June 1998
d.yoi iVorth :aroIina
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10
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OF NORTH CAROLINA
Economy driving philanthropy
Charitable giving in U.S. grows to $143 billion
Giving USA 1998, an annual report
on vvho's giving charitable dollars
and who's getting them, credits a
strong economy and philanthropic
leadership with a 7.5 percent
increase in charitable giving.
By Todd Cohen
Spurred by a booming economy,
charitable giving in the U.S. grew $10
billion in 1997 to $143.46 billion.
Giving increased across the
board, with individuals, foundations,
corporations and bequests aU con
tributing more, the New York-based
AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy says
in Giving USA 1998, its annual report
on charitable giving.
Giving to nonprofit groups grew in
every field of interest but the arts,
culture and the humanities, and giv
ing there varied widely, with many
groups showing increases.
“The economy is in absolutely the
best shape it’s been in decades,” says
Ann Kaplan, editor of Giving USA.
And giving was helped by the
examples set by philanthropists like
Ted Turner and George Soros, who
announced huge gifts, as well as by
the disclosure by Charles Feeney that
he had given $600 million over the
previous 15 years by two offshore
foundations that make anonymous
contributions.
Individuals gave the most, con
tributing just over three of every four
dollars to charity, and religion
received the most, nearly half of all
charitable dollars.
Here are some of the report’s
other findings;
• Giving by hving individuals grew
6.8 percent (4.4 percent adjusted for
inflation) to $109.26 billion and
accounted for 76.2 percent of all giving.
• Coupled with an increase of
nearly 7 percent in 1996, individual
giving in the two-year period was at
its hipest since before the 1990-91
recession.
• Foundation giving was up 11.4
percent (8.9 percent inflation-adjust
FOCUS EDITION: FUNDRAISING
» fundrpising turns to major gifts programs
■ Gardner-Webb exceeds goal one jiear early
■ Raise money with online auctions
■ Funding the performing arts
Page:{4
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ed) to $13.37 billion and accounted
for 9.3 percent of total giving.
Foundation giving is expected to keep
growing as long as the economy
keeps expanding, the report says.
• Giving by corporations and cor
porate foundations grew 7.5 percent
(5.1 percent inflation-adjusted) to
^.2 bilMon and accounted for 5.7 per
cent of total giving.
• Corporate giving represented
only 1.1 percent of pretax corporate
Look for GIVING, page 15
First fundraising
stamp unveiled
The first stamp in U.S. history
to raise money for a cause was
unveiled in dual-coast ceremonies
in May.
Proceeds from the sale of the
first-class stamp will go towards
funding breast cancer research.
Sen. Lauch Faircloth (R - NC)
and Robert McLain, Chapel Hill
postmaster (right), revealed the
design of the new semipostal in an
East Coast ceremony at the
University of North Carolina’s
Lineberger Comprehensive
Cancer Center on May 11.
The stamp will go on sale
across the country in August.
Dan Sears, UNC-Chapel Hill
The dream lives on
Work on establishing perforaiing arts center continues
Despite the death of project vision
ary Terry Sanford, work on the pro
posed North Carolina Performing
Arts Institute is moving ahead,
organizers say.
By Joan Alford
Work continues on laying the
foundations for a world-class per
forming arts institute in Research
Triangle Park, organizers of the
effort say.
Following the April death of pro
ject visionary Terry Sanford, project
leaders have begun considering
which sites may be suitable for the
facility.
“We were invigorated by Gov.
Sanford at our last meeting together
[in February],” says Mary D.B.T.
Semans, chair of the Duke
Endowment and long-time friend of
Sanford and a leader of the institute
initiative.
“He had a list of things he wanted
to do and this was a top priority,”
Semans said. “He realized we could
keep on, full speed ahead.”
Semans says everyone on the
executive committee remains upbeat
even thou^ they must continue with
out Sanford.
“We want to do it for his sake,”
she said.
The facility, which is proposed for
the Research 'Triangle Park area,
would be a statewide center for the
arts, and include as many as three
theaters, rehearsal halls and class
rooms.
To honor Sanford, his family set
Look for CENTER, page 13
State lawmakers
approve bill on
Blue Cross
Some consider the legislation to be
a model that addresses concerns
surrounding the conversion of
nonprofit health Insurers to for-
proflt status.
By Michael R. Hobbs
A road map for the possible con
version of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
of North Carolina has been laid out
by the General Assembly.
Legislators in May adopted a
measure that specifies how Blue
Cross could convert to for-profit sta
tus if it chose to do so. Such a con
version could lead to establishment
of a charitable foundation that could
be among the largest in the U.S.
Passage of the legislation came
after months of debate over the pos
sible fate of the value built up within
Blue Cross, which was established
during the Great Depression to pro
vide health insurance to North
Carolinians.
“I believe this will protect the
interests of the insurance company,”
Sen. 'Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, told
the Senate as it prepared to vote on
the measure. “I believe this will pro
tect the interests of the people of
North Carolina.”
'The Senate voted 42-1 to pass the
biU, vHth Sen. Robert Shaw, R-
Guilford, casting the lone dissent.
'The House vot^ 78-27 to approve
the measure after almost an hour of
discussion.
At press time. Gov. Jim Hunt had
not si^ed the legislation and had
made no announcement on vdien he
Look for BLUE CROSS, page 7
INSIDE
Grants & Gifts 22
In June 23
Opinion 10
People 23
Professional Services..24
1 NONPROmS
proONDATIONS 1
fWOLUNTilRTn
Postage to go up
Fundraisers are likely to feel
the pinch of increased postal
rates.
Promoting new
philanthropy
Southeastern Council of
Foundations has recrafted its
strategic plan to expand ser
vices for members through
out the region.
Boost volunteerism
A suggested tax incentive
could encourage people to
volunteer, says an investment
adviser.
Combined forces
The 1995 merger of pharma
ceutical giants Glaxo Inc.
and Burroughs Wellcome Co.
has resulted in greater overall
community support.
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FUNDRAISING
Giving more
United V^ay's Alexis de
Tocqueville Society, that asks
donors for contributions of at
least $10,000, raised $220
million last year.
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