Weekly News Recap: January 8, 2016
Charles Bronfman (uncredited)
Studies, reports, trends, opinions
The Study of Women and Philanthropy Just Got a Major Boost. Here's Why That Matters Nice $2.1 million boost from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. (1/7/16)
Philanthropy Forecast, 2016: Trends and Funders to Watch Good list of trends to gander at. (1/6/16)
First Philanthropy Almanac Provides a Wealth of Facts and Data This looks like a great resource for anyone wanting facts on philanthropy. It is focused on American philanthropy but lots here and...it is freely available. For now. (1/6/16)
Colby Cosh: Alberta in 2016: a political scene in oil-price limbo Pretty astute assessment - worth a read. ALBERTA STORY (1/5/16)
Environmental Giving in 2015: Boldest Moves and Top Trends I think this is only going to grow. And by grow, I mean, explode. (12/30/15)
With millennial philanthropy money flowing, arts groups miss out More on millennial philanthropy and their interest in 'effective altruism'. (12/27/15)
University Philanthropy: From Acorns to Oaks and Beyond Some intel from down under. (12/24/15)
Aboriginal Statistics at a Glance: 2nd Edition As highlighted in CCVO's recent bulletin. This is the most current census information on our Aboriginal peoples available. Unsurprisingly, the stats are not good nor do they appear to be improving. CANADIAN STORY (12/24/15)
One Year Later: Reflecting on Detroit’s Philanthropy-Driven “Grand Bargain” For those of you not familiar with this story, it is a fantastic one. One of the most important "Big Philanthropy" stories of this century. A tremendous example of how Foundations can do what no other part of the sector can - truly rebuild society. Awesome! (12/21/15)
Homeless charity to return donation by notorious entrepreneur Martin Shkreli This organization clearly knows what it is going to do about this. (12/19/15)
Study: Socially Responsible Gifts Mostly Please the Giver I am not surprised by this but, I have to admit, I have given gifts like this. And, I always feel great! (12/18/15)
Martin Shkreli’s Arrest Fuels Debate Over $1 Million Donation I am following this story. I am very curious to see what they do with the money. What would you do? (12/18/15)
Billions at Stake as IPO Charity Set-Asides Become Routine Not so common here but it might one day be. Interesting all the same. (12/17/15)
2015-16 ALBERTA BUDGET SUMMARY CCVO's Alberta Budget Summary in case you missed it - excellent resource. ALBERTA STORY
Calgary nonprofit and charitable sector FACT SHEET Another great and contemporary resource from CCVO - 5600 nonprofits in Calgary. Thanks to Andrea for highlighting this one. CALGARY STORY
Philanthropic personalities
Center field: Charles Bronfman’s catalytic philanthropy Great profile piece on a great Canadian and an outstanding global philanthropist. CANADIAN CONNECTION (1/5/16)
40 Under 40: Young Leaders Who Are Solving the Problems of Today — and Tomorrow I recognize a few names and I know one (Lacie LaRue) personally but the rest...clearly I am not getting younger. (1/5/16)
Edmonton businesswoman Cathy Roozen receives Order of Canada I have known Cathy and her family for a long time. Very well deserved. As a bit of history, her father, Dr. Charles Allard, started Allardcom who went on to own ITV Edmonton, Superchannel, etc. (now Global Television). ALBERTA STORY (12/30/15)
How philanthropist Chuck Feeney spent his billions on Irish society Another reason to love the Irish. (12/21/15)
News
- The death of the Alberta dream Trigger warning: This is a depressing, albeit sobering and accurate, read. ALBERTA STORY (1/6/15)
Nerdy
- Giving Unchained: Philanthropy and the Blockchain This is super-nerdy. Full bonus points to anyone who knows what a blockchain is. This article points to a PDF that discusses very future-looking aspects of this technology and its implications for philanthropy. Not required reading for today's fundraiser but likely for tomorrow's.
Just plain interesting or even...useful
FORMER GOOGLER LETS US IN ON THE SURPRISING SECRET TO BEING A GOOD BOSS I think this article is one of the best on communication that I read in a long time. A few weeks ago I had lunch with my best friend. As we were ending lunch she said "Why were you interrupting me so much today? Are you in a hurry? What's up?" Honestly, I have seen this, usually under control bad habit of mine under much better control. I needed someone who cared about me to call me on this bad habit. Radical Candor. Love it. (12/18/15)
The Last 10 Percent: How to Push Through a Project When You're Nearing the Finish Line Good advice for all of us. (12/18/15)
How to Use a Simple Pocket Notebook to Improve Your Life Andrea joined me at a meeting just before Christmas, I loved how she used a simple sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper to take notes. Yep, notebooks are cool and I have lots but there is something wonderful about seeing your business partner remind you of the simple things in life. (6/22/15)
Large gifts
EXCLUSIVE: Shared love spurs $5M donation for UL stadium Strong bonds and shared memories -- a legacy gift in honour of his father. (1/9/16)
ConocoPhillips donation to UAF slated for engineering building ConocoPhillips is clearly still making gifts...just not in Calgary. (1/6/16)
Vancouver couple makes big donation to help eradicate polio Yes, polio still exists. This story is interesting for its gift leveraging as well -- their $500K was matched by The Gates Foundation and the Canadian government to bring the total gift to $2.5 million. CANADIAN STORY (1/4/16)
Ellen Degeneres Steering Donation to St. Jude There's power in that there celebrity. All fun aside, the Oscar ceremony selfie along garnered $3 million for charity from Samsung. Not bad. (1/4/16)
UH Elyria Medical Center receives $10.6 million donation This is lovely gift (and they gave an additional $1.5 million for a screening program). (1/4/16)
The Biggest Charitable Gifts Of 2015 And The People Who Made Them Interesting list as always. I draw your attention to the top donor, John Santikos, who made a $605 million bequest -- he was never listed on the Forbes List of the World's Billionaires, but clearly was one. (1/1/16)
Idaho Youth Ranch receives $7.5 million donation Youth. Outdoors. Education. Awesome. (12/29/16)
Twin Cities church receives $17 million donation Wowzers! Even pastors have to "ask" but when they do... This story is also interesting in how long the church kept the gift quiet -- four years!!! (12/29/16)
Bethesda Businessman, Wife Give $15M to ACLU You don't see this every day. “Yes, people make mistakes,” he told The Washington Post. “But if they paid the price and now want to build a better life, why should that mistake have to carry with them the rest of their lives?” (12/22/15)
Controversial 'Grimsby' writer Sacha Baron Cohen makes generous donation to charity For fans of Sacha Baron Cohen (I have mixed feelings, he is very talented but most of his talents get on my nerves) -- BTW, his NW is north of $110 million, nice to see him step up. (12/27/15)
City Accepts $1.6M Donation for New San Ysidro Library Lovely story. I love libraries. (12/19/15)
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