Daddy Givebucks: Lessons Learned When Warren Buffett Hands You $1 Billion

With $1 billion grants from their father and advice on how their foundations should manage them, billionaire-investor Warren Buffett's three adult children are adjusting to running high-dollar philanthropic organizations.

Full-text article by Jeff Bailey is available via Fast Company, September 2009.

Businessman Meyer remains devoted to philanthropy in Waco

His philanthropy in McLennan County totals more than $200,000 a month. Yet many local residents don't know much about Paul J. Meyer. Certainly, most couldn’t pick him out of a crowd.

Full text post by Cindy V. Culp is available via wacotrib.com, 8.2.09

The New Generation of Philanthropists

For a new generation of philanthropists, giving to charity isn't just about writing checks. Instead, the focus is on volunteering, socializing, and networking -- while also contributing to good causes.

Full-text article by Kimberly Palmer is available via the U.S. News & World Report, 7.27.09.

Boost Performance By Tapping Employees' Altruism

Recent research shows that high potential employees (women but also men) are seriously motivated by a desire to give back to the world, and increasingly seek out employers that allow them to reach out and give back on company time.

Full-text article by Sylvia Ann Hewlett is available via Bloomberg.com, 7.21.09.

Philanthropy Goes Digital

Nonprofit organizations attempting to engage a new generation of philanthropists - youth who are plugged into a digital world and expect immediate results - are turning to social networking and digital technology to connect young philanthropists with those in need.

Full-text article by Jenna Weiner is available via TheDailyTell, 7.7.09.

Microsoft Veterans Aim to Make Philanthropy More Personal

Microsoft veterans are launching two separate Seattle nonprofits aimed at encouraging a new generation of philanthropists by using mobile phones, social networking and online connections between donors and people in need.

Full-text article by Kristi Heim is available via The Seattle Times, 6.29.09.

Giving Around the World Faces Recession Snags

Economic woes threaten fledgling philanthropic efforts in Africa, Asia, and Latin America­ — but the crisis may also contain opportunities.

Full-text article by Ian Wilhelm is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 4.20.09. [Subscription required.]

Getaways That Are ‘Guilt Free’

To counter customers’ reluctance about jetting off for conspicuous consumption during a recession, travel companies are pushing trips that emphasize service, values and personal fulfillment. The message: If there is more involved than frivolous pleasure, you don’t have to feel bad about dropping all that cash on a splashy vacation.

Full-text article by Michelle Higgins is available via The New York Times, 4.19.09.

USA TODAY Publishes Special Philanthropy Bonus Section

USA TODAY will publish an eight-page special bonus section focused on philanthropy on Tuesday, April 14. The section focuses on a new and growing civic generation and how the current economy is affecting service organizations. An essay by First Lady Michelle Obama highlights the need for more youthful volunteerism than ever.

Content from "Sharing in the USA" and additional articles on related topics can be found at sharing.usatoday.com. This includes a look at how corporations are getting more creative in the way they give. Also available is an interactive database where USA TODAY community members and readers can connect with local charities simply by entering a Zip code or a city and state.

More information is available via the full-text press release.

Charity Dries Up in U.K.

As a rule, charitable giving lags falls in other parts of the economy by about a year. Right on schedule, charities in the U.K. are seeing donations decrease, forcing them to lay off staff, seek new sources of funding or close entirely.

Full-text article by Tara Loader Wilkinson is available via The Wall Street Journal, 4.7.09.

New Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Tower Opens

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin opened its new patient tower Monday morning, taking the hospital from 236 licensed beds to 294 beds, with room for additional expansion in the future. The project, fully equipped, was financed through a combination of debt, cash, hospital equity and philanthropy.

Full-text article is available via The Business Journal of Milwaukee, 3.30.09.

In Tough Economic Times, Medical Centers Take a Hit

An AAMC survey of chief financial officers (CFOs) found that teaching hospitals had a 25 percent loss in operating margins (a measure of operational efficiency) from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008. An American Hospital Association survey analysis of more than 550 hospitals found that their 2008 third-quarter investments had a combined loss of $832 million, down from a $396 million gain a year earlier. During this quarter, the same hospitals had a 1.6 percent average loss, compared with a mean 6.1 percent profit the year before.

"There is a greater need for philanthropy now," said Miami-based Mount Sinai Medical Center President and CEO Steven Sonenreich, M.B.A. "We are placing more of a focus on the growing number of 80-somethings, people who are not as affected by the economy and are in a position to make a major contribution."

Full-text article by Elissa Fuchs is available via the AAMC Reporter, 3.19.09.

Leonore Annenberg Dies at 91; Philanthropist, Widow of Publishing Magnate

The patron of the arts, sciences and education served briefly as President Reagan's protocol chief. Her husband gave away more than $2 billion, and she continued the tradition after he died.

Full-text article by Valerie J. Nelson is available via The Los Angeles Times, 3.13.09.

Figures Reveal Tony Blair's Charity Empire

The former prime minister is attracting wealthy donors to back his health and harmony projects. Charities are going to the wall, leading philanthropists are cutting back and patrons of the arts are closing their wallets. But in these financially straitened times, Tony and Cherie Blair are emerging as the UK's answer to Bill and Melinda Gates.

Full-text article by Jamie Doward is available via The Guardian, 2.15.09.

Researchers Assess Philanthropy for 2009

As national attention is drawn toward the economy with the news of the current recession, several faculty members at Boston College focus on how the current recession and the new presidential administration will affect philanthropy in America. In their recent article "Giving in Today's Economy," John Havens, senior associate director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, and Paul Schervish, director of the Center for Wealth and Philanthropy, assess the state of philanthropy in America today and give predictions for the future.

Full-text article by Michael Caprio is available via BCHeights.com, 1.26.09.

Looking Good By Doing Good

Rewarding people for their generosity may be counterproductive. The distinction between private and public generosity is helpful in understanding what motivates people to give money to charities or donate blood, acts which are costly to the doer and primarily benefit others. Such actions are widespread, and growing.

Full-text article is available via the Economist.com, 1.15.09.

Fund Raisers Predict That Gifts to Education Will Decline in 2009

After years of steady growth, fund raisers predict that the final tally on giving to education will be relatively flat for 2008 and that giving will decline slightly in the year ahead, according to a forecasting survey by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Survey findings available in late February 2009.

Bruce Flessner, a fund-raising consultant, told The Chronicle last month that he expected giving to higher education to drop by 4 percent to 5 percent in 2009.

Full-text article by Kate Masterson is available via the Chronicle of Higher Education, 1.16.09. [Subscription required.]

Recession Squeezes Even Philanthropies of Gates, Allen

Some of the region's biggest givers, who have helped turn Seattle into a center of global philanthropy, are determined to maintain their ambitions. Yet, they are either curbing their planned growth or, in some cases, reducing their giving.

Full-text article by Kristi Heim is available via the Seattle Times, 1.14.09.

Minnesota Grantmakers Anticipate Drop in Giving in 2009

After several years of increased giving, Minnesota foundations and corporate giving programs expect a decline in grantmaking to nonprofit organizations in 2009 versus 2008. 40 percent of grantmakers anticipate a decrease in giving, 41 percent expect their giving to remain the same, and 15 percent hope to increase their grantmaking in 2009.

The full report is available via the Minnesota Council on Foundations, 1.2009.

University Leaders From Around the World Discuss Fund Raising in Troubled Times

The new philanthropic landscape could yield unexpected opportunities for higher-education institutions, university leaders from around the world were told at a meeting in New York.

Full-text article by Aisha Labi is available via the Chronicle of Higher Education, 2.12.09. [Subscription required.]

Katzenberg Says Losses Linked to Madoff Damaged His Philanthropy

Hollywood mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg says the losses on his personal investments with Bernard L. Madoff have done "extraordinary damage" to his philanthropic efforts.

Full-text article by Tom Petruno is available via the Los Angeles Times, 1.9.09.

Buffett's Sister Spreads A Little Sunshine On McMaster

Doris Buffett and her brother, billionaire investor Warren Buffett, have given away lots of money over the years. Now Mrs. Buffett is helping business students at Hamilton's McMaster University become philanthropists as well.

Full-text article by Paul Waldie is available via GlobeandMail.com, 1.3.09.

Alternative futures for health care philanthropy - Are you ready?

As we cope with the current economic crisis, it is important not to lose sight of what lays upon the horizon. The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and its membership face the task of navigating the confluence of two sectors undergoing profound change within the coming years: health care and philanthropy. AHP has embarked on a project to determine the future of these two sectors using scenario analysis which is leading to interesting possible conclusions and action-items.

Full-text article by William C. McGinley is availabe via the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, 12.9.08.

Why Leading Entrepreneurs Give

Today, entrepreneurs are redefining what it means to be charitable. BusinessWeek compiled a slide show to see how a dozen top entrepreneurs are applying their business acumen to a host of social and environmental issues. For them, philanthropy and profitability aren't mutually exclusive.

Full-text article by Stacy Perman is available via BusinessWeek, 12.5.08.

Next-Gen Givers

THE STORY IN PHILANTHROPY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON is becoming all too familiar. Individuals, foundations and corporations are all scaling back their giving, often leaving nonprofit beneficiaries in the lurch. Just last week, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic concern, said it would slow its donations next year because of the hobbled economy and turbulent financial markets.

Behind the headlines, however, a surprisingly encouraging trend is taking hold: A new generation of donors is moving into place -- an energetic and highly creative crowd that eventually could reshape philanthropy.

Full-text article by Suzanne McGee is available via Barrons.com, 12.1.08.

Philanthropy – China Starts to Give

An increasingly wealthy and confident China is becoming more ready to donate money to charity, says Paul French, China editor.

Full-text article is available via Ethical Corporation, 11.12.08.

Global-Health Efforts Drive Seattle Economy

Seattle businesses and nonprofit institutions have identified
global health as a significant part of the city's regional
economy, reports The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

A 2007 University of Washington study found that global health
supported 44,000 jobs statewide annually, providing more than
$4-billion in "business activities and involving more than 190
nonprofit organizations - including the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation - the newspaper said.

Full-text article by Tom Paulson is available via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 10.23.08.

High-Net-Worth Families Cutting Back on Giving, Study Finds

A new report from private wealth-research firm Prince & Associates suggests that the sputtering economy and financial meltdown on Wall Street are beginning to pinch the affluent, who are responding by cutting back on their charitable giving, Forbes reports.

Full-text article is available via the Philanthropy News Digest, 10.6.08.

WaMu Sale Will Affect Philanthropy

WaMu’s sale raises questions about the company’s philanthropic efforts in the Puget Sound area and nationally.

Full-text article by Kirsten Grind et al. is available via Wichita Business Journal, 9.26.08.

Women and Philanthropy: 4 Ways to Get Started

Analysis of Internal Revenue Service data by Grant Thornton shows that for the first time, women gave more money than men in 2005, according to the latest publicly available tax return data. Women gave $21.7 billion, compared with male donors' $16.8billion. Earlier this year, JPMorgan reported that two thirds of its philanthropic services clients are now women, a reversal of the situation several years ago.

Full-text article by Kimberly Palmer is available via the U.S. News & World Report, 9.23.08.

On Eve of Philanthropy Forum, Clinton Worries About Economy

Preparing to open his annual philanthropy gathering here against the backdrop of historic upheaval on Wall Street, former president Bill Clinton expressed concern Monday that the economic downturn could undermine major charitable investments around the world just when help is particularly needed.

Full-text article by Philip Rucker is available via the Washington Post, 9.23.08.

Life After Lehman: Nonprofits Brace Amid Bankruptcy

The Lehman Foundation provides gifts to more than 200 nonprofits each year. Through corporate contributions and grants from its U.S. and European foundations, it distributed $39 million in the 12 months ended in November 2007, according to Lehman's Web site.

Melissa Berman, chief executive of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, which advises individuals and corporations about giving away money, said the foundation must close -- eventually -- because it no longer has a corporation sustaining it. Yet its assets are protected from creditors, she said.

Full-text article by Philip Boroff is available via Bloomberg News, 9.16.08.

USA: Women Moving Millions

Women of high net worth are funding other women in record numbers and at unprecedented levels, according to the Women's Funding Network, a California-based umbrella organisation for 126 women's funds on six continents.

Full-text article by Elayne Clift is available via News Blaze, 9.16.08.

Wall Street Woes Endanger Funding for the Arts

The turmoil on Wall Street will affect a wide swath of New York City's cultural institutions, hurting corporate and individual donations at a time when these organizations are facing what one philanthropist called a "perfect storm" of economic pressures.

Full-text article by Kate Taylor is available via the New York Sun, 9.16.08.

Philanthropy Google’s Way: Not the Usual

The founders of Google have set up a philanthropy, giving it seed money of about $1 billion and a mandate to tackle poverty, disease and global warming.

But unlike most charities, this one will be for-profit, allowing it to fund start-up companies, form partnerships with venture capitalists and even lobby Congress. It will also pay taxes.

Full-text article by Katie Hafner is available via the New York Times, 9.14.08.

Economy Causing Older Donors to Cut Back Gifts, Study Finds

The troubled economy is causing more older donors to cut back their giving this fall, while younger people plan to step up their giving, finds a new study by the Grizzard Communications Group, a direct-marketing firm that works with nonprofit organizations. Study results are available on Business Wire.

Survey results indicate that only 13 percent of respondents expect to increase their giving for the remainder of 2008, while nearly a third (29%) admit to decrease their giving. Surprisingly, donors aged 25-34 were more likely to increase their giving in the fall, while those over the age of 65 were more likely to say they are giving less.

Full-text press release and survey results available via Business Wire, 9.2008.

The Evolution of Philanthropy

What does corporate giving look like these days? Melissa Brown, associate director of research at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, has spent eight years studying the trends. Crain's Chicago Business asked Ms. Brown what has changed.

Full-text article by Emily Stone is available via Crain's Chicago Business, 8.18.08.

Johnson Center Launching National Philanthropy Journal

Backers of a new national journal for foundations and philanthropists aim to create greater transparency and sharing of best practices.

The Foundation Review, published quarterly in print and online beginning in December, will offer case studies on philanthropy projects undertaken by foundations nationwide that submit peer-reviewed papers.

Full-text article by Mark Sanchez is available via mlive.com, 7.17.08.

Philanthropy - "Doing Good"

Giving money to charity does not necessarily make the world a better place. Nevertheless, most donors believe that donating qualifies as “doing good”. In fact, the gift of money is only the first step in a chain of events that might achieve the elusive goal of creating social impact.

Full-text article by Sean Stannard-Stockton is available via Financial Times, 6.28.08

8 Reasons You Should Not Expect an Inheritance

Costs are rising, retirement income is less secure and the golden years are lasting longer, leaving older people less to bequeath to their heirs.

Full-text article by Ron Lieber is available via the New York Times, 6.21.08.

Asian American Billionaire, Cyrus Tang

Steel magnate Cyrus Tang, once described by an Asian American news website as "the most secretive of Asian American billionaires in America," recently spoke about his philanthropy to a reporter for the first time.

Full-text article by Teresa Watanabe is available via the Los Angeles Times, 6.15.08.

Charities Get Inventive - Naming Opportunities

Donors pay more, recipients get inventive with naming rights.

Full-text article by Michael Gross is available via MSNBC, 6.14.08

Stewart R. Mott, Philanthropist

Stewart R. Mott, a prominent philanthropist for progressive causes, died of cancer on Thursday at age 70. Mr. Mott, who inherited his fortune as a son of the Michigan entrepreneur Charles Stewart Mott, supported causes that promoted birth control, feminism, civil liberties, gay rights, and other causes.

Full-text article by Douglas Martin is available via the New York Times, 6.14.08.

Philanthrophic Growth Presents Several Challenges

In the last two decades, the number of tax exempt public charities has increased by 200 percent, now totaling nearly 900,000. Simultaneously, the inflation-adjusted value of private giving has increased to nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars. While three quarters of that giving is still by individuals, annual corporate cash contributions to nonprofits has increased by over 30 percent and giving by foundations has more than tripled.

With all this philan­­thropic gr­ow­th has come at least three challenges, all of which are knocking on the corporate door, as well as at the door of major philanthropists.

Full-text article by Susan Raymond is available via INDUS Business Journal, 6.1.08.

Growing Concerns and Assets

The struggling economy and the possibility of new Congressional regulations pose concerns to organizations that offer donor-advised funds, one of the fastest-growing types of philanthropy.

Full-text article by Noelle Barton and Elizabeth Schwinn is available via the Chronicle of Philanthropy, 5.29.08. [Subscription required.]

Hispanics in Philanthropy--'Thinking Big' Leads to Success

Hundreds of charitable organizations confront the disturbing fact that about 1.2 percent of the donations from national foundations go to Hispanic nonprofits.

One organization, however, that has bucked this trend is the highly successful San Francisco-based Hispanics in Philanthropy. Called HIP by its members, the 25-yearold nonprofit consists of an international network of 480 grant-makers. It serves as a self-described "bridge" between Hispanic-focused nonprofits and funders.

Full-text article by Steven Van Yoder is available via HispanicBusiness.com, 5.1.08.

Back to Basics

More charities are seeking — and getting — operating support. Article includes a table outlining grant makers that provide the most money in operating support grants.

Full-text article by Elizabeth Schwinn is available via The Chronicle of Philantropy, 5.1.08. [Subscription required.]

Philanthropy on the commons

The future of philanthropy lies in joining the wave of open source peer-production that is enriching public assets, says Mark Surman.

Full-text article by Mark Surman is available via openDemocracy, 4.18.08

Palestinian Billionaire Sinks Riches into Philanthropy

Munib al Masri, dubbed the "Palestinian Rothschild," has turned his focus from the oil industry to philanthropy and promoting political dialogue.

Full-text article by Ivan Watson is available via National Public Radio, 4.9.08.

China's top philanthropists donate $1.8b in 5 years

China's top 100 philanthropists have given away 12.9 billion ($1.8 billion) since 2003, with education, social welfare and poverty reduction attracting the most donors, the Hurun Philanthropy List reports.

Full-text article by Wang Ying is available via China Daily, 4.3.08.

Young, rich and socially active

A movement of relatively young American heirs practice what they call social justice philanthropy, which emphasizes giving to small, local groups.

Full-text article by Abby Aguirre via The International Herald Tribune, 3.13.08.

How Many Billionaires Does It Take to Fix a School System?

According to the Foundation Center, about a quarter of all foundation giving goes to education; overall, only religious organizations receive more charitable donations.

The New York Times Magazine invited five interested parties to lunch to discuss the new world of educational philanthropy.

Full-text article is available via The New York Times, 3.9.08.

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.

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.

Why Donating Millions Is Hard To Keep Secret

As anonymous giving to charities increases, it's getting harder for donors to maintain the anonymous part.

Wealthy philanthropists last year made 37 gifts of $5 million or more without publicly revealing their names. That's up from 27 such gifts in 2006, and just 13 in 2004, according to an analysis by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Full-text article by Sally Beatty is available via the Wall Street Journal, 1.9.08.

2008: Forbes' Sneak Peak

Forbes editors and writers take their annual look ahead at the coming year. Authors discuss what will be next year's big trends. William Barrett and Elizabeth Eaves and Richard C. Morais comment on philanthropy in 2008.

A Collector Gives the Gift of Modern Art

Richard S. Ziegler, a private investor who amassed an art collection worth $100-million, has bequeathed his works to 16 museums. Among the beneficiaries are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum, the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the Museum of Modern Art, where he had been a board member since 1979.

Full-text article by Carol Vogel is available via The New York Times, 12.7.07.

Wealthy-Donor Giving Trends

Entrepreneurs are among the most-generous donors, giving 25 percent more on average to charitable causes than other wealthy people, according to a report commissioned by Bank of America to determine how rich people approach philanthropy.

Conducted by researchers at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, the report was based on surveys of 1,400 households that had annual incomes of more than $200,000 or net assets of more than $1-million. It follows an initial study of the data that was released in the fall of 2006.


The full-report, Portraits of Donors, is available via the Bank of America Web site.

Donor Relations at Akron Children's Hospital

Akron Children's Hospital once a year invites local leaders to accompany doctors on their rounds, an experience that turns many of the visitors into loyal supporters.

Full-text article by Caroline Preston available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy. [subscription required]

The Christian Science Monitor's Annual Philanthropy Guide

The Christian Science Monitor has published its annual philanthropy guide in its print and online editions. Features include:

The 50 Largest U.S. Charities
Needy get a smaller slice of charity by Jane Lampman
Where are all the charitable bequests? by G. Jeffrey MacDonald
Charities get a generous return from "freemiums" by Caitlin Carpenter

Agents of Social Change

Changents, a philanthropic networking site for people in their 20s and 30s, is highlighting the new innovative ways that Generation X and Y are working to promote social change.

Deron Triff and Alex Hofmann, co-founders of the site, say that Changents, based in Alexandria, Va., and Boston, offers a place where innovators can post stories and videos to generate buzz about their projects, pick up new ideas, or even find potential donors. Readers can comment on the stories, contact the innovators, or send copies of the stories to friends or peers.

Full-text article by Sharon McLoone available via The Washington Post, 11.20.07.

Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society

The Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS Center)opened its doors in September 2007.

The PACS Center's purpose is to examine the role of philanthropy—and the voluntary and civil organizations that philanthropy supports—in meeting critical challenges in the United States and abroad.

Full-text article bt Jonathan Rabinovitz via the Stanford News Service, 10.31.07.

Slate's Philanthropy Issue

In the October 19 issue of Slate, a series of articles focus on philanthropy.

"The Rockefellers and the Angry Commoners: A century ago, the super-rich had to contend with class warfare," by Beverly Gage.

"Great Expectations: Why big donors back Teach for America," by Lincoln Caplan.

"Fantasy Philanthropy Baseball: Compete for Capital," by Doug Smith.

"Virtue for Sale: Will customers pay more to do good?" by Ray Fisman.

Fantasy Philanthropy League

In an effort to improve the nonprofit capital market, instituting a fantasy philanthropy league might be just the ticket to establish metrics,raise more money...and doesn't have to be a fantasy.

Full-text article by Douglas K. Smith via Slate, 10.19.07.