Charities at risk as Diana fund freezes grants

[arikara]

More than 100 charities could face closure or severe cutbacks following a decision by trustees of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to freeze its grants to preserve its assets, in the latest stage of a long-running battle against a US corporation making memorabilia of the late princess.

The fund has appealed to other charities and grant agencies to help bail out small charities dependent on its funding but has warned that hundreds of jobs may be at risk if its legal battle in the US courts fails.

The fund is being sued for $25m (£15m) by the Franklin Mint, a Californian-based corporation which specialises in making and selling souvenirs of personalities, following the failure of the trustees' bid to stop it cashing in on the princess's memory three years ago.

The corporation wants the money, which would otherwise be spent on charitable work around the world, in compensation for what it claims is the damage done to its sales efforts and reputation and for the "embarrassment" it suffered.


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http://society.guardian.co.uk/charitymanagement/story/0,8150,996813,00.html

[silverweb]

1. How utterly vile and despicable!

I can't imagine that the Franklin Mint would have any legal claim whatsoever, but to think that the corporation is knowingly destroying a philanthropic organization, causing the disruption of charitable works and loss of jobs... well, this is just beyond belief.

Let's get the word out and try to shame the Franklin Mint into withdrawing their lawsuit!

:grr:

[NYC]

2. That's disgraceful.

I hope everyone learns of this, and never again buys anything from Franklin Mint.

[Melsky]

3. Can US corporations get any more arrogant?

I know the charity started it, but they are profiting from selling pictures of a dead woman. The least they could do is just lay off the charity.

[tlb]

4. This sounds fishy.

" hundreds of jobs may be at risk if its legal battle in the US courts fails. "


If the Diana trust is engaged simply in the financing of smaller charities, how is it employing " hundreds " of people ? This isn't exactly the Ford Foundation we are discussing. What is it doing with such a suspiciously large payroll. I'm guessing an independent audit would show this is more a " jobs for our friends " charity then a " help the world " one.

As far as the Franklin Mint is concerned, yes, it's a very tacky enterprise. That being said though, Diana is a dead historical figure. Being commercialized is a sad but common fate for such characters. Look at George and Abe selling household wares in the annual Presidents Day Sales.

[arikara]

5. I took it to mean that

the smaller charities would lose their funding from the Diana foundation and have to fold up, which would in turn cause the job loss.

[aquart]

6. The Franklin Mint is unendingly sleazy.

How utterly vile.