A donor’s family is asking a university to honor a restricted endowment gift after learning about an annual fee for development costs. We dig into these common but sometimes opaque fees, and explore how donors can avoid similar surprises.
Read MoreSteve Bannon and others have been charged with defrauding donors as part of a campaign to support the construction of a border wall. It’s an atypical story, but one that offers some important reminders for typical donors.
Read MoreAfter the University of Pennsylvania announced it would change the name of its law school following a $125 million gift, students and alumni revolted. We dig into a controversy that encapsulates some of higher ed fundraising’s most timely storylines.
Read MoreGifts of art and other non-cash contributions play pivotal roles in the building of collections for museums, archives and libraries. But a new and higher bar for appraisals has made such donations more complicated.
Read MoreNothing of substance has yet been decided in the New York Attorney General’s lawsuit against the Trump Foundation. But make no mistake: the suit is still moving forward, albeit slowly.
Read MoreThree years ago, the Pearson brothers gave $100 million to the University of Chicago. Now they want their money back. As higher ed donors exert more influence, will we be seeing more of this in the future?
Read MoreAmong the claims of the New York AG’s suit against the Trump Foundation is that it engaged in transactions with related parties which are prohibited by private foundations. How strong are these charges?
Read MoreIt’s pretty clear that Trump used his foundation to benefit his political campaign as president. What can other donors learn from these charges against the foundation?
Read MorePart the New York AG’s suit against the Trump Foundation focuses on its flawed internal policies. The suit spotlights potential trouble spots that all private foundations should be aware of.
Read MoreMany people with private foundations operate them too informally. A review of some of the charges leveled against the Trump Foundation by New York State highlights problems that can arise from a lackadaisical approach.
Read MoreThe State of New York’s unusual action against a private foundation will likely serve as a wake-up call to many families and individuals who make use of these charitable vehicles but don’t know all the rules that surround them.
Read MoreStates are looking to create charitable organizations that residents can donate to in lieu of paying state and local taxes. Here's why these schemes are doomed to fail.
Read MoreThe planned sale of a significant portion of the artwork collection of the Berkshire Museum raises questions for both other museums and many nonprofits.
Read MoreDeep murkiness surrounds the fundraising and finances of higher ed institutions, especially those that raise money through supporting foundations. The result? Donor due diligence can be impossible.
Read MoreDonors may be gone, but they can't be forgotten. We look at a case at Brown University in which a building is renamed in favor of a new and wealthier donor. Does this pass the smell test?
Read MoreIs the measure of a philanthropist only what he or she donates to charity from their own personal assets? We look at that question amid claims that many celebrities don't give in a meaningful way.
Read MoreThere's no big scandal here, as some media reports might imply. But fundraising arrangements involving Tom Brady and a nonprofit he's backed for years raise some good questions.
Read MoreA crazy case involving a wealthy family and a Massachusetts college raises a sticky question: When charities want to distance themselves from the tarnished reputations of donors, what are their options?
Read MoreWhen we donate to an organization, it's implied that our gift will be used to advance its mission. Is it legal when nonprofits divert donated funds to other purposes?
Read MoreAs more big and complicated gifts flow to nonprofits, donors want more assurance that their intent is being honored. We look at a key case that shaped what rights donors have in this regard.
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