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Local husband, wife philanthropists among top donors
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WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Four Washington-area philanthropists were among the nation’s top 60 most charitable givers in 2006, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual ranking, released Friday. Gilbert and Jaylee Mead, No. 50 on the list, gave more than $37 million in 2006, with $35 million of that pledged to refurbish and expand Arena Stage. Henry and Wendy Paulson came in at No. 18 by giving nearly $100 million in 2006 to causes primarily outside the Washington region.
The Chronicle’s annual list gives an overall view of the philanthropy landscape in America. Last year’s donations far outpaced 2005, with 21 philanthropists donating at least $100 million, 11 more than the previous year. The top 60 donors contributed more than $7 billion to charitable organizations in 2006, $2.7 billion more than in 2005. The $7 billion figure did not include Warren Buffet’s 2006 donation of $43.5 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which put Buffet at the top of the list. Gilbert Mead, 76, a retired research scientist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt and heir to the Consolidated Paper fortune, and his wife, Jaylee, also a NASA retiree, pledged $35 million to Arena Stage in December. The donation was one of the largest in the region and the most local. Several other large gifts were on the list, but went to national and global organizations with D.C. headquarters. For example, Warren Buffet pledged $50 million to the Nuclear Threat Initiative in the District.
Securing donations for local nonprofits is closely tied to local philanthropists, said Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
“Most donors feel an allegiance to where they grew up or where they made their money,” Palmer said. “Something important for Washington would be to cultivate relationships with philanthropists.” For example, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson lives here, but gave most of his money to the Bobolink Foundation in Chicago. Paulson said Arena Stage’s fundraising campaign, Next Stage, is a good example of the sophistication it takes to attract large donations.
“I think we have somewhat more sophistication about how we package [our fundraising efforts] with the Mead’s leadership,” said Stephen Richard, executive director of Arena Stage. The theater did a matching campaign among other techniques to pull in more than $100 million — $35 million from the Meads -— for Arena.
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Examiner Reader said:
We need to see an updated story on the center they celebrate 40 years this year.
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Examiner Reader said:
Funny that the point has been lost in this article.Better take a good look at what you get into.
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James Hall said:
I'm honored and blessed to be working in the Youth Service arena, however I'm having difficulties locating events and activities for our youngmen who range from 12 through 18. The Summer for AT-RISK youth can offten be extremely dissapointing. If your agency has any resources that we can access please forward them to: James Hall; diamona4sure@yahoo.com. Our kids would really be greatful and appreciative!!! Mr. James Hall, Counselor Our Fortress Homes, Inc. 410-485-4958
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Examiner Reader said:
I guess the answer to my previous question is, "No, Mr. Corrigan is incapable of writing about anything other than Nonprofits." I guess the Examiner realizes that if he writes about anything else, Mr. Corrigan only spouts he own political views instead of reporting.
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Examiner Reader said:
While I realize that Mr. Corrigan has limited writing skills and he enjoys wearing out his Thesaurus in an attempt to impress people with his vocabulary, can't he write about anything other than Nonprofits?
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Examiner Reader said:
At least this time Mr. Corrigan wrote a variation on his theme of the past 10 weeks, instead of just the same story with different words.
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Examiner Reader said:
It seems as though the Examiner just lets Mr. Corrigan recycle the same story every week or so, and has let him do it for about the last 9 weeks. As much as I support recycling, I think it might be time for a new topic.
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Examiner Reader said:
It's only a matter of time. Plan thoroughly, consider all options, and where roadblocks are placed before you, find alternatives. Remember that during the Katrina evac, all the buses where in the up-scale part of town that the walkers from poor sections couldn't get to in time. Please be careful. People need you, but there are those who don't want you to succeed.
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Examiner Reader said:
With all the shady, non-taxed, I mean, so-called, non-profits in Maryland, working for a non-profit is working in the private sector.
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Huh? said:
"[T]his $1.6 million, 22-employee nonprofit has a track record to support its claim." Okay, fair enough. So, what's the track record? Also, if the org has helped about 1,000 women since 1994, that's fewer than 90 women per year and there are 22 employees! It had better be successful at that ratio. Another point: Not-for-profit is merely a tax status. It does not mean that administrators cannot earn a handsome salary. I am not suggesting that is the case here but there's a reason these places don't share that info without being asked.
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Examiner Reader said:
As a woman in recovery who needed balance in my life recovery houses such as M artha"s Place deserve to recieve all the available resources to help restore self-esteem, and save lives. How can we mimnimize lives by withholding funds. I am an alumni who's life has been restored because of Martha's Place! I thank God for Elder & Mrs.Harris for leaping out into an area many others have not and willnot accept the challenage to save lives!
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Examiner Reader said:
Hi! Thank you so much for printing this article. It is a wonderful summary of what this incredible organization does. My husband works for Jeff Singer. Jeff is an incredibly humble, gracious and loving person. He truly cares about each person who comes through his Center. He deeply appreciates the job that everyone does on a daily basis. One can only truly appreciate the magnificent compassion and respect this organization offers to our homeless friends by visiting the center and helping face-to-face, hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart as this family reaches out to those in need. Thanks again for helping to make our neighbors aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters and the assistance provided by these loving angels of mercy!
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Matthew C. Andrea said:
Please post the contact information for PlayPumps International. This concept is brilliant, fun and uplifting. Definitely something that I would like to support.
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Examiner Reader said:
When is Montgomery County going to realize that Casa of MD is taking them/us to the cleaners?
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