The Center cultivates diverse, transformative, and justice-oriented leaders dedicated to advancing social impact across sectors.
What happens to communities when their last local newsroom shuts down?
On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for public media. One year later, this project examines how the cuts could further deepen the local news crisis. It shows how public media serves as a lifeline for reliable local information, particularly in underserved communities where few other news sources remain. Drawing on her experience in national and community journalism, Carol Rangel developed this project to encourage a more strategic philanthropic response. Alongside the white paper, Carol created an interactive tool that helps funders identify communities where limited local news access and dependence on federal support may create the greatest need for targeted investment.
Access the Public Media and Local News
Risk Screening Dashboard
Please join us in welcoming Connie Archbold Robinson to CPNL and Georgetown University.
During her tenure as the Nielsen Philanthropy Fellow, Robinson will provide executive leadership coaching within the Executive Certificate in Philanthropic Leadership, facilitate strategic dialogues that strengthen community-centered, funder-engaged philanthropic practice, and conduct applied research on expanding individual donor engagement. She will also mentor McCourt School of Public Policy graduate students through candid conversations on career pathways, equipping the next generation of philanthropists to lead with courage, build transformational partnerships, and reimagine what philanthropy can achieve in service of the public good.
Learn about the Waldemar A. Nielsen Philanthropy Fellowship Here
In 2021, The Wild Gifting Project (TWGP) was launched with a “wild” goal: to invest directly in people and empower them to engage in projects that aligned with their values. As a private operating foundation, TWGP combines trust-based, unrestricted, general operating support grants with direct investments in charitable work through programs, partnerships, and community-led initiatives. After five years of giving, TWGP undertook an evaluative process to better understand the impact of its model on funded partners and the communities that they serve. Drawing on survey data, interviews, and internal conversations, Cassandra Guerena traces the evolution of the foundation from its inception to its current funding model. Guerena offers recommendations so that other philanthropic practitioners can consider implementing parts of the model.
Philanthropic leader and recent Waldemar A. Nielsen Philanthropy Fellow, Judy Belk, shares her experience and those of other nonprofit leaders on leading when scared.
Judy asks readers to consider,“what am I scared of?,” and take steps to lead with purpose in the face of challenging circumstances. Rooted in lived experiences, Judy offers tips on overcoming your fears and embracing your courage mojo.
“Now, I look for opportunities to be bold and unafraid in big and small ways. My gut still does a flip, but I find that the more I use my courage muscle, the less scared I am.“
Designed as an experiential leadership lab, the Executive Certificate in Philanthropic Leadership provides a stimulating and supportive climate for reimagining philanthropy today.
The program strengthens the leadership capacity of philanthropic practitioners working in private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, government agencies, donor advised funds, and philanthropy infrastructure organizations. The Certificate gives philanthropic leaders the opportunity to learn about groundbreaking strategies being used by funders large and small, local and global, and to think more broadly about the unique role philanthropy is called to play in our societies.
Learn more about the Philanthropy Certificate here and view our recent information session here.
Details on how to apply can be found here. We only have a few seats left and we will accept applicants on a rolling basis.
