#philanthropy

#philanthropy

This year, when we announced that Hostos Community College will open a new center for its life sciences and allied health programs in the historic Bronx General Post Office building, it was a vivid symbol of CUNY's trajectory over the past year. The expansion is just one example of the story of 2025 at CUNY, a year defined by growth and innovation to meet the evolving needs of our students and city.

First marked in 1911, International Women's Day began as a campaign for women's rights to work, vote and hold public office. Over the past century, it has evolved into a global moment to celebrate women's achievements, highlight gender inequality, support female-focused charities, and push for a more inclusive society. Every year we celebrate IWD on 8th March but it's one day that comes and goes with very little tangible change.

It marked a second consecutive year a Dodgers official served as the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade as Billie Jean King had the honor of doing so to start 2025. Johnson road down Colorado Boulevard, waiving to attendees who braved the elements in order to experience the annual Rose Parade.

But you no longer need to be a multimillionaire to own a Picasso for 100, anyone in the world has the chance to walk away with a painting by one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. The French charity Alzheimer's Research Foundation announced recently it was raffling Picasso's 1941 portrait, Tete de femme, which is worth more than 1m, to a single winner.

Varland and Ohtani crossed paths in 2024, when the Japanese star joined the Dodgers via free agency, signing a 10-year, $700 million deal. Ohtani is one of the most valuable athletes in the world, a true superstar across Asia. At the same time, his stateside popularity continues to grow as he makes unprecedented history on the baseball field. He grosses millions in endorsements, giving him plenty of money to spare and help out a teammate going through a tough time.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's "Golden Girl" Pat Montandon has died at 96 years old. She was known for her legendary parties in the 1960s with guests like the Gettys, Andy Warhol and Frank Sinatra. Following an ugly divorce, Montandon became a philanthropist, founding a peace group called Children as Teachers for Peace and making 37 international trips on its behalf.

For decades, philanthropy has reinforced a media landscape that favors the biggest (and whitest) news organizations, whether they be nonprofit, for-profit, or startups, while chronically underinvesting in ethnic and community media. I predict that 2026 will see one or more failures of newsrooms conceived of or propped up by funders, forcing a reckoning about how we support journalism in America.

"I feel like there's a narrative sometimes that our little actions don't matter," Neurodiversity Alliance CEO David Flink said. "That's just not true. And this proves it. Lots of little actions that happen every day in our work, collectively over time, reached the ears of folks like Lauren and Jeff."

Many have witnessed the challenges within their neighborhoods firsthand, but for some, this need becomes a personal mission. That's precisely what Chef Aarón Sánchez has embraced through his work with Emeril Lagasse Foundation. As a chef and restaurant owner, Aarón launched a scholarship program to support young aspiring chefs pursuing formal culinary education-opening doors to mentorship, professional training, and the opportunity to transform passion into long-term careers.

When the U.S. government cut funding for local news stations, the Knight Foundation moved quickly to help stabilize a rapidly eroding industry. President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth unpacks the evolving roles of philanthropy and government, and why philanthropic organizations must learn to move at the speed of the news cycle. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by former Fast Company editor-in-chief Robert Safian.

It's nearly impossible to describe the "Queen of all Media" in one sentence. Oprah Winfrey is a multihyphenate: A daytime talk show host who changed the business. A producer. An author. A philanthropist. An actress with accolades. A billionaire. An avid gardener. A champion of books and education. A media powerhouse. In 2014, a few years after ending the talk show that catapulted her to international renown, she was asked about the secret to her success.

The driver of a minivan hit and killed a philanthropist who was cycling north up Riverside Drive in Washington Heights late on Sunday, according to friends and cops. Cops say the wreck unfolded a little after 9 p.m. on Sunday at Riverside Drive and 158th Street when a 37-year-old driver of a white Toyota minivan struck the 78-year-old biker from behind. The driver remained at the scene and has not been charged. The investigation is ongoing, the NYPD said.

We're transforming this building into a hub that will deliver meaningful impact for people who need it most, said Christopher Baker, chief executive officer of Goodwill of Silicon Valley.

This holiday season, many families are feeling stretched. Budgets are tight and life feels heavy. But there is a quiet evolution happening across the country. More Americans are discovering that generosity speaks many languages. According to the Johnson Center for Philanthropy's 2025 Trends Report, nonprofits are creating new pathways for people to give through service, mentorship and in-kind support. These opportunities complement traditional philanthropy and together they are making giving more accessible than ever.

It brought tears to my eyes seeing this little baby and seeing her flourish,

The historic gift has little precedent, with few single charitable commitments in the past 25 years exceeding $1 billion, much less multiple billions. Announced on GivingTuesday, the Dells believe it's the largest single private commitment made to U.S. children. It is also unusual in that it will operate through investment accounts set up by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that will be managed by private companies.

I agree with love of humanity, and I think we should try to do things that help our fellow human beings,

Six million dollars can buy a lot of things, but they do not guarantee a place in the pantheon of immortality. The amount, give or take a cent, is what Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have ponied up as star sponsors of the next glitzy gala organized by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, to be held on the first Monday of May 2026.