Oral Roberts University, more like Oral Roberts, said ok to a life-changing gift of $70 million (according to the March 20, 08 Chronicle of Philanthropy).

This is the kind of deal that really gives me pause. Mind you, I like the ending but...

Should a donor have so much to say about the way an organization conducts its business? That's sort of the big question here. Oral Roberts had a board that by most standards "wasn't helping the cause". The founder-owner-operator I think basically got independence to run the university the way he saw fit. Unfortunately, the way he saw fit wasn't ensuring the university a long life.

In steps a donor who says he can do something about the situation but he wants a hand, at the board level, to make the changes necessary. And the incentive, big bucks.

Short term analysis -- stuff gets fixed in the way the donor would have it and mission continues.

Good deal?   more »