A Housing Group Lands Millions From Mackenzie Scott and Amazon

Plus, the case for reining in all large endowed institutions; and the philanthropy that jump-started a cure for sickle cell disease ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. BIG PHILANTHROPY [A Housing Group’s Coup: Support From Jeff Bezos’s Amazon and MacKenzie Scott]( By Jim Rendon The National Housing Trust just received an infusion of funds to help tackle the housing crisis. ADVERTISEMENT OPINION [J.D. Vance Had a Point: Let’s Rein in All Large Endowed Institutions]( By Craig Kennedy Wealthy nonprofits, especially universities, increasingly demonstrate the same behaviors that led Congress to regulate foundations more than 50 years ago. The law should be updated to include these organizations. MEDICINE [The Philanthropy That Jump-Started a Cure for Sickle Cell Disease]( By Kay Dervishi Since 2008, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has awarded $35 million to research scientists focused on the disease. Now several of them are bringing their gene therapy cure to clinical trial for FDA approval. EDUCATION GIVING [HBCU Coalition Receives $124 Million Gift From Blue Meridian Partners]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press The money will go toward increasing enrollment, graduation rates and employment rates for graduates. VIDEO [How Nonprofits Can Use A.I. Well — and Avoid Pitfalls]( By Lisa Schohl A panel of experts discuss what to consider when adopting A.I., simple steps to get started, and ways to make sure you ‘do no harm’ when using this technology. Webinar [Top Ways to Thank Donors and Inspire Loyalty]( Before the critical year-end giving season begins, join us on Thursday, September 28, at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn how to freshen your donor communications and donor recognition efforts. We’ll share insights from the latest research in donor psychology and offer practical advice on how to apply the findings. Get inspired by real-world examples of creative and fun ways nonprofits thank their donors. Plus, our expert guests will offer guidance on how to build a culture of gratitude at your organization. [Sign up today.]( SPONSOR CONTENT | The James Irvine Foundation [Incarceration is a systemic barrier to economic equity, but it doesn’t have to be.]( VIRTUAL FORUMS & BRIEFINGS [Leveraging Data Analysis to Boost Major Gifts]( Ideally major-gift fundraisers should focus only on supporters who are affluent, generous, and committed to their cause. Yet this requires data on donors’ involvement with an organization as well as their giving history and financial capacity. Smart leaders understand this and ensure that they analyze and organize donor data to make it actionable. Join us on September 19 at 2 p.m. Eastern for a free online forum to learn how savvy nonprofits are making the most of their data to boost major gifts. [Register today.]( [Reshaping the Conversation: How to Rebuild Public Trust in Philanthropy Â]( Philanthropy is facing a major trust deficit, and closing the gap will require changes in how donors and foundations operate. For instance, many have long called for changes in how charitable tax exemptions and deductions work, criticized foundations for sitting on huge endowments, and sought stronger regulations on political giving. We’ll gather experts from diverse perspectives to debate potential solutions — and outline where everyone agrees — with the goal of moving from debate to action. [Join this free session]( on September 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Georgetown University and the Jesuits are giving $27 million to a fund for descendants of enslaved people whom the Jesuits sold off in 1838 to pay a debt the school owed. The money — $10 million from the university and $17 million from the Jesuits — will go to the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation, which was created in 2021 to address the legacy of that sale, including by providing scholarships and aid to the elderly and infirm for the thousands of descendants of the 272 people who were sold, as well as pursuing broader “efforts at racial healing, reconciliation and truth across the country.” ([Washington Post]( The Colorado Sun, an online newspaper, is going nonprofit five years after launching as a for-profit/nonprofit hybrid. Founded by former journalists from the Denver Post, the Sun has been a public benefit corporation, allowing it to put revenues back into operations instead of enriching its owners. Editor Larry Ryckman said that the paper’s new model will be simpler, allowing people to donate directly, and will give the Sun’s growing staff a bigger say in its governance. ([Nieman Lab]( More on Nonprofit Journalism - ‘Journalism Is Not in Decline’: U of Illinois Professor Cites Surge in Nonprofit Newsrooms ([St. Louis Public Radio]( - A Nonprofit News Outlet Will Launch in Worcester, Mass., in an Unusual Partnership ([Media Nation]( More News - Billionaire Ken Griffin of Citadel Hedge Fund Lays Out Road Map to Future Philanthropic Giving ([Reuters]( - What’s Delaying Lifesaving Aid After Morocco and Libya Natural Disasters? Politics ([Los Angeles Times]( - Most Philly-Area Nonprofit Health System CEOs Made More Than $1 Million in 2021 ([Philadelphia Inquirer]( - San Francisco Lawmaker Wants Taxpayer-Funded Nonprofits to Submit Audits ([San Francisco Standard]( - Ohio Counties Provide $9 Million to Jump-Start Nonprofit Solar Projects ([Columbus Dispatch]( Arts and Culture - How Can Art Museums and Collectors Be More Vigilant About Identifying Stolen Art? ([Houston Public Media]( - Gardner Museum Director: Why We Closed Our Doors to a Climate Protest ([Boston Globe]( - What Manchester Museum’s Return of 174 Indigenous Artefacts Tells Us About the Future of Museums ([Conversation]( - SoCal Public Radio’s Herb Scannell to Retire After Storied Media Career ([Los Angeles Times]( EDITOR'S PICKS GIVING [The Push to Get More Big Donors to Give to Fight the Spread of Antisemitism]( By Maria Di Mento Nonprofit leaders who fight hate say philanthropy has yet to recognize the threat antisemitism poses to American democracy and society as a whole. FUNDRAISING [5 Ways to Dismantle the Donor Pyramid]( By Drew Lindsay Fundraisers are breaking from the 50-year-old orthodoxy — and getting results. TECHNOLOGY [From Diaper Banks to Disaster Relief: How A.I. Is Changing Nonprofit Operations]( By Sara Herschander Public interest in artificial intelligence has exploded in recent months, but it’s been quietly transforming nonprofit operations for years. As more groups use artificial intelligence, they’re getting a sense of the benefits and risks of an A.I.-driven future. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our next webinar]( — Are you sending out templated thank-you letters to donors? If so, you’re missing out on an opportunity to connect more deeply with your supporters. Savvy fundraisers take the time to customize communications that speak directly to a donor’s heart and inspire loyalty. How can you thank donors in ways that energize connection to your cause and further commitment to your organization? Join us September 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern to learn the latest research in philanthropic psychology and learn how you can easily apply it to thank-you letters and campaigns to increase donor retention. We’ll share real-world examples and proven tips that work, no matter the size of your budget. Plus, you’ll learn about creative, fun ways nonprofits are showing gratitude that will likely spark your own ideas for fostering love for your organization. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). [Grant Writer]( University of Pikeville [President and CEO]( Reno Philharmonic Association [Director of Individual Giving]( Park Avenue Armory [Associate Vice President for Development]( University of Mount Olive [Campaign and Administrative Manager]( University of Mount Olive [Senior Development Director, Principal Gifts]( University of Utah [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