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M.J. Prest

Senior Editor, Solutions

M.J. Prest is senior editor for solutions at the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where she highlights how nonprofit leaders navigate and overcome major challenges. She has covered stories on big gifts, grant making, and executive moves for the Chronicle since 2004. Her work has also appeared in the Washington Post, Slate.com, and the Huffington Post, and she wrote the young-adult novel Immersion. M.J. graduated from Williams College and after living in many different places, she settled in New England with her husband, two kids, and two rescue dogs.

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New York Genome Center Receives $125 Million to Continue Operations

Plus, the 1803 Fund pledged $75 million to Oregon groups that serve Black youths, and the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub will give $27.4 million to lower methane emissions through livestock breeding programs.

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Nutrition for Growth Summit Unveils $1 Billion From U.S. Grant Makers

Also, Enterprise Mobility committed $200 million to address food insecurity and social equity, and the Skoll Foundation announced the five winners of the 2025 Skoll Award for Social Innovation.

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Bezoses Pledge up to $500 Million to Unicef USA’s Child Nutrition Fund

Plus, an alum left $35 million to Allegheny College to build an innovation lab, and Vanderbilt Law School will use $6.8 million to exonerate wrongfully convicted people in Tennessee.

Skoll Foundation Promotes Marla Blow to CEO

Skoll Foundation Promotes Marla Blow to CEO

Also, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Direct Relief have tapped new CEOs, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors named two interim co-leaders.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lands $125 Million From Comcast CEO and Wife

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Lands $125 Million From Comcast CEO and Wife

Also, the University of Delaware received a commitment of $71.5 million for its business school, and Fairfield University will use a $50 million gift to enhance academic and interdisciplinary programs.

Iconiq Impact Pledges $200 Million Through Its Youth Mental Wellbeing Co-Lab

Iconiq Impact Pledges $200 Million Through Its Youth Mental Wellbeing Co-Lab

Also, Open Philanthropy promised $120 million through its Abundance and Growth Fund to advance economic development, and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation gave $10 million to develop precision therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.

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What Works Now: Rethinking Big Gifts 5 Years After the Pandemic

Three nonprofit leaders share the new ways they’re approaching major-gift fundraising in a post-Covid world — from Zoom-forward fundraising to outside-the-box events.

9 Tips for Thank-Yous That Make Donors Feel Valued

9 Tips for Thank-Yous That Make Donors Feel Valued

Psychologists have unlocked new ways to help you speak your supporters’ love languages and cultivate lasting ties.

Knight Foundation Awards $25 Million to the American Journalism Project

Knight Foundation Awards $25 Million to the American Journalism Project

Also, the Lilly Endowment gave $22.4 million to the Aspen Institute to support grassroots community leaders, and the Airbnb Community Fund disbursed $8.5 million to 160 community-based nonprofits.

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Thomas Golisano Gave $500 Million to 125 Organizations in 2024

Much of the money went to social-services groups that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.