Foundations Gear Up to Influence 2018 Elections
Private and community foundations are seeking ways to get out the vote and influence state-level campaigns, said numerous speakers at a Council on Foundations meeting that attracted 200 grant-making officials.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Bloomberg Aims to Speed Up the Demise of Coal Mining
In other news, the head of American Atheists has been suspended after a complaint that prompted an investigation; Texas A&M has raised $3 billion of its $4 billion campaign goal; the Rockefeller art collection could top $1 billion at auction; the Smithsonian Institution has will work with the Victoria and Albert Museum on a joint gallery and exhibition space in London; and much more, including articles on charities and politics.
Daily News Roundup: Schwarzman Had Long List of Demands in Exchange for $25 Million Gift
Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman wanted a portrait of himself, his brothers’ names on display, curriculum changes, and approval over the building design of the high school that was to receive his gift. In other articles, the MacArthur Foundation is giving more than $24 million to Chicago-are arts groups; a Florida hospital is getting a $25 million contribution; Ken Griffin is donating $10 million to Chicago police to fight gun violence; and much more on the arts and news and opinion.
The MasterCard Foundation severed relations with Michigan State, saying it was “dedicated to providing a safe environment for young people who participate in our programs.” In other news, Save the Children faces a formal investigation after complaints about employee behavior and the departure of senior staff members; the biggest Black Lives Matter Facebook page is fake but raised $100,000; and other articles on gun violence and the arts and the Stephen Schwarzman gift and more.
Daily News Roundup: Mueller Investigating Ukrainian Payment to Trump Foundation
The special counsel is investigating a payment a steel magnate made in 2015 for a video appearance by Mr. Trump for a conference in Kiev. In other news, the Walton Family Foundation is leading an effort to add $300 million to loan funds to buy or build charter schools; Vanderbilt gets a $20 million gift; Stetson University gets $18 million; the NRA may have accepted more gifts from Russian donors than it first said; and more, including measuring the impact of ideas and articles on the arts.
Facebook Gives Scholars Access to Data to Study Its Role in Elections
The Hewlett, Arnold, Koch, and Sloan foundations and the Omidyar Network are among grant makers who brokered the deal to advance independent research on the social network, which faces a grilling in Congress this week over its sharing of user data with political groups.
By Alex Daniels
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: $42 Million Grant Aims to Protect River
In other articles, some colleges are dropping TIAA because of fee hikes; the leader of the Anti-Defamation League is using business, marketing, and tech acumen to reshape the century-old nonprofit; a startup aims to match nonprofits with freelancers. Plus, other articles about must-read books and museum news and a young trailblazer and more.
Daily News Roundup: $18 Million Gift to Create a Heart Center
In other news, a University of Washington institute has won $11.3 million from the Open Philanthropy Project to work on a universal flu vaccine; the L.A. Clippers Foundation is giving $10 million to renovate basketball courts in Los Angeles city parks; the National Parks Conservation Association is suing Ryan Zinke and agencies he oversees over a water pipeline in California near a national monument; Drue Heinz, a literary-arts philanthropist has died; and more.
Daily News Roundup: Companies Use Charitible Giving as ‘Tax-Exempt Influence Seeking,’ Says Study
A group of economists published an analysis of corporate philanthropy that paints a picture of giving that is more like lobbying. In other articles, the head of the Smithsonian Institution announced an effort to showcase achievements by women but stopped short of supporting a new museum; Detroit has built up a team of grant seekers that has helped attract tens of millions in grants and loans; and Fast Company looks at five ways nonprofits can solve their thorniest problems.
Daily News Roundup: Unanswered Questions About Sex Abuse at Global Aid Groups
Bad behavior among aid workers tends to be covered up or overlooked for the sake of the group’s image. In other articles, donors can now tell Alexa to send money to charity; the Minneapolis Foundation racks up $100 million as its donor-advised funds gain in popularity. Plus more, including how Melinda Gates is working to promote equality for women; a look at what artificial intelligence can do for nonprofits; and an interview with Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards.
Daily News Roundup: #MeToo Can Put Charities in a Tough Spot When It Taints Benefactors
Philanthropic efforts have suffered when powerful men they have relied on are brought down by allegations of sexual misconduct. In other articles, a drug distributor has pledged $100 million to start a foundation to fight the opioid epidemic; a look at why big donors give cash to business schools; the Kendeda Fund is giving $5.3 million to 10 public radio stations for reporting on gun violence; and more news, including the Schwarzman naming gift and a fight over a museum’s expansion.
Daily News Roundup: NRA Finances Look Shaky Over the Long Term
In other news, the CEO of InterAction is promising steps to avoid sexual misconduct; a plan to rename a high school after billion donor Stephen Schwarzman raises hackles; and more about the arts and giving and other news.
Daily News Roundup: Planned Parenthood Gets $9 Million for New Tex. Clinics
The money came from an unnamed donor for two new clinics in the western part of the state. In other news, the Department of Education has converted grants to student loans for thousands of teachers in low-income areas; after the Parkland shooting, gifts to the National Rifle Association tripled; an ex-congressman has been accused of spending $450,000 in charitable gifts for personal use; a controversial Wellesley program backed by the Charles Koch Foundation is being overhauled; and much more.
Daily News Roundup: Giving Drops $10 Million to Twin Cities United Way
The decline in workplace giving is to blame. In other articles, John and Laura Arnold are pouring money into efforts to lower or rethink drug prices; the University of Oklahoma’s next president will be a former oil executive and big donor; many activists suffer privately; “March for Our Lives” cost $5 million, leaving several million dollars left for advocacy; and much more about the arts and other news.
Daily News Roundup: Nonprofits Provided Key Resources for Gun-Control March
Groups like Gabrielle Giffords’s nonprofit provided important support. In other news, a veterans nonprofit will close under a settlement with the New York attorney general for soliciting allegedly sham charities; eight weeks after the departure of CEO Wayne Pacelle, the Humane Society’s sexual-harassment scandal still causes headaches; PBS has filed a countersuit against former talk-show host Tavis Smiley, describing over a dozen complaints of sexual harassment; and much more.
Daily News Roundup: Tax Law Could Hurt College Giving
It could dampen the incentive for alumni to give. Other articles include an examination of how donors decide whom to trust with their gifts. Also, the Supreme Court is being asked to examine a case involving the practice of giving charities and others unaffiliated with a legal case money left over from class-action settlements; student marchers have vowed to make gun laws an issue in the next election; and other articles on giving, the #MeToo movement, and more.