The Philanthropy 50: A Slow Year for Big Gifts Spurs Creativity by Wealthy Donors

In purely financial terms, last year was a dismal one for megagifts. The donors on the Philanthropy 50, The Chronicle’s annual list of the most-generous people in America, gave a total of $4.1-billion to charity in 2009, less than in all but one year since the newspaper began tracking the biggest philanthropists in 2000. The median gift was $41.4-million, meaning that half of those on the list gave more and half gave less. That figure compared with $69.3-million in 2008 and $74.7-million in 2007.

Full text article by Maria Di Mento and Caroline Preston is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2/7/10.

The Future Starts Now

Some nonprofit leaders and futurists are looking beyond the immediate concerns of the bad economy to ponder what the charity world will look like in the next 10 years. The Chronicle’s special report looks at key changes in technology, demographics, and other issues that will affect philanthropy.
Full text article by Ian Wilhelm is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1/14/10.

Pepsi turns ad focus online

Pepsi, a major Super Bowl advertiser for 23 years, will forgo the blockbuster football game next year and instead put its marketing dollars into a philanthropy-related online campaign. The world’s second-largest soft-drink maker spent $142.8-million advertising its products during the last 10 Super Bowls, including $33-million on the 2009 game. The company plans to focus marketing efforts on its Pepsi Refresh Project, a mostly online effort set to start in January that will pay at least $20-million for projects created to “refresh” communities, such as feeding the needy or teaching children to read.
Full text article by Bill Lambrecht is available via the Associated Press, 12/17/09.

Philanthropy Sponsors Interfaith Thanksgiving Breakfast at DC Soup Kitchen

On Thanksgiving morning, Miriam’s Kitchen will host approximately 150 homeless guests with the support of ML Resources Social Vision. The soup kitchen, located in Foggy Bottom, was founded in 1983 when The George Washington University Hillel Student Association, Western Presbyterian Church and United Church responded to an urgent need for services to the homeless. Miriam’s Kitchen serves daily nutritious meals to the homeless, and also runs an after breakfast program, providing a range of case management services for its guests.

Full text article is available via ML Resources, 11/23/09.

Carnegie Medals Recognize Catalysts for Giving

This week, the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy was awarded to outstanding individual philanthropists and family foundations who have embodied Andrew Carnegie's ideals. Drawing parallels to the Nobel Prize in honoring individual contributions to society, the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recognizes individuals who live in the same spirit as Andrew Carnegie: “private wealth for the public good.”

Full-text post by Susan Carey Dempsey is available via onPhilanthropy, 10/23/09.

Msnbc.com and Contribute Magazine to Share Content

Msnbc.com and Contribute magazine today announced a content agreement that will provide consumers with the latest news, information and ideas about philanthropy and the people making a difference in the world of giving.

In addition to including Contribute's specialty content, both sites will work together to host polls, offer surveys and showcase other interactive tools. The content will be featured in msnbc.com's Giving section.

Full-text press release is available via CNNMoney.com, 12.12.07.