Charity Governance

NETWORK FOR GOOD V. UNITED WAY OF THE BAY AREA: A CASE THAT HOLDS MANY LESSONS FOR CHARITIES AND THEIR BOARDS

DATELINE: October 22, 2007, Chicago

Last Friday (Oct. 19, 2007), the Superior Court for the County of San Francisco issued its tentative findings of fact and conclusions of law in Network for Good v. United Way of the Bay Area. Coming in at 87 pages, the opinion is not only too long, but it is treacherous going, relying on highly technical interpretations of accounting entries and presentations. It would be easy to dismiss this opinion as involving a unique set of facts that are unlikely to repeat themselves. That would be...

CORPORATE AMERICA SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN PHILANTHROPIC VENTURES, BUT NOT TOO MUCH: CHARITY GOVERNANCE CASTS ITS VOTE IN THE AMEX MEMBERS PROJECT CONTEST

DATELINE: July 30, 2007, Chicago

You have undoubtedly seen the ad.  Famed auteur Martin Scorsese is directing a commercial starring a bunch of celebrities, including Andre Agassi, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Alicia Keys, and Shaun White.  And then Tim from the office next store walks onto the set.  He is more interested in keeping Lake Winabizacki clean than in he is in African relief, the environment, children at risk, and medicines for those in need.  It's his thing

Scorsese then makes a rare onscreen appearance, asking “Who’s that guy?”  Tim is a good looking character, perfect for this ad.  Consequently, Scorsese decides to keep Tim in the ad.  According to Scorsese, “He’s got a good face,” but when Tim smiles a little too self-satisfied, Scorsese cautions him,...