Items relevant to more than one category may appear more than once in this summary. From the issue dated November 15, 2001 About Gifts and Grant Makers FOUNDATIONS are considering increasing their support for a wide range of issues in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks. THE FOUNDER of the Common Ground Community hopes her new status as a MacArthur fellow will win heightened support for her mission of improving the lives of the poor and homeless. THE CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK has announced the winners of its first Andrew Carnegie Medals of Philanthropy. GORDON AND BETTY MOORE have pledged $600-million to the California Institute of Technology through a personal gift and through grants from their family foundation. NEARLY 90 PERCENT of American households made a donation to nonprofit groups last year, according to data released last week by Independent Sector. FACE OF PHILANTHROPY: A Pennsylvania charity makes children's wishes come true. THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA has received a $20-million pledge to help build a basketball arena; other recent gifts to nonprofit institutions. POINTS OF LIGHT 2,009 to 2,014 were named by the Bush administration. RECENT GRANTS by foundations, corporations, and other grant makers. SUMMARIES OF ANNUAL REPORTS from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Meyer Foundation, and Sara Lee Corporation and Foundation. Special Report: Disbursing the Money THE CHARITIES that raised more than $1.2-billion in disaster-relief donations are facing tough questions from Congress, news commentators, and the public over how they are overseeing and distributing the funds. FACING HARSH CRITICISM, the American Red Cross has been trying to assure donors that it is wisely spending the $564-million in disaster aid that has been contributed after the September 11 terrorist attacks. EIGHT VIEWS on what the Red Cross needs to do to regain public credibility and support. EXCERPTS from editorials in major newspapers that reprove the Red Cross for its handling of the recent flood of donations. THE FIRST DIRECTOR of the September 11th Fund plans to put his government experience to good use. About Fund Raising A NEW LAW that gives the Federal Trade Commission power to regulate appeals made by telemarketers on behalf of charities is drawing mixed reactions from fund raisers. UNITED WAY OF AMERICA appoints a new CEO. UPDATE ON CAMPAIGNS for endowments, capital improvements, and other needs. INTEREST RATES for planned gifts, issued by the Internal Revenue Service. About Technology VOLUNTEERS are using the Internet to promote their idea for a new Thanksgiving holiday activity. THE FANNIE MAE FOUNDATION has created an online resource for information on housing and community development. BITS: Using technology to build relationships with donors, and a site with advice for teachers. Also in This Issue OPINION: Edward Skloot on rethinking philanthropic priorities as governments face seas of red ink; and Peter Frumkin on how the Bush administration's missteps derailed its proposal to promote faith-based programs. LETTERS on a history of management troubles at the Red Cross; slighting small nonprofit organizations; and misrepresenting the Sesame Workshop's federal tax situation. PRESS CLIPPINGS Fast Company on leadership challenges facing the American Cancer Society; and Moment on the personnel crisis at Jewish federations, schools, and community organizations. BOOKS: A book on how chief executives can nurture boards; a guide to collaborations between nonprofit organizations; and a manual on annual giving campaigns. PEOPLE: Appointments and promotions in the nonprofit world. REPORTS ON CHARITIES by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. AWARDS: Honors for people and organizations in philanthropy.