Orangutans, the world’s largest tree-dwelling mammals, once roamed from India and South China to Indonesia. Today, the two existing species of orangutans in the wild can be found only on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Already considered critically endangered, both species, which together number…
Pew Trusts to Combine Groups That Focus on Policy Research
In its first major change since converting from a foundation to a charity, the Pew Charitable Trusts has announced that it is combining the seven policy-research groups it supports in Washington into a single organization, called the Pew Research Center. The center, which will open in July and…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Universities Protest Rules Imposed by 2 Foundations
Nine major universities have asked the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations to change the antiterrorism language the funds added this year to their standard grant agreements, saying the additions are unclear and would infringe on their academic freedom. The grant makers, both in New York, added the…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
University Gets $45-Million Pledge; Other Gifts
Five organizations have received large gifts or pledges: The University of South Carolina at Columbia has announced a $45-million pledge from Darla Moore, executive vice president of Rainwater, an investment company in Fort Worth, for endowed professorships, renovations, and scholarships at the…
New program aims to help grant makers stay accountableToronto Foundations must respond to the questionable activities of some grant makers by putting in place and enforcing stronger ethical standards, Dorothy S. Ridings, president of the Council on Foundations, told grant makers and others gathered…
By Michael Anft
Contributor
Photograph by Harvey FinkleImages of noisy drills, big needles, and scary-looking metal tools make many youngsters wary of visiting the dentist. An added impediment for some families is the cost. But at Kids Smiles, a Philadelphia charity that provides dental care for children from low-income…
‘Middle Rich’ Give Away Smaller Share of Income Than Others, Study Finds
Wealthy Americans -- those who earn $200,000 to $10-million a year -- give less generously to charity than both people who are richer and those who are poorer than they are, according to a new report. And, the report says, if those wealthy Americans had donated to charity the same share of their…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Grant Seekers Say They Value Foundation Expertise
Charity officials give the highest marks to foundations that have approachable and responsive staff members, clearly articulated goals, and demonstrated expertise in the causes they support, according to a new report. Less important to nonprofit leaders in gauging their satisfaction with grant…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Rollins College Receives $93-Million; Other Gifts
Four organizations have announced large gifts or pledges: Rollins College, in Winter Park, Fla., has received a $93.3-million bequest from George Cornell, of Delray Beach, Fla., who graduated from the college in 1935 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1981 until his death in April 2003. Two…
Majority of New Yorkers Gave to Charitable Groups in 2003
Nearly 60 percent of New Yorkers gave cash, clothing, or food to charitable organizations last year, a new survey found. Half the donations went to local social-service organizations, followed by educational institutions and hospitals and health causes. The survey, conducted in March by New York…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
Heinz Funds Face Political Pickle
Would a first lady also be able to run a big foundation?The nonprofit world faces an unprecedented prospect this presidential election: What if the country’s ALSO SEE:The Heinz Endowments first lady was also leader of one of the nation’s wealthiest foundations? That could happen if voters elect…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
One springtime ritual for many teenage girls is the search for the perfect prom dress. But for some the pricetags can be prohibitive. To counter that problem, the Vancouver School District Foundation, in Washington, gave local high-school girls the opportunity in March to peruse more than 500…
Founder of eBay Announces New Approach to His Giving
Pierre M. Omidyar, the 36-year-old founder of eBay, the giant online marketplace, has always said he wanted to take an uncoventional approach to giving away the bulk of his fortune, estimated to be worth at least $10-billion. Last month he made that clear by announcing he would fold his foundation…
By Brad Wolverton
Contributor