Kara Subach

Black History Month (BHM) has been celebrated every February since 1976 to commemorate the accomplishments of Black Americans throughout history. BHM offers a moment to assess efforts such as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in achieving equality and advancement for Blacks.

This month’s Donor Intent Watch includes a story about a current dispute at Webster University in Missouri, a look at one state featured in our recently released 50-state summary on the legal status of donor intent and excerpts from our Top Ten Tips for Higher Education Donors.

Last week, Politico Pro published a short article on the Treasury Department’s proposed new rules for donor-advised funds (DAFs). Unfortunately, the article missed the recent groundbreaking research on DAFs and instead repeated some of the inaccurate claims of DAF critics. The good news is these claims are exceedingly at odds with the data and practices of donors using DAFs for their charitable giving.

Recently, Denisha Allen (Merriweather), founder of Black Minds Matter (BMM), sat down with radio veteran Lee Habeeb for an episode of “Our American Stories,” a syndicated radio program and podcast that highlights “ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things.”

We are the third generation of the family of William G. McGowan, founder of MCI, who was known for being the “great disruptor” of AT&T’s communications monopoly. As we begin to help lead our family’s foundation, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, we feel understanding the guidance from the Fund’s benefactor – and applying it in the context of the 21st century – is our responsibility.

Elizabeth McGuigan, senior vice president at Philanthropy Roundtable, recently sat down with State Policy Network Marketing Manager James Pinedo for a podcast episode of “Neighbors in the Network.”

Last month’s Donor Intent Watch reported on a lawsuit filed by Webster University donors to stop the reclassification of restricted endowment funds as “unrestricted” to meet the liquidity requirement of the cash-strapped university’s loan obligations.

Philanthropy Roundtable President and CEO Christie Herrera recently joined an episode of Giving Ventures, a DonorsTrust podcast designed to help charitable givers discover new opportunities.

In late February, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) published the key findings of its annual Voluntary Support of Education survey. These findings are based on fundraising data for the 2022-23 academic fiscal year (FY), typically July 1 through June 30.

As the fall semester begins at colleges and universities across the country, students, faculty, alumni and donors are watching closely, anticipating that new and returning administrators alike may bring with them new policies on free speech, protests and the role that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) will play on campus in areas other than admissions.