Ronald O. Perelman, the billionaire philanthropist, uses small gifts as precursors to multimillion-dollar commitments.

Image courtesy of American Lung Association

The American Lung Association hopes to tap donor nostalgia with its Christmas Seals campaign.

Photograph by ISTOCK

A few charities are bucking the layoff trend by hiring workers and creating jobs.

From the issue dated October 1, 2009 About Managing SALARIES GREW by a median of 7 percent in 2008 for nonprofit executives, thanks in part to salary negotiations that took place in better economic times, The Chronicle's annual study found. Next year may be a different story. THE HEAD OF THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION makes nearly $1-million annually, and more than other foundation leaders. CHIEF EXECUTIVES at the largest nonprofit organizations now earn almost 10 times as much as leaders of small charities, a new study by a charity watchdog group has found. LITTLE BY LITTLE, some charities are starting to seek new employees, though most groups don't expect a turnaround in hiring for a while yet. HOSPITAL ENDOWMENTS dropped an average of 20 percent last year, but they fared better than those of many other nonprofit organizations. CHARITY LEADERS meeting with government officials hope to moderate antiterrorism policies that limit the work of international charities and scare off potential donors. NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE enjoys much improved health care, thanks to a Seattle charity, which started a propane-distribution company in the area. But the company's success isn't stopping there. (Innovations) STAFF AND BUDGET CUTS at nonprofit organizations: a sampling. About Giving RONALD O. PERELMAN, the billionaire philanthropist, tells how his small initial gifts turn into multimillion-dollar commitments­ — and what charities can do to get his attention. SUMMING UP A FOUNDATION'S MISSION in 10 seconds or less isn't easy, but those tag lines that are familiar to public-radio listeners can speak volumes. A $150-MILLION GIFT from Abu Dhabi to the Children's National Medical Center, which came with almost no strings, was solicited by a generous American donor to the hospital. THE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION has announced the 24 winners of its annual genius prize. THE FACE OF PHILANTHROPY: The Coastal Heritage Alliance seeks to educate people about the fishing industry and preserve its culture. RECENT GIFTS to nonprofit organizations and institutions. About Fund Raising CHARITIES ARE LOWERING THEIR EXPECTATIONS and tinkering with their donor appeals as they gear up for crucial fund-raising efforts in the year's final quarter. SENDING SEASONAL APPEALS when plants are in bloom has been far more successful for a botanical garden than asking for year-end gifts in the dead of winter. GETTING BOARD MEMBERS MOTIVATED to solicit donations: a successful trustee explains how he has helped raise millions of dollars. About Philanthropy Careers MALE VOLUNTEERS have always been scarce, but men are stepping forward in somewhat greater numbers than before. RICHARD C. SHADYAC SR., who died at age 80, used medical success stories to multiply donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (Legacies) KAREN MATHIS, a past president of the American Bar Association, hopes to make Big Brothers Big Sisters of America more visible to potential donors (New on the Job). AWARDS: Honors for people and organizations in philanthropy. PEOPLE: Appointments and promotions in the nonprofit world. About Technology COLLEGES raise a median of $60,000 through online gifts, a new study has found. A NEW SITE created by Independent Sector, an association of charities and foundations, is seeking to invite everyone to contribute ideas about the future of the nonprofit world. A SEATTLE CHARITY is raising money to provide small loans to students in developing countries. Opinion: William F. McCaplin suggests that foundations should divulge more about themselves; Michael Edwards believes that creative leaders can turn old antagonisms into healthier relationships; Kennard T. Wing argues that grant makers and others should stop worrying about how much charities spend on overhead; Kathleen P. Enright and Jonathan Spack say that foundations should stop focusing on the growing number of charities and instead find ways to channel dollars to the most-effective organizations, and Sean Stannard-Stockton applauds philanthropists who are not problem solvers themselves but who support those who are.