Friday, May 20, 2005

Risk Management Resolutions

Risk Management Resolutions: "Who Can Sue a Nonprofit Board?
One of the myths associated with nonprofit D&O exposures is that there are few sources of claims since nonprofits don�t have shareholders. While it is true that the vast majority of lawsuits filed against nonprofit boards are filed by current and former employees (alleging wrongful employment practices), nonprofits serve large and varied constituencies to which their boards owe specific fiduciary duties similar to duties owed by corporate boards. These constituencies are potential plaintiffs in legal actions brought against nonprofit boards.Potential claimants in a suit against nonprofit directors include: "

Corcoran Could Clip Its New Wing

Corcoran Could Clip Its New Wing: "Corcoran Could Clip Its New Wing
Chairman Says Ailing Gallery Can't Afford Frank Gehry's Showpiece
By Bob Thompson and Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, May 20, 2005; Page A01
The Corcoran Gallery of Art's chairman said yesterday that the 136-year-old institution is in such serious financial straits that it should suspend efforts to build its much-heralded new wing, for which architect Frank Gehry has already completed a design, and replace its longtime director.

The future of architect Frank Gehry's plan for a new wing for the Corcoran has triggered a leadership struggle at the venerable institution.(
The suspension of the Gehry effort could come as early as Monday, when the board is scheduled to discuss a new strategic plan for the Corcoran. 'In the foreseeable future, there's no choice,' board of trustees Chairman John T. 'Til' Hazel said, citing broad financial difficulties facing the Washington landmark, which includes both the museum and the Corcoran College of Art and Design"

NPQ - Current Issue - The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money

NPQ - Current Issue - The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money: "The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money: Managing in For-Profits� Shadow Universe
by Clara Miller
Editors� Note: A couple of years ago we attended a presentation given by Clara Miller to a group of foundation representatives. Her talk, presented in the form of a true/false test, challenged attendees to look at the rules of money and finance that governed the nonprofit sector in comparison to those in the for-profit sector. It was a funny and, at times, painful look at the strange world of nonprofit finance and the contortions that tie nonprofits up in knots that no one from the private sector would recognize. We found Clara�s presentation compelling and are happy to bring you the next best thing to Clara herself: an article based on the presentation. Take the test below �but be careful, it is more difficult than it seems. Then, read for yourself how our shadow universe compares to the rational and time-honored ways of the for-profit sector.

2theadvocate.com: News - Blanco got very active to defeat anti-Stelly bill 05/20/05

2theadvocate.com: News - Blanco got very active to defeat anti-Stelly bill 05/20/05: " know in my heart people want this,' Cain said of his bill. 'I know they do.'
The legislation, Senate Bill 1, would have gradually restored a tax break on state returns for upper-income taxpayers. It would have restored their right to deduct their excess itemized federal deductions on state tax returns for costs such as home mortgage interest, charitable contributions and medical expenses.
Blanco has never been known for any soaring rhetoric. She is a pleasant, low-key politician who owes part of her success to opponents underestimating her.
In this case, her public testimony and private jawboning played a huge role in killing Cain's bill."

HoustonChronicle.com - Charity drops glitzy, potentially illegal poker fundraising event

HoustonChronicle.com - Charity drops glitzy, potentially illegal poker fundraising event: "In Texas, no-limit Hold'em does have limits
A probe leads a major charity to drop its glitzy but potentially illegal Reliant Park gala
By KRISTIN FINAN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The law stops for no one, not even the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, one of the country's best-known charities and would-be beneficiary of a no-limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament set for Saturday night.
Despite proceeds expected to near $300,000, Houston police and the District Attorney's Office said the event as it was structured would probably be considered illegal. Last week, fearing potential snags or embarrassment, organizers cashed out, prompting calls for the Legislature to spend less time debating cheerleaders' gyrations and more clarifying the state's sticky gambling laws."

King son's firm paid $1.3 million by center | ajc.com

King son's firm paid $1.3 million by center | ajc.com: "King son's firm paid $1.3 million by center

By ERNIE SUGGS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/20/05
The nonprofit Martin Luther King Jr. Center paid nearly $1.3 million last year to a for-profit business run by King's younger son, according to tax records released this week.
The payments to Intellectual Properties Management Inc. amounted to 43 percent of all the King Center's spending for the fiscal year that ended in June 2004, according to the center's latest tax return. Since July 2000, the center has reported paying $4.2 million to the company, a practice criticized by charity watchdog groups.
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IPM also gave the King Center $77,550, its largest single donation last year, according to a list of financial contributions attached to the tax form. There was no explanation of the gift."

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Suffolk News Herald Online

Suffolk News Herald Online: "More bang for the charitable buck, May 18,2005

By Andy Prutsok
Thursday, May 19, 2005 7:25 AM CDT



Local United Way agencies are likely squirming a little in the wake of a meeting Tuesday.

Dr. Susan Shi of the Greenville, S.C. United Way told a gathering of local United Way officials, corporate officials, businesspeople, civic leaders and agency representatives about the amazing turnaround their organization has experienced following a reassessment and restructuring of its mission and objectives.
In a nutshell, the Greenville organization is going to stop just soliciting money and turning it over to the same agencies it has year in and year out. Beginning with its allocation this year, it began phasing in its new allocation process with 25 percent of its funding being shifted from the traditional agencies to programs that have a direct impact on the five specific agenda items the community identified as the biggest needs."

Duchess Of Cornwall: Royal News Duchess Of Cornwall Honoured For Charity Work

Duchess Of Cornwall: Royal News Duchess Of Cornwall Honoured For Charity Work: "Work
May 19, 2005, 1:38:25 Camilla Parker Bowles is to be honoured by an American charity for her work in raising awareness of brittle bone disease.
America's National Osteoporosis Foundation is preparing to honour the 57-year-old royal for her work after naming her as the recipient of the first ever Ethel LeFrak award.
Judith Cranford, a spokeswoman for the US-based charity said: 'It is the first time this particular award has been given.
'It was the Duchess of Cornwall that came to mind. 'She has worked for several years and has seen the consequences of the disease within her own family.'"

News4Jax.com - News - 26-Year Red Cross Volunteer Named Chapter's CEO

News4Jax.com - News - 26-Year Red Cross Volunteer Named Chapter's CEO: "26-Year Red Cross Volunteer Named Chapter's CEO
POSTED: 4:17 pm EDT May 18, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The northeast Florida chapter of the American Red Cross Wednesday named a long-time volunteer as the group's new chief operating officer.

Jack Morgan

Jack Morgan, most recently the chief operating officer of Enterprise Integration in Jacksonville, has been a volunteer with the Red Cross chapter for more than a quarter-century.
'Jack is an experienced, talented and dedicated leader with 26 years of Red Cross service,' said Roger Burdick, chairman of the nonprofit's board of directors. 'On behalf of the entire board, I extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to him as he takes the helm of our growing organization.'"

DMNews.com | News | Article Postal Reform affets nonprofits too

DMNews.com | News | Article: "Denton: Postal Reform Affects Nonprofits, Too

May 19, 2005

By: Scott Hovanyetz
Senior Reporter
scotth@dmnews.com









NEW YORK -- Nonprofit mailers must learn about postal reform because it definitely will affect their postal costs, Neal Denton, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, said yesterday.
Postal costs generally rank among the top expenses for nonprofit groups, said Denton, speaking at a meeting of the Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association here at Amnesty International USA. "

The Austin Chronicle: News: Naked City

The Austin Chronicle: News: Naked City: "Naked City
Frozen philanthropy
BY WELLS DUNBAR

I scream, you scream, we all scream for socially conscious conglomerates utilizing their brand awareness to increase charitable contributions to the community? Well, you should. Saturday, Vermont ice cream magnates Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield (yes, that Ben & Jerry) were in Austin to celebrate the grand opening of their Austin PartnerShop, a fully functioning ice cream parlor, albeit one owned and operated by Austin nonprofit LifeWorks. "

Nonprofit sector sees job growth (May 19, 2005)

Nonprofit sector sees job growth (May 19, 2005): "Nonprofit sector sees job growth
By CYNTHIA McCORMICK
Staff Writer
Nonprofit jobs make up one of the fastest-growing sectors of the Massachusetts economy.
And the Cape and Islands are falling right in line with the state trend.
According to the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC), the nonprofit work force in Massachusetts grew by 9 percent between 2000-2003, when overall employment declined by 4 percent across the state."

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas-Nonprofit Snoops?: Don't let groups red-flag names for feds

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas: "Nonprofit Snoops?: Don't let groups red-flag names for feds
May 12,2005
The Monitor View
It could well have been just what a Department of Homeland Security press spokesman said, a response 'to a hypothetical question with a hypothetical answer.' But if Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is even toying with such an idea, he should think better of it.
According to National Journal reporter Siobhan Gorman, at a private meeting of security-industry officials organized by the Information Technology Association of America, Chertoff 'floated an idea to start a nonprofit group that would collect information on private citizens, flag suspicious activity and send names of suspicious people to his department.'"

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

News Sentinel | 05/18/2005 | Editorial briefs

News Sentinel | 05/18/2005 | Editorial briefs:
snip snip
"School�s out, so discard your belongings
There�s no better testament to the casual affluence of many college students than the bounty they leave behind when they leave campus for the summer.
The Indianapolis Star reported this week on the massive clean-ups universities stage at this time of year. For example, at Indiana University in Bloomington, a food bank hauled away five truckloads of discarded food, such as cereal, soup and popcorn. A mission center in Bloomington took away 10-20 truckloads of furniture, microwaves, clothing and other goods.
At Butler University last year, students donated 3 tons of items valued at $32,000 and gave it all to the Lighthouse Mission, an Indianapolis shelter. This year, students have left behind even more."

The Australian: Charities working smarter [May 18, 2005]

The Australian: Charities working smarter [May 18, 2005]: "Charities working smarter

May 18, 2005
STINGY Sydneysiders and increasing demands on the welfare system were forcing local charities to become smarter with their money, a senior charity worker said today.

St Vincent de Paul Society Sydney night patrol co-ordinator, Peter Figg, said Sydneysiders were less likely to donate to help alleviate local poverty than to big appeals such as the recent tsunami aid drive.
Speaking ahead of the launch of a program to help the homeless, Mr Figg said the local problem was getting steadily worse, with the number of homeless in Sydney rising from 26,700 last year to close to 40,000 this year.
Competition for the charity dollar had forced charities to work smarter with their money, he said."

Royal Gazette

Royal Gazette: "Charitable giving should not suffer due to heightened scrutiny on companies
By Lilla Zuill

Scrutiny of corporate executive behaviour has had the "unintended consequence" of putting a damper on charitable giving -both of time and money - by the top brass of some companies.
Donald Kramer, a senior executive with ACE Limited and chairman of the Bermuda National Dance Foundation, told an audience gathered at the weekly Hamilton Rotary meeting yesterday that there were clear signs that executive and corporate support for charity was, in some cases, being called into question.
Speaking with The Royal Gazette following his speech, Mr. Kramer said the scrutiny so far had been confined to the US and had not yet extended to Bermuda. But with many of Bermuda�s major corporations being public companies listed on US stock exchanges as well as doing business in the US, he said the scrutiny could eventually extend to corporations based on the Island."

Reuters AlertNet - Health Leaders from Sri Lanka and Cameroon at Direct Relief International

Reuters AlertNet - Health Leaders from Sri Lanka and Cameroon at Direct Relief International: "Health Leaders from Sri Lanka and Cameroon at Direct Relief International
17 May 2005 20:58:00 GMT


Direct Relief International (DRI) - USA
Website: http://www.directrelief.org
Direct Relief International 2005 Shareholders' Meeting
California�s largest international nonprofit organization to announce 2004 results; With health leaders from Sri Lanka and Cameroon and Corporate Philanthropic Directors from FedEx and Merck
Keynote by �Charity Navigator� Founder Trent Stamp
Santa Barbara, CA. May 20, 2005 � On Friday, May 20, 2005, Direct Relief International will hold its third annual Shareholders� Meeting to report the results of the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2005.
The meeting occurs against the backdrop of unprecedented private and corporate giving for tsunami relief, chronic health challenges in developing countries in Africa, and evolving nonprofit standards of governance and accountability. Direct Relief�s report to its investors will include briefings from leaders in each of these fields.

Homeland Security funding available for nonprofits - 2005-05-17

Homeland Security funding available for nonprofits - 2005-05-17: "Homeland Security funding available for nonprofits
The Portland Office of Emergency Management announced Tuesday that a $100,000 portion of 2005 Homeland Security funding is now available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the five-county Portland urban area. The deadline for application is 5 p.m. Friday, June 17.

'This is the first year the federal government has included Homeland Security funding specifically for nonprofits,' said Miguel Ascarrunz, director of the office.
The funding is available through the federal Urban Areas Security Initiative Program and Oregon Office of Homeland Security. "

The Times Record News-Downsizing of base likely to hurt local nonprofits

The Times Record News: "Downsizing of base likely to hurt local nonprofits
Bob_Kalish@TimesRecord.Com
05/17/2005
Brunswick Naval Air Station contributes in big way to local United Way and other groups.
BATH � Local nonprofit and service organizations will miss the presence of their Navy friends if the proposed realignment of Brunswick Naval Air Station becomes a reality.

In the list of military base closure and realignment recommendations he released on Friday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld proposed that BNAS be downsized drastically. His plan would call for a work force reduction of more than 2,300 active-duty military personnel and at least 60 civilian jobs at the base.

Barbara Reinertsen, executive director of United Way of Mid Coast Maine, said the impact of such a change would be serious for her organization. "

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!: "Med school puts stop to political donations

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

By BRIAN KLADKO
STAFF WRITER


The state's medical school will stop making political donations, ending a practice at least two decades old.
The unanimous vote Tuesday by the trustees of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey bars the use of school funds for political candidates, parties and committees. It comes a little more than a week after The Record detailed the school's numerous contributions to state politicians - at least $155,000 during the past decade."

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

$100 Million Gift Boosts Va. Museum's American Art Holdings

$100 Million Gift Boosts Va. Museum's American Art Holdings: "$100 Million Gift Boosts Va. Museum's American Art Holdings
By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 17, 2005; Page C03
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced last night that it is receiving a gift of $100 million in money and 19th- and 20th-century art from collectors James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin.
The gift is one of the largest in the Richmond institution's 69-year history, said Michael Brand, the museum's director."

AR.net >> British Cancer Charity Turns Down 30,000 Pound Donation Because Money Was Raised At Pheasant Hunts

AR.net >> British Cancer Charity Turns Down 30,000 Pound Donation Because Money Was Raised At Pheasant Hunts: "British Cancer Charity Turns Down 30,000 Pound Donation Because Money Was Raised At Pheasant Hunts


British Cancer Charity Turns Down 30,000 Pound Donation Because Money Was Raised At Pheasant Hunts
But the Institute of Cancer Research funds animal tests. Full Article

Brian Carnell
Monday, May 16, 2005
In March, the UK's Institute of Cancer Research charity refused a Pound 30,000 donations from Barry Atkinson because Atkinson had raised the money over 148 days flushing out grouse partridge and pheasants at shoots in the UK.
According to the BBC, when Atkinson's dog suffered a cancerous tumor, the artist and retired teacher came up with the idea of raising money for cancer research by working at different shoots the UK. "

Welcome to AJC! | ajc.com-9 arts nonprofits get help conducting their business

Welcome to AJC! ajc.com: "9 arts nonprofits get help conducting their business
Tom Sabulis - Staff
Tuesday, May 17, 2005

As the music director of the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra and a former adviser to the Georgia Council for the Arts, Thomas Anderson knows a bit about trying to balance a budget on a shoestring.
'I've learned that more groups get in trouble from bad administration than bad music,' he says.
That's where the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund can help. Now in its 13th year, the fund will distribute $500,000 today to nonprofit companies in dire need of staff development and debt reduction.
As one of nine groups receiving checks at a ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, the DeKalb Symphony will get $70,000 over a two-year period to hire an executive director. (Anderson has been handling the job on an interim basis.) "

Hendersonville Times-News-Federal government scrutinizing finances of nonprofits

Hendersonville Times-News: "Federal government scrutinizing finances of nonprofits
Overhauls of various financial reporting and financial responsibilities for charities and foundations continues as a topic of interest at the federal level. The Senate Finance Committee held hearings in April on misconduct attributed to nonprofit organizations. This is a continuation of the adoption of Sarbannes-Oxley a few years ago.

The legislation originally paid attention to financial practices in the business world, but has increasingly turned attention to the nonprofit community.

Last month, I was sent copies of articles relating to these hearings that occurred during that time. The first was an op-ed piece from The Wall Street Journal, 'Death by Bureaucracy,' written by Heather R. Higgins, the co-founder of the Alliance for Charitable Reform (www.ACreform.com). The author called attention to the destructive nature of the potential actions that might come from the Senate Finance Committee hearings. She argued that the the responses would be overkill, raising the costs of operation for all nonprofits when only a few are guilty of misconduct. The writer suggests that a more appropriate action would be for the committee to study the real extent of abuse instead of relying on abuses discovered while reviewing a handful of organizations. "

Tracy Press-Scrutiny increases with nonprofits' public contracts

Tracy Press: "Scrutiny increases with nonprofits' public contracts

Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press
Ben van der Meer
Tracy Press
Published May 17, 2005, in the Tracy Press.
They're not supposed to make money. Their mission statements are often noble, and the people who donate their time to them can have the best of intentions.
But as nonprofit groups get a bigger share of public dollars � through both grants and cooperative programs � oversight of how they spend that money is coming under increasing scrutiny.
�It is true that the government is relying pretty significantly on the nonprofit sector,� said Mike Cortes, director of the Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management at the University of San Francisco . �In most cases, the record of where the money is spent is in government agency files. And in government agency files, there is the potential there for a less-than-detailed breakdown.� "

Charity Village� NewsWeek: Cover Story-Niche volunteer site anticipates virtual success

Charity Village� NewsWeek: Cover Story: Niche volunteer site anticipates virtual success
May 16, 2005
By Nicole Zummach

Ask David Ontonovich what's so great about virtual volunteering and you'll soon be wondering why more nonprofits aren't taking advantage of this potentially endless source of volunteers. There's the flexibility, the variety, and the accessibility, not to mention the benefits for organizations that decide to make virtual volunteers a part of their programs. As national coordinator of volunteer resources for the Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), Ontonovich has been working with virtual volunteers for years and knows just how valuable they can be. Now he is bringing his expertise to a new initiative, AIDSvolunteers.ca, a portal site that connects volunteers from across Canada with virtual opportunities at AIDS service organizations (ASOs).

Fundraising can be a real gift - Jobs - Times Online

Fundraising can be a real gift - Jobs - Times Online: "Fundraising can be a real gift
Joe Saxton, head of the Institute of Fundraising, tells Liza Ramrayka how better communication will allow charity fundraisers to tell the world what they do and why



CHARITY fundraising has taken something of a battering in recent years: street fundraisers have been slammed for being too �in your face�, costs have been questioned and concerns raised about too many causes chasing too few donors.
Yet charities have just witnessed � in the form of post-tsunami giving � the most generous outpouring of public donations that the UK has ever seen. Growing awareness of tax-effective giving means an unprecedented number of donors now use methods such as Gift Aid and payroll giving.


Which is precisely why Joe Saxton, the new chair of the Institute of Fundraising, thinks that the challenge for the profession is to explain to the wider world what it does and why. �The biggest task is to help the public to understand why fundraisers do what they do and to show that their individual donation will be well spent.� "

Animal-rights group PETA stays tax-exempt - U.S. News - MSNBC.com

Animal-rights group PETA stays tax-exempt - U.S. News - MSNBC.com: "Animal-rights group PETA stays tax-exempt
Complaints from food makers, Ringling circus lead to IRS auditThe Associated Press
Updated: 9:29 p.m. ET May 16, 2005NORFOLK, Va. - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will retain the tax-exempt status offered to nonprofit groups after the Internal Revenue Service reviewed the animal-rights organization, a PETA attorney said Monday."

Kansas City Star | 05/17/2005 | Nonprofits get advice on how to keep giving

Kansas City Star 05/17/2005 Nonprofits get advice on how to keep giving: "Nonprofits get advice on how to keep giving

By MIKE GLYNN

Special to The Star

In the home stretch as chief executive officer of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Jan Kreamer takes pride in knowing she's retiring with many local nonprofit agencies in full swing.
For example, Kansas City's philanthropic community has helped create what she calls a �premier� health-care system for the region, from the Children's Mercy Hospital expansion to the Cabot Westside Health Center, a bustling St. Luke's facility that caters to Hispanics.
Youth service agencies such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs are thriving, she said, and the region boasts an �extremely vibrant� arts community.
The nonprofit sector generates about 6.2 percent of total income or revenue for Kansas City's regional economy, according to the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership."

Monday, May 16, 2005

Giving Forum�Growing Giving

Giving Forum�Growing Giving: "Lessons and Links: Professional Advisors
The second installment of an on-going series


Why do professional advisors invite a dialogue about philanthropy? Because their clients expect them to.

Clients are increasing their knowledge about options and expect their advisors to help them create innovative, comprehensive financial plans that take care of their families and friends, avoid taxes and reflect their values. Statistics from around the nation indicate that when confronted with the task of transferring assets from one generation to another, people are integrating charitable giving into their planning to realize personal and financial benefits. "

Struggling Milwaukee Public Museum plans to cut half its staff | The Janesville Gazette | Janesville, Wisconsin, USA

Struggling Milwaukee Public Museum plans to cut half its staff | The Janesville Gazette | Janesville, Wisconsin, USA: "Struggling Milwaukee Public Museum plans to cut half its staff

(Published Sunday, May 15, 2005)
Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - The struggling Milwaukee Public Museum plans to cut half its staff to deal with its budget crisis and must take emergency measures to pay its workers this week.

Museum officials say they will trim its scientific staff and other departments as it begins a transformation into a 'science center' focused on public display, officials said."

Robin Williams sues to halt impersonator - (United Press International)

Robin Williams sues to halt impersonator - (United Press International): "Robin Williams sues to halt impersonator


Los Angeles, CA, May. 12 (UPI) -- Oscar winner Robin Williams can get pretty wild at times but he's totally serious about an impersonator he has gone to court to try to stop. "

New York Post Online Edition:-MIKE'S TAX FORMS SHOW $139M IN GIVE-IDENDS

New York Post Online Edition:: " Mayor Bloomberg upped his charitable contributions to $139.3 million last year, aides said yesterday as they released severely edited versions of his 2004 tax returns.
Bloomberg gave $135.6 million in 2003. "

Daily Times - Site Edition

Daily Times - Site Edition: "Goat? How kind! Charity unwraps gift service
Goats, camels and village farmyards might not seem like traditional wedding presents, but all this could change under a novel gift-giving plan unveiled by the British charity Oxfam. Couples getting married can ask guests to forgo the traditional gift of household goods from a list held at a department store in favour of a charitable donation to be made to communities in 70 countries."

KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Restaurant reverses employee ban on charity bracelets

KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Restaurant reverses employee ban on charity bracelets: " An Irvine-based restaurant chain is contributing 10-thousand dollars to the Lance Armstrong Foundation after figuring out that the rubber bracelets sold for charity are a lot more than just jewelry for many people.
The Claim Jumper chain banned the wrist bands in December after some employees started sporting five or more on each wrist."

Armstrong charity bracelet sales top 50 million

: " Report: Armstrong charity bracelet sales top 50 million

Monday, May 16, 2005 (Dallas):

When six times Tour De France winner, Lance Armstrong survived cancer and started a foundation to fight the disease, nobody imagined that it would lead to the launch of one of the most popular fashion accessories in the United States.

The item in question is a simple yellow silicone bracelet imprinted with the words 'Livestrong'.

The distinctive yellow bracelets were originally designed in order to help Armstrong's foundation raise funds for cancer research.

The bracelets are sold for one (US) dollar, of which 70 cents goes towards research. "

Region's performing arts groups fight for financial rebound (HamptonRoads.com/Pilot Online)

Region's performing arts groups fight for financial rebound (HamptonRoads.com/Pilot Online): "Region's performing arts groups fight for financial rebound
The Virginian-Pilot
� May 15, 2005


NORFOLK � The Virginia Stage Company ended its 2003-04 fiscal year with an all-too familiar story line: a $204,000 operating loss.
But the Norfolk-based theater group knew that when it next drew the curtain, there needed to be a different financial scene. The company hired Tony-nominated former Broadway producer Keith Stava to fill both its artistic and managing director spots. To save money, Stava did without an assistant and part of the production staff when the positions became vacant.
�We made a company-wide conscious effort to cut expenses everywhere possible without affecting the quality of the shows,� Stava said.
The board of directors doubled its collective donation from last year�s $40,000 to about $88,000. That pace-setting set the stage for the organization to glean $135,000 in donations from new sources"

State sues DeKalb County over misspent grant money | ajc.com

State sues DeKalb County over misspent grant money | ajc.com: "State sues DeKalb County over misspent grant money

By COREY DADE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/13/05
The Georgia attorney general's office is suing DeKalb County to recoup an improperly spent state grant awarded to a friend of DeKalb Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones.
DeKalb, which dispersed the funds on the state's behalf, failed to prevent the Rev. Wiley Jackson Jr. from diverting the majority of the $135,750 intended for inner-city youths to his church and his for-profit company, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in DeKalb Superior Court"

thedesertsun.com | Nonprofit leadership teaches lessons for life

thedesertsun.com | Nonprofit leadership teaches lessons for life: "Nonprofit leadership teaches lessons for life
Four 'pearls of wisdom' might beuseful in any seat of responsibility
Kimberley Yang
Special to The Desert Sun
May 15, 2005


This past year has been one of tremendous growth for me, both professionally and personally. I have had the privilege of serving as a president of a 501�3 non-profit tax status organization - the Junior League Palm Springs Desert Communities.
Our governing organization, the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. (AJLI), is unique in that it does not allow us to hire a paid executive director to run the daily operations and oversee many of the little details that are required to run any kind of organization smoothly. All our work is accomplished by volunteers, even the disposing of our own garbage cans in our little office at the Berger Foundation Building in Palm Desert."

Nonprofits Cry Foul Over Government Scrutiny

Nonprofits Cry Foul Over Government Scrutiny: "Nonprofits Cry Foul Over Government Scrutiny
5/13/2005


Citing politically motivated bias by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has refused to cooperate in an IRS tax review, risking its tax-exempt status, the New York Times reported March 22.

The NAACP is one of a dozen organizations accusing the IRS of retaliatory action for opposition to government policies.

Among other groups are the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators, which was called to release its tax information after one of its representatives criticized the Clear Skies Act of 2005, and Advocates for Youth, an organization that was accused of using federal funds for lobbying after distributing an Institute of Medicine report challenging abstinence-only education."

Health-care costs shock nonprofits - Seattle - MSNBC.com

Health-care costs shock nonprofits - Seattle - MSNBC.com: "Health-care costs shock nonprofitsBy Carol Tice
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET May 15, 2005Childhaven chief executive officer Jon Flora got hit with a shock when he opened his health-insurance renewal bill last July. The Seattle group's premiums were going up 30 percent in a single year, adding $150,000 of costs to the group's $7.3 million annual budget.
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'That's just "

adn.com | money : Rasmuson Foundation offers nonprofit heads paid escapes

adn.com | money : Rasmuson Foundation offers nonprofit heads paid escapes: "Rasmuson Foundation offers nonprofit heads paid escapes
By SARANA SCHELL
Anchorage Daily News
Published: May 15th, 2005
Last Modified: May 15th, 2005 at 06:30 AM
When Rasmuson Foundation president Diane Kaplan was in Bethel two years ago, she stopped by a battered women's shelter to see the improvements that were supposed to have been made through a grant from the prominent Alaska philanthropy organization.
Instead of a repaired building, Kaplan found the money given for new windows, safe drinking water and more was one more responsibility piled on a swamped shelter director.
'Michelle, show us what you've done with the Rasmuson funds,' Kaplan asked.
A palette of windows lay in the yard with no one to install them, and shelter director Michelle DeWitt said she hadn't gotten a water treatment system yet, because if she got the wrong one she would have to fly to Anchorage for training as a licensed water treatment operator, as she said other rural nonprofit leaders have had to do, and she didn't know how she'd find time to do that. "

Channelnewsasia.com-Inter-constituency telematch raises S$250,000 for President's Challenge

Channelnewsasia.com Some 4,000 people have taken part in an inter-constituency telematch, which also saw S$250,000 added to the President's Challenge coffers.

There were 84 teams made up of residents from all the constituencies in Singapore, and at least two thousand more supporters at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium.

In all, 13 sports were played, ranging from children's soccer to tossing games.
The participants took part in gladiator-style battles, jigsaw puzzle races and balancing acts on horizontal ladders.
And while they had fun, they also raised funds.

The practical side of effecting social change

The practical side of effecting social change:
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"This week a first of its kind conference is being held in Portland, and it aims at getting young people more involved in philanthropy.
The New Voices in Social Change conference is focused on getting young people to see the connections between community "