Lawsuit Over $264-Million Bequest Settled
The Salvation Army and Greenpeace have resolved a dispute over a $264-million bequest from an heir to the UPS fortune. Greenpeace has received $27-million from the estate, the environmental group’s largest gift ever, and the Salvation Army received its $33-million share. The conflict arose after…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Corporate Giving Increased 2.7% Last Year, Study Finds
Corporate foundations gave a record $4.2-billion to charity last year, and the majority expect to donate a larger amount in 2007, says a new report. From 2005 to 2006, philanthropy by corporate foundations rose 2.7 percent after adjusting for inflation, says the report by the Foundation Center, in…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
$100-Million Foundation in Legal Dispute Will Be Split Into Two Funds
A three-year legal battle over a $100-million foundation has ended with two states splitting its assets, and the leader of the foundation, who was accused of squandering millions of dollars meant for charity, left in charge. Charity regulators in Mississippi and Tennessee say they are pleased with…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Innovative Management Aids Organization’s Quest to Lead by Example
When Samuel J. Heyman sought to start a new organization to promote public service, he interviewed former cabinet members and presidential candidates to lead it. But instead he chose Max Stier, who at age 35 had worked in all three branches of federal government, including a clerkship with Justice…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
A Philanthropic Partnership With a Commitment to Public Service
When Samuel J. Heyman told his wife of 36 years that he intended to give away $25-million to form a new ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: The Best and the Brightest nonprofit group aimed at recruiting bright people into government service, her reaction was: It’s “a lot of money.” While the Heymans’ 2001 gift to…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
A Washington group seeks to pass the torch of public service By Nicole LewisWhen Samuel J. Heyman graduated from Harvard Law School in 1963, he could have earned a substantial ALSO SEE: TEXTBOX: About the Partnership for Public Service ARTICLE: A Philanthropic Partnership With a Commitment to…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
Knight Foundation Awards $12-Million for Digital News Projects
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced this month the first winners of an unusual contest to foster blogs and other digital efforts that seek to bring together residents of a city or town in ways that local newspapers historically have done. The foundation awarded $12-million to…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Wealthy Americans Increased Their Giving by 20% Last Year
The wealthiest Americans increased the amount they gave to charity by 20 percent last year, according to a new study of households with assets of at least $1-million. In addition, among households with assets of at least $10-million, donations jumped by an average of 50 percent, says the survey by…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
Technology Magnate Creates Foundation With $75-Million; Other Gifts
Seven institutions have received big gifts: Harvey E. Najim, president of Sirius Computer Solutions, a technology company in San Antonio, has created the Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation, in San Antonio, with a $75-million gift. The new foundation will support education, children’s medical…
Report Warns About Drop in Support for Arts Groups
Giving by corporations to arts groups dropped ALSO SEE: CHARTS: Giving to Arts and Cultural Causes by 65 percent from 2000 to 2005, a sharp indicator of a widespread trend of eroding philanthropic support for arts and cultural organizations, says a new report. And while giving to all charities…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
U. of the Pacific to Receive $100-Million
Robert C. Powell, a real-estate developer in Gold River, Calif., and his wife, Jeannette, an interior designer, announced last week that they plan to leave the University of the Pacific, in Stockton, Calif., a $100-million bequest to establish an endowment. The university won’t receive any of the…
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Nearly 70% of Foundations Give Charities Operating Aid
While charities often complain that foundations do not provide enough grants for their rent, staff salaries, and other operating expenses, a vast majority of philanthropies say they are willing to pay for such costs, a new study has found. In a survey of 710 foundations nationwide, 69 percent of…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Foundations Urged to Collaborate and Find New Ways to Solve Problems
Foundations must collaborate to find ALSO SEE:AUDIO: Listen to an interview with Steve Gunderson, president of the Council on Foundations. (Photo by Dennis Brack/Black Star)AUDIO: Listen to an interview with Mark Warner, former governor of Virginia, on the role of philanthropy and government. new…
By SUZANNE PERRY
Contributor
Grants to Combat Methamphetamine Use: a Sampling
Alcoa Foundation (Pittsburgh): To study the effects ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: Combating a Menacing DrugARTICLE: Drug-Prevention Groups Warn of Meth’s Spread Across AmericaARTICLE: Technology Mogul’s $17-Million Gift to Fight Meth Attracts ControversyARTICLE: In Minnesota and Hawaii, Community Funds Take…
By MARTY MICHAELS
Contributor