Large gifts from individuals down; foundations, up

Charitable gifts of more than $1 million from individuals fell by a third in the second half of 2008, compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the just-released Million Dollar List compiled by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The number of $1 million-and-up gifts from foundations, however, increased 10 percent from the same period a year earlier, to 551, while the number of corporate gifts at that level remained the same at 146. The drop in individual giving is the second-largest during the last half of a year to occur in the past decade. The largest drop, 35 percent, was in 2001.

APTS appeals to states on funding

The Association of Public Television Stations is "issuing a plea" to governors and state legislatures to "invest in local public television stations," according to a statement it issued today. It cited Pennsylvania, Indiana, New York and Virginia as states either slashing or eliminating pubTV funding. "State governments are essential investors in local public television stations, providing vital resources to enable stations to fulfill their educational missions," APTS President Larry Sidman said in the statement. The National Governors Association is meeting with President Barack Obama this week in Washington.