Ibram X. Kendi's Antiracism Center and the Responsibility of Donors

Plus: Philanthropies spending to attract diverse talent at art museums; a flying hospital that has performed half a million surgeries. ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. OPINION [Ibram X. Kendi’s Antiracism Center Is Struggling. Donors Share Some of the Blame.]( By Eboo Patel [STORY IMAGE]( If grant makers want to strengthen the racial-justice movement, they need to admit when things go wrong and ensure that better planning and accountability are in place the next time. ADVERTISEMENT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [Few People of Color Lead in Art Museums. Can Philanthropy Change That?]( By Kay Dervishi [STORY IMAGE]( Four philanthropies will spend more than $11 million to attract diverse talent to leadership roles in art museums. THE FACE OF PHILANTHROPY [A Flying Hospital and Streamed Surgeries Save Eyesight]( By Nicole Wallace [STORY IMAGE]( Over Orbis International’s 40-year history, volunteer medical professionals have performed more than 500,000 eye surgeries and trained thousands of doctors, nurses, and other health workers. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [To Fight Antisemitism, Educate People About Who Jewish People Are]( Philanthropy should support efforts to combat ignorance about what it means to be a Jew today. Webinar [Today: Top Ways to Thank Donors and Inspire Loyalty]( [STORY IMAGE]( Before the critical year-end giving season begins, join us today, 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 now.]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Three women in Texas, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., have made it their mission to restore local African-American burial grounds, tens of thousands of which lie in ruins across the country. Lisa Fager, Yamona Pierce, and Margott Williams founded nonprofits to raise funds and make their arguments for preservation to local governments, philanthropies, and heritage organizations. They get by on a trickle of money while staving off flooding, development pressure, vandalism, and societal indifference. ([New York Times]( A federal judge allowed a grant program run by Atlanta’s Fearless Fund for Black women entrepreneurs to continue while a case against the fund proceeds in court. The lawsuit was brought by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, an organization founded by conservative activist Edward Blum, whose legal challenges culminated in the Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action in higher education. In refusing to issue an injunction, Judge Thomas W. Thrash ruled that the grant program is a charitable endeavor and therefore protected by the First Amendment. AAER has appealed the decision. ([Washington Post]( More News - In a Government Shutdown, Here Are the Nutrition Programs Affected ([Washington Post]( - They Are Among Society’s Most Vulnerable — Children With Severe Autism — And yet Many Endure Abuse or Neglect in the State-Licensed Residential Schools That Care for Them. ([Boston Globe]( - Calls for Help With Fuel, Utility Bills, and Substance Abuse Rise Dramatically in New Hampshire ([Boston Globe]( - For Nearly a Century, This Calif. Camp Has Hosted City Children. Tropical Storm Hilary Destroyed It ([Los Angeles Times]( - What’s a Food Forest? Metro Denver Already Has 19 of Them. ([Colorado Sun]( - Utah Pride Center Furloughs ‘Majority of Remaining Staff’ ([Salt Lake Tribune]( Gifts and Fundraising - Mackenzie Scott Donates $20 Million to Champlain Housing Trust, a Historic Boost For Affordable Housing in Vermont ([VT Digger]( - Report Finds National Animal Welfare Charities Give Little Money to Local Shelters ([WXII]( - This Lahaina Fundraiser Quickly Raised $1 million Amid Conspiracy Theories and Questions by Critics ([Civil Beat]( - Mass. General Hospital Receives Largest Gift in its History For Cancer Research ([Boston Globe]( Arts and Culture - Juilliard’s Top-Tier Graduate Acting Program is Going Tuition-Free ([New York Times]( - Sexual Harassment Allegations, Infighting, Labor Unrest: The Unraveling of Hollywood Legion Theater ([Los Angeles Times]( - Milwaukee Public Museum’s New Museum Project Lands a $10 Million Gift From Kellogg ([Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]( - Mira Irons Steps Down as Head Of The College of Physicians, Mütter Museum in Philadelphia ([Philadelphia Inquirer]( - “We Can’t Eat Prestige”: Inside the Unionization of the Science Museum of Minnesota ([Workday]( 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. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS INTERVIEW [The ‘Overhead Myth’ Debunked, Again: A Q&A With Dan Pallotta]( By Sara Herschander [STORY IMAGE]( His 2013 TED Talk made him a polarizing figure, sparking changes, debates, and criticism. Now his new film Uncharitable is making the case again. GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION [The House GOP Wants to Probe Nonprofits. Both Left and Right Have Pushed Back]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The Ways and Means Committee is looking into whether the nonprofit tax code is rife with abuse, allowing nonprofits to be key players in political races, rather than serving charitable causes. OPINION [What Would Philanthropy Look Like if Black Women Were in Charge?]( By Cora Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( In her introductory column for the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Cora Daniels explores the innovative approaches of Black women leaders and why the sector should follow their lead. SPONSOR CONTENT | Classy [Unlocking Generosity in Potential Donors]( Classy and GoFundMe share how non-profits can overcome the generosity gap and effectively connect with donors. 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://). [Vice President of Advancement]( Mary {NAME} University [Chief Development Officer]( University of Maine School of Law [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