Daily News Roundup: ‘MacArthur Genius’ Grants Announced
Winners of the $625,000 awards include the founder of United We Dream and the leader of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network. In other news, a key GOP representative wants to expand the number of people who can claim a tax break for charitable giving; Yale’s endowment posts disappointing returns; Harvey Weinstein steps down from the Robin Hood Foundation board; and Michael Jordan gives $7 million to health clinics in Charlotte, N.C.
Crowdfunding Drives That Aim for More Participants Do Better Than Others, Study Says
Campaigns whose messages focus on a high participation rate bring in an average of $7,138 online. Those that focus on a monetary goal bring in $5,236.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Grants Roundup: $10 Million From Lilly Endowment to International African American Museum
Plus, Las Vegas Sands Corporation and its founder, Sheldon Adelson, create a $4 million fund for mass-shooting survivors and disaster-response groups.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
American Generosity Declines in the 21st Century, Report Suggests
The share of households that made donations dropped from 66.2 percent to 55.5 percent over a decade. International causes and the environment were exceptions to the trend.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
Gifts to Fidelity Charitable Soar to $6.85 Billion
Contributions to funds held by Fidelity Charitable skyrocketed to $6.85 billion; Vanguard and Schwab also reported strong results. Experts say another big year may lie ahead.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
In Hurricanes’ Wake, Nonprofits Worry About Fundraising Impact
Universities, museums, and other organizations balance sensitivity to local donors with the need to position themselves for post-storm appeals.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Charity Plans to Give Cash to Houstonians to Rebuild
GiveDirectly is going to hand out debit cards with no strings attached to hurricane victims. In other news, a rally in China’s Tencent Holdings adds billions to the philanthropic commitment of internet mogul Pony Ma; Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel peace prize winner, talks about using capitalism for good; Detroit hopes philanthropy could help in its bid to attract Amazon’s new headquarters; and a new app, patterned after Snapchat and Vine, will use video to encourage giving by young people.
Puerto Rican Investor Creates Hurricane Relief Group, and University of Maryland Gets $220 Million
It was a very good week for big gifts, with more than $770 million-worth announced. Other recipients included the University of Maryland ($219.5 million) and the University of Hawaii ($117 million)
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Daily News Roundup: Grass-Roots Anti-Nuclear-Weapons Group Wins Nobel
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, known as ICAN, was honored for its efforts on global nuclear disarmament. In other news, Moody’s is considering a downgrade for University of Louisville because of its basketball scandal; an art museum is being sued for allegedly diverting donor funds; Lin-Manuel Miranda uses music and stars to raise money for Puerto Rico; and other gifts are made for hurricane and shooting victims.
British Filmmaker to Direct African-Art Museum; New CEO at Brookings
Plus new leaders at Panthera, Pantsuit Nation, and Voices for Children, among other personnel moves.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions