Nonprofitxpress roundup - Big gifts continue

Compiled by Donnie Stanley

Here are the latest nonprofit headlines:

*Despite stock market and economy slumps in 2002, America’s wealthiest individuals still gave big donations to charities, says a new report by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 31.

*A tough economic year ended with many charities expecting year-end giving totals to decline from a year ago, according to a GuideStar survey, while the philanthropic giving index at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University fell to its lowest level in five years, the Wall Street Journal reported Dec. 26.

*In a ruling upholding $30 million in punitive damages against an insurer that denied treatment to his wife, the Ohio Supreme Court ordered Robert Dardinger to make a $20 million charitable donation to a cancer research fund whose creation it also ordered, The New York Times reported Dec. 28.

*Shedding its square image, Girls Scouts of the U.S.A. is growing, with membership hitting a 20-year high of 2.8 million girls, The New York Times reported Dec. 24.

*After winning the $314.9 million Christmas Powerball, Andrew Whittaker has pledged to give 10 percent of his winnings to various churches, The New York Times reported Dec. 29.

*Reflecting changes in stock values, wealthy donors in Silicon Valley are shifting to cash donations from stock gifts to local foundations, The Mercury News reported Jan. 1.

*The head of the Salvation Army in Naples, Fla., returned $100,000 donated by a Florida lottery winner, fearing a backlash from foes of gambling, The Sun-Sentinel reported Jan. 2.

*During the year-end holidays and throughout the year, Americans continue to practice anonymous philanthropy, a tradition with roots in major religions, The Arizona Republic reported Dec. 25.