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GoFundMe Sees Surge in Campaigns for Basic Necessities Amid Economic Strain

GoFundMe Sees Surge in Campaigns for Basic Necessities Amid Economic Strain

GoFundMe has reported a significant increase in the number of campaigns launched to cover basic necessities such as housing and food. This trend is highlighted in the company's annual analysis, which notes a nearly sixfold rise in food-related fundraisers coinciding with a federal government shutdown that affected SNAP benefits and federal employees' paychecks. The platform has become a crucial tool for individuals facing financial hardships, with 2.5 donations made every second on average. The most generous day recorded was January 10, during the Los Angeles wildfires, when $265 million was raised for relief efforts.
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MacKenzie Scott Donates $7.1 Billion to Nonprofits in 2025, Emphasizing Climate and Education

MacKenzie Scott Donates $7.1 Billion to Nonprofits in 2025, Emphasizing Climate and Education

MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist and author, has announced a significant donation of $7.1 billion to various nonprofits in 2025, bringing her total contributions since 2019 to $26.3 billion. Scott, who pledged to give away the majority of her wealth following her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has focused her recent donations on higher education and climate initiatives. Notably, she has provided $90 million to the Forests, People, Climate initiative, which aims to combat tropical deforestation, and $60 million to the Global Methane Hub, which works to reduce methane emissions. Scott's approach to philanthropy is characterized by large, unrestricted gifts, allowing recipient organizations the flexibility to allocate funds as needed.
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Columbia College to End Arc at Old Colony Lease Amid Declining Housing Demand

Columbia College to End Arc at Old Colony Lease Amid Declining Housing Demand

Columbia College has announced that it will terminate its lease at the Arc at Old Colony after the Spring 2026 semester due to a significant decline in campus housing demand. The college has experienced a drop in student occupancy from approximately 2,000 in Fall 2021 to 1,426 in Fall 2025. Despite this reduction, the college assures that it can accommodate all students wishing to live on campus within its remaining three residence halls. The Arc at Old Colony, known for its apartment-style units and full kitchens, offered a more independent living experience, which many students valued. However, with the college facing decreased enrollment and financial constraints, maintaining the Arc has become unsustainable. The decision to end the lease is seen as a necessary step to reallocate resources more effectively, prioritizing academic programs and faculty over maintaining underutilized housing.
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Texas Christian University Partners with Dell Technologies to Enhance AI Use on Campus

Texas Christian University Partners with Dell Technologies to Enhance AI Use on Campus

Texas Christian University (TCU) has announced a significant partnership with Dell Technologies, committing $10 million to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on its campus. This initiative, named AI², represents one of TCU's largest research and technology investments. The program aims to integrate AI into the academic environment, enhancing student learning and career preparation. The partnership will enable TCU to develop an in-house AI system, combining on-campus infrastructure with cloud computing through Amazon Web Services. The initiative is part of TCU's broader goal to achieve Research 1 status, a prestigious classification for research universities. The university plans to pilot the program by the end of the year, with a full rollout expected soon after.
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MoMA PS1 to Offer Free Admission Starting 2026, Enhancing Accessibility

MoMA PS1 to Offer Free Admission Starting 2026, Enhancing Accessibility

MoMA PS1, a contemporary art museum in Queens, New York, will eliminate admission fees for all visitors beginning January 1, 2026. This initiative, funded by entrepreneur and collector Sonya Yu, marks the museum's 50th anniversary and aims to enhance accessibility. Yu's support reflects her belief in the role of cultural institutions in fostering community and visibility. The museum, known for its focus on emerging and experimental artists, will continue to expand its accessibility offerings, including multilingual resources and free event tickets for local residents. The free-admission policy aligns with MoMA PS1's mission to make art accessible to a broader audience.
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Texas Christian University Partners with Dell for $10 Million AI Expansion to Enhance Campus Learning

Texas Christian University Partners with Dell for $10 Million AI Expansion to Enhance Campus Learning

Texas Christian University (TCU) has announced a $10 million partnership with Dell Technologies to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on its campus. This initiative, named AI², aims to integrate AI into the academic environment, enhancing both student learning and career preparation. The partnership will enable TCU to develop an in-house AI system, ensuring data security and allowing for flexible use of AI resources. The AI² program will support faculty in developing coursework and assist students with data analysis and research tasks. TCU plans to pilot the program by the end of the year, with a full rollout expected soon after.
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Texas Christian University Invests $10M in AI Partnership with Dell

Texas Christian University Invests $10M in AI Partnership with Dell

Texas Christian University (TCU) has announced a $10 million partnership with Dell Technologies to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on its campus. The initiative, named AI², aims to integrate AI into the academic environment, enhancing student learning and career preparation. The partnership will enable TCU to develop an in-house AI system, ensuring data security and protection. The AI infrastructure will use a hybrid model, combining on-campus resources with cloud computing. This move is part of TCU's broader goal to achieve Research 1 status, the highest research ranking from the Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Education.
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MacKenzie Scott Donates $26 Billion to Nonprofits, Emphasizing Education and Climate

MacKenzie Scott Donates $26 Billion to Nonprofits, Emphasizing Education and Climate

MacKenzie Scott, a billionaire philanthropist, has announced a total of $26.3 billion in donations to various nonprofits since 2019. Her recent contributions include $7.1 billion in 2025 alone, with a significant focus on higher education and climate initiatives. Scott's approach to philanthropy is characterized by large, unrestricted gifts, allowing recipient organizations the flexibility to allocate funds as needed. This year, her donations have notably supported historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, and climate-focused groups. Among the largest recipients is the Forests, People, Climate initiative, which received $90 million to combat tropical deforestation. Scott's giving strategy does not involve a public foundation, and she often reveals her donations through blog posts and her website, Yield Giving.
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AI Integration in Higher Education: Enhancing Teaching and Learning

AI Integration in Higher Education: Enhancing Teaching and Learning

AI Integration in Higher Education: Enhancing Teaching and Learning
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Redwood Credit Union Donates $100K to Support Redwood Empire Food Bank's Efforts

Redwood Credit Union Donates $100K to Support Redwood Empire Food Bank's Efforts

Redwood Credit Union has made a significant contribution to the Redwood Empire Food Bank by donating $100,000. This donation is part of the Food for Bay Area Families initiative, aimed at supporting local communities in need. The funds are expected to bolster the food bank's capacity to provide essential services to families facing food insecurity in the Santa Rosa area. Representatives from both the credit union and the food bank have expressed their commitment to addressing hunger and supporting community welfare through this partnership.
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GL Homes Philanthropy Under Misha Ezratti Tackles Community Needs in South Florida

GL Homes Philanthropy Under Misha Ezratti Tackles Community Needs in South Florida

GL Homes, under the leadership of Misha Ezratti, is actively addressing core community needs in South Florida through a comprehensive philanthropic model. The company's initiatives focus on breaking the cycle of homelessness, combating hunger, and supporting children and education. A notable program, 'Make a House a Home,' repurposes surplus building materials to aid low-income families. Partnerships with organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Gulfstream Goodwill Industries enable GL Homes to transform leftover inventory into essential household items. Additionally, the company is tackling food insecurity by collaborating with local food banks and nonprofits to deliver thousands of meals. GL Homes also invests in youth through the Passion for Playgrounds initiative, creating safe spaces for children.
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Pell Grant Faces Significant Shortfall, Budgetary Watchdog Warns

Pell Grant Faces Significant Shortfall, Budgetary Watchdog Warns

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has warned that the Pell Grant program is facing a significant shortfall, estimated to be between $61 billion and $97 billion over the next decade. Despite a one-time appropriation of $10.5 billion to bolster the program, the funding is insufficient to address the long-term structural imbalance. The expansion of eligibility for short-term training programs through Workforce Pell has further strained the program's finances. The committee suggests potential solutions, including reallocating funds from other budget areas and adjusting eligibility criteria to manage costs.