Redrawing the Blurry Line Between Charity and Politics (Opinion)

Plus, a donation of A.I. tools to find missing children; and a financial mess at the NRA 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 [Politics and Charity in 2024: Why It’s Time to Draw a Hard Line]( By Craig Kennedy [STORY IMAGE]( This year’s election demands greater scrutiny of nonprofits involved in political activities. ADVERTISEMENT PUBLIC SAFETY [Cellebrite Donates A.I. Investigative Tools to Nonprofits to Help Find Missing Children Faster]( By Glenn Gamboa, AP Business Writer [STORY IMAGE]( John Walsh, advocate for missing children and longtime host of America’s Most Wanted, said he feels outmanned by criminals all the time — especially in the courtroom. FINANCES AND REVENUE [Wayne LaPierre Leaves a Financial Mess Behind at the NRA]( By Brian Mittendorf [STORY IMAGE]( The NRA’s coffers have reflected a circumstance more in line with an employee living paycheck to paycheck than an heir living off of a trust fund. GRANTS ROUNDUP [Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Gives $172 Million to Improve Community Health Across New York State]( By M.J. Prest [STORY IMAGE]( Also, Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed $250 million to train high schoolers to enter high-demand jobs in health care without a college degree, and the Lilly Endowment awarded $100 million each to the Purdue Research Foundation and the United Negro College Fund. WEBINARS [Today: 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. ONLINE FORUMS [January 23 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for a review of the risks and rewards of Fundraising in the Age of A.I. Our panel of nonprofit, higher-ed, and tech leaders will explore the emerging benefits of A.I. fundraising tools. You’ll learn which questions you should be asking now, how technology may reshape fundraising, and get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon with Daniel Hadley of the University of Utah, Elizabeth Searing of the University of Texas at Dallas, and Kim Snyder of Roundtable Technology. [January 30 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Start the new year with insights from the Chronicle. Join CEO Stacy Palmer and a panel of reporters for Key Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2024. They’ll explore the fundraising outlook for the year ahead, ways nonprofits are solving hiring and retention challenges, and efforts by foundations to strengthen democracy and minimize disinformation in a presidential election year. Learn from the insightful journalists who cover these issues: Rasheeda Childress, Alex Daniels, and Jim Rendon. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Bloomberg Philanthropies is putting $250 million into an effort to connect health-care-focused vocational high schools around the country with nearby medical institutions badly in need of workers, including $38 million for a public charter school in Boston whose graduates will be guaranteed job opportunities with Mass General Brigham, the city’s largest employer. ([Boston Globe]( Some Democratic lawmakers are questioning whether a nonprofit called the Patriot Freedom Project, which was set up to support arrested Jan. 6 rioters, is abusing its tax-exempt status, as its founder uses the group’s events to host Donald Trump and openly call for his reelection, while urging people to vote against specific candidates. ([NPR]( Background from the Chronicle: - [Politics and Charity in 2024: Why It’s Time to Draw a Hard Line]( More News - Spelman College Receives Biggest Single Donation With $100 Million Gift ([Atlanta Journal-Constitution]( - Harvard Is Trying to Smooth Things Over With Silicon Valley ([Wall Street Journal]( - subscription) - Some Philadelphia Homeless Shelters Have Gone Months or Years Without Being Paid by the City ([Philadelphia Inquirer]( - Some Black Churches Are Leaving Boston, Citing Changing Neighborhoods, Higher Costs ([Boston Globe]( - Wisconsin’s Gateway Technical College Rescinds Award To Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism After President’s Pro-Palestine Posts ([Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]( - Cabrini Foundation Awards $15.6M in Western New York for Health Equity Efforts ([Buffalo Business First]( - New Fund Aims to Draw More Black Developers to Seattle-Area Projects ([Seattle Times]( - Italy’s Regulations on Charities Keep Migrant Rescue Ships From the Mediterranean ([NPR]( 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | Amazon Business [Two Nonprofits Share How They Expanded Their Pool of Donors This Year]( Chattanooga Zoo and Theresa's Fund experienced huge spikes in both monetary donations and wish list fulfillment. We're diving in to how they made this possible. EDITOR'S PICKS 2024 TRENDS [Has the Giving Crisis Reached the Point of No Return?]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( The giving crisis is finally beginning to hit nonprofits where it hurts — the pocketbook. But organizations are fighting to win back everyday donors. 2024 TRENDS [Nonprofits Find Ways to Manage a Staffing Crisis With No End in Sight]( By Jim Rendon [STORY IMAGE]( Shorter workweeks, time off, and DEI training are helping groups hold on to workers. Plus, see the rest of our [January issue]( posted online today. 2024 TRENDS [DAFs as Disruptors: How Donor-Advised Funds Are Changing Philanthropy]( By Drew Lindsay [STORY IMAGE]( DAFs are turning up everywhere — in grant-maker collaboratives, impact investing, workplace giving, and even wedding-gift registries. Will 2024 see new regulation? ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Charities’ dependence on wealthy donors is growing as giving at lower levels ebbs. Women continue to influence big giving and now wealthy millennial and Gen Z households are making their mark. How are big-gift fundraisers successfully cultivating donors? Are economic pressures causing any shifts in strategy? Join us on Thursday, February 8, at 2 p.m. Eastern for a 75-minute webinar to learn directly from fundraising leaders about the outlook for 2024 and how best to connect with wealthy donors in the year ahead. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](http://). 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