For mineral rights owners, a gas or oil lease means royalty checks for producing wells on their property. And now, those who are benefitting from the shale boom are giving back to local charities and universities, according to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Penn State University is one institution that has received revenue from mineral rights owners since 2008, although the donations have slowed with the recent slump in gas prices. The donation process can be complicated, so staff members try to advise donors

From Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

“Receiving mineral rights as a donation can be more burden than benefit for some nonprofits because they require a lengthy and costly vetting process before they can be accepted. But institutions and groups say they are expecting such gifts to increase with growing gas production in the Marcellus and Utica shales.”

Via: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review > Mineral rights, royalties flowing to Western Pa. charities