World
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The American Civil Liberties Union is facing a 25% cut in its annual operating budget after a previously anonymous donor pulled his annual gift of more than $20 million to the organization.
Following a Wednesday article in The New York Times that identified the donor as philanthropist David Gelbaum, the hedge fund manager and clean energy entrepreneur explained his decision in a statement on the ACLU's website.
"For a number of years, [the ACLU] has received very substantial charitable contributions from me," Gelbaum said. "I am willing to be publicly named now because my investments in alternative, clean energy companies have placed me in a highly illiquid position as a result of the general credit crisis in the American and world financial systems."
Gelbaum asserted that his decision was not the result of any dissatisfaction with the ACLU. "To the contrary, I hope they will thrive with the generous support of many other donors, large and small."
Several major donors, including the Open Society Institute and the Leon Levy Foundation, have increased their giving to the organization -- to the tune of $23 million over the next three years. However, the Times noted, the donations would also be disbursed among state affiliates.
ACLU executive director Anthony D. Romero said the group "will need to consider a number of budget reductions as well as the possibility of drawing down from our reserve funds if necessary."
Last year the ACLU cut its staff by 10%, following a decline in charitable giving -- particularly by two foundations rocked by Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme.
Gelbaum also donated heavily to the Sierra Club and the Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment Impact Fund of the California Community Foundation.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
17 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
September 19 2024 4:34 PM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
60 wild photos from Folsom Street East that prove New York City knows how to play
June 21 2024 12:25 PM
Latest Stories
Most LGBTQ+ community centers face threats and violence, yet they persist: report
October 16 2024 3:36 PM
Honolulu LGBTQ+ bar wins quick settlement in gay bias suit
October 16 2024 3:15 PM
Paul Mescal wishes he portrayed this iconic gay role
October 16 2024 12:32 PM
Out and proud, balancing faith and identity in a divided world
October 16 2024 12:30 PM
WNBA player Breanna Stewart and wife receive homophobic threats after Game 1 of finals
October 16 2024 12:16 PM
What to know about pronouns for International Pronouns Day
October 16 2024 11:17 AM