Foundation Investments Saw Solid Gains in 2016
The 10-year average still falls below 5 percent, raising concerns about grant makers’ ability to meet minimum payout requirements without eating into their endowments.
By Megan O’Neil
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Wider Array of Nonprofits Join Push Against Obamacare Replacement
Nonprofit hospitals and patient-advocacy groups are lobbying wavering Republicans as a vote looms on the Senate health-care measure. Also, charities explore mobile-payments app Venmo as a fundraising tool, and a big-city newspaper teams with GoFundMe to encourage crowdfunding campaigns.
Donor-Advised-Fund Payout Numbers Don’t Add Up
Double counting is common among donor-advised-fund sponsors, and transferring money from one such account to another is considered a donation.
By Alan M. Cantor
Reporter
Daily News Roundup: Knight Foundation Arm Sues Over Trump’s Twitter Blocks
The Knight First Amendment Institute says the president’s account is a “public forum” and he violates the free-speech rights of users he prevents from posting responses. Plus, a Philadelphia public broadcaster’s executive pay arouses ire, and Melinda Gates slams White House policies on family planning.
Daily News Roundup: Annual Warren Buffett Charity Gift Tops $3 Billion
The summertime ritual saw 18.6 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock go to the Gates Foundation and four Buffett-family grant makers. Also, a look at how Priscilla Chan is taking the reins at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and a Texas supermarket mogul makes his second major education gift this year.
Why Charities Shouldn’t Start Ignoring the Ban on Partisan Politicking
The Johnson Amendment, which prohibits explicitly partisan activity by 501(c)(3) groups, remains the law of the land, despite President Trump’s executive order seeking a curb on enforcement.
By Matthew Shell
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Red Ink Prompts March of Dimes to Sell Headquarters
The iconic charity put its national office on the market following years of multimillion-dollar losses. Also, Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy winners talk about the roots of their giving, and conservative philanthropy leaders make a case against impact investing.
Daily News Roundup: Congress Moves to Restrict IRS Oversight of Nonprofit Politicking
Language in House spending bills would bar the agency from using appropriated funds to scrutinize “dark money” 501(c)(4) groups. Also, how a federal investigation of antiquities imports by Hobby Lobby could affect the new Bible museum backed by the store chain’s owners.
Daily News Roundup: Finance Titan’s Charity Sues to Recoup $25 Million Fraud Loss
Hedge-fund billionaire Louis Bacon’s foundation was ensnared in a Ponzi-like scheme orchestrated by a Wall Street peer. Also, Turkish police detain the head of the country’s Amnesty International chapter, and Oscar winners create virtual-reality experiences for charity.
Daily News Roundup: Charities Got $200 Million From Suspect in Massive Malaysia Fraud
Also, Leonard Lauder reaffirms his $1 billion art pledge to the Metropolitan Museum of Art amid the institution’s organizational upheaval, and the head of the Obama Foundation talks about the postpresidential charity’s goals for boosting civic engagement.
Daily News Roundup: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Restructures as Endowment Dwindles
The operator of the historic Virginia site will shed jobs and outsource operations following steep financial losses. Also, Harvard gets set to overhaul its endowment portfolio, and a jury backs the government’s long-running effort to seize a Manhattan skyscraper from an Iran-linked charity.
Daily News Roundup: GuideStar Sued Over ‘Hate Group’ Labels
Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal nonprofit, said it was defamed by the since-removed tags at the charity tracker’s website. Also, two states are looking into Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow’s charity operations, and the Kellogg Foundation commits $24 million to organizations battling racism.
Middling Returns Have Nonprofits Rethinking Investments and Spending, Survey Finds
Low interest rates and sluggish endowment growth have many organizations looking to reallocate their assets or cut back on spending, according to a recent survey.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Trump Lawyer and His Family Got Millions From His Nonprofit
A media report details the financial dealings of Trump defense attorney Jay Sekulow’s Christian charity network. Also, Los Angeles lawmakers approve George Lucas’s plan to build his $1 billion museum in the city, and the internet gets it wrong on Mitch McConnell’s childhood polio treatment.
Daily News Roundup: Supreme Court Rules Church Can Get Government Grant
School-choice advocates said the decision, which concerned a state program to help nonprofits renovate playgrounds, bolsters their call for taxpayer-funded private-school vouchers. Also, Blackbaud makes a big move into crowdfunding, and a charity backed by big tech bucks works to get coding into classrooms.
Fidelity Charitable Account Holders Gave $3.5 Billion in 2016
That’s nearly 13 percent more than was given to charity the year before.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor