Massachusetts

and Plimoth Plantation

Interesting charities encountered in our travels. With a special focus this installment on top-flight, donor-powered medical institutions in Boston.

Private giving extends even into national defense.

Enemies of faith want hundreds of institutions of higher ed to shut up or shut down.

Ray Madoff believes that perpetuity undermines broader societal values. There are good reasons to sunset, true. But why should sunsetting be legally mandated?

Unexpected American legacies

Desh Deshpande is bringing the market to MIT's labs

Meet the donors who have taken it upon themselves to launch new colleges

The remarkable legacy of Rockefeller-funded Nobel laureates

Police foundations support and even pioneer public-safety enhancements.

A small group of donors is up against the worst drug epidemic ever. They need help.

Veterans and chefs help in Houston. Broken instrument symphony. Ronald McDonald House marathons. Midwest wildlife preservation.

The Rust Belt native and Yale Law graduate on his nonprofit and the barriers to success many Americans face

One of the largest libraries in the world is a product of private philanthropy

While federal health-care policy is in disarray, these charities and volunteers are offering help now

Against governmental opposition, early Americans created savings vehicles to boost the working class

Glittering glass out of the ashes. Unions block charters. Life-and-death nonprofit work. Crowdsourcing art.

With the valuable pro bono hours they volunteer, lawyers can change lives, or change the country.

The most consequential developments after 25 years of charter schools.

Turning urban squash into food for academic success

A marriage of market-based conversation and treetop acrobatics helps kids succeed in school

Catholic schools are on the cusp of resurrection

You thought only government could do defense? Think again!

A Secret Santa. Disaster giving. Taxing church attendance. Adopt a neighborhood.

Philanthropically supported groups helping students grow in their faith are embraced by participants, but also face threats

How donors can help teachers acquire the skills they need.

A new court decision preserves a popular and important form of nature philanthropy

The charter school boom ahead

Volunteers in Medicine is recruiting retired doctors to help the poor

A new book on the "problem of vast individual fortunes" is a little threadbare

Which Americans give most to charity?

Meet Eli and Edythe Broad, winners of the 2013 William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership

A tale of unconventional givers

The Relay Graduate School of Education is revolutionizing teacher training