When Charities Act as a Shill for Corporate Interests, the Public Good Suffers
A case study in Washington shows a distressing subservience to a major benefactor instead of concern for consumers.
By MARK ROSENMAN
Contributor
Etsy IPO Demonstrates Growing Strength of B-Corps Movement
With its public offering last week, online arts and crafts marketplace Etsy became the best known B Corporation to trade shares, signaling the momentum of the business classification that allows firms to pursue social as well as financial goals, writes The New York Times.
Book Links Clinton Foundation Gifts to Russian Uranium Deal
The State Department under Hillary Clinton’s watch signed off on Russia’s acquisition of a major uranium producer whose leader donated more than $2 million to the Clinton Foundation, a tie disclosed in a new book on the Clinton family’s financial dealings, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal report.
Carnegie Corporation Makes a $6 Million Statement of Faith in the Humanities
The philanthropic organization announces the first 32 recipients of its new fellowships for scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
By Casey Fabris
Contributor
Silicon Valley Companies Give Tech Devices and Training to the Poor
Companies like Google and Twitter are providing smartphones and other resources to homeless and low-income people as a way to fight inequality, The New York Times reports.
Walton Family to Boost Giving Via Sale of Walmart Stock
The family behind Walmart is putting 6 percent of its shares in the retail behemoth into a newly formed trust for possible sale, in part to finance greater philanthropic activity, Reuters reports.
Moroccan Firm Largely Funding Clinton Foundation Meeting
The Clinton Foundation, which has drawn fire for taking big donations from foreign interests as Hillary Clinton may be gearing up to run for president, is set to receive at least $1 million from a company with links to the Moroccan government for a conference in Marrakech next month, according to Politico.
Broad Institute Effort Links Researchers to Budding Donors
The biomedical research center has launched BroadIgnite, an incubator for early-stage research that connects up-and-coming scientists pursuing relatively low-cost projects with well-paid young professionals taking their first steps into philanthropy, writes The Boston Globe.
Opinion: Big Giving Muffles Criticism of Income Inequality
University of California professor and former U.S. labor secretary Robert Reich asserts in a Huffington Post that Wall Street and corporate interests are using philanthropy to “buy off” institutions and organizations from highlighting the country’s economic divide.
Conservative Nonprofit ALEC Mulls Suits Over Climate Claims
The American Legislative Exchange Council, a Republican-dominated association of state lawmakers, has sent letters threatening legal action against activist groups that accuse the council of climate-change denial, The Washington Post reports.
Comcast Beneficiaries Line Up to Back Big Cable Merger
Scores of charities and policy institutes that have received money from Comcast have taken stands in favor of the company’s proposed takeover of fellow cable giant Time Warner, The New York Times writes.
Jeb Bush Ally Forms Policy Nonprofit Ahead of Likely Run
A close friend and political ally of the former Florida governor has established a nonprofit group The Washington Post says could be closely linked to, and raise unlimited donations for, Mr. Bush’s anticipated presidential campaign.
After Steve Jobs, Apple Steps Up Giving
Under Tim Cook, America’s most profitable company has put philanthropy on its agenda.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Apple CEO Tim Cook to Donate Fortune to Charity
In a sharp break from the philosophy of his late predecessor, Steve Jobs, Mr. Cook plans to give away almost all of his nearly $800 million fortune before he dies, The Guardian and CNET write, citing an interview the Apple CEO gave to Fortune.
L.A. Museum in Deal With Hyundai to Spotlight Korean Art
The 10-year sponsorship agreement with the automaker, which the Los Angeles County Museum of Art director termed “unprecedented” for the institution, will drive exhibitions focused on Korean art and support the museum’s art and technology program, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Corporate Voluntarism Not Always a Boon for Nonprofits
Large-scale corporate service projects can be more of a burden than a blessing for recipient charities, The Boston Globe writes in an article detailing the pitfalls for nonprofits attempting to accommodate well-meaning businesses and hordes of volunteers.