Daily News Roundup: Companies Use Charitible Giving as ‘Tax-Exempt Influence Seeking,’ Says Study
A group of economists published an analysis of corporate philanthropy that paints a picture of giving that is more like lobbying. In other articles, the head of the Smithsonian Institution announced an effort to showcase achievements by women but stopped short of supporting a new museum; Detroit has built up a team of grant seekers that has helped attract tens of millions in grants and loans; and Fast Company looks at five ways nonprofits can solve their thorniest problems.
Daily News Roundup: Planned Parenthood Gets $9 Million for New Tex. Clinics
The money came from an unnamed donor for two new clinics in the western part of the state. In other news, the Department of Education has converted grants to student loans for thousands of teachers in low-income areas; after the Parkland shooting, gifts to the National Rifle Association tripled; an ex-congressman has been accused of spending $450,000 in charitable gifts for personal use; a controversial Wellesley program backed by the Charles Koch Foundation is being overhauled; and much more.
Fidelity Charitable Says $1 Billion in Grants Distributed So Far This Year
The donor-advised-fund sponsor says grant making from its accounts topped the milestone faster than ever this calendar year, with 62,000 charities receiving donations.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Giving Drops $10 Million to Twin Cities United Way
The decline in workplace giving is to blame. In other articles, John and Laura Arnold are pouring money into efforts to lower or rethink drug prices; the University of Oklahoma’s next president will be a former oil executive and big donor; many activists suffer privately; “March for Our Lives” cost $5 million, leaving several million dollars left for advocacy; and much more about the arts and other news.
Spruill to Leave Council on Foundations and Return to Ocean Conservation
After six years leading the council through budget challenges, Spruill said her new job returns her to her “central passion.”
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Boy Scouts Accused of Discriminating Against Teenager With Down Syndrome
The parents of the 15-year-old, who has the cognitive abilities of a 4-year-old, have filed a lawsuit. In other articles, the founder of a nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated people start their own businesses has been accused of sexual misconduct; the billionaire philanthropist Peter Peterson has died; Denver’s effort to sell bonds to cut the cost of homelessness has had promising results so far; and more news about giving.
Daily News Roundup: James Levine Sues the Metropolitan Opera
The conductor filed a lawsuit for breach of contract and defamation three days after the company fired him. In other news, a donor is pulling a $14 million gift to the University of Nevada at Las Vegas; Puerto Rico makes a plea for help six months after a devastating hurricane; Stephen Hawking’s death has prompted a surge in donations to motor neuron disease; Chuck Feeney, who gave away billions, lives modestly in a rented apartment; and much more on giving and other news.
Daily News Roundup: Donor Chops $75 Million From Big Calif. Medical Gift
Plus: Big names in tech are boosting Goldman Sachs’s fast-growing donor-advised fund, the maker of OxyContin wades controversially into anti-addiction giving; a Democratic House leader looks into the Trump Organization’s donation of profits to the Treasury; and news and views on Latino philanthropy, a growing advice club for the very rich, and the latest XPrize Foundation contest. (Hint: humanoids!)
Cummings Fund Puts All of Its Assets Into Mission Investing, Making It Largest to Do So
The half-billion-dollar endowment seeks to reduce social inequality and mitigate climate change — two areas the foundation says require business solutions as well as philanthropy.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Women Aid Workers Worldwide Join Calls to Fight Sexual Abuse
In other news, women aid workers around the world join efforts to combat sexual abuse, a bipartisan bill would scrap new levy on college endowment funds, and Home Depot announces $50 million program to train veterans in skilled trades. Plus, Salvation Army opens its first grocery store to expand food options in low-income area of Baltimore, report shows NRA support for youth shooting programs, and more.
Kathleen Kelly Janus on What It Takes for Startups to Succeed in Fundraising
Kathleen Kelly Janus shares her experience and research leading to five strategies that help startups break through the critical threshold of $500K in fundraising.
Daily News Roundup: Save the Children Admits ‘Unsafe Behavior’ in Workplace
In other news, the fundraiser who led USC’s record capital campaign is retiring, maverick Silicon Valley donor Peter Thiel talks Trump and Facebook, and the U.S. Holocaust Museum revokes a human-rights award to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Plus, Florida legislators terminate a troubled state-office charity campaign, how insurance giant Humana used a charitable donation to boost executive bonuses, and more.
Daily News Roundup: Zuckerberg and Chan Launch $30 Million Literacy Program
Other top stories from the nonprofit world include looks inside the philanthropy of Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, and Robert Smith, the wealthiest black American. Plus, Oprah Winfrey donates proceeds from a Weight Watchers stock sale; a veterans charity supports a state investigation of its founder, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens; Facebook’s affordable-housing fund gears up to start backing projects; a Virginia high school drops plans to raffle off an AR-15; and more.
How an Education Nonprofit Grew as Fast as Facebook
CommonLit, a group that offers free reading materials online, learned the techniques of Silicon Valley and has been expanding fast ever since.
By MARC GUNTHER
Contributor
Tax Law May Hit Human Services Especially Hard, Research Suggests
Research by an economist at University of Southern California found that a 1 percent change in tax rates resulted in a 4 percent loss in charitable gifts across all charities, and more for health and social-service groups.
Group Helps Other Charities Speed Up Their Success, Silicon Valley Style
Fast Forward has won the support of Google.org and others for its innovative methods of nurturing nonprofit tech startups.
By Marc Gunther
Contributor