In past recessions, donors have tightened their pursestrings even as the need has grown. But two scholars explain why, at least for foundations, there’s room for more generosity in tough times.
Under a settlement reached with New York authorities, he must give US$2 million to nonprofits out of his own pocket. And if he wants to start another foundation, Trump must submit to close supervision.
Morten Wendelbo, American University School of Public Affairs
The $4 billion that foundations are pledging to spend within five years amounts to less than 1 percent of what businesses and governments spend on global warming every year.
These partnerships between investors, governments and nonprofits are a new way to pay for programs and services that help people in need and address intractable problems like mass incarceration.
There is a risk that the foundation’s alleged disregard for its duty to serve others rather than one family’s personal interests could become more commonplace.
When public universities and their foundations take large sums of money from political and strategic philanthropists, they can’t safeguard academic freedom unless there’s some transparency.
The nation’s biggest gun advocacy group operates as a bundle of distinct organizations. It’s a fairly common arrangement, followed also by the likes of Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.
Fabrice Jaumont, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme (FMSH)
American charitable foundations have gradually established themselves as key players in the African academic sector. If the benefits have been remarkable, there are risks as well.
Ted Lechterman, Stanford University McCoy Family Center for Ethics in Society
Amazon’s founder turned to Twitter to crowdsource ideas for his charitable giving. This populist approach and his preference for short-term results set Jeff Bezos apart from other mega-donors.
In ‘The Givers,’ author David Callahan warns that today’s mega-rich philanthropists wield too much political clout. He may be exaggerating their power and lowballing the public’s own strength.
Given Trump’s substantial conflicts of interest, the foundation’s admission of self-dealing should sound a warning to both the president-elect and voters as he takes the oath of office.
The Trump Foundation has received lots of scrutiny in recent months questioning how much the candidate gives, where the charity’s money comes from and how it’s used. Here’s what we know so far.
The current lack of transparency in Australian philanthropy raises ethical questions. Far from being a solely private activity, philanthropy needs greater public accountability.
Professor of Economics, Public Policy and Public Administration, and International Affairs, Associate Director, Trachtenberg School, Co-Director: George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center, George Washington University