Grand Experiment: Behind An Influential Funder's Big Bet on "Equitable Neighborhood Development"

Grand Experiment: Behind An Influential Funder's Big Bet on "Equitable Neighborhood Development"

A couple of years ago, Detroit's Marygrove College was running out of cash. Now, it's the fulcrum of a big push by the Kresge Foundation to use a higher ed institution to drive place-based development.

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Unique Assets: A Bank's Urban Philanthropy Keeps Growing

Unique Assets: A Bank's Urban Philanthropy Keeps Growing

JPMorgan Chase has been blazing a more sophisticated trail for corporate philanthropy. But as the bank giant rolls out its newest program of grants and investments, can it really claim it’s engaged in “systems change?”

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Behind a New Institute for Economic Mobility: Powerful Data and Billionaire Donors

Behind a New Institute for Economic Mobility: Powerful Data and Billionaire Donors

The Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative have both been ramping up anti-poverty work. Now, they’re teaming up to back a policy shop founded by one of the hottest scholars in this space: Raj Chetty.

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Can Philanthropy Help Cities Find the Right Role for Driverless Vehicles?

Can Philanthropy Help Cities Find the Right Role for Driverless Vehicles?

Self-driving vehicles stand to change cities radically, for better or worse, with big implications for equity and the environment. One foundation is trying to give residents more say in how this plays out.

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“Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far

“Our North Star.” What We Can Learn from One Equity Funder’s Journey So Far

The San Francisco Foundation shifted to an equity grantmaking strategy over two years ago, an early adopter of a focus that’s become a driving force in philanthropy. How’s that been working out? And what are key takeaways for other funders?

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Why Is This Health Foundation Backing Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses?

Why Is This Health Foundation Backing Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses?

As health funders move upstream to address the underlying drivers of health disparities, they’re broadening their strategies. The latest example: A $2.75 million grant to boost rural and minority small business owners in Colorado.

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Meaningful Careers: A Tech Giver Helps Pair Veterans With Cybersecurity Jobs

Meaningful Careers: A Tech Giver Helps Pair Veterans With Cybersecurity Jobs

Philanthropists have been stepping up to help veterans, and they’ve also been investing heavily in STEM workforce development. We explore the inside story behind a gift that combines these two threads.

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At Surdna, Don Chen Looks to Helm a Social Justice Funder That "Punches Above Its Weight"

At Surdna, Don Chen Looks to Helm a Social Justice Funder That "Punches Above Its Weight"

As a prominent smart growth advocate and program director at Ford, Don Chen worked alongside Surdna as it evolved into an influential social justice funder. We talk to Chen about his future role leading it into its next phase.

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Big and Getting Bigger: JPMorgan Chase Philanthropy Is Getting a Boost

Big and Getting Bigger: JPMorgan Chase Philanthropy Is Getting a Boost

The bank is already one of the biggest and most important corporate funders, focusing on workforce skills and urban development. Now its philanthropic arm will have even more money to work with.  

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Systemic Failure: Four Reasons Philanthropy Keeps Losing the Battle Against Inequality

Systemic Failure: Four Reasons Philanthropy Keeps Losing the Battle Against Inequality

In recent years, many foundations have put equity front and center in their work. But economic stratification only seems to be getting worse in America. Here's where funders have gone wrong. 

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Game Changer? Just Maybe. Why Gates' Move Into Anti-Poverty Work Is a Big Deal

Game Changer? Just Maybe. Why Gates' Move Into Anti-Poverty Work Is a Big Deal

In a major strategic shift, the Gates Foundation is investing in curbing poverty at home. While it’s starting relatively small, with a $158 million initiative, the move has big implications for the anti-poverty field.

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Banking Against Urban Poverty: Inside JPMorgan Chase Philanthropy

Banking Against Urban Poverty: Inside JPMorgan Chase Philanthropy

The giant bank has become a surprising leader in philanthropy's push for inclusive economic growth. We take a deep dive into the backstory—and what JPMorgan brings to the table that's new. 

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Rust Belt Bellwether: Behind an Innovative Partnership to Build the "Workforce of Tomorrow"

Rust Belt Bellwether: Behind an Innovative Partnership to Build the "Workforce of Tomorrow"

We’re seeing more partnerships between corporations, universities and philanthropy to upskill workers so they can thrive in a global economy. Here’s another case study out of central Michigan.

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In All Its Forms: Ford's VP of Inclusive Economies Talks Strategy

In All Its Forms: Ford's VP of Inclusive Economies Talks Strategy

Since its restructuring, the iconic Ford Foundation has been tackling key drivers of inequality. Xavier de Souza Briggs, who leads Ford’s economic grantmaking, gives us an in-depth look at what that means.

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Levers of Influence: How These Top Donors Back Conservative Causes

Levers of Influence: How These Top Donors Back Conservative Causes

Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein have drawn attention as leading mega-donors to the GOP. But they’ve been equally energetic in pushing their views through philanthropy. Here’s a quick primer.

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Millions to Improve Job Skills From a Top Funder May Help Workers Move Up. But How Far?

Millions to Improve Job Skills From a Top Funder May Help Workers Move Up. But How Far?

Steve and Connie Ballmer are among the big funders who are putting new money into workforce development. But what can this approach achieve in the face of large-scale structural inequities that hurt workers?

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Behind a Major Think Tank’s New Fund for Promising Problem Solvers

Behind a Major Think Tank’s New Fund for Promising Problem Solvers

The Aspen Institute and a trustee’s family foundation have been backing leaders across social issues through an annual prize. They just raised a new $1.2 million fund to increase their support, focusing on growth opportunities in a wide range of fields. 

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A Push for Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Chicago by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation

A Push for Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Chicago by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Aside from its global aspirations, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation has a strong Chicago connection and close relationship with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Here’s what this entrepreneurship funder is supporting in the city.

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How This Justice Funder is Backing Water Infrastructure in American Cities

How This Justice Funder is Backing Water Infrastructure in American Cities

Freshwater management has lately emerged as a major philanthropic issue. The Surdna Foundation is a leader in this space, as part of its broader work in backing green infrastructure for sustainability and equity.

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For Global Companies, Giving to Upskill Workers Makes a Lot of Sense

For Global Companies, Giving to Upskill Workers Makes a Lot of Sense

Two big new commitments from Google and Accenture offer a window into the biggest trend in corporate philanthropy right now. What’s behind all the focus on the “future of work”?

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