Dear readers,
As promised, this week we turn the spotlight to our members—bringing you a roundup of their news and reflections from the first half of 2025. From new leadership announcements and fresh approaches to grantmaking, to bold calls for systemic change, this collection captures how our members are shaping debates and driving action across philanthropy and governance.
We hope this curated list helps you catch up on their contributions, and perhaps sparks new ideas and connections along the way.
Next week, we’ll be back with our regular Weekly. Have an interesting piece you’d like us to feature? Share it with us on LinkedIn!
Happy reading!
TAI team
Our Members
Packard Foundation
Introduces multilingual grantmaking, allowing applicants to submit proposals and reports in their preferred languages—a meaningful step toward more inclusive philanthropy. Additionally, from West Papua, Packard’s Jennifer J.R. Littlejohn shares lessons from Moi tribal leaders on protecting forests and tackling the climate crisis, an inspiring call for others to follow their lead.
With support from the Packard Foundation, the FrameWorks Institute offers a new resource for philanthropy to advance narrative change and shares clear concepts, lessons from practice, and evidence-based strategies for more consistent and impactful storytelling.
Ford Foundation
Welcomes Heather Gerken, dean of Yale Law School, as its next president, bringing deep expertise in law, philanthropy, and organizational leadership to advance the Foundation’s mission.
Ford Foundation’s Vice President of International Programs, Martín Abregú, reflects on why disability inclusion must be integral to all movements for justice, calling on funders to strengthen their commitment to global disability rights.
Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey, and Open Society Foundations Chair Alex Soros have been named to the 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognizing their influential leadership and impact on the philanthropic sector.
Humanity United
After more than a decade in the Asia-Pacific seafood sector, Humanity United and The Freedom Fund share hard-earned lessons on addressing exploitation through systemic change, worker empowerment, and locally driven strategies.
Humanity United explores how open and integrated supply chain data can advance labor rights, noting both its promise and the governance challenges that must be addressed.
MacArthur Foundation
In the face of funding cuts and threats to core freedoms, MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey urges philanthropy to act boldly, spending more and collaborating deeply to support nonprofits, education, and civil society.
As the MacArthur Foundation’s nine-year On Nigeria initiative concludes, Kole Shettima and Erin Sines reflect on lessons from supporting the country’s accountability ecosystem, from investigative journalism to equity-focused peer networks.
MacArthur Foundation and Luminate have joined the United in Advance philanthropy coalition’s solidarity campaign, advocating for philanthropy’s freedom to give and encouraging sector-wide participation and collaboration. MacArthur President John Palfrey underscores the importance of this commitment.
Luminate
This Luminate research reveals how AI-generated content shapes perceptions in Indonesia, and warns against overconfidence in immunity to manipulation.
Luminate supports Brazil’s Agência Pública in hosting a panel on Big Tech’s impact at Congresso GIFE 2025 and commits $300,000 to Nigeria’s Foundation for Investigative Journalism to expand work on spyware and privacy rights.
Chandler Foundation
Has unveiled a bold new logo, signaling a fresh visual identity while reaffirming its commitment to building cultures of integrity. The updated design reflects the foundation’s enduring mission to foster ethical leadership and strengthen accountability.
In Stanford Social Innovation Review, Chandler Foundation’s Tim Hanstad and Rakesh Rajani share strategies to help NGOs and funders make the “big shift” to working effectively with government.
Open Society Foundations
OSF’ Binaifer Nowrojee warns that sovereign debt crises are forcing governments to “default on their people” and calls for innovations such as governance conditions on future debt.
Open Society Foundations continues supporting displaced communities and returning veterans in Ukraine, ensuring they have a voice in reconstruction efforts.
Hewlett Foundation
Jennifer Harris, Hewlett’s Director, Economy & Society Initiative, writing in Foreign Affairs, considers what comes after the collapse of the neoliberal consensus.
Hewlett Foundation’s Gender Equity and Governance Program showcases partners advancing inclusive macroeconomic policies for women across East and West Africa.
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