Anonymous $2 million donation Options

[thekohser]

Did we discuss anywhere here the $2 million gift to the WMF made by an anonymous donor, announced recently via the (late) October 2010 dashboard report by Erik "non-violent child pornography does no harm" Moeller?

In your experience, how common are anonymous donations -- of that magnitude -- to any organization? What sort of controversy or attention is the donor seeking to avoid? Will that donor ever be identified (such as on a Form 990 to the IRS)?

[Cedric]

Did we discuss anywhere here the $2 million gift to the WMF made by an anonymous donor, announced recently via the (late) October 2010 dashboard report by Erik "non-violent child pornography does no harm" Moeller?

In your experience, how common are anonymous donations -- of that magnitude -- to any organization? What sort of controversy or attention is the donor seeking to avoid? Will that donor ever be identified (such as on a Form 990 to the IRS)?

My guess would be that an anonymous donation of that size is rather unusual, especially for an "educational charity", but not unprecedented. It would have to be a very, very well-heeled benefactor, I imagine. Or perhaps I should say "beneficiary".

It's just a guess, mind you.