A phenomenon with far-reaching effects on nonprofit investment management and governance has become a little-noticed yet powerful force in boardrooms over the past decade. Despite its wide-ranging implications, this development has largely gone undocumented. This paper seeks to draw attention to this change and its implications, and to trace a…

In 2006, after nearly two decades of civil conflict and instability, Liberia's physical and governance infrastructure was destroyed and its brutalized population was stricken with high levels of illiteracy and unemployment. The newly formed government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was not able to meet the stringent requirements imposed by the…

Corporate governance has several objectives: growth, transparency, leadership, social responsibility and trust, as well as the protection of shareholders and company assets. It also plays a key role in determining a company's control environment. In this article, the author takes a closer look at corporate governance in the private sector,…

It is a wonderful surprise when an executor calls to inform that one's college has been remembered in an individual's estate, either for a future gift or one that is being distributed. Leaving this legacy often enriches the final years of a donor's life. But too often, these opportunities are left to chance because community college development…

Managers of university endowment funds are paying closer attention to investing in "green" industries, commonly bundled under the umbrella "cleantech." Cleantech offers the possibility of buying in while prices are low "and" making a "green" investment play, but it also harbors the risks inherent in any emerging industry. Cleantech has varying…

There's an urban legend which holds that community college graduates who go on to earn degrees at other institutions develop a stronger loyalty to the college that granted their highest degree. Perpetuating this legend is a limiting belief that keeps fundraising professionals from taking necessary steps to fully develop the potential that exists…

When Commonfund and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) announced in late 2008 that they would join forces to combine their two endowment studies, which had historically been fielded and reported separately, they had high hopes for the venture, but those hopes were tempered with caution. The financial…

Student loans program is one of the most controversial phenomena in financing higher education in Ghana, but its importance as a cost sharing mechanism is incontestable. This paper describes the challenge of financing higher education in Ghana. It provides a critique of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Student Loans Scheme,…

The author characterizes himself as an experienced corporate executive, an experienced corporate board member, an active volunteer, and a pretty active donor to a number of causes that he thinks are important. But he is not a terribly experienced charitable-board member, so he sees things from the perspective of a new philanthropist and found that…

This is the second book in a series entitled "P-16: The Last Education Reform." It was the purpose of the authors to chronicle the growth of existing state and local P-16 councils and compacts across the United States and to look at what might constitute successful efforts and an ideal relationship between state and local efforts. The…

The legal terrain regarding institutions' rights for use of major charitable gifts has clarified somewhat in recent months. While this may encourage institutional fundraisers, it is also clear that extreme care still must be taken about the acceptance and terms set for use of transformational gifts. As recent lawsuits demonstrate, careful planning…

This third and final volume of the 2007-08 edition of "Trends" focuses on the resources that Canadian universities have to support their teaching and research activities. The volume begins by comparing the combined funding for teaching and research in Canadian universities with higher education funding in some of its most important…

This study makes a comprehensive review of the situation of student loans schemes in Mauritius, and makes recommendations, based on best practices, for setting up a national scheme that attempts to avoid weaknesses identified in some of the loans schemes of other countries. It suggests that such a scheme would be cost-effective and beneficial both…

This guide includes entries for 2,905 foundations and is intended to aid grant-seekers looking for foundation support of higher education. The foundations included hold assets of $1 million or more or give at least $100,000 annually and have expressed a substantial interest in higher education. Preliminary information includes a discussion of the…

The stock-market crash of 1987 and its effect on college endowment funds are discussed. An informal survey found the market value of nine college endowments had slipped over the past year. The experiences of several colleges and universities are described. (MLW)