We’re living (and dying) in a “quadfecta” of 1) A raging, unprecedented pandemic, 2) Economic inequality and hardship at the highest levels in memory, 3) Racial injustice permeating almost every aspect of American life and 4) Climate change eating away at our planet, and the lives it sustains.

The holidays are around the corner and, for tens of millions of our neighbors across the U.S., this will be a time of scarcity, insecurity, worry and, in the richest nation on earth, hunger.

In response to recent tragedies, many donors – whether in private or public foundations, donor-advised funds, or less structured philanthropy – have, internally and externally, offered important statements of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice and equity, with a commitment to anti-racism efforts. Now is the time to go beyond statements.

Research shows that 78% of U.S. consumers want companies to address important social justice issues.

A few weeks ago, the coronavirus pandemic obscured the celebration of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary.

A few weeks ago, the coronavirus pandemic obscured the celebration of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary.

A few weeks ago, the coronavirus pandemic obscured the celebration of Earth Day’s 50th anniversary.

The role of philanthropy in responding to this pandemic is critical.

Charitable support for organizations that serve women and girls is surprisingly deficient when compared with philanthropic giving as a whole.

The best philanthropic decisions are based on facts – not myths.

As the philanthropic landscape continues to evolve in 2020, expect these meaningful developments. 

The right to vote is one of the most precious rights in our democracy – and it is under attack. In the last decade, many U.S. states have made it harder for people to vote, adopting tactics such as stricter identification requirements, polling place closures, limits on voter registration and early voting, and purges of voter lists.

Soon, many Americans will gather around the table with family and friends to give thanks for abundant blessings and freedoms as they indulge in a surfeit of delicious traditional foods. Leftovers will last for days.

When working with affluent families, I often hear the popular warning: “Shirtsleeves-to-shirtsleeves in three generations.” This quote suggests that a family’s wealth often disappears by the time it reaches the grandchildren of the wealth-creating generation.

Nearly 50 years ago, Milton Friedman launched the era of “shareholder capitalism.” The world has changed a lot since then – for better and for worse.

Although truly strategic philanthropy is highly individualized, some lessons are universal. Here are several lessons I've learned.

"Philanthropy should be taking much bigger risks than business," said Bill Gates. "If these are easy problems, business and government can come in and solve them."

Since disaster-related philanthropy is often an emotional response to a terrifying event, it is rarely strategic and, as a result, often not effective. Mistakes are common. Here are some ways to make sure that your generous response does the most good.

The best antidote to the current pandemic of hopelessness is philanthropy, which is inherently optimistic -- reflecting the fundamental belief that we can have a positive impact on stubborn societal issues and the lives of others.

Across the United States, companies of all sizes increasingly recognize the importance of philanthropic community engagement. In 2017, those companies donated more than $20 billion to charitable causes.

Across the United States, companies of all sizes increasingly recognize the importance of philanthropic community engagement. In 2017, those companies donated more than $20 billion to charitable causes.

Impact investing is the rapidly expanding approach to financial markets that seeks to do well and to do good. It attempts to generate positive financial and social returns.

Economic and political volatility will impact the giving world.

The U.S. ranks last among the G20 nations in achieving the SDGs, and 36th among all the countries in the world.

Since 2010, I have now written 100 columns addressing many aspects of philanthropy – for families, businesses and foundations. To acknowledge this milestone, here are some of my favorite excerpts.