MacKenzie Scott Announces New Grants — More Than Expected

Plus, why philanthropy must not avoid controversial topics (opinion); and giving from top donors fell in 2023 ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. BIG PHILANTHROPY [Big Surprises as MacKenzie Scott Announces ‘Open Call’ Winners]( By Nicole Wallace [STORY IMAGE]( The billionaire philanthropist announced 361 winners — and $640 million in giving. OPINION [Former Program Officer’s Plea to Philanthropy: Don’t Run Away From Controversial Topics]( By Theo Kalionzes [STORY IMAGE]( I’ve come to accept the growing scientific consensus that nuclear energy is critical to addressing climate change. Other grant makers should, too. PHILANTHROPY 50 [Donations by Top 50 U.S. Donors Fell Again in 2023, Sliding to $12 Billion]( By David Campbell, Angela R. Logan, and Michael Moody [STORY IMAGE]( Mike Bloomberg, Phil and Penny Knight, and Michael and Susan Dell led the list of biggest givers. WEBINARS [Thursday, March 21 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can your nonprofit host events that inspire donors without breaking the bank? Join us to learn from two experts how to stay within your event budget without sacrificing your donors’ experience. Plus, you’ll get creative ideas for highlighting your mission and connecting with donors at your next event. Join us for How to Host Engaging Events and Stay Within Budget. [April 18 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Affluent donors continue to take advantage of donor-advised funds. To better understand the motivations and giving preferences of those who hold these accounts, join us for How DAF Donors Are Giving Away Their Money. We’ll share insights to help you better connect with donors who give this way, and you’ll learn how nonprofits are successfully attracting contributions through DAFs. SPONSOR CONTENT | Classy [The Return of a Community-Centered Fundraising Model in a Digital-First World]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation has canceled plans to bestow an award named for the late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on, among others, Elon Musk, Michael Milken, and Rupert Murdoch after Ginsburg’s family objected that “this year’s slate of recipients do not reflect her values.” ([Washington Post]( The American Bible Society, which conducts ministries and distributes Bibles globally, will close a $60 million museum in Philadelphia that focused on the role of faith in the history of the United States, saying the pandemic and other unspecified issues made the venture unsustainable. ([Religion News Service]( More News and Opinion - Justices Seem Likely to Side With N.R.A. in First Amendment Dispute ([New York Times]( - The Billion-Dollar Donor’s Mother Was a Philanthropist, Too: She Helped Jews Fleeing Hitler ([Forward]( - Want to Own Your NYC Apartment? This Nonprofit Is Helping Renters Buy Their Units. ([Gothamist]( - Opinion: To Put It Charitably, Elon Musk’s Philanthropy Isn’t That Generous ([Washington Post]( - Olga Murray, Who Changed the Lives Of Children in Nepal, Dies At 98 ([New York Times]( Arts and Culture - Andy Warhol Foundation Settles With Artist Lynn Goldsmith After Landmark Ruling ([Artnet News]( - These New Museums (and More) Are Changing the Way Black History Is Told Across America ([USA Today]( Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS FIRST PERSON [‘It Just Feels Doable Now': Four Latino Fundraisers Up Their Game With Affinity Group Help]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( Practical advice and networking opportunities are helping members of Somos El Poder connect with peers and raise more money for their organizations. OPINION [My Son’s Identity Doesn’t Make Him a Victim. Why Does the Social-Change World Insist It Does?]( By Eboo Patel [STORY IMAGE]( Equating identity with oppression harms social movements and those they seek to help. FUNDRAISING [Midlevel Donors Offer Fundraisers a Huge Opportunity Amid Declines in Giving]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( A new report found that 31 percent of such donors have made a bequest and 23 percent are considering it. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Fundraising events can come with a sizable price tag. With rising costs, it’s harder than ever for fundraisers to balance the desire to create an exceptional donor experience with the need to ensure an event brings in more dollars than it costs. How can nonprofits host memorable events that don’t break the bank? Join us on Thursday, March 21, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn about proven ways to highlight your mission, connect with donors, and hit your revenue goals by keeping costs under control. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Director of Individual Giving]( Southern Environmental Law Center [Director of Donor Relations]( Southern Environmental Law Center [Director of Development - Major Gifts, South and Central Regions]( The National WWII Museum [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. 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