United Way Donations Barely Rise
As sluggish economy takes toll groups plan new approachesIn a sign that the slow economy is making it harder for nonprofit groups to raise money, United Way of America has announced that its campaigns in 2000-2001 grew by just 0.4 percent, after adjusting for inflation. The nation’s 1,853 United…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Trustees, donors, staff members faulted for group’s demiseWashington By all appearances, Children’s Express had the sort of good fortune that many small charities crave. Founded in 1975 by a charismatic Wall Street lawyer to train children ages 8 to 18 as journalists, Children’s Express gained the…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Foundation Group Won’t Change Estate-Tax Stance
By JANET L. FIXThe Council on Foundations is sticking with a policy that kept its lobbyists on the sidelines during the estate-tax debate, even though some of its members argued that charitable giving and foundations would be hurt should the tax be repealed. The decision by the council’s board of…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Lutheran Groups Merge Amid Growing Legal Troubles
By JANET L. FIXAfter ruling that perhaps hundreds of thousands of people who bought life-insurance policies from Lutheran Brotherhood can be part of a lawsuit accusing the nonprofit fraternal group of fraud, a federal judge put the case on hold to give the insurer time to challenge his ruling. The…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Controversy erupts over the rules for tax-financed religious groups and the hiring of gays and lesbiansWashington As President Bush’s effort to help faith-based groups receive more federal funds continues on its uncertain path through Congress, a central question dogs both supporters and critics of…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Nonvirtual Reality Hits Giving Sites
As online companies fail, others seek ways to click with donorsAs one of scores of dot-com entrepreneurs who hoped to make money by raising money over the Internet for nonprofit groups, Tracey Pettengill counts her company among the lucky ones still standing. ALSO SEE:All AboardRemote…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Researchers Modify Methods to Improve Data’s Reliability
By JANET L. FIXGiving USA‘s annual estimate of how much Americans contribute to charity is widely cited, but the report has long been criticized as an imprecise barometer of the state of philanthropy. ALSO SEE:Growth in Giving Cools Down In an attempt to deal with some of the shortcomings, the…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds and New York Attorney General Reach Settlement
By JANET L. FIXNew York’s attorney general has announced a settlement with the Wallace-Reader’s Digest Funds that ends a lengthy legal dispute and gives 13 charities direct control of $1.7-billion in assets. The move also raises questions about the future of the company and charitable foundation…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
A Challenge to Step Up AIDS Grants
U.N. chief implores U.S. funds to help finance a global attackPhiladelphia When United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan urged U.S. grant makers to become partners in a global battle against AIDS by helping to amass an international war chest of as much as $10-billion a year, he received a…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor
Giving to Higher Education Rises Again by Double Digits
By JANET L. FIXDonations to colleges and universities rose 13.7 percent in fiscal 2000, ALSO SEE:Giving to Colleges and Private Institutions the fifth double-digit increase in as many years, and gifts to private elementary and secondary schools also rose substantially, according to a new survey.…
By Janet L. Fix
Contributor