philanthropy

Foundation Watch
A Conversation with the Manhattan Institute’s John D. Sailer (Part 1 of 2)
The think-tank fellow and higher-education researcher talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the Mellon Foundation’s and other grantmakers’ substantial support of the “scholar-activist pipeline” and how it tilts colleges and…
by Michael E. Hartmann on April 16, 2025

Foundation Watch
A Conversation with the Manhattan Institute’s John D. Sailer (Part 2 of 2)
The think-tank fellow and higher-education researcher talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the necessary scrutiny of and unfortunate lack of transparency in much philanthropically supported programs and projects in higher…
by Michael E. Hartmann on April 16, 2025

Organization Trends
InfluenceWatch Friday
The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties to use this research in future reporting on significant topics that are often overlooked by the American public.
by Jonathan Harsh on April 4, 2025

Organization Trends
A Conversation with the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Michael Fragoso (Part 1 of 2)
The think-tank fellow and former top congressional staffer talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the role of the American Bar Association and other, different kinds of nonprofit groups in the…
by Michael E. Hartmann on April 3, 2025

Organization Trends
A Conversation with the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Michael Fragoso (Part 2 of 2)
The think-tank fellow and former top congressional staffer talks to Michael E. Hartmann about effective and ineffective nonprofit projects and activities related to the judicial-nomination and -confirmation processes, what could…
by Michael E. Hartmann on April 3, 2025

Foundation Watch
Jeffrey Hart’s 1973 Criticism of Foundations’ Social Activism
Back to the future, of foundations. The below article by Jeffrey Hart originally appeared as a chapter, “Foundations and Social Activism: A Critical View,” in 1973’s The Future of Foundations,…
by Jeffrey Hart on March 25, 2025

Organization Trends
InfluenceWatch Friday
The information compiled in InfluenceWatch gives news outlets and other interested parties to use this research in future reporting on significant topics that are often overlooked by the American public.
by Jonathan Harsh on March 21, 2025

Philanthropy
Americans’ Trust in NGOs Declines
2025 Edelman Trust Barometer finds higher level of trust in business than nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), much-lower level of trust in NGOs among low-income than high-income.
by Michael E. Hartmann on March 13, 2025

Philanthropy
A Better Charitable Act Is Cutting Tax Rates, Not Creating Another Tax Break
Do Americans need a tax incentive to be charitable? Economists have mixed opinions, but two senators believe so. Yet history has shown that there is little relationship between the charitable…
by Scott Hodge on February 17, 2025

Philanthropy
A Conversation with the Quincy Institute’s Nick Cleveland-Stout (Part 1 of 2)
The former Fulbright Scholar and research fellow talks to Michael E. Hartmann about the new report he’s co-authored on the funding of American think tanks, the online repository of data…
by Michael E. Hartmann on February 12, 2025