As foundations pledge to get endowments to net zero, monitoring emissions is a challenge

Oct 22, 2021
Companies aren't required to share data on their greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it hard for investors to evaluate their own progress toward net-zero portfolios.
Foundations first have to determine what "net zero" means before it can start figuring out how much a company is emitting.
Lukas Schulze/Getty Images

Are powerful philanthropic groups good for education?

Aug 26, 2016
A new book looks at how groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are influencing public education.
Bill and Melinda Gates, founders of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, take part in a discussion organized by "The Economist" about expected breakthroughs in health, education, farming and banking.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Drug windfall raises questions for foundations

Nov 19, 2014
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is set to reap more than $3 billion.

The realities -- and pitfalls -- of giving away money

Dec 10, 2013
One philanthropist passes on lessons she's learned, including the risks of "following your passion" without doing your homework