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Conspicuous Philanthropy: Reconciling Contract And Tax Laws, William A. Drennan
Conspicuous Philanthropy: Reconciling Contract And Tax Laws, William A. Drennan
American University Law Review
It sold for $15 million, and the IRS treated it as worthless. Avery Fisher, a titan of industry and a lover of classical music, made a generous contribution to renovate a charity's building, and in exchange the charity agreed to name the building after Fisher in perpetuity. Forty years later, the Fisher family sold the naming rights back to the charity for $15 million in cash. The IRS treats these publicity rights as worthless when charities grant them, and this generates substantial tax benefits for the donor and the donor's family. In contrast, the common law can treat these publicity …