The Philanthropy Roundtable Blog

In a victory for free speech, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of student Chike Uzuegbunam this term, holding in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski that government officials must be held accountable when they violate constitutionally protected freedoms.

I challenge my philanthropic colleagues to lean into our discomfort, ask the tough questions, think independently and truly engage in a real conversation about where we are as a country and how we can best move forward to help communities in need.

Efforts to inhibit debate by regulating anonymous support risks not only discouraging free speech but also set an unwelcome precedent that could inhibit philanthropy as a whole.

May is both Military Appreciation and Mental Health Awareness month; the intersection of those two demonstrates how breaking down barriers to telehealth can benefit our military veterans.

If celebrities and athletes want to make a difference they should consider Shaq’s advice to take care of where they’re from. It could spark new waves of civic renewal and local communities would score.

This week the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta (formerly AFPF v. Becerra). Here are the top 5 takeaways.

At its best, philanthropy has given people the tools and resources they need to succeed. It enables people to rise together with the help of communities and private generosity.

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case out of California that could have a major impact on charitable giving and those individuals who prefer to keep their charitable activities, specifically donations, confidential.

The stakes of this case are high and the implications wide-reaching.

An attorney with a legal and ethical duty to the child is among the most important protections we can give both to a child who has been abandoned or abused and to a child who has been wrongly removed from a parent falsely accused.

“A lot of these donor-advised fund gifts came in unrestricted and allowed us to get right to work and put the money where it was needed most."

In January 2020, Global Citizen launched its “Give While You Live” campaign, which asks billionaires to commit to giving away at least 5% percent of their wealth each year.

Now that the door has been opened to telehealth deregulation, increasing healthcare access while keeping medical personnel and patients safer, will that door stay open?

As someone who draws inspiration from people who have had to overcome obstacles I will never know, I’m always looking for those stories to remind myself of how resilient and capable the human spirit is.

The philanthropic sector is abandoning a time-tested approach. Instead, it is embracing a political approach that is dividing the country and holding Americans back.

American journalism, especially at the local level, is gasping for financial oxygen. We must hope for a combination of business acumen and philanthropy guided by true civic interest to keep journalism—and the accountability it brings—alive.

“The quick response from donor-advised funds allowed us to be very nimble in our relief efforts."

“Donor-advised funds will continue to grow and they should: they serve an important purpose in creating the opportunity for longevity in philanthropic relationships.”

Educating for American Democracy (EAD) describes itself as “an unprecedented effort that convened a diverse and cross-ideological group of scholars and educators to create a Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy."

We should not forget that during the darkest periods of our history, people like Madam C.J. Walker created opportunities for themselves and others while caring for societies least able.

Ford Foundation President Darren Walker has had yet another star turn, this time in an adoring profile on 60 Minutes. But the specific approach to philanthropy for which Walker was lauded on 60 Minutes deserves greater scrutiny.

Today, the greatest single threat to America’s national security and long-term economic security is the illegitimate and corrupt ruling regime in Beijing.

Transitioning to a hybrid-model or fully reopening schools seems more possible than ever.

When students can’t tell the difference between a sponsored ad and a news story, even the education establishment recognizes it is failing to teach media literacy.

Women’s History Month offers a great time to reflect on how principles of philanthropic freedom advanced the cause of equality for women in our nation.

The stipulation that DAFs must make payouts within 15 years is arbitrary and capricious. Further, it risks funds not being available at times of greatest need, such as during the pandemic.

Two groups of parents are at war in Loudoun County, Virginia over Critical Race Theory in the classroom.

As schools begin to tentatively reopen in parts of the country, many are wondering what has changed, what the fallout will be and how the K-12 has evolved as a result of the pandemic.

While the growing emphasis on critical race theory in American classrooms has broader societal implications, the real victims of this educational approach are the students themselves.

Medical students are working together to promote human flourishing through advancing caring and character in medicine in order to positively impact individuals and communities in our society.

Tyler never graduated from Morgan State University. He was forced to drop out after one year because he could not afford tuition. Now he gave the university $20 million.

Earlier this month, the Legal Insurrection Foundation (LIF), in collaboration with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, offered an eye-opening webinar titled “How Critical Race Training is Harming K-12.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has resuscitated her campaign proposal to levy additional income tax on “ultra-wealthy” Americans. Under her proposal, the government would charge two percent on assets above $50 million each year, increasing by a percentage point over $1 billion.

According to a recent survey, students are increasingly reluctant to discuss controversial topics on campus.

"Donor-advised funds have been incredibly successful in getting help to people who otherwise wouldn’t receive it because of the time and administrative costs that often create barriers to donors operating private foundations."

"Thankfully, the charitable response we’ve been seeing has also been incredible. One way we were able to respond is through our Stay in School fund, which has so far helped 1,400 families pay their outstanding tuition balances."

"It’s been really encouraging for us to see the community rally together, and especially our network of donor-advised fund holders, around helping the broader community at this time."

"Donor-advised funds have made it possible for our supporters to react quickly in crisis and respond to our needs. There’s no bureaucracy."

How government aid should work during a pandemic is far from obvious. The data is helpful for understanding where things stand.

The following article is part of a Philanthropy Roundtable series examining recent calls for additional regulations on charitable giving and the works underpinning these proposals.

In the world of criminal justice reform, we hear much more about prison reform than public safety. Here was a perspective that addressed both, without minimizing the issues in either realm.

March 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the first of more than a thousand free public libraries in the United States funded through the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie.

Our interest in this case runs deeper than the immediate loss of charitable resources. The major concern is that these mandates may spill over into the charitable sector, creating a dual punishment of fewer funds and higher compliance costs.

Parton’s philanthropy has worked to make life better for others for decades and it’s working to bring us closer to the end of this pandemic.

Our Constitution protects our right to free association, and many people from both the labor and business sides have fought for years to protect our economic freedom.

Chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, Steve Forbes, posted a video on YouTube outlining the dangers that free speech suppression could have on the American economy.

Most Americans steer their charity to efforts to advance the American Dream — a philanthropy of inclusion and continuity.

Here are some reliable resources available for those of us who are wondering how our state is faring on education issues.

These friend-of-the-court briefs highlight the importance in safeguarding private property rights, and flesh out the issues at stake.

With so much at stake for nonprofit organizations and their donors, The Philanthropy Roundtable supports the call for the Supreme Court to overturn the Ninth Circuit Court’s Ruling in favor of California’s unconstitutional requirement.

“Can We Talk About It?”, a new podcast from The Philanthropy Roundtable launches today on Apple & Google Podcasts.

The Philanthropy Roundtable argued in an amicus brief filed today before the U.S. Supreme Court in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Xavier Becerra.

This next gen—which Goldseker reminds us can include those in their twenties all the way to those in their fifties—will have outsize impact because they will have more resources to give and (for the younger next gens) will give for a longer time, primarily because they are revolutionizing the “how” of philanthropy.

The following article is part of a Philanthropy Roundtable series examining recent calls for additional regulations on charitable giving and the works underpinning these proposals.

The Associated Press cites Roundtable CEO Elise Westhoff in a piece on the Arnold-Madoff proposal that seeks to impose regulations on Donor Advised Funds.

Whether providing COVID-19 relief, supporting healthcare infrastructure, or helping students adjust to online learning, these foundations provided much-needed assistance during a difficult year.

Since nation’s founding, Black people have organized to meet needs of their fellow citizens.

Our schools have enough problems functioning right now—we don’t need union issues added to those.

When it comes to private donations made to election-related efforts, the “dark money” label and its sinister implication is often attached to conservatives’ activities and dollars.

At a time when most of the country wants to find ways to heal our divisions, we should be wary of relying on sources that only reinforce ideological divisions.

Personal charitable giving accounts — or donor-advised funds — are the latest innovation in American philanthropy that is keeping thousands of small nonprofits across the country alive today.

In states across the country, politicians have increasingly demanded that charities and nonprofit organizations reveal the names and addresses of top supporters and donors.

The following interview is part of a Roundtable series highlighting how philanthropy can improve America’s health-care system by investing in medical education to achieve transformational results.

Study reports DAFs may hold more than $5 billion in appreciated assets

A proper rule of law, with various levels of government playing their appropriate roles, is essential to protecting our liberties.

The Donor Intent Hub encourages donors to think carefully about how they deploy their gifts, and provides them with useful guidelines for making sure their philanthropy accomplishes the good they intend.

$200,000 award to go to honored philanthropist’s charity of choice

Howard Husock writes at The Hill that Congressional Democrats would be wise to remember their long, historical support of donor privacy—dating back to the civil rights era—before calling for reforms like those in their much-touted legislation H.R. 1.

The following article is part of a Philanthropy Roundtable series examining recent calls for additional regulations on charitable giving and the works underpinning these proposals.

The following interview is part of a Philanthropy Roundtable series highlighting how philanthropy can improve America’s health-care system by investing in medical education to achieve transformational results.

Updates about important behind-the-scenes developments that could potentially impact philanthropic freedom and excellence.

There are many, many cases where people remain in prison because their Sixth Amendment rights were not protected.

The Philanthropy Roundtable, along with other organizations, sent a coalition letter to Congress urging them to reject new restrictions on charitable giving.

The Roundtable has tips for both new and experienced philanthropists looking to guide or redefine their giving.

Every year, parental choice in education is celebrated across the country during National School Choice Week.

The Philanthropy Roundtable’s mission is more important today than ever.

A medical expert explains the need for more virtue education in medical schools.

The Roundtable's experts provide a robust and informative assessment of the challenges to philanthropic freedom in a changed political environment.

This month, amidst a flurry of news, an important honor for the philanthropic giant Julius Rosenwald came one step closer to fruition.

Today's social justice aims not for the equality sought by Martin Luther King Jr., but for equity, which leads to special treatment for some groups over others.

Congress has resurrected a sweeping election reform bill that’s certain to stifle funding to political advocacy.

Questions about whether to maintain or increase payout rates during a crisis are difficult—and best left to a foundation’s own leaders.

What is philanthropy's equivalent of cancel culture? Howard Husock explains in FOXBusiness.

Even though public charter schools don’t benefit from the funding levels of public schools, they still manage, in many cases, to provide better educational outcomes.

The Supreme Court will decide whether California can require charitable organizations to disclose the identities of their donors.

Patrice Lee Onwuka, adjunct senior fellow with The Philanthropy Roundtable, writes that private philanthropy has been indispensable during the pandemic.

Last month, Congress came together to pay homage to the incredible philanthropic legacy of Julius Rosenwald.

The Gates Foundation and other major donors can take risks that government and corporations cannot.

America is more charitable, dollar for dollar, than any other country. Let's keep it that way.

On IWF's "She Thinks" podcast, Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Elise Westhoff talks about the power of private giving.

What is the relationship between philanthropy and civil society? Howard Husock asks Charles Koch and Brian Hooks.

What can we do about the intense division, naming and shaming, and cancel culture we’ve seen accelerate leading up to this year’s election?

Earlier this month, Nasdaq President and CEO Adena Friedman spearheaded an initiative to attempt to bring more diversity, equity, and inclusion to Wall Street.

Musical artist Cardi B recently demonstrated an important lesson about the role private philanthropy plays in spurring giving.

Major foundations back a proposal that would force smaller donors to spend down their funds, writes Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Elise Westhoff.

For those following donor-privacy issues, there was an important development in the case known as Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Becerra.

Through capitalism, pharmaceutical companies are working to create a COVID-19 vaccine, writes Senior Executive Fellow Howard Husock.

As we kick off the end-of-year giving season, charities can take some confidence that when needed, Americans will still answer the call to help.

Retired Lt. General H.R. McMaster discusses how America could and should defend democracy through principled foreign policy.

The Philanthropy Roundtable surveyed members who fund children’s mental health initiatives to determine if their plans for funding have changed, and if technical assistance is needed to meet their philanthropic goals and objectives.

It seems there are more and more topics we shy away from out of fear of offending, being shouted down, or getting “canceled.”

Last week, we lost a champion of economic freedom and an institution in the free-market community, Walter E. Williams.

We should scrutinize what policymakers and administrators would do either to repudiate or exacerbate identity politics.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is under fire for its allegedly inadequate response to the call for racial justice.

Philanthropy Roundtable vice president of strategy and innovation Debi Ghate writes that diversity mandates harm, rather than help, the philanthropic sector.

Reihan Salam, president of the Manhattan Institute, explains how we can see a renaissance of our American cities.

The Roundtable's Sandra Swirski warns of the consequences of new DAF regulation in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Elise Westhoff, president and CEO of The Philanthropy Roundtable, responds to a proposal to regulate the philanthropic sector.

After the consumerism of the Thanksgiving weekend concludes, Giving Tuesday encourages Americans to do good with their time and treasure.

In a recent Twitter back-and-forth, the celebrities debated about private giving. Read Patrice Onwuka’s take in her recent op-ed for the Washington Examiner.

John Tyler talks donor-advised funds and giving for the long-term.

This year has seen an immediate and generous response to address racial inequity by individual donors and institutional philanthropy alike.

The Roundtable hosted a pleasantly optimistic conversation about the election and what the outcomes mean for those who want to pursue pro-liberty policies.

John Tyler talks family foundations, regulation of the philanthropic sector, and the truth about donor-advised funds.

The president of the University of Chicago, Dr. Robert Zimmer, discusses the importance of creating a climate of free speech on campus.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito defended the First Amendment rights to free speech and religious liberty, warning that support for each is slipping.

Recently, I’ve been following a lot of what Darren Walker, the CEO of the Ford Foundation, has been saying. I came across an interview  he did in 2019, and I have to say, I found myself a little confused.

John Legend picked an online fight with Mark Cuban over the subject of philanthropy, of all things. Who won?

Veterans can be powerful civic assets, but only if they are equipped and deployed to fill those roles.

We should be concerned about all forms of threatened violence, regardless of whether it’s aimed at progressive nonprofits, conservative organizations, or anyone in between.

Given the seriousness of what Joe Biden may need to throw his energy and effort into addressing, it seems he has a choice to make when it comes to philanthropy.

Elise Westhoff explains how a Biden administration could change philanthropy.

We consider this a true win for anyone who believes in a vision of America where people, regardless of race or other characteristics, can pursue opportunity.

Earlier this year, The Philanthropy Roundtable published a guidebook focused entirely on protecting donor intent, a key aspect of philanthropic excellence.

Sandra Swirski, executive director of ACR, wrote to The Chronicle of Philanthropy expressing concerns about how Joe Biden's tax plan could affect the philanthropic sector.

Community foundations from Oklahoma to Oregon gave more than $1.22 billion to charity through donor-advised funds this year.

Giving shot up in the first half of 2020. For that, you can thank not just the billionaire philanthropists, but thousands of donors with small gifts.

In a year afflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, will Americans keep their donations up until the end? A recent survey has some good news.

Helpful news for individuals, families, and foundation boards engaged in time-horizon conversations.

I sat down with John Tyler of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to get up to speed on a recent proposal to regulate DAFs.

We believe this is the first time that authors from both sides of the debate have met face to face to discuss their perspectives.

When SPN released its annual Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement, organizations that helped Americans get through the pandemic topped the list.

Two thought leaders share their perspectives on some complex questions surrounding the role of free speech.

The Constitution has never been interpreted as a color-blind document, even though giants such as Frederick Douglass believed it could be.

The New York-based nonprofit delivers food, and connection, to vulnerable populations during the pandemic.

Donor-advised funds are efficient and effective tools that help donors get resources out the door in times of critical need.

On the Supreme Court, how might Judge Amy Coney Barrett rule on issues of donor privacy?

Philanthropy Roundtable vice president of strategy and innovation Debi Ghate writes that security threats plague conservatives, not just progressives.

Out of the 1,600 children Better Together has served, 96 percent have stayed out of the foster care system entirely.

We discussed the trial penalty and its consequences, and much more—such as why pressure on “white-led” organizations from progressive funders will hurt more than help.

If one values liberty, opportunity, and personal responsibility as we do at the Roundtable, one might bristle at even seeing "The Tyranny of Merit" as the title of a book.

Key takeaways from a discussion of the effects of COVID-19 on the national economy and its relation to rising rates of diseases and deaths of despair.

Philanthropy Roundtable president and CEO Elise Westhoff wrote a letter to the editor at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in response to a recent push to curb philanthropic freedom. Read more.

The recent turmoil in American politics may have helped more Americans understand basic civics. Yet, despite these signs of progress, civic educators still have work to do.

It is going to take litigation to challenge this unconstitutional California law.

deLaski Family Foundation President Kathleen deLaski decided to “go all in” on reinventing college with an opportunity for disrupting higher education.

When free speech grows rarer on so many campuses, how are donors to respond?

When was America really founded: 1776 or 1619? The Philanthropy Roundtable is hosting two scholars for a debate.

A suggestion from a Congressman to rename the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University adds a new twist to donor intent lore, bringing us into the realm of the just plain silly.

One small group is attempting to dictate the rules and terms for an entire industry in a sphere that is voluntary and well-intentioned to begin with.

In the years since 9/11, millions of philanthropic dollars have been poured into the veteran and military family space. What works best?

A recent Forbes ranking of billionaire philanthropists minimizes methods necessary for innovation, problem-solving, and sustainability.

When most campuses aren’t even operating at normal capacity due to the pandemic, what could possibly be driving the numbers of these kinds of cases up so noticeably? The answer: cancel culture has taken root on campus.

The Roundtable hasn’t had the opportunity to file many amicus briefs in support of legal challenges that affect the philanthropic freedom of donors to give to causes they value and to be free of restriction or intimidation in doing so.

“Critics claim that DAFs unduly postpone funds needed by charities, but the vehicle offers many benefits that may outweigh its costs.”

A recently launched experiment supports parents in educating their own kids—during distance learning or otherwise.

Thirty years ago, when Father Greg Boyle was a pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, he became troubled by the prevalence of gang violence in his neighborhood.

While many donors have turned toward humanitarian efforts to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, some are looking at a different sort of humanitarian work.

A majority of donors plan to keep giving to religious causes—despite covid-19.

Philanthropy recently spoke with Jonathan Greenberg of the Jack Miller Family Foundation about mobs tearing down statues and how donors can fund civics education.

The Supreme Court just delivered a victory for school choice, but only time will tell how much it will affect students across the U.S.

A RealClearPolitics spinoff from the Spring 2020 issue of Philanthropy magazine.

Partnership Schools, an innovative network of Catholic educators, expands to Cleveland.

A spinoff in The Hill from the forthcoming Spring 2020 issue of Philanthropy magazine.

A RealClearPolitics spinoff from the forthcoming Summer 2020 issue of Philanthropy magazine.

Philanthropic giving boomed in 2019. What will the future bring?

Donors big and small are helping mom and pop stay open.

There are 124 hospitals in the state of Arizona, and more than 1,000 churches. During the coronavirus pandemic, a new charitable effort was launched to connect them.

The covid-19 crisis created numerous problems in the food sector. Savvy nonprofits and donors connected the dots.

Media companies are laying off employees by the hundreds during the covid-19 crisis. Yet the Long Beach Post, a regional news website with 20 employees, just hired two new reporters.

Leo Linbeck on covid and its consequences.

A new fund provides crisis aid to artists in need.

Meet a ten-gallon donor.

The executive director of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust explains how the foundation is responding to the coronavirus.

Dr. Tony Atala—an international leader in the field of regenerative medicine, which creates tissues that can replace failing body parts—discusses covid-19.