A move by the Virginia Press Association to change Virginia's freedom of information laws by requiring private fundraising foundations to disclose donors' names has the University attempting to reach a compromise that would protect the privacy of some donors.
Joseph C. Carter Jr., chairman of the Law School Foundation Executive Committee, presented the University's proposal to a special legislative committee studying the issue Saturday.
The compromise proposal would require private fundraising foundations to release the names of donors who have given $100,000 or more in the last three fiscal years who have not specifically asked for anonymity.
Through the proposal, "we were able to eliminate a lot of even more extreme language we felt the [Virginia] Press Association was asking for," Carter said.
The measure would not have a great effect on the University because many University fundraising foundations already distribute detailed annual reports to donors and alumni, he said.
But Vice President for Development Robert D. Sweeney said releasing donors' names poses complications.
The University tries to maintain a "bond of confidentiality" between its donors, said Sweeney, who said he agrees with the compromise. "Any kind of listing of donors breaks that bond and leaves them open for mass solicitation from others around the state."
University President John T. Casteen III also said full disclosure of donors' names could affect fundraising adversely.
"Political involvement in fund raising and private funds management generally diminishes confidence in the process," Casteen said. "Few or no donors want their private philanthropy to be subject to political controls, including those lobbied through by the press association."
Board of Visitors member William H. Goodwin Jr., who recently donated $13.3 million to the Darden School in his first public donation, also said the donors' names should not be public.
Read More
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | YesterdayThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 2 days agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 3 days agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
