Key Takeaways
Bill Clinton opened the 2026 Clinton Global Initiative on September 22 by asking donors to step in where governments have cut foreign aid.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation launched BCRF Ventures, a $100 million venture philanthropy fund that recycles its returns into new research.
Marguerite Casey Foundation CEO Carmen Rojas urged foundations to treat the 5% annual payout rule as a floor, not a ceiling.
Former President Bill Clinton opened the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in New York on September 22 with a direct request. He asked attendees to "step into the void created by retreating governments," pointing to foreign aid cuts by the United States and other countries, the Associated Press reported. He also acknowledged that philanthropy cannot fill that hole completely on its own.
A breast cancer research fund built to pay for itself
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation used the stage to launch BCRF Ventures. It starts with $23 million in seed donations, led by an $11 million gift from Karen and Rob Hale, and aims to raise and deploy $100 million over five years. Instead of making grants, the fund will invest in early-stage companies working on breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment, then put any returns back into the next set of companies. BCRF expects to build a portfolio of 20 to 30 companies and will start reviewing opportunities in 2027.
Foundations pushed to give faster
Carmen Rojas, CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation, told the room this is a moment to give out money now. Her foundation dipped into its endowment in 2025 to give out $135 million and announced in June a plan to give at least $500 million over the next decade, according to AP. She wants foundations to treat the rule requiring them to pay out 5% of their assets each year as a starting point rather than a limit.
The pattern here is hard to ignore. Governments are pulling back, and donors are being asked to move money faster and make it last longer. WYDE covered the same shift when an anonymous family gave Americares a record $50 million as aid cuts squeezed global health, and when Bridgespan found the ultra-rich give about 1.2% of their assets a year. BCRF's model is worth watching because it tries to solve both problems at once.
People Also Ask
What is the Clinton Global Initiative 2026?
It is the Clinton Foundation's annual meeting, held September 22 and 23, 2026 in New York, where leaders from business, government and philanthropy announce commitments to global problems.
What is BCRF Ventures?
It is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's first venture philanthropy program. It launched with $23 million, aims to deploy $100 million over five years, and reinvests any returns into new breast cancer companies.
What did Bill Clinton say about foreign aid cuts?
He asked attendees to step in where governments have pulled back on foreign aid, while acknowledging philanthropy cannot completely fill the gap.
What is the 5% foundation payout rule?
US private foundations must distribute about 5% of their assets each year to keep their tax-exempt status. Some leaders, including Carmen Rojas, argue it should be treated as a minimum.