Executive Issues

2008 U.S. Charitable Giving Estimated to be $307.65 Billion
June 10, 2009

GLENVIEW, Ill., June 10, 2009 — Charitable giving in the United States exceeded $300 billion for the second year in a row in 2008, according to Giving USA 2009. Donations to charitable causes in the United States reached an estimated $307.65 billion in 2008, a 2 percent drop in current dollars over 2007.

The Age of Diminishing Endowments
June 9, 2009

June 6, 2009, New Haven, Conn., The Wall Street Journal — Richard Levin, the longest serving president in the Ivy League, had enjoyed a charmed run at Yale. In his first 15 years Yale's endowment notched up the best returns of any university's, and its innovative investment strategy became a model for many others. Mr. Levin rode the bull market to restore morale, launch a building spree, and strengthen the school in sciences and internationally. Yale dollars even spruced up shabby New Haven.

Wanted: Fund-raising Ideas
June 8, 2009

June 7, 2009, NEW YORK, JTA — Whoever thought you’d see a former U.S. poet laureate singing a kitschy jingle on YouTube asking for funds for a small nonprofit that most of his readers have never heard of?

More Wealthy Americans Donating Through Foundations
June 8, 2009

June 8, 2009, BRADENTON, Bradenton Herald — The charitable giving of wealthy Americans like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates has called attention to philanthropy as a way to give back to the community while you are still living.

UK Private Bank Reports Healthy Philanthropic Commitments From Clients
June 4, 2009

June 1, 2009, Wealth Bulletin — UK philanthropists are giving just as much, or even more, during the recession, according to a survey by Coutts of more than 100 of its clients. The survey found that nearly 90% of clients are planning to maintain or increare donation levels this year.

Alarming Decline in Philanthropy
June 2, 2009

June 2, 2009, The Philadelphia Inquirer — Less.

In a country where General Motors declares bankruptcy, Americans are learning to deal with less of everything.

Our region has less, too, including a dwindling pool of generous benefactors and civic leaders.

Aid Agencies Struggle as Soaring Global Needs Outpace Funding
June 1, 2009

May 28, 2009, Thomson Reuters Foundation — Aid funds are running short for worsening humanitarian emergencies in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Horn of Africa, as political complexities and the global economic crisis dampen the generosity of governments and individual donors.