Grant Maker Bolsters Human Connection as a Way to Take on Polarization

Plus, charitable giving is expected to return to pre-pandemic patterns in 2021, and increased AmeriCorps funding can motivate more grant makers to advance service opportunities (opinion) 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](. FOUNDATION GIVING [Grant Maker Bolsters Human Connection as a Way to Take on Polarization]( By Alex Daniels [image] The need for human connection drives a new strategy at the Einhorn Collaborative. Along with other foundations, it is creating a $100 million fund to support nonprofits that help people who are dug in on opposite sides of an issue see the humanity in their counterparts. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( GIVING RESEARCH [Charitable Giving Expected to Return to Pre-Pandemic Patterns in 2021]( By Michael Theis Human-service charities whose programs were in high demand in 2020 may chart declines in year-over-year revenue in 2021, according to a new report. OPINION [Increased AmeriCorps Funding Opens Door for More Philanthropic Investment in Service Opportunities]( By Tyra A. Mariani [image] By combining philanthropic dollars with funds from AmeriCorps and state governments, philanthropy can play a pivotal role in boosting national service. To encourage grant makers to join in this work, the Schultz Family Foundation today is launching a $1 million challenge to match grants of $100,000 to $250,000 to AmeriCorps state service commissions that are working with philanthropy to expand national service. Paid for and Created by GolfStatus.org [Nonprofits Use Technology to Leverage Golf Fundraisers amid Pandemic]( Building and expanding donor databases for future asks, learn how GolfStatus.org’s event management technology is positioning nonprofits to advance their existing partnerships and garnering additional corporate support. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere A conservation nonprofit in Massachusetts suggested it could fell hundreds of thousands of trees on nearly 10,000 acres of protected forest in a bid to take part in California's carbon-offset program. The Massachusetts Audubon Society made the claim to California regulators in order to be awarded carbon credits for saving the trees. Then it sold those credits for about $6 million to polluters in California who wanted to exceed their emissions quotas. Critics of such deals say they are not a net benefit to the climate because they "save" trees that were never in danger while allowing excess emissions. California regulators say they cannot "read the mind" of an applicant to divine that person's intentions and point out that a court has upheld their approach. A Mass Audubon scientist said the group is confident the program "provides a net carbon benefit to the atmosphere." ([ProPublica and MIT Technology Review]( Years of staff churn, frustration, and ethical quandaries at the nonprofit Appeal newsroom have coalesced into a call to unionize, followed swiftly by layoffs. In addition to allegations of bullying and unrealistic performance goals, current and former staffers at the organization, which covers the criminal-justice system, say they negotiated uncertain boundaries between the newsroom and its partner organization, the Justice Collaborative. Editors have stressed the Appeal's editorial autonomy, but they have blurred the lines between journalism and advocacy, the employees say. Earlier this year, the Appeal and the Justice Collaborative merged. ([Daily Beast]( As business leaders try to steer their companies through this polarized era, Patagonia's tradition of open advocacy has worked well for it. The outerwear retailer has for decades embraced progressive causes, weathering periodic boycotts and harassment by its critics. But Patagonia executives say boycotts have little impact on its bottom line because most threats do not materialize and because many who claim to be aggrieved customers do not shop there anyway. Other companies that have embraced causes, including Ben & Jerry's and Nike — which "blew through sales projections" in the same quarter that it featured Colin Kaepernick in an ad — say much the same. “Trying to thread a mushy middle and create something that’s inoffensive to everyone is a recipe for disaster," said Chris Miller, who directs global activism strategy for Ben & Jerry's. ([Los Angeles Times]( Religion News - Catholic Schools Are Losing Students at Record Rates, and Hundreds Are Closing ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - 17 Psychological Groups Call for Greater Protections of LGBTQ Students at Religious Schools ([Religion News Service]( - Across Faiths, U.S. Volunteers Mobilize for India Crisis ([Associated Press]( The Arts - Baltimore Museum of Art Sold 7 Paintings for $16.1 Million to Pay for 'Superstars’ of Tomorrow ([Baltimore Sun]( - Historians Denounce Newark Museum’s Plan to Sell Works at Sotheby’s ([Artnews]( How to Inspire Loyalty Among Major Donors [Join our webinar]( — America’s wealthiest donors gave a total of $24.7 billion last year to help charities address Covid-19 and racial injustice, while nonprofits that tackle hunger, homelessness, and other issues related to poverty received far more from philanthropists than ever before. But attracting gifts from big donors is competitive in the best of times, and the events of the past year upended nearly everything about major-gift fundraising. How can your nonprofit cultivate wealthy supporters — and secure large gifts — during times like these? Join us Thursday, May 20, at 2 p.m. to learn from savvy big-gift fundraisers about what is working — and what is not — in the new normal. Earl Granger III, head of development at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Princess Gamble, fundraising executive at the Smithsonian Institution, will share fresh and creative ways to connect with high-net-worth donors, convey impact, and deepen ties despite social distancing. Both experts will draw on years of big-gift fundraising experience. In previous roles, Gamble helped lead the National Museum of African American History and Culture's $350 million capital campaign, and Granger successfully led a $1 billion campaign at William & Mary. [Register today]( and then join us on May 20 to learn from two fundraising leaders. Editor's Picks FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP [Soros’s Open Society Returns More Focus to Fight Authoritarianism Around the Globe]( By Alex Daniels [image] The transition will lead to cuts in grant-making programs that focus on scholarship, migration, and the future of work. It will also involve elimination of 200 jobs at Open Society. PHILANTHROPY TODAY [They Came Through in a Crisis. Will 2020’s New Donors Keep Giving?]( By The Chronicle of Philanthropy Plus, Rockefeller heirs launch a campaign to block oil and gas development, and a global response to gender inequality is needed as women and girls lose ground in the pandemic (opinion) OPINION [Philanthropy’s Failed Covid Test]( By Benjamin Soskis [image] While large sums have been given, the wealthiest are still richer than before the pandemic hit. And grant makers have been reluctant to say they will permanently lift restrictions on grants. What’s more, when it comes to vaccines, the world’s neediest are still waiting. ADVOCACY [140 Foundations, Activists, and Others Urge Grant Makers to Use Their Shareholder Power to Advance Racial Equity]( By Dan Parks Grant makers are urging investment managers to vote for corporate board members and proposals that will put pressure on companies to do more to aid people of color. INDIVIDUAL GIVING [Rockefeller Heirs Launch Campaign to Block Oil and Gas Development]( By Dan Parks [image] After putting in $30 million of their own into the fund, the Rockefeller descendants want to raise $100 million to cut off the supply of fossil fuels by supporting legal challenges and protest activities. Job announcement Development Director, Institutional Giving at Greenpeace USA.[Visit jobs.philanthropy.com]( for more details. ADVERTISEMENT [Advertisement]( 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. 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 [Chief Growth Officer]( Educators for Excellence [Development Director, Institutional Giving]( Greenpeace USA [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}. 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