Philanthropy in the News

Over the last two decades, the quantity of news coverage of foundations has gradually risen, but its quality remains highly superficial, according to this report by Philanthropy Awareness Initiative and University of Minnesota professor David Fan. In fact, nearly 99% of more than 40,000 stories since 1990 have been transactional in their content -- focused on grants made and dollars out the door, not on benefits achieved

Making American Foundations Relevant

The work and impact of foundations is not registering with critical audiences, according to philanthropy leaders and observers interviewed for this Philanthropy Awareness Initiative report. To find the solution, foundations need to look in the mirror, they argue, and make changes to their communications culture and practice

Letter to Orrin G. Hatch and Ron Wyden on Donor-Advised Funds

Letter written on the behalf of a number of philanthropic and community foundations to Orrin G. Hatch, chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance and Ron Wyden, the ranking member of that committee. The letter was written in response to the July 17 letter by Ray Madoff and Roger Colinvaux, which advocated for changes in the tax code related to donor-advised funds. This letter argues against the changes suggested by Madoff and Colinvaux