Top Charity Journalists in USA (2025)

Charity Section is a senior writer at The Chronicle of Philanthropy specializing in equitable funding models and nonprofit innovation. With a decade of experience spanning frontline nonprofit work and investigative journalism, their reporting has influenced policy debates at the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector.

Key Coverage Areas

• Emerging Giving Vehicles: Track record of analyzing DAFs, crypto philanthropy, and micro-grant systems
• Leadership Equity: Regular coverage of pay parity and diversity in nonprofit leadership
• Community-Centered Solutions: Prioritizes stories demonstrating authentic beneficiary involvement

Avoid Pitches About

• Celebrity fundraising initiatives
• Religious institution-led programs
• International aid logistics

"The most compelling stories reveal how money moves – and who gets to decide where it flows."

Section’s work has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Stanford University. They maintain particular interest in data-driven stories that challenge conventional wisdom about donor behavior and organizational impact.

This New York-based journalist provides essential coverage of nonprofit operations and environmental policy intersections for Philanthropy News Digest. His work helps donors and organizations navigate workforce transitions in the green economy.

Pitching Priorities

• Just Transition Frameworks: Prefers data-driven case studies showing measurable outcomes in worker retraining
• Nonprofit Leadership Development: Seeks innovative programs addressing the sector’s looming leadership gap

Avoid

• Celebrity-driven charity campaigns without substantive impact metrics
• International aid projects lacking local partnership models

As editorial director of The NonProfit Times, Clolery has documented the charity sector’s evolution since 1994. His reporting blends regulatory analysis with operational insights, making him indispensable for executives navigating compliance challenges.

Key Coverage Areas

• Fundraising Innovation: Tracks emerging technologies while cautioning against mission drift
• Governance Trends: Analyzes board diversity initiatives and CEO compensation debates
• Policy Impacts: Deciphers IRS rulings and state fundraising regulations

Avoid These Angles

• Individual donor profiles without systemic context
• International philanthropy comparisons
• Religious congregation financing

Notable Recognition

• 17-time SPJ Award winner for trade journalism
• Architect of EMT training programs with 90% certification rates
• Frequent speaker at AFP, AICPA, and Blackbaud conferences

Stephanie Peng stands out in philanthropy journalism through her rigorous examination of power dynamics in charitable giving. Currently writing for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, she specializes in:

Core Coverage Areas

• Equitable Grantmaking: Advocates for models that center marginalized communities in funding decisions
• Foundation Transparency: Tracks payout ratios and endowment management practices
• Policy-Philanthropy Intersections: Explores how charitable work influences legislative change

Pitching Insights

Focus proposals on:

• Community-led impact metrics over donor-centric narratives
• Data-driven stories about wealth redistribution mechanisms
• Case studies bridging charitable work and policy advocacy

Peng's work remains essential reading for foundations reimagining their role in building equitable societies. Her reporting combines financial analysis with human-centered storytelling to challenge traditional philanthropic paradigms .