Benjamin Soskis
@bensoskis.bsky.social
History of philanthropy and civil society; Philly sports; Irish trad music. Views my own.
New HistPhil post: Gizem Zircirci on her book, The Muslim Social: Neoliberalism, Charity, and Poverty, which recently received ARNOVA's 2025 Outstanding Book Prize.
histphil.org/2025/11/24/t...
histphil.org/2025/11/24/t...
The Muslim Social: Neoliberalism, Charity, and Poverty in Turkey
Editors’ Note: Gizem Zencirci introduces her book, The Muslim Social: Neoliberalism, Charity, and Poverty (Syracuse, 2024), which recently received the 2025 Outstanding Book Prize from ARNOVA…
histphil.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New HistPhil post: Gizem Zircirci on her book, The Muslim Social: Neoliberalism, Charity, and Poverty, which recently received ARNOVA's 2025 Outstanding Book Prize.
histphil.org/2025/11/24/t...
histphil.org/2025/11/24/t...
New HistPhil post: Peter Kurie on what the history of the Hershey Trust--the OG U.S. nonprofit with controlling stakes in a major for-profit corporation--can tell us about the OpenAI Foundation, on paper now the wealthiest private foundation in the U.S.
histphil.org/2025/11/13/f...
histphil.org/2025/11/13/f...
From Chocolate to ChatGPT: What Hershey’s Century-Old Philanthropy Reveals About OpenAI’s New $130 Billion Foundation
Editors’ Note: Peter Kurie discusses the parallels between two American nonprofits that control major for-profit corporations: the OpenAI Foundation, on paper now the wealthiest private found…
histphil.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
New HistPhil post: Peter Kurie on what the history of the Hershey Trust--the OG U.S. nonprofit with controlling stakes in a major for-profit corporation--can tell us about the OpenAI Foundation, on paper now the wealthiest private foundation in the U.S.
histphil.org/2025/11/13/f...
histphil.org/2025/11/13/f...
This is obv a clash abt a very particular political moment, w/ implications touching on shutdown politics. But it likely has implications as well relating to philanthropy's ability to target pub benefit recipients & to the politics of voluntarism more generally.
www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
Wyden Introduces Bill to Support SNAP Recipients During Trump Government Shutdown | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
www.wyden.senate.gov
November 7, 2025 at 3:41 PM
This is obv a clash abt a very particular political moment, w/ implications touching on shutdown politics. But it likely has implications as well relating to philanthropy's ability to target pub benefit recipients & to the politics of voluntarism more generally.
www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-r...
Prediction: if MTG runs, she will tap into the dormant conservative tradition of voluntarism that MAGA (& really Trump) has up till now shown little sympathy for. You could see it bubbling up in inchoate form in some of the recent congressional hearings she chaired on nonprofits...
MTG is on my short list of people who i think could do the trump thing (remember she comes from the fitness and wellness influencer world)
Marjorie Taylor Greene has confided to colleagues that she wants to run for president, according to four sources familiar with the matter, including one who has spoken with her directly about it.
www.notus.org/2028-electio...
www.notus.org/2028-electio...
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Prediction: if MTG runs, she will tap into the dormant conservative tradition of voluntarism that MAGA (& really Trump) has up till now shown little sympathy for. You could see it bubbling up in inchoate form in some of the recent congressional hearings she chaired on nonprofits...
Reposted by Benjamin Soskis
One of the least remarked parts of Mamdani's speech yesterday was its strong implication that he wants his army of 100k volunteers to stick around and do stuff.
November 5, 2025 at 1:32 PM
One of the least remarked parts of Mamdani's speech yesterday was its strong implication that he wants his army of 100k volunteers to stick around and do stuff.
Call it political Skocpolianism or what you will--but this is going to be a major focus of progressive philanthropy in the coming year.
This morning, more convergence btw 2 discourses: recognition of a real appetite for participation in civic & political life as a way to address disconnection; & an appreciation that in investing in infrastructure to support that civic life, prog philanthropy is presented with a real opportunity.
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Call it political Skocpolianism or what you will--but this is going to be a major focus of progressive philanthropy in the coming year.
This morning, more convergence btw 2 discourses: recognition of a real appetite for participation in civic & political life as a way to address disconnection; & an appreciation that in investing in infrastructure to support that civic life, prog philanthropy is presented with a real opportunity.
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
This morning, more convergence btw 2 discourses: recognition of a real appetite for participation in civic & political life as a way to address disconnection; & an appreciation that in investing in infrastructure to support that civic life, prog philanthropy is presented with a real opportunity.
Now it’s @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social, declaring civil society to be a “horrifying disappointment.” He’d like to see leaders of civil society “not be cowards”.
At the Center for Effective Philanthropy conference, @feliciawong.bsky.social discusses the Beyond Neoliberalism initiative, its successes & failures & cites the Garland Fund as historical inspiration (as chronicled by @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social). Garland Fund met the moment…is philanthropy today?
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Now it’s @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social, declaring civil society to be a “horrifying disappointment.” He’d like to see leaders of civil society “not be cowards”.
At the Center for Effective Philanthropy conference, @feliciawong.bsky.social discusses the Beyond Neoliberalism initiative, its successes & failures & cites the Garland Fund as historical inspiration (as chronicled by @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social). Garland Fund met the moment…is philanthropy today?
November 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
At the Center for Effective Philanthropy conference, @feliciawong.bsky.social discusses the Beyond Neoliberalism initiative, its successes & failures & cites the Garland Fund as historical inspiration (as chronicled by @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social). Garland Fund met the moment…is philanthropy today?
New HistPhil post: David Pozen continues our book forum on @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social' s The Radical Fund, questioning whether, given evolution in nonprofit law since the fund's heydey, it can serve as a model for contemporary philanthropy seeing to "upend America."
histphil.org/2025/11/03/c...
histphil.org/2025/11/03/c...
Could a Garland Fund 2.0 Upend the United States Today?
Editors’ Note: David Pozen continues HistPhil’s book forum on John Witt’s The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America (Simon & Schuster, …
histphil.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
New HistPhil post: David Pozen continues our book forum on @johnfabianwitt.bsky.social' s The Radical Fund, questioning whether, given evolution in nonprofit law since the fund's heydey, it can serve as a model for contemporary philanthropy seeing to "upend America."
histphil.org/2025/11/03/c...
histphil.org/2025/11/03/c...
Reporting from NYT there were other donors to the WH ballroom not cited by the administration, including several that have business before the admin. The admin's use of a nonprofit as a receptacle for the funds allows them to maintain discretionary anonymity.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
November 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reporting from NYT there were other donors to the WH ballroom not cited by the administration, including several that have business before the admin. The admin's use of a nonprofit as a receptacle for the funds allows them to maintain discretionary anonymity.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/u...
One striking element of lawsuit that coalition of nonprofits filed in RI district court to challenge Trump admin's suspension of SNAP benefits, which highlights damage that will be done to nonprofits bc of massive increase in demand for their services.
www.councilofnonprofits.org/pressrelease...
www.councilofnonprofits.org/pressrelease...
October 31, 2025 at 8:42 PM
One striking element of lawsuit that coalition of nonprofits filed in RI district court to challenge Trump admin's suspension of SNAP benefits, which highlights damage that will be done to nonprofits bc of massive increase in demand for their services.
www.councilofnonprofits.org/pressrelease...
www.councilofnonprofits.org/pressrelease...
In Emma Green's recent NYer piece on Trump's war on higher ed, she reports she heard a version of this from multiple admin officials:
"[I]f the endangered research is truly vital, universities can figure out other ways to fund it, such as donor dollars."
Market infallibility applied to philanthropy.
"[I]f the endangered research is truly vital, universities can figure out other ways to fund it, such as donor dollars."
Market infallibility applied to philanthropy.
I want to flag an exchange in Ross Douthat's recent NYT interview with May Mailman, "the Harvard-Trained Layer Behind Trump's Fight Against Top Universities," as the Times put it, in which Mailman directly discusses the relationship btw govt funding and philanthropy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/o...
October 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
In Emma Green's recent NYer piece on Trump's war on higher ed, she reports she heard a version of this from multiple admin officials:
"[I]f the endangered research is truly vital, universities can figure out other ways to fund it, such as donor dollars."
Market infallibility applied to philanthropy.
"[I]f the endangered research is truly vital, universities can figure out other ways to fund it, such as donor dollars."
Market infallibility applied to philanthropy.
New HistPhil post from John Witt, inaugurating a book forum on his recently published "The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America," which chronicles the influence of the American Fund for Public Service (the Garland Fund, est 1922). histphil.org/2025/10/27/w...
When the Tax Code (and Private Foundations) Nudged Americans Toward Nonviolence
Editors’ Note: This post, from John Witt, inaugurates HistPhil’s book forum on Witt’s recently published The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended …
histphil.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
New HistPhil post from John Witt, inaugurating a book forum on his recently published "The Radical Fund: How a Band of Visionaries and a Million Dollars Upended America," which chronicles the influence of the American Fund for Public Service (the Garland Fund, est 1922). histphil.org/2025/10/27/w...
Besides assessing how large conditional donations to fed agencies might violate the Antideficiency Act, another policy consideration must involve questions of transparency. It seems to me that over a certain dollar threshold, these sorts of gifts should not be allowed to be made anonymously.
October 25, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Besides assessing how large conditional donations to fed agencies might violate the Antideficiency Act, another policy consideration must involve questions of transparency. It seems to me that over a certain dollar threshold, these sorts of gifts should not be allowed to be made anonymously.
Keep in mind as well that Congressional Republicans have directed lots of attention recently to the dangers of foreign philanthropy into US, w/ calls to restrict funding & for greater transparency.
“The department declined to answer questions about whether the donor is an American citizen or a foreign national.” Jesus Fucking Christ
October 24, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Keep in mind as well that Congressional Republicans have directed lots of attention recently to the dangers of foreign philanthropy into US, w/ calls to restrict funding & for greater transparency.
Reposted by Benjamin Soskis
Trump: "It's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself. But I was damaged very greatly and any money I would get I would give to charity."
October 21, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Trump: "It's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself. But I was damaged very greatly and any money I would get I would give to charity."
The whole recent Benioff saga--the about-face, the push back from Powell Jobs & Conway, and then the quasi-apology, w/ the lure of govt contracts & social ostracism as likely motives, is a perfect illustration of liabilities of reliance on engaged living mega-donors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
Benioff Apologizes for Saying Trump Should Send Troops to San Francisco
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The whole recent Benioff saga--the about-face, the push back from Powell Jobs & Conway, and then the quasi-apology, w/ the lure of govt contracts & social ostracism as likely motives, is a perfect illustration of liabilities of reliance on engaged living mega-donors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/u...
For those seeking to promote civil society, good to know who's marching under its banner. NYT reports that Nigel Farage led "Civil Society Round Table" at Westminster, attended by delegation from House Judiciary Comm, to discuss threats to free speech in UK, w/ help from Alliance to Defend Freedom.
October 13, 2025 at 1:41 PM
For those seeking to promote civil society, good to know who's marching under its banner. NYT reports that Nigel Farage led "Civil Society Round Table" at Westminster, attended by delegation from House Judiciary Comm, to discuss threats to free speech in UK, w/ help from Alliance to Defend Freedom.
You have to read this article to its (literally) jaw-dropping end. Just quote after quote from Marc Benioff, pledging fealty to Trump, in highlight what rivals Zuckerberg as most intense shift in *public* political identity of major philanthropist in recent years.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
Marc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
You have to read this article to its (literally) jaw-dropping end. Just quote after quote from Marc Benioff, pledging fealty to Trump, in highlight what rivals Zuckerberg as most intense shift in *public* political identity of major philanthropist in recent years.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
New HistPhil post: Nicole Marwell and Jennifer Mosley chronicle the rise of the randomized controlled trial to the top of the hierarchy of program evaluation, while also highlighting the significant ambivalence nonprofit & foundation staff have to that ascension.
histphil.org/2025/10/10/r...
histphil.org/2025/10/10/r...
Resisting the Hierarchy of Evidence: Philanthropic Foundations and the Rise of RCTs
Editors’ Note: Nicole P. Marwell and Jennifer E. Mosley discuss their new book, Mismeasuring Impact: How Randomized Controlled Trials Threaten the Nonprofit Sector (Stanford University Press,…
histphil.org
October 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
New HistPhil post: Nicole Marwell and Jennifer Mosley chronicle the rise of the randomized controlled trial to the top of the hierarchy of program evaluation, while also highlighting the significant ambivalence nonprofit & foundation staff have to that ascension.
histphil.org/2025/10/10/r...
histphil.org/2025/10/10/r...
I think the Capital Research Center should get its story straight--the "aw shucks, we're just doing research on Open Society & had no idea the Justice Dept would weaponize it" argument is laughable. They are a part of the civil society they are working to erode. (Links in comments)
October 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I think the Capital Research Center should get its story straight--the "aw shucks, we're just doing research on Open Society & had no idea the Justice Dept would weaponize it" argument is laughable. They are a part of the civil society they are working to erode. (Links in comments)
With a little bit of perspective I think it’s fair to say: that was one of the more miserable, draining nights of Philadelphia sports fandom I’ve experienced in my lifetime.
When does the Sixers season start!!
When does the Sixers season start!!
October 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
With a little bit of perspective I think it’s fair to say: that was one of the more miserable, draining nights of Philadelphia sports fandom I’ve experienced in my lifetime.
When does the Sixers season start!!
When does the Sixers season start!!