Philanthropy & social impact

The Pay-for-Success Wall: Why Social Impact Bonds are Stalling

An investigation into the 'pay-for-success' model, exploring why high-profile recidivism and education projects are missing their targets and what this means for the future of private investment in social services.

12 min

Mackenzie Scott is funding her own critics

While mainstream philanthropy often avoids adversarial oversight, Scott’s latest $250 million round includes several watchdog groups dedicated to scrutinizing billionaire influence. This movement explores whether radical transparency can coexist with the absolute power of private wealth.

12 min

The donor-advised fund payout math doesn't add up

New data from the National Philanthropic Trust shows record balances in DAFs, yet the lack of mandatory distribution timelines is creating a multi-billion dollar capital bottleneck. We look at the specific tax loopholes that allow wealth to sit in private accounts while charities face a liquidity crisis.

12 min

Fear of litigation is stalling diversity grants

Following the Fearless Fund court ruling, major foundations are quietly scrubbing racial equity language from their grant requirements to avoid 'reverse discrimination' lawsuits. This shift reveals how a single legal precedent is fundamentally retooling the mechanics of social impact investing.

12 min

How the Gates Foundation lost its veto power

A quiet shift in World Health Organization funding rules just curtailed the influence of private mega-donors on global malaria strategy. It reveals the backroom diplomatic battle between sovereign nations and the private billionaires who have dictated public health policy for a generation.

12 min

The donor-advised fund shielding a billion-dollar exit

An investigation into how Silicon Valley founders use donor-advised funds (DAFs) to secure massive tax deductions during unicorn exits while delaying charitable impact for decades.

12 min