Nonprofit Founder Made Millions Housing Migrant Children; Daily News Roundup
The founder of Southwest Key Programs may also have engaged in self-dealing with top executives. Plus, the National Rifle Association has awarded millions of dollars in contracts to people with close ties to the group; critics are noting that the American system that allows some wealthy philanthropists to build fortunes contributes to the social ills their gifts are attempting to alleviate; companies that use the “buy one, give one” strategy are now key to some entrepreneurs; and more.
House Republicans Want to Rescind New Tax on Nonprofits: Daily News Roundup
An amendment has been introduced that would kill a new tax on certain fringe benefits that churches, colleges, and other nonprofits provide for employees. Plus, Bloomberg Philanthropies plans to give $50 million to fight the opioid epidemic; Sheryl Sandberg reportedly asked Facebook’s communications staff to do research on George Soros’s financial interests after his criticisms of tech companies; and more news and articles on big donors, ideas, and powerful women in philanthropy.
San Francisco Official Wants Zuckerberg Name Removed From Public Hospital: Daily News Roundup
The request was made in light of the controversy over Facebook’s handling of user data and its use of opposition research. Plus, Patagonia gave $10 million it got from GOP tax cuts to environmental groups; the NRA’s income dropped by $55 million last year; a new nonprofit, started by critics of the Trump administration’s policies on student loans, will work with state and local lawmakers to protect student borrowers; the Berkshire Museum got $53 million from the sale of 40 artworks; and more.
Nonprofit Investment Returns Average Only 6.7%: Daily News Roundup
A 2009-16 study shows that they underperform even U.S Treasurys. Plus, charities are anxiously anticipating a drop in year-end giving because of the new tax law; a musician has announced a new foundation for prison overhaul; the president of Dillard University is chiding philanthropists for giving less to historically black colleges and universities; Mary’s Place, one of Jeff Bezos’s favorite charities, is launching a campaign to raise $2 million for a new shelter; and much more.
Soros Foundation Closes in Turkey: Daily News Roundup
Days before the shutdown, President Tayyip Erdogan said George Soros “assigns people to divide nations and shatter them.” Plus, Chef Jose Andres has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize; the Trump Foundation made no donations last year; the Trump Organization gave more than $500,000 to the Trump Foundation in 2017, according to a tax return; an effort to encourage people to include charities in their estate planning aims to raise $1 trillion; plus, articles about Giving Tuesday and more.
Lawsuit Against Trump and His Nonprofit Allowed to Proceed: Daily News Roundup
A judge in New York State denied President Trump’s lawyers’ request to dismiss a suit against the Trump Foundation brought by the state attorney general. In other articles, after Facebook admitted using a controversial public-relations firm to research George Soros, his philanthropy says lawmakers should scrutinize the social-media site more closely; Phil Knight gave $109 million to his foundation; Jeff Bezos donated $97.5 million to groups that aid the homeless; and much more.
Trump Foundation, Soros and Facebook, Whitaker and DAFs: Daily News Roundup
The N.Y. attorney general filed the lawsuit in June accusing Trump and three of his children of misusing the grant maker to advance his presidential campaign. In other articles, Nike’s Phil Knight gave $109 million to his foundation; Jeff Bezos gave $97.5 million to help the homeless; House Republicans plan to hear testimony on whether the Clinton Foundation engaged in improper activities; a nonprofit with obscure origins and source of funds gave Matthew Whitaker $1.2 million. Plus much more.
Ford Foundation’s 2-Year, $205 Million Headquarters Makeover Is Complete: Daily News Roundup
The building has a soaring atrium and a saw-tooth skylight but also a smaller footprint with room for other foundations, plus a public art gallery and a touch-and-feel garden for the blind. Plus, the Trump administration’s Opportunity Zones could be a boon to distressed areas; Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion gift to Johns Hopkins has prompted a variety of responses; Rhode Island prisons are working to get opioid treatment for inmates; and more about innovation and cultural groups.
Foundation Leaders Call for Protecting the Special-Counsel Investigation
An unusual letter, backed by the heads of more than 40 foundations and charities, expressed concerns about the appointment of the Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, saying President Trump is not above the law.
By Julian Wyllie
Contributor
Trump Administration Urged 4H Youth Group to Drop LGBT Policy: Daily News Roundup
The move helped lead to the CEO’s firing. Plus, housing units for homeless people provided by a New York City nonprofit are unsafe for children, according to a city review, and the group fails to see that residents get social services; a foundation CEO gets about $40,000 a year for working there two hours a week, according to a foundation report; giving circles account for a small fraction of charitable giving, but they’ve been on the rise; and much more.
Michael Bloomberg Commits $1.8 Billion to Johns Hopkins: Updated News Roundup
Updated: The record-breaking gift will go to the Johns Hopkins University for financial aid so any student, regardless of family income, can attend the institution. Plus: AbbVie will give $55 million to groups that help low-income students succeed in school. Plus, the IRS says gift and estate tax limits will be higher in 2019; three people are under arrest for a GoFundMe campaign based on a fabricated story, which raised $400,000; a company launched by Bono’s daughter has created a tool to make donating and social activism simpler; Tennessee’s education commissioner will become head of a national education charity; and more news and articles.
Soros Says Facebook Campaign Was ‘Reprehensible’: Daily News Roundup
The president of Soros’s Open Society Foundations said he was “shocked to learn" that the social-media site had allegedly promoted a Soros conspiracy to discredit is critics. Plus, a former Google executive has started a nonprofit to fight sexism in the tech industry; the Baltimore Symphony has suspended its concertmaster, who was accused of inappropriate behavior; Brandeis gets $10 million to help Japanese students; and more about ideas and opinion.
Philanthropy Puts a ‘Chokehold’ on Innovation, Says Nonprofit Veteran
Robert Egger, a nationally known nonprofit founder, says he’s quitting his own work to help a new generation of leaders battle problems that hobble the ability of organizations to make a difference, including lack of political power and close-minded thinking of grant makers.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
$200 Million Gift Goes to Mayo Clinic for Medical Education: Daily News Roundup
Among other things, the money will fund scholarships and educational programs for artificial intelligence and other new technologies. Plus, after San Francisco voters passed a new tax on big businesses to fight homelessness, Airbnb is giving $5 million to the cause; the CEO of Citadel is giving $10 million to open Success Academy middle schools in Brooklyn and Queens; Forbes magazine releases a list of 30 social entrepreneurs under age 30. See read more on ideas, opinion, and innovation.
Fostering Civic Engagement Can Help Close Nation’s Divides, Say Nonprofit Officials
Local communities suffer less from division than the nation as a whole, providing an avenue for unifying people, said a panel of philanthropic leaders at the National Press Club.
By Timothy Sandoval
Contributor
Money From Sale of Seattle Seahawks Will Go to Paul Allen Foundation: Daily News Roundup
No sale is imminent, but a report says that potential buyers are preparing to bid on the team and the sale “could set a record.” In other articles, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has given $200 million to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; contributions to the Clinton Foundation have dropped for the third year in a row; the Washington Post looks at how the Southern Poverty Law Center defines hate; and more news and articles about big donors and gifts as well as ideas and innovation.