Mellon’s $250 Million Effort to Rethink Confederate Public Monuments

Plus, Alcoa Foundation names a new president; and land trusts offer an innovative way to help the middle class afford a home ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. RACIAL RECKONING [Statues of Confederate Generals Have Come Down. What Should Take Their Place?]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Mellon Foundation has launched a $250 million nationwide effort to rethink public art and memorials. The debates over it are just starting. ADVERTISEMENT TRANSITIONS [Alcoa Foundation Names New President]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the National Center for Youth Law has promoted its new executive director from within, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation has hired its first chief impact officer and director of racial justice. AFFORDABLE HOUSING [Land Trusts Offer an Innovative Way to Help the Middle Class Afford a Home]( By Kay Dervishi [STORY IMAGE]( The nonprofits offer homes at low rates, but in exchange buyers have to give up some of the equity they would typically build up with a standard mortgage. That allows the trusts to offer homes to more people. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [Donors Looking to Combat Antisemitism Can Start With Universities]( On-campus antisemitism efforts are critical to creating an inclusive environment for the Jewish community but must be expanded. COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE [Today: Watch ComNet Keynotes on Whistle-Blower Success and a Path to the Corner Office]( [STORY IMAGE]( The Chronicle is livestreaming keynote sessions from ComNet23, the Communications Network annual gathering. Webinar [Top Ways to Thank Donors and Inspire Loyalty]( [STORY IMAGE]( Before the critical year-end giving season begins, join us on Thursday, September 28, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn how to freshen your donor communications and donor recognition efforts. We’ll share insights from the latest research in donor psychology and offer practical advice on how to apply the findings. Get inspired by real-world examples of creative and fun ways nonprofits thank their donors. Plus, our expert guests will offer guidance on how to build a culture of gratitude at your organization. [Sign up today.]( VIRTUAL FORUMS & BRIEFINGS [Reshaping the Conversation: How to Rebuild Public Trust in Philanthropy Â]( [STORY IMAGE]( Philanthropy is facing a major trust deficit, and closing the gap will require changes in how donors and foundations operate. For instance, many have long called for changes in how charitable tax exemptions and deductions work, criticized foundations for sitting on huge endowments, and sought stronger regulations on political giving. We’ll gather experts from diverse perspectives to debate potential solutions — and outline where everyone agrees — with the goal of moving from debate to action. [Join this free session]( on September 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online A week after laying off more than half of its staff, Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research is under scrutiny for its culture and grant-management practices. The university has launched an inquiry amid complaints from current and former employees about dysfunction at the center and mismanagement by its leader, writer and scholar Ibram X. Kendi. The organization has raised tens of millions of dollars, but key items on its to-do list, including a database to track racial disparities nationwide, remain undone. Kendi has disputed the allegations, noting that the center “has had a number of accomplishments” despite launching amid the pandemic, and that the layoffs were a part of a broader strategic shift for the center. - Following Layoffs, Boston University Announces ‘Inquiry’ Into Ibram Kendi’s Antiracist Center ([Boston Globe]( - ‘I Had to Take the Long View.’ Ibram Kendi Defends Management of Embattled Research Center. ([Boston Globe]( - Amid Mass Layoffs, BU Center for Antiracist Research Accused of Mismanagement of Funds, Disorganization ([Daily Free Press]( Niue, a tiny island nation of 1,700 people in the South Pacific, aims to preserve its ocean territory by selling small sponsorships. For $148, an organization or individual can sponsor 1 square kilometer — or about 250 acres — of ocean to protect that area from illegal fishing and plastic waste for 20 years. The scheme, called Ocean Conservation Commitments, will be administered by a charitable trust. ([Associated Press]( More News - Project Veritas Suspends All Operations Indefinitely: Report ([Daily Beast]( - Film Industry Charities Are Fielding Hundreds of Calls a Day From Unemployed Workers, Seeking Financial Assistance ([New York Times]( - A Nonprofit Is Putting $130 Million Toward Closing Boston’s Life-Expectancy Gaps ([Boston Business Journal]( - ‘Only God Can Thank You’: Female Health Workers in Developing Countries Fight to Be Paid ([New York Times]( - Mich. Early-Learning Nonprofit to Permanently Close After Founder Allegedly Embezzled Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars ([WZZM 13]( - Calif. Is Suing Clinics Over ‘Abortion Pill Reversal’ Claims ([Los Angeles Times]( - Fla. Prosecutor Brings Felony Charges Against Ex-Leaders of Domestic Violence Nonprofit ([Florida Politics]( - What About Philanthropy for For-Profit News? A New Survey Raises Some Concerns. ([Second Rough Draft]( - Journalists Forced to Take Pay Cuts at Nonprofit N.Y. Newsroom ([Semafor]( - Bill Gates Says ‘Brute Force’ Climate Policies Won’t Work ([New York Times]( - NYC’s Community Gardens Overcame Obstacles, Including Rudy Giuliani ([Gothamist]( EDITOR'S PICKS MEASURING IMPACT [With 200,000 Nonprofits Rated, the New Charity Navigator Aims High, Falls Short]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Once obsessed with overhead, the evaluator wants to judge impact and more. Data, however, is scarce. OPINION [What Would Philanthropy Look Like if Black Women Were in Charge?]( By Cora Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( In her introductory column for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Cora Daniels explores the innovative approaches of Black women leaders and why the sector should follow their lead. GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [The House GOP Wants to Probe Nonprofits. Both Left and Right Have Pushed Back]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Ways and Means Committee is looking into whether the nonprofit tax code is rife with abuse, allowing nonprofits to be key players in political races, rather than serving charitable causes. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our next webinar]( — Are you sending out templated thank-you letters to donors? If so, you’re missing out on an opportunity to connect more deeply with your supporters. Savvy fundraisers take the time to customize communications that speak directly to a donor’s heart and inspire loyalty. How can you thank donors in ways that energize connection to your cause and further commitment to your organization? Join us September 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn the latest research in philanthropic psychology and learn how you can easily apply it to thank-you letters and campaigns to increase donor retention. We’ll share real-world examples and proven tips that work, no matter the size of your budget. Plus, you’ll learn about creative, fun ways nonprofits are showing gratitude that will likely spark your own ideas for fostering love for your organization. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Chief Development Officer]( Brooklyn Museum [Vice President, Philanthropy Operations & Systems Effectiveness]( Morehouse School of Medicine [Sen. Director for Advancement, Children's Hospital & Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment]( University of Missouri [Senior Director for Advancement, Health Care]( University of Missouri [Executive Director, School of Medicine and MU Health Care]( University of Missouri [Executive Director of Colleges and Schools]( The University of Alabama [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. 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