Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, are awarding $5 million to the founder of a neurodivergent student support network — recognition the lesser-known recipient says reflects the students behind his growing movement for more inclusive classrooms. https://phlnthrp.com/4jdp0kL

Most Americans aren’t planning to give more to charity before year’s end, a new AP-NORC poll finds. Half say they’ve already donated for 2025, while 30% say they haven’t given — and won’t. Nonprofits rely heavily on December donations. https://phlnthrp.com/48SgFzn

An orchestrated campaign is attacking philanthropy’s freedom to speak, give and invest, writes Deepak Bhargava of the Freedom Together Foundation. As nonprofits brace for a turbulent 2026, our #Predictions2026 package forecasts funding, tax and equity shifts. More at: https://phlnthrp.com/4q9vsLM

Being a director of development is one of the hottest jobs in fundraising. Read our article to find out if you have what it takes to snag this gig. https://phlnthrp.com/4samGPA

Hyper-politicization continues to threaten civil society, writes Philanthropy Roundtable CEO Christie Herrera, even as opportunities grow for liberty-minded donors. Donors want to feel safe supporting the causes they care about. Read Herrera's full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/3KUOpTw

Most nonprofit DEI practices remain constitutional despite political attacks, writes Gara LaMarche. Presidents can’t change the law unilaterally, he argues, and nonprofits and donors must stand firm. Read the full essay and in the full #Predictions2026 package at: https://phlnthrp.com/3Y1rtF5

⏰ Last chance for early bird discount! Looking to strengthen your donor outreach in 2026? Join our #philwebinar on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. EST to learn how to cut through the noise, show impact and inspire loyal supporters. Early-bird rate: $69. Register today. https://phlnthrp.com/48tBLDT

Local, collective giving will gain momentum in 2026, predicts GivingTuesday CEO Asha Curran. Neighbors will decide together what to support, strengthening civic life. The Chronicle’s #Predictions2026 package explores what’s ahead for nonprofits. Read Curran's essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/3Y4tTTi

Billionaire investor Ray Dalio is pledging $75 million to support children in Connecticut, expanding efforts to improve education and opportunity statewide. The gift underscores philanthropy’s growing focus on long-term, place-based impact. https://phlnthrp.com/49gyJmN

As nonprofits adopt AI and digital tools, fundraisers must be data- and tech-savvy while prioritizing transparency and ethics, says AFP CEO Art Taylor. Our Predictions 2026 package examines funding shifts, tax impacts and equity challenges shaping the year ahead. More: https://phlnthrp.com/4j53nTy

From email campaigns that generate new leads to ways to streamline estate settlement, experts share their advice to maximize the results of your planned-giving program. #Solutions https://phlnthrp.com/48Ihgn8

Friends on the Hill: A new philanthropy caucus promises to be a place for grant makers to weigh in on pending legislation. https://phlnthrp.com/4qgjQXk

America’s future hinges on individual action — including nonprofit leaders willing to confront division and dysfunction, writes Pearce Godwin. Our #Predictions2026 package explores funding shifts, AI, tax policy and equity fights ahead. Read Godwin's full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/3N5rxBe

When a $400K federal grant vanished, Aspire Afterschool rallied donors, raised $317K, and kept programs alive. Here’s how they turned crisis into a sustainability plan. https://phlnthrp.com/49gdBgu

When violence becomes jargon: As they battle weaponized political rhetoric, public safety advocates default to technical terms that confuse the communities they aim to protect, writes columnist Matt Watkins for #TheCommons. https://phlnthrp.com/3MzvTk6

Donor-advised funds are reshaping U.S. philanthropy. Americans gave nearly $90B to DAFs in 2024, up from $20B a decade earlier. Research finds DAF donors fund politically engaged charities at higher rates than other donors. Read the full story at: https://phlnthrp.com/4akPcr4

The Chronicle’s annual list of the biggest charitable donations from individuals or their foundations totaled $5 billion in 2025. Topping the list was $2 billion from Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife, Penny. Read the full report at: https://phlnthrp.com/3KZsMRM #biggestgifts

What will happen to DEI in 2026? Two leaders — Michael McAfee of PolicyLink and Gara LaMarche of Raben — share their thoughts in our Predictions 2026 package. Read both essays at https://phlnthrp.com/4qguuxr And explore all 37 essays at: philanthropy.com/predictions

Daniel Stid, the former lead of a national program to tame polarization, writes for #TheCommons of how he's come to see local efforts and community foundations as key to civic renewal. https://phlnthrp.com/3MD5yle

Nonprofits are bracing for a volatile 2026 after funding cuts, policy shifts and rapid AI growth. FoundationMark CEO John Seitz projects foundation giving will rise 5% to 7%, or $118 billion to $122 billion. Our Predictions 2026 package examines what’s ahead. Read more: https://phlnthrp.com/4oRG5St

Opinion: To soften the blow of new tax rules, companies and nonprofits must rethink how they work together, writes Laura MacDonald. https://phlnthrp.com/3YveITe MacDonald is the principal and founder of the Benefactor Group and author of The Endowment Handbook.

Nonprofits face a turbulent 2026. Our Predictions 2026 report outlines giving shifts, tax-bill impacts, and equity fights ahead. As Dimple Abichandani notes, the sector’s challenges clarified its purpose and sparked a more unified, justice-driven philanthropy. More: https://phlnthrp.com/4aLGDWk.

Understanding what drives donors helps build lasting relationships — and keeps fundraisers connected to their work. Philanthropic psychologist Jen Shang urges fundraisers to lean into what connects us as humans: “Be that positive sparkle.” #Playbook https://phlnthrp.com/4pYc0Bm

A new payout pledge comes with accountability. Will more foundation trustees sign on? In response to challenges facing nonprofits, a coalition of organizations tries to set a new, higher norm for foundation grant making. https://phlnthrp.com/4q4IsCc

Do you know the three fiduciary duties every nonprofit leader and trustee must uphold? A legal expert explains what they mean — and why they matter for your organization’s success. https://phlnthrp.com/3MADw9O

New DAF Report: Payout rates climbed to 25.3% in 2024, compared to 8% for private foundations. DAFs aren’t just sitting on money—they’re moving it faster than foundations. For more, read the full article. https://phlnthrp.com/4rSseOl

Opinion: As governments fail to address the climate crisis, philanthropy is wavering. This is the exact wrong moment for funders to opt out of the fight to save the planet, write Daniel Katz and Anna Veldman. https://phlnthrp.com/4rSZl4q

GivingTuesday raised $4 billion this year—a 13% jump! What does that mean for your year-end campaign? Our latest story breaks down the trends you need to know. Read the full story at: https://phlnthrp.com/4aasn9B

Charities receive billions in bequests every year, and many donors who include nonprofits in their wills also give generously throughout their lifetimes. Planned-giving experts share advice on how to build a legacy society that keeps these valuable donors giving. https://phlnthrp.com/4pXiwbB

For our Predictions 2026 package, Nathan Chappell says the top AI fundraising tool won’t be the flashiest but the one that predicts wisely and supports human connection. Sector leaders share predictions on giving, policy shifts and equity. Read Chappell's full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/48NDvH4

MacKenzie Scott gave more than $7 billion in grants this past year, largely supporting equity, climate, health, and disaster-relief efforts — areas hit hard by federal funding cuts and declining philanthropic support. https://phlnthrp.com/44jrLut

In Mississippi, a philanthropy in the capital city of Jackson has expanded to include 19 rural counties — an area twice the size of New Jersey. Will big money follow to areas that have little or no philanthropic presence? #TheCommons Read the full story: https://phlnthrp.com/3KOROD4

Looking to strengthen your donor outreach in 2026? Join our #philwebinar on Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. EST to learn how to cut through the noise, show impact and inspire loyal supporters. Early-bird rate: $69. Register today. https://phlnthrp.com/4p2XfwB

Nonprofits face a turbulent 2026 as funding shifts, policy changes, and AI reshape the sector. Our Predictions 2026 package highlights what donors and experts expect — plus insights from Pearce Godwin on leading with unity in the year ahead. Read the full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/4plFE3I

Nonprofits are bracing for a turbulent 2026 as funding shifts, policy changes, and AI reshapes the sector. For our Predictions 2026 package, Liz Vogel notes that philanthropy can help strengthen the civic culture that sustains democracy. Read the full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/4plFE3I

Understanding what drives donors helps build lasting relationships — and keeps fundraisers connected to their work. Philanthropic psychologist Jen Shang urges fundraisers to lean into what connects us as humans: “Be that positive sparkle.” #Playbook https://phlnthrp.com/4iVOXF9

How can fundraisers build trust and community today? Allison Fine, president of Every.org, joins The Commons in Conversation to share practical tips on websites, volunteers, AI, and more. Join us on LinkedIn on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Register now! https://phlnthrp.com/4oGiTqg #TheCommons

Our Predictions 2026 package spotlights donors and experts on giving shifts, tax-bill fallout, and the fight for equity. “We must stay united,” says John Palfrey of @macfound.org, warning of efforts to undermine core freedoms. Read the full essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/4pQxVd

The foundation established by Leona Helmsley, the notorious billionaire known as the “Queen of Mean,” is now a major player in helping struggling rural hospitals. https://phlnthrp.com/48wGzHe

How can fundraisers build trust and community today? Allison Fine, president of Every.org, joins The Commons in Conversation to share practical tips on websites, volunteers, AI, and more. Join us on LinkedIn on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Register now! https://phlnthrp.com/4oGiTqg #TheCommons

How can fundraisers build trust and community today? Allison Fine, president of Every.org, joins The Commons in Conversation to share practical tips on websites, volunteers, AI, and more. Join us on LinkedIn on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Register now! https://phlnthrp.com/4oGiTqg #TheCommons

Opinion: This two-step strategy has helped other countries halt democratic backsliding. It can work in the U.S. if we act quickly, writes Joe Goldman, Laleh Ispahani, Deepak Bhargava. https://phlnthrp.com/3Kzg38n

“Nonprofits and philanthropy bring unique strengths and capacity...but it cannot and should not replace the role of governments,” said Center for Disaster Philanthropy CEO Patricia McIlreavy. https://phlnthrp.com/4rKUpyP

Opinion - abigaildisney.bsky.social is calling for an end to quiet and polite philanthropy. Real change in 2026 requires courage — and risk — from those closest to the money, she writes for our 2026 Predictions issue. Read her essay at: https://phlnthrp.com/4rEElOM

Nonprofits are bracing for a turbulent 2026. Our Predictions 2026 package explores giving trends, tax-bill fallout, and equity challenges. “We’re due for a reckoning,” writes Mitch Stein, urging DAF sponsors to streamline giving. https://phlnthrp.com/3MgolCC

Americans gave an estimated $4B on #GivingTuesday 2025, up from $3.6B last year, per GivingTuesday. Volunteering also grew: 11.1M people in the U.S. donated their time, up from 9.2M in 2024. https://phlnthrp.com/4q96YT1 #givingtuesday

Neighbors helping neighbors: Mutual aid groups say more people want direct ways to give back. Kashish Ali is filling community fridges and showing how fast small acts add up. https://phlnthrp.com/4ozzEmW

Performances by Theater of War Productions often feature star actors — the likes of Adam Driver, Keri Russell, Jeffrey Wright. But it’s the audience that’s the focus as the group aims to build connections and empathy through storytelling and art. 📹 https://phlnthrp.com/3KzoDUB #TheCommons

Executive coaches can help nonprofit leaders build skills and feel supported. Experts share how to find the right fit and get the most from the coaching relationship. https://phlnthrp.com/4q5Oh2z

Opinion: Stop giving funders tax breaks for high salaries, fancy offices. To ensure foundations contribute more to charity, Congress should target expenses — not just the payout rate, writes opinion columnist Craig Kennedy. https://phlnthrp.com/4ixNBjD