June 02, 2023 Jim and Marilyn Simons Just Doubled a Public University's Endowment. More Mega Gifts to Come? June 02, 2023/ Paul Karon The megadonor couple just committed $500 million to Stony Brook University in New York. Is this a sign of more huge gifts down the road? And can other states learn from New York’s higher ed endowment matching program?Read More
June 01, 2023 A Tale of Two Georgias: One Healthcare Funder's Roadmap for Rural Health Equity June 01, 2023/ Paul Karon In 2017, the Healthcare Georgia Foundation launched an initiative to improve health and economic opportunity for residents of the state's underserved rural areas. Here's how it went, and what other funders can learn. Read More
May 15, 2023 This Under-the-Radar Foundation Backs Medical Research. But There’s a Dark Side to Its Story May 15, 2023/ Paul Karon The Larry L. Hillblom Foundation funds research to cure diabetes and the degenerative diseases of aging. It was founded after the death of its eponymous original donor, about whom disturbing revelations emerged.Read More
May 10, 2023 The Huge Philanthropic Gift at the Heart of a Major University Initiative to Advance Computing May 10, 2023/ Paul Karon A $260 million gift from the Lord Foundation of California to USC seeded a billion-dollar, campus-wide effort to reshape technology research and teaching. It’s part of a unique windfall of funds that boosted four universities.Read More
May 04, 2023 This Oceans Funder Has Been Protecting Sharks and Rays for 20 Years. Now It’s Expanding the Fight May 04, 2023/ Paul Karon The Save Our Seas Foundation is celebrating two decades of funding marine conservation and raising awareness of the growing threats to sharks, rays and ocean ecosystems. Here’s closer look at its work and a new program.Read More
April 26, 2023 Report Finds Scant Funding for Disability Rights and Social Justice — and Points the Way Forward April 26, 2023/ Paul Karon A study commissioned by the Disability & Philanthropy Forum is a must-read for funders aiming to drive social justice for disabled people and address complex and overlapping issues of racial, gender and other inequities.Read More
April 20, 2023 A Major Gift for Alzheimer's at a Pivotal Time for the Development of Treatments April 20, 2023/ Paul Karon The Lauder family, with wealth from the cosmetics dynasty, is a top supporter of Alzheimer's research. We take a closer look at a recent $200 million commitment for drug development and philanthropy’s role in the field.Read More
April 11, 2023 Sharks Are in Trouble. This Funder Collaborative Is Working to Protect the Oceans' Apex Predators April 11, 2023/ Paul Karon The global fishing industry is pushing many shark species to extinction. The Shark Conservation Fund is pooling money and aligning efforts to protect them — and their increasingly fragile ocean ecosystems.Read More
April 03, 2023 Can AI Help Locate Low-Cost Cancer Treatments? These Funders Want to Find Out April 03, 2023/ Paul Karon We can't have too many ways to fight cancer. Here’s who’s backing a nonprofit startup that’s using AI to repurpose generic drugs that could mean the difference between life and death for patients — and solvency or bankruptcy. Read More
March 28, 2023 Gordon Moore's Philanthropy Was Rooted in a Fundamental Optimism About Science and Tech March 28, 2023/ Paul Karon Computer technology pioneer Gordon Moore died last week at age 94. His legacy includes the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation — and a dedication to the idea that scientific progress can change the world.Read More
March 17, 2023 Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein on Philanthropy’s Responsibility to Diversify Tech March 17, 2023/ Paul Karon In the 1980s, Mitch Kapor's Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet app helped make personal computers indispensable. Now, Mitch and Freada Kapor Klein are on a mission to prove that a fairer tech sector can also be a more successful one.Read More
March 10, 2023 These Health Research Funders Are Facing Down the Next Pandemic Threat — Whatever It May Be March 10, 2023/ Paul Karon The Gates Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation and Open Philanthropy are collaborating under a partnership called Pandemic Antiviral Discovery, funding research to develop treatments that may be needed for future pandemics.Read More
March 06, 2023 This Small but Mighty Research Hub Is Expanding. Here’s Who’s Helping Make That Happen March 06, 2023/ Paul Karon Since 1963, Salk Institute scientists have been advancing our knowledge of cancer, aging, infectious disease and more. With a new seven-year, $750 million fundraising goal, the aim is to grow both its facilities and research ranks.Read More
February 23, 2023 Can Philanthropy Curb the Growing Threat of Wildfire? West Coast Funders Are Giving It a Shot February 23, 2023/ Paul Karon For a century, communities in the Western U.S. have worked hard to prevent and extinguish wildfires. But residents may have to learn to get along with a certain amount of fire. A few funders are navigating this tricky territory. Read More
February 15, 2023 COVID Won't be the Last Pandemic. A Top Biomedical Funder Seeks to Get Ahead of Emerging Pathogens February 15, 2023/ Paul Karon With a $100 million commitment, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute is the latest funder backing research to prepare for pathogens with the potential to threaten human health, or even trigger new pandemics. Read More
February 13, 2023 A Top Science Funder Wants to Keep Ukraine's Scientists at the Blackboard February 13, 2023/ Paul Karon The war in Ukraine offers scope for funders to draw on their strengths to assist the embattled nation. For the Simons Foundation, that means helping Ukraine's physicists, biologists and other scientists continue their work.Read More
February 06, 2023 This Wealthy Virginia Family Is Helping Make the State a Biotech Hub February 06, 2023/ Paul Karon Paul and Diane Manning, longtime supporters of diabetes research at the University of Virginia, recently committed $100 million to build an advanced biotech research institute there. Here’s a rundown on the gift and the donors.Read More
January 24, 2023 How a Boston-area Funder is Continuing the Legacy of a Champion of Global Health January 24, 2023/ Paul Karon The Cummings Foundation is mainly focused on Massachusetts, but is extending its sizable support for healthcare in Rwanda. A new $52 million gift carries on the legacy of global health legend Paul Farmer.Read More
January 12, 2023 Mental Health Professionals Are in High Demand. Who’s Funding Workforce Development? January 12, 2023/ Paul Karon As mental health programs expand, the nation is facing a growing shortage of professionals to work in settings from schools to hospitals. A few major players are engaged, but there’s a huge opportunity here for more funders.Read More
December 16, 2022 This Funder Forum Wants to Help Philanthropy Include and Center Disabled People December 16, 2022/ Paul Karon Created by a group of foundations, the Disability & Philanthropy Forum provides resources to help funders address the needs and rights of disabled people. Its North Star? Centering the disability community in decision-making.Read More