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February 05, 2007

Charities Battle Over a $260-Million Bequest

The Salvation Army is asking a Seattle court to cut Greenpeace out of a multimillion-dollar bequest, reports The New York Times.

H. Guy Di Stefano, a retired jewelry-store owner, died in July, leaving a $260-million trust to be divided among eight charities: the American Humane Society, Direct Relief International, the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, Greenpeace International Inc., the Salvation Army, the Santa Barbara Hospice Foundation, the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurse Association, and the World Wildlife Fund.

Greenpeace International was shut down in 2005, and named the Greenpeace Fund as its successor-in-interest. The Salvation Army’s Western Territory, however, says Greenpeace should not get the money.

“The donor’s intent was specific,” said Michael Woodruff, the general counsel for the Salvation Army’s Western Territory. “If a corporation or charity named in the trust does not qualify, that gift lapses, and he specifically named Greenpeace International.”

Greenpeace’s executive director, John Passacatando, says his group deserves the money. “I’m mystified why anyone, let alone the Salvation Army, would oppose Greenpeace receiving this generous donation,” he told the newspaper.

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