philanthropy

Austin, Texas – – September 29, 2026 -- A new national study of 8,353 family members across 77 colleges and universities finds that philanthropic giving is driven primarily by trust and visible student success rather than direct fundraising appeals. Encoura and CampusESP jointly released the findings from "Drivers of Family Giving: The 2026 National Study," based on data collected in May 2026 through CampusESP's family engagement platform.

Family members ranked trust and relevance above fundraising volume

The research shows that families who feel informed about their student's progress and trust the institution are more likely to engage philanthropically over time. Sarah Kleeberger, senior vice president of consulting fundraising management at Encoura, said the surveyed families made clear that seeing students supported and succeeding builds the foundation for lasting relationships with an institution.

New York – September 23, 2026 -- Best Buddies International expects to raise $4 million for programs supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through its 2026 Best Buddies Challenge: New York, set for October 3.

Chris Froome and Alberto Contador will lead 750 riders, runners and walkers at the second annual New York event.

The two Tour de France champions will pace hundreds of cyclists from a New York City starting line on the flagship 100-mile route, which crosses the George Washington Bridge and continues through the Hudson River Valley to Bear Mountain State Park. Riders then pass through Harriman State Park before finishing at Glenmere Mansion in the Ramapo Mountains. Shorter 72-mile and 33-mile routes are also offered, alongside run and walk options open to participants of all ages and abilities.

September 23, 2026 – New York -- Funders for Mutual Aid in Sudan, a coalition coordinated by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), has mobilized more than $16 million for community-based relief groups and pledged an additional $5 million in flexible funding by the end of 2027.

Clinton Global Initiative honors Sudanese responders with 2026 Citizen Award

Former President Bill Clinton presented the Clinton Global Citizen Award to Sudan's community-based mutual aid groups at the CGI 2026 Annual Meeting in New York, recognizing networks such as the Emergency Response Rooms that have delivered food, education and other services to more than 20 million people since the civil war began in April 2023.

Portland, Ore. – – September 23, 2026 -- Asian Hall of Fame (AHOF) will host its annual Power of Portland gala at Waverley Country Club on September 25, raising funds for 100 National Scholarship Awards benefiting women in tech, entertainment and sports.

Scholarship fund draws applicants from 32 states and Puerto Rico

The awards support qualified women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds seeking to remain in school and advance career goals in technology, entertainment and sports sectors. KOIN 6 Anchor Elizabeth Dinh will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which runs from a 4:30 p.m. red carpet preshow through a dinner program ending at 7:30 p.m.

Ventura County – September 23, 2026 -- Ventura County's nonprofit sector generated more than $3.6 billion in economic activity in 2024, roughly 5% of the county's GDP, yet 46% of operating nonprofits recorded an operating deficit that year, the highest rate in a six-year study period, according to a new report from the Center for Nonprofit Leadership (CNL) at California Lutheran University.

Nonprofit revenue per resident trails California by 63%

The 2026 Ventura County Nonprofit Sector Report found nonprofit revenue per resident stood at approximately $4,388 in 2024, about 37% of California's statewide level. Nonprofit assets per resident reached roughly $5,836, only 29% of the state figure, despite Ventura County having a comparable number of nonprofits per capita as California overall.

Sacramento, Calif. – September 20, 2026 -- NorCal Auto Group, a Potamkin Automotive Group company operating three Hyundai dealerships in the Sacramento region, has pushed its cumulative contributions to Hyundai Hope on Wheels past $4 million since the pediatric cancer research program launched in 1998.

Three dealerships raised $50,000, matched to $100,000 for UC Davis cancer center

Roseville Hyundai, Folsom Lake Hyundai and Elk Grove Hyundai contributed $50,000 directly to the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center earlier this year. Hyundai Hope on Wheels matched the gift, bringing the total donation to $100,000. The dealer group organized a check presentation marking the contribution at a Sacramento Republic FC match on May 2.

Quincy, Mass. – September 19, 2026 -- Granite Telecommunications has been named the No. 3 corporate philanthropist in Massachusetts on the Boston Business Journal's 2026 Top Charitable Contributors List, marking its 18th consecutive year on the ranking and its 10th straight year in the top three.

Granite's Charitable Spend Tops $60 Million Combined in 2025

The company contributed more than $30 million in cash and in-kind donations to Massachusetts-based charities in 2025 and over $30.2 million nationwide, according to the announcement. The BBJ list requires companies to report at least $100,000 in cash contributions to Massachusetts charities during the prior calendar year.

Denver – September 19, 2026 -- The third annual Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign raised $7.2 million during its Sept. 1-15 run, surpassing last year's total by 38 percent and pushing the initiative's three-year cumulative fundraising to $16.1 million.

Campaign draws 4,400 donations across 349 nonprofits

Led by the Daniels Fund and Aspen Institute's Project Play Colorado, the 2026 drive engaged 349 youth sports nonprofit organizations statewide, funding equipment, uniforms, programming expansion, financial assistance and new facilities for children and families.

New York – September 18, 2026 -- ARM & HAMMER Laundry will donate $100,000 to Dress for Success Worldwide as it returns for a second consecutive year as President's Circle Sponsor of the nonprofit's Women Who Inspire Luncheon, marking the sixth consecutive year of partnership between the two organizations.

Luncheon set for September 30 will honor Gloria Steinem with first-ever Impact Award

The event takes place September 30, 2026, at Tribeca 360 in New York City, gathering corporate executives, media personalities and women from the Dress for Success network. Gloria Steinem will receive the inaugural Women Who Inspire Impact Award, recognizing her decades-long advocacy for women's equality and economic opportunity.

Fort Worth – September 16, 2026 -- BODYBAR Pilates completed the largest reformer Pilates class on record in the United States, gathering 100 participants on 100 reformers in Frisco, Texas, and raising $10,000 for the Foundation for Women's Cancer.

Franchise stages record-setting class tied to two milestones

The 50-minute session, held Sunday, September 13, coincided with the 100th anniversary of Pilates and BODYBAR's own 100th studio opening. The event took place during BODYBAR's annual franchise conference at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star and included franchise owners, instructors and media from across the brand's network.

Kamille McCollum, BODYBAR's Chief Brand Officer, President and Co-Founder, led the class alongside a team of certified instructors. She said the event exceeded expectations and reflected the growth of both the Pilates discipline and the franchise's community.