Greenpeace India Says It Faces Government Shutdown Order
The environmental-activist group, under fire for months by India’s government over its use of foreign donations, said Friday it has been ordered to dissolve within a month, reports The New York Times.
Scientists Get Star Treatment as Breakthrough Prizes Awarded
Seven scientists and research teams received $3 million each to pursue groundbreaking work as the Breakthrough Prizes, funded by some of the world’s wealthiest tech moguls, were presented Sunday at a red-carpet gala in Silicon Valley, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times report.
Ford Foundation Spells Out Cuts to Make Way for Its Shift in Focus to Inequality
President Darren Walker says LGBT rights in the United States, direct cash transfers in Latin America, and microfinance will be among the areas where the foundation will pull back.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Suited for Change and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy Get New Leaders
Other personnel changes include a new CEO at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and a new executive director at Peter C. Alderman foundations.
By ANAIS STRICKLAND
Contributor
Nonprofit Crowdfunding Site Watsi Takes Cues From Silicon Valley
Watsi, a crowdfunding platform that allows donors to support people with medical expenses in the developing world, raised $3.5 million in start-up funding from foundations and philanthropists and has recruited some big-name engineers from groups like NASA and Microsoft, according to an article in Entrepreneur magazine. In 2013, Watsi became the first nonprofit accepted by the Bay Area start-up accelerator Y Combinator.
Obituary: Robert DeVecchi, Former Leader of International Rescue Committee
Under Robert DeVecchi’s leadership as director, president, and chief executive, the group established emergency relief programs in nearly 30 countries including Bosnia, Rwanda, and Afghanistan, and resettled more than 200,000 refugees in the United States, The New York Times reports. In addition, he oversaw the creation of a special commission for women and children refugees.
Helmsley Charitable Trust Gets New CEO With Business Experience
Stephanie Cuskley previously served as chief executive of NPower, which provides technology assistance to charities. She also has worked for investment banks including Drexel Burnham Lambert and JPMorgan Chase.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Big Influx of Replacement Credit Cards May Hurt Recurring Donations
A large number of credit cards are being re-issued this fall to update the technology, and many will have new expiration dates. Charities and others are urged to use new devices to read the cards.
By Rebecca Koenig
Contributor
10 Questions a Board Should Ask Before Hiring a New Leader
Two recruiting consultants provide key questions a board should answer before starting a search for a new executive director or president.
By Marcia Ballinger
Contributor
Clinton Foundation Affiliate Agrees to Refile Tax Forms
After saying it would not refile tax returns to correct errors in its reporting of funding from governments, the Clinton Health Access Initiative reversed course Wednesday and said it would submit amended documents to the IRS, Politico report.
Venture-Capital-Backed Start-Ups Factor Altruism Into Next Steps
For-profit university operator Laureate Education is seeking to become a public-benefit corporation in conjunction with its stock offering, becoming the latest in a line of high-profile start-ups embracing structures that allow them to pursue social and environmental goals as well as shareholder returns, reports The New York Times.
Google.org Grants Back Grassroots Racial-Justice Groups
Google’s charity arm has awarded $2.35 million in grants to Bay Area community organizations tackling systemic discrimination in education and law enforcement. This is the Silicon Valley giant’s first foray into the burgeoning racial-justice movement, reports USA Today.
High Pay at L.A. County Fair Nonprofit Prompts Audit Call
Los Angeles County officials are calling for investigations of the finances and tax status of the nonprofit that runs the annual county fair amid reports that it lost millions of dollars while paying top executives in the high six figures, the Los Angeles Times report.
Blindness Charity Unravels Enigma Behind $125 Million Gift
A San Francisco charity for the vision-impaired will be transformed by a $125 million bequest it received last year from a businessman who was a complete stranger to the organization, Bay Area public radio station KQED reports.
Following Sale, National Geographic to Shed 9% of Staff
The nonprofit National Geographic Society will lay off about 180 of its 2,000 employees, cutting costs in the wake of the sale of its venerable magazine and other assets to Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, reports The Washington Post.
Researchers Question Success of Utah Social-Impact Bond
A Utah preschool program funded by investment bank Goldman Sachs that was touted last month as the first “social-impact bond” to yield returns for an investor may have significantly overstated the results on which the payout is based, according to The New York Times.