Want to Diversity Your Board? Change Your Culture First

Plus, a philanthropist worries that rigid adherence to ideology can undo democracy (opinion); and the men behind doomsday seed vault are honored ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [‘Start With Culture Change': The Work Boards Must Do Before Launching Diversity Efforts]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( Nonprofit leaders, trustees, and consultants discuss what can go wrong when organizations focus on board diversity without first creating an inclusive board culture. OPINION [A Partisan Warrior’s Reckoning]( By Rachel Pritzker [STORY IMAGE]( Once dedicated to a purely progressive policy agenda, a philanthropist now worries that rigid adherence to ideology can undue democracy AGRICULTURE [Men Behind the Doomsday Seed Vault in the Arctic Win World Food Prize]( By Scott McFetridge, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( The awardees said they hope the prize will enable them to push for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding for seed bank endowments. WEBINARS [May 21 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Unlocking the full potential of a donor database can help fundraisers identify donors and giving opportunities with the greatest potential, segment supporters into groups and tailor messages to their interests, and take gift prospecting to the next level. Join us on Tuesday, May 21, for Using Data to Boost Giving to learn how to better manage and analyze donor data to reveal the stories it can tell to make fundraising at all levels more strategic. SPONSOR CONTENT | The California Endowment [All About the Health Transformation Happening in California]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online An ill-fated $237 million pledge to Florida A&M University is officially dead and the school’s head of fundraising has resigned. At a meeting of the school’s Board of Trustees Wednesday, university president Larry Robinson announced the resignation of Shawnta Friday-Stroud as vice president for advancement, part of the fallout from the university’s announcement of the gift at May 4 graduation ceremonies before it quickly unraveled amid questions about the donor’s background and wealth. The trustees, who were not given details of the donation before its announcement, voted to hire an external firm to investigate the matter. ([Tallahassee Democrat]( Schmidt Futures, the company that funds the philanthropic ventures of Google billionaire Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy Schmidt, is spinning off or sunsetting more than a dozen programs, according to sources and internal communications obtained by Forbes. Among the casualties is a fellowship program that gives grants, in partnership with the White House, to students in multiple countries. A Schmidt spokesperson said the company, which has a roughly $400 million annual budget, is completing a five-year review that will result in “expansion and sunsets of various initiatives.” ([Forbes]( — subscription) More News - Judge Dismisses California Kids’ Climate Lawsuit. They Plan to Try Again ([Los Angeles Times]( - Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Takes LAPD to Trial for ‘Swatting’ Prank Response ([Los Angeles Times]( - U.S. Suspends Funding for Group at Center of Covid Origins Fight ([New York Times]( - A Leading Free-Expression Group Is Roiled by Dissent Over Gaza ([New York Times]( - ‘The Heroes of This Revolution.’ Healey Announces New Interest-Free Loans to Train Climate Tech Workers. ([Boston Globe]( - Wall Street Big Wigs Raise $68.5 Million to Fight Poverty ([New York Times]( - Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Charity No Longer ‘Delinquent,’ California AG Finds ([NBC News]( - The 10 Biggest Philanthropists in America ([Quartz]( - Project Roomkey Was Meant to ‘Protect Human Life.’ A New Report Tracks Its Performance ([Los Angeles Times]( 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 LEADING [How to Create a Culture of Fundraising on Your Board]( By Lisa Schohl [STORY IMAGE]( You shouldn’t assume trustees know how to raise money simply because they joined your board, experts say. Here are nine ways to build a board that prioritizes fundraising — and help them succeed. PHILANTHROPISTS [Melinda Gates’s $12.5 Billion Separation Agreement Is a Windfall for Women’s Causes]( By Alex Daniels and Stephanie Beasley [STORY IMAGE]( While she is widely expected to devote billions to women’s causes, she has been undertaking other efforts that could be just as consequential for philanthropy. Plus, read about [Monday’s announcement](. OPINION [Expiring Tax Breaks, Charitable Giving, and What’s at Stake for Philanthropy]( By Jack Salmon [STORY IMAGE]( Proposed changes to the tax code will significantly reduce donations, the author argues, spelling trouble for charities. RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Many nonprofit leaders are overlooking a treasure in their midst: the donor database. Unlocking the full potential of a donor database can: prioritize giving opportunities that have the greatest potential; enable fundraisers to segment donors into groups and tailor messages to their interests; and take donor prospecting to the next level. Join us on Tuesday, May 21, at 2 p.m. ET to learn how to better manage and analyze donor data to reveal the stories it can tell and make fundraising, at all levels, more strategic. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](. 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