Roundup of media clippings about philanthropy and nonprofits.
Local angle:
- Anonymous $500K Donation Helping Twin Cities Food Shelves
Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal: The December donation to the Greater Twin Cities United Way came on top of $100,000 given by General Mills in the same month to support food-relief efforts. - Kids Not Ready for Kindergarten Cost Minnesota Schools $113 Million a Year
Star Tribune: A Wilder Research study, commissioned by the Bush Foundation, adds to the argument for more early childhood education. Also see the paper’s related editorial. - Bush Grant Brings Boost to Ordway
Star Tribune: The Ordway received $670,000 to broaden its world music and dance programming. - Penny Among Group Brainstorming Budget Solutions
Rochester Post-Bulletin: Former 1st District Rep. Tim Penny, now president of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, joined 36 other invitees from around the state chosen by Gov. Tim Pawlenty for being creative thinkers. - South Metro Briefs
Star Tribune: News about foundation donations to the Minnesota Zoo, a free educational video game, and Lakeville’s Miracle League Field. - Executive Decision: General Mills CEO Kendall Powell
CNBC: General Mills is hoping its advertising deal with NBC’s The Biggest Loser will be a big winner. Participants in the Pound for Pound Challenge pledge to lose weight, and for every pound lost General Mills donates 10 cents to Feeding America, the largest U.S. food bank. Powell said the initiative could help Feeding America deliver as much as 5 million pounds of food. - Charity Gets Last-Minute Salvation of its Own
Star Tribune: The Salvation Army made a surprise comeback, surpassing its fundraising target as large donations rolled in from Cargill and others. - For Schools, Small Office Has Big Reach
Star Tribune: The new Office of Resource Development and Innovation pursues funding and partnerships for programs and works to boost academic achievement throughout the Minneapolis district.
National:
- Recession Didn’t Halt Big Gifts in 2008
Chronicle of Philanthropy: Even as the economy slipped into recession, America’s wealthiest individuals were giving record sums to charity. - Philanthropy Needs Human Rights
Forbes: Focusing on rights improvement as a key aid priority does more than just restore people’s dignity. It fosters long-term development and economic progress. - Foundations Help Nonprofits Hurt in Madoff Affair
Associated Press: Nonprofits that are struggling because their donors lost money with Bernard Madoff are getting a bailout – but not from the government. Richer foundations are stepping in to help. - Charities Revamped Investment Policies in 2008
Chronicle of Philanthropy: More than one out of four nonprofit groups have revised their investment policies within the last year, according to a new survey. That trend is certain to pick up in the coming months, said the researchers who overaw the report. - How Obama Can Partner With Philanthropy
San Francisco Chronicle: In forging alliances, the new administration will want to preserve the independence of its partners in social change – for their independence provides them the agility to invent. - We’re Right to Push for More Charity for Minorities
Letter in response to last week’s Wall Street Journal article “The Philanthropy Shakedown.” - California Foundations Take Active Role on Health Policy
Los Angeles Times: Frustrated that years of financing studies and demonstration projects have not translated into widespread improvement in medicine, California philanthropic foundations and think tanks are shedding their traditionally detached stances to crusade for healthcare reform in the state Capitol and in Congress.
