Samwise Nonprofits and Charities Newsletter
Friday, May 29, 2026
Left and Right Unite to Defend Nonprofits’ Freedom to Give
Leaders of the progressive MacArthur Foundation and the conservative donor-advised fund DonorsTrust found rare common ground at a Cato Institute event last week, arguing that government should not interfere with nonprofits or donors on political grounds. MacArthur president John Palfrey called philanthropic freedom “sacrosanct,” while DonorsTrust’s Lawson Bader warned that weaponizing state power against charities could “come back to haunt us” under a future administration. The discussion followed the Trump administration’s threats to revoke tax-exempt status and the Justice Department’s criminal fraud indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which critics call politically motivated. Cato’s Walter Olson said the intensified pressure marks a distinct moment for the sector.
Sources: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Nonprofit Burnout Deepens as Demand Rises and Funding Retreats, Report Finds
Demand is rising while money and morale fall, according to the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s new “State of Nonprofits 2026” report, based on a February survey of 380 nonprofit chief executives. The share of leaders deeply concerned about their own burnout climbed to 46 percent, up from 29 percent a year earlier, and a quarter said burnout was significantly affecting staff. Nearly three-quarters reported higher demand for services since January 2025, even as roughly 30 percent cut staff. Unlike the 2020 surge, researchers noted, government and foundations have pulled back funding simultaneously, leaving many organizations with no clear path to stabilization.
Sources: NonProfit PRO
Buffett and the Currys Raise $9 Million for GLIDE in Charity Lunch Auction
Warren Buffett’s charity lunch returned for another year, with the winning eBay for Charity bid reaching $9,000,100 in the week leading up to May 14. Buffett, who stepped down as Berkshire Hathaway’s chief executive at the end of 2025, is matching the bid and splitting proceeds between the San Francisco anti-poverty organization GLIDE and Eat, Learn, Play, the foundation run by Ayesha Curry and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. It marks the first time the Currys have joined the auction. The winning bidder and up to seven guests will dine in Omaha on June 24. Since 2000, the lunches have raised more than $50 million for GLIDE.
Sources: The NonProfit Times
Analysis Finds High Overhead at Many of the Largest Legacy Foundations
An Inside Philanthropy analysis of the 25 largest U.S. private foundations found that several long-established grantmakers carry notably high overhead. Using 2024 Form 990 filings supplied by FoundationMark’s John Seitz, the outlet divided each foundation’s charitable disbursements by its total expenses, finding that many prominent legacy foundations direct only 60 to 80 percent of spending to grants — below the 90 to 95 percent that the Council on Foundations says grants typically represent of qualifying distributions. Foundations created by living tech entrepreneurs tended to run leaner. The piece cautioned that some foundations file alongside affiliated giving vehicles, complicating direct comparisons.
Sources: Inside Philanthropy
Report Ties Donor Pullback to Economic Anxiety More Than Hardship
With roughly one in four donors planning to give less in 2026, a new Giving USA Foundation and Dunham+Company report suggests the pullback is driven more by economic anxiety than by genuine hardship. As of November 2025, 54 percent of surveyed donors called their finances “somewhat to extremely distressing,” and 40 percent expected the economy to worsen. The study found religiously engaged donors far more steadfast: just 7 percent planned to cut giving, and weekly worshippers gave about 2.5 times more across causes than non-attenders. The authors point to direct mail, which is drawing renewed response from younger donors, as one way to sustain engagement.
Sources: Candid
Nonprofits Adopt AI Faster Than They Govern It, Guidance Warns
Nonprofit technology adoption has outpaced oversight, according to guidance published by The NonProfit Times. Citing the 2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report, the piece notes that 92 percent of nonprofits now use AI-enabled tools, yet nearly half — 47 percent — have no AI governance policy in place. The authors urge leaders to treat artificial intelligence as a strategic and security matter rather than a purely technical one, warning that generative AI and autonomous “AI agents” introduce new data and cybersecurity exposures. They encourage organizations to weigh the efficiency gains against the risks and to build governance before problems emerge.
Sources: The NonProfit Times
Funders Urged to Weigh the Community Impact of AI Data Centers
As funders pour resources into shaping artificial intelligence, Inside Philanthropy argues that one consequence is being overlooked: the data centers powering the boom and their effect on nearby communities. Large language models demand vast computing power, storage and specialized chips, fueling rapid construction. The directory Data Center Map counts 4,287 facilities across all 50 states, and an Axios report cited nearly 3,000 more under construction or planned alongside the more than 4,000 already operating. With residents in many areas voicing opposition, the commentary urges philanthropy to support communities navigating these projects rather than leaving the debate solely to industry and local governments.
Sources: Inside Philanthropy
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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