Search Results for:

News & Stories Pathways to Opportunity True Diversity 08/14/2023

Denisha Allen (Merriweather) on Why Black Minds Matter

Erica Haines

Philanthropy Roundtable recently sat down with Denisha Allen (Merriweather), founder of Black Minds Matter, a “national movement to celebrate Black minds, support excellence and promote the development of high-quality school options for Black students.” Allen, an American Federation for Children senior fellow, is a champion for school choice and a Florida tax-credit scholarship recipient. Through Black Minds Matter, she hopes to help provide access to an excellent education for every Black student.

News & Stories True Diversity 08/10/2023

What the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action in Higher Education Could Mean for Charities

Elizabeth McGuigan

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling against race-based admission policies at Harvard and University of North Carolina ends affirmative action in higher education as we know it. In the cases Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (“SFFA”) v. University of North Carolina and SFFA v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, the Court ruled that such race-based affirmative action in higher education violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

News & Stories Donor Privacy 08/09/2023

Congressional “Ethics” Bill Threatens to Harm Charitable Sector

Patterson Sheehan

On Thursday, July 20, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee assembled for an executive business meeting to discuss S. 359, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s (D-RI) “Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act of 2023.” While the bill is largely presented as an attempt to make the Supreme Court more transparent, a particularly dangerous provision would require nonprofits that file a federal amicus brief to disclose their major donors, encroaching upon the First Amendment rights of nonprofit organizations and their donors.

News & Stories True Diversity 08/07/2023

Onwuka in Newsmax: Free Markets Thrive When Aimless, Faux Justice Booted

Philanthropy Roundtable

In a Newsmax column posted on August 7, 2023, Philanthropy Roundtable Adjunct Senior Fellow Patrice Onwuka, also a spokesperson for the Roundtable’s True Diversity campaign, argues the “demise” of diversity, equity and inclusion jobs indicates the “free market is moving past emotional hiring and rejecting aimless race-centric programming that spiked overhead costs but destroyed workplace unity.” Onwuka also says organizations should instead embrace diversity efforts that value individuality over traits like race and gender alone.

News & Stories America's Founding Principles True Diversity 08/04/2023

Examining the Impact of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs on America’s Charitable Organizations

Jack Salmon

In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the use of race-based preferences in college admissions, new questions have arisen about philanthropy’s use of similar practices from workplace policies to funding strategies. Many in the philanthropic sector have been strong proponents of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices and have encouraged grantees to apply a racial equity lens in their work. However, some wonder to what end? What has this laser-focus on DEI accomplished for organizations that, in some cases, have been applying it for several years? 

News & Stories Family & Faith Institutions 08/04/2023

Giving USA 2023: A Conversation About Faith and Giving

Esther Larson

As Americans review the findings of the most recent Giving USA annual report, we hope to provide further context to this data, published by the Giving USA Foundation and researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. I recently sat down with David P. King, the Karen Lake Buttrey director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, as well as an associate professor of philanthropic studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

News & Stories Giving Trends Philanthropic Excellence 07/31/2023

Trust-Based Philanthropy: A 2023 Perspective

Joanne Florino

A couple years ago, I wrote a blog for Philanthropy Roundtable explaining how trust-based philanthropy has become a “‘must-have’ topic for conference sessions, webinars, podcasts and articles in popular philanthropy journals.” While there is value in many of the grantmaking practices recommended by advocates of trust-based philanthropy, its proponents claim these practices are insufficient, especially “‘if funders aren’t simultaneously applying a racial equity lens to their work.’”

Events 07/31/2023

Cultivating True Diversity: A Conversation with Ian Rowe

Efforts to promote divisive DEI policies are threatening the freedom of organizations to pursue their missions and help those in need across the country, but this is especially true in the charitable sector. The principles of True Diversity offer a better path forward—an equality-based approach to embracing diversity.

News & Stories Pathways to Opportunity True Diversity 07/27/2023

Key Trends to Watch in Education: Philanthropy’s Response to Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision

Erica Haines

On the heels of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively rendering affirmative action in the college admissions process unconstitutional, it is important to recognize the role of our K-12 education system in preparing students for higher education, especially disadvantaged students who may need extra support.

News & Stories Giving to Higher Education 07/25/2023

Donor Intent Watch: Controversies Around the Country

Joanne Florino

In May, following the passage of the Donor Intent Protection Act in Kansas, Philanthropy Roundtable launched a monthly series on donor intent controversies around the country to better inform those who care about this important topic. This edition of our Donor Intent Watch again focuses on several higher education disputes, this month in Arizona and California.

News & Stories Sector Regulation 07/24/2023

New Philanthropy Roundtable Publication Decodes the Public Support Test

Jack Salmon

On July 24, Philanthropy Roundtable published a new policy primer on decoding the public support test. This primer helps explain why the distinction between public charities and private foundations matters, and how nonprofits can use the public support test process to determine whether they qualify as public charities. It also delves into proposed changes that risk making existing requirements even more complicated.

Resources Sector Regulation Tax Values-Based Giving 07/24/2023

Decoding the Public Support Test: How the IRS Distinguishes Public Charities from Private Foundations

Jack Salmon

Charitable nonprofits are divided into two main categories by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): public charities, which receive support from a range of sources, and private foundations, which are primarily funded by one, or few, sources.

News & Stories Donor Privacy 07/21/2023

New York Attorney General’s Office Admits It Leaked Private Donor Information 

Jack Salmon

Two years after the Supreme Court again upheld the right of donors to give privately, donor privacy remains at risk, as this right continues to be disregarded by attorneys general in states such as New York. As we have written about here before, the New York attorney general’s office has violated First Amendment protections for American givers by posting the 990 Schedule Bs of an unknown number of charitable organizations — exposing their major donors.   

News & Stories Donor Intent 07/21/2023

Jack Salmon in Martin Center for Academic Renewal: A New Kansas Law Protects Donor Intent

Philanthropy Roundtable

In an op-ed published July 21, 2023 by The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, Philanthropy Roundtable Director of Policy Research Jack Salmon applauds the Kansas legislature for its passage of the Donor Intent Protection Act, a law that will prevent the misallocation of charitable funds.

News & Stories Philanthropic Excellence 07/13/2023

Why Foundations Don’t Accept Unsolicited Requests … and How Best to Engage 

Joanne Florino

Nonprofit organizations seeking new funding sources are often confused and frustrated when they encounter foundations that accept proposals by invitation only. This is not an uncommon policy, and foundations of all sizes and viewpoints utilize this practice.

News & Stories Tax 07/12/2023

Rep. Mike Kelly on Why Congress Should Protect Private Philanthropy: This is a Red, White and Blue Issue

Philanthropy Roundtable

Philanthropy Roundtable recently spoke with Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax, about his ongoing support for the philanthropic sector. In this interview, he discusses why congressional efforts to protect charitable giving are important and how he is working to give donors the tools they need to help strengthen communities.

News & Stories True Diversity 07/10/2023

Mike Gonzalez on “Our American Stories”: Communists never produce bread. They only produce bread lines. 

Philanthropy Roundtable

Recently, Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, sat down with radio veteran Lee Habeeb for an episode of “Our American Stories,” a syndicated radio program and podcast that highlights “ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things.” Gonzalez is a partner in Philanthropy Roundtable’s True Diversity initiative,  an equality-based, holistic framework for embracing diversity that values each person as a unique individual and empowers charitable organizations with the freedom and flexibility to advance their missions and help those in need.  

News & Stories Health & Mental Health 07/05/2023

Herrera in The Dallas Morning News: America Faces a Mental Health Crisis. Philanthropy Can Help Solve It. 

Philanthropy Roundtable

In an op-ed published in The Dallas Morning News, Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera writes that, with one in five U.S. adults living with mental illness, private philanthropy is an essential tool that can help solve the nation’s mental health crisis. While “government agencies are attempting to address the lack of mental health resources, research and access to care,” Herrera argues that the government cannot alone solve this problem – and philanthropy has much to offer in addressing it.  

News & Stories Donor Privacy 07/05/2023

Herrera in National Review: The Attack on Nonprofit Free Speech Continues

Philanthropy Roundtable

In an op-ed published in National Review entitled “The Attack on Nonprofit Free Speech Continues,” Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera examines threats to donor privacy two years after the Supreme Court’s decision in Americans for Prosperity Foundation v. Bonta. While this ruling was “supposed to stop states from subjecting people to speech-chilling threats of intimidation and violence,” Herrera writes that the assault on donor privacy rights has returned. To counter this threat, she proposes congressional legislation codifying the Court’s decision. 

News & Stories True Diversity 06/30/2023

Onwuka In Real Clear Education: Fighting for Viewpoint Diversity One Commencement Address at a Time

Patrice Onwuka

In an op-ed published June 30, 2023 in Real Clear Education, adjunct senior fellow at Philanthropy Roundtable and a spokesperson for the Roundtable’s True Diversity campaign Patrice Onwuka argues for free speech on college campuses. She highlights the role of private philanthropy in supporting the protection of free speech and embracing viewpoint diversity.