Philanthropy Today

Oscar Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang are the rare donors of Asian descent to enter the top tier of America’s cultural philanthropists. Their $125 million gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art helped launch the new modern and contemporary wing; their $40 million donation to the New York Philharmonic was the largest endowment gift in the orchestra’s history; and their donation of $20 million helped complete New York Historical’s new Wing for American Democracy. The couple had been low-profile donors until a pandemic-era wave of anti-Asian hate prompted them to be more visible to show “that we earned our right to be part of this society, that we are an integral part of this society,” Oscar Tang said. (New York Times)

The Smithsonian Institution will close its office of diversity following an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies. It is not clear how many employees will be affected. In an email to staff, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said, “Our core values of fairness and equity for all remain unchanged.” Bunch, the former founding director of the National Museum of African American History, “has championed efforts to tell “the full American story.” (Washington Post)

• Background from the Chronicle: Trump DEI Investigations Could Target Large Foundations

Fallout from the Federal Grants Freeze

• Nonprofits Fear Federal Grants Freeze Could Stop Critical Charity Work (New York Times)
• A Nutrition Program for Low-Income Americans Seeks Clarity on Funding Pause (New York Times)
• Nonprofits in New York Are Told Their Contracts ‘Have Been Paused’ (New York Times)
• Here Are the Mass. Programs and Projects That Could Be Affected by Trump’s Order Freezing Loans and Grants (Boston Globe)
• Confusion, Anger as Maryland Officials, Nonprofits Grapple With Funding Freeze (Baltimore Banner)

The Fate of Foreign Aid

• Charities Reeling From USAID Freeze Warn of ‘Life Or Death’ Effects (Guardian)
• Many Ukrainian Aid Groups Stop Work After Trump’s Halt on Foreign Assistance (New York Times)
• A U.S. Shutdown on Foreign Aid Is Hitting From Africa to Asia to Ukraine. (Associated Press)
• Amazon’s Advocates Fear Trump’s Return Means Little U.S. Help to Protect Rainforest (Associated Press)
  
  • Background from the Chronicle: As Calls to Cut Foreign Aid Mount, Philanthropy Must Accelerate Support for Grassroots Groups

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