Weekly News Recap: June 9, 2017

The new glass entrance to the National Arts Centre will be called the Kipnes Lantern in honour of patron Dianne Kipnes and her husband who donated $5 million to the NAC renovation project. JULIE OLIVER / POSTMEDIA

Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way. -- Coach John Wooden

Tools and resources

News

  • Edmonton charity's biggest donors revealed after decades of anonymity (CBC) EDMONTON STORY Eldon and Anne Foote have given over $164 million to the Edmonton Community Foundation. 6/7/17

  • New downtown library on time, potentially under budget (CBC) CALGARY STORY Can't wait! "While it's currently on budget, [Calgary Municipal Land Corporation CEO Michael Brown] said it's possible it will finish up slightly under the $245-million price tag. If that happens, CMLC will use that excess cash for other projects in the East Village or Victoria Park." 6/7/17

  • Small towns boost revenue with new names on rinks, pools (Globe and Mail) CANADIAN STORY This trend is definitely on the rise. What needs to be made especially clear is that this article is about sponsorship and not about philanthropy. The references to individual donors notwithstanding, most if not all contemporary naming rights in the sport and recreation sector are those associated and linked to corporate sponsorship. The idea that sponsored naming rights were given in perpetuity is also misleading. This has only happened in a very small number of isolated cases. Most sponsored naming rights have a finite term typically in the 5 - 10-year range. Philanthropic naming rights, on the other hand, are almost exclusively related to individual giving and have much longer naming terms (although in perpetuity is now quite rare in this realm as well). 6/6/17

  • UVic to rename Trutch building because of colonial politician's racist legacy (CBC) VICTORIA STORY I have a hypothetical case very similar to this as part of my naming presentation. "Joseph Trutch is remembered as B.C.'s first lieutenant-governor, an engineer and commissioner of public works. But he is also remembered as a man who trampled over the rights of B.C.'s Indigenous peoples in the 19th century, which is why the University of Victoria is removing his name from one of its residence buildings." 6/6/17

  • London bridge terror attack victim Christine Archibald recalled as 'gentle soul' by former Calgary boss (CBC) CALGARY STORY What an amazing family. Homeless shelters across Canada have seen a spike in donations from this campaign. RIP Ms. Archibald. "[A] statement issued by the Archibald family urging people to give their time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter — 'and tell them Chrissy sent you' — has already inspired generosity in Calgary. The statement inspired a trend on Twitter under the tag #Chrissysentme." 6/5/17

  • Elgin Street's newest landmark named for $5M NAC donors (Ottawa Citizen) OTTAWA STORY "The signature element of the National Art’s Centre’s $110.5-million facelift will be named the Kipnes Lantern after an Edmonton couple gave $5 million to the arts organization." I have had the privilege of knowing both Dianne and Irving Kipnes. What a tremendous gift to Canada and a lovely tribute to the Kipnes family. 6/5/17

  • CAMH to begin construction of two new patient buildings this fall (InsideToronto.com) TORONTO STORY "The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will break ground for its major redevelopment project along Queen Street West, dubbed Phase 1C in October." We are proud to be working with the CAMH Foundation on this important community and mental health project. 6/5/17

  • Homeless man donates $10K from residential school settlement to Thunder Bay shelter, officials say (CBC) THUNDER BAY STORY From those with the least to give, the most is given. Beautiful. Moving. 6/5/17

  • Edmonton's Winspear Centre turning 20 and eyeing expansion (CBC) EDMONTON STORY Happy Birthday Winspear! $53M addition pitched as the completion of the original dream. 6/3/17

  • $5M donation could create Nevada ‘Top Gun’ for teachers (Las Vegas Review Journal) Nice. I love investing in teachers. "A new institute to produce highly trained teachers to work in Nevada schools will move forward with a $5 million anonymous donation." 6/1/17

Philanthropic personalities

  • Despite Still Being Unsigned, Colin Kaepernick Continues $1 Million Donation Pledge to Activist Groups (Telesur) I love this guy but, he seems to be paying a heavy price for his activism. "Despite still being unsigned, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has continued with his pledge to donate US$1 million to activist groups throughout the United States, announcing the latest beneficiaries Friday. Beginning October 2016, the firebrand football player has donated US$100,000 a month to various causes and organizations throughout the country, with US$700,000 donated as of May. This week, he announced that in April, American Friends Service Committee, Assata’s Daughters, Grassroots Leadership and Helping Oppressed Mothers Endure all received a US$25,000 donation, made through the Colin Kaepernick Foundation." 6/4/17

Trends and shifts

  • Focus on nutrition at food banks (St. Albert Gazette) CANADIAN STORY "Nutrition may not be the first concern for those who need to use the food bank. It’s more often a case of simply having something to eat versus going hungry. But a cross-country effort by food banks and dietitians is aiming to change that by providing low-cost ideas for nutritious meals based around items found at food banks." 6/7/17

  • Responsible investing: Government’s role in invigorating the impact investing scene (The Edge Markets) "Governments have a crucial role to play in driving the growth of the impact investing ecosystem in order to mobilise more private capital for public good [...]. Impact investing has been gaining momentum in the last decade, with entrepreneurs and philanthropists leveraging the power of capital markets to help find solutions to address social needs." 6/7/17

  • Behind the Fight Against Modern Slavery in Los Angeles (Inside Philanthropy) Read the story behind the L.A.-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST). "Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world after drugs, generating $150 billion in profits, according to the International Labor Organization [...]. It’s thriving in the United States, and especially in cities with large immigrant populations. Los Angeles is an epicenter of this troubling phenomenon." 6/5/17

  • We need a science of philanthropy (Nature) Yes, that "Nature" as in Nature: The International Weekly Journal of Science. This opinion piece in one of the world's most prestigious journals of science speaks volumes on how important this issue is and how much attention is now being paid to it. Yes, we do need a science of philanthropy. "Philanthropists are flying blind because little is known about how to donate money well." 6/5/17

  • Forces of Change: Reshaping How Non-Profit Organizations are Governed, Managed, and Resourced (The Philanthropist) This article explores four key themes: mission effectiveness, leadership approaches and workforce expectations, networked and collaborative action, and deeper and broader engagement. Further, there is an excellent linked report. Thank you to Andrea McManus for sharing this post. 5/29/17

Life and career hacks

Reports and studies

Philanthropic controversy

  • It's a Given: The State of Chinese Philanthropy (CGGSB) "While China ranks second only to the US in number of billionaires, it ranks 144th out of 145 countries on the 2015 CAF World Giving Index, which measures engagement in charity and willingness to help strangers. Similarly, the Hurun Report, a Shanghai-based wealth research firm, reported that in 2014 China’s top 100 philanthropists gave $3.2 billion—which sounds impressive until you learn that the sum is less than the amount given by just the top three givers in America." 6/7/17

  • How Donald Trump Shifted Kids-Cancer Charity Money Into His Business (Forbes)"[Eric Trump]'s done a ton of good: To date, he's directed more than $11 million [to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis], the vast majority of it via [his] annual golf event. He has also helped raise another $5 million through events with other organizations." But... hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'costs' have also been accrued by these events. "Golf charity experts say the listed expenses defy any reasonable cost justification for a one-day golf tournament." 6/6/17

Uncommon knowledge

Large gifts

  • RIT receives $1M donation to help increase diversity in science (Rochester Business Journal)"Rochester Institute of Technology has received $1 million from private donors to help increase the school’s diversity and inclusivity among science majors [...]. This is RIT’s first gift from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute [...]." 6/7/17

  • Mass. Eye and Ear gets record $20m donation to research hearing loss (Boston Globe) "Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary just got a big boost to expand its research into hearing loss: a $20 million gift, the largest in the hospital’s history, from an anonymous donor [...]. The donation is the second-largest gift for hearing research in the United States, the hospital said, after a $25 million gift to the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine in 2015." 6/7/17

  • MIT Gets $140 Million Donation From Anonymous Alumnus (U.S. News) Anonymous and unrestricted! Wow! BTW, MIT is $3.5 billion into a $5 billion campaign. "The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is getting a $140 million donation from a former student. Officials at the elite school said Wednesday that the donation comes from an alumnus who wants to remain anonymous. The gift is an unrestricted donation, meaning it can be used in any way to support MIT's research and education mission." 6/7/17

  • Anonymous $1 million donation made to Miami-Dade high schools in honor of King Carter (ABC) "Two Miami-Dade County public high schools received a big donation Wednesday in memory of King Carter, 6, who was killed last year in a shooting [...]. The donation will fund the King Carter Academy of Trade and Logistics, which will open this fall at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. It will also help develop the current program at Miami Central Senior High School." 6/8/17

  • Navy Pier snags $5 million donation from Peoples Gas (Crain's Chicago Business) Navy Pier holds lovely memories for me of Chicago. "The nonprofit organization that runs Navy Pier will build a 'welcome pavilion' in the entrance park near its west end thanks to a $5 million donation from Peoples Gas." 6/7/17

  • Donation to Create Centre on Statelessness (PRObono) "University of Melbourne Chancellor Allan Myers said the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness was one of the most 'significant and visionary philanthropic initiatives' in the history of the law school. [Peter and Ruth McMullin] announced their donation at a gala dinner to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the Melbourne Law School, where Peter McMullin achieved his law degree." 6/7/17

  • Massey University receives largest single donation in its 90-year history (Stuff) "An anonymous $3.4 million gift is the largest single donation Massey University has received in its 90-year history. The donation was gifted to the Massey University Foundation, on Friday, which supports students, staff and development of university facilities." Massey University is a university based in Раlmеrstоn Nоrth, Nеw Zеаlаnd, with significant campuses in Аlbаny and Wellington. 6/5/17

  • Penn State board chair commits part of $5 million donation to football facilities (The Morning Call) "Ira Lubert, chair of Penn State's Board of Trustees, has made a $5 million donation to the University, $1.75 million of which is marked for the football program." 6/5/17

  • Santa Clara University gets $30 million gift to build out STEM campus (The Mercury News) "Santa Clara University will receive a $30 million donation from the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation to help build a new science, technology, engineering and math center." 6/5/17

  • $25 million donation to help UNLV medical school become reality (Las Vegas Sun) Good for Nevada. They need a medical school in Las Vegas. "An anonymous donor is helping put $25 million toward the UNLV medical school." 6/4/17

  • A legacy of land in Amboy: WWII vet’s $2 million donation helps preserve wetlands (SaukValley.com) Love this! "Russ Gremel thought keeping the fruits of an investment he made 70 years ago all to himself was for the birds. Instead, the 98-year-old Jefferson Park native, World War II veteran and celebrated scoutmaster wanted to put the money into something that could have a lasting and far-reaching impact on others. The $1,007 he spent on Walgreens stock, back when the store sold 5 pints of ice cream for a buck, has grown to north of $2 million, all of which he donated to the Illinois Audubon Society." 6/4/17

  • Michael Bloomberg: I'll make sure UN gets $15 million it needs for Paris agreement (CNN Money) Billionaire Michael Bloomberg says he is ready to help foot the bill for the Paris Climate Agreement after President Trump announced his decision to pull the Unites States out of it. Bloomberg Philanthropies said Friday it will pull together $15 million to 'support the operations' of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change, the arm of the UN that coordinates the Paris pact." 6/2/17

  • JFS Receives $2.3 Million Donation (Boca Newspaper) "Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (JFS) recently received its largest, single gift: $2.3 million. The donation came from Bernard Sherman and the funds created the 'Bernard Sherman Program to Enhance Jewish Identity.'" 6/2/17

  • UW Art Museum Receives Largest Donation To Date (Wyoming Public Media) "Contemporary art programming at the University of Wyoming Art Museum is certain to see a boost, after receiving an anonymous gift of $2.27 million." 6/1/17

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