The Best Research Available for Fundraisers: A Roundup
The Chronicle regularly finds and demystifies the best research available to help fundraisers land more donors and raise more money.
By Alex Daniels
Senior Editor, Foundations
Daily News Roundup : Alumnus Gives $100 Million to Notre Dame
It’s highly unusual for such a large amount, committed by alumnus Kenneth Ricci, to be given for any purpose the recipient chooses. In other news, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative commits $45 million for political activity directed toward ending mass incarceration and addressing housing problems; Bill Gates makes a bold prediction about polio, and former President Obama faces community resistance to his library.
Daily News Roundup: Gates Foundation Seeks Comment on School Spending
The grant maker wants to hear from organizations that have improved education through school “networks” before it seeks proposals for its $1 billion-plus commitment. In other news, the philanthropic Sackler family’s fortune was built on a pharmaceutical company that some blame for the opioid crisis; one nonprofit sees drone technology as the future for education and jobs in coal country; and other news and features on grant seeking, gifts, museums, and more.
Experts and Forecasts Say 2017 Could Be ‘Gangbusters’ for Giving
Signs point to strong growth in donations from both small and big donors, but political instability has the potential to spoil the party.
Daily News Roundup: NAACP Hires New Leader and Will Change IRS Status
Interim president Derrick Johnson will take the permanent role, as the organization shifts to become a social-welfare group to improve its ability to lobby. In other articles, today’s megadonors have eclipsed the Gilded Age philanthropists; the story of the #MeToo Movement leader who sought to give sexual-abuse victims a voice; what the wave of recent disasters means for charities; and much more.
Gifts Roundup: Rusty and Paula Walter Give $101 Million to Houston Medical Center
Plus, George Soros pours $18 billion into his philanthropy, UNC at Chapel Hill lands $65 million from two alumni families, and the XPRIZE gets $25 million for its Alzheimer’s team.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Daily News Roundup: Gates Foundation to Invest $1.7 Billion in New Education Focus
The grant maker wants to shift its sights to building more collaborative school networks. In other news, Harvey Weinstein and Kenneth Cole have been accused of covering up a suspicious deal involving a nonprofit group; a charity once led by Roy Moore did not report to the IRS that it guaranteed $498,000 in back pay to him; the Heritage Foundation is considering a White House aide to be its next leader; and why a children’s charity is holding its “dream gala” at Mar-a-Lago.
Daily News Roundup: Mexican Billionaire to Give $110 Million to Earthquake Relief
In other news, a D.C. chef has served more meals in post-hurricane Puerto Rico than the Red Cross; an NPR investigation disputes the claim that a Trump-associated golf course has given $5 million to charity; a N.C. congressman is pushing to allow all taxpayers to claim a charitable deduction; a city on the outskirts of Silicon Valley is experimenting with a philanthropy-based basic income; and Philadelphia Eagles player Chris Long is pledging his full 2017 salary to charity.
$18 Billion Vaults George Soros Into Stratosphere of Grant Makers
Social-justice groups like the ACLU and wide array of liberal-leaning nonprofits stand to benefit from the windfall.
By Alex Daniels and Maria Di Mento
Daily News Roundup: Soros Gives $18 Billion to His Philanthropy
George Soros has transferred the bulk of his wealth to Open Society Foundations. In other news, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is donating $500 million to charity; lawsuits filed last month charged two Washington State hospitals with aggressive tactics against the poor; two families pledge $60 million to the University of North Carolina; and Sen. Al Franken will donate Harvey Weinstein gifts to charity. Plus, read about the common thread between gay and female Boy Scouts, and more.
Daily News Roundup: $1.5 Billion Gift From Chinese Donor to Boost Conservation
The contribution, from He Qiaonv, is more than a third of her $3.6 billion net worth. In other news, Houston Methodist Hospital gets a $101 donation; the Clinton Foundation is keeping its gift from Harvey Weinstein; and donors are joining forces to tackle tough problems. Also read an opinion piece about the philanthropy of Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein.
Gifts Roundup: U. of Oregon Lands $50 Million; Michael Jordan Gives $7 Million for Medical Clinics
Plus, St. Norbert College, Kent State University, and three other higher-education institutions receive large donations.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Fundraiser Pay: Salaries by U.S. Region
The Chronicle identifies fundraising leaders who make some of the industry’s biggest salaries — as well as those whose compensation is in the middle and low ranges.
By CODY SWITZER and Joshua Hatch
Daily News Roundup: Google Pledges $1 Billion for Job Training
Grow With Google aims to help anyone with internet access to prepare for a job in technology. In other news, Eli Broad is retiring from his philanthropy; Rutgers decides to keep a $100,000 gift from Harvey Weinstein and his family foundation; the sale of a charity’s headquarters could bring Roy Moore a windfall; and at Case Western Reserve, faculty members protest the role of a donor on a search committee — and the dean fires back with a blistering six-page letter.
Big Donors Favor Tex. Over Puerto Rico in Hurricane Relief, Chronicle Data Shows
Meanwhile, smaller donors are spreading their help more evenly among those battered by recent storms.
By Maria Di Mento
Senior Editor
Daily News Roundup: GOP Tax Plan Could Put Charities at Risk
Nonprofits that rely on middle-class donors would be especially vulnerable. In other news, a USC administrator responsible for raising hundreds of millions of dollars has stepped down amid sexual-harassment allegations; the Boy Scouts has announced it will establish a program that would allow older girls to aspire to the Eagle Scout rank; plus, more news about aid to Puerto Rico, donations for Las Vegas shooting victims, and more.