Many Nonprofit Workers Struggle to Make Ends Meet

Plus, how one foundation knew when to pivot; and MIT lands $45 million for a new center on nuclear weapons ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. WORK AND CAREERS [Nonprofit Employees Often Can’t Afford Basics, New Report Finds]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( More than one in five nonprofit workers in the United States is struggling to make ends meet, even as many dedicate their careers to helping others facing financial hardship, according to a new report released Tuesday. OPINION | WHAT WE'VE LEARNED [‘The Right Time to Step Away': How One Foundation Pivoted When Its Original Vision Wasn’t Working]( By Lisa Jacobson [STORY IMAGE]( The Barr Foundation thought it had a perfect plan to modernize Boston’s bus system — until it faced unanticipated roadblocks. GRANTS ROUNDUP [Stanton Foundation Gives $45 Million to Create Nuclear-Policy Center at MIT]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, the Bezos Earth Fund granted $30 million to establish its third Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, and the Hamon Charitable Foundation gave $25 million for a new pediatric hospital in Dallas. WEBINARS [September 19 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for How to Measure and Convey Impact, a session designed for communications and fundraising professionals. You’ll learn from Cindy Eby, founder and CEO of ResultsLab; Deidre Kennelly, principal of Kennelly Consulting; and Isis Krause, chief strategy officer at Philanthropy Together, how to collaborate with program staff to demonstrate the difference your organization makes. SPONSOR CONTENT | Humana Foundation [Older Americans are Not Alright. What Should Philanthropy Do About It?]( Online Forums [September 24 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( A June appeals court ruling put philanthropists on notice: Any grants limited to people of a specific race may be illegal. Join The Future of Race-Based Grant Making to hear from Marc Philpart, executive director of the California Black Freedom Fund; Dr. Carmen Rojas, CEO of Marguerite Casey Foundation; Thomas Saenz, president of MALDEF; and Olivia Sedwick, counsel for the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, as they explore the American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund decision. 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 This year is on track to be among the deadliest on record for aid workers around the world. Nearly 200 have been killed so far, compared with 280 last year. Local staff are the most frequent targets, as experts say they bear much of the responsibility for delivering aid but “usually do not have access to the same level of security, training, and protection as international staff.” The most dangerous places for aid groups are Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan. The director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said there has been “an erosion and disrespect of the established norms” that used to protect aid workers in conflict zones. ([Guardian]( - Plus: Colombia Is the Deadliest Country for Environmental Activists, Report Finds ([New York Times]( - Background from the Chronicle: [The Israel-Gaza War Is Pushing Relief Groups to the Brink]( The activist who engineered the conservative majority on the Supreme Court is launching a $1 billion effort to “crush” liberal America. Leonard Leo, who helped build a pipeline of conservative judges, wants to do something similar for “talent and capital” in news and entertainment. With a network of nonprofits and a $1.6 billion donation at his disposal, Leo intends to invest in a local media company. He will also support campaigns against companies, financial institutions, and public agencies that have diversity policies or socially responsible investing practices. ([Financial Times]( — subscription) - Background from the Chronicle: [Can a $30 Million Bet on Supreme Court Reform Rise Above Partisan Divides?]( Notable Gifts - Philanthropists Invest $15 Million in L.A. County Local News ([Los Angeles Times]( - Background from the Chronicle: [After Shaky Start, Philanthropy Coalition’s $500 Million Local News Effort Takes Shape]( - Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott Donates $10 Million to Georgia Community Lender ([Atlanta Journal-Constitution]( - Background from the Chronicle: [The Ripple Effects of MacKenzie Scott’s Philanthropy]( - Art Institute of Chicago Receives $75 Million Gift ([New York Times]( - Lauder, Yael Foundations Give $15.45 Million to Revamp Rome’s Jewish School, With More Plans to Invest in European Jewish Education ([eJewish Philanthropy]( More News - Orange County Leader Faces Scrutiny Over Charity’s Pandemic Spending ([New York Times]( - Workers Fill Holes in the Social Safety Net, But Millions Are Financially Insecure Themselves ([Business Insider]( - Why This South L.A. Hotspot Ditched the Restaurant Model to Become a Nonprofit ([Fast Company]( - AFL-CIO, Entertainment Unions Unveil Federal Priorities For Nonprofit Artists and Journalists ([Hollywood Reporter]( 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 RURAL PHILANTHROPY [Rural America Is Struggling. Where’s Philanthropy?]( By Ben Gose [STORY IMAGE]( New donor collaboratives are experimenting, but few national foundations bring big dollars or a strategy. FOUNDATION GIVING [More Funders Are Handing Off Grant-Making Duties to Intermediaries. Is It a Good Idea?]( By Stephanie Beasley [STORY IMAGE]( A new report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy finds that nonprofits are not as enamored with intermediaries as consultancies and foundations. TECHNOLOGY [The A.I. That’s Already Raising Money]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( A new start-up is testing autonomous fundraisers that will interact directly with donors. Some tech experts have questions. LinkedIn Live [Join our live event]( —Future Caucus CEO Layla Zaidane is betting that Gen Z and millennials can bring an end to partisan warfare. In a conversation with Chronicle deputy opinion editor Nandita Raghuram, Zaidane talks about her organization (formerly the Millennial Action Project) and its work with young leaders in Congress and at the state level to bridge political divides. The Commons in Conversation is a series of exclusive, one-on-one conversations with national and local leaders working to strengthen a fractured America. Chronicle editors and writers will host individuals from across the country in casual lunchtime discussions about what it will take to bring Americans together. Guests will talk about ideas and promising solutions and how the philanthropic world — from major philanthropists to everyday nonprofit leaders — can contribute. Join us for this exclusive live event on Wednesday, September 18 at 12:30 PM ET to learn from our expert guests. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES Find your next nonprofit role in The Chronicle Career Center: - [Director of Alumni Engagement and Volunteer Management]( — Centre College [Search all job openings →]( Hiring? [Post a Job.]( [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