The hottest Philanthropy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Patagonia, Paul Newman and another kind of purpose

Thoughts on Writing • 519 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. Yvon Chouinard challenges the concept of business and brand purpose, emphasizing the importance of human purpose over corporate ideals.
  2. Paul Newman's approach to philanthropy through Newman's Own showcases a unique blend of humor, humility, and a genuine focus on product quality over profit.
  3. Maintaining a separation between business and charitable activities, like Newman's Own, can lead to successful ventures that have a positive impact, while keeping a light-hearted approach.

Small Pieces, Loosely Joined

theconnector • 176 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Rage-giving for abortion access is declining after the Roe v Wade ending.
  2. Big funders like Pierre Omidyar are scaling back political and philanthropic giving.
  3. Progressives should prioritize grassroots funding and focus on social connections and community building.

We rise together

Of Boys and Men • 250 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. We need to help both boys and girls to achieve true gender equality. Supporting boys and men doesn't mean we stop supporting women and girls; it's about helping everyone together.
  2. Boys and men face serious challenges that often get overlooked, like educational struggles and mental health issues. Addressing these problems is important for them and for society as a whole.
  3. Philanthropists and advocates should consider investing in boys and men's unique issues, especially in mental health, education, and fatherhood. This will help create a better balance and improve the lives of all genders.

Links to Consider, 11/24/2024

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Banks face significant costs when forced to divert funds away from profitable fossil fuel loans to support unprofitable green energy ventures. This often results in financial burdens on depositors and can lead to bank failures.
  2. Scientific research is becoming risk-averse due to heavy reliance on citation metrics, which encourages safe, incremental work and often ignores innovative, high-risk projects. This can slow down advancements in science.
  3. Higher education significantly influences social class in America, creating a unified culture among graduates. In contrast, those without a college education often lack a sense of community and solidarity.
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Winning the Lottery

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 7 implied HN points • 03 Jan 26
💰 Finance Philanthropy
  1. If you win, stay anonymous and keep it quiet because public winners get inundated with scammers, lawsuits, and people asking for money.
  2. Immediately hire financial, legal, and tax advisors and focus on preserving wealth with conservative investments and real estate instead of buying flashy toys.
  3. Treat lottery tickets as a small entertainment expense or upside exposure (a rule like 0.1% of income), and remember taxes will take a large bite of any big prize.

On Good Men

Innovation Nation • 98 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philanthropy
  1. Good men often go unnoticed because their deeds are just what is expected and nothing more.
  2. Good men treat others with respect, love, and constructive criticism, making them great romantic partners, friends, and mentors.
  3. The misalignment of the brain's reward center due to hookup culture can make good men seem 'boring' in relationships.

Big Philanthropy's Free Pass

Movements Start Small • 78 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Intentions matter more in personal relationships, but outcomes matter more in wider contexts like work or philanthropy.
  2. In philanthropy, performance tends to be judged based on intentions rather than outcomes, potentially giving a free pass on accountability.
  3. Criticism and scrutiny are necessary in philanthropy to ensure large-scale charitable efforts are effective and have a positive impact.

What if you just bought everyone air purifiers?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 296 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. Buying air purifiers for everyone could extend life expectancy, but at a high cost compared to other health interventions.
  2. The cost of buying air purifiers for random Americans to extend life expectancy is $32,899 per DALY, which is not as efficient as other healthcare interventions.
  3. Air purifiers may be a good health investment for individuals, but philanthropically, they are not as cost-effective as other interventions like malaria drugs.

The Price of Passion (Life is like a jar of marbles)

Neckar’s Notes • 111 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
💰 Finance Philanthropy
  1. Being passionate about your work can be great, but it can also lead to burnout. It's important to find a balance so that you don't end up hating what you once loved.
  2. Some wealthy individuals work hard without needing the money, and they often question why they keep doing it. Reflecting on the usefulness and purpose of their efforts can lead to deeper self-understanding.
  3. Philanthropy can be a way to find meaning and happiness for those with excess wealth. However, just giving money away doesn’t always bring fulfillment if one is stuck in a life of work they don't enjoy.

The year behind and ahead

The Path Not Taken • 88 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. In 2024, there were 25 posts made, averaging over two per month, which the writer felt good about considering their other commitments.
  2. The writer has been fundraising for the Malala Fund to support girls' education, highlighting the importance of charitable causes.
  3. A big project is in the works, focusing on the rise of social justice ideology, which may lead to less frequent posts as it requires a lot of time and effort.

NYT vs. The Musk Foundation: A Masterclass in Slant

The Save Journalism Committee • 216 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. The NYT article raises concerns about Elon Musk's foundation finances, but overlooks crucial details like the grace period where the foundation caught up on giving deficits in following years.
  2. Private foundations like Musk's have latitude in choosing charities based on legal approvals, not restrictions like public charities. Contextual understanding of foundation structures is essential.
  3. The article highlights Musk's charitable acts but frames them in a negative light, despite him helping schools, disasters, and children in need. The public benefit of these actions is significant.

How Fossils Fueled Philanthropy

Under the Hood: The Power of Principled Leadership • 58 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💾 History Philanthropy
  1. John D. Rockefeller's philanthropy had a significant positive impact, despite his negative portrayal by the media.
  2. Rockefeller's principles included using money for good, running a tight ship, and prioritizing education and continuous learning.
  3. Revisionism is important to understand historical figures accurately, as seen with Rockefeller's misunderstood legacy.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Wars Of Future Past • 39 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🍲 Food & Drink Philanthropy
  1. The newsletter is a collaborative Veterans Day guide to militarized brown liquor.
  2. They explore different whiskey brands targeting military-affiliated drinkers.
  3. The author shares a personal update and transition in career, moving from freelance journalism to a new job.

The Dream Machine

Rough Diamonds • 70 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Philanthropy
  1. Philanthropy can create new, innovative projects that don't exist yet. Instead of just giving to existing organizations, donors can help start new initiatives, which is much more exciting and impactful.
  2. Science and tech projects often lack funding, even if the research is important. Many great scientists depend on small donations, and they need more support to bring their ideas to life.
  3. Creating ambitious projects takes a lot of work and organization. It's important to have dedicated people to manage and facilitate plans so that innovative ideas can become reality.

The deep state of the patriarchy

Discomfort zone • 39 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Guardianship of women is a significant issue worldwide, where women are not considered adults in the legal sense and require male permission for basic decisions.
  2. Guardianship practices are not limited to specific countries or religions, as it is observed globally.
  3. The remnants of guardianship still exist in Western societies, affecting women's autonomy and equality despite historical movements for change.

World-renewal and the Indigenous

Charles Eisenstein • 6 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Including Indigenous voices in conferences often feels superficial. It's not enough to just have them present; real change needs deeper engagement with their cultures and insights.
  2. Indigenous cultures hold valuable knowledge and practices that help maintain the balance of our world. Their rituals and stories are essential, not just for social justice, but for the health of the planet.
  3. Modern organizations need to support Indigenous peoples' rights and cultures more authentically. Rather than just seeing them as resources, we should recognize their wisdom as crucial for our collective future.

A New Chapter At FreakTakes

FreakTakes • 43 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. FreakTakes is evolving as a research platform to help people build and grow organizations focused on research and development. The main goal is to connect ambitious researchers with the resources they need.
  2. The blog will expand to include interviews and proposals aimed at fostering new R&D organizations. This expansion is meant to create more opportunities for innovative projects and collaborations.
  3. The author expresses gratitude for the supportive community around FreakTakes and looks forward to translating historical research insights into real-world action at Renaissance Philanthropy, while maintaining the core essence of the blog.

All I Want For Christmas

Dunnstack • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
💼 Business Philanthropy
  1. Andy Dunn is raising money for RaisedBy.Us, a philanthropic organization.
  2. Andy Dunn is auctioning off unique experiences like Cubs Baseball and Chess with a Grandmaster.
  3. Andy Dunn is offering opportunities like Lunch in Brazil and Entrepreneur Coaching Sessions for fundraising.

Glimmers Now the Afterglow

Orbis Tertius • 115 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. Entropy is a measure of energy spreading out, not disorder as commonly thought.
  2. Negentropy describes useful energy that becomes dispersed and useless, and its decrease is important for interesting phenomena.
  3. Climate change should be approached as a thermodynamic reckoning, balancing the negentropy from the sun to create a sustainable society.

Small, Fast Grants at the National Science Foundation

The Good Science Project • 33 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. The National Science Foundation (NSF) offers small, fast grants that can jumpstart new research ideas, but they aren't used as much as they could be. It's important to increase funding for these types of grants to support innovation.
  2. Philanthropists and foundations should avoid copying the processes of big federal agencies like the NSF and instead focus on their strengths, which can lead to better outcomes in research funding.
  3. Scientists are encouraged to take on roles as science funders, creating opportunities for small grants that can lead to impactful research. This approach can greatly benefit the scientific community.

A Sign of the Times

The Good Science Project • 85 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🔬 Science Philanthropy
  1. Billionaires are investing in organizations to attract scientists from universities.
  2. The new trend focuses on speeding up research innovation and breakthroughs.
  3. Both universities and philanthropists need to reevaluate how research funding is utilized.

The Monster Chicken in the Room

The Weekly Gazette • 11 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Philanthropy
  1. Language can really change how we understand health issues. In Indonesia, the word for anemia makes people think they need blood, not iron, which messes up health programs.
  2. Many women in Indonesia collect iron supplements but don’t take them because they believe the pills are meant to increase blood instead of iron. This misunderstanding affects their health negatively.
  3. Funders need to pay attention to language when designing health programs. A small change in wording could help improve many lives by making sure people understand the real issue.

In Defense of the Rich

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 8 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
💰 Finance Philanthropy
  1. Rich people often help others in times of need, like when a wealthy community came together to support a firefighter's sick child. This shows that they can be caring and generous.
  2. The wealthy contribute significantly to the economy and taxes, often funding essential services and cultural institutions. They create jobs and help maintain public resources.
  3. Even though some rich individuals might be perceived as out of touch, they face their own unique challenges and stresses, making their lives not as easy as they might seem.

Acorns for the culture war

Gray Mirror • 92 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. To win the culture war, support initiatives like Governor DeSantis' efforts to reform education.
  2. Consider the impact of your support – choose art and projects that can influence a broader social network.
  3. Invest in uncontaminated art that isn't politically narrow, to have a wider impact on society.

Từ thiện kiểu Mỹ

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 99 implied HN points • 23 Oct 20
🏥 Health & Wellness Philanthropy
  1. Helping others is a valuable habit that can be instilled from a young age.
  2. Effective philanthropy involves learning and utilizing strategies to make the most impact with charitable contributions.
  3. Civil society organizations, including charities and non-profits, play a vital role in addressing societal issues and promoting positive long-term change.

Allow me to get rich and I will save the world

storyvoyager • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Overreaching in capitalism parallels historical exploitation of resources by empires like Rome and Britain.
  2. Modern philanthropists amass wealth through capitalism to later engage in altruistic endeavors.
  3. The tragedy of the commons highlights the conflict between resource exploitation and conservation in society.

Gates Foundation isn't interested in stopping vaccine misinformation

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 10 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. Gates Foundation doesn't want a public discussion to address COVID vaccine misinformation
  2. The author proposed involving 'misinformation spreaders' and Gates Foundation experts in a dialogue, but received no response
  3. The foundation chose not to engage in resolving differences on vaccine safety and efficacy through open conversation

The saddest place on the internet

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 19 implied HN points • 23 Oct 20
📰 News Philanthropy
  1. Twitter sweepstakes organized by Bill Pulte have taken a darker turn during the pandemic, evoking stories of desperation and hardship from participants.
  2. The phenomenon of @pulte, with 3.1 million followers, reveals a tragic trend of people reaching out online for financial help, reflecting a dire situation.
  3. Despite some positive transactions, many followers appeal directly to Pulte, raising questions about the overall impact and sincerity of the assistance provided.

Rabbit Holes 🕳 #30

Creative Destruction • 3 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Living close to friends can bring emotional and mental benefits, prioritize it!
  2. Be aware of the 'mental infrastructures' of growth and consider sufficiency for well-being.
  3. Letting loose and having fun, even in mundane or serious settings, is important for personal joy.

What is Kyutai?

Machine Economy Press • 2 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Philanthropy
  1. Kyutai is a French AI research lab with a $330 million budget that will make everything open source
  2. Kyutai was founded by billionaires Eric Schmidt, Xavier Niel, and Rodolphe Saadé to contribute to AI progress in Europe
  3. Kyutai aims to democratize artificial general intelligence through open science, backed by philanthropic efforts and support from the French government

The Long March Away From the Institutions (Part I)

Nephew Jonathan • 1 implied HN point • 19 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Philanthropy
  1. The geographic distribution of top universities and public institutions in the US shows a concentration in the East, highlighting historical factors and wealth distribution.
  2. Philanthropy has shifted from building institutions to directly addressing issues, potentially contributing to societal atomization.
  3. The dearth of social clubs and community spaces like private townhouses may be impacting civil society, leading to a need for more such load-bearing pillars.

The Renaissance Reimagined

1517 Fund • 1 HN point • 18 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Philanthropy
  1. Directly supporting individuals can have a big impact on shaping the future.
  2. Encouraging unconventional paths and supporting uniqueness can lead to great advancements.
  3. Establishing diverse programs and fellowships can help cultivate a new renaissance of creativity and innovation.