The Power of Trust-Based Philanthropy

Plus, a $50 million donation to the University of Memphis, and other major gifts ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. GRANT MAKING [How Foundations Can Build Trust-Based Relationships With Grantees]( By Stephanie J. Hull and Hilary Pennington [STORY IMAGE]( Involve potential grantees in learning at the outset, and more advice from a grant maker and a nonprofit leader. ADVERTISEMENT GIFTS ROUNDUP [FedEx Founder Fred Smith Pledges $50 Million to Renovate Athletics Stadium]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, three other higher education institutions — Oregon State University, Evangel University, and Luther College — and two health-care organizations landed eight-figure gifts from big donors. ONLINE FORUMS [Tomorrow, 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 | Community Heart & Soul [The Power of civic Engagement]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Billionaire investor Charlie Munger donated more than a half-billion dollars to institutions to construct buildings before he died last week, and he had specific ideas about the design of those projects. From a residence hall for visiting scientists with broad corridors to facilitate fruitful chance encounters, to a controversial dormitory for university students so large that not all bedrooms could have windows, Munger pored over blueprints and made firm suggestions. Munger called architecture the highest art because in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, “it makes the civilization work better.” Among his beneficiaries were the University of California, Santa Barbara; Stanford University; the University of Michigan; the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, Calif.; a hospital; and private schools. ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) Some Muslim-Jewish interfaith groups in the United States have been strained by the war in Gaza, but they are persevering. At a recent conference in New Jersey of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, speakers spoke of living with painful internal conflict. Although some members of interfaith groups have walked away for now, stalwarts stress the need to keep talking to one another and to focus on their common humanity. The leader of one group said it has resisted making statements on the conflict, lest it offend or mouth platitudes, and is focusing on fighting Islamophobia and antisemitism. ([Associated Press]( More News - ‘We’re Inundated’: Animal Shelters Across the U.S. Are Overflowing ([Los Angeles Times]( - ‘Medical Freedom’ Activists Take Aim at New Target: Childhood Vaccine Mandates ([New York Times]( - Global Food Systems Need Over $200B Funding Boost, Foundations Say ([Devex]( - Kansas Athletics Announces $35 Million Gift for University of Kansas’s Gateway District From Alumnus Brad Garlinghouse ([Topeka Capital-Journal]( - Climate Protesters Get in Fed’s Face as Policy Clash Grows Louder ([New York Times]( - Religious and Housing Leaders Call For Comprehensive State Response to Vermont’s Housing Crisis ([VTDigger]( Legacies - Aflac Heir, Philanthropist, Ex-Owner of Columbus Hockey Team Shelby Amos Dies at 71 ([Columbus Ledger-Enquirer]( - Mica Ertegun, Glamorous Interior Designer and Philanthropist, Dies at 97 ([New York Times]( 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 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. ONLINE FUNDRAISING [3 Traps to Avoid in Year-End Fundraising]( By Chris Maddocks [STORY IMAGE]( Anxiety and uncertainty can lead to questionable online fundraising tactics. Don’t adopt these practices, which yield only short-term gains. 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | Amazon Business [The Nonprofit Guide to Sustainable Sourcing]( From implementing organization-wide buying policies to predictive traffic data, sustainable sourcing is now easier than ever. 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://). [Executive Director of the Rhode Island College Foundation]( Rhode Island College [Vice President of Philanthropy]( Kansas City Symphony [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