit alleged victims of sexual harassment by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The New York attorney general’s report on its investigation of Cuomo stated that David, previously an adviser to Cuomo, played a role in the release of a victim’s personnel file to a reporter. David has denied any wrongdoing, as has Cuomo. (NPR)

Plus: Time’s Up Leader Resigns After Criticism About Cuomo Ties (Associated Press)

In the past eight months, five of China’s richest tech billionaires have pledged at least $13 billion to charity, a sum that far exceeds previous years’ totals. The boom in giving coincides with Beijing’s crackdown on the influence of China’s tech giants, suggesting that the entrepreneurs are donating billions to win favor from government. (Fortune)

More News

Zuckerberg’s Donations to Election Offices Fuel GOP Suspicion and New Election Rules (Associated Press)
Here’s What Happened When a San Francisco Nonprofit Gave Unhoused People $500 a Month (Fast Company)
Philanthropist Barry Diller’s $260 Million Vision of Place With ‘Happy People’ Realized in N.Y.C. (Washington Post)
Museum of Fine Arts Executive to Run New Commonwealth Racial-Equity and Social-Justice Fund (Boston Globe)
13 D.C. Area Theaters Will Require Audiences to Prove They’re Vaccinated (Washington Post)

Opinion

After Starving Black Colleges of Funding for Decades, Government Should Pay Up (Los Angeles Times)
Nonprofit Hospitals Highlight Important Questions About the Charity ‘Grand Bargain’ (Denver Post)
Why Philanthropy Plays an Important Role in Gender Equality (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Editor's Picks

Opinion

Foundations Are Undermining Social Equity Under the Guise of Accountability

By Ruby Johnson, Rose Longhurst, Katy Love, and Magda Pocheć August 5, 2021

Grant makers use conflict-of-interest policies to demonstrate they are being prudent with their dollars, but instead this approach allows them to keep an arm’s length from the very people most likely to advance meaningful change.
FUNDRAISING OUTLOOK

Inflation and Delta Variant Loom in Otherwise Strong Economic Picture for Nonprofits

By Michael Theis July 30, 2021

Economic output is up nationally, major stock indices continue to grow consistently, wages are rising, and consumers spent money. But lingering inflation and the end of pandemic government aid programs are cutting into household incomes, a potential source of worry for fundraisers focused on smaller gifts, and for charities that provide services to the poor.
Good Listening

Fundraising Podcasts Worth Your Time: Leaders and Donors on What Motivates Them

By Emily Haynes August 4, 2021

As the fourth season of her podcast is released, Kathryn Van Sickle talks about the challenges and inspiration she gets from interviewing fundraisers, donors, and leaders in philanthropy.
Opinion

Impact Investing Works. Here’s How Our Family Foundation Made Sure It Makes a Real Difference.

By Jaimie Mayer August 2, 2021

The Nathan Cummings Foundation voted in 2017 to ensure all of its endowment was invested in ways that were in sync with its charitable mission. Here’s how the chairman of its board, Jaimie Mayer suggests others can pursue the approach wisely.
Foundation Giving

Philanthropy’s New Activism in Public Safety

By Alex Daniels July 27, 2021

After George Floyd’s murder by police a year ago, foundations, corporations, and individuals donated billions of dollars to nonprofits in support of racial-justice and equity efforts. But the increase in funding comes at a time when homicide rates are on the rise so grant makers may come under pressure to change course — especially from politicians in regions with strong support for the police.