Friday, October 06, 2006

cbs5.com - Stanford Alums Give $50 Mil. To Build Concert Hall

cbs5.com - Stanford Alums Give $50 Mil. To Build Concert Hall: "Stanford Alums Give $50 Mil. To Build Concert Hall

(BCN) STANFORD Stanford University today announced a $50 million donation from alumnus Peter Bing and his wife Helen that will be used to construct a new concert hall.

Initial plans call for the concert hall to be a 900-seat venue located across from the Cantor Center for Visual Arts and adjacent to the Arrillaga Alumni Center. The timing and details about the hall’s construction have not been determined, according to the university."

Philadelphia Daily News | 10/06/2006 | Bush & Clinton accept medal, hailing our unity, differences

Philadelphia Daily News | 10/06/2006 | Bush & Clinton accept medal, hailing our unity, differences: "Bush & Clinton accept medal, hailing our unity, differences
By DAVE DAVIES
daviesd@phillynews.com 215-854-2595

Ask George H. W. Bush, an 82-year-old Republican ex-president receiving a joint award with Democrat Bill Clinton, what he thinks of the heated political season, and you might expect an appeal for less partisan rancor.

Wrong.

In accepting the Liberty Medal with Clinton last night for their role in tsunami and Katrina relief efforts, Bush instead offered a spirited 'defense of the proper role of partisanship in our politics.'"

Scotsman.com News - Scotland - Edinburgh - Cabbie going fare distance to raise cash

Scotsman.com News - Scotland - Edinburgh - Cabbie going fare distance to raise cash: "Cabbie going fare distance to raise cash

A TAXI driver who plans to travel around the world in three days to raise money for a heart charity has announced he will leave Scotland on November 20.

Michael Palin fan Arthur Agnew, from Livingston, aims to complete his journey by catching scheduled flights between four destinations across the globe."

Associated Press Business News: Fidelity Lowers Minimum for Donor Funds - MSN Money

Associated Press Business News: Fidelity Lowers Minimum for Donor Funds - MSN Money: "Fidelity Lowers Minimum for Donor Funds

Associated Press
All Associated Press News

NEW YORK (AP) - Fidelity Investments said Thursday it is lowering the minimum contribution individuals must make to create donor-advised charitable funds to $5,000, effective next Monday."

Bon Jovi gets Clinton's help with plan to restore homes

Bon Jovi gets Clinton's help with plan to restore homes: "Bon Jovi gets Clinton's help with plan to restore homes
Rocker hopes act will give blighted Philly area a boost

Associated Press

NEW YORK — When Jon Bon Jovi told former President Bill Clinton about a new plan to restore homes in one of Philadelphia's most blighted neighborhoods, his pal was all ears.

Clinton 'was intrigued enough that he offered his services, and said, 'If I can help you in any way, don't hesitate.' And we didn't,' Bon Jovi said Thursday."

Children's Theatre trying to stay afloat

Children's Theatre trying to stay afloat:
snip snip>>
"The theater, which tried and failed to secure a permanent home earlier this year, is one of several nonprofit organizations in Portland recently beset by financial uncertainty. The Center for Cultural Exchange sold its building to raise money to pay debt, and the YWCA of Greater Portland recently announced plans to close.
These struggles are part of a national trend that's particularly acute in Maine, said Scott Schnapp, executive director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits and a former board member of the Children's Theatre."

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Charity Navigator - 2006 CEO Compensation Study

Charity Navigator - 2006 CEO Compensation Study: "2006 CEO Compensation Study

October 2, 2006

In the process of evaluating thousands of charities, Charity Navigator has collected a wealth of data on CEO salaries. Our analysts have examined tens of thousands of nonprofit financial documents, giving us an exclusive insight into the real-world financial practices of America's largest charities.
Average CEO Pay

According to our analysis, the average CEO's compensation (for the 5054 charities in our database as of September 2006) is $141,947. This figure, based on each charity's most recently filed Form 990, includes salary, cash bonuses, and unusually large expense accounts, but not contributions to benefit plans or deferred compensation. To put it in perspective, the average charity's CEO's salary makes up about 3.4% of the organization's spending. This isn't outrageous when you consider that these are multi-million dollar operations. Leading one of these charities requires an individual that possesses both an understanding of the issues that are unique to the charity's mission as well as business and management expertise similar to that required of for-profit CEOs. Attracting and retaining that type of talent requires a certain level of compensation - roughly $140,000 according to our analysis."

The Frederick News-Post-Charity program praised for its ethics

The Frederick News-Post: " Charity program praised for its ethics
Advocates for Homeless Families makes Better Business Bureau list
Published on October 5, 2006

By Erin Henk
News-Post Staff
FREDERICK -- The Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland added Advocates for Homeless Families Inc. to a list of about 100 charities considered responsible and ethical."

Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/05/2006 | 2 former presidents to receive city medal

Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/05/2006 | 2 former presidents to receive city medal: "2 former presidents to receive city medal
Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush get the Liberty Medal tonight for their joint Katrina relief project.
By Larry Eichel
Inquirer Senior Writer

In the Irish Channel section of New Orleans, in a 156-year-old building that suffered severe roof and water damage from Katrina, the St. Thomas Community Health Center delivers more services to more patients today than ever before.

The thanks for this, according to clinic president Dr. Donald T. Erwin, goes largely to the $500,000 check hand-delivered in May by two former presidents of the United States.

'The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund was an absolute lifesaver; it gave us the kind of credibility that only money can buy,' Erwin said. 'We're bringing more to the table than we ever thought we'd bring.'"

Gazette.com-Charities tread line between services, pay

Gazette.com: "Charities tread line between services, pay


To keep talent at the top of a nonprofit, salaries climb

By DEBBIE KELLEY THE GAZETTE

Nineteen of the 35 chief executives of Colorado Springs’ largest nonprofit organizations earn six-figure salaries, according to a survey released Wednesday by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest nonprofit evaluator.

The top 2006 salary in the group is going to David S. Chernow, CEO of Junior Achievement Worldwide, who’s making $444,128, the survey reported.

While a six-figure salary isn’t uncommon for CEOs of top companies, such compensation for nonprofit counterparts may raise eyebrows — but it shouldn’t, said Sandra Miniutti, a spokeswoman for Charity Navigator. "

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Vail Daily News for Vail and Beaver Creek Colorado - Columnists-Vail’s philanthropy farm team

Vail Daily News for Vail and Beaver Creek Colorado - Columnists: "Vail’s philanthropy farm team

Millennium Society woos younger set to valley’s charities

Special to the Daily

Carolyn Pope
October 4, 2006

VAIL — I often look around many nonprofit events and cultural activities in town and am concerned that the majority of volunteers and donors are of the “gray-haired” age group.

I’m sure my parents’ and grandparents’ generation did the same thing — feared for the future of the symphony goers, hospital volunteers, museum docents. When that “older” generation is disabled or gone, who will keep these things going? "

D.C. Synagogue Receives $5 Million Gift - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Synagogue Receives $5 Million Gift - washingtonpost.com: "Donald Saltz, 72, is donating the money to Adas Israel Congregation in memory of his late wife, Mozelle, who died last December. They had been married for 40 years.


While 35 percent of money Americans donate goes to religious organizations, the $5 million stands out among gifts to individual houses of worship, experts said. Giving USA, which tracks data on philanthropy, said there have been no gifts near that size to particular synagogues, temples, churches or mosques in recent years. Other major gifts have been given to schools or hospitals affiliated with religious institutions."

S.F. Opera patron donates $35 million / Largest gift of its kind in U.S. follows several lean years

S.F. Opera patron donates $35 million / Largest gift of its kind in U.S. follows several lean years: "S.F. Opera patron donates $35 million
Largest gift of its kind in U.S. follows several lean years

Joshua Kosman

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Jeannik Méquet Littlefield is thanked before a performanc... Jeannik Mequet Littlefield is donating $35 million to the... Jeannik Mequet Littlefield (left) is donating $35 million...

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At a time when the San Francisco Opera is looking to shore up its finances, the company has received $35 million from longtime patron and supporter Jeannik Méquet Littlefield, a donation believed to be the largest to an American opera company from a single benefactor.

General Director David Gockley said Tuesday that $10 million of the donation would go into annual operating expenses, and the remaining $25 million would augment the company's endowment, which stands at around $90 million. The money comes with no restrictions on its use, Gockley said."

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

PCH PRESS - Local News-Getty Confirms: Strong Actions Taken to Remedy Governance Issues

PCH PRESS - Local News: "Getty Confirms: Strong Actions Taken to Remedy Governance Issues

PCH Press
Ocotber 2, 2006 2:19 PM PT

MALIBU - The Board of Trustees of the J. Paul Getty Trust said it was pleased that the California Attorney General Bill Lockyer's report has been issued and reiterated the Board’s commitment to strengthened governance at the Getty Trust.

“This has been a difficult period for the J. Paul Getty Trust. The Board has recognized the need for strengthened oversight, and has taken actions to make the Getty a leader in governance,” said Louise Bryson, Chair of the Getty's Board of Trustees."

The Capital Times-"State program can't nix religious charities

The Capital Times: "State program can't nix religious charities
Judge rules they can get funds
Associated Press

A state-run program allowing employees to donate part of their paychecks to charity may not exclude religious charities on grounds that the groups use religion as a basis for employment or membership on their governing boards, a federal judge has ruled.

The Association of Faith-Based Organizations, a coalition of faith-based groups based in Springfield, Va., filed the lawsuit in the spring.

It challenged an annual program, called State Employees Combined Campaign, that allows state workers to direct payroll deductions to charities that are deemed eligible by a state committee."

Monday, October 02, 2006

Texas Hold 'Em deals a winning hand for nonprofits

Texas Hold 'Em deals a winning hand for nonprofits: "Texas Hold 'Em deals a winning hand for nonprofits
Sunday, October 01, 2006
By Eric Gaertner
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Area charities and nonprofit groups have found the new royal flush of fundraisers: Texas Hold 'Em charity poker events at Great Lakes Downs.

Thousands of dollars are being raised for nonprofits in the state-licensed events, new customers are visiting the thoroughbred racetrack in Fruitport Township and avid local poker players always know where they can find a good game."

Barbers Make $1 Million to U.Va.

Barbers Make $1 Million to U.Va.: "Ronde and Tiki Barber Make $1 Million Gift to University's Campaign

Oct. 1, 2006 — Former University of Virginia football stars and current National Football League All-Pros Ronde and Tiki Barber and their families have made a $1 million gift to their alma mater.

Announcement of the Barbers’ gift was made on Saturday night during a dinner to launch the University’s $3 billion campaign. The Barber twins served as the emcees for that event in the John Paul Jones Arena."