While the scholarly interest in philanthropy is growing, there remains concern about the difficulty of accomplishing serious study of the phenomenon because of the nature of grants and research funding. (MSE)

A coalition of 650 grant-making and non-profit organizations has begun a drive to double charitable giving by individuals in the United States and increase by 50% their volunteer activities by 1991, using national advertising and grassroots activities and focusing on the current highest givers of time and money. (MSE)

New state laws governing charitable solicitations may soon place restrictions on college phonathons and other fund-raising activities. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in March on a 1985 North Carolina solicitations law and the decision could affect many fund-raising activities of colleges and nonprofit organizations. (MLW)

States are being urged to require non-profit organizations including colleges and universities to take greater responsibility for those who raise funds in their name, and to report their fund-raising activities in much more detail. In the past, colleges have been exempted from such laws. (MLW)