Clinton Foundation Battles Charity Navigator on Designation
The foundation has waged a behind-the-scenes campaign to persuade the nonprofit watchdog to remove the embattled foundation from its “watch list,” so far to no avail, according to New York magazine.
Hillary Clinton Win in 2016 Could Cloud Foundation’s Future
A Hillary Clinton victory in next year’s presidential election would put the Clinton Foundation on an uncertain path, throwing up myriad ethical and operational questions about its leadership and fundraising, writes the Associated Press.
Watchdogs Raise Red Flags Over New Charity’s Obama Ties
Transparency advocates and government watchdogs are raising concerns about the tens of millions of corporate dollars flowing to a new nonprofit closely aligned with President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative to improve the lives of young minority males, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Drugmaker Puts $20 Million Into AIDS Cure Partnership with UNC
The British pharmaceutial giant and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are teaming up to establish a research institute and a company that will work to develop and market a cure for HIV/AIDS, The New York Times reports.
Firestorm Erupts Over Shift of New Orleans Library Funds
The New Orleans Public Library Foundation gave more than $860,000 for the development of a new venue for a music nonprofit led by a foundation board member, The Daily Beast writes, citing a report by TV station WWL.
Cincinnati Symphony to Add Players After Topping Gift Goal
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which contemplated a drastic downsizing six years ago after nearly running out of cash, now plans to expand on the back of a successful capital campaign and a new contract with musicians, The Cincinnati Enquirer and The New York Times write.
Ex-Head of Maine Nonprofit to Plead Guilty in $4.6-Million Theft
Former United Mid-Coast Charities leader Russell “Rusty” Brace, who agreed last month to repay the group $4.6 million to settle a civil lawsuit, will plead guilty in late May to federal fraud charges arising from the theft of donation checks, according to the Bangor Daily News.
Fla. Grants Millions to Charity Led by Lobbyist’s Daughter
Lauren’s Kids, a child-abuse nonprofit founded by the daughter of one of Florida’s most prominent lobbyists, has received nearly $7 million in legislative appropriations in the last four years, far more than other children’s charities, according to investigative news site Florida Bulldog.
Ill. Charities Ramp Up Fundraising as State Budget Cuts Loom
With Illinois officials slashing nonprofit funding as they tackle a $1.6 billion state budget deficit, social-service groups are stepping up efforts to build up donations while simultaneously warning that philanthropy cannot make up for reduced government support, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Clinton-Linked Canadian Charity Takes Step to ID Donors
The Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership-Canada, which has become central to the controversy over the Clinton Foundation’s transparency and ties to foreign contributors, says it will seek permission from top donors to name them publicly, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Boston Professor in Spotlight for Criticism of Foundations
Online magazine Ozy profiles Ray Madoff, the Boston College law professor who has become a controversial figure in the philanthropic world with her views on charitable foundations and donor-advised funds.
D.C. Charter-School Founder to Pay $3 Million to Settle Suit
Kent Amos, who led one of Washington, D.C.'s oldest and largest charter-school groups, and a management company he heads have agreed to the payment to settle a lawsuit brought by the city alleging diversion of public funds for private gain, according to The Washington Post.
Former Nonprofit Head Gets 3 Years for $4 Million Fraud
Brian J. Brown was sentenced Monday to a little more than three years in prison for a scheme prosecutors said steered millions of dollars intended for scholarships for poor Native American students into his pocket, The Oregonian reports.
Bankrupt N.Y. Charity’s Ex-CEO Seeking $1.2 Million Payout
Gail Magaliff, the former chief executive of FEGS Health and Human Services, is seeking deferred compensation as part of the bankruptcy proceeding the shuttering New York City nonprofit launched a few months after her departure, The New York Times writes.
Muscular Dystrophy Association Drops Storied Telethon
Citing "the new realities of television viewing and philanthropic giving,” the charity announced Friday that it is ending its tradition of televised fundraising epitomized by the iconic annual Labor Day telethon long hosted by Jerry Lewis, USA Today and the Associated Press report.
It hurts everyone when foundations dole out strict one-year grants hoping to wean nonprofits off their support.