Re: Big Money for CAP from Cos?

From:john.podesta@gmail.com To: swartell@americanprogress.org Date: 2008-11-19 13:27 Subject: Re: Big Money for CAP from Cos?

Let's talk. Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile ----- Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:08:28 John: Owings-Corning wants to give CAP a large contribution (up to 500k) thru their FOUNDATION. Bracken has met with then a few times. General support. In business alliance and dinner sponsor. No strings attached. Following Pickens -- excited by the green energy agenda, etc. Bracken argues this is green manufacturing of fiberglass, big recycler, union firm, etc. Hard to find a whiter corporation whose interests are more aligned with our agenda. My instinct is to say (tactifully)that we' d' be pleased to receive 100k in 2008 for bus alliance so no bigger than others in alliance. After transition we would be pleased to receive a larger contribution from them under same no strings attached groundrules. Deb proposed limiting 09 gift to same size but that leaves up to 300k on the table, so i think we could decide to accept it all after your return in context of dinner etc. Any concerns? Similar issue: Debby followed up with Margaret McKenna of Walmart FOUNDATION after you made introduction. She came in and met with education team and campus. Her office then followed up asking for short concept papers on health care, campus energy work, and teacher retention. Though it's unclear what size grants she had in mind." Deb sent three proposals I learned after the fact -- if all funded -- worth 700-800k. These look like more traditional foundation grants related to our existing agenda. Education, given Mc'enna's history with cap should be ok. Re healthcare we are in BHCT with Walmart proper but that's tricky Campus is a new direction for partnership with them. If they come back eager to fund a significant portion of the ask, I would be inclined to do as with Owens: not to get more than a small amunt in 2008 before your return. While this would help us close funding gap this year, other outstanding asks also could do so. My proposal reduces risk of optics problems for you. If different view pls advise. For the long term, i propose a discussion re corporate and labor fundraising with board at january board call. Whole new world. Business alliance booming with larger gifts. I have asked Debbie Fine to draft a proposed policy for us to consider. We have heard from reporters that brookings was "better" cause they had written corp gift policy even tho has holes so large could drive a mac truck thru. We should consider options. Is there a limit on how much we want? Etc. -------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld