Chelsea Clinton Hits Speech Circuit and Gives Fees to Foundation

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Chelsea Clinton has become an in-demand speaker at charity and business events, commanding as much as $75,000 per appearance, money a spokesman said goes to the family’s philanthropy, writes The New York Times.

Unlike those of Bill and Hillary Clinton, who collect up to $700,000 for speeches, the former first daughter’s appearances “are on behalf of the [Bill, Hillary & Chelsea] Clinton Foundation, and 100 percent of the fees are remitted directly to the foundation,” said Kamyl Bazbaz, a spokesman for Ms. Clinton.

The Clintons have used speaking engagements over the past year as a tool to raise money for the foundation’s endowment. Mr. Bazbaz said Chelsea Clinton’s speeches are often unpaid.

Roberta Wilhelm, executive director of Girls Incorporated of Omaha, declined to say if Ms. Clinton was paid for an address last year at a benefit for the Nebraska group but said the event “was packed, and she was a draw.”

Hillary Clinton said last week that she donates fees from speeches at college campuses to the Clinton Foundation, drawing Republican calls for greater disclosure of the philanthropy’s finances.