Bella DeVaan
@bdevaan.bsky.social
tracking philanthropy + inequality @ips-dc.org @inequality.org
"behind the facade of 'charitable giving' is a profoundly anti-democratic tax loophole that allows the super-wealthy to effectively substitute their priorities for what would otherwise be public priorities."
thanks for citing our research <3 @ips-dc.org
thanks for citing our research <3 @ips-dc.org
We tend to think of “charitable giving” as unambiguously good because we equate “charities” with organizations that help the poor and equate “giving” with generosity. But both assumptions are wrong.
"Charitable Giving" Isn't What You Think
And the gusher of it is just beginning
robertreich.substack.com
July 28, 2026 at 7:26 PM
"behind the facade of 'charitable giving' is a profoundly anti-democratic tax loophole that allows the super-wealthy to effectively substitute their priorities for what would otherwise be public priorities."
thanks for citing our research <3 @ips-dc.org
thanks for citing our research <3 @ips-dc.org
Talked Giving Pledge with @rameswaram.bsky.social on Today, Explained @vox.com >>>>
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The world’s stingiest trillionaire
Podcast Episode · Today, Explained · June 24 · 26m
podcasts.apple.com
June 24, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Talked Giving Pledge with @rameswaram.bsky.social on Today, Explained @vox.com >>>>
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
"what is at first glance a case of hypocrisy at a single sponsor warns of what can happen when financial institutions position themselves at crucial choke points of democracy."
great piece by @dpetegorsky.bsky.social on DAF sponsors, SPLC, + leonard leo:
inequality.org/article/schw...
great piece by @dpetegorsky.bsky.social on DAF sponsors, SPLC, + leonard leo:
inequality.org/article/schw...
The Shameful Hypocrisy of Schwab’s Donor-Advised Fund Affiliate - Inequality.org
Southern Poverty Law Center was targeted by a weaponized DOJ and commercial DAFs paused grantmaking to them. That's a dangerous choice.
inequality.org
May 28, 2026 at 7:12 PM
"what is at first glance a case of hypocrisy at a single sponsor warns of what can happen when financial institutions position themselves at crucial choke points of democracy."
great piece by @dpetegorsky.bsky.social on DAF sponsors, SPLC, + leonard leo:
inequality.org/article/schw...
great piece by @dpetegorsky.bsky.social on DAF sponsors, SPLC, + leonard leo:
inequality.org/article/schw...
fab visualization by @helenofips.bsky.social of the top 20 U.S. charities over the last 34 years:
the most important story in 21st century philanthropy is the rise and (concerning) dominance of donor-advised funds, which don't have payout or adequate transparency requirements
the most important story in 21st century philanthropy is the rise and (concerning) dominance of donor-advised funds, which don't have payout or adequate transparency requirements
May 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM
fab visualization by @helenofips.bsky.social of the top 20 U.S. charities over the last 34 years:
the most important story in 21st century philanthropy is the rise and (concerning) dominance of donor-advised funds, which don't have payout or adequate transparency requirements
the most important story in 21st century philanthropy is the rise and (concerning) dominance of donor-advised funds, which don't have payout or adequate transparency requirements
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
I'm excited to be moderating a national conversation on private foundations, as part of the Philanthropy Project's Leadership Briefings. I'll be joined by Vu Le, @bdevaan.bsky.social, and Craig Kennedy. Join us! This Thursday at 4:00 ET. And... it's FREE! business.calnonprofits.org/ap/Events/Re...
Leadership Briefings on Reforming Philanthropy: Private Foundations - Event Registration
business.calnonprofits.org
May 26, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I'm excited to be moderating a national conversation on private foundations, as part of the Philanthropy Project's Leadership Briefings. I'll be joined by Vu Le, @bdevaan.bsky.social, and Craig Kennedy. Join us! This Thursday at 4:00 ET. And... it's FREE! business.calnonprofits.org/ap/Events/Re...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: A new Forbes list switches up U.S. billionaire rankings by including wealth they've donated — knocking less generous billionaires down a few pegs.
"I commend [Forbes] for being so creative and leveraging their power," IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social tells Daniel de Visé
in @usatoday.com:
"I commend [Forbes] for being so creative and leveraging their power," IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social tells Daniel de Visé
in @usatoday.com:
The world's five wealthiest people – if you count charity work
Forbes has a new ranking of the planet’s wealthiest people, sorting them not just by net worth but also by the value of all they’ve given away.
www.usatoday.com
April 23, 2026 at 4:18 PM
NEW: A new Forbes list switches up U.S. billionaire rankings by including wealth they've donated — knocking less generous billionaires down a few pegs.
"I commend [Forbes] for being so creative and leveraging their power," IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social tells Daniel de Visé
in @usatoday.com:
"I commend [Forbes] for being so creative and leveraging their power," IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social tells Daniel de Visé
in @usatoday.com:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: In his new book CONTROL, @glengalaich.bsky.social asks whether philanthropy isn’t just about generosity, but about who gets to decide?
Monday 3/30, join his unfiltered conversation on the future of giving with IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social. Register: www.linkedin.com/events/money...
Monday 3/30, join his unfiltered conversation on the future of giving with IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social. Register: www.linkedin.com/events/money...
March 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
NEW: In his new book CONTROL, @glengalaich.bsky.social asks whether philanthropy isn’t just about generosity, but about who gets to decide?
Monday 3/30, join his unfiltered conversation on the future of giving with IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social. Register: www.linkedin.com/events/money...
Monday 3/30, join his unfiltered conversation on the future of giving with IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social. Register: www.linkedin.com/events/money...
the Giving Pledge is under attack by some for sinister reasons. but! its founders *cannot stop getting richer*... which tells us what we need to know about its efficacy.
time for new regs + wealth redistribution!
thanks to @teddyschleifer.bsky.social for citing us "left-wing critics" @ips-dc.org:
time for new regs + wealth redistribution!
thanks to @teddyschleifer.bsky.social for citing us "left-wing critics" @ips-dc.org:
It is undeniable that there is a) both extraordinary new concentrations of wealth and b) those benefiting don't want to share it any way.
The "Giving Pledge" was a nod to some form of social contract. Now, billionaires are walking away from it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/b...
The "Giving Pledge" was a nod to some form of social contract. Now, billionaires are walking away from it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/b...
The Billionaire Backlash Against a Philanthropic Dream
www.nytimes.com
March 15, 2026 at 10:15 PM
the Giving Pledge is under attack by some for sinister reasons. but! its founders *cannot stop getting richer*... which tells us what we need to know about its efficacy.
time for new regs + wealth redistribution!
thanks to @teddyschleifer.bsky.social for citing us "left-wing critics" @ips-dc.org:
time for new regs + wealth redistribution!
thanks to @teddyschleifer.bsky.social for citing us "left-wing critics" @ips-dc.org:
per @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social's data, over $13.1 billion (or over 58%) of "gifts" from America's 50 biggest donors traveled into foundations & donor-advised funds in 2025.
money flows out of them... but basically everyone's getting richer, reaping tax benefits, + retaining control.
money flows out of them... but basically everyone's getting richer, reaping tax benefits, + retaining control.
The Chronicle's exclusive Philanthropy 50 is out. Michael Bloomberg tops the list for the third straight year — $4.3 billion in 2025 giving. Who are America's top donors? See the full list at: https://phlnthrp.com/47AUIU6
#PHIL50
#PHIL50
March 10, 2026 at 7:43 PM
per @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social's data, over $13.1 billion (or over 58%) of "gifts" from America's 50 biggest donors traveled into foundations & donor-advised funds in 2025.
money flows out of them... but basically everyone's getting richer, reaping tax benefits, + retaining control.
money flows out of them... but basically everyone's getting richer, reaping tax benefits, + retaining control.
"The real freeloaders here are the big, profitable corporations that are shifting the cost of people's basic needs onto taxpayers. They are the leeches on the system!"
@sarahanderson.bsky.social with
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social:
youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg?...
@sarahanderson.bsky.social with
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social:
youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg?...
The People Scamming Welfare Are Not Who You Think
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 3:36 PM
"The real freeloaders here are the big, profitable corporations that are shifting the cost of people's basic needs onto taxpayers. They are the leeches on the system!"
@sarahanderson.bsky.social with
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social:
youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg?...
@sarahanderson.bsky.social with
@moreperfectunion.bsky.social:
youtu.be/VKRLZk98EOg?...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
The tech billionaire and top deputies worked with Epstein for 18 months on a mega-philanthropy idea. We dug into the files to find out more.
Michael Kavate(@kavate.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/4paf8vab
#BillGates #JeffreyEpstein #DonorAdvisedFunds #DAFs #ShadowPhilanthropy #TaxPolicy
Michael Kavate(@kavate.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/4paf8vab
#BillGates #JeffreyEpstein #DonorAdvisedFunds #DAFs #ShadowPhilanthropy #TaxPolicy
What Did Bill Gates Do with Jeffrey Epstein? Here’s What the Emails Say
The tech billionaire and top deputies worked with Epstein for 18 months on a mega-philanthropy idea. We dug into the files to find out more.
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM
The tech billionaire and top deputies worked with Epstein for 18 months on a mega-philanthropy idea. We dug into the files to find out more.
Michael Kavate(@kavate.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/4paf8vab
#BillGates #JeffreyEpstein #DonorAdvisedFunds #DAFs #ShadowPhilanthropy #TaxPolicy
Michael Kavate(@kavate.bsky.social) Reports: tinyurl.com/4paf8vab
#BillGates #JeffreyEpstein #DonorAdvisedFunds #DAFs #ShadowPhilanthropy #TaxPolicy
"I wanted to inspire really rich people — billionaires — to pony up some dough," Craig Newmark tells Ben Gose
@chronphilanthropy.bsky.social.
More on the new Giving Pledge signatory, who calls Leonard Cohen his rabbi and loves CUNY, ft. our @ips-dc.org take:
www.philanthropy.com/news/craigsl...
@chronphilanthropy.bsky.social.
More on the new Giving Pledge signatory, who calls Leonard Cohen his rabbi and loves CUNY, ft. our @ips-dc.org take:
www.philanthropy.com/news/craigsl...
Craigslist Founder Signs Giving Pledge and Narrows Focus
Craig Newmark's philanthropic strategy is shaped as much by what didn’t work as by what did — leading to an approach that favors scale, networks, and trusted intermediaries over scattershot giving.
www.philanthropy.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"I wanted to inspire really rich people — billionaires — to pony up some dough," Craig Newmark tells Ben Gose
@chronphilanthropy.bsky.social.
More on the new Giving Pledge signatory, who calls Leonard Cohen his rabbi and loves CUNY, ft. our @ips-dc.org take:
www.philanthropy.com/news/craigsl...
@chronphilanthropy.bsky.social.
More on the new Giving Pledge signatory, who calls Leonard Cohen his rabbi and loves CUNY, ft. our @ips-dc.org take:
www.philanthropy.com/news/craigsl...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: In 2025, U.S. billionaire wealth surged to $8.1 trillion — an increase of over 20.8%.
The top 15 U.S. billionaires alone saw their wealth surge to $3.2 trillion, a whopping 33% increase over 2024.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @ocampomar.bsky.social:
The top 15 U.S. billionaires alone saw their wealth surge to $3.2 trillion, a whopping 33% increase over 2024.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @ocampomar.bsky.social:
Richest 15 U.S. centi-billionaires see wealth surge 33 percent to $3.2 trillion - Institute for Policy Studies
Richest 15 U.S. centi-billionaires see wealth surge 33 percent to $3.2 trillion
ips-dc.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
NEW: In 2025, U.S. billionaire wealth surged to $8.1 trillion — an increase of over 20.8%.
The top 15 U.S. billionaires alone saw their wealth surge to $3.2 trillion, a whopping 33% increase over 2024.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @ocampomar.bsky.social:
The top 15 U.S. billionaires alone saw their wealth surge to $3.2 trillion, a whopping 33% increase over 2024.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @ocampomar.bsky.social:
Melinda French Gates on our @ips-dc.org Giving Pledge report:
"I wish we had been even more successful with the pledge than we have been to date... I believe to whom much is given, much is expected, & they should be giving back more. Far more than they are."
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/the-bi...
"I wish we had been even more successful with the pledge than we have been to date... I believe to whom much is given, much is expected, & they should be giving back more. Far more than they are."
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/the-bi...
Melinda French Gates on Secrets: ‘Live a Truthful Life, Then You Don’t Have Any’
On this week’s episode of The Big Interview podcast, the philanthropist offers her insights on billionaire donors, kids on phones, and the importance of women’s health care.
www.wired.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Melinda French Gates on our @ips-dc.org Giving Pledge report:
"I wish we had been even more successful with the pledge than we have been to date... I believe to whom much is given, much is expected, & they should be giving back more. Far more than they are."
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/the-bi...
"I wish we had been even more successful with the pledge than we have been to date... I believe to whom much is given, much is expected, & they should be giving back more. Far more than they are."
@wired.com
www.wired.com/story/the-bi...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: Since 2010, some 14% of our country's billionaires have pledged to give away at least half of their wealth. Instead, most of them have collectively grown far, far richer, IPS @inequality.org researchers found.
IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social on @katiecouric.bsky.social:
IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social on @katiecouric.bsky.social:
Billionaires Promised to Give Wealth Away — So Why Are They Richer Than Ever?
Even the billionaires who’ve promised to donate their wealth can’t seem to make a dent in it.
katiecouric.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
NEW: Since 2010, some 14% of our country's billionaires have pledged to give away at least half of their wealth. Instead, most of them have collectively grown far, far richer, IPS @inequality.org researchers found.
IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social on @katiecouric.bsky.social:
IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social on @katiecouric.bsky.social:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: In an era of staggering inequality — and tax avoidance — privately held fortunes are larger than anyone can fathom. Charitable donations simply aren't keeping up with what could be raised from a fairer tax code.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @bdevaan.bsky.social in @newsweek.com:
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @bdevaan.bsky.social in @newsweek.com:
These Billionaires Pledged To Give Away Wealth. Most Are Getting Wealthier
At 15 years old, the Giving Pledge shows we can't rely on the best intentions of billionaires to win a fairer economy.
www.newsweek.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
NEW: In an era of staggering inequality — and tax avoidance — privately held fortunes are larger than anyone can fathom. Charitable donations simply aren't keeping up with what could be raised from a fairer tax code.
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @bdevaan.bsky.social in @newsweek.com:
IPS scholars @chuck77.bsky.social and @bdevaan.bsky.social in @newsweek.com:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: 15 years into the Giving Pledge, billionaires’ broad failure to donate money faster than they can hoard it shows the need to overhaul philanthropy — and tax the rich, says @bdevaan.bsky.social. “There’s only so long that we can take them at their word.”
@eshugs.bsky.social in @sfstandard.com:
@eshugs.bsky.social in @sfstandard.com:
America's billionaires promised to give away their money 15 years ago. How's that going? - The San Francisco Standard
Only one local bigwig is even close to giving away half their wealth.
sfstandard.com
July 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: 15 years into the Giving Pledge, billionaires’ broad failure to donate money faster than they can hoard it shows the need to overhaul philanthropy — and tax the rich, says @bdevaan.bsky.social. “There’s only so long that we can take them at their word.”
@eshugs.bsky.social in @sfstandard.com:
@eshugs.bsky.social in @sfstandard.com:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: In 2010, 57 billionaires pledged to give away at least half of their wealth. In the 15 years since, 32 of them have instead collectively grown 283% wealthier.
“We must enact measures to ensure more donations actually reach working charities,” says IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social:
“We must enact measures to ensure more donations actually reach working charities,” says IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social:
IPS’s Giving Pledge at 15 report: wealth growing alarmingly faster than it’s given away - the Giving Review
Warns of coming supercharged dynastic philanthropy.
thegivingreview.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
NEW: In 2010, 57 billionaires pledged to give away at least half of their wealth. In the 15 years since, 32 of them have instead collectively grown 283% wealthier.
“We must enact measures to ensure more donations actually reach working charities,” says IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social:
“We must enact measures to ensure more donations actually reach working charities,” says IPS scholar @bdevaan.bsky.social:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
NEW: Hundreds of rich people have signed the Giving Pledge to donate half of their wealth. 15 years on, their lack of progress shows our critical need to fix philanthropy — and tax them more.
REPORT by @chuck77.bsky.social, @bdevaan.bsky.social, @helenofips.bsky.social and @dpetegorsky.bsky.social:
REPORT by @chuck77.bsky.social, @bdevaan.bsky.social, @helenofips.bsky.social and @dpetegorsky.bsky.social:
The Giving Pledge at 15
15 years on, the Giving Pledge is unfulfilled, unfulfillable, and not our ticket to a fairer, better future.
ips-dc.org
July 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW: Hundreds of rich people have signed the Giving Pledge to donate half of their wealth. 15 years on, their lack of progress shows our critical need to fix philanthropy — and tax them more.
REPORT by @chuck77.bsky.social, @bdevaan.bsky.social, @helenofips.bsky.social and @dpetegorsky.bsky.social:
REPORT by @chuck77.bsky.social, @bdevaan.bsky.social, @helenofips.bsky.social and @dpetegorsky.bsky.social:
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
New Study Shines a Light on the Impact of Donor-Advised Funds nonprofitquarterly.org/new-study-sh... @chuck77.bsky.social @helenofips.bsky.social @ips-dc.org #nonprofits
New Study Shines a Light on the Impact of Donor-Advised Funds - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
Where do DAF dollars go—and how quickly do these donor dollars actually arrive at operating nonprofits? The answers, derived from a new study, may be surprising.
nonprofitquarterly.org
June 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
New Study Shines a Light on the Impact of Donor-Advised Funds nonprofitquarterly.org/new-study-sh... @chuck77.bsky.social @helenofips.bsky.social @ips-dc.org #nonprofits
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott’s “stealth giving” — giving money directly to nonprofits, letting them handle the funds as they see fit — is “shifting common sense towards trust-based philanthropy,” says @ips-dc.org charity reformer @bdevaan.bsky.social.
fortune.com/2025/05/24/g...
fortune.com/2025/05/24/g...
Hundreds of billionaires pledged to give away $600 billion to charity—but the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett era of philanthropy may be over
A new tax proposal aimed at crippling liberal philanthropic foundations may bulldoze a billionaire giving norm—but women like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates are expected to step up instead.
fortune.com
May 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Billionaire MacKenzie Scott’s “stealth giving” — giving money directly to nonprofits, letting them handle the funds as they see fit — is “shifting common sense towards trust-based philanthropy,” says @ips-dc.org charity reformer @bdevaan.bsky.social.
fortune.com/2025/05/24/g...
fortune.com/2025/05/24/g...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
Tagging for #nonprofitsky 🤝... #ARNOVA ... #NVSQ ...
And my team at @inequality.org @ips-dc.org
@dpetegorsky.bsky.social @bdevaan.bsky.social @chuck77.bsky.social @rachelleighcash.bsky.social!
And my team at @inequality.org @ips-dc.org
@dpetegorsky.bsky.social @bdevaan.bsky.social @chuck77.bsky.social @rachelleighcash.bsky.social!
New research with @helenofips.bsky.social on donor-advised funds (DAFs) now in NVSQ:
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
A short thread. 1/4
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
A short thread. 1/4
April 30, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Tagging for #nonprofitsky 🤝... #ARNOVA ... #NVSQ ...
And my team at @inequality.org @ips-dc.org
@dpetegorsky.bsky.social @bdevaan.bsky.social @chuck77.bsky.social @rachelleighcash.bsky.social!
And my team at @inequality.org @ips-dc.org
@dpetegorsky.bsky.social @bdevaan.bsky.social @chuck77.bsky.social @rachelleighcash.bsky.social!
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
“We need to just really change the relationship between money and influence in politics through the nonprofit sector.” IPS Charity Reform Initiative's Bella DeVaan talks about how dark money is funneled through nonprofits on our webcast www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-yE...
April 22, 2025 at 4:38 PM
“We need to just really change the relationship between money and influence in politics through the nonprofit sector.” IPS Charity Reform Initiative's Bella DeVaan talks about how dark money is funneled through nonprofits on our webcast www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-yE...
Reposted by Bella DeVaan
It's out! The 1st-ever independent rep't on donor-advised funds, w. REAL percentages for what goes out in grants (not much) & the REAL average size of individual DAFs (huge!). Well done, @chuckcollins.bsky.social @helenofips.bsky.social Dan Petegorsky & Bella DeVaan!
inequality.org/article/the-...
inequality.org/article/the-...
The Independent Report on DAFs
Demystifying donor-advised funds and their impacts on charitable giving, fair taxation, and our democracy itself.
inequality.org
April 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It's out! The 1st-ever independent rep't on donor-advised funds, w. REAL percentages for what goes out in grants (not much) & the REAL average size of individual DAFs (huge!). Well done, @chuckcollins.bsky.social @helenofips.bsky.social Dan Petegorsky & Bella DeVaan!
inequality.org/article/the-...
inequality.org/article/the-...