Philanthropic Orgs Defend Race-Based Giving Amid Legal Challenge

Plus, what to consider before scaling up; and $300 million pledged at COP28 for climate resilience ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [Grant Making Groups Stand Firm in Defense of Race-Based Philanthropy]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Council on Foundations and Independent Sector have filed an amicus brief supporting the Fearless Fund Foundation, which is defending a lawsuit that tests whether the SCOTUS decision barring affirmative action in college admissions can be applied to grant making. ADVERTISEMENT OPINION [The Nonprofit World Is Obsessed With Scaling. But Is It Always the Right Choice?]( By Kimberly Churches [STORY IMAGE]( Mega-gifts from MacKenzie Scott and others help more groups scale their work. But effective expansion is about more than money — it’s about training, leadership, and a recognition that scaling may not be the best option. CLIMATE [At Least $2.1 Billion in New Funds Pledged at COP28, as Foundations Focus On Health and Agriculture]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( With the United Nations climate talks wrapping up in Dubai, foundations and other funders pledged at least $2.1 billion in new financing to reduce climate impacts, especially from agriculture, and increasing help for vulnerable communities. GRANTS ROUNDUP [18 Grant Makers Promise $302 Million to Aid Farmers in Climate Efforts]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, a dozen foundations pooled $250 million to create the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance, and X Prize will give $101 million in awards through its new global competition to extend human life expectancy by up to 20 years. WEBINARS [January 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can you keep supporters connected to, and inspired by, your cause in uncertain times? Join us for the webinar Developing a Donor-Engagement Plan for 2024 to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results, keep your cause top of mind among supporters, and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. SPONSOR CONTENT | Amazon Business [The Nonprofit Guide to Sustainable Sourcing]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Leaders of several major international aid groups have made a desperate plea for a ceasefire and for protection of civilians in Gaza. Noting that almost all Gazans are displaced in a war that has killed about 18,000 people, including more than 7,500 children, they write that the horrors of the Gaza war eclipse the suffering they have witnessed in Ukraine, Syria, and other recent conflicts. As bombs and blockades make food, medicine, and other essentials scarce, the leaders of Care USA, Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam America, Refugees International, and Save the Children U.S. urge the Biden administration to stop blocking UN motions for a ceasefire and to pressure “all parties to the conflict and in bordering countries” to end the violence against civilians. ([New York Times]( Billionaire investor William A. Ackman’s recent criticism of Harvard University’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, and his loud calls for the resignation of the university’s president, come after years of frustration that Harvard has not heeded his advice on various issues despite his many donations. Ackman, who has given tens of millions of dollars to Harvard, was miffed after the university did not take his suggestions for setting up a Covid testing lab to get people back on campus during the pandemic, and two years ago he threatened to withhold further donations because the university had not taken his advice on investing an earlier gift, sources told the New York Times. Ackman called the second incident a “distraction” and said the university, his alma mater, should have paid more attention to his concerns about antisemitism on campus. ([New York Times]( Plus: How Rich Alumni Ousted Penn President Liz Magill ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) More News - Billionaires Griffin and Geffen Donating $400M to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Largest Gift in Hospital’s History ([Forbes]( - Donations to Harry and Meghan’s Charity Drop by $11 Million ([Daily Beast]( - Iconiq Capital’s Philanthropic Arm Launches the Ocean Co-Lab to Tackle Climate Change ([Barron’s]( - Nonprofit Newsrooms Are Increasingly More Diverse, Like the Communities They Cover ([Editor & Publisher]( - Ohio’s Xavier University Receives $50 Million Gift for New Medical College ([Cincinnati Business Courier]( - ‘Largest Gift in The History’ of University of Northern Colorado Granted, $25 Million to Help Rural Colorado’s Medical Field ([CBS News]( - Public Housing Residents Get Free College Advising in L.A. Program ([Smart Cities Dive]( Arts & Culture - Indigenous Efforts to Decolonize Museums Gain Momentum Throughout Oregon ([Oregon Public Broadcasting]( - Can A.I. Doppelgängers of Artists Help Museums Generate New Interest and Income? ([New York Times]( - Nonprofit Theater Improv Boston Set to Close After 40 Years ([Boston Globe]( 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. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS FAITH AND THE NONPROFIT [What Philanthropy and Nonprofits Lose as Religion Fades]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( As many as 30 percent of churches may close in the next 20 years, leaving philanthropy to confront questions about how much faith matters to its work — and how to fill the void it may leave. Plus, see the rest of our [December issue]( posted online today. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS [The $10 Billion Charity No One Has Heard Of]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The SDG Impact Fund is a donor-advised fund that grew from $238 million to $10 billion in one year. It has prompted some questions from experts. YEAR-END GIVING [Big Gifts, DAF Contributions Will Be Key to Year-End, Fundraisers Say]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( Some nonprofits are sharing blunt messages about financial woes in an effort to spur donations. SPONSOR CONTENT | NewsMatch [How Funders Support Journalism with Ease and Precision]( Our society’s need for trusted journalism has never been stronger – that’s where independent, nonprofit news comes in ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Fundraisers and nonprofit communicators know how vital it is to keep donors regularly informed and inspired by your work. The year ahead is likely to be filled with distractions — from ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical strife to a U.S. presidential election — so cutting through the noise will take creativity and thoughtful planning. How can you keep supporters connected to your cause in unpredictable times? Join us on Thursday, January 18, at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute webinar to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as current events or economic conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. Don't miss this chance to start the year off strong. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Development and Fundraising Associate]( Brooklyn Community Services [Individual Giving Officer]( National LGBTQ Task Force [Executive Director of Gift Planning (Development & Alumni Engagement)]( Centre College [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. © 2023 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037