People With Big Estates Leave Little to Charity
Wealthy people whose estates are large enough to be subject to estate taxes leave only a fraction of their assets to charity. According to estate-tax returns filed in 1998, 6.2 percent of total estate value was distributed ALSO SEE:A Taxing DilemmaCharitable Bequests by Estates Subject to…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Charity leaders are split on how estate-tax repeal would affect gifts -- and whether to take a stand As a senior fund raiser at Harvard University, Charles W. Collier makes it his business ALSO SEE: People With Big Estates Leave Little to Charity Charitable Bequests by Estates Subject to Taxes…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘Business Week:’ Going After the Big Money
After years of watching from the sidelines as the economy has boomed and the stock market has soared, more and more non-profit organizations are setting up units that are pursuing profits and investments, says Business Week magazine (June 26). “Everyone from New York’s Museum of Modern Art to the…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘The New York Times’: a Volunteer Vacuum
National leaders from former President George Bush to Gen. Colin Powell have promoted the need for volunteerism, arguing that Americans should pitch in to help the needy. But is volunteerism making much of a difference? Sara Mosle, a writer and former schoolteacher, focuses on that question in The…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
United Way Chief Executive to Resign Within 18 Months
Betty Stanley Beene, who has won both praise and criticism in her job as president of United Way of America, will step down within the next 18 months, the organization has announced. United Way said that Ms. Beene, who became president in January 1997, will depart after she finishes dealing with…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Endowment Assets Nationwide Climb to Nearly $600-Billion, New Study Finds
Assets in endowments total nearly $600-billion and are expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6 to 8 percent over the next five years, a new study has found. Colleges and universities have the largest endowments, on average, according to the study, ALSO SEE:A Profile of Endowments
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
United Way of America Head to Step Down
Betty Stanley Beene, president of the United Way of America, plans to leave her post within the next 18 months, the organization announced Friday. United Way said that at its June board meeting, Ms. Beene told directors of her intention to “conclude her service to the organization.” Ms. Beene did…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Roberts Fund Puts Its Venture-Philanthropy Approach to the Test
Venture philanthropy, an approach that marries the methods of venture capitalism with the needs of the non-profit world, has generated a healthy following in recent years. ALSO SEE:Venturing a Bet on GivingThe New Economy and Venture Philanthropy: Excerpts From a Report Dozens of groups are using…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘Investment’ grants are booming, but can they bring real change? In the three years since it was formed, Social Venture Partners has been a leader in the burgeoning field of “venture philanthropy.” It has raised $2.5-million from 250 donors -- most of ALSO SEE:Roberts Fund Puts Its…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘The Nation’: A New Civic Globalism
Non-profit groups have grown into an important force on the world policy stage, but they must be made more effective at strengthening democracy, Kumi Naidoo, secretary general of Civicus, an international organization that promotes citizen participation, writes in The Nation (May 8). A move toward…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor