A Philanthropic Drive to Aid Black Women Is Gaining Momentum

Plus, foundations shouldn’t revert to the bad practices they dropped during a year of crisis (opinion), and a North Carolina insurance executive leaves $50 million to community foundation ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( [logo] Was this newsletter forwarded to you? [Please sign up to receive your own copy.]( You’ll support our journalism and ensure that you continue to receive our emails. [Read this newsletter on the web](. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [A Philanthropic Drive to Aid Black Women Is Gaining Momentum]( By Haleluya Hadero [image] The needs of Black women and girls have become a focus of philanthropic efforts as major donors seek to narrow a racial wealth gap and address chronic funding disparities for groups that serve them. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( OPINION [A Year of Crisis Forced Foundations to Change Bad Practices. They Should Never Revert to the Old Ways.]( By Kris Putnam-Walkerly Grant makers faced their fears and overcame harmful giving patterns during a year of extreme challenges. They need to embrace their newfound bravery permanently. GIFTS ROUNDUP [N.C. Insurance Executive Leaves $50 Million to Community Foundation]( By Maria Di Mento [image] Plus, Johns Hopkins University, the Rand Corporation, and four other nonprofits received big gifts. Paid for and Created by Regions Bank [A Mission of Impact]( Reassessing long-term investment strategy along with an increased focus on nonprofit sustainability, learn how Regions Bank is helping nonprofits recover, rethink and reposition themselves for a more stable future. Coming Tomorrow: Trabian Shorters on Leadership Trabian Shorters, a veteran leader of efforts to train Black leaders and help foundations, nonprofits, and other organizations advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion work, will join the Chronicle’s editor, Stacy Palmer, for a keynote interview that kicks off the [American Express Leadership Academy Global Alumni Summit](. You can [watch live]( on Tuesday, April 27, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere MacKenzie Scott's method of giving away billions — suddenly, with an email or a phone call, and with little online presence or physical infrastructure — makes it the perfect vehicle for scammers, experts say. Sophisticated criminal gangs are pretending to be Scott, targeting vulnerable people with elaborate cons. One single mother in Australia, who had posted a crowdfunding appeal, was lured with the promise of $250,000, which scammers deposited into an account under her name, but for which she had to pay a steady stream of fees to "unlock." The woman said her research turned up no red flags, but by the time she got wise to the scam, she was out $7,900, which she could not recoup because it had been paid in Bitcoin. Criminals in West Africa are running the schemes by setting up dummy bank accounts, one investigator said. ([New York Times]( Last year's shutdown of religious services accelerated a trend that began more than a decade ago, away from physical collection toward online giving in support of churches and their charity work. The share of congregations accepting online contributions rose from 27 percent in 2006 to 48 percent in 2018. By the time of another study, two years later, 73 percent of churches could accept online donations, and the pandemic pushed about 40 percent of the holdouts to make that option available. Now it is mostly small congregations that do not offer an online option, and some congregation leaders say they will bring back in-person collection as soon as they can for those who prefer using checks or cash. ([Religion News Service]( Last week's guilty verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was more of a pause than a rest for racial-justice activists in that city. Even amid relief at the verdict, they were protesting the police-shooting death of Daunte Wright in a suburb north of Minneapolis and mulling where they go from here. In the meantime, deeply skeptical that the verdict will affect significant change, the city's exhausted activists are helping one another out, offering "healing activities" such as dance or meditation. One restaurant owner has started a nonprofit relief service to distribute food and facilitate self-care services for local activists. ([Washington Post]( More News - Biden Expanding Summer Food Program for 34 Million Schoolchildren ([Associated Press]( - Struggling to Stay Afloat During the Pandemic, People Turn to Strangers Online for Help ([Washington Post]( - Private Schools Brought in Diversity Consultants. Outrage Ensued. ([New York Times]( - Razorback Foundation Settles Lawsuit with Bret Bielema ([Arkansas Democrat Gazette]( Opinion - ‘Donor Disclosure’ Chills Free Speech ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - Donor Disclosure Arrives at the Supreme Court ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - Plus: Read more about the [donor-disclosure case]( in the Chronicle. The Arts - Maine Officials Say Artist’s Estate Overpaid Lawyers by $3.7 Million ([New York Times]( - San Diego Museum of Art Accused of Tolerating Sexual Harassment, Racial Inequity ([San Diego Union-Tribune]( How to Start an Individual Giving Program [Join our webinar]( — Individual donors funnel billions of dollars to charities each year and provide a vital source of revenue for many organizations. Research shows that $353 billion — roughly 80 percent of all charitable giving in 2019 — came from individuals. How can your nonprofit tap into this generosity and build a strong individual giving program? Join us on Thursday, May 6, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn from two veteran fundraisers who excel at raising money from individuals. Brittini Lasseigne, director of philanthropy at the YWCA Clark County in Vancouver, Wash., will explain how to create a winning plan to attract direct-response supporters — no matter your budget. Sue Swan, head of development at the American Lung Association, will explain when and how to start seeking higher-dollar donors, including how to staff up for this work. Don't miss this chance to learn from your peers how to tap into this generosity. [Register today](. Editor's Picks GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [Supreme Court Poised to Hear Landmark Case Involving Donor Privacy]( By Dan Parks [image] The justices will hear oral arguments Monday on a California law that requires charities to disclose the names of major donors to state regulators. Their decision, expected later this year, could have far-reaching implications for nonprofits nationwide. FINANCE AND REVENUE [Nonprofits Have an Unexpected New Source of Funding: State Marijuana Revenue]( By Jim Rendon [image] As more states legalize marijuana, the revenue from sales is becoming an important source of funding for community-based nonprofits, but not all grant makers and nonprofits embrace that money. GIVING [The Pandemic’s Influence on Cash Giving, Billionaire Philanthropy, Crowdfunding, and More]( By Emily Haynes [image] Historian Benjamin Soskis takes stock of the past year’s crises and discusses how fundraisers and philanthropy leaders can adapt to a changed giving landscape and prepare for an uncertain future. FOUNDATION GIVING [Foundation Embarks on New ‘Equitable’ Approach to Grant Making]( By Alex Daniels [image] The Kataly Foundation funds nonprofits in areas that have been shut out of the economic mainstream, makes sure investment returns stay in those neighborhoods, and builds relationships with small organizations led by people of color. OPINION [Artificial Intelligence Could Transform Fundraising if It’s Used Effectively and Ethically]( By Beth Kanter and Allison Fine [image] The pandemic gave nonprofits a glimpse of how A.I. can change giving. Now foundations and nonprofits need to join forces to use these tools to jump-start a revolution in giving and ensure that organizations of all sizes and causes benefit. Job announcement Development Director, Freshwater Research, Environmental Education, & Ecological Restoration at Stroud Water Research Center.[Visit jobs.philanthropy.com]( for more details. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( Paid for and Created by Independent Sector [Here’s Why Racial Justice is Already in Your Nonprofit Mission]( Emphasizing DEI throughout all aspects of their nonprofit, Our Clubhouse is bringing new perspectives, research, member feedback and demographic information to their board of directors, propelling racial justice initiatives. Subscribe to the Chronicle The Chronicle of Philanthropy is dedicated to helping nonprofits care for their clients and staff, manage financial setbacks, and stay connected with donors. Please consider subscribing, so that we may continue to provide essential news, resources, and analysis to the nonprofit world. [Subscribe Today]( Job Opportunities [Vice President for University Advancement and Foundation Executive Director]( Middle Georgia State University [Assistant Manager, Corporate Relations]( John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [Executive Vice President Development]( Target ALS Foundation, Inc. [Director of Advancement]( Sojourners [Search the Chronicle's jobs database]( to view the latest jobs in philanthropy. What did you think of today’s newsletter? [Strongly disliked]( // [It was OK]( // [Loved it](. [logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2021 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037