Program on Inequality and the Common Good
Extreme inequalities of income, wealth and opportunity undercut democracy, social solidarity and mobility, economic stability, and many other aspects of our personal and public lives. The Program on Inequality and the Common Good focuses on these and other dangers that income disparities pose for the U.S.
Through research and reporting, this program encourages policy interventions that can reduce extreme wealth inequality, and close the growing gap between the rich and poor. Recent reports have examined the estate tax, the racial wealth gap, inequality in philanthropy, and other topics related to extreme wealth concentration. The central theme of the program is that without significant reform and a systemic view of inequality on both a national and global level, the overall wealth divide will continue to grow exponentially.
Latest Work
Who Wants to Be a Trillionaire?
Don’t laugh. That’s exactly where America’s oligarchic policies are taking us.
The Donor Revolt for Charity Reform
Prominent philanthropists, national funders, and policy organizations are launching a campaign to call for common sense charity reforms.
REPORT: Who Is Lobbying against Common-Sense Charity Reform?
Meet the foundations, donor-advised fund sponsors, and community foundations spending money and time to defend the indefensible status quo.
Tax Rules, Investment Houses, and Donor-Advised Funds: What’s at Stake?
As DAFs become an ever-larger portion of the nonprofit funding system, both sponsors and donors must be held to a higher standard.
Billionaire Wealth Is Soaring. We Need Progressive Taxation Now.
There are now 813 billionaires with $5.7 trillion in wealth, making the ten-figure club even more powerful economically and politically. We need a progressive taxation system to reverse inequality.
New Poll, Old News: Philanthropy Lobby Is Still Out of Step with Public Opinion on Charity Reform
The Ipsos poll found that a solid majority (75%) believe there should be a maximum amount that ultra-wealthy donors can claim to reduce their taxes.
National Donor-Advised Funds Are Hiding Behind Donation Processors to Make Themselves Look Better
Some donor-advised fund sponsors claim to democratize giving. They are making themselves look more egalitarian than they actually are.
Total U.S. Billionaire Wealth: Up 88% over Four Years
Four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has 737 billionaires with a combined wealth of $5.529 trillion.
What Are Donor-Advised Funds and How Do They Work?
DAFs channel huge amounts of cash to ‘culture war’ groups – anonymously. Why do people get tax breaks for using them?
A Super Bowl Note to Taylor Swift: Love the Music, Park the Private Jet
Congrats, Taylor, for your talent and decades of consistently great songwriting. You deserve all the accolades and rewards. But I have one request...
Foundation-to-DAF Conversions: Is It a Thing?
Foundation-to-DAF conversions make up only about 5 percent of all dissolving foundations, but they represent a much larger portion of the dollars.
Ranting Billionaire Makes Unwitting Case for Charity Reform
Like a blind squirrel finding a nut, Bill Ackman’s antics reveal a huge flaw in donor-advised fund regulation.
The Richest 1 Percent Own a Greater Share of the Stock Market Than Ever Before
Baby bonds are one effective strategy for addressing the fact that only 1 percent of stock market wealth is owned by the bottom half of households.
As Elites Gather in Davos, They Can't Ignore Ignore That Most High Net-Worth Individuals Like Me Want to Pay More in Taxes
I am firmly in the majority with my wealthy peers when it comes to wanting to pay higher taxes.
A Working Class Victory on Colombia’s Horizon
An advancing labor reform bill could increase overtime pay, expand social security for delivery workers, and strengthen workplace rights.
The Future of Reparations and Economic Equality
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad says reparations and change are possible but will take a “large, long-term commitment from the federal government.”
Donor-Advised Funds Now Consume a Quarter of Individual Charitable Giving
The National Philanthropic Trust’s latest report on DAFs reveals just how rapidly they’re growing.
Say Hello to The Charity Reformer
The first edition of a new Inequality.org newsletter focused on transforming philanthropy for our common good.
VIDEO: How Wealthy Donors Warehouse Charitable Funds "for Generations"
At Scripps News, Chuck Collins breaks down the true cost of billionaire philanthropy — and how to put charitable donations back in the hands of actual charities.
Revealing the True Cost of Billionaire Philanthropy
How the ultra-wealthy use charitable giving to avoid taxes and exert influence — while ordinary taxpayers foot the bill.
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