Philanthropists Make Their Case at U.N. General Assembly

Plus, OpenAI converts to a for-profit company; and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative taps a new leader ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK [Funders Weigh the Future of DEI, Climate, and Aid at U.N. Meeting]( By Stephanie Beasley [STORY IMAGE]( Chronicle reporter Stephanie Beasley offers an insider’s view of the annual United Nations General Assembly, where there was no shortage of big philanthropies advancing their causes. GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [OpenAI Looks to Shift Away From Nonprofit Roots and Convert Itself to For-Profit Company]( By Matt O'Brien, Kelvin Chan, and Thalia Beaty, AP Business Writers [STORY IMAGE]( OpenAI’s history as a nonprofit research institute that also sells commercial products like ChatGPT may be coming to an end as the San Francisco company looks to more fully convert itself into a for-profit corporation accountable to shareholders. TRANSITIONS [Kumi Naidoo Will Lead Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Pivot Fund has named a veteran journalist as its managing director, and the Yosemite Conservancy will install a new CEO in January. PODCAST | GIVING DONE RIGHT [A Family Foundation’s Quest for Long-Term Impact]( [STORY IMAGE]( Vivian Long talks about how to make grants with long-term impact, ease the pressure on nonprofits, and navigate giving priorities of different generations. WEBINARS [October 10 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( 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, how to jump start your planned giving efforts. They’ll share smart tips for attracting charitable bequests, which totaled $42.7 billion last year, and other planned gifts. FORUMS [October 29 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join Strengthening Cybersecurity In the Age of A.I., a conversation with Francesca Bosco of the CyberPeace Institute, Michael Enos of TechSoup, Raffi Krikorian of Emerson Collective, and Joshua Peskay of RoundTable Technology. They’ll share updates on the current landscape of cyber threats to nonprofits and practical advice on how organizations can protect themselves. 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 Alleging a pattern of questionable spending, Los Angeles County is suing a philanthropy set up nine years ago to raise money for the fire department. The L.A. County Fire Department Foundation raised an average of $1.9 million “in gifts, grants, and contributions” annually from 2019 to 2022, according to court filings. It says it has given more than $5 million to the LAFD. The county takes issue with large payments to the foundation’s president and a vendor, among other things, but the foundation and vendor say they were performance bonuses and reimbursement for goods and services. A judge has frozen most of the organization’s money and is winding it down. ([Los Angeles Times]( Background from the Chronicle: [Anger, Protests, and Vandalism Break Out Over Philanthropy’s Support of the Police]( The University of Chicago has received an anonymous $100 million gift to support free expression. Part of the money will go to the school’s year-old Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, which will expand programming and launch a global fellowship and research program on “emerging free expression issues.” For decades, the university has embraced a policy of “institutional neutrality” on social and political issues and more recently devised free speech guidelines that have been adopted by other institutions — although it was criticized last year for its strict treatment of students participating in a pro-Palestinian sit-in. ([Chicago Tribune]( Background from the Chronicle: [The Donor Revolt Comes to Annual Giving: Israel, Gaza, and Campus Unrest]( More News and Opinion - OpenAI Executives Exit as C.E.O. Works to Make the Company For-Profit ([New York Times]( - Founder Of St. Louis Nonprofit Indicted in Scheme to Defraud Federal Meals Program ([St. Louis Post-Dispatch]( - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Targets El Paso Nonprofit That Offers Legal Services to Migrants ([Texas Tribune]( - Background from the Chronicle: [As Election Nears, Four Freedoms Fund Seeks $5 Million to Support Immigrants]( - Nonprofit Hospitals Saved $37 Billion in Taxes. Here’s What They Delivered in Return. ([USA Today]( - 3 Reasons Why Open Philanthropy Is Investing in a Lead-Free Future ([Devex]( - Column: Are Climate Protesters Changing the World? Or Wasting Their Time? ([Los Angeles Times]( 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. New Grant Opportunities Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to [GrantStation’s]( database of grant opportunities. [Animal Companions:]( The AKC (American Kennel Club) Humane Fund’s Women’s Shelters Grant program provides financial assistance to domestic abuse shelters in the United States that accept pets. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations that provide temporary or permanent housing for victims of domestic abuse and their pets. Nonprofit organizations that provide housing for victims’ pets (pet shelters) and have a working relationship with at least one shelter for victims of domestic abuse are also eligible to apply. [Performing Arts:]( USArtists International, a program of Mid Atlantic Arts, supports in-person performances by U.S. artists and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines at international festivals, global presenting arts marketplaces, and other eligible engagements outside of the United States. The aim is to encourage the presence of U.S. performing artists on international stages and support international tours that develop and expand the careers and artistic goals of U.S. performers by providing connections with presenters, curators, and fellow artists; promote cross cultural exchange through performances or additional activities and workshops; and elevate traditions, aesthetics, art forms, and voices that have been historically underrepresented. Matching grants of up to $11,000 are provided for eligible travel expenses; application deadline February 26. EDITOR'S PICKS RESEARCH AND DATA [The Hidden Patterns Shaping American Philanthropy]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( Where do the country’s charitable dollars really flow? A new collaborative report reveals a complex landscape of giving, with patterns shifting dramatically across time, geography, and donor types. ESSAY [My Journey as a Black Christian DEI Leader at a Jewish Nonprofit]( By Whitney Weathers [STORY IMAGE]( Her colleagues gave the author a new understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion. After the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, it was her perspective of allyship that changed. OPINION [As Lies About Immigrants Flourish, Nonprofit Ethnic Newsrooms Need Support]( By Alicia Bell and Mazin Sidahmed [STORY IMAGE]( High-quality, immigrant-focused journalism can help cut through denigrating comments and dispel misinformation. Online Event [A special invitation]( —Join the Chronicle at the Mission Forward Leadership Summit on October 9, a free online event produced by Mission Partners that we’re proud to co-sponsor. The half-day event will showcase leading experts on how nonprofits are bridging divides, communicating and planning in a time of volatility, working to cool down the political climate, and much more. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES Find your next nonprofit role in The Chronicle Career Center: - [Senior Director, Development]( — The ALS Association [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