USARaef
04-05-2004, 10:30 AM
http://www.miami.com/mld/mercurynews/business/8352710.htm
Groups caught in political crossfire
FOUNDATIONS' CAUSES CAN INVITE HARSH SPOTLIGHT
By John Boudreau
Mercury News
A liberal San Francisco foundation is finding itself caught in the crossfire of presidential politics.
The Tides Center processes grant money for philanthropic organizations overseen by Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of unofficial Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry. But in an effort to label Heinz Kerry as a supporter of the radical left, conservative groups are accusing Tides of ``laundering'' donors' money to extremist groups.
The fray is another example of how foundations, particularly those that tackle controversial issues, can come under fire -- from the right or the left. And some foundations can be vulnerable to such accusations, with or without merit, because they depend on public support, and smudges on their image could make it harder to raise money.
Groups caught in political crossfire
FOUNDATIONS' CAUSES CAN INVITE HARSH SPOTLIGHT
By John Boudreau
Mercury News
A liberal San Francisco foundation is finding itself caught in the crossfire of presidential politics.
The Tides Center processes grant money for philanthropic organizations overseen by Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of unofficial Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry. But in an effort to label Heinz Kerry as a supporter of the radical left, conservative groups are accusing Tides of ``laundering'' donors' money to extremist groups.
The fray is another example of how foundations, particularly those that tackle controversial issues, can come under fire -- from the right or the left. And some foundations can be vulnerable to such accusations, with or without merit, because they depend on public support, and smudges on their image could make it harder to raise money.