‘Fortune’: Bill Gates and His Charitable Giving
Microsoft founder Bill Gates faces a daunting challenge in deciding how to give away his wealth, according to a story in Fortune magazine (March 15). His two foundations, the William H. Gates and the Gates Learning Foundations, are “so large that they will have to give away some $325-million a year…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
‘Worth’: a Ranking of 100 Biggest Donors
George Soros tops Worth magazine’s latest ranking of the nation’s 100 most generous philanthropists (April). The magazine bases its ranking on the amount that donors have given throughout their lifetimes. Mr. Soros, the international financier, has contributed more than $2-billion to charity, the…
On-Line Advice Available for Charities That Help Kids
Charity officials who work with children can get free, on-line help on a range of topics -- such as evaluating their programs, raising money, and training employees -- through a new Web site. The site, which is illustrated with crayon drawings by children, is run by the National Youth Development…
By Jennifer Moore
Contributor
Accounting Software Reviewed in New Guide
Charities that want to purchase accounting software can take advantage of a new guide that evaluates 26 different accounting programs used by non-profit groups. The Nonprofit Financial Center, a Chicago group that works to promote sound financial practices among charities, has published the guide…
By Holly Hall
Contributor
Technology and Public Policy Discussed on New List
A new e-mail discussion list focuses on how non-profit organizations can use technology for public-policy activities. The Nonprofits’ Policy & Technology Project, which is run by OMB Watch, a Washington non-profit group, created NPTalk as a forum to discuss how communications technology can be used…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Charities Offered Free Help With Commercial Sites
Non-profit organizations can sign up to add “shopping malls” to their Web sites through Shop2Give, a company that allows on-line shoppers to designate a portion of their purchases to charity. Since December, shoppers at the Shop2Give Web site -- which includes more than 30 on-line retailers, such…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
The following awards have been presented for work in philanthropy, fund raising, volunteerism, and non-profit management: AIDS. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (Santa Monica, Cal.) has presented its 1999 Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Awards, which support research on pediatric AIDS and…
Meetings Scheduled on Hurricane Relief
The U.S. Department of State plans to make charity efforts to help Central America recover from Hurricane Mitch a key discussion item in town meetings being held nationwide this year. State Department officials said that thus far, they are working with four non-profit organizations that deal with…
New Institute to Promote Service
A new institute designed to cultivate an interest in philanthropy and volunteerism among college undergraduates is being established at the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy. The Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service will offer academic courses, internships at non-profit…
Baptist Group’s Leader Steps Down
The Rev. Henry J. Lyons resigned last week as president of the National Baptist Convention USA, following his conviction this month on theft and racketeering charges in a Florida state court. Mr. Lyons’s five-year term as head of one of the nation’s largest black churches was scheduled to expire in…
Investment Plan Nets Fraud Charges for Florida Church
Federal officials have arrested the leaders of a Florida church, charging that the group’s money-doubling investment plan is a fraud, and that the church did not fulfill its promise to spend millions of dollars on charity. The seven leaders of Greater Ministries International, in Tampa, face a…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Some large accounting firms are selling stock plans to charities Charities have long used car allowances, country-club dues, and other corporate-style perks to attract and retain top executives. But one compensation technique -- the stock-option plan -- has remained out of place in the charity…
By Thomas J. Billitteri
Contributor
Following are summaries of recent reports by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Philanthropic Advisory Service and the National Charities Information Bureau. Those two private organizations report on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and…
Agnes Scott College (Atlanta): Appointed Lewis Evitts Thayne, director of individual gifts at Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, Mass.), to be vice-president for institutional advancement. American Theological Library Association (Evanston, Ill.): Appointed Pradeep M. Gamadia, administrator of…
* U.S. Sen. Michael B. Enzi, a Wyoming Republican, has introduced a bill that would give taxpayers more time to obtain receipts for certain charitable contributions. Under a federal law that took effect in 1994, donors must obtain receipts from charities for gifts of $250 or more by the date they…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Charity Loses Exemption Over Political Activity
The I.R.S. has ruled that a charity should lose its tax-exempt status for its improper involvement in politics and because it had served the “private interest” of its president. The organization, which was not identified by the I.R.S., routinely distributed information on public-policy issues and…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor