Research Sheds Light on Who Gives at the Checkout Counter

Plus, the nonprofit connecting A.I. experts with lawmakers; and what pro-democracy advocates can learn from white Christian nationalists ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. RESEARCH [Amid ‘Checkout Charity’ Boom, Some Americans Are More Likely to Be Impulse Givers Than Others]( By Lauren Dula and Ruth K. Hansen [STORY IMAGE]( Checkout charity appeals most to shoppers younger than 50 and people who earn $35,000 to $99,000 a year. ADVERTISEMENT Q&A [Can a Nonprofit Help Lawmakers Understand A.I.?]( By Eden Stiffman [STORY IMAGE]( The Horizon Institute for Public Service aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of policy and emerging tech, like A.I., by creating a pipeline of tech-savvy public servants. OPINION [What Pro-Democracy Activists Can Learn From Their Adversaries]( By Rev. Liz Theoharis and Rahna Epting [STORY IMAGE]( White Christian nationalists have pushed an agenda eroding democratic norms — and have gained momentum by meeting people’s spiritual and material needs. Pro-democracy forces need to take note. TRANSITIONS [J.M. Kaplan Fund Names New Executive Director]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Arc of the United States picked a U.S. Department of Education leader as its next CEO, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation has tapped a new U.S. racial-justice director. ONLINE FORUMS [December 5 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for Insights From the Field: Navigating Fundraising Uncertainty. Our panel of fundraising leaders will explore what’s working to attract donations during these challenging times. A just-released Chronicle survey of 1,000 fundraisers at nonprofits of varying sizes and missions provides fresh insights into the current fundraising climate. Learn how to keep your 2024 giving on track from the Chronicle’s exclusive research and our expert panel, including Ali Colbran of Feeding San Diego, CJ Orr of the Orr Group, and Whitney Philippi of Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. SPONSOR CONTENT | The California Endowment [Transforming Communities Begins and Ends with People Power]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Some Florida nonprofits focused on LGBTQ rights say a proposal to curtail gender-sensitivity practices could pose an existential threat to them. Dubbed by critics as the new “don’t say gay” bill, the measure would prohibit groups that receive state funding from requiring employees to participate in training on “sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” Nonprofit leaders warn that even groups that receive little state funding could be affected if the prohibition makes donors reticent, or if it is read to include funds from local governments, which in turn receive money from the state. The state legislator sponsoring the bill said it would protect the state’s nonprofit workers, but one nonprofit executive called the notion of trying to prevent such training in the LGBTQ community “absolutely ridiculous.” ([Orlando Sentinel]( Plus: LGBTQ Teens Won a Grant For Their School. Adults Sent the Money Back. ([Washington Post]( Duke University has received its largest single gift, $100 million, which it will use to diversify its student body. Most of the donation, from the unrelated Duke Endowment, will go toward financial aid for low-income students. Federal data show that Duke lags other prestigious schools in the share of students whose families have incomes low enough to qualify them for federal Pell grants. “Continuing to diversify our student body is a top priority for the university,” said Duke University President Vincent E. Price. ([Washington Post]( More News - Why Are Nonprofit Hospitals Focused More on Dollars Than Patients? ([New York Times]( - N.H. Executive Council Rejects Contracts With Family Planning Groups for Fifth Time in Three Years ([Boston Globe]( - How a R.I. Nonprofit Landed a $137 Million Donation ([Providence Business First]( - Levitt Foundation to Spend Down $150 Million as It Prepares to Close (In 18 Years) ([Los Angeles Times]( - Mainstream Environmental Nonprofits Get Most Philanthropic Support at Expense of Diverse Organizations ([Northeastern Global News]( - How the Ongoing Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Impacts Area Nonprofits ([KYW]( - OpenAI’s New Board Takes Over and Says Microsoft Will Have Observer Role ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - Plus: To Continue Innovating, OpenAI Should Return to Its Nonprofit Roots ([Information]( - Alumnae Saved Sweet Briar College. Now One of Them Will Lead the School. ([Washington Post]( - Divided by Politics, a Colorado Town Mends Its Broken Bones ([New York Times]( - How Companies Can Combat the Nonprofit Recession ([Fast Company]( Arts & Culture - America’s Nonprofit Theaters Are Finding Ways to Thrive ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - Background from the Chronicle: [Race, Shakespeare, and a Theater’s Fight to Survive]( - Why Is the British Museum Always In Trouble? ([Economist]( - Museums Are Learning to Love NFTs ([Economist]( - Editorial: Cultural Institutions Such as the Field Museum Must Stop Enabling Chicago Graft ([Chicago 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. Catch Up on Local Journalism About Nonprofits As part of the Chronicle’s Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellowship, [the Post and Courier recently examined]( how lack of proper board and regulatory oversight led to the demise of a nonprofit homeless shelter. Read this and many other outstanding stories about local philanthropy issues in a[section of our site]( that highlights the work of the Chronicle’s [Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellows](. With support from the Lilly Endowment, we spend a year working with select local news organizations to encourage them to provide regular coverage on how charitable organizations in their communities are making a difference. We provide training, mentoring, and a stipend. [Applications for 2024-2025 fellowships]( are being accepted now. New Grant Opportunities Your Chronicle subscription includes free access to [GrantStation’s]( database of grant opportunities. [The Arts:]( ArtsHERE, a new grantmaking initiative from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the five other U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, supports increased opportunities for arts participation in the United States. ArtsHERE will invest in a range of projects from organizations throughout arts and cultural ecosystems that have demonstrated a commitment to equity within their practices and programming and undertaken consistent engagement with under-served groups and communities. Grants range from $65,000 to $130,000. Statement of interest due January 19. [Clean Energy:]( The Powering Climate and Infrastructure Careers Challenge, an initiative of the Families and Workers Fund, is a collaborative philanthropic effort to help create at least one million good jobs in the clean energy and infrastructure industries. Through grants and technical assistance to nonprofits, state and local governments, training and education providers, and private sector employer groups, the Challenge aims to tackle the workforce implementation challenges facing the United States on its path toward a net-zero economy and 21st-century infrastructure. Grants range from $150,000 to $1.5 million. Application deadline is January 19. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS FUNDRAISING [GivingTuesday Results Are Flat; Nonprofits Raise $3.1 Billion]( By Emily Haynes and Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( The number of donors who gave declined by 10 percent compared with last year. GOVERNANCE [How OpenAI’s Nonprofit-Corporate Structure Fueled the Tumult Around CEO Sam Altman’s Short-Lived Ouster]( By Alnoor Ebrahim [STORY IMAGE]( A management scholar says it appears that OpenAI’s board sought to exercise the “duty of obedience,” which obliges them to act in the interest of the organization’s mission. BIG PHILANTHROPY [Fears That Charities Can’t Handle MacKenzie Scott Donations Are Unfounded, Study Finds]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( Concerns that the recipients of large, unrestricted grants from the billionaire philanthropist would experience negative consequences have turned out to be untrue. Instead, nonprofits report expanded programs and more financial stability. SPONSOR CONTENT | The California Endowment [A CEO, Transformed: Philanthropic Leadership]( Why humility, trust and deep listening with communities are catalysts to transformative change. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Fundraisers and nonprofit communicators know how vital it is to keep donors regularly informed and inspired by your work. The year ahead is likely to be filled with distractions — from ongoing economic uncertainty and geopolitical strife to a U.S. presidential election — so cutting through the noise will take creativity and thoughtful planning. How can you keep supporters connected to your cause in unpredictable times? Join us on Thursday, January 18, at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute webinar to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as current events or economic conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. Don't miss this chance to start the year off strong. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). 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