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Foundations in the News

The Grantmaker Do Not Call List

November 14, 2008 Here is the latest list of troubled corporate giving programs and foundations who are facing major changes due to the recent financial crises. Today, we added news about automakers, retailers, insurance companies, and a couple more banks.

Unless you have a strong history with these folks or plenty of time on your hands to pursue extremely longshot prospects, it is better to spend time on other prospects:

1) AIG -- federal government is taking over. In 2006, more than 2000 foundations had investment or insurance relationships with AIG.

2) CV Starr Foundation -- a private foundation that serves as a giving instrument for AIG

2) Washington Mutual -- federal government and JP MorganChase are taking over. In 2006, 3400 private foundations had accounts Washington Mutual

3) Wachovia -- Wells Fargo is taking over operations. During 2006 more than 5000 private foundations had accounts with Wachovia Banks or Wachovia Securities.

4) Lehman Brothers -- filed bankruptcy -- the federal government will assume responsibility until the assets are taken over by Bain Capital and Hellman & Friedman During 2006, more than 3500 private foundations had accounts with Lehman Brothers

5) Merrill Lynch -- Bank of America is taking over. During 2006 more than 5000 private foundations had accounts with Merrill Lynch.

6) Countrywide Financial -- Bank of America has taken over. In 2006 more than 1100 private foundations held stock in Countrywide Financials.

7) Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs -- undergoing reorganization

8) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- federal government is assuming full responsibility.

9) Bear Stearns -- JP MorganChase has taken over. In 2006 more than 2600 private foundations had accounts with Bear Stearns.

10) National City has been taken over by PNC. However, PNC announced that NC Fiinancial Foundation will be awarding $28 million in 2009, $5 million more than in 2008. Current grantees will receive the same amount as in 2008, Grantees receiving gifts from both PNC and National City will be receiving only one gift in 2009.

11) Big box retailers, especially Macys, Best Buy, and Target Stores are projecting miserable sales figures for the holiday season. There will be ramifications for their grantmaking programs. However, the bad news will probably wait until the end of the first quarter of next year.

12) American Express, Hartford Insurance, CIT Group, and Lincoln Financial Group are purchasing banks or S&Ls so they acquire "bank holding company" status, which, in turn, will allow these companies to receive federal bailout money. Not such a good sign for those looking for philanthropic support from their foundations.

13) Both Ford Motor Company Fund and General Motors Foundation have announced another round of philanthropy budget cuts. Ford Motor, which was awarding more than $200 million in direct and indirect grants just two years ago, expects to award less than $10 million this year, with grants going only to internal and business-related awardees (e.g., emergency assistance for laid-off employees). Yet, some auto company plants (e.g., the Kansas City Ford plant) are still making small grants to local charities.

No word yet from the Japanese or European automakers regarding the future of their giving programs.

14) If you are still writing proposals to banks, you might want to reconsider how much time you invest in Deutsche Bank. The FDIC puts them high on the "Watch List"

15) On the other hand -- Bank of America, Wells Fargo,JP MorganBhase and Citi are all buying up riskier assets at extremely discounted rates and counting on the federal government to cover these risks if necessary. Although they are purchasing new banks, Citi announced that it is laying off another 10,000 employees. Not necessarily a sign of financial instability, but typically a precursor to philanthropy cuts.

While many financial institutions are closing or putting their giving programs on hold, many banks and insurance companies rely corporate giving to meet federal Community Reinvestment Administration standards and other federal and local government regulations. Furthermore, several major banks, such as Bank of America report that corporate giving actually does increase the number of customers and business for their companies.

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