Items relevant to more than one category may appear more than once in this summary. From the issue dated December 8, 2005 Special Report A YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMIS STRUCK, progress in the recovery of South Asia has been mixed, bedeviled by short supplies, lack of coordination, and even, in some instances, too much money spent too quickly. RELIEF GROUPS IN SRI LANKA struggle to correct the imbalance between the massive assistance provided to tsunami survivors and the relative neglect of the victims of ethnic conflict on the island. THE RECONSTRUCTION OF HOMES IN INDONESIA flattened by the tidal waves has been stymied by political and logistical problems, leaving many communities a barren landscape. IN INDIA, RECOVERY has been helped by the collaboration of local nonprofit groups and international relief organizations, but it too has hit snags — such as an overabundance of donated fishing boats. AMERICAN CHARITIES collected more than $1.6-billion to help victims of the tsunamis, and have spent about a third of that money, a new Chronicle study has found. About Fund Raising DESPITE REPORTS OF DONOR FATIGUE brought on by the unusual spate of natural disasters, most charity officials expect 2005 to be a good, perhaps record-setting, year for donations. SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE, the best-selling book The Ultimate Gift has spawned a line of products and a for-profit company aimed at promoting its brand of values-driven philanthropy. ONLINE GIVING increased sharply this year, bolstered by the millions of Americans who used the Internet to donate to hurricane-relief efforts, according to a new survey. GIVING TO U.S. HOSPITALS in 2004 was roughly the same as in the previous year, says a report from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. UPDATE ON CAMPAIGNS for endowments, capital improvements, and other needs. INTEREST RATES for planned gifts, issued by the Internal Revenue Service. About Giving and Grant Making A TAX BILL with provisions designed to encourage charitable giving and curb overly generous charitable tax deductions has passed the U.S. Senate. NEW ENGLANDERS are more likely than residents of other regions to give to charity, but they don't donate the most money, a study found. AMERICANS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS about the nonprofit world, a Harris Interactive poll has found. HARVARD UNIVERSITY has received $100-million for scientific research; other recent gifts to nonprofit organizations and institutions. RECENT GRANTS by foundations, corporations, and other grant makers. SUMMARIES OF ANNUAL REPORTS from the California Community, Meadows, and Charles Stewart Mott Foundations. FACE OF PHILANTHROPY: Thousands of people will dress up like Santa Claus next week to run in a fund-raising race to benefit a British charity that serves children with serious illnesses. About Managing Nonprofit Groups REWARDING EMPLOYEES for referring successful job candidates has become a popular recruiting tool for many nonprofit groups. MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE raised the bond ratings of three nonprofit groups this year, and downgraded none, evidence of an improved financial outlook for charities. LAWMAKERS IN RUSSIA are getting pressure from American charities and advocacy groups to back off proposed legislation to tighten the government's control of nonprofit organizations. TEENAGERS VOLUNTEER at twice the rate of adults, according to a new government report, but they serve fewer hours than their older counterparts. SHE STARTED OUT collecting canned goods in her home; now Kathleen F. DiChiara runs a $7-million food bank in New Jersey that distributes thousands of pounds of food a day to charities around the state (A Day in the Life). HELPING INTERFAITH FAMILIES became a life's mission for a Jewish lawyer whose own marriage to an Episcopalian met initial resistance but thrived (Entry Level). Also in This Issue OPINION: Leslie Lenkowsky warns charities to restrain their political advocacy; Steven E. Mayer chastizes community foundations for failing to provide community leadership; and Ruth A. Wooden plumbs the motivations of the "heart and soul" donor. LETTERS: on the lessons of the American University scandal, gender disparities in nonprofit compensation, and The Chronicle's use of an "inappropriate" photograph. BOOKS: A guide to using eBay to raise money, advice on nonprofit management, and a look at corporate social responsibility, plus summaries of publications on big foundations, organizations working on the Gulf Coast recovery, understanding the life cycles of charities, and general-operating support by foundations. PRESS CLIPPINGS: BusinessWeek ranks the biggest donors; Mother Jones looks into the National Christian Foundation; Worth interviews the heir to the Guggenheim "museum dynasty"; and Barron's examines three popular modes of giving. PEOPLE: Appointments and promotions in the nonprofit world. AWARDS: Honors for people and organizations in philanthropy.