Rockefellers Celebrate Three Centuries of Philanthropy

The Rockefeller family has sustained a prominent and creative presence in philanthropy for more than 120 years and six generations. A new monograph, based on a series of discussions and presentations by family members and associates explains how they have been able to nurture the family's charitable pursuits across decades. Entitled, An Entrepreneurial Spirit: Three Centuries of Rockefeller Philanthropy, the publication is available from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (212-812-4330).
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Getting Smart at Being Good

In the capitalist world of bare-knuckled competion, a growing number of CEOs believe that baring their corporate soul can bolster the bottom line. Time magazine profiles several executives that are testing the notion that corporations ought to exist for more than the pursuit of profit.

Fast Company Recognizes Social Capitalists

The current issue of Fast Company provides its annual ranking of social capitalists (aka really creative and cutting edge nonprofit organizations). While many of those recognized are past winners, it is always an instructive and inspiring group of institutions doing some fantastic work.

Senate tax bill opens new doors for charitable giving

The Senate's recently passed tax bill includes a section that aims to encourage charitable giving. The bill, S. 2020, contains incentives for charitable giving such as allowing tax-free charitable gifts from individual retirement accounts and new deductions for people who can't deduct their donations, because they don't itemize on their tax returns. Among the bill's other provisions are stricter rules governing deductions when donating clothing and household goods. For more details of the bill's section on charitable giving click here.

School Daze: Alumni Ante Up

According to the latest issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, if you plan to endow a scholarship at your alma mater, prepare to dig a little deeper. For example, Duke raised the amount needed to fund a restricted scholarship (the kind that gives you some say over who receives the award, such as specifiying the student's field of study) from $100,000 to $250,000. Johns Hopkins raised their requirement from $20,000 to $100,000. A quick search on the web reveals that to endow a chair or professorship can easily exceed $2 million -- one endowed chair established at Harvard Law Schoool was funded with a $3 million gift. With costs rising, and the increased need of financial aid, colleges are looking to alumni and their major benefactors to foot more of the bill. With the higher donation level, many colleges will give you the option of spreading your donation over a period of five to ten years.