How the Israel-Hamas War Could Lead to DAF Reform

Plus, Open Society Foundations' support of women and youth groups; and a $1 billion pledge for education in Texas 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 [An Unlikely Event — the Israel-Hamas War — Could Finally Spark DAF Reform]( By Craig Kennedy [STORY IMAGE]( Anonymous donations to controversial anti-Israel groups shine a spotlight on the urgent need for donor-advised fund reform. Will this finally motivate Congress to pass much-needed legislation? ADVERTISEMENT GRANT MAKING [Open Society Foundations Commits $50 Million to Women and Youth Groups’ Work on Democracy]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( The money will support nonprofits working on a wide range of issues impacting these groups, including reproductive justice, climate change, voting, and gun safety. GRANTS ROUNDUP [Moody Foundation Commits $1 Billion for Education in Texas]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, the Mellon Foundation committed an additional $250 million to continue grant making through its Monuments Project, and Blue Meridian Partners, with support from the Ballmer Group, has awarded $150 million to back efforts that increase social and economic mobility for young people and families. WEBINARS [January 18, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( How can you keep supporters connected to, and inspired by, your cause in uncertain times? Join us for the webinar Developing a Donor-Engagement Plan for 2024 to get tips and tactics for mapping out a year-long strategy that you can adjust as conditions warrant. You’ll learn how to prioritize tactics and communication channels that get results, keep your cause top of mind among supporters, and lay a strong foundation for year-end fundraising appeals. SPONSOR CONTENT | NewsMatch [Our Society’s Need for Trusted Journalism Has Never Been Stronger]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online As Broadway slowly rebounds from the pandemic, New York City’s mostly nonprofit, off-Broadway theaters are struggling to survive. Audiences are a trickle of what they were before the shutdown, production costs are rising, donors have other priorities, and federal pandemic aid has been spent. As a result, some companies are producing fewer shows and laying off staff, and a few venerable theaters have closed after decades. Most in the industry see a crisis, but one theater executive said the moment could be a “rightsizing” from “what was perhaps an unsustainable relationship with boards and philanthropies.” ([New York Times]( Background from the Chronicle: [Race, Shakespeare, and a Theater’s Fight to Survive]( Nonprofit landlords in New Orleans who neglect their buildings could have their tax-exempt status revoked, under a new law aimed at cleaning up the city’s chronic blight. The measure targets landlords whose apartments have repeated, serious code violations. Some of the worst offenders have long been religious or community organizations that offer low-income housing. One such landlord said his organization has struggled to find construction workers to repair hurricane-related damage and that the law would further strain nonprofits, but a City Council member said habitually neglectful landlords do not merit a tax exemption. ([Nola.com]( Plus: How Are Landlords That Operate Under Nonprofit or Charitable Status’ Held Accountable? ([WFYI Public Media]( Background from the Chronicle: [Affordable Housing: a Concern for Every Cause]( More News - Activist Nuns, With Stake in Smith & Wesson, Sue Gun Maker Over AR-15 Rifles ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) - Book-Lover Bill Gates Says Reading Inspired His Philanthropy ([Observer]( - McGrath’s Holiday Generosity Continues With $25M Gift to UC San Diego Health ([San Diego Union-Tribune]( - The Moody Foundation Creates New Fund to Support $1B Commitment to Texas Education ([Houston Business Journal]( - A New Literary Prize Taps a Jury Living Behind Bars ([New York Times]( Opinion - A Tax on Unrealized Gains Would Hurt Philanthropy, Too ([National Review]( - Where Are the Women of Women’s Foundation of California? ([National Review]( - Title IX And the Assault On Hillsdale College: The School Gets No Federal Money, But a Lawsuit Seeks to Rope It In Because It’s a Tax-Exempt Nonprofit. ([Wall Street Journal]( — subscription) 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 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. 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. OPINION [A Nonprofit Mentoring Crisis Threatens Future Leadership of the Field]( By Eboo Patel [STORY IMAGE]( Nonprofit leaders have stopped giving advice and feedback to younger employees for fear of blowback. This is hurting the whole sector. SPONSOR CONTENT | James Irvine Foundation [How Funders and Employers Can Partner With Disabled Communities]( Inclusive workplaces don’t just help employees with disabilities, learn why accessibility benefits society as a whole. 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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