Open Society Foundations Says Restructuring Is Complete, Announces Big Pledge

Plus, how three charities are attracting everyday donors; and a $61.8 million grant to create affordable housing ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. MAJOR GIVING [Soros’s Open Society Foundations Says Restructuring Is Complete, Pledge $400 Million for Green Jobs]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( The goal of the investment is to produce sustainable jobs and a shift toward clean energy and away from carbon intensive industries in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Senegal, Malaysia and Indonesia. ADVERTISEMENT [Soros’s Open Society Foundations Says Restructuring Is Complete, Pledge $400 Million for Green Jobs]( FUNDRAISING [How 3 Charities Are Trying to Attract Everyday Donors]( By Ben Gose [STORY IMAGE]( The groups’ strategies include appealing to volunteers, adding humor to appeals, and surveying supporters to find messages that resonate. GRANTS ROUNDUP [Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Awards $61.8 Million for Affordable Housing]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Open Society Foundations committed $400 million through its new Economic and Climate Prosperity program, and the George Gund Foundation gave $12.5 million to strengthen democracy through nonpartisan groups. WEBINARS [Tomorrow: July 18 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( It isn’t easy to create holiday appeals that capture donors’ attention during the busiest fundraising time of the year. To get a jump on these critical campaigns and a handle on what to expect this year, join us for Planning a Year-End Fundraising Strategy in the Current Giving Climate. You’ll learn from Skyler Reep of KSPS PBS and Seth Rosen of The American LGBTQ+ Museum as they share real-world appeals, proven approaches, and tips for planning ahead while staying flexible. SPONSOR CONTENT | Center for Creative Leadership [3 Ways Leadership and Evaluation Intersect to Create Change in Nonprofits]( FORUMS [July 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( For years, nonprofits have been worried about the decline in the number of Americans who give. To reverse the trend, many are using new messages and communication channels to reconnect with middle-class donors. To explore what’s working now, join our free online forum, Bring Everyday Donors Back Into the Fold. You’ll hear from Sara Lomelin, CEO of Philanthropy Together; CJ Ortuño, vice president of philanthropy at Civic News; and Victoria Vrana, CEO of GlobalGiving. [July 31 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for How Data Is Driving Fundraising Success to learn about the latest data-driven fundraising techniques and tools that savvy nonprofit leaders are embracing. You’ll hear from Louis Diez of the Donor Participation Project, Don Irwin of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, and Natalia Pierson of Norfolk State University. They’ll explain how they put their donor data into action — and how your nonprofit can, too. 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 In a few days, researchers will release the results of a three-year study of universal basic income, amid a debate over what responsibility tech moguls have to those who stand to lose from the innovations that have made them rich. The study, which tracked 3,000 people in Illinois and Texas, was backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, along with Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, and others. Altman has said direct payments will be necessary as artificial intelligence takes over many functions now performed by humans. Some outside Silicon Valley are urging tech billionaires to use their clout to lobby for federal basic income programs. A scholar of universal basic income said the tech community has a particular obligation to help. “They’re using our data to create their products and haven’t paid us back. And they’re the ones saying they’ll disrupt the economy and put people out of work.” ([New York Times]( Background from the Chronicle: [Guaranteed Income Is Sweeping the Nation. Will It Last?]( California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pulled a $10 million state homelessness grant from San Diego County, which he said moved too slowly to build the tiny homes it was meant to fund. Residents near a site in San Diego had objected, and county officials had not yet found an alternative. Meanwhile, Newsom has complained of local foot-dragging around the state on the issue of homelessness as the numbers of people on the street continue to climb. The state will transfer the grant to San Jose to build interim housing. ([Politico]( Background from the Chronicle: [Foundations Are Funding Tiny Home Villages for the Homeless. Is It a Worthwhile Effort?]( More News - Crisis Hotline Has Answered 10 Million Calls, Texts and Chats ([New York Times]( - An Idaho Safe House Claimed It Was Saving Trafficking Victims. Women Said It Was Like Being “Trafficked All Over Again.” ([InvestigateWest]( - Far-Right Groups That Block Aid to Gaza Receive Tax-Deductible Donations From US and Israel ([Associated Press]( - These L.A. Health Teams Go Door to Door With a Question: What Do You Need? ([Los Angeles Times]( - Former CEO at Philly Music Icon Kenny Gamble’s Nonprofit Sentenced To 7 Years for Embezzlement, Bribery ([Philadelphia Inquirer]( - Expert Calls NRA’s Spending Policies a ‘Dumpster Fire’ as Gun Group’s Civil Trial Begins a New Phase ([Associated Press]( - Former DCist Staff Launch The 51st, New Local News Site for Washington ([Washington Post]( Opinion - Don’t Listen to The Dodgers Foundation. Big Oil Is No All-Star ([Los Angeles Times]( - Why Aren’t Philanthropists Stepping Up to Support Nursing Education? ([Stat]( 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. EDITOR'S PICKS DEMOCRACY [‘Enough of This Red and Blue BS’: Nonprofits, Foundations Respond to Trump Rally Shooting]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Those working to close divides in America talk about what the attempted assassination means — and what needs to be done OPINION [Campus Protests, Donor Secrecy, and a Moment for Reform]( By Benjamin Soskis [STORY IMAGE]( The right’s politicized calls to “follow the money” speak to a very real need for donor transparency and nonprofit oversight. BY THE NUMBERS [Data Don’t Lie: We’re More United Than You Think]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( A neuroscientist warns philanthropy: Your bridge-building efforts may be a waste of money. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( —It isn’t easy to create a campaign that captures donors’ attention — and gets them to give — during the most competitive fundraising time of the year. And 2024’s giving season presents even more challenges, including wars, economic worries, and a politically charged presidential election. To learn how to build a smart strategy despite the tricky climate, join the Chronicle on Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m. ET for a 75-minute webinar and get a jump on your planning. Our expert guests will share tips for creating a timeline that can be adapted if needed, ways to engage everyone at your organization in fundraising to boost results, and real-world examples of approaches that are working — and which to avoid. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](. [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037