Lessons From a Mega-Gift Disaster

Plus, why nonprofits should be building effective citizen-advocates (opinion); and permanent funds offer a new model for disaster response ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. BEST PRACTICES [Mega-Gift Fiasco at Florida A&M Shows Nonprofits What Not to Do]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( A questionable $240 million gift illustrates what can happen when nonprofit leaders ignore warning signs. ADVERTISEMENT [Mega-Gift Fiasco at Florida A&M Shows Nonprofits What Not to Do]( OPINION [How Nonprofits Lose Out When Volunteer Advocates Are Asked to Do Little Real Advocacy]( By Sam Daley-Harris [STORY IMAGE]( Nonprofits worried about their brand are asking supporters to do little more than sign petitions and write checks. They should be helping them become effective citizen-advocates. TRENDS [As Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins, Florida Community Foundations Prepare Permanent Disaster Funds]( By Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( Establishing permanent funds allows foundations to issue grants quickly in response to natural disasters. WEBINARS [June 13 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Many nonprofits focus their grant seeking on large national foundations, even though community foundations are often more accessible, with stronger local ties. Join us for Attracting Support for Community Foundations to learn from Samuel Bellamy of the Coastal Community Foundation and Irfan Hasan of the New York Community Trust. They’ll explain how to approach and engage program officers, write proposals that rise above the competition, and more. SPONSOR CONTENT | Center for Creative Leadership [Stronger Together: How Leadership and Evaluation Drive Nonprofit Impact]( HEWLETT TRAINING SERIES [June 18 and 25 (June 4 on demand) | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for Build a Thriving Nonprofit Culture, a series of three, 75-minute online sessions designed for leaders of small nonprofits who want to create a vibrant organizational culture to attract and retain top talent from all backgrounds. You’ll get strategies and tactics for creating a positive work environment from the inside out — without breaking the budget. The complimentary registration includes three sessions: Create an Inclusive Nonprofit Culture | Attract, Motivate, and Retain Top Talent | Foster a Culture of Well-Being. All sessions will be recorded and available on demand. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online Rob Rosen, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation executive who ran the Giving Pledge, will step down at the end of this month. Rosen worked with Bill and Hilary Clinton before his 17-year stint at the Gates philanthropy, where he oversees the organization’s partnerships with other major donors. He announced his departure at the annual gathering of Giving Pledge signers. ([New York Times]( Law and Nonprofits - Key Figure at Detroit Riverfront Nonprofit Charged With Embezzling Millions ([Associated Press]( - DOJ Charges Epoch Times CFO in $67 Million Money-Laundering Scheme ([Los Angeles Times]( - Casa Ruby Founder Set to Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Over Pandemic Funds ([Washington Post]( - L.A. City Council Refuses Police Dog Donation Over Training Firm’s Name, Shared With Hitler’s Bunker ([Los Angeles Times]( - DOJ Announces $7.6 Million Settlement with Cleveland Clinic Foundation Over Foreign Sources of Funding ([Policy & Medicine]( More News - This Catholic Leader Shelters Migrants. Texas Says He Runs ‘Stash Houses.’ ([Washington Post]( - After Publishing an Article Critical of Israel, Columbia Law Review’s Website Is Shut Down by Board ([Associated Press]( - Largest Public Radio Station in Kentucky To Reduce Workforce. ([Inside Radio]( Arts and Culture - San Francisco Jewish Museum Has a Blank Space for Dissenting Artists ([New York Times]( - The Philadelphia Free Library’s Author Events Staff Resigned Monday Due to What They Called ‘Heartbreaking’ Work Culture ([Inquirer]( - A Tech Accelerator Helps Major Museums Develop Blockchain Projects to Stay Relevant to Younger Audiences ([ARTnews]( Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. EDITOR'S PICKS CASE STUDY [Would Your Nonprofit Return a Gift From a ‘Power Drunk’ Donor? This Group Did]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( Flatbush Cats gave back a nearly $30,000 gift. The group explains how the relationship soured and offers advice on protecting staff and dealing with problematic donors. OPINION | DEI UNDER ATTACK [DEI Isn’t a Dirty Word. How Funders Can Fight Back.]( By Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Minjon Tholen, and Dan Egol [STORY IMAGE]( Despite an onslaught of attacks, including this week’s ruling against the Fearless Fund, the need for DEI programs is growing. Philanthropy can help fortify the field against future assaults. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION [A Grant Program for Black Women Business Owners Is Discriminatory, Appeals Court Rules]( By Alexandra Olson, Associated Press [STORY IMAGE]( The ruling against the Atlanta-based Fearless Fund is another victory for conservative groups waging a sprawling legal battle against corporate diversity programs. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( — Many nonprofits focus their grant seeking on large national foundations, even though community foundations are often more accessible, have strong local ties, and give away billions to charities each year. How can you get the attention of community foundations and win support for your cause? Join us on Thursday, June 13, at 2 p.m. ET to get advice from two community foundation leaders. They’ll explain how to determine if your nonprofit is a fit for a potential grant maker, ways to approach and engage program officers, and how to write proposals that rise above the competition. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Apply today](. [Planned Giving Officer, environment and reproductive rights]( Population Connection [Search other jobs.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037