Ultra-Wealthy Donors Are Spending Big on Elections

Plus, how philanthropy can help residents of U.S. territories (opinion), and Ford’s Darren Walker on funding the fight for justice. ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. DONORS AND POLITICS [‘Money Is Power': 44 Ultra-Wealthy Philanthropists Are Top Political Donors This Election Cycle]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( Megadonors like Ken Griffin, Paul Singer, Michael Bloomberg, and Reid Hoffman are collectively giving hundreds of millions to candidates and super PACS to influence voters. ADVERTISEMENT [‘Money Is Power': 44 Ultra-Wealthy Philanthropists Are Top Political Donors This Election Cycle]( OPINION [3.6 Million U.S. Citizens Can’t Participate in Democracy. Here’s How Philanthropy Can Help]( By Javier H. Valdés and Winny Chen [STORY IMAGE]( Not only are people from the U.S. territories unable to vote or access government benefits, they’re also largely ignored by grant makers. PODCAST | GIVING DONE RIGHT [Ford’s Darren Walker on Funding the Fight for Justice]( [STORY IMAGE]( Among the things Walker has learned: Leaders need to listen and be inclusive, but ultimately they sometimes have to go with their gut instinct. WEBINARS [October 10 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Nonprofits that focus on capturing planned gifts can reap big benefits: Charitable bequests totaled $42.7 billion last year. Join us for Steps to Take to Build a Planned Giving Program to learn from Aquanetta Betts, director of planned giving at George Mason University, and Sean Twomey, senior director of planned giving and impact at the Wilderness Society. They’ll share smart advice and examples to help you start or step up your planned-giving efforts. Online Forums [Today, September 24 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join the Chronicle’s Stacy Palmer for The Future of Race-Based Grant Making, a conversation with Roger Colinvaux of The Catholic University of America, Marc Philpart of the California Black Freedom Fund, Carmen Rojas of Marguerite Casey Foundation, Thomas Saenz of MALDEF, and Olivia Sedwick, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. They’ll discuss what comes next now that the Fearless Fund settled a court case that was widely watched as a barometer of what grant makers can do in the wake of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. 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 Billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s $140 million-plus effort to get more low-income students into top colleges has so far come up short. Over the past decade, Bloomberg Philanthropies has worked with a remote college-counseling service and a group of college presidents who lead schools with high graduation rates. But many students recruited for the online counseling did not sign on. And the college presidents’ group fell far short of its goal of attracting 50,000 more low-income students to their campuses, partly because many did not initially commit to specific changes in their admissions or financial aid policies. Bloomberg Philanthropies has shifted its focus to first-generation college students and “expanding an advising model that employs current college students.” ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) Background from the Chronicle: [Michael Bloomberg on the Philanthropy 50 list]( Prosecutors in Georgia have dropped all 15 counts of money laundering against three activists opposing a major new police training facility outside Atlanta. Prosecutors had said the three defendants had illegally funneled money through a bail fund, which was supposed to be used for charitable purposes, to reimburse protesters in an encampment. The trio, along with 58 others, still face racketeering charges, as prosecutors argue the “Stop Cop City” protests are a violent movement led by “militant anarchists.” ([Associated Press]( Background from the Chronicle: [Anger, Protests, and Vandalism Break Out Over Philanthropy’s Support of the Police]( More News - Bill Would Mandate Greater Transparency From Nonprofits Serving Californians With Developmental Disabilities ([KQED]( - A New Coalition of Aid Groups Supporting Sudan Will Launch at This Year’s Clinton Global Initiative ([Associated Press]( - These New Vending Machines Let You Buy Food, Supplies for Charities and Those in Need ([Oklahoman]( - Can a Restaurant Do Well and Do Good? Some Are Betting on Nonprofit Dining Rooms to Make Money While Making Change. ([Bloomberg Businessweek]( subscription) Opinion - Why Executive Leadership in Dance is So Difficult ([Dance Magazine]( - Why Are Both Parties Targeting Civil Society? ([National Review]( - Want to End Poverty? Focus on One Thing. ([New York Times]( - What I Wish My Uncle Jim Could Have Taught California About Charity ([San Francisco Chronicle]( 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 DEMONSTRATING IMPACT [Show How Your Nonprofit Is Making a Difference: 10 Dos and Don’ts]( By Lisa Schohl [STORY IMAGE]( Tips from experts that can help you measure results, share them in meaningful and inspiring ways, and avoid common pitfalls. TRENDS [America’s Giving Crisis — and the Plan to Fix It]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( Generosity Commission concludes a three-year study with a roadmap to boost charitable giving and volunteering in the U.S. RURAL PHILANTHROPY [Native American Group Gives to Individuals to Build Community Wealth]( By Jim Rendon [STORY IMAGE]( The NDN Collective is giving out $25,000 and $50,000 awards, thanks to a $50 million foundation grant. ADVERTISEMENT Upcoming Webinar [Join our webinar]( —We all know program officers are flooded with requests for support. They certainly can’t endorse every proposal that crosses their desks, so what makes one proposal rise to the top? Join us to learn the hallmarks of a winning proposal — from strong writing to well-constructed programs and a compelling vision. Join us on Thursday, November 7 at 2:00 PM ET to learn tips to ensure your proposal resonates with foundation decision makers, instills confidence, and makes a compelling case for support. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES Find your next nonprofit role in The Chronicle Career Center: - [Funding/Sustainability Consultant]( — Public Justice Center [Search all job openings →]( Hiring? [Post a Job.]( [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