For Philanthropy, Fighting Misinformation Is an Uphill Battle

Plus, a dispatch from the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. FOUNDATION GIVING [As ‘Pro-Democracy’ Philanthropy Grows, Experts Warn of Many Obstacles to Combating Misinformation]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Knight Foundation just pledged $7 million to fight election misinformation in swing states. But recipients of grants to bolster accurate political information say their work is being thwarted by social media platforms, A.I., and escalating partisanship. FUNDRAISING [Conference: Fundraising Strategies and Successes at Often-Overlooked HBCUs]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( Historically Black colleges and universities should build up their planned-giving programs and focus more on seeking federally funded grants, according to a panel discussion at the conference, which also described successful fundraising drives. WEBINARS [July 18 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( It isn’t easy to create holiday appeals that capture donors’ attention during the busiest fundraising time of the year. To get a jump on these critical campaigns and a handle on what to expect this year, join us for Planning a Year-End Fundraising Strategy in the Current Giving Climate. You’ll learn from Skyler Reep of KSPS PBS and Seth Rosen of The American LGBTQ+ Museum as they share real-world appeals, proven approaches, and tips for planning ahead while staying flexible. FORUMS [July 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( For years, nonprofits have been worried about the decline in the number of Americans who give. To reverse the trend, many are using new messages and communication channels to reconnect with middle-class donors. To explore what’s working now, join our free online forum, Bring Everyday Donors Back Into the Fold. You’ll hear from Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together; CJ Ortuño, vice president of philanthropy at Civic News; and Victoria Vrana, CEO of GlobalGiving. [July 31 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for How Data Is Driving Fundraising Success to learn about the latest data-driven fundraising techniques and tools that savvy nonprofit leaders are embracing. You’ll hear from Louis Diez of the Donor Participation Project, Don Irwin of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, and Natalia Pierson of Norfolk State University. They’ll explain how they put their donor data into action — and how your nonprofit can, too. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Funding for efforts to shore up American democracy is growing, and one estimate for 2021-2022 puts it between $5.4 billion and $6.9 billion. Wealthy supporters tend to be heirs to fortunes, financiers, and newly rich tech executives supporting nonprofits as well as for-profit ventures. Beneficiaries range from groups attempting to connect people with different ideologies or representing embattled elections officials in court to start-ups thwarting misinformation, providing donation software, or disseminating guides to elections across the country. ([Financial Times]( [Background from the Chronicle on Philanthropy and Democracy]( Austrian chemical heiress Marlene Engelhorn recently used a “citizen’s assembly” of 50 strangers to determine how she should give away $27 million of her fortune. An ancient tradition that governments and institutions still use occasionally but has been largely overlooked in philanthropy, the idea has sparked the interest of at least one major philanthropy and impact investment consultancy in Europe. Meanwhile, experts are studying how the concept could be put to use to make companies more responsive to the wishes of ordinary shareholders. ([Bloomberg Businessweek]( More News - Are We Actually in the Middle of a Generosity Crisis? ([Vox]( - Background from the Chronicle: [Everyday Donors Want to Give. Here’s How to Find Them]( - Trevor Project Announces New CEO, Jaymes Black, to Helm the LGBTQ Suicide Prevention Nonprofit ([NBC News]( - North Carolina Lawmakers Question Their $500 Million Investment in a Private Nonprofit ([NC Newsline]( - Remember the Alamo? Rehab of Battle Site Is Latest Front in Culture War. ([Washington Post]( - Background from the Chronicle: [Statues of Confederate Generals Have Come Down. What Should Take Their Place?]( - Girls in Tech Shuts Down Two Years After Move to Nashville ([Nashville Post]( subscription) - $5.5 Million Grant from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to Expand NPR Collaborative Journalism Network ([NPR)]( Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. EDITOR'S PICKS FUNDRAISING [Everyday Donors Want to Give. Here’s How to Find Them.]( By Ben Gose and Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( It’s challenging to focus on small-dollar contributors when you need money today — but experts say a broad base of support is key for nonprofits’ long-term health. OPINION [How One Word Could Change Philanthropy]( By Leah Hunt-Hendrix [STORY IMAGE]( Embracing the word “solidarity” alongside “justice” and “equity” will help philanthropy rethink what it means to do good. BIG GIFTS [Michael Bloomberg’s New $1 Billion Gift to Johns Hopkins Matches the Year’s Biggest So Far]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( The media mogul’s donation is the latest aimed at making medical school tuition-free. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( —It isn’t easy to create a campaign that captures donors’ attention — and gets them to give — during the most competitive fundraising time of the year. And 2024’s giving season presents even more challenges, including wars, economic worries, and a politically charged presidential election. To learn how to build a smart strategy despite the tricky climate, join the Chronicle on Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m. ET for a 75-minute webinar and get a jump on your planning. Our expert guests will share tips for creating a timeline that can be adapted if needed, ways to engage everyone at your organization in fundraising to boost results, and real-world examples of approaches that are working — and which to avoid. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](. [Chief Development Officer, University Foundation]( Shippensburg University Foundation [Chief Advancement Officer]( Milton Academy [Director of Leadership and Planned Giving]( Richmond Symphony [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037