Anonymous Giving Is on the Rise

Wealthy philanthropists are increasingly choosing to give their charitable donations anonymously, in part to protect their privacy but also to avoid rifts among family members expecting an inheritance.

Full-text article by Steve Chawkins is available via The Los Angeles Times,
3.31.2008.

Online Giving Appeals to the Wealthy, Study Finds

Affluent people are increasingly likely to use the Internet to make their charitable donations, a new survey of nearly 3,500 donors has found. But charities are turning off some of their biggest donors — people who give $1,000 or more, the survey found.

Full-text article by Elizabeth Schwinn is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 4.3.08. [Subscription required.]

Bleeding Hearts but Tight Fists

Liberals are surprisingly less charitable than conservatives.

Full-text article by George F. Will is available via The Washington Post, 3.27.08.

Leave Endowments Alone

Universities with endowments worth hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions, are sitting on them rather than using them to reduce tuitions, say some influential members of the U.S. Senate. They are threatening to force the colleges with the largest funds — perhaps the top 100 or so from the more than 4,000 two- and four-year institutions — to pay out 5% a year. The typical college now spends about 4% for various purposes.

Full-text article via USA Today, 3.27.08.

Nonprofits could find donations dwindling as economy limps along

Although most nonprofit organizations appear to be weathering the latest economic downturn, uncertainty remains, reports The Boston Globe.

Smaller social-service agencies are already feeling the pinch, and even large educational and cultural institutions that typically have a hefty endowment cushion are worried about how changing financial conditions might affect their higher-end donors. In response, some groups are now seeking new ways to structure gifts.

Full-text article by Sascha Pfeiffer via The Boston Globe, 3.26.08.

Economy's Troubles Could Hit Colleges Unusually Hard

Financial experts everywhere agree that the economy appears headed toward a recession. The question is how long it will last and how deep it will be.

The last recession, in 2001, lasted less than a year. Prolonged recession might force some private institutions out of business, experts say.

Full-text article by Brad Wolverton is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 3.25.08. [Subscription required.]