$4.7 Billion California Endowment Names New Leader

Plus, Janine Lee's legacy of healing divisions in the South (opinion); and the Dallas Foundation appoints a new CEO ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP [Health-Care Access Maverick to Lead California Endowment]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The $4.7 billion foundation Friday named Brenda Solorzano, an early architect of trust-based philanthropy and a veteran of health-care grant making in the Golden State, as its next president. OPINION [Janine Lee: A Champion of Equitable Grant Making in the South]( By Susan Taylor Batten [STORY IMAGE]( A consummate philanthropic leader, she leaves behind a unique legacy of healing divisions and facilitating difficult conversations in a deeply complex region. TRANSITIONS [Dallas Foundation Installs Julie Diaz as New CEO]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Jewish Community Foundation San Diego has promoted its chief financial officer to CEO, and the effective-altruism charity The Life You Can Save has named two co-CEOs. WEBINARS [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 | The California Endowment [California Communities are at the Center of Health Transformation]( ONLINE FORUMS [April 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join the Chronicle and a panel of nonprofit experts for the free online forum Using A.I. to Streamline Nonprofit Operations. Our guest experts will share practical examples of the latest A.I. applications and advice on how to manage the rapid pace of A.I.-driven change. Don’t miss this chance to learn how harnessing smart tools can introduce efficiencies and help increase productivity at your organization. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Donations spiked for Los Angeles public school’s last musical-instrument repair shop following an Oscar win for a short documentary that chronicled its struggles in the face of cutbacks that have left it with a fraction of its original staff. ([Washington Post]( Former Trump aide Stephen Miller hails his litigation nonprofit America First Legal as “the long-awaited answer to the ACLU.” But while it calls on heavyweight conservative legal expertise and has scored at least one victory, the nonprofit spends much more on promotion than lawyers, and one critic said that unlike the ACLU., it embraces not core principles, but MAGA culture. ([New York Times]( More News - Catholic Leader Champions Heritage Foundation’s Right-Wing Brand ([WyoFile]( - Daniel Snyder Pulls Maryland Mansion From Market, Donates It to Charity ([Washington Post]( - Caltech Receives $100-Million Gift to Develop New Technologies at the Speed of SpaceX ([Los Angeles Times]( - How Do You Help Homebound, Hungry Seniors? These Services Deliver Free Meals ([Los Angeles Times]( - California Approves Prop. 1 to Fund Mental-Health Programs for Homeless ([Washington Post]( Opinion - The One Idea That Could Save American Democracy ([New York Times]( - Opinion: Foundation-Backed Climate Lawsuits Require Transparency ([Hill]( Arts and Culture - A San Diego Museum Is Selling Its Buildings. What Will Happen to the Extraordinary Art Built Into It? ([Los Angeles Times]( - Performing Arts Subscriptions Are Dying Off. Can More Flexible Options Bring Them Back? ([Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]( 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. New Grant Opportunities Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to [GrantStation’s]( database of grant opportunities. [Literacy:]( ProLiteracy builds the capacity of adult literacy programs to transform lives and communities. ProLiteracy’s Literacy Opportunity Fund provides grants to nonprofit literacy organizations of all types and sizes in the United States that are doing direct work with adult students. Grants can cover general operating expenses, including salaries, technology, supplies, teacher stipends, equipment, space rental, etc., or may focus on a particular project, event, or new programming effort. Grants up to $6,000; next deadline is April 1. [Indigenous Activism:]( NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building the collective power of Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations to exercise the right to self-determination, while fostering a world that is built on a foundation of justice and equity for all people and Mother Earth. NDN Collective’s Community Action Fund provides short-term grants to frontline organizations, groups, and individuals most impacted by local challenges for direct action and organizing efforts that are often urgent and time sensitive.Grants up to $40,000; applications accepted from May 29 to July 17. EDITOR'S PICKS DATA [Are We Getting Back to Normal? New Reports Forecast Fundraising Growth]( By Emily Haynes and Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( Philanthropy will grow an inflation-adjusted 4.2 percent in 2024 and 3.9 percent in 2025, researchers predict. 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 [MacKenzie Scott, Stop Ignoring Small Nonprofits Like the One I Founded at Age 13]( By Sneha Dave [STORY IMAGE]( Ninety-two percent of organizations — including mine — have budgets of less than $1 million and know what their communities need most. But Scott and others make it impossible for us to get needed funds. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — It’s an age-old problem: many nonprofit CEOs and senior leaders struggle to persuade board members to raise money — even though trustees care deeply about the nonprofits they serve. Experts cite a variety of reasons, including the need to define roles and responsibilities when recruiting board members. What does it take to create a vibrant culture of fundraising among board members? Join us on Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn from our expert guests as they share proven ways to solve this perennial challenge. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). 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