Grantmakers, Terrorism, and the USA Patriot Act: A Topical Resource List

The following resources describe the impact of terrorism on the grantmaking community, including the impact of the USA PATRIOT Act on philanthropic giving.

Abshire, Michael. "Funding Women and Beating Terrorism." Corporate Philanthropy Report Vol. 18 (November 2003) p. 1, 3.

A forthcoming book by Curt Weeden, "How Women Can Beat Terrorism," makes the connection between corporate charitable contributions, worldwide poverty, and terrorism. Weeden suggests that women in affluent countries can persuade their governments and businesses to greater levels of international aid, thereby diminishing the growth of terrorism.

Anft, Michael. "Struggling to Get Along." Chronicle of Philanthropy Vol. 18 (31 August 2006) p. 22-3.

Discusses challenges facing foundations that are seeking to promote improved relations between the Middle East and the West. In particular, foundations have been hampered by government restrictions aimed at curbing grants to terrorist groups.

Baron, Barnett F. "Philanthropy and Homeland Security." Foundation News & Commentary Vol. 45 (May-June 2004) p. 30-3.

Baron analyses the USA PATRIOT Act and its impact on international grantmaking. The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated its concern that philanthropy may be a major source of support for terrorist activity, but a recent report by the General Accounting Office has called that supposition into question.

"Foundations, NGOs Support Plan for Information Database." Corporate Philanthropy Report Vol. 22 (March 2007) p. 1, 4.

The Council on Foundations has begun compiling a database of information on foreign nongovernmental organizations in order to streamline U.S. grantmaking. Since 9/11, grantmaking to foreign organizations has been more difficult. The Council's database could reduce duplicate work among foundations screening for terrorist support groups. However, some officials worry that such a database would turn foundations into a branch of the CIA.

Gallagher, Janne G. "Legal Dimensions of International Grantmaking: Grantmaking in an Age of Terrorism: Some Thoughts about Compliance Strategies." International Dateline Issue 70 (Second Quarter 2004) 8 p.

Available online.

Jones, Jeff. "Nonprofits Fear False Accusations of Terror Grants." NonProfit Times Vol. 17 (1 May 2003) p. 1, 4, 6.

Describes laws and voluntary guidelines issued by the federal government to prevent charitable donations from funding terrorism. Discusses how these measures are affecting international grantmaking. Sidebar lists additional resources to help nonprofits comply with guidelines. Available online.

Lake, Eli. "Leading the Charge: Top Donors and Grantees on the Private Sector's Role in Defending America." Philanthropy Vol. 17 (November-December 2003) p. 17-21.

A status report on some of the anti-terrorism initiatives by the following donors: German Marshall Fund, JM Foundation, John M. Olin Foundation, Lauder Foundation, Merrill Family Foundation, Rosenkranz Foundation, Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation, David Steinmann, Stuart Family Foundation, and the W. H. Donner Foundation. Programs by the following grantees are also described briefly: American Enterprise Institute, Asia Pacific Initiative, Aspen Institute Berlin, Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Freedom House, Imagine New York, Institute of World Politics, International Center for Nonviolent Conflict, Investigative Project, Islam and American Democracy Project, Middle East Forum, Middle East Media Research Institute, National Interest, Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies, Project for a New American Century, and Shalem Center.

Ramos, Edgardo, Timothy R. Lyman, Patricia Canavan, and Clifford Nichols III. Handbook on Counter-Terrorism Measures: What U.S. Nonprofits and Grantmakers Need to Know. Hartford, CT: Day, Berry & Howard Foundation, Inc. 2004. vii, 25 p.

Provides an overview of Executive Order 13224, the USA PATRIOT Act, and other regulations that may effect international grantmaking. Available online.

Safeguarding Charity in the War on Terror: A Panel Discussion. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University. Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership. 2005. 31 p.

The discussion and analysis took place June 14, 2005, and was chaired by Teresa Odendahl. Participants included David Cole, Nancy Billica, Daniel Mitchell, and Laila Al-Marayati, who shared their opinions about the current guidelines for funders.

Schneiderman, Martin B. "Seeking a Safe Harbor." Foundation News & Commentary Vol. 45 (May-June 2004) p. 34-41.

Foundations that give abroad can utilize technology to facilitate their compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act. Schneiderman lists some of the services that check potential recipient organizations, and also offers advice about the changing oversight concerns in the field. Includes resource list. Available online.

Sicherman, Harvey. "Victory over Terrorism: Strategies for Donors." Philanthropy Vol. 17 (November-December 2003) p. 22-5.

"Treasury Issues Softer, Gentler Terror Warnings." Corporate Philanthropy Report Vol. 21 (November 2006) p. 3.

Describes the main points of the revised guidelines that were released in September 2006.

White, Doug. "How Can Donors Know When a Charity is 'Terrorist'?" Trusts & Estates Vol. 142 (May 2003) p. 66-7.

Safeguards that donors can take to reduce the possibility that charitable monies will be utilized to support terrorist activities.