June 05, 2023

Nonprofit Homeless Response Staff Struggle to Afford Housing. Will Funders Respond?

June 05, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe

In L.A. and elsewhere, the homeless service sector’s workers are often critically underpaid, and some are at risk of becoming homeless themselves. Part of the problem is funders’ focus on numbers over actual wellbeing.

August 23, 2022

Seven Problems That Have Defied Philanthropy

August 23, 2022/ Philip Rojc

There are certain issues where philanthropy has tried to make a dent and failed. Others are seemingly so intractable that funders have mostly shied away. Here are some key areas where the sector has struggled to move the needle.

July 12, 2022

This Major Funder Hopes to Break the Link Between Homelessness and Incarceration

July 12, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen

A new partnership run by the MacArthur Foundation and the Urban Institute aims to disrupt the connection between housing instability and time in jail — starting in four communities across the country.

March 22, 2022

California's Homelessness Problem Has Long Defied Solutions. Here’s What Five Funders Are Doing

March 22, 2022/ Martha Ramirez

Even before the pandemic, California had around 28% of the nation’s homeless population. Here’s how five Golden State funders are approaching a problem that continues to stymie philanthropy.

March 16, 2022

IP Briefing: What's Going on With Philanthropy for Housing and Homelessness?

March 16, 2022/ IP Staff

In IP's weekly briefings, we provide an overview of what's happening in a particular area of philanthropy. This week, we take a look at who is funding work on housing and homelessness. Here’s what you need to know.

March 08, 2022

Grassroots Initiatives Need More Than Seed Money to Thrive

March 08, 2022/ Kris Kepler, Guest Contributor

People are driven to solve problems in their communities. According to the head of nonprofit LavaMaeX, grassroots efforts can make a huge impact when seed funding is paired with the right training and resources.

May 05, 2021

A Detroit Charity Fighting Homelessness Gets a Big Grant From a Surprising Source

May 05, 2021/ Dawn Wolfe

A Catholic charity fighting homelessness in Detroit received a $7 million grant from a family foundation based in California and Hawaii. It’s an interesting example of a small family funder reaching beyond its immediate sphere.

March 11, 2021

How Housing and Homelessness Fundraisers Are Faring in Difficult Times

March 11, 2021/ Holly Hall

Organizations working in housing and homelessness have faced tough challenges over the past year. We check in with several groups to learn how they’ve adjusted and to better understand this unique fundraising space.

February 03, 2021

Hallowed Land: The World’s Richest Episcopal Church Gets Serious About Giving

February 03, 2021/ Ade Adeniji

Trinity Church Wall Street in Lower Manhattan has amassed billions in real estate wealth. We talk to leadership about the church’s unique philanthropy, including social justice work and real estate development for cash-strapped institutions.

September 16, 2020

"Where People Live Matters." Housing Funders Seek Systemic Change as Crises Mount

September 16, 2020/ Philip Rojc

Already staring down an affordability crisis before COVID-19, housing funders now face a looming eviction crisis. At the same time, the field is evolving fast, as new vehicles for collaboration pop up and racial justice critiques take center stage.

May 15, 2019

From a Tech Billionaire Couple, Millions to Find the Best Solutions to Homelessness

May 15, 2019/ Philip Rojc

Putting $30 million into homelessness research won’t get people housed immediately. But with California poised for bolder action on this crisis, Marc and Lynne Benioff are looking to ensure that resources go to evidence-based solutions that will work.

December 10, 2018

A Big Gift for Homelessness From the Tech Billionaire Begging His Industry to Do More

December 10, 2018/ Caitlin Reilly

Last month after a contentious campaign, San Francisoc voters approved a ballot measure to tax the city’s richest companies to help the homeless. Now one of the measure’s biggest supporters is putting millions of his own money where his mouth is.

November 27, 2018

More Than Oil Wealth: A Closer Look at Houston's Growing Philanthropy Ecosystem

November 27, 2018/ Mike Scutari

Houston’s philanthropic old guard, steeped in oil riches, is welcoming a new crop of funders with diverse sources of wealth and interests as the city undergoes profound demographic and economic change.

November 12, 2018

The Liberty Mutual Foundation Is Fifteen Years Old. What’s It All About?

November 12, 2018/ Julia Travers

As Liberty Mutual Foundation moves through its 15th year, we ask president Melissa MacDonnell about its current work and aspirations. She discussed the foundation’s latest work in its three main areas of giving.

October 17, 2018

Housing First: A Funder Boosts a Promising Model to Address Homelessness in Hawaii

October 17, 2018/ Alice Dickow

A growing range of foundations is giving to build housing for the homeless, looking for a more permanent solution to a chronic problem. Here’s the latest example of how these capital projects come together.

November 21, 2017

"Fundable, Doable, and Measurable." A Foundation's Success Against Homelessness

November 21, 2017/ Alyssa Ochs

After years of frustration, grantmakers are optimistic about reducing chronic homelessness and are scoring notable gains in some cities. We talk to a top Florida funder about its breakthrough work in Orlando.