PND (2/15/2000) -- Corporate Giving

The charitable arm of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has announced that it ended its 20th anniversary year with a record $163 million raised and contributed by Wal-Mart associates and customers.

With a continued focus on the communities where its stores and clubs operate, 97 percent of the company's contributions are directed by associates at the store level. The largest program funded and administered by the Wal-Mart / SAM'S Club Foundation is the Community Matching Grant Program, which involves associates partnering with local charities to host fundraising events for which the foundation matches up to $2,000. Other programs support children's health and welfare, education, environment, and civic youth programs.

"$163 Million in Community Giving Marks 20th Anniversary of Wal-Mart / Sam's Club Foundation." PR Newswire 2/16/2000.

MBNA America Donates $25 Million to University of Delaware

The University of Delaware has received a $25 million donation from MBNA America, the largest single gift in the school's history. The gift will provide: $15 million in scholarships for economically disadvantaged students; $3 million for a new Career Services Center; $2 million for the Center for Teacher Education; and $5 million for the College of Business and Economics. MBNA, which employs approximately 1,400 UD graduates, has previously made gifts to the school totaling over $3 million.

Including MBNA's gift, the University has raised $193 toward their campaign goal of $225 million.

Bailey, Kate. "MBNA's $25 Million Gift Could Be UD's Biggest." Delaware News Journal 2/15/2000.

American Express Announces $1.2 Million in Grants for Performing Arts Organizations

American Express Company has announced over $1.2 million in grant awards through its Performing Arts Fund to more than a dozen performing arts organizations. The 13 grant recipients, located in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, will use their grant awards to fund outreach programs, performances, or other initiatives designed to attract new audiences to the arts (click here to see a complete list of grant recipients).

Since the inception of the Performing Arts Fund in 1997, American Express has given more than $3.4 million to a total of 40 arts organizations in 16 different states and the District of Columbia.

"American Express Awards Over $1.2 Million in Performing Arts Grants." American Express Press Release 1/24/2000.

Harrah's Donates $1 Million for Tribe Health Improvement

Las Vegas, Nevada-based Harrah's Entertainment, which manages the Harrah's Cherokee Smoky Mountains Casino, has donated $1 million to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in an effort to combat health care problems. The money will be used to establish an endowment fund for youth living on the Cherokee Indian Reservation who are at high risk for contracting asthma and diabetes. Adult onset diabetes is the leading cause of death on the North Carolina reservation.

Ellison, Quintin. "Harrah's Give Tribe $1 Million for Improving Health." Asheville Citizen-Times 2/16/2000.