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T
he national economic recovery may be slow, but
Children. And who could forget railroad heir Richard E. Herman,
there are promising signs that the country is on
the recluse who gave all of his money to the national opera and
an upswing. The stock market is steadily climbing,
symphony, and Family Matters of Greater Washington — $43
companies are hiring again, if conservatively, and
million total — when he died late last year?
unemployment numbers are at least more stable.
These Washington givers join others on the national
To be sure, we have a long road ahead, but the ripple effect
stage, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
is being felt in the world of philanthropy. Encouraged by this
who gave $350 million to Johns Hopkins, cosmetics tycoon
uptick — and perhaps feeling a need to step in where the
Leonard Lauder’s $1 billion Cubist art collection gift to
sequester has shrunk budgets — the philanthropic-minded
the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Houston’s John and
are continuing to fill the gap in big ways.
Laura Arnold, who have pledged to donate $4 billion in their
Though overall giving is still down from a few years ago, headline-making gifts have become de rigueur of late: United
lifetime. It’s a trend toward “transformational” giving — sums that truly make a difference.
Arab Emirates Amb. Yousef Al-Otaiba’s $150 million to Children’s
This year’s Philanthropic 50 include newsmakers both
National Medical Center, David Rubenstein’s $50 million to
past and present, along with those who prefer to give with
the Kennedy Center’s forthcoming expansion project, Connie
less fanfare. As always, the arts, education and health are
Milstein’s $15 million enabling the newly opened Washington
familiar areas for giving, with women’s issues, international
campus of New York University and another $10 million to
aid and disaster relief making strong appearances this year.
Mt. Vernon’s new library, to say nothing of Frederick and
It is in no way an exhaustive list, but represents Washington’s
Karen Schaufeld’s assistance in raising $400,000 for Fight for
generous spirit and tradition of stewardship.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
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