# Book claims Foundation row over grant policy

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/08/26/book-claims-foundation-row-over-grant-policy/
- Published: 2013-08-26T06:45:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A new chapter added to a book on Chuck Feeney, who established Atlantic Philanthropies,
claims that he nearly lost control of the foundation in a row over how the money
was spent.**

[‘The Billionaire Who Wasn’t’](https://amzn.to/4bYxVoa) was first published in 2007
and now in its latest edition, the author, Conor O’Cleary, says Mr Feeney had a 
dispute with the Foundation’s independent board and its former CEO Gara LaMarche
who wanted more emphasis on social justice projects, including links with the Obama
administration.

In an article in the Irish Times, O’Leary said Mr Feeney, while still supporting
social justice, wanted more money spent on bricks and mortar which was the main 
focus of Atlantic’s grant giving in its early years.

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Mr Feeney was also said to be uneasy with the high profile that Atlantic and its
leadership were gaining in the political and social justice arena and raised his
concerns about this, and the rising costs involved, according to the Irish Times.

When Mr Feeney brought his concerns to the Foundation board in 2009 he was rebuffed
and this led to a bitter dispute which affected Mr Feeney’s health. Ultimately, 
Mr Feeney’s views prevailed and Gara La Marche and three Atlantic board members 
resigned.

Atlantic, which recently announced grants totalling $11 million in Ireland, will
make its last grant in 2016 before [closing down in 2020](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/04/28/office-closes-but-atlantic-still-giving-grants/).**
Just over $1 billion** of the Foundation’s endowment remains to be spent.