New York Opens Inquiry on Donor Privacy
The New York State attorney general’s office is investigating whether the American Civil Liberties Union violated its pledge to protect its donors’ privacy with an effort to collect information about them. Attorney General Eliot Spitzer sent the New York nonprofit group a letter last month asking…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
9/11 Charity Goes Out of Business
The September 11th Fund, the largest charity created to help the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, shut down last month after raising millions of dollars as part of an unprecedented charitable effort. The fund, which was established by the New York Community Trust and the United Way of New…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Leader of Foundation Umbrella Group Announces Plans to Retire This Year
Washington
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Religious Radio: Spreading the Word
Religious media efforts grew faster than other types of charitable causes, a ‘Chronicle’ analysis findsAirwaves for Jesus began broadcasting from Fort Myers, Fla., last March on two 3,000-watt FM stations, accomplishing ALSO SEE:SPECIAL REPORT: America’s Charity Boom a goal held for the past 10…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Changes Are Urged in Foundation Tax Form
A new report calls for revisions in the informational tax returns that grant makers are required to file annually with the Internal Revenue Service, saying the documents offer the public a sketchy picture of foundation spending. The report -- published by the Donors Forum of Chicago, a regional…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Charity Returns Grant Money Over Antiterrorism Provision
The Drug Policy Alliance, a group in New York that advocates changes in the nation’s drug laws, has returned $200,000 from the Ford Foundation to protest an antiterrorism clause in Ford’s standard grant agreement. In a letter to supporters, entitled “We’ve Paid a Price for Free Speech,” the…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Philanthropy Doyenne Says Many Foundations Have Overly Lofty Goals
For 30 years, Elizabeth J. McCormack has helped guide the philanthropy of some of the world’s wealthiest donors, including the Rockefeller family. During that time, she has worked discreetly, preferring any attention to be focused on the individuals and organizations she serves. But last month,…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Court Freezes Assets of California Charity
A federal court in San Diego has ordered the temporary freezing of assets held by a charity established by Xelan, an investment company, after the U.S. Justice Department accused the nonprofit group of being an abusive tax shelter. According to court documents, the Xelan Foundation, in San Diego,…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Foundations Gave $3-Billion to Overseas Projects Last Year, Report Says
A slump in foundation investments caused the dollar amount of international grants by American foundations ALSO SEE: International Givig by American Foundations to decline last year, but such giving will probably grow in 2004, said a new report. International giving totaled an estimated $3-billion…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor