Bill Gates’ decision to spend down the Gates Foundation within 20 years of his and Melinda French Gates’ deaths marks a bold shift in philanthropy. By prioritizing urgency, scale, and present-day stewardship, he aims to tackle global challenges while his dollars can make the greatest impact. Yet this immediacy comes with trade-offs—loss of continuity, institutional memory, and philanthropic infrastructure. Gates’ choice sparks a bigger question for philanthropy: should wealth fuel immediate change or perpetual legacy?
Read MoreNebraska AD Troy Dannen’s decision to pause the $450–$800 million Memorial Stadium renovation is less a setback than a reality check. With limited population, steep seat-license fees, and a stadium used fewer than 15 days a year, the math doesn’t support a billion-dollar project. In today’s NIL-driven era, investing in athlete facilities and opportunities may deliver far greater returns than polished concourses. By hitting pause, Nebraska has kept the door open for smarter, more sustainable choices.
Read MoreIowa State’s athletics department faces a $147 million deficit through 2031, driven by the NCAA settlement’s new revenue-sharing requirements and shifting conference dynamics. Like Kansas State, Houston, and Oregon State, ISU is cutting expenses, raising donor expectations, and delaying facility upgrades just to keep pace. The deeper concern is cultural: as costs climb and revenues consolidate, non-revenue sports, community traditions, and the amateur spirit of college athletics may be sacrificed. Some schools, like UConn, are thriving through record fundraising, but many mid-tier programs may soon face existential choices that reshape the very fabric of college sports.
Read MoreWhat began as a forced medical leave for knee replacement surgery quickly became something far more meaningful—a sabbatical that reset both body and mind. Between rehab sessions and recovery, I discovered the benefits of stepping back: deeper healing, renewed creativity, and clarity on what truly energizes my work. Research shows sabbaticals reduce burnout, restore motivation, and sharpen focus—and my own experience confirmed it. Sometimes the best way to move forward with purpose is to pause intentionally, giving yourself the space to heal, think, and realign.
Read MoreToo often, philanthropy leaders are asked to raise big dollars without a roadmap to guide the work. The absence of a strategic plan isn’t just inconvenient—it undermines donor confidence, limits gift potential, and erodes credibility. Savvy fundraising executives can change that by elevating the issue as a leadership duty, bringing donor voices into the room, and proposing phased frameworks that spark momentum. Strategic clarity isn’t optional—it’s the fuel that transforms donor interest into meaningful investment, and philanthropy leaders must be the catalyst to make it happen.
Read MorePhilanthropy without a strategic plan is like building on sand—it may stand for a moment, but it cannot last. Donors disengage when appeals lack focus, internal credibility erodes when fundraising operates in a vacuum, and opportunities vanish when organizations fail to define their priorities. A strong strategic plan provides clarity, direction, and measurable outcomes that unlock donor confidence and energize fundraising. Without it, even the best fundraisers are left making vague asks—and that’s not just inefficient, it’s a leadership failure.
Read MoreFundraising events may look busy and feel productive, but the data shows they rarely deliver lasting results. Donors increasingly want authentic connection, clear communication of impact, and opportunities to partner in meaningful ways—not another gala or golf outing. Studies confirm that events make up only a small fraction of charitable giving while draining staff time and fueling burnout. The real path forward lies in relationship-driven strategies that prioritize trust, transparency, and long-term impact.
Read MoreUniversity endowments, long celebrated as a hallmark of fiscal strength, are now at the center of a heated policy debate. With billions of dollars held by institutions like Harvard, Amherst, and Grinnell—sometimes exceeding $1 million per student—lawmakers are questioning whether these funds truly serve affordability and access. Proposals to tax large endowments add pressure, especially as tuition costs remain steep and federal grants face freezes. Ironically, the very institutions that followed best practices in building endowments may now be penalized for their success, sparking tough questions about fairness, stewardship, and the future of higher education finance.
Read MoreShould big nonprofits that operate like corporations still enjoy sweeping tax exemptions? Scott Hodge thinks not—arguing for nearly $40 billion in new federal taxes on large hospitals, wealthy universities, and donor-advised funds. His case highlights a growing tension: when mission-driven institutions behave like market giants, the public benefit of their tax breaks comes into question. Whether controversial or overdue, the debate forces us to ask what it really means to be a nonprofit today.
Read MorePublic universities are under mounting pressure as state funding declines and operational costs climb, leaving students to shoulder rising tuition and fees. The challenge is clear: can these institutions keep being “everything to everyone”? Streamlining through strategic specialization—focusing each campus on its strengths and reducing duplication—offers a path forward. But the real test lies in overcoming political resistance, where local pride and jobs often outweigh efficiency.
Read MoreWhat if billionaire wealth was deployed more boldly—not to fund passive foundations, but to fuel education, housing, and economic opportunity at scale? Redirecting just half of billionaire fortunes into community-focused programs could dramatically cut poverty, reduce housing insecurity, and strengthen long-term economic resilience. The impact wouldn’t be charity, but transformation—empowering families to thrive while easing pressures on public systems. The Giving Pledge promised generosity; true fulfillment would mean turning dormant wealth into a catalyst for national renewal.
Read MoreFifteen years after its launch, the Giving Pledge has largely failed to deliver on its bold promise. With only 13 percent of U.S. billionaires signed on—and most donations funneled into private foundations—the wealth gap has only grown wider. History shows what happens when voluntary redistribution falters: government steps in. If today’s billionaires continue to hoard wealth under the guise of philanthropy, policy reform may once again force their hand.
Read MoreFifteen years after its bold launch, the Giving Pledge has fallen far short of its transformative promise. While it raised awareness and built a community of wealthy donors, most pledges remain unfulfilled, with billions parked in private foundations and donor-advised funds instead of reaching communities in need. The gap between public commitments and actual impact reveals a troubling pattern: charitable intent without urgency or accountability. Unless future philanthropists pair pledges with decisive action, this momentous experiment risks being remembered as little more than a missed opportunity.
Read MoreThe U.S. Open stands apart from every other tournament because it reminds us that even the best in the world struggle with golf’s unforgiving nature. Instead of endless birdies, we see pros grinding through brutal rough, slick greens, and rounds unraveling in real time. It’s oddly comforting—proof that the game humbles everyone, from scratch players to weekend warriors. For once, golf feels less like a spectacle of perfection and more like a battle we all know too well.
Read MoreNonprofits remain one of America’s most trusted institutions, with 57% of the public expressing high confidence in the sector. Well above government, media, and big business. But trust isn’t guaranteed; it can erode quickly when organizations appear overly dependent on government funding, swayed by wealthy donors, or politically aligned. Protecting credibility means prioritizing transparency, independence, inclusivity, and mission focus at every decision point. In a skeptical era, trust is the nonprofit sector’s most valuable (and fragile) asset.
Read MoreDonor advised funds (DAFs) are no longer a quiet back-office giving tool and they’re a rapidly growing force in philanthropy. DAFs can create distance between nonprofits and their donors, but they also offer untapped potential for bigger, faster gifts when organizations actively embrace them. Simply inviting DAF contributions to your nonprofit can unlock remarkable generosity. In today’s fundraising landscape, adaptation isn’t optional, it’s the key to staying connected and competitive.
Read MoreA new IRS interpretation may allow churches and religious nonprofits to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, but that doesn't mean they should. While legally permissible, such endorsements risk fracturing trust, alienating supporters, and damaging long-term sustainability. Mission-driven organizations thrive on unity and shared values, not political division. In today’s polarized climate, prudence—not permission—should lead the way.
Read MoreAfter years of declining donor participation, a new federal tax provision could help nonprofits reignite support from everyday givers. Starting in 2026, even non-itemizers can claim a modest charitable deduction ($1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for couples) signaling renewed recognition of smaller gifts. As Howard Husock argues, this shift isn't just financial; it's philosophical, affirming that generosity isn’t reserved for the wealthy. Nonprofits now have a strategic opportunity to re-engage the middle and rebuild a more inclusive culture of giving.
Read MoreDonors no longer want to wait a full year to see the impact of their gifts—they want real-time transparency, updates, and connection. While the annual report still has value, it’s no longer enough on its own. Nonprofits that blend traditional reporting with dashboards, video updates, and live briefings are better positioned to build trust, deepen engagement, and stand out in a competitive landscape.
Read MoreArtificial intelligence has real promise in the nonprofit world, but when it comes to donor relationships, chatbots can only go so far. While they’re useful for answering FAQs and collecting data, they fall short in areas requiring empathy, nuance, and personalized connection. To communicate effectively with donors, nonprofits must blend AI’s efficiency with the irreplaceable value of human interaction.
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