Ray Charles Foundation Wants $3 Million Gift Back From Albany State University

ATLANTA -- The Ray Charles Foundation is demanding the return of a $3 million gift given to Albany State University a decade ago because the organization says the college has yet to use the money to build a performing arts center in the late artist's name.

In 2001, Charles gave the south Georgia school $1 million and donated another $2 million a year later after receiving an honorary doctorate from the college. The native of Albany, Ga., died in 2004 at age 73.

The money was given solely for the construction of the performing arts center, yet it only exists "on the drawing board and in an unapproved downsized plan," the foundation said in a statement.

Charles was specific on how the money was to be spent, said foundation president Valerie Ervin.

"It is incomprehensible that Albany State University failed to use the money in the manner Mr. Charles wanted. Mr. Charles would find ASU's behavior unacceptable," she said.

Albany State University spokesman Demetrius Love said the gift was never restricted and that the school continues to pursue additional funding for the building, which is expected to cost at least $23 million.

The 2001 donation still is in a bank and the $2 million gift was given to 125 students chosen to be Ray Charles Presidential Scholars, according to the university. Officials said the donation was the largest gift the university has ever received.

"It has been a long and tedious process, but strides have been made in accomplishing this goal," Love said in an email statement. "Albany State University will continue in its efforts of honoring Mr. Ray Charles by constructing a fine arts building in his name."

Plans for the project have stalled in recent years because of a lack of state funding amid budget cuts.

In October, the university's legal counsel sent a letter to the foundation reiterating their desire to move forward with the building project, which also includes a theater to be named for Charles' mother. The university has received additional state funding to support the design phase of the building, the letter said.

"When Mr. Charles made the two separate gifts to the University, he did so without restrictions," the letter reads. "The University does believe that a Fine Arts Building named after Mr. Charles, with a theatre named in honor of Mr. Charles' mother, Mrs. Aretha Robinson, is one of the ways to do `the right thing.' The University has been working tirelessly towards that goal."

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Comments

[trron9]

07:08 AM on 02/19/2012

Regardless If I gave a charity a large, medium or small donation the fact I specified it's purpose that should be respected! The fact this money was a huge gift for the purpose of building a facility in memory of Ray Charles, by not honoring his wishes is disrespectful! The college can make all the excuses it wants as this gift was given over a decade ago, after awhile their credibility is shot! I feel the foundation has every right to want the gift returned! Future sponsors should take note of this situation and steer clear!

[Bootzey Jones]

06:43 AM on 02/19/2012

Time to piss or get off the pot...

[chloebe]

06:38 AM on 02/18/2012

if only 1 million was for the new center, getting naming rights for donating less than 5% is a good deal. The question is that why didn't the foundation do their research to see if the school had the ability to raise the additional 95%....

[frecomp1]

11:02 AM on 02/17/2012

I wonder if Albany has a football team? Because of funding have they canceled there program??

[ladameennoir]

06:09 PM on 02/16/2012

I expect that these kinds of disputes will become far more common as the cost of building new facilities skyrockets, and nonprofits struggling for cash are tempted to claim it as an unrestricted gift.

[boscobear]

05:23 PM on 02/16/2012

Meanwhile this money either is earning interest or it has been borrowed by the business office for other accounts.

[mollynova]

12:40 PM on 02/16/2012

Garth Brooks is having a similar problem with a hospital. He donated a large sum of money with the understanding that they would name a wing of the hospital in his mother's name. The hospital says they were not obligated to do this with that money.

If it comes down to a we said/they said situation then I think the receiving end should do all it can to right the confusion and mollify the person/foundation that gave them the money.

[Jennifer Malcom]

10:46 AM on 02/16/2012

If it was a gift, then he had no say in what was done with it. However, if it was a charitable donation meant to go to that specific cause, and there is paperwork stating such, then by all means, he should get it back...I know it costs a lot to build something like that, but it's been TEN YEARS! If you haven't built it yet, you're not going to!

[lilbunnyfufu]

09:04 PM on 02/15/2012

I don't think he actually believed that was enough to build the center but they couldn't raise any more money in the 10 years since receiving the donation? Ten years and no progress is a long time.

[lib2dbone]

02:17 AM on 02/16/2012

true

[ondbuyu]

04:30 PM on 02/15/2012

Ray would probably smile and sing "Georgia on my mind" while telling them to hurry up.

Rest-in-Peace .............. Great singer with a real life story of victories over addictions
which should be a inspiration to others.

[victorvelasco]

01:21 AM on 02/20/2012

Ray also might just modify one of his hits for the situation : "Unchain My Cash"

[meandmydog]

05:35 PM on 02/15/2012

Did you really find your comment funny? Or were you just pointing out your intolerance and bigotry towards other's?

[wkingsolomon77]

07:17 PM on 02/15/2012

the university used the money in another area that was very much needed,they did not think anyone was watching them

[10YearTeacher]

02:19 PM on 02/15/2012

If they can't get their act together and build it, my school would love the money and it would build it in no time.