Fast Grants From Tech Billionaires Aim to Accelerate Science Research — but Not All Scientists Approve

Plus, a new national monument proclamation puts the spotlight on Emmett Till, and philanthropy must prioritize getting workers into good jobs in the green economy (opinion). ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. INNOVATION [Quick Grants From Tech Billionaires Aim to Speed Up Science Research — but Not All Scientists Approve]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( Silicon Valley’s biggest names are backing new ways to organize and fund science research. Some worry their experiments signal a “move fast and break things” approach. ADVERTISEMENT CIVIL RIGHTS [For Emmett Till’s Family, National Monument Proclamation Cements His Inclusion in the American Story]( By Aaron Morrison and Emily Wagster Pettus, AP National Writers [STORY IMAGE]( When President Joe Biden signed a proclamation Tuesday establishing a national monument honoring Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, it marked the fulfillment of a promise Till’s relatives made after his death 68 years ago. OPINION [In the New Green Economy, Philanthropy Must Take a Smarter Approach to Creating Good Jobs]( By Maureen Conway and Amy Brown [STORY IMAGE]( As federal climate investments open up millions of new jobs, grant makers have a chance to rectify past mistakes and support efforts to create employment opportunities that truly help low-income workers build wealth and advance in their careers. GRANTS ROUNDUP [Ballmer Group Gives $24 Million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for Los Angeles County Programs]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Peterson Center on Healthcare creates a $50 million institute to improve health outcomes, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum received $25 million toward its capital campaign. Webinar [How to Attract Legacy Gifts]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can you inspire donors to include your nonprofit in their estate plans? Join us August 17 at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn from two nonprofit fundraisers — one a lawyer and the other a former investment banker — who will share insights and steps to take to attract planned gifts through wills, donor-advised funds, and other giving vehicles from donors of all ages. Even small groups with limited resources can begin raising planned gifts. [Register now.]( SPONSOR CONTENT | The James Irvine Foundation [Giving Employees the Stage to Speak Without Fear or Intimidation.]( VIRTUAL EVENT [How the Supreme Court Ruling on Race Affects Nonprofits and Foundations]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join the Chronicle on August 10 at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute discussion to help you understand the key issues and potential next steps after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on race-conscious admissions. You’ll hear from a distinguished panel of experts who will explore whether the legal landscape has changed for grant makers and nonprofits working to advance diversity. This session is ideal for foundation and nonprofit leaders, DEI officers, and those responsible for strategic planning. [Register today.]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Some ultrawealthy people have pocketed millions of dollars in tax breaks by making donations to their private foundations that appear to have little public benefit. When one couple gave their Beaux Arts mansion to their foundation, they promised to open it to the public, later specifying to a state official “every weekday from 9-5.” In return, they received “more than $38 million in tax savings … over five years, confidential tax records show.” Meanwhile, the property opens to a few dozen lottery winners for two hours on most Wednesdays. Other examples include a tech entrepreneur whose foundation bought a house from his then-girlfriend and appeared to skirt rules on self-dealing, and a real-estate magnate who received a $4 million tax break for housing part of his $50 million art collection in his guest house, with promises to show it to the public “upon request” and eventually to donate it to his family foundation. The Internal Revenue Service has announced no plans to step up its audits of private foundations and said it “focuses on high-risk issues” that involve tax-exempt organizations. ([ProPublica]( The Department of Education is investigating whether Harvard University’s preferential admissions practices for children of alumni or donors amount to a civil-rights violation and should prompt a withdrawal of federal funding. About 14 percent of students the university accepted from 2010 to 2015 were children of alumni, whose rates of admission were 5.7 times higher than those for typical applicants, according to one analysis. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s rejection of Harvard’s affirmative action policies, the nonprofit Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a complaint in federal court arguing that the school’s use of donor and legacy preferences is discriminatory and, if continued, should preclude Harvard from receiving federal funds. A Harvard spokesman said the university is “reviewing aspects of our admissions policies to assure compliance with the law and to carry forward Harvard’s longstanding commitment to welcoming students of extraordinary talent and promise who come from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences.” ([Boston Globe]( Background from the Chronicle: [What Would Happen to Fundraising if Legacy Admissions Went Away Next?]( More News - Mississippi State University Receives $100 Million Single Gift. See How That Stacks Up Among Largest Ever. ([Clarion Ledger]( - Nonprofit Security Grant Acceptance Rate Falls to 42%, Despite Funding Increase ([Jewish Insider]( - Miriam Adelson Slashed Her Philanthropy as Casinos Closed Due to Covid. Now, Her Business Empire Is Recuperating. ([Jewish Telegraphic Agency]( - In Targeting Catholic Charities, Republicans Amplify Right-Wing Catholic Fringe ([National Catholic Reporter]( - Lawsuit: State Officials Illegally Disqualified Nashville Nonprofit From Longstanding HIV Grant ([Tennessee Lookout]( - U.K. Christian Nonprofit Ditches Barclays Over Oil and Gas Financing ([Bloomberg]( - Theaters in Crisis: Layoffs, Cost Cuts Imperil Nonprofit Stage Companies Across U.S. ([Hollywood Reporter]( - Seattle Art Museum Director and CEO Amanda Cruz Announces Departure ([Seattle Times]( Opinion - IRS Must Enforce 501(c)(3) Limits for Religious Groups, Charities ([Bloomberg Tax]( - Lack of Financial Support at the Crux of San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts’ Troubles ([San Diego Union-Tribune]( 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | The James Irvine Foundation [Economic Sustainability from Within]( How one city in California created a roadmap to prove sustainable economic mobility is possible for struggling communities. EDITOR'S PICKS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION [Foundations Seek to Advance A.I. for Good — and Also Protect the World From Its Threats]( By Kay Dervishi [STORY IMAGE]( Some foundations are betting on the potential of artificial intelligence to solve climate-change problems and develop life-saving drugs. Others are backing nonprofits alarmed by A.I.’s possible threats to civil society and world stability. (This story is free for the nonprofit community.) DATA AND FUNDRAISING [How Data Can Help Nonprofits Bring in More Donations]( By Rasheeda Childress and Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( When data analysts work hand-in-hand with fundraisers, the results can be bigger gifts and better donor relationships. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [Actions Have Yet to Match Words on DEI, Nonprofit Survey Says]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Many groups have pledged to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but change doesn’t yet run deep, survey says. ADVICE [4 Ways Nonprofits Can Start Using the New Social-Media Platform ‘Threads’]( By Emily Haynes [STORY IMAGE]( The new text-based platform from Meta attracted 100 million people to join in its first five days. Some people are speculating that this could be the app to finally supplant Twitter. OPINION [Donors’ Unrealistic Expectations Harm Nonprofits and Take the Joy Out of Philanthropy]( By Sewheat Asfaha and Lauren Janus [STORY IMAGE]( A lack of time, money, and resources means nonprofits can’t always respond to gifts with the immediacy or detail that donors want. Instead, donors should focus on building trusting relationships with the organizations they support. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our next webinar]( — Even savvy nonprofits often overlook the potential of planned gifts. This is a costly mistake, experts say, because the average amount of a charitable bequest, one of the most common planned gifts, is more than $78,000. And if you’re not approaching loyal donors about planned gifts, another organization will. How can you inspire donors to include your nonprofit in their estate plans? Join us August 17 at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn from two nonprofit fundraisers — one a lawyer and the other a former investment banker — who will share insights and steps to take to attract planned gifts through wills, donor-advised funds, and other giving vehicles. Even small organizations with limited resources can take simple steps to attract these gifts and begin to lay the foundation for a future planned-giving program. Plus, our experts will share proven strategies for attracting these gifts. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [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. © 2023 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037