This week's roundup includes news about the Lilly Endowment's $649 million commitment to Christian seminaries; Bezos Day One Fund's $102 million investment into housing for families; and an $80 million gift to Central Michigan University. For more great content, including news, RFPs, reviews and commentary, visit us at philanthropynewsdigest.org.
The Indianapolis-based endowment awarded $416.1 million to 45 theological schools in the United States and Canada to boost the ordination of pastoral leaders and $232.6 million to 48 faith-based organizations to promote stories that illuminate the vitality of Christian faith and life....
Covenant HealthCare and MyMichigan Health each pledged $40 million to support the development of a new medical education building in Saginaw, Michigan....
The funding includes more than $20 million in grants and $20 million in flexible, impact-focused term loans in support of organizations pioneering solutions to expand and preserve housing supply....
In their own words
“The reality of the local news crisis in the U.S. means that many Americans continue to lack access to reliable reporting on issues that affect everyday life. Building on the strong results of our pilot program—which showed measurable gains in audience growth and engagement for participating outlets—we are now transforming this essential offering into a scalable, national civic infrastructure program...”
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Rachel White, chief executive, AP Fund for Journalism (“AP Fund for Journalism secures over $30 million to bring AP content to local US newsrooms.” Associated Press press release 11/20/2025)
The unrestricted grants include $17 million to Northern Oklahoma College, $10 million to the College of Menominee Nation in Wisconsin, and $5 million to Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Nebraska....
The funding includes a lead gift of $25 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as well as support from the Lilly Endowment and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation….
This week's roundup includes news from the Ford, Boston Arts Academy, California Health Care, and National Football foundations, as well as the Global Fund for Children and Local Initiatives Support Corporation....
PND poll
PND Poll: What is the most impactful element of the Huang Foundation's growth?
