Northshore Magazine: As a trusted source for identifying effective programs and strategies, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley today announced it will distribute $30.8 million in support of strategies, organizations, partnerships and programs aimed at solving entrenched poverty and effecting upward mobility among those most in need across the region.

Massnonprofit News: Jewish Vocational Service, a Boston-based social services nonprofit, recently announced that it raised $428,000 at its annual fundraising gala, surpassing its goal, to fund services to support immigrants, refugees, people with disabilities, and older workers. The elevate gala, held May 10 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, which attracted 350 people, was the second-highest grossing gala in the history of Jewish Vocational Service (JVS).

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: A group of donors has created a $40 million pay-for-success fund they hope will provide a nudge to a stalled form of social investing. The Community Outcomes Fund was started by $20 million in cash from former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie, and $10 million from Prudential Financial. The Kresge Foundation will provide up to $10 million to shield investors from losses.

Inside Philanthropy: Private foundations have been taking bolder steps toward impact investing in recent years. But with more individuals turning to donor-advised funds (DAFs) to facilitate their giving, how can those funds also be invested today to improve the world?

Jewish Journal: High school students and current college students from the North Shore are encouraged to apply for scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year that will be announced by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston.