SAMWISE
Good morning Janine. Here is your personal morning briefing · samwise.agency
Friday, June 19, 2026
DRIVER MARKET
Verstappen exit clause confirmed as champion flies to Red Bull UK factory
Max Verstappen visited Red Bull's UK factory in Milton Keynes on Thursday as his Formula 1 future grew increasingly uncertain. Manager Raymond Vermeulen publicly confirmed the existence of a performance-linked exit clause in Verstappen's contract that will activate if the four-time world champion is not among the top two in the championship standings at the summer break. With Verstappen sitting seventh on 55 points, 101 behind leader Kimi Antonelli, the clause's activation appears near-certain. Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes throughout 2026. Following a meeting with Red Bull company chiefs, the champion declined to publicly commit his long-term future to the team.
FIA reviewing ADUO engine findings as surprised Red Bull disputes benchmark verdict
The FIA has yet to officially confirm the results of its first Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities assessment, with the governing body reviewing findings ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix and holding discussions with all power unit manufacturers. Red Bull, whose power unit was judged the strongest in the field, expressed surprise at the finding. The team stated no single data sample indicates it holds an advantage over Mercedes. Under ADUO rules, Mercedes will receive one additional power unit upgrade this season, while Ferrari, Audi and Honda each receive two, having been assessed as more than four percent below Red Bull's benchmark performance.
Ferrari bringing new power unit elements to Austrian GP to boost Hamilton's title bid
Ferrari is set to introduce new power unit elements for Lewis Hamilton at next week's Austrian Grand Prix, providing a horsepower boost as the team targets championship leader Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes. Ferrari has been classified under the FIA's ADUO system as more than four percent below Red Bull's benchmark combustion engine performance, making the team eligible for two additional power unit upgrades during the 2026 season. Hamilton closed within 41 points of Antonelli following last Sunday's Barcelona Grand Prix, when Antonelli retired with a mechanical failure. Ferrari and Hamilton hope the new elements will narrow the car's power deficit heading into the European summer races.
Mercedes abandons Monaco penalty review petition, accepting Russell's championship damage
Mercedes has abandoned its petition to review George Russell's Monaco Grand Prix time penalty, which dropped the British driver out of the points. The team filed the petition after new evidence emerged that Monaco's pit lane timing equipment had measured incorrect distances, which led to rival Pierre Gasly's own penalties being cancelled. However, team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the petition had a low chance of succeeding before Mercedes informed the FIA stewards on Thursday evening of its decision to withdraw, ahead of a virtual hearing that had been scheduled for Saturday morning. Russell's championship points total remains unaffected by the withdrawal.
Wolff calls ADUO the correct approach for F1 and warns against Balance of Performance
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has urged Formula 1 to maintain the ADUO engine equalization system and resist pressure to adopt a Balance of Performance approach to managing power unit performance gaps. Speaking this week, Wolff strongly opposed Balance of Performance in motorsport, calling it a 'political mess' in other racing series. He argued F1's data-driven ADUO methodology is the correct framework and should not be replaced by subjective evaluation. Wolff's comments followed the FIA's ADUO assessment, which granted Mercedes one additional upgrade token and Ferrari, Audi and Honda two each, while Red Bull — identified as the benchmark engine — receives no additional upgrades.
Sainz proposes radical format in which drivers race each manufacturer's car to crown a champion
Williams driver Carlos Sainz has proposed a radical restructuring of Formula 1 to separate driver and constructor championships, imagining a format in which each driver runs two races with each manufacturer's car across a 20-event season. Sainz said he has 'always envisioned a Formula 1 where the manufacturers and drivers are separate,' describing a hypothetical structure he acknowledged 'will never happen, of course.' The proposal reflects Sainz's ongoing concerns about how manufacturer performance advantages shape championship outcomes, a debate intensified in 2026 as the new power unit regulations have produced a competitive hierarchy influenced largely by each constructor's engine performance.
Tsunoda completes two race distances in Red Bull TPC test at Barcelona
Yuki Tsunoda completed the equivalent of two race distances during a Red Bull Testing of Previous Cars session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week, running as the team's 2026 reserve driver. Tsunoda lost his full-time race seat at the end of the 2025 season when Isack Hadjar was promoted to the senior Red Bull line-up. The Japanese driver continues to receive regular TPC running to maintain racecraft and remain available should the team require a late substitution during the season. Red Bull's session at Montmelo came during the calendar gap between the Barcelona Grand Prix and next week's Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring.
Leclerc, Zhou, Stevens and Fornaroli complete reserve driver test programmes at Barcelona and Monza
Ferrari deployed two reserve drivers at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for Formula 1 testing sessions this week. Arthur Leclerc completed 141 laps over 657 kilometres with a best lap of 1 minute 17.430 seconds, while former Sauber driver Guanyu Zhou ran 130 laps covering 605 kilometres. McLaren also conducted a Testing of Previous Cars session at the Monza circuit during the same week, running reserve drivers Will Stevens and Leonardo Fornaroli. The sessions form part of each team's permitted TPC allocation and provide reserve drivers with valuable mileage and feedback opportunities during the calendar break before the Austrian Grand Prix.
Drivers' Championship
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli — 156 pts
2. Lewis Hamilton — 115 pts
3. George Russell — 106 pts
4. Charles Leclerc — 75 pts
5. Lando Norris — 73 pts
6. Oscar Piastri — 68 pts
7. Max Verstappen — 55 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 41 pts
9. Isack Hadjar — 34 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 28 pts
11. Oliver Bearman — 18 pts
12. Franco Colapinto — 16 pts
13. Arvid Lindblad — 13 pts
14. Carlos Sainz Jr — 6 pts
15. Alexander Albon — 5 pts
16. Esteban Ocon — 3 pts
17. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
18. Fernando Alonso — 1 pts
19. Nico Hülkenberg — 0 pts
20. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
21. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
22. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 262 pts
2. Ferrari — 190 pts
3. McLaren — 141 pts
4. Red Bull — 89 pts
5. Alpine — 57 pts
6. Racing Bulls — 41 pts
7. Haas — 21 pts
8. Williams — 11 pts
9. Audi — 2 pts
10. Aston Martin — 1 pts
11. Cadillac — 0 pts
NHL
Jonathan Toews Retires After 16 NHL Seasons
Jonathan Toews officially retired from the NHL on Friday at a press conference in Winnipeg, closing a 16-season career defined by three Stanley Cups and a captaincy record with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 38-year-old centre spent 15 seasons as Chicago’s captain before missing two years managing Chronic Immune Response Syndrome and Long COVID. He returned in 2025 on a one-year deal with his hometown Jets, appearing in all 82 games and recording 29 points alongside a league-leading 62.1 percent faceoff win rate in his final season. Toews finishes with 383 goals, 529 assists, and 1,149 NHL regular season games.
Sharks Acquire Gasseau and Pick from Bruins in Pre-Draft Trade
The San Jose Sharks continued their active pre-draft period Thursday, acquiring the rights to forward Andre Gasseau and a fourth-round selection from the Boston Bruins in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2026 draft. Gasseau, 22, is a 6-foot-4 centre who posted 23 points in 23 games as a senior at Boston College. Originally a seventh-round pick of the Bruins in 2021, Gasseau declined to sign an entry-level contract in Boston. The deal follows Wednesday’s trade in which San Jose moved down in the first round to acquire defenceman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres.
Edmonton Oilers Sign Goaltender Connor Ungar to Two-Way Deal
The Edmonton Oilers announced the signing of goaltender Connor Ungar to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level on Thursday. Ungar, 24, spent last season split between the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, where he went 9-2-2 with a .923 save percentage and 2.51 goals-against average in 13 appearances, and three ECHL affiliates. The Calgary native originally signed with Edmonton out of Brock University in 2024. The Oilers continue to build their roster depth as the 2026 offseason gets underway, with the NHL Draft one week away in Buffalo.
2026 NHL Draft One Week Away as Teams Map Prospect Pipeline Needs
With the 2026 NHL Draft a week away at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the NHL released the current order of selection Thursday while analysts mapped every team’s pressing prospect pipeline needs. Gavin McKenna remains the consensus first overall pick, expected to head to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Several franchises enter the draft with notable gaps: the Rangers need a projectable NHL centre, the Islanders have no right-shot defenceman projecting to the NHL, and the Red Wings need left-side defensive help. San Jose holds pick No. 2 while Vancouver and Chicago pick third and fourth. The first round is June 26.
NHL Buyout Window Opens: Teams Have Until June 30 to Act
The NHL’s buyout window opened following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and runs through June 30 at 5 p.m. ET, giving teams the opportunity to shed unwanted contracts at a reduced cap cost. The Hockey News identified Jesperi Kotkaniemi as a potential buyout candidate for the Carolina Hurricanes if no trade partners emerge — he posted just nine points in 42 regular-season games this season and did not appear in the playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks are also weighing options, while goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been discussed but is considered an unlikely buyout candidate for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
RECAP
Royals pound Cardinals 14-6 as Witt exits with knee injury
Bobby Witt Jr. hit the first of Kansas City’s three home runs before leaving with a sore right knee, and the Royals smacked a club-record five doubles in a six-run second inning Thursday night on the way to a 14-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Witt homered in the first inning and added an RBI single in the second, but he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fourth after a sliding stop at shortstop. Jac Caglianone and Salvador Perez also went deep for the Royals, who set season highs for runs and hits with 17.
Benintendi grand slam lifts White Sox past Yankees 5-1
Andrew Benintendi broke a 1-1 tie with a grand slam off Camilo Doval to give the Chicago White Sox a 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Colson Montgomery also homered and tagged out Anthony Volpe trying to stretch a double in the seventh, with left fielder Junior Perez delivering a strong one-hop throw. Yankees starter Ryan Weathers allowed one run and three hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out eight and walking one. The White Sox won in the Bronx for the first time since June 8, 2023, snapping a long road skid against New York.
Soto homers twice as Mets edge Phillies 6-4
Juan Soto hit two solo homers and made a sliding catch in the left-field corner to rob Bryce Harper of a run-scoring hit as the New York Mets defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-4 on Thursday night. Pinch-hitter Eric Wagaman provided the tiebreaking single with two outs in the seventh inning, and Marcus Semien followed with a two-run triple off reliever Jose Alvarado. Soto took Phillies starter Aaron Nola deep in his first two at-bats to reach 16 homers this season, his 30th career multihomer game. Huascar Brazoban earned the win in relief of Sean Manaea, and Devin Williams notched his 11th save.
Bryan Woo throws seven scoreless as Mariners blank Orioles 3-0
Bryan Woo pitched seven shutout innings, Colt Emerson drove in two of Seattle’s three first-inning runs and the Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-0 on Thursday. Woo allowed just three hits and matched his season high with nine strikeouts, walking one. The Mariners scored all of their runs in the first with two outs against Shane Baz. Josh Naylor singled and reached second on an error, Dominic Canzone walked, and Cole Young doubled before Emerson singled both home. Andres Munoz recorded three outs for his 12th save. Baltimore was shut out for the first time this season and dropped the series.
Twins belt three homers, complete sweep of Rangers 9-3
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins completed a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday. Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter. Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to center, and Ryan Kreidler added a two-run homer in the eighth. Joe Ryan struck out seven over five scoreless innings. Minnesota outscored Texas 25-7 across the series and has hit 23 home runs over its past 13 games.
Blue Jays rally in ninth to sweep Red Sox 4-3
Brandon Valenzuela hit a go-ahead RBI double off Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 4-3 win Thursday. Valenzuela’s hit off the Green Monster came after catcher Connor Wong misplayed a foul pop-up that would have ended the inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Nathan Lukes homered for Toronto. Trailing 3-1, Boston tied it in the eighth on back-to-back homers by Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Caleb Durbin. Mason Fluharty pitched a perfect ninth for his first save as the Red Sox fell to 12-25 at Fenway Park.
Bazzana’s seventh-inning homer lifts Guardians over Brewers 4-2
Travis Bazzana hit a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning, Parker Messick pitched six effective innings and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Thursday. David Fry and Kyle Manzardo also homered for the Guardians, who had lost the first two games of the series. Messick held the Brewers to two runs and four hits while striking out nine over a 96-pitch outing. Bazzana’s towering home run off Grant Anderson gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead, and the Guardians added a run on Drew Rom’s bases-loaded wild pitch. Cade Smith recorded four outs for his 24th save in 26 chances.
Athletics blank Angels 5-0 as Trout lands on injured list
Gage Jump gave up one hit over seven innings, and Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom hit back-to-back homers in a five-run first that sent the Athletics to a 5-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. The Angels placed star outfielder Mike Trout on the 10-day injured list before the game with a right hamstring strain. The first six Athletics batters got hits off Ryan Johnson, recalled from Double-A Rocket City. Langeliers drove a three-run shot 430 feet for his 19th homer, and Soderstrom followed with his 13th. Mason Barnett and Hogan Harris finished a four-hitter, the team’s fifth shutout this season.
Braves acquire catcher Joey Bart from Pirates for Hunter Stratton
Atlanta acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton on Thursday night, a homecoming for the 29-year-old who grew up less than an hour from Atlanta and played college ball at Georgia Tech. The Braves made room on the 40-man roster by designating catcher Sandy Leon for assignment. Bart hit .259 with two homers and six RBIs in 21 games for the Pirates this year before landing on the injured list in mid-May with a left foot infection. He went 4-for-16 over five minor league rehab games in the past week. The Braves had designated Stratton for assignment on June 17.
American League
1. New York Yankees — 45–28, —
2. Tampa Bay Rays — 41–30, 3.0
3. Toronto Blue Jays — 37–38, 9.0
4. Baltimore Orioles — 35–41, 11.5
5. Boston Red Sox — 29–43, 15.5
1. Chicago White Sox — 39–34, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 40–35, 0.0
3. Minnesota Twins — 36–40, 4.5
4. Kansas City Royals — 31–45, 9.5
5. Detroit Tigers — 30–44, 9.5
1. Seattle Mariners — 39–37, —
2. Athletics — 37–38, 1.5
3. Texas Rangers — 35–39, 3.0
4. Houston Astros — 35–41, 4.0
5. Los Angeles Angels — 30–46, 9.0
National League
1. Atlanta Braves — 46–27, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 40–35, 7.0
3. Washington Nationals — 39–36, 8.0
4. Miami Marlins — 37–38, 10.0
5. New York Mets — 34–41, 13.0
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 45–27, —
2. St. Louis Cardinals — 40–33, 5.5
3. Chicago Cubs — 39–36, 7.5
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 38–37, 8.5
5. Cincinnati Reds — 35–38, 10.5
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 48–27, —
2. San Diego Padres — 38–35, 9.0
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 38–36, 9.5
4. San Francisco Giants — 31–43, 16.5
5. Colorado Rockies — 28–47, 20.0
HARDWARE
Commodore Unveils Linux-Powered Flip Phone Running Sailfish OS
The revived Commodore brand has unveiled the Callback 8020, a Linux-powered flip phone designed with hardware enthusiasts and privacy-focused users in mind. The device runs Sailfish OS, a Linux-based operating system compatible with Android apps, giving users a genuinely open-source-friendly smartphone platform. Key hardware specifications include a replaceable battery pack, a 48MP Sony camera sensor, and a Cirrus Logic digital-to-analog converter for high-quality audio output. The flip form factor is a deliberate design choice, physically separating the display from the keyboard. Sailfish OS support for Android apps ensures compatibility with the wider mobile software ecosystem despite the Callback 8020's non-Android foundation.
3Dresyn's Depolymerizable Resin Makes Photopolymer Recycling Possible
Photopolymer resins used in SLA and MSLA 3D printing permanently harden under UV light and cannot normally be recycled or reprocessed. A new approach from 3Dresyn addresses this with depolymerizable resin formulations and additives that allow the cured polymer to break back down with heat and be reformed for reuse. The system comes in two temperature variants: one depolymerizes at 80°C and another at 150°C. Both the compatible resins and the required additives are available directly from 3Dresyn. The process could substantially reduce photopolymer waste from desktop resin printers, addressing a recognized environmental concern with the format.
Builder Creates Two-Way Holographic Display With ESP8266 and Beam-Splitter Cube
Maker Julius Makes has built a compact two-way holographic display using a Wemos D1 development board with an ESP8266 microcontroller driving two OLED displays over I2C. The displays are mounted in a 3D-printed assembly aimed at a beam-splitter cube, which routes each display's image along a separate optical path through the cube. The result is a device that shows a different image depending on the angle from which a viewer approaches, creating a simple holographic effect with entirely off-the-shelf components. The project demonstrates how low-cost microcontrollers, inexpensive OLED modules, and a beam-splitter cube can combine to produce striking optical illusions.
Qualcomm Linux 2.0 Brings Upstream-First Open Development to Dragonwing IoT
Qualcomm has announced Qualcomm Linux 2.0 for its Dragonwing IoT platform lineup, committing to an upstream-first open development model and a unified, scalable Linux framework across all Dragonwing IoT hardware. The upstream-first approach means kernel patches will be submitted directly to the mainline Linux kernel rather than maintained in separate downstream forks, which historically fragment support and complicate long-term maintenance. The new framework replaces per-device kernel trees with a single consistent software stack across the Dragonwing portfolio. For embedded developers using Qualcomm IoT hardware, the shift should simplify software bring-up, reduce maintenance burden, and improve long-term platform support reliability.
Open Healthware Conference 2026 Approaches: San Francisco, July 9–10
The Open Source Hardware Association is hosting the 2026 Open Healthware Conference on July 9 and 10 in San Francisco, and Hackster.io flagged the event this week as it draws near. The conference explores ways to democratize health technology and make it more accessible through open hardware principles. It brings together medical professionals and open-source developers working on health-related hardware projects, with demonstrations and discussion covering assistive technologies and health-focused open hardware. For makers and engineers working at the intersection of open-source development and medical device design, the event represents a concentrated gathering on applying maker methodologies to healthcare technology.
Snap-Fit ESP32-C3 Super Mini Enclosure Joins the #3DThursday Collection
Adafruit's weekly 3DThursday feature this week showcases a snap-fit enclosure designed specifically for the ESP32-C3 Super Mini, one of the smallest members of the ESP32 microcontroller family. The case uses a tool-free snap-fit mechanism to secure the board without screws, making it easy to open for prototyping and snap shut for deployment. The ESP32-C3 Super Mini is widely used in maker projects for its small footprint, integrated wireless connectivity, and low cost. Providing an open 3D-printable case for the board extends its usability into projects requiring clean, protective housing, and the design can be printed on any standard FDM desktop printer.
Maker Solves the Panel-Mount OLED Display Problem With Custom PCBs
Maker Galopago has solved a recurring frustration in electronics builds: cleanly mounting inexpensive OLED display modules into a panel. Standard bare OLED PCBs vary slightly in size and leave exposed edges, making neat installation difficult without additional hardware. The solution uses an off-the-shelf 48 by 29mm power panel meter enclosure as the housing, paired with two custom PCBs — one holding a voltage regulator and supporting components, and the other providing screw terminals for easy wiring connections. The assembled unit slots into a panel cutout with a bezel covering any gaps. The complete project and design files are shared on Hackaday for others to reproduce.
RESEARCH
Report: Only 3% of Eligible U.S. Adults Donate Blood Despite 62% Meeting Criteria
A new report from America’s Blood Centers and the Association for Blood Donor Professionals finds only 3% of Americans who are eligible to donate blood actually do so, despite 62% of the U.S. population meeting eligibility criteria. The research covers 2023 data — the most recent available — which counted approximately 6.54 million donors, a 0.1% decline from 2021. Researchers also tracked growth in donor diversity: Black or African American donors increased 37.6%, Hispanic or Latino donors rose 8.5%, and Asian donors grew 7.8% over the period. The report highlights a persistent gap between donation eligibility and actual participation across the nonprofit blood services sector.
Study: Naming Rights Top Donor Recognition Rankings as Healthcare Campaigns Scale Up
A study by Twin Point Insights and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, drawing on 58 hospital and health system campaigns across the U.S. and Canada, finds naming rights for physical spaces are the most impactful form of donor recognition, cited by 91% of respondents. The report, “Donor Relations and the Post-Campaign Period,” examines how recognition practices must evolve as fundraising campaigns diversify to include programmatic, endowment, and community health priorities. Authors say healthcare facilities must provide acknowledgment that reflects the scale of each donor’s investment. The findings carry implications for major-gift fundraising across the broader nonprofit sector.
FoodCorps Cut Its Budget by 45% After Federal Funding Collapsed. A Foundation’s $1M Bet Changed Its Trajectory.
FoodCorps, a national nonprofit advancing child nutrition through school food programs, lost its primary federal funder — AmeriCorps — after 14 years, as the Department of Government Efficiency terminated those grants. Facing a 45% budget reduction, FoodCorps narrowed its flagship program from 56 communities to 15, launched a Kindred Fellowship for school food practitioners, and partnered with Teachers College at Columbia University on a nutrition microcredential. The Healy Foundation, which had previously given $20,000 to $50,000 gifts, stepped in with a $1 million grant over four years. Writing in the Chronicle, both leaders describe the partnership as a model for trust-based philanthropy under pressure.
A $100M Fund for Black-Led Nonprofits Fell Short of Its Goal — But the Movement It Sparked Continues
A fund that set an ambitious $100 million goal to support Black-led nonprofit organizations fell short of its target despite early efforts to replicate a successful regional model, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported June 16. Modeled on the California Black Freedom Fund, which attracted buy-in from more than a dozen donors and foundations, the initiative could not sustain similar momentum after seed funder Open Society Institute Baltimore shut down. The Chronicle finds the shortfall has not extinguished the broader movement: advocates continue to press philanthropic institutions for larger, sustained investments in Black-led organizations, and new grantmaking vehicles for that purpose remain in development.
Supreme Court Rules 9–0 That Demands for Donor Records Chill Free Speech Rights
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a New Jersey attorney general’s subpoena demanding donor records from a crisis pregnancy center organization unconstitutionally chilled the right to free speech and association. Writing for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch stated that “demands for private donor information inevitably carry with them a deterrent effect on the exercise of First Amendment rights,” drawing a comparison to the historic 1958 NAACP ruling. The case, brought by First Choice Women’s Resource Centers of New Jersey, was remanded to federal district court. The ruling has broad implications for nonprofits that face state regulatory investigations involving donor disclosure.
Playbook: Treat Younger Donors as Ambassadors First — and Watch Giving Follow
Gen Z and Millennial donors are skeptical of traditional fundraising appeals, more likely to find causes through social media than direct mail, and less motivated by tax incentives than by personal connection, according to a Chronicle of Philanthropy playbook published June 15. The guide advises nonprofits to treat young supporters as ambassadors first and financial contributors second. Evan Ehlers, CEO of food-rescue nonprofit Sharing Excess, reports that after adding Apple Pay as a giving option, the organization’s online donations surged by more than 200%. The playbook urges fundraisers to prioritize long-term relationship-building over immediate gifts from younger donors.
Grant Consultant: Call Program Officers Before Submitting — Replace Fear With Curiosity
Nonprofit grant consultant Jan Rodusky argues that organizations approach funder conversations with too much fear — waiting until after a rejection to call a program officer, when a pre-submission inquiry could save significant time and resources. Writing in The NonProfit Times, Rodusky says calls before a grant submission should be driven by self-directed curiosity rather than a need to win approval. She recommends that nonprofits demonstrate research into the funder’s website, Form 990, and other data; ask open-ended questions about organizational fit and priorities; and treat the call as a relationship-building opportunity rather than a pitch. Rodusky is principal of Venn There Grants Consulting in Florida.
BOX OFFICE
Disclosure Day Opens to $44M Domestic, $93M Global
Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor’s political thriller Disclosure Day launched to a $44 million domestic opening weekend , with a $93 million global total across 3,824 theaters . The performance came against a $115 million production budget plus $80 million marketing outlay. Thursday night previews totaled $9.2 million , signaling strong audience demand heading into the weekend. Trade coverage centered on the film’s adult-skewing subject matter and the industry’s bet that politically charged thrillers can draw moviegoers away from streaming. The opening ranks among this year’s stronger performances for a non-franchise, non-IP title.
Mike Myers Confirms Austin Powers 4 Is Happening
Mike Myers confirmed a fourth Austin Powers film is in the works, making the announcement at a Trevor Noah World Cup Watch Party in New York. The franchise’s last installment, Austin Powers in Goldmember , was released in 2002—a potential 24-year gap between entries. Myers offered no production timeline, studio attachment, or additional cast. Both Deadline and Variety confirmed the announcement independently. The news arrives the same week Verizon launched a major Dr. Evil marketing campaign and days after Scary Movie ’s strong second-weekend hold demonstrated that nostalgia-driven IP retains substantial summer box office power.
Emmy Nomination Voting Closes Sunday, Nominations Announced July 8
Emmy nomination voting reaches its final stretch this weekend, with ballots due June 22 and nominations set to be announced July 8 . The Television Academy has fielded over 450 FYC screening invitations this cycle, reflecting the crowded prestige drama landscape. Leading the contention race: Pluribus with 24 potential nominations, The Pitt at 21, and Beef at 19. FYC campaign spending is visible across every platform this cycle, as streaming services and networks compete for voter attention in a fragmented marketplace. Nominations could reshape upfront conversations still underway between buyers and sellers across broadcast, cable, and streaming.
Toy Story 5 Tracks to $150M Domestic, $275M Global Opening
Disney’s Toy Story 5 opens next weekend with tracking suggesting a $150 million domestic opening and $275 million globally . The Pixar sequel is set for 4,425 theaters beginning June 26, with Thursday night previews projected at $14 million or more—which alone would rank among the franchise’s best single-night numbers. Industry analysts project it to set a new Toy Story opening-weekend record. The film arrives amid a broader ongoing conversation about Pixar’s theatrical recovery after a difficult streaming-first era, making next weekend a meaningful test of the studio’s long-term big-screen strategy.
Verizon Launches Bilingual Austin Powers / Betty la fea Campaign
Verizon launched a bilingual marketing campaign pairing a Dr. Evil “Menace Mobile” parody with Betty la fea characters to promote its Simplicity plan. The English-language ad features Rob Lowe, Seth Green, and Mindy Sterling reprising Austin Powers roles; the Spanish-language version draws on Ugly Betty’s original telenovela cast. The campaign runs across Fox, Telemundo, Disney, Paramount, Netflix, YouTube, Roku , and select theaters—a deliberately multi-platform strategy targeting both English and Spanish-speaking households simultaneously. The dual-IP approach is notable for its licensing complexity and its timing alongside the Austin Powers 4 confirmation this week.
Scary Movie’s International Campaign Tops 1 Billion Social Views
The Scary Movie reboot’s international marketing strategy drove over one billion social media views ahead of its June 13 global release, with the interactive “Subservient Ghostface” campaign alone generating 200 million views and 53 million interactions . A theater-exclusive first trailer compounded the momentum, growing from 300 million to 410 million views organically. The film opened to a $50.5 million international record for the franchise, with localized campaigns in Brazil, Mexico, and the UK driving regional overperformance. The campaign is being studied as a model for fan-participation marketing and the continued value of theatrical exclusivity as a promotional tool.
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