Daily News Roundup: U. of Michigan Donor’s Family Reaps Benefits From University Investments
An alumnus helped support a trip to Paris for the football team after the university had invested $100 million in his son’s private-equity funds. In other articles, an assistant to a pastor of an iconic evangelical church outside Chicago says he sexually harassed her; a religious group is facing protests and lawsuits over its work with migrants and foster children; and much more.
Daily News Roundup: DAF Loophole Lets Billionaires Slash Taxes
People who give to donor-advised funds are rewarded for good intensions, but critics see opportunities for abuse. Another article on DAFs says cryptocurrency may account for a surge in assets at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Plus, read about a shelter worker who has been charged with molesting eight migrant children; a hedge-fund billionaire who is spending big on veterans but drawing criticism; and other articles on big gifts, corporate philanthropy, and more.
Daily News Roundup: Nonprofits Hope Rebooted Silicon Valley Fund Will Focus on Local Needs
As the Silicon Valley Community Foundation searches for new leaders after a harassment scandal, nonprofits urge a local focus on poverty, health, transportation, and the environment. In other articles, Ted Cruz has introduced a bill to repeal part of the GOP tax plan that affected nonprofits; an opera director steps down amid harassment allegations; and more articles about social innovation, fundraising, giving, and the arts.
March for Our Lives Movement Sparks Broader Foundation Response to Gun Violence
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students are traveling the country registering young people to vote, supported in part by grant makers that are also backing gun research, youth organizing, and other efforts aimed at reducing gun violence.
By Ariella Phillips
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Amid Rumors of Sex Abuse, Cardinal McCarrick Was Prolific Fundraiser
He raised millions to relieve poverty and support immigration. In other articles, a Chicago shelter accused of mistreating migrant children, said an internal investigation found no such evidence; Clinton group deal has slashed the price of an HIV test considered the gold standard, giving aid groups hope; a school district in the Houston area has accepted donations of guns, ammunition, and weapons for its security staff; plus more news and features.
A Fourth of Young Foundation Employees Think Their Group’s Work Is Irrelevant
Some of the millennial grant makers said their employers were out of touch with the needs of the people they were trying to serve and not welcoming to young professionals, according to a new survey by Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Grants Roundup: $5 Million Gift Will Build Baseball Fields
Also, Emory University receives $13 million for stem-cell research; the University of Minnesota’s capital campaign nets $10 million, and Walmart spends $2 million to diversify the intern work force on Capitol Hill.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Daily News Roundup: Trump Administration May Bypass Congress to Grant Big Tax Cut for the Rich
The Treasury Department is looking into whether to use regulatory powers to let taxpayers adjust the initial value of an asset based on inflation. In other articles, a charity with a troubling track record has become the largest provider of foster homes for unaccompanied minors; a report by the British parliament says the aid sector is guilty of “complacency verging on complicity” in the sex-abuse scandal; and much more about where tech titans are giving, other big philanthropy, and news.
Grants Can Create Dysfunction at Charities. Here’s a Solution.
Donors who listen, ask good questions, and get out of their offices to learn what nonprofits need will be more effective than those who just impose their own ideas of what matters.
By HAL HARVEY
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Catholic Cardinal Resigns Amid Sex-Abuse Allegations
Pope Francis has effectively taken away Theodore McCarrick’s title even before church officials have investigated the accusations. In other articles, Cleveland Orchestra concertmaster William Preucil has been suspended amid sexual-misconduct allegations; last year’s tax-cut law included an act that allows rich investors and businesses to erase their tax obligations by pouring big sums into poor communities; plus other articles on donor-advised funds, conductor salaries, and much more.
Daily News Roundup: Sexual Harassment Is Rife Among Classical Musicians
More than 50 artists share their ordeals with harassment and assault at all levels of the profession — occurring in dressing rooms, during one-on-one lessons, and even in the wings during performances. In other articles, Catholic hospitals are shaping health care in rural America; an HIV program Trump aims to cut wins high praise from researchers and health officials; and more articles about giving and other news.
Daily News Roundup: Silicon Valley Nonprofits Are Having to Learn New Ways to Attract Local Donors
Charities are finding ways to be “incubators” and “disrupters,” not just provide services, to get the attention of the millionaires and billionaires in the tech industry. In other articles, some of the big stories about EPA chief Scott Pruit’s alleged misconduct came to light because of a Freedom of Information Act request from the Sierra Club; more corporate CEOs are taking stands on social issues; and other articles about the IRS’s donor-disclosure decision and about big giving.
Daily News Roundup: Koch Foundation Will Post College Gift Agreements Online
Amidst of a controversy over a George Mason University gift arrangement that allowed the grant maker possible influence over faculty hiring, the foundation says it will make all future multiyear agreements available online. In other articles, the Montana governor has filed suit against the Trump administration to keep it from allowing some nonprofits to refrain from disclosing big donors; and Raices will spend $3 million on flights and housing for migrant families. Plus, more news and opinion.
Grants Roundup: Tesla Promises $37.5 Million to STEM Programs in Nevada
Also, an arts fund created by the playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda has made its first grants in Puerto Rico.
By M.J. Prest
Senior Editor, Solutions
Daily News Roundup: How a Group Working for Migrants Is Using a $30M Windfall
Raices is making plans for the $21 million raised on Facebook and the millions more that are still flowing in. In other articles, a New York nonprofit that takes care of immigrant children has tripled its revenue; lawyer Jay Sekulow is using the Trump administration’s actions to raise money for his own group; the University of Wisconsin at Oshkoch Foundation has filed an $18.5 million claim against the UW system; and other articles about foundations and big gifts and museums and more.
When Salaries Are Bigger Than Grants
Our look at 20,000 foundations identified 49 at which the compensation paid to staff and board members accounted for more than half of the foundations’ charitable grant making.
By Peter Olsen-Phillips and Megan O’Neil