The State of Corporate Philanthropy:A McKinsey Global Survey

THE STATE OF CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY: A MCKINSEY GLOBAL SURVEY
Consumers' growing expectations of companies make corporate philanthropy more important than ever. But many respondents to this survey say their companies aren’t meeting social goals or stakeholder expectations very effectively. Companies that are doing well are taking a more strategic approach.

Complete survey available via The McKinsey Quarterly (free registration required),
2.2008.

Foundation Giving

The nation's largest foundations increased their giving to $19.1-billion in 2006, rising 16.4 percent over the previous year, according to a Foundation Center study whose findings are highlighted in a Chronicle of Philanthropy report (subscription required).

T. Boone Pickens pledges $10 million to Dallas' Museum of Nature & Science

T. Boone Pickens, whose career as a businessman and entrepreneur has taken him from oil and gas exploration to investing heavily in wind power, has announced he is donating $10 million to the Museum of Nature & Science for a new, 150,000-square-foot facility in Victory Park.

Full-text article by Michael Granberry via the Dallas Morning News, 2.27.08.

Hedge-Fund Manager Donates $60-Million to Stony Brook University in N.Y.

James H. Simons, a hedge-fund manager, is giving Stony Brook University, in New York, a $60-million gift to be used for a center on geometry and physics, The New York Times reports.

Mr. Simons, a former math professor, served as chairman of the university's mathematics department from 1968 to 1976 before he founded an investment-management firm, Renaissance Technologies.


Mr. Simons, and his wife, Marilyn, had previously donated nearly $40-million to the university.

Full-text article by Karen W. Arenson is available via the New York Times, 2.27.08.

Embedded Funders and Community Change

The Chapin Hall Center for Children, a semi-independent policy research center at the University of Chicago, is conducting an ongoing study, titled "Embedded Funders and Community Change," to identify effective philanthropic practices that could benefit national foundations. The study explores foundations that concentrate their resources in one limited geographic area and become deeply involved in those communities.

Susan Price, vice president at the National Center for Family Philanthropy based in Washington, D.C., said embedded foundations are gaining more attention in the philanthropy world.

"One of the things that has become pretty clear is this is the kind of work that takes a lot of patience," Price said. "You're in for the long haul with this kind of philanthropy."

Full-text article by Gail Cetnar is available via the Springfield News-Sun, 2.26.08.

Shortage of Surgeons Pinches U.S. Hospitals

A crisis looms, say experts, as a national shortage of surgeons and doctors - particularly in rural areas - threatens patients’ access to health care, reports USA Today.

Full-text article by Robert Davis is available via USA Today, 2.25.08.

Model Corporate Citizens

In honour of National Corporate Philanthropy Day...

Model Corporate Citizens by Matthew Kirdahy via Forbes, 2.25.08

A Guide to Giving - Charity's Role in the Economy - transcript of Nightly Business Report via PBS, 2.25.08.

Beginning February 25, PBS's Nightly Business Report will air a three-part series about philanthropy.

Building Business Value With Charitable Activities by Michele Bodmer via Credit Suisse, 2.25.08

Wal-Mart Gives More Than $296M in 2007 by John Henry via ArkansasBusiness.com, 2.25.08

Companies With a Heart: In search of better corporate philanthropy via Economist.com, 2.26.08.

Immigration to Play Lead Role In Future U.S. Growth

The Pew Research Center recently released a report on the future of America’s population. This report, called U.S. Population Projections 2005-2050, is based on trends over the last half-century and looks largely at how immigration will affect our nation.

Executive summary and full report available via the Pew Research Center, 2.2008.

A Capitalist Jolt for Charity

Philanthropies are discovering that for-profit status and financing can be a useful tool. A new breed of social entrepreneurs are administering increasing doses of bottom-line thinking to traditional philanthropy in order to make charity more effective.

Full-text article by Steve Lohr is available via The New York Times, 2.24.08.

Early Microsoft Employee Leaves Most of His Fortune to Charity, Including $65-Million to Gay-Rights Group

Richard (Ric) W. Weiland, one of the first Microsoft employees, has bequeathed most of his fortune, worth an estimated $158-million, to charities. The biggest single commitment, $65-million, went to the Pride Foundation, a Seattle foundation that advocates for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and supports HIV/AIDS organizations.

Full-text article by Maria Di Mento is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2.24.08. [Subscription required.]

Google and Nonprofit Hospital Seek New Approach to Online Health

Google has formed a pilot program with the nonprofit academic medical center Cleveland Clinic to help patients gain more control over their online medical data, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Under the pilot program, Google officials say that patients in the Cleveland Clinic system will be able to gain access to their medical records at any time through a Google online health profile and can securely share medical information as needed.

Full-text article by Christopher Lawton is available via The Wall Street Journal, 2.21.08.

Hall Family Foundation gives $43M to Children's Mercy

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics will receive a $43 million gift from the Hall Family Foundation to help pay for its $800 million expansion.

The gift is the largest Children's Mercy has received in its 110-year history. It will help pay for the expansion's first phase, which will include an expanded emergency room, two new heart-catheterization laboratories, an eight-story building for outpatient clinics and an office for physicians, all on the Hospital Hill campus.

Full-text article via Kansas City Business Journal, 2.22.08.

National United Way Partners With Indiana Center

United Way of America President Brian Gallagher is today announcing a new partnership with the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The partnership is made possible by a $6 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Officials say the collaboration will bring United Way executives from across the country to Indianapolis to learn at the center.

Full-text press release via Inside Indiana Business, 2.21.08.

Donations Are Up, But Not From Alumni

The percentage of alumni making a donation fell to 11.7 percent from 11.9 percent. This is the second straight decline, since the rate was 12.4 percent in 2005.

Ann E. Kaplan, who directs the study, said she thinks the primary issue is just that younger alumni have never been “as dominant” a share of the overall alumni population.

Schools are spending more energy pursuing donations from recent graduates, who aren't traditional donors because they're often saddled with tuition debt and earn relatively little.

Full-text article by Scott Jaschik is available via Inside Higher Ed.com, 2.20.08.

Giving money is still easier than giving time

For the third consecutive year, Americans say that giving one’s money to a charitable cause is easier than giving one’s time. According to a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ national survey of 1,000 adults, 52 percent of Americans said it is easier to give money, while 30 percent said it is easier to give time. Sixteen percent said both are equally easy to give.

Study findings also indicate that a growing number of Americans say they are volunteering. Seventy-four percent of the 1,000 adults surveyed said they participated in some form of volunteer service in 2007, a 10-percent increase over the previous year.

Full-text article press release available via Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, 2.19.08.

Soros, Omidyar, and Google Collaborate to Finance Enterprises in India

The Soros Economic Development Fund, the Omidyar Network, and Google.org have announced that they are teaming up in a $17-million venture to finance small and medium-size enterprises in India, reports Reuters.

Full-text article by Rina Chandran and John Mair is available via Reuters, 2.20.08.

Wealth Gap Growing Bigger Among American Colleges

Colleges and universities raised about $30 billion, 6 percent more than the previous year. But nearly one-third of that increase — $518 million — went to just 20 institutions.

Full-text article by Karen W. Arenson is available via The New York Times, 2.20.08.

A Skilled Approach To Philanthropy

In today's global business environment, companies are faced with more than just increasing shareholder value, raising productivity and innovating new products but also their corporate philanthropic role.

Commentary by Lisa Hamilton is available via Forbes.com, 2.20.08.

Private Donations to Colleges Increase for 4th Consecutive Year

Backed by a strong economy and a growing stock market, American colleges and universities raised an estimated $29.8-billion in the 2007 fiscal year, the highest total ever recorded, according to a report scheduled for release today by the Council for Aid to Education.But the country's recent economic troubles have some fund-raising experts concerned that the high times might be coming to an end.

Full-text article by Brad Wolverton is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2.20.08. [Subscription required.]

The report is available for purchase via the Council for Aid to Education.

Toxic Clean Up Philanthropy

SEATTLE, WA -- Communities that struggle with big, dirty industries also benefit from corporate philanthropy. The money usually comes from the industries themselves or companies that contract with the industry. Philanthropy experts say the motive for giving is more than generosity. An example would be Hanford contractor Battelle, which recently announced a $1 million gift to help pay for a new museum in the Tri-Cities. KPLU's Anna King reports on how corporate philanthropy is not unusual for this community, a community built around one of the largest superfund sites in the country.

Listen to Anna King's report via NPR.com, 2.19.08.

What Makes Fund Raisers Succeed

A 2006 study of nearly 600 college and university fund raisers who solicit big gifts found that those who raise the most work for institutions that are more systematic in tracking and applying performance measures.

"Everybody is suddenly focused on this issue," says Bruce Flessner, a fund-raising consultant at Bentz Whaley Flessner, in Minneapolis. "People used to say that it takes money to raise money. Now people want to know if they are getting a good return on the investment."

Full-text article by Holly Hall is avaiable via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2.21.08. [Subscription required.]

Health care can ensure a healthy economy, too

Health care has emerged in recent years as a bright spot for the Pensacola Bay Area economy, and as a focus for the future that promises more and better jobs.

Building on a base of existing hospitals, enhancing this area's status as a growing regional medical center is an exciting economic development trend.

Full-text article via Pensacola News Journal, 2.12.08.

The Pittsburgh Foundation

The late U.S. Sen. John Heinz taught Grant Oliphant about Pittsburgh, and he plans to use that knowledge as the president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation.

Full-text article by Bill Zlatos is available via the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review, 2.12.08.

Eduventures Study Focuses On First-Time Major Gift Donors to Colleges and Universities

A new three-part report from Eduventures, Transitioning Donors to Higher Gift Levels, provides college and university development offices with answers to a number of key questions related to first-time major donors, among them: what are the characteristics of first-time major donors, what are their motivations, and what can development officers do to accelerate first-time major gifts?

The report analyzes data on nearly 1,300 donors who made their first major gift ($25,000 or more) to an institution in fiscal 2007. The data was collected in conjunction with The Reeher Group, consultants to the higher education market specializing in data mining and analytics, and includes demographic information, dates of contacts of various types by the institution, donation history, and proposal information. Eduventures also conducted Web surveys of both gift officers who cultivated first-time major donors and the donors themselves.

Key findings from the report include the following:

1. Donors follow two distinct patterns in transitioning to higher giving levels. More than one-quarter of donors made a gift of $25,000 or more within five years of making their first gift to the institution. In contrast, almost half of all donors made their first gift to the institution more than 20 years before making a commitment at the major gift level.

2. Overall, gift officers reported conducting an average of 3.6 face-to-face visits with donors within the two years leading up to the major gift commitment. They also indicated making an average of 14.5 other contacts - e.g., personalized letters, e-mails, and phone calls.

3. Among donors, there was a wide range of motivations for making a first-time major gift - e.g., grateful patients motivated by the desire to support the research efforts of those who helped them; alumni seeking to take advantage of financial and/or tax benefits; and parents motivated by their children's personal and academic growth.

Press release available via PRWeb, 2.11.08.

New Leader of a Big Foundation Brings His Activist Vision to the Atlantic Philanthropies Foundation

Gara LaMarche, a lifelong activist who has worked on behalf of death-row inmates, gay marriage rights, and democracy in the developing world, will bring his activist's sense to his new job as chief executive of Atlantic Philanthropies, according to the Financial Times.

Full-text article by Lauren Foster is available via The Financial Times, 2.9.08.

Census Bureau Produces First Comprehensive Atlas in More Than 80 Years

The atlas, with more than 700 full-color maps, is the first general population and housing statistical atlas published by the Census Bureau since 1925.

Featuring more than 300 pages and weighing about 7 pounds, the atlas presents data from 1790 through 2000. It is arranged by topic and grouped into three general themes — who we are, where we come from and what we do. Most maps feature county-level detail for the United States and Puerto Rico.


Census Atlas of the United States is available on the Census Bureau Website. A print version is available for purchase from the Government Printing Office.

You Are What You Spend

Household consumption indicates that the gap between rich and poor is far less than most assume, and that the abstract, income-based way in which we measure the so-called poverty rate no longer applies to our society.

Full-text article by W. Michael Cox and Richard Alm is available via The New York Times, 2.10.08.

U.S. Universities Rush to Set Up Outposts Abroad

The American system of higher education is becoming an important export as more universities take their programs overseas. Many are now considering full-fledged foreign branch campuses, particularly in the oil-rich Middle East.

Full-text article by Tamar Lewin is available via The New York Times, 2.10.08.

Board's Give Or Get More Expensive Now

More than half of nonprofits now require board members to make an annual contribution, with a major share of large ones setting a minimum of $5,000.

That finding, in the new edition of National Board Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations conducted by the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP, comes against a backdrop of more and more nonprofits reshaping board of directors practices and policies to fit the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Just as more public companies expect their directors own stock, nonprofits expect an investment as well.

The survey, which drew 603 responses in September 2007, found that 56 percent of respondents require donations from board members. Although this was the first year the question was asked, the survey noted that this reflected "a trend that could become increasingly expected in the near future."

Grant Thornton conducted the National Board Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations in September 2007. Responses to the web-based survey were received from 603 nonprofit executives and board members in 47 states and the District of Columbia.

Full-text article via The Nonprofit Times, 1.21.08.

Edmondsons announce $13 million planned gift for UA, Children's Hospital

Don and Ellen Edmondson of Forrest City have given $13 million in estate and charitable trust gifts to education and health care in Arkansas.

The gifts will go to the following organizations: $10 million to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in Fayetteville, $1.5 million to the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at Little Rock and $1.5 million to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Full-text article is available via The Times-Herald, 2.6.08.

Corporations Report a Rise in Volunteer Options for Employees

Companies are increasingly offering incentives such as time off for volunteer projects and the ability to do volunteer work on company time or for company-organized efforts as a way to attract and retain employees, reports the Associated Press.

Full-text article by Vinnee Tong is available via La Grande Observer, 2.5.08.

Public Broadcasting Decries Proposed Federal Cuts

In its proposed federal budget plan, the Bush administration intends to cut in half the $400-million allocated to public broadcasting for fiscal year 2009 and cut $220-million from the $420-million already planned for 2010.

Along with these cuts - the deepest proposed in the past eight years - President Bush intends to eliminate funds for 2011, along with any additional funds in 2009 for stations to convert to digital transmission,which is federally mandated.

Full-text article by Elizabeth Jensen is available via The New York Times, 2.6.08.

Target Chief Executive Donates Millions for Instrument Museum

Robert J. Ulrich has donated tens of millions of dollars to help establish the Musical Instrument Museum, which will be the nation’s only freestanding museum focused on instruments from around the world, reports The New York Times.

Full-text article by Daniel J. Wakin is available via The New York Times, 2.2.08.

Philanthropy in Austin, Texas

Article focusing on the philanthropy scene in Austin, Texas.

Full-text article by Andrea Ball is available via the Statesman.com, 2.3.08.

Companies Urged to Update Their Charitable-Giving Plans

American businesses have increased their giving in the United States and around the world in recent years, but most companies do not donate enough to charity and have not adequately incorporated philanthropic efforts into their overall operations, say two new studies.

The studies are based on surveys conducted by LBG Associates, a consulting company that advises businesses on donating to local groups.

Full-text article by Sam Kean is available via the Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2.7.08. [Subscription required.]

Public-University Foundations: A Sleeping Giant?

When the National Association of College and University Business Officers released its annual survey of university endowments last week, the top 20, as always, were dominated by private institutions. Indeed, only five public universities broke into the top 20.

How can that be when public universities educate 80 percent of American students, and so have a much bigger alumni base from which to draw donations? That was one of the questions debated by a panel of experts at a session this morning at a conference for leaders and chief executives of public-college foundations with assets above $100-million. The event was sponsored by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.

Full-text article by Jeffrey Selingo via the Chronicle of Higher Education, 2.1.08. [Subscription required.]

U.S. Concern Over Economy Is Highest in Years

Public views of the national economy are now more negative than at any point in nearly 15 years, and few people believe that the kind of stimulus plan being devised by President Bush and Congress is enough to stave off or soften a recession, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Full-text article by Michael Abramowitz and Jon Cohen is available via the Washington Post, 2.4.08.

Community Colleges Are Key to Shoring Up the U.S. Economy, Report Says

Community-college students need more financial aid, the colleges themselves need more money, and both need to achieve higher standards of success. Meeting those demands is key to improving the competitiveness of the American work force in today's global economy, says a report released by the College Board today.

Full-text article by Elyse Ashburn is available via the Chronicle of Higher Education, 2.1.08.

"Winning the Skills Race and Strengthening America's Middle Class" published by the College Board, 2.2008.