George Lucas and Mellody Hobson’s $25 million gift to the University of Chicago Lab Schools reaffirms the couple’s longstanding commitment to education and the value of the arts in learning.

When the shutdown loomed and it looked as though federal workers were going to go without pay, some legislators volunteered to donate their own pay in solidarity. Did they? And where to?

In an annual ritual well known to America’s nonprofits, local agencies in Washington Township line up to request federal community development funds administered by municipalities.

It might be a bit too early to celebrate Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona’s veto of a bill that would have authorized discrimination against gays, lesbians, and others based on “sincere religious belief.” Similar bills are pending in several other states, drafted and promoted by a network of nonprofit think tanks from the religious right.

A study by the Labor Department finds that volunteering is on a steady decline. Is this the experience of NPQ readers?

MacArthur Foundation invests not only in programs, outcomes, and basic operating support, but also in the long-term sustainability of select organizations as unique and critical infrastructure for social good. What a genius idea!

Governor Brewer broke ranks with her conservative colleagues in the state legislature to veto their religious freedom law that would have permitted sincere belief to justify racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination.

This op-ed questions the degree to which social enterprises are given a pass on substance metrics. How much of what is out there is as much hype as substance?

The controversial Texas law on abortion clinics has resulted in a number of clinics having to close. Now the state has intervened to shut a clinic in Houston for failing to comply with the law.

Arkansas tried an interesting alternative to expanded Medicaid in order to help people in need of health insurance who weren’t poor enough to qualify for standard Medicaid coverage. Unfortunately, after one year, the Arkansas House has voted to end the “private option” program, leaving the state with nothing in its place.

During the run-up to and the course of the Olympics, it appeared as though Russia had suspended many of its activities aimed at suppressing dissent. But a few days after the Games were over, long sentences were handed out to those who protested at Putin’s 2012 inauguration.

In a world of fast-diminishing customer and employee loyalty, businesses (and even many nonprofits) can learn substantial lessons from the best of nonprofit practice in three areas: fierce and obvious focus on mission, deeply engaging the passionate energy of volunteers and employees, and maintaining a vibrant connection with donors or customers.