Daily News Roundup: Dana-Farber to Eschew ‘Controversial’ Fundraising Venues

Mar-a-Lago Flap Changes Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Gala Approach: Acknowledging that the Boston hospital’s upcoming event at President Trump’s Florida estate had become a “lightning rod” for criticism, CEO Laurie Glimcher said that in the future the organization “will avoid controversial venues that may distract from our focus on cancer care and research,” health-news site Stat reports. Read a Chronicle article on charities facing a backlash for holding galas at Mar-a-Lago.

Deferred Payout Lifted NRA Leader’s Pay to $5.1 Million in 2015: The National Rifle Association said the $3.7 million bump in chief executive Wayne LaPierre’s compensation was legally required as his retirement plan vested, The Washington Post writes. Mr. LaPierre earned just under $1 million in 2014, according to NRA tax filings.

Tiny Upstate N.Y. College’s Investments Outperform Ivy League Elite: In a fiscal year that saw the wealthiest college and university endowments lose 1.9 percent of their value, Houghton College achieved a nearly 12 percent return, in large part by dumping hedge funds and other alternative investments before they hit a slump, The New York Times writes.

George Mason Student Group Sues for Koch Donation Records: Activist group Transparent GMU is seeking access to the Northern Virginia university’s agreements with the Charles Koch Foundation, a major benefactor, reports the Associated Press. A George Mason spokesman said the gifts were made to the university’s foundation and thus are not subject to open-records laws.

Ill. Charities Again Sue State for Failure to Pay Bills: An early-childhood education nonprofit headed by Illinois first lady Diana Rauner is among 37 groups suing Governor Bruce Rauner and other state leaders for money owed on human-service contracts, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Wrangling over the state budget prompted a similar suit last year.

Health Care, N.Y. Police Charity Top Beneficiaries of Trump Fund: Forbes breaks down the $10.9 million the Donald J. Trump Foundation reporting giving from 2001 to 2014 in its Internal Revenue Service filings. The president provided $2.8 million of the donated funds, which also included gifts to the Clinton Foundation and numerous sports stars’ charities.