Ray Charles Foundation Wants $3M Donation Back
The Ray Charles Foundation is demanding that Albany State University in Georgia return a donated gift of $3 million given to the university over a decade ago.
In 2001, the foundation gave the school $1 million to build a preforming arts center in Charles' name. A year later, the foundation donated an additional $2 million, but within over a decade the building has yet to surface.
"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," the foundation said in a statement.
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However, the university maintains that the preforming arts center is closer to being built than it has been in years.
"It has been a long and tedious process, but strides have been made in accomplishing this goal," Albany State University spokesman Demetrius Love said in an email statement to The Associated Press.
Albany State President Dr. Everette Freeman has also come out to suggest that organizing the project is in its final stages and that the building should be built very shortly.
"We know from the Chancellor at the University System of Georgia that it will be built in either fiscal year 13 or fiscal year 14," he said.
"I think the Ray Charles Foundation is eager to see the building built," Freeman added. "I think at the end of that day, if you pressed them and asked them what the issues is, they will say that we want the building to be built."
Charles was born in Albany, Ga. He founded the Ray Charles Foundation in 1986 to provide financial support for people suffering with hearing disorders. Although Charles was blind, he felt that the inability to hear music was a more pressing handicap and determined to use his foundation to help others hear the power of music.
Charles won 17 Grammy awards throughout his career and became an international icon. He died in 2004 at the age of 73.
