Gates Foundation aims to spur solutions to critical problems

The head of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropy, which has a $36 billion endowment, nearly 900 employees and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits, businesses, and governments, says the organization focuses on serving as a catalyst in working with others to address the world’s toughest problems by finding solutions that can be scaled up and sustained by the private or public sectors, or both, for lasting impact, The Washington Post reported Nov. 21 (see Gates Foundation story).

Food bank in Washington, D.C., gets $5 million gift

William E. Conway Jr., co-founder and managing director of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group, is giving $5 million to spur construction of a $37 million facility for the Capital Area Food Bank, allowing it to double its capacity, The Washington Post reported Nov. 23 (see food bank story).

Fisk University planning $90 million campaign

Faced with long-standing financial troubles, declining enrollment and mounting criticism from alumni, Fisk University is preparing to launch a six-year campaign to raise $90 million, The Tennessean reported Nov. 22 (see Fisk University story).

Korea’s biggest charity on brink of failure

Community Chest of Korea, the largest charity in Korea, is near collapse in the face of scandal, mass resignations by its leaders and poor performance in collecting donations, The Korea Times reported Nov. 21 (see Korean charity story).