For the ‘Big Ask,’ Some Presidents Look Within
College chiefs are used to asking potential donors to contribute major gifts. But not all are up to posing the question to themselves.
By PETER MONAGHAN
Contributor
Big Lots Gives $50 Million to Build Youth Mental-Health Facility
The donation significantly ratchets up the retail chain’s philanthropic relationship with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in its hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
Ilitches’ $40 Million Wayne State Gift Has Academic Strings
The donation last fall from Detroit food and sports moguls Mike and Marian Ilitch to construct a new Wayne State University business school contains stipulations related to curriculum and the school dean’s pay, the Detroit Free Press reports.
50-Year Librarian at N.H. College Leaves It $4 Million
The University of New Hampshire announced the unexpected bequest Tuesday from a longtime campus-library cataloguer who died last year after decades of assiduous saving and frugal living, The Union Leader of Manchester, N.H., reports.
Why College Alumni Don’t Give to Their Alma Maters: They Think Other Charities Need Money More
Among graduates who give, 26 percent said they would donate more if they could earmark their money for specific campus purposes, according to a new survey.
By Eden Stiffman
Senior Editor
Gifts Roundup: $100-Million Donation Preserves Huge Swath of Maine Woods
Other notable donations include $20 million to renovate the University of Houston’s basketball arena and $10 million to advance life-sciences projects at Yale.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Bloomberg Gives Harvard $32 Million to Train Urban Leaders
The media mogul and ex-New York City mayor’s donation will launch a program based at the university to educate mayors and their aides on tackling major issues facing cities, reports The Washington Post.
Obama Declares Donated Maine Woodlands a National Monument
The president on Wednesday established the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on more than 87,000 acres of pristine territory that was formally transferred to the government this month by Burt’s Bees co-founder Roxanne Quimby as part of a gift worth $100 million, reports The Washington Post.
Gifts Roundup: Columbus Hospital Gets $15 Million From Late Publisher’s Family
Also, Auburn University, the Schmeeckle Foundation, and Nantucket Island’s hospital received $10-million donations.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Zuckerberg Sells $95 Million in Facebook Stock for Social-Good Effort
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan sold the stock in May, according to Securities and Exchange documents released Friday afternoon. It’s the first sale to back their pledge to put 99 percent of their Facebook stock toward efforts to improve people’s lives.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Smart Questions to Ask Donors Before Seeking Money
Discovering what matters to your donors is key to building a long-term relationship and landing big gifts over time.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Presidents and Faculty Gave Millions to Their Own Universities, Data Shows
New data from The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac also shows that Stanford University raised $1.6 billion in private support, more than double the amount of any other university except Harvard, which raised $1 billion.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Gifts Roundup: Eli Lilly CEO Gives $5 Million to Central Indiana United Way
Other notable gifts include $5 million from basketball legend Michael Jordan to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
$20 Million Pledge Supports Pediatric Care in Miss.
The commitment from Friends of Children’s Hospital advances a $100 million capital campaign to expand pediatric treatment facilities at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, reports The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss.
Michael Jordan Donates $5 Million to African American Museum
A gallery at the National Museum of African American History and Culture will be named for the basketball icon in recognition of the gift, the largest from the sports world to the newest Smithsonian institution, The Washington Post reports.
Gifts Roundup: Michael Jordan Gives $2 Million to Mend Police-Community Ties
Also, a finance executive donates $10 million to expand a program that creates 3D models of patients’ hearts to help doctors prepare treatment.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor