Departing Hewlett Chief on Climate Change, Megadonors, and More

Plus, seven things to know about religion’s decline and charitable giving; and how a debate over vaping might derail the war on tobacco ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. LEADERSHIP [The Departing Chief of One of America’s Biggest Foundations Talks Inequality, Climate Change, and Megadonors]( By Thalia Beaty, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( Larry Kramer, longtime president of the Hewlett Foundation, reflects on his early support of the fight against climate change and how grant makers can persuade other foundations to work together. FAITH AND THE NONPROFIT [‘Pretty Scary': 7 Things to Know About Religion’s Decline and Charitable Giving]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( Why the shrinking of the American church will ripple throughout philanthropy. PHILANTHROPY AND HEALTH [How a Debate Over Vaping Might Derail the War on Tobacco]( By Marc Gunther [STORY IMAGE]( Anti-smoking groups aren’t just fighting big tobacco. They’re fighting amongst themselves. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [Don’t Blame Nonprofit Mentorship Problems on Young Workers]( Nonprofit leaders should embrace pushback from young colleagues, using it to become better mentors. 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 | Classy [How Nonprofits Are Reaching Potential Donors]( Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online More than 900 members of the University of Pennsylvania faculty have signed a letter protesting undue donor influence after billionaire donor and alumnus Marc Rowan proposed changes to the institution’s governance and culture. Rowan, who chairs the Wharton School’s Board of Advisors and had called for university president Liz Magill’s resignation, has floated ideas like shutting some academic departments, rethinking how faculty are hired, and defining a university policy on speech and hate speech. The letter from the Faculty Senate warned of “attempts by trustees, donors, and other external actors to interfere with our academic policies and to undermine academic freedom.” A lawyer for Rowan declined to comment. ([Daily Pennsylvanian]( Background from the Chronicle: [Donor Revolts, Fundraising Fallout, and Why the Ivy League’s Turmoil Matters to All Nonprofits]( New York City’s slow and complicated system for paying its nonprofit contractors is hitting education nonprofits, particularly those run by women and people of color. Smaller organizations without deep reserves or a network of generous supporters face delays and precarity, forcing some to close. While city officials study how to revamp the contracting process, groups working in the schools say they must scale back, with one organization for high schoolers cutting field trips, mental-health support, and tutoring. ([Chalkbeat]( More News - Activists Link U.S. Nonprofit ro Anti-LGBTQ Laws In Africa. The Group Says It’s Only Promoting ‘Family Values’ ([CNN]( - Here Are The 15 Biggest Donations Ever to U.S. Colleges And Universities ([Forbes]( - More Than 400 Jewish Facilities Received False Bomb Threats This Weekend, Nonprofit Says ([CNN]( - Plus: Police investigate multiple bomb threats to synagogues across Massachusetts ([Boston Globe]( - The Fight to Move the Catholic Church in America to the Right —and the Little-Known Orange County Lawyer Behind It ([Los Angeles Times]( - The Science Behind Why Doing Good Makes Us Feel Good ([PBS Newshour]( - Betty Moore, Silicon Valley Philanthropist And Wife Of Intel Founder Gordon Moore, Dies at 95 ([San Jose Mercury News]( Opinion - The Trouble With Effective Altruism: It All Makes Perfect, Rational Sense. And That’s Where It Goes Wrong. ([Boston Globe]( - Should Wyoming’s Nonprofits Fill the Service Gaps Government Leaves Open? ([Jackson Hole News & Guide]( - Should Philanthropy Be More Political? ([Alliance]( Arts & Culture - The Artist Derrick Adams Has Created a Haven for Black Creatives in Baltimore ([Artnet News]( - Oscar-Contending Documentary ‘UnCharitable’ Says When It Comes to What We Expect of Nonprofits, We’ve Got It All Wrong ([Deadline]( 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. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. EDITOR'S PICKS OPINION [From ‘Data Lake’ to ‘Doom Loop,’ the Philanthropy Buzzwords We’ll Be Hearing in 2024]( By Lucy Bernholz [STORY IMAGE]( This year’s list highlights the nonprofit world’s tension between navigating A.I. and other new technology while keeping the focus on humans needs. OPINION [Donor Revolts, Fundraising Fallout, and Why the Ivy League’s Turmoil Matters to All Nonprofits]( [STORY IMAGE]( Following the resignation of Penn President Liz Magill, nonprofit leaders, academics, and funders weigh in on donor influence and free speech politics. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS [The $10 Billion Charity No One Has Heard Of]( By Alex Daniels [STORY IMAGE]( The SDG Impact Fund is a donor-advised fund that grew from $238 million to $10 billion in one year. It has prompted some questions from experts. 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://). [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