Philanthropy News Digest: Supporting creative youth development as systems change work

By Daniel R. Lewis

In her recent blog post announcing $2.7 billion in commitments to equity-oriented nonprofits across the country, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott writes: "Arts and cultural institutions can strengthen communities by transforming spaces, fostering empathy, reflecting community identity, advancing economic mobility, improving academic outcomes, lowering crime rates, and improving mental health."

Scott explains that in selecting arts organizations to support, she and her team evaluated smaller arts organizations that are creating those benefits with artists and audiences from culturally rich regions to identity groups that donors often overlook. She also highlights her support for organizations working to address discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities and bridge divides through interfaith support and collaboration and organizations focused on supporting community engagement — historically underfunded groups whose leaders nonetheless inspire more people to serve.