Shake Shack IPO Is Charity’s Gain
The company’s early investors realized the potential of the company and decided to give a stake to Share Our Strength, which fights childhood hunger.
By Bill Shore
Contributor
Film on Campus Rape Could Take Philanthropy Activism to a New Level
“The Hunting Ground” should inspire college donors, legislators, and others to get serious about curbing sexual violence.
By Vincent Stehle
Contributor
Navy Spouse Gets 18 Months for Theft From SEAL Charity
The wife of a Navy SEAL was sentenced Monday for embezzling as much as $170,000 from a nonprofit that assists members of the elite unit and their families, The Virginian-Pilot reports.
New House Oversight Chair Eyes NFL’s Nonprofit Status
Rep. Jason Chaffetz called the Super Bowl evidence that the National Football League is a “for-profit venture” and said he intends to call Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify on the league’s tax-exempt status, CNN and UPI report.
Obama Aims to Close Tax Loophole on College-Sports Gifts
The president’s budget plan calls for ending a tax break for donors who give to college athletics programs to secure the best seats at big games, Reuters and Bloomberg report.
Alibaba Puts $129-Million Into Entrepreneurship Nonprofit
The Chinese Internet giant announced the creation of a new nonprofit aimed at helping Hong Kong entrepreneurs build businesses using Alibaba’s platforms, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Verizon Donates $50-Million for Cornell’s NYC Tech Campus
The telecommunications company’s name will adorn a hub building at Cornell University technology campus, now under construction on an East River island, the Ithaca Journal and Forbes write.
Police Pin Pa. Charity Official’s Murder on Theft Suspicion
Philadelphia police have arrested an employee at a youth nonprofit accused of murdering a co-worker who planned to report his alleged misappropriation of tens of thousands of dollars from the charity, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Nationwide’s Super Bowl Debut Fumbles Safety-Awareness Drive
Nationwide joins forces with a nonprofit to prevent accidents but is criticized for its ad’s morbid tone.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Wealthy Donors Fuel Giving Boom for Major-College Sports
Athletic departments at major colleges collected a record $1.26-billion in donations last year, more than double the total a decade ago, The Chronicle of Higher Education writes, citing the Council for Aid to Education’s annual review of college and university giving.
Charities Rethinking Donor’s Ties Amid Sex Scandal
Some past beneficiaries of Jeffrey Epstein’s philanthropy say they would decline future gifts from the financier in the wake of allegations that he trafficked an underage girl for sex with Britain’s Prince Andrew and other prominent figures, according to Reuters.
Big 2014 Losses Spell End for $250-Million N.Y. Nonprofit
The Federation Employment and Guidance Service, one of the country’s largest social-service charities and a major provider of New York City programs for vulnerable populations, said Friday that it is shutting down after losing $19.4-million last year, Crain’s New York Business writes.
In Funding Rethink, Synagogues Test Voluntary Dues Policy
A small but growing number of Jewish congregations are switching from mandatory membership dues to a “pay what you want” system, which marks the first systematic reconsideration of synagogue financing since the dues system gained currency a century ago, writes The New York Times.
‘Dreamy’ Jeff Bridges Super Bowl Ad Seeks Help in Fight Against Hunger
The actor who played iconic slacker movie character “The Dude” will devote the proceeds of his “sleeping tapes” to the No Kid Hungry campaign.
By Drew Lindsay
Senior Editor, Special Projects
College Funds See 2nd Straight Year of Double-Digit Growth
College and university endowments posted an average investment return of 15.5 percent in the 2014 fiscal year, with stock-market gains a key factor, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Bloomberg write.
Wash. State Hits Police Charity and Fundraising Firm on Tactics
A Washington State law-enforcement charity will make changes in its fundraising as part of a deal with state authorities over the group’s use of a commercial telemarketer that pocketed nearly two-thirds of contributions, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.