The Philanthropy 50
America’s Wealthy Made More Big Gifts but Still Lag Behind Pre-Recession Pace
The 50 biggest donors contributed $10.4-billion last year, up from $3.3-billion in 2010.
A Look at the 50 Most Generous Donors of 2011
The Philanthropy 50: Who They Are and How They Give
As Tensions Over Wealth Gap RIse, Rich Are Giving More
The nation’s 50 most-generous donors continued to direct most of their giving to colleges, foundations, and other causes rather than social-service groups.
Buffett, Gates, and Turner Continue to Pay Off Mega Pledges
The Philanthropy 50 list doesn't include some of the best-known names in giving because those donors didn't make any new commitments in the past year.
Ore. University’s Honest Discussion of Strengths Wins Big Gift
Oregon Health & Science University Foundation offered a 12-page statement of what it could do with a large sum when an anonymous benefactor showed interest in the...
Community Fund Uses Western Flair to Land Big Gift
The South Dakota Community Foundation uses its knowledge of what two donors cared most about to seek a big estate gift.
How The Chronicle’s Philanthropy 50 Was Compiled
About Managing
Collapse of Famous Hull House Charity Could Be an Omen
Nonprofit leaders say the high-profile casualty of the recession could mark the start of more closures. But it is also a case study in the missteps many charities make, say...
Lessons From Hull House’s Collapse
With the closing of the pioneering social-service organization in Chicago after 123 years, nonprofit leaders suggest strategies that charity organizations must embrace to...
What Would Founder Jane Addams Think of Hull House Demise?
The Nobel Prize winner who is considered the founder of the social-service movement probably wouldn't recognize the organization she created, says one scholar.
Collaborative Approach Gaining Favor as Strategy for Deep-Seated Problems 
Community groups find that the coalition approach can be more successful than a single program in tackling social problems that have defied solutions, such as low reading...
Obama and Romney Give Far More Than Average Americans
In 2010, the two men gave nearly 14 percent of their incomes to charity.
IRS Levies Fine on Food for the Hungry Over Drug Valuations
The big aid charity was accused of misleading donors by overstating its revenue. The charity says the IRS was off base in its response.
Charities Ask Supreme Court to Uphold Health-Care Law
Charities and patient-advocacy groups say the Supreme Court should uphold a health-care law that requires most Americans to buy health insurance.
N.Y. Public Television Station Gets New Fundraiser
In a career that most recently included 13 years at the Museum of Modern Art, Lisa Mantone has found that an ability to work successfully with "strong people" is a great...
New ServiceNation Chief Hopes to Build Support for Volunteerism
After military service and human-rights work, Ken Harbaugh wants to promote the idea of community service as "a patriotic duty."
A Charity Lawyer’s Advice
The Lincoln Center's general counsel has written an overview guide on legal issues relevant to the administration of nonprofits.
About Fundraising
Moblie Philanthropy Goes Big
Nonprofits are asking people to text pledges at galas and other events, and finding ways to get large donations, rather than the typical $10 or $25 gifts of the past.
Hospital Loses to Garth Brooks in Gift Lawsuit
A court ruled that a hospital had to give back $500,000 the singer had provided, plus another $500,000 in damages. The singer asked for his money back after negotiations over...
Do’s and Don’ts for Fundraisers Seeking Gifts From Wealthy Donors
Fundraising-Software Provider Blackbaud to Acquire Its Rival Convio
Consolidation of businesses sparks fears about the choices that will be available to charities that conduct online appeals.
Livestrong’s Finances 'Scrupulous’—But Marketing Practices Fuzzy, Magazine Says
Investigating claims of Lance Armstrong's Livestrong charity, a journalist for "Outside" magazine finds that the bicycling champion has done nothing illegal--though some of...
About Giving
Careful Listening Helps a Philanthropy Adviser
Sunny Fischer, who leads the philanthropy of the Chicago investment adviser Richard Driehaus, says her role is to be a researcher and analyst, and observer.
Streisand's Adviser Shares Star's Interests
Margery Tabankin, who has helped Barbara Streisand give away money for 25 years, says her values are the same as the entertainer.
Billionaire’s Adviser Focuses on Results
Christine Taylor, who advises the businessman Ronald O. Perelman, says she looks out return in investment as she vets potential donations, but ties to the donor also help.
Opinion
Overlooked Education Gifts That Might Make a Real Difference
The search for innovation and sexy new projects often means that donors fail to focus on efforts like making education for the disabled more cost-efficient and dealing with...
Misplaced Giving Priorities of America’s Wealthy
At a time when nonprofits are closing and demand for their services is rising, why are rich donors directing their money to causes that are not urgent, such as aiding the...
Charities Suffer From a Wealth Gap, Too
Nonprofits struggle with the same profound income inequality that individuals in this country do, with hospitals, universities, and other large institutions leading the pack...
Unlocking Government AId for Religious Groups
A Supreme Court decision removes the roadblocks that have made it hard for federal dollars to flow to faith organizations.
7 Ways to Ensure Gifts for Medical Research Do More Good
As donors back efforts to convert biomedical discoveries into patient therapies, it's important to look at how well grantees attract top talent and how their finances work.
Other Features
A Seattle Charity Helps Poor Families Lay Claim to Land They Farm
The rural development group Landesa says providing secure title to patches of land creates capital and helps families improve their income and their diets.
