Will New Tax-Law Policy Help Needy Communities or Luxury Condo Developers?
Foundations and nonprofit leaders are trying to make sure that Opportunity Zone investments go to smart projects that help low-income people, but some experts worry they may not have enough leverage.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Zuckerberg Tried to Revamp Education, but One Conn. Town Wasn’t Happy: Daily News Roundup
Some liked the program, some hated it, and some parents worried their kids’ data was being shared. Plus, the Lilly Endowment is giving $125 million to Indiana community foundations; an atheist nonprofit has sued the IRS, saying that its tax exemption was revoked unfairly; a University of Virginia affiliate that promotes civil dialogue is confronting incidents of sexism and cultural insensitivity within its ranks; and more about ideas and innovation, opinion, cultural groups, and leadership.
Council on Foundations’ New CEO Is Advocate for Giving Nonprofits More Power
Kathleen Enright wants to pursue close relationships with other groups, such as Independent Sector and the Philanthropy Roundtable.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Judge Says Fired Executive Who Sued Gates Foundation Is Entitled to $4.9 Million: Daily News Roundup
The former chief digital officer said he had been terminated after clashing with officials who disagreed with his vision. In other articles, the Illinois governor’s foundation has invested in offshore holdings; an IRS report says the agency needs to be more vigilant in its monitoring of nonprofit political activities; a growing number of big grant makers are using competitions to decide what groups to support; and more about the environment, cultural groups, and ideas and innovation.
Grants Roundup: Lilly Endowment Grants $70 Million for Ministerial Support
Also, Duke University receives $20 million to strengthen the Nicholas School of the Environment, and the Weinberg Foundation gives $12 million to improve accessible design for disabled people at Jewish summer camps.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Gifts Made Through Amazon Smile Supported Islamic Extremist Group: Daily News Roundup
At least two of the nonprofits eligible through the program for contributions from shoppers are linked to a controversial imam. In other articles: Business Insider examines the new Gates Foundation education effort; three senior leaders of an evangelical-funded Israeli charity are stepping down at the same time; a cryptocurrency group gives all of its coin listings to charity; and more about big donors and ideas and innovation.
Attacks on Philanthropists Are Missing the Point
Big donors are often criticized for not giving wisely. Here are some pointers from the Gilded Age in how to do better.
By James S. Mcdonnell Foundation
Contributor
Philanthropy Infrastructure Groups Drew $1.9 Billion in Support, Study Says
Grants to groups like Independent Sector and the Council on Foundations, regional grant-making networks, and research organizations grew 7 percent from 2013 to 2015, to $192 million annually.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Proposed Hospital Merger Could Be One of the Largest: Daily News Roundup
If Memorial Hermann Health System merges with Baylor, Scott & White, it would create the nation’s fifth largest health-care provider. In other articles, a gift from Elon Musk’s foundation will go toward installing ultraviolet water filtration systems to drinking fountains in Flint, Mich., schools; a fired comptroller has filed a lawsuit claiming “illegal” and “fraudulent” financial activity at a Philadelphia museum; and more news. Plus, articles on trouble in the arts.
N.Y. Attorney General Sues Trump Foundation: Daily News Roundup
State lawyers say the foundation was used to benefit Trump personally and politically. In other articles, George Soros has moved his Open Society Foundations from Budapest to Berlin because of Hungary’s “repressive legal and political environment"; Richard Spencer’s white nationalist group has regained nonprofit status; the entire board has resigned from a nonprofit founded by a former candidate for the Oregon House amid claims that money was mishandled; plus more about big gifts and the arts.
Foundations Say They Support Grantees’ Needs Beyond Money; Charities Disagree
Foundations are not as in touch as they think they are with the needs and concerns of the nonprofits they support, according to a new survey from the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
By Julian Wyllie
Contributor
Billionaires’ Generosity Rated by Forbes: Daily News Roundup
For the first time, the Forbes 400 will rank people not just on their wealth but also on how philanthropic they are on a scale of 1 to 5. In other articles, a U.S. nonprofit has allegedly been found to support an online blacklist that targets college students critical of Israel; the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra overspent money and diverted contributions, according to an audit; vulgar texts posted in September have heightened the New York City Ballet’s #MeToo crisis; and more on gifts and the arts.
Wharton School Gets $50 Million Gift: Daily News Roundup
As a result of the contribution, the school has increased the goal for its campaign from $850 million to $1 billion. In other articles, the Gates Foundation is committing $15 million to an effort to map neighborhoods to predict the likelihood that children in different locations can rise from poverty; the James Beard Foundation is changing the rules for its prestigious awards to be more be more inclusive; and more articles about health and nonprofit news organizations.
Grants Roundup: Microsoft Dedicates $40 Million to Humanitarian-Aid Technology
Also, the Wounded Warrior Project commits $29.2 million to Emory Healthcare for its veterans program, and the Citi Foundation gives $2.5 million for social entrepreneurship.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Food Banks Overflow Thanks to Trump Trade Wars: Daily News Roundup
The United States plans to spend $1.2 billion this year to buy U.S-grown food to help farmers deal with new tariffs from overseas, but recipients are having a hard time finding enough trucks and warehouses. In other articles, many nonprofits are sidelining banks to take advantage of exchange-traded funds; a national sexual-assault hotline had the busiest day ever after last week’s Brett Kavanaugh hearing; and more on nonprofit news, big gifts and grants, and opinion, ideas, and innovation.
The Quantum Revolution Rolls On, and Philanthropy Is Falling Behind
This philanthropic indifference to the broader societal impact of developments in quantum is not only shortsighted, it’s baffling. Quantum developments could transform our lives in mind-boggling ways.
By Stephen Del Rosso
Contributor