Bush Library fundraising tops $200 million
Former President George W. Bush has raised $212 million of $300 million for the library at Southern Methodist University that will house his papers, The Dallas Morning News reported Nov. 6 (see Bush Library story). Fundraising is being led by the Bush Foundation, which has a 12-person staff and designated fundraising chairs in every state.
Millionaire’s bequests to charity challenged
The daughter of Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line founder Alfred C. Glassell Jr. is challenging her father’s will and told a jury in Texas that he was manipulated by a law firm into leaving the bulk of his $500 million estate to charity, Bloomberg News reported Nov. 6 (see Glassell estate story). Glassell’s most recent will leaves most of his fortune to the Museum of Fine Arts and to a family foundation run by Glassell’s son.
New York City Opera raises $2 million in advance of gala
Bucking a recession that has crippled some arts organizations, New York City Opera has raised a record $2 million in advance of its annual gala concert and will raise more at the event, which honors billionaire David Koch for his $100 million lead gift to the joint capital campaign the opera is running with the New York City Ballet, Crain’s New York Business reported Nov. 5 (see New York City Opera story).
UNLV tops $500 million campaign goal
The University of Nevada Los Vegas has raised more than $500 million during its first-ever capital campaign, The Los Vegas Sun reported Nov. 5 (see UNLV story). The “Invent the Future” campaign aims to strengthen the school’s education and research activities and boost its public profile.