Martha Ramirez
@martharamirez.bsky.social
Journalist | Staff Writer @insidephilanthropy.com
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
California’s special election prompted some funders to act quickly to ensure access to the polls. Maintaining and growing that support will be key going into 2026.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2t5t3d26
#DemocracyFund #ElectionProtection #VotingRights
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2t5t3d26
#DemocracyFund #ElectionProtection #VotingRights
Lessons from Prop 50: Why Safeguarding Elections Needs Year-Round Support
California’s special election prompted some funders to act quickly to ensure access to the polls. Maintaining and growing that support will be key going into 2026.
tinyurl.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
California’s special election prompted some funders to act quickly to ensure access to the polls. Maintaining and growing that support will be key going into 2026.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2t5t3d26
#DemocracyFund #ElectionProtection #VotingRights
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2t5t3d26
#DemocracyFund #ElectionProtection #VotingRights
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
The 83-year-old heir and rail entrepreneur Timothy Mellon is one of Trump’s top political donors. His recent gift, meant to pay troops during the government shutdown, has raised eyebrows.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2p9rjken
#TimothyMellon #MegaDonors
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2p9rjken
#TimothyMellon #MegaDonors
What Can We Make of Timothy Mellon’s $130 Million Donation to Pay the Military?
The 83-year-old heir and rail investor is one of Trump’s top political donors. His gift, meant to pay troops during the government shutdown, has raised eyebrows.
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The 83-year-old heir and rail entrepreneur Timothy Mellon is one of Trump’s top political donors. His recent gift, meant to pay troops during the government shutdown, has raised eyebrows.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2p9rjken
#TimothyMellon #MegaDonors
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/2p9rjken
#TimothyMellon #MegaDonors
"The possibility remains that [Timothy] Mellon is trying to influence military personnel to his or Trump’s favor, while also giving the White House a way to argue that as Democrats extend the shutdown, big Trump donors have the troops’ interests in mind."
What Can We Make of Timothy Mellon’s $130 Million Donation to Pay the Military?
The 83-year-old heir and rail investor is one of Trump’s top political donors. His gift, meant to pay troops during the government shutdown, has raised eyebrows.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
"The possibility remains that [Timothy] Mellon is trying to influence military personnel to his or Trump’s favor, while also giving the White House a way to argue that as Democrats extend the shutdown, big Trump donors have the troops’ interests in mind."
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
As the federal government threatens to revoke the 501c3 status of nonprofit organizations, a new California law will allow organizations to continue to receive grants and contracts from the state.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/3aakwvav
#NonprofitLaw
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/3aakwvav
#NonprofitLaw
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
As the federal government threatens to revoke the 501c3 status of nonprofit organizations, a new California law will allow organizations to continue to receive grants and contracts from the state.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/3aakwvav
#NonprofitLaw
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/3aakwvav
#NonprofitLaw
“In the spirit of trying to figure out how to protect a...crucial part of California’s resilience and resistance to the Trump administration’s agenda, we wanted to ensure that California would be in a position to continue to...grant and contract with our nonprofit organizations that we depend on.”
New Law Will Protect California Nonprofits Targeted by the Feds
As the federal government threatens to revoke nonprofits' 501c3 status, the law will allow organizations to continue to receive grants and contracts from the state.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:10 PM
“In the spirit of trying to figure out how to protect a...crucial part of California’s resilience and resistance to the Trump administration’s agenda, we wanted to ensure that California would be in a position to continue to...grant and contract with our nonprofit organizations that we depend on.”
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Now in its second year, the Trust for Civic Life is bringing people together in underserved rural communities to tackle local issues that matter most to them.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ycxrcnww
#CivicEngagement #Philanthropy #Democracy #RuralDevelopment
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ycxrcnww
#CivicEngagement #Philanthropy #Democracy #RuralDevelopment
The Trust for Civic Life Tackles Polarization in Rural America
Now in its second year, this pooled fund is bringing people together in underserved rural communities with backing from around two dozen philanthropies.
tinyurl.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Now in its second year, the Trust for Civic Life is bringing people together in underserved rural communities to tackle local issues that matter most to them.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ycxrcnww
#CivicEngagement #Philanthropy #Democracy #RuralDevelopment
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ycxrcnww
#CivicEngagement #Philanthropy #Democracy #RuralDevelopment
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
With a new tool, the Appalachia Funders Network wants to guide funders to where their dollars can make the most impact as the region strives to recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for future climate disasters.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/px4xz7jv
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/px4xz7jv
Appalachia Funders Network Aims to Make Climate Disaster Giving Easier
With a new tool, the network is hoping to guide funders to where their dollars can do the most as the region recovers from Hurricane Helene and prepares for future disasters.
tinyurl.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
With a new tool, the Appalachia Funders Network wants to guide funders to where their dollars can make the most impact as the region strives to recover from Hurricane Helene and prepare for future climate disasters.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/px4xz7jv
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/px4xz7jv
“If our democracy is to survive, the freedoms of speech and the press need a vigorous, determined defense."
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/free-sp...
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/free-sp...
Free Speech Is Under Attack. Here’s What Funders Are Doing — and What Else Is Needed
With civil liberties under increasing threat, it’s critical that philanthropy retains its voice and defends free speech, both to protect nonprofits and democracy writ large.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:47 PM
“If our democracy is to survive, the freedoms of speech and the press need a vigorous, determined defense."
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/free-sp...
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/free-sp...
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Women make up the majority of members in 70% of all giving circles, which are steadily popular and more democratic ways of giving. With more than 4,000 giving circles in the U.S., here's some women’s giving circles to know.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/4vm6p555
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/4vm6p555
Seven Women’s Giving Circles and Networks to Know
Women make up the majority of members in 70% of all giving circles. Here are a few to know focused on women, trans and nonbinary people.
tinyurl.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Women make up the majority of members in 70% of all giving circles, which are steadily popular and more democratic ways of giving. With more than 4,000 giving circles in the U.S., here's some women’s giving circles to know.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/4vm6p555
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/4vm6p555
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
With a renewed contract and an injection of philanthropic dollars, Ready to Rise will continue its work to support youth in Los Angeles for another seven years.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/mpsnxxfy
#YouthJustice #JusticeReform #YouthDevelopment
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/mpsnxxfy
#YouthJustice #JusticeReform #YouthDevelopment
This Philanthropic Partnership Aims to Reduce Youth Incarceration in L.A. How Is It Faring?
With a renewed contract and an injection of philanthropic dollars, Ready to Rise will continue its work to support youth in Los Angeles for another seven years.
tinyurl.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
With a renewed contract and an injection of philanthropic dollars, Ready to Rise will continue its work to support youth in Los Angeles for another seven years.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/mpsnxxfy
#YouthJustice #JusticeReform #YouthDevelopment
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/mpsnxxfy
#YouthJustice #JusticeReform #YouthDevelopment
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Trump has taken aim at mail-in voting. With the midterm elections on the way, philanthropy’s role in supporting the right to vote has become all the more critical, and it’s not just “democracy funders” who need to step up.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ummnm85j
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ummnm85j
Voting Rights Are Under Attack. It’s Time for All Funders to Take Action
With Trump now taking aim at mail-in voting, philanthropy’s role in supporting the right to vote has become all the more critical, and it’s not just “democracy funders” who need to step up.
tinyurl.com
September 6, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Trump has taken aim at mail-in voting. With the midterm elections on the way, philanthropy’s role in supporting the right to vote has become all the more critical, and it’s not just “democracy funders” who need to step up.
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ummnm85j
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/ummnm85j
“You can never have a real democracy with mail-in voting. We as a Republican Party are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots,” President Trump said.
For philanthropic funders and the nonprofits they support, this is a moment of truth.
For philanthropic funders and the nonprofits they support, this is a moment of truth.
Voting Rights Are Under Attack. It’s Time for All Funders to Take Action
With Trump now taking aim at mail-in voting, philanthropy’s role in supporting the right to vote has become all the more critical, and it’s not just “democracy funders” who need to step up.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
“You can never have a real democracy with mail-in voting. We as a Republican Party are going to do everything possible that we get rid of mail-in ballots,” President Trump said.
For philanthropic funders and the nonprofits they support, this is a moment of truth.
For philanthropic funders and the nonprofits they support, this is a moment of truth.
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Warnock to RFK jr: "For the first time, we are seeing deaths of children from measles. We haven't seen that in two decades. We're seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard to the health of the American people."
September 4, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Warnock to RFK jr: "For the first time, we are seeing deaths of children from measles. We haven't seen that in two decades. We're seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard to the health of the American people."
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
BREAKING: A new experiment in Philly shows cash rental assistance slashed homelessness rates by 57–67%.
August 21, 2025 at 11:35 PM
BREAKING: A new experiment in Philly shows cash rental assistance slashed homelessness rates by 57–67%.
A group of philanthropic funders has come together to commit $36.5 million in emergency funding for at-risk public television and radio stations. The fund will focus on rural, Indigenous and other underserved communities that are most vulnerable to losing their stations due to federal cuts.
Rapid Response: Funders Pool Their Dollars to Protect Public Media
Big, public-facing rapid response initiatives from philanthropy have been notably rare so far amid Trump's cuts. But here's an exception: the newly launched Public Media Bridge Fund.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
August 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
A group of philanthropic funders has come together to commit $36.5 million in emergency funding for at-risk public television and radio stations. The fund will focus on rural, Indigenous and other underserved communities that are most vulnerable to losing their stations due to federal cuts.
"Whether people see racial justice as a winning issue or not, it is something that they have to contend with."
Originally launched as a five-year initiative following the murder of George Floyd, the Black Freedom Fund is now a independent, permanent institution working to advance racial justice.
Originally launched as a five-year initiative following the murder of George Floyd, the Black Freedom Fund is now a independent, permanent institution working to advance racial justice.
Inside the Black Freedom Fund’s Journey to Independence and Permanence
Launched in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, the pooled fund is now a legally independent organization. It's facing stiff headwinds this year, but it's in it for the long haul.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
"Whether people see racial justice as a winning issue or not, it is something that they have to contend with."
Originally launched as a five-year initiative following the murder of George Floyd, the Black Freedom Fund is now a independent, permanent institution working to advance racial justice.
Originally launched as a five-year initiative following the murder of George Floyd, the Black Freedom Fund is now a independent, permanent institution working to advance racial justice.
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
President Trump says he wants to get rid of mail-in voting in resumption of criticism.
Trump Says He Wants to Get Rid of Mail-in Voting in Resumption of Criticism
The president is continuing his on-again, off-again battle with mailed ballots.
on.wsj.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
President Trump says he wants to get rid of mail-in voting in resumption of criticism.
With the imminent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, philanthropic support for public news will be all the more critical. Here’s who’s funding public news, including @pbsnews.org and @npr.org.
Who’s Funding Public News Media?
With the imminent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, philanthropic support for public news will be all the more critical. Here’s who’s funding public news, including PBS NewsHour and ...
www.insidephilanthropy.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:17 PM
With the imminent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, philanthropic support for public news will be all the more critical. Here’s who’s funding public news, including @pbsnews.org and @npr.org.
“Retrenchment or going back on those investments will take us back to the place that we recovered from… The job is not done. We’ve learned a lot about what can be helpful and effective in these spaces. We need to continue to double down."
Many Boys and Men of Color Struggle. This California Funder Network Is on the Case
California Funders for Boys and Men of Color aims to address educational inequity, youth justice system involvement, economic opportunity and more.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
August 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
“Retrenchment or going back on those investments will take us back to the place that we recovered from… The job is not done. We’ve learned a lot about what can be helpful and effective in these spaces. We need to continue to double down."
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Allan Ahlberg, a beloved author of best-selling children’s books, many of them illustrated by his wife, Janet Ahlberg, has died at 87.
Allan Ahlberg, Whose Children’s Books Were Best Sellers, Dies at 87
Over five decades, he produced some 150 books, many of them illustrated by his wife, Janet Ahlberg, including classics like “Each Peach Pear Plum.”
nyti.ms
August 6, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Allan Ahlberg, a beloved author of best-selling children’s books, many of them illustrated by his wife, Janet Ahlberg, has died at 87.
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has distributed federal funds to both PBS and NPR for decades, announced Friday that it's shutting down.
The news comes after President Donald Trump recently clawed back more than a billion dollars of funding for public broadcasting.
The news comes after President Donald Trump recently clawed back more than a billion dollars of funding for public broadcasting.
August 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has distributed federal funds to both PBS and NPR for decades, announced Friday that it's shutting down.
The news comes after President Donald Trump recently clawed back more than a billion dollars of funding for public broadcasting.
The news comes after President Donald Trump recently clawed back more than a billion dollars of funding for public broadcasting.
Although donations to local PBS stations have jumped in recent weeks, the surge isn’t enough to make up for the federal funding that has been lost. Already, stations are making cuts, with some even finding themselves at risk of closure.
Viewers Like You: Who’s Supporting PBS at the National Level?
PBS stations are finding themselves in trouble after Congress decided to strip the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of more than $1 billion. Here are some funders that have the broadcaster’s back.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Although donations to local PBS stations have jumped in recent weeks, the surge isn’t enough to make up for the federal funding that has been lost. Already, stations are making cuts, with some even finding themselves at risk of closure.
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
Funders were hopeful about making progress on homelessness. Then the pandemic hit. How have approaches evolved? And how will the Trump administration impact the crisis?
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/2jdbf4ep
#HomelessnessCrisis #HousingFirst #AffordableHousing
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/2jdbf4ep
#HomelessnessCrisis #HousingFirst #AffordableHousing
Philanthropy and Homelessness: What’s Changed, What’s the Same, and What’s Still Needed
How does this complex and growing problem illustrate philanthropy's limits? And what do progress and setbacks through COVID and into the second Trump administration tell us about the way forward?
tinyurl.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Funders were hopeful about making progress on homelessness. Then the pandemic hit. How have approaches evolved? And how will the Trump administration impact the crisis?
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/2jdbf4ep
#HomelessnessCrisis #HousingFirst #AffordableHousing
Martha Ramirez(@martharamirez.bsky.social) reports: tinyurl.com/2jdbf4ep
#HomelessnessCrisis #HousingFirst #AffordableHousing
President Trump has issued an executive order that: 1) calls for the institutionalization of unhoused people with mental illnesses, 2) and end to Housing First policies, and 3) calls for cities and states to criminalize homelessness.
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to End Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets
ENDING VAGRANCY AND RESTORING ORDER: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore order to American cities and remove vagrant
www.whitehouse.gov
July 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
President Trump has issued an executive order that: 1) calls for the institutionalization of unhoused people with mental illnesses, 2) and end to Housing First policies, and 3) calls for cities and states to criminalize homelessness.
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
Reposted by Martha Ramirez
scoop: donations to NPR and PBS stations have exploded, with donors across the country giving in unprecedented numbers since Congress cut federal funding
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/b...
Donations to NPR and PBS Stations Surge After Funding Cuts
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
scoop: donations to NPR and PBS stations have exploded, with donors across the country giving in unprecedented numbers since Congress cut federal funding
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/b...