Greenlining
New op-ed raises debate about donor intent and private foundation money
Recently Peter Wood, president of the National Association of Scholars, posted an op-ed in the Chronicle of Higher Education in defense of donor intent and philanthropic freedom - what we believe is the right of donors and foundations to give to the issues, causes and organizations they value in the manner they choose, consistent with the law. He highlighted recent efforts to curtain this freedom by some activist groups including AB 624.
He notes: “American higher education depends profoundly on philanthropy, and whatever threatens philanthropy threatens American higher education… [t]here is actually a more serious threat that was much in the news… the effort to force foundations to “greenline” their philanthropy.”
The Greenlining Institute responded yesterday with an op-ed arguing among other issues for greater foundation transparency and diversity.
Peter Wood continued the debate by responding to Greenlining’s comments.
We’ll continue to follow this debate and keep your posted.
For the full debate visit:
11/17 Generosity, Trussed - by Peter Wood, National Association of Scholars
12/7 The Greenlining Institute Responds to Peter Wood - by Orson Aguilar and Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute
12/7 Who Owns Philanthropy? - by Peter Wood, National Association of Scholars
The Washington Legal Foundation just published its Summer 2010 edition of Conversations With…
Conversations With… The Honorable Dick Thornburgh, Dr. Larry P. Arnn, Heather R. Higgins, and Adam Meyerson
This edition is dedicated to threats to philanthropic freedom and features Former Attorney General of the United States and Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh leading a discussion with Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College; Heather R. Higgins, President and Director of The Randolph Foundation; and Adam Meyerson, President of The Philanthropy Roundtable. The three reflect on the American tradition of philanthropy and the growing movement to impose further government regulation on the philanthropic world.
Further Reading
New bill protects philanthropic freedom and encourages charitable giving in the sunshine state
On May 27, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed into law Senate Bill 998 which protects Florida foundations and the charities they support. ACR, along with a coalition of key legislators, foundations, philanthropic associations and policy organizations, advanced this legislation as part of a state-based strategy to protect donor intent and philanthropic freedom.
Additional Resources
- Legislation: SB 998 text (see page 10, line 288)
- Summary of Legislation:
- Press Release: ACR announces bill passage (June 1, 2010)
- Policy Brief: Philanthropy’s Future in the Sunshine State, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Point of View: Assault on Philanthropy, James Madison Institute (December 2009)
- Model Legislation: Text of Model State legislation to protect philanthropic freedom
Press
- Summer 2010 President’s Note: Sunshine for Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Magazine (Adam Meyerson)
- 7/11 Letter to the Editor: Florida’s New Foundation Law Protects Donor Intent, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Sue Santa)
——6/11 Opinion: New FL Law Makes It Harder for Foundations to Live Up to Values, Chronicle of Philanthropy (Emmett Carson)
- 6/14 Opinion: FL Law Stands up for Charity, Washington Examiner & San Francisco Examiner (Adam Meyerson)
- 6/4 Florida Protects Philanthropic Freedom, Philanthropy Daily
- 6/1 Fla. Adopts Legislation to Protect Foundations’ Autonomy, Chronicle of Philanthropy
- June New Florida law, Resolutions Promote & Protect State’s Philanthropy, Florida Philanthropic Network
Washington Examiner reports on Greenlining’s efforts in California and beyond
The Washington Examiner has printed a week-long investigative series on Greenlining’s past and current activities.
Below are links to the full series:
Day 1 (4/12/10)
Article: Radical Greenlining Institute perfected legal bank heists
Sidebar: Greenlining founders emerged from civil right movement
Day 2 (4/13/10)
Article: Uncle Sam opens the bank vault to activists
Sidebar: Two peas in a pod?
Day 3 (4/14/10)
Article: The Little bank that fought back
Sidebar: More info on Greenlining
Day 4 (4/15/10)
Article: California bill pushed ‘diversity’ standards on charities
Sidebar: Bullets in Greenlining’s ‘diversity gun’
Day 5 (4/16/10)
Article: Greenlining hits the road, targets private foundations
Sidebar: Is Greenlining in financial trouble?
For more background information on this legislation, click the “AB 624” tag below.
James Madison Institute examines the impact of advocacy groups on philanthropic giving
A recent policy brief from the James Madison Institute raises the antennas of Floridian donors to the tactics of advocacy groups that seek to redirect private giving to their specified causes.
Excerpt:“Surely donors deserve the right to choose where their money goes. After all, most gifts represent the bounty from the fruits of their labor — what’s left after life’s necessities have been purchased, payrolls have been met, or federal, state and local taxes have been paid.
Granted, some choices may seem eccentric. Yet here in Florida there also are heart-warming examples of how personal experiences ignited a passion for a cause. Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, adopted as a child, gave much of his wealth to his foundation to support adoption and foster care. When one of Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino’s sons was diagnosed with autism, Marino started a foundation to support autism research. There are countless examples of such generosity by businesses, foundations and individuals across the country.”
To view the full policy brief and a related article select the links below.
Further Reading
An exclusive interview on the state of philanthropy today
The Heritage Foundation’s The Insider probes Mr. Dan Peters, president of the Lovett and Ruth Peters Foundation and member of board at the Philanthropy Roundtable, on current challenges to charitable giving and how ACR is responding to those challenges. As Peters notes, “The focus needs to be on allowing the charitable and philanthropic sector to do the kind of work that it has historically done well. Philanthropy is far more efficient, far more focused, far more creative than the government mindset of just handing out money.”
Further Reading
Commentary by Heather Higgins, Forbes
Heather Higgins, Vice-Chairman of The Philanthropy Roundtable, comments on the new report by NCRP on foundation grantmaking.
Excerpt: “If the health and viability of the charitable sector matters to you, if the charities you care about are supported by foundations and particularly if you think the work foundations do is important, brace yourself. The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), has produced a report misleadingly titled “Criteria for Philanthropy at its Best; Measurable Benchmarks to Assess Foundation Performance…”
Further Reading
Naomi Shaefer Riley opinion, Wall Street Journal
Naomi Schaefer Riley of the the Wall Street Journal comments on the new report by NCRP and efforts by activist groups to steer philanthropic dollars to particular causes.
Excerpt: “Nonprofit leaders are reeling from the recent news that President Barack Obama’s proposed budget would limit tax deductions on charitable contributions from wealthy Americans. But now the philanthropic world has something else to worry about. Today the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), a research and advocacy group, will release a report offering “benchmarks to assess foundation performance.” Its real aim is to push philanthropic organizations into ignoring donor intent and instead giving grants based on political considerations…
Further Reading
Wall Street Journal, Heather MacDonald
Heather MacDonald argues that “a growing number of activists and politicians argue that foundations should meet diversity targets in their giving and on their staffs. If foundations fail to diversify “voluntarily,” threaten the race, ethnicity and gender enforcers, they risk legislation requiring them to do so. In other words, the diversity police, having helped bring on the subprime meltdown through mortgage-lending quotas, now want to fix philanthropy. And instead of rebuffing this power grab, the leaders in the field have rolled over and played dead.”
Also read the ACR’s Letter to the Editor regarding this article available here.
Further Reading
ACR continues to identify and respond to challenges to the charitable community in the states as well, particularly those originating from interest groups and activist organizations. For example, last year the California Legislature considered AB 624, a bill that would have significantly increased onerous reporting requirements for foundations and their grantees. The legislation was promoted by Greenlining Institute, an aggressive activist organization.
We believe the impetus for comprehensive reporting was merely a veil for the true goal - influencing and ultimately directing foundations to fund causes preferred by Greenlining itself. Again, ACR activated many in the charitable community to add their voices in opposition to this legislation. While the legislation ultimately failed, Greenlining has expanded its focus to other states and has recently opened an office in Washington, D.C.
