This week's roundup includes news about MacKenzie Scott's latest $7 billion in gifts; the Rockefeller Foundation's report on nuclear energy; and the Lilly Endowment's grants to youth camps and veterans. For more great content, including news, RFPs, reviews and commentary, visit us at philanthropynewsdigest.org.
The unrestricted awards represent a more than 250 percent increase from the $2 billion the Giving Pledger awarded in 2024 and include grants totaling $214 million to five colleges and universities that serve Latinx communities....
Commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, the report found that, under the right policy and regulatory conditions, nuclear power could deliver up to 30 percent of an emerging nation’s electricity generation and reduce system costs by up to 31 percent by 2050....
The Lilly Endowment announced 18 grants totaling more than $116.5 million in support of efforts to build the capacity of military and veterans service organizations that provide direct support to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families....
The gift from Rob and Karen Hale—the largest in the health system’s history—will support behavioral health initiatives and fund a new building at its Franciscan Children’s hospital in Brighton….
Funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will back 68 projects and leverage an additional $38 million in matching funds to bolster coastal resilience, protect communities, and enhance habitats for fish and wildlife....
In their own words
“As global energy demand grows, it’s never been more urgent to explore new technological pathways for emerging economies to access power and unlock opportunity for their people. This report demonstrates how nuclear energy can play a critical role in meeting that need with clean, continuous power....”
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Rajiv J. Shah, president, Rockefeller Foundation (“Rockefeller Foundation report finds nuclear energy could deliver up to 30% electricity generation for emerging economies.” Rockefeller Foundation press release 12/04/2025)
The award from the Dallas-based O’Donnell Foundation will help launch Southern Methodist University’s Energy Science, Innovation, and Enterprise program designed to fuel the current energy boom across the North Texas region....
The gift from alumni couple Charles and Ann Quilter is in addition to nearly $30 million in other commitments in support of a dedicated center for advancing the mission of the university’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, which is focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research and patient care….
The gift from Lynne and Richard Pasculano will help maintain and expand the library’s adult education programs, including English language learning, workforce development, and digital tech literacy....
News and staff announcements from community foundations in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia....
This week's roundup includes news from the Ball Brothers, James S. McDonnell, and Wikimedia foundations, as well as AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Fund for a Safer Future, and Upwardly Global....
PND poll
PND Poll: What role should nuclear power play in emerging economies’ clean energy transitions?
