AFP Blog: Recent News of Note

This blog contains assorted news and commentary on the fundraising profession and philanthropy gathered by the AFP Fundraising Resource Center. Other Sites of Interest Section Disclaimer: AFP provides the following listing of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a privilege to the user. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages. Some links may require registration to view and/or may only be available for a limited time.

Friday, December 29, 2006

The Coloradoan - www.coloradoan.com - Ft. Collins, CO.

The Coloradoan - www.coloradoan.com - Ft. Collins, CO.: "Snow season had impact on giving season
It's not too late to contact favored nonprofit to make donation

While recent winter snowstorms have brought some welcome moisture to Northern Colorado, they also may have left some local nonprofits high and dry.

At a time when many residents usually participate in fundraisers or donate to their favorite charities, some nonprofits are not getting the assistance they need because of the recent bad weather. Worse, many organizations are faced with a sudden increase in the need for services while their end-of-year budgets are tapped out."

MercuryNews.com | 12/29/2006 | `NOT JUST CHECK-WRITERS'

MercuryNews.com | 12/29/2006 | `NOT JUST CHECK-WRITERS': "From the corner of the conference table, it seems as if Rita Holiday is leading a run-of-the-mill Silicon Valley meeting: Seven staffers sit in identical chairs, two more listen in from the speakerphone, five laptops lie open wide, and a projector casts a chart full of tasks, resources and expected outcomes onto a screen.

But Holiday and the group -- all full-time Intel employees -- aren't designing the next microprocessor or quarreling over strategy against archrival AMD. They're planning a spring food drive."

The Sun Herald | 12/29/2006 | Charity must begin at home

The Sun Herald | 12/29/2006 | Charity must begin at home: "Recovery groups are working to build a solid foundation for future philanthropy that South Mississippi lacked before Hurricane Katrina.

The Coast may have missed out on post-Katrina relief as a result, community leaders and activists have concluded."

MercuryNews.com | 12/29/2006 | Charitable giving belongs at the top of everyone's budget

MercuryNews.com | 12/29/2006 | Charitable giving belongs at the top of everyone's budget: "Charitable giving belongs at the top of everyone's budget
By Carl Guardino

In my late 20s, I found myself thousands of dollars in debt; first unemployed, and then underemployed as a laborer. It was good and honest work, but stretched both my wallet and my core beliefs.

I needed to answer a key question: ``With so little for myself, do I still carve out some small amount to help others?''

Each week, balancing a stack of bills and past-due notices against my small paycheck, I made the decision to carve out the first dime of every dollar for charity. As weeks slipped into months, and I slowly chipped through a mountain of debt, I was amazed at how far 90 percent of my income could stretch when I helped others with the first 10 percent.

This past week, the NewTithing Group released a study of six California regions, including Silicon Valley. Rather than measure the giving habits of the poor, as I was in my late 20s, they instead looked at those with wealth -- earning individual or household incomes exceeding $200,000."

Inside Bay Area - Parks hit up private groups

Inside Bay Area - Parks hit up private groups: "Two of San Mateo County's parkland treasures need more than

$11 million in funds for renovation, but the county won't be looking to taxpayers to foot the biggest part of the bill.

As the budget for the Department of Parks continues to wane (it's about $7.5 million this fiscal year), and voters nixed a 1/8-cent sales tax increase for supplemental funding at the polls in November, private, nonprofit entities are becoming an increasingly desirable and necessary source of dollars."

Meet the 'philanthropreneurs' - Business - Business - smh.com.au

Meet the 'philanthropreneurs' - Business - Business - smh.com.au: "Stephanie Strom
December 30, 2006
Page 1 of 2 | Single page

A NEW generation of philanthropists has stepped forward, mostly young billionaires who have reaped the benefits of capitalism and believe it can be applied in the service of charity. They are 'philanthropreneurs', driven to do good and have their profit too."

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Online NewsHour: Essay | Essay: Businesses Seek Fair Trade | December 27, 2006 | PBS

Online NewsHour: Essay | Essay: Businesses Seek Fair Trade | December 27, 2006 | PBS: "The director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women was impressed. One thing led to another. An American woman, an artist and activist named Willa Shalit, organized Rwanda Path to Peace to help the women sell their baskets. Macy's agreed to be their exclusive American outlet.

It's a modest deal for Macy's, but a big one for the Rwanda women. A few days of weaving can earn as much as the average Rwandan earns in a month."

The Chronicle, 12/28/2006: Baby Boomers Plan to Increase Their Giving This Year, Survey Finds

The Chronicle, 12/28/2006: Baby Boomers Plan to Increase Their Giving This Year, Survey Finds: "Baby Boomers Plan to Increase Their Giving This Year, Survey Finds

By Suzanne Perry

Baby boomers say they plan to give 25 percent more to charity by the end of 2006 than they donated in 2005, with an average donation of $6,000 — higher than that of any other generation, according to a new survey by the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund."

Tactical Philanthropy: Giving Circles

Tactical Philanthropy: Giving Circles: "Giving Circles

Remember investment clubs? During the 1990’s people across the country began forming groups where the members would pool their resources and invest in the stock market. The investment clubs were a way for people to learn more about investing in a fun and social way. They became hugely popular and today you can buy books like Investment Clubs for Dummies, Starting and Running a Profitable Investment Club, and Investment Club Operations Handbook."

Overcome Your Inner Scrooge: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Overcome Your Inner Scrooge: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Motley Fool
Overcome Your Inner Scrooge
Thursday December 28, 9:48 am ET
By Dan Caplinger (TMF Galagan)

For many people, charitable giving is just a part of their life, especially if they've grown up seeing others in their family being generous donors. However, when you have to make an effort to pay your bills every month and face the challenges of dealing with your own personal financial plan, giving away some of your meager resources may be the furthest thing from your mind. And even those who are wealthy enough that they don't have to worry about their immediate financial needs sometimes choose not to make gifts to charity. Yet by focusing solely on the monetary aspects of donating to charity, one can easily miss the entire point of making gifts."

How Rich Are You? :: PNNOnline ::

How Rich Are You? :: PNNOnline ::: "How does your income compare with others around the planet? Individuals living in Britain, the United States, Canada, Japan and other European nations can enter their annual income on the Global Rich List website to see how they compare to others around the world.

The Global Rich List was created by Polk, a London-based company, who state on their web site that their “aim is to inspire people through interactive media.”"

GuideStar - News - Articles - More Money, More Demand: Results of the 2006 GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey

GuideStar - News - Articles - More Money, More Demand: Results of the 2006 GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey: "More Money, More Demand: Results of the 2006 GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey

For the third year in a row, the majority of participants in GuideStar's nonprofit economic survey reported that contributions to their organizations had either increased or stayed about the same as contributions during the previous year. For the fourth consecutive year, a substantial majority also said that demand for their organizations' services had grown.
Contribution Levels

Asked, 'Did total contributions to your organization increase, decrease, or stay about the same during the first nine months of this year compared to the first nine months of 2005?' half of more than 3,700 respondents stated that contributions had increased. Another 27 percent said that contributions had stayed the same. Only 19 percent reported that contributions had decreased."

MercuryNews.com | 12/26/2006 | 100 Bay Area charities analyzed

MercuryNews.com | 12/26/2006 | 100 Bay Area charities analyzed: "100 Bay Area charities analyzed
VAST MAJORITY OF LARGE NON-PROFITS SPEND MOST OF THEIR REVENUE ON PROGRAMS
By Thomas Peele
MediaNews

Be it generous hearts or the desire to avoid taxes, Californians traditionally increase their giving to charities and non-profit organizations in December, tossing spare change into a kettle or writing checks to favorite causes.

But with the holiday-season altruism comes cautionary advice from those who monitor charity: Give, they say, but give wisely. Impulse donating is a lot like impulse buying -- one can awake the morning after with remorse over a hasty decision."

Forbes.com Video Network

Forbes.com Video Network: "How The Rich Give It Away
(260 sec.) Tiger 21 Founder Michael Sonnenfeldt says giving is up.
2006-12-27"

The 2007 Social Capitalist Awards

The 2007 Social Capitalist Awards: "The amazing organizations that received the Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Awards have found a better way to do good: They're using the disciplines of the corporate world to tackle daunting social problems. In our fourth exclusive ranking, we used a similarly hard-nosed approach to find the 43 best social entrepreneurs.

This special section builds on the article in the December/January 2006 issue and includes details about our methodology, profiles of our various advisers, position statements contributed by the winning organizations, an interactive slideshow focusing on business lessons, audio interviews with winning leaders -- and ways to donate to the organizations involved."

Charity Donation Sites See Lots Of Year-End Traffic - News

Charity Donation Sites See Lots Of Year-End Traffic - News: "Charity Donation Sites See Lots Of Year-End Traffic
Many Trying To Get Tax Deductions Before Year Ends

POSTED: 8:22 pm CST December 27, 2006

MADISON, Wis. -- People trying to best the end of the year for tax purposes were among the many racing to local charity donation sites on Wednesday.

Staff at various donation sites said the cars have been lining up to drop off items, and said the sooner people show up the better.

At Goodwill Industries of South Central Wisconsin's most popular site off Verona Road, the cars were lined up a dozen deep. There they can drive into a garage, drop off their donations, and collect a receipt all in a matter of minutes.

Donors were loaded down with all kinds of stuff Wednesday, ready to give for all kinds of reasons.

'I'm actually trying to unload some toys to make room for new stash,' said one area mother."

The Post and Courier, Charleston SC | Charleston.net | Stories

The Post and Courier, Charleston SC | Charleston.net | Stories: "The league began fueling international groups after Shirley McGreal, the group's chairwoman, founded the league in Thailand in 1973. The organization opened its base on the edge of Summerville in 1977. The league keeps only enough funds to operate the gibbon sanctuary, where the gibbons live in wired enclosures with runs and 30-foot towers fashioned from corn cribs. While the sanctuary lacks natural habitat, the charity has the ability to capture donations that international organizations in remote places can't access.

A tradition of philanthropy exists in the United States that foreign programs, such as Nigerian rescues, don't find at home, McGreal said.

The organization sends funds to international charities to stop the illegal trade and hunting where it happens, Strong said. The international groups educate people about primate and habitat conservation in their homelands and are better able to reintroduce species or at least keep them in natural environments."

NYC mayor forming charity foundation | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

NYC mayor forming charity foundation | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "The private philanthropic foundation that Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he will run full time after leaving office in 2009 is starting to take shape, with its own headquarters and the beginning of a staff.

The billionaire has named the organization the Bloomberg Family Foundation and set in motion the process to officially establish it as a nonprofit group."

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Yale School of Management - The Goldman Sachs Foundation Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures

Yale School of Management - The Goldman Sachs Foundation Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures: "Facts and Figures on Revenue Generation in the Nonprofit Sector

Download a printable version of Facts and Figures on Revenue Generation in the Nonprofit Sector here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this document.)

Enterprising Nonprofits:
Revenue Generation in the Nonprofit Sector

Cynthia W. Massarsky and Samantha L. Beinhacker
Yale School of Management - The Goldman Sachs Foundation
Partnership on Nonprofit Ventures

Paper Overview

Nonprofit managers who develop social purpose ventures to generate revenues to support a social mission have limited opportunities to share their experiences with others in the field or to learn from the experiences of others. Many nonprofit managers also have modest business backgrounds. Yet, despite these challenges, the movement toward income generation by nonprofits continues to grow. Some of these ventures succeed, yet many more fail to meet either their social or financial goals. Clearly, the field lacks well-defined criteria, standards, and strategies for achieving success in this area. The potential payoff from the diffusion of learning appears to be substantial. This paper offers a first step in the process."

Credit Card News | Asian Tsunami was tipping point for charitable giving on plastic

Credit Card News | Asian Tsunami was tipping point for charitable giving on plastic: "Asian Tsunami was tipping point for charitable giving on plastic
27 December 2006

The Asian Tsunami disaster in December 2004 saw an overwhelming reaction from the British public – in the month that followed cardholders donated over £100 million on debit and credit cards. The Pakistan earthquake saw a similar spike in October 2005 as donations hit £45 million.

Since then the trend has continued with charitable donations continuing to be made at higher levels than ever on debit and credit cards. Figures released today (27 December 2006) by APACS, the UK payments association, see giving by plastic stronger than ever. Both the Tsunami and the earthquake in Pakistan saw an expected spike in giving – but outside of these busy periods average giving has been consistently up on 2004 levels as the nation factors charitable giving into their monthly expenditure."

djournal.com

djournal.com: "EDITORIAL: Charitable giving

12/27/2006 8:49:38 AM
Daily Journal

The fast-approaching end of 2006 presents many opportunities for last-minute charitable gifts to agencies, churches and other tax-deductible causes of a donor's choosing.

Many organizations in Northeast Mississippi will close books at the end of business Friday, so only three business days remain for many charitable causes to receive funds, stocks, and/or other properties counting toward deductibility on 2006 tax forms."

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Solicitors take big cut for fundraising

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Solicitors take big cut for fundraising: "a telemarketer representing your favorite charity or local fire department calls this week for an end-of-the-year donation, consider mailing a check directly instead of giving over the phone.

That’s because telemarketing companies kept as much as 40 percent of donations to some fire departments and rescue squads in Western North Carolina this year.

They took an even greater chunk of money from state residents meant for a wide range of groups, according to an annual report by the North Carolina secretary of state’s office."

Area Nonprofits Are Hiring - washingtonpost.com

Area Nonprofits Are Hiring - washingtonpost.com: "Area Nonprofits Are Hiring

Monday, December 25, 2006; Page D02

Washington ranks first in the country in the percentage of its workforce employed by charities and other nonprofit organizations. A new report by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies shows that the District is mirroring a nationwide trend of employment in the nonprofit sector growing faster than the overall job market.

'The trend is the product of changing demographics that is fueling labor growth in service related jobs,' said Lester M. Salamon, co-author of the report.'"

Giving Surges At Year's End; Charities Seek Steady Flow - washingtonpost.com

Giving Surges At Year's End; Charities Seek Steady Flow - washingtonpost.com: "Giving Surges At Year's End; Charities Seek Steady Flow
Regular Installments Pushed

By Michele M. Melendez
Religion News Service
Saturday, December 23, 2006; Page B09

Donating to charity at Christmastime is a tradition for countless Americans.

Some rush to beat the deadline for tax deductions. Some don't think of making contributions until seasonal reminders arrive in the mail. Others simply feel more charitable during the holidays or have waited to see how much they can afford to give."

Wealth and philanthropy: who gives (and why) - The Boston Globe

Wealth and philanthropy: who gives (and why) - The Boston Globe: "Wealth and philanthropy: who gives (and why)

By Brian Moynihan | December 25, 2006

SOME HAVE CHARGED New Englanders with giving less to charity than people in other regions. Others say secular donors give less than the faithful. Yet such assertions are less informative than this statistic: Two-thirds of all philanthropic gifts made by U S households come from the wealthiest 3 percent of Americans. Their giving patterns deserve more attention if charities are to improve their effectiveness and fund-raising appeals."

Goodwill under the microscope : World: News: News24

Goodwill under the microscope : World: News: News24: "Of course we do not want to demystify the season of gift-giving because we all like to pretend the act is absolutely sincere and not self-interested.'

'Competitive altruism' is the phrase used by Willer and his partner Pat Barclay of Cornell University for this strategic one-upmanship of beneficence.

The juxtaposition of these terms may seem riddled with contradiction, but Willer disagrees."

FT.com / World / UK - You may have poor idea of what is a good cause

FT.com / World / UK - You may have poor idea of what is a good cause: "You may have poor idea of what is a good cause

By Scheherazade Daneshkhu

Published: December 22 2006 23:23 | Last updated: December 22 2006 23:23

The next time you chuck a few coins in a collecting tin shaken under your nose, consider whether the money really is going to the poor.

Charity is thought of as giving to the needy and those in distress. But many charities benefit the rich more than the poor and only a small amount of charitable giving is redistributive, says a paper published this year by the Centre for Civil Society at the London School of Economics."

Outlook Promising for Christmas Philanthropy, says Giving Institute :: PNNOnline ::

Outlook Promising for Christmas Philanthropy, says Giving Institute :: PNNOnline ::: "As the economy goes, so goes philanthropy, and 2006 should be a good year for charities as they send out their annual end-of-year appeals, according to experts at the Giving Institute, consultants to nonprofits.

'Giving closely follows the economy, and indicators including the stock market should bode well for those groups that plan their big donation pushes at this time of year,' said Giving Institute Chair, George C. Ruotolo Jr., CFRE.

While there have been no empirical studies showing that donations are highest in the fourth quarter, the Institute, parent organization of Giving USA Foundation™, notes that many charities use the holidays - and their associated feelings of good cheer - to reach out to potential donors."

Charity work pays off in good feelings | Chicago Tribune

Charity work pays off in good feelings | Chicago Tribune: "Charity work pays off in good feelings
Small companies find donations, especially to children, rewarding

By Ann Meyer
Special to the Tribune
Published December 25, 2006

Thanks to Chicago-area small businesses, many children in need will be getting gifts for Christmas--and all year long.

As a national sponsor of the Toys for Tots program, Vernon Hills-based toymaker Learning Resources donated more than $120,000 in toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve program for underprivileged children this month.

The company promoted a 'buy once, give twice' offer on its Web site, pledging to donate a second toy to Toys for Tots for every one purchased online by a customer for the charity. It also matched employees' donations."

Questions for Peter Singer - New York Times

Questions for Peter Singer - New York Times: "Peter Singer is the Ira W. DeCamp professor of bioethics at the Center for Human Values at Princeton University. He is the author of many books, including most recently “The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter.” Mr. Singer recently answered readers' questions about the ethics of billionaire spending and philanthropy."

Viet Nam News

Viet Nam News: "Charity work is in full swing as locals get into the holiday spirit. Anh Thu explores the efforts made this year by the young and old, rich and poor to help their fellow man.

If you ask any child living in city shelters and open houses whether they believe in Santa Claus, the answer is invariably a smile and a 'Why not?'

As in previous years, this Christmas promises to be a joyous occasion for many Vietnamese, particularly disadvantaged children, who typically receive greater attention during the season."

Bay Area wealthy are less giving / Study finds affluent of L.A. donate nearly twice as much

Bay Area wealthy are less giving / Study finds affluent of L.A. donate nearly twice as much: "Los Angelenos are the most generous people in California when it comes to giving to charities.

Affluent people in the Southern California metropolis gave almost twice as much as their counterparts in the Bay Area and other parts of the state in 2004, according to a new report.

Ringing in the nude charity calendars - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com

Ringing in the nude charity calendars - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com: "The Humane Society in the city of Jefferson, about 50 miles west of Milwaukee, is one of many nonprofit organizations from Australia to Wisconsin selling tastefully nude 2007 calendars, although one philanthropy expert says the practice is, er, overexposed.

A group of women ranging in age from mid 50s to early 70s in Yorkshire, England, pioneered the idea in 2000 when they sold a calendar of discreet nude photographs of themselves to raise money for cancer research. The women, whose story inspired the 2003 movie “Calendar Girls,” raised $2.55 million through sales of 800,000 calendars as well as book and film royalties."

Friday, December 22, 2006

Steven Pearlstein - In Praise of the Corporate Heart - washingtonpost.com

Steven Pearlstein - In Praise of the Corporate Heart - washingtonpost.com: "In Praise of the Corporate Heart

By Steven Pearlstein
Friday, December 22, 2006; Page D01

The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, who died this year, famously argued that businesses ought to stick to making money and leave it to shareholders to decide, individually, whether and how company profits should be distributed to charitable causes.

Let us give thanks this holiday season that the world did not follow Friedman's advice. It is not just that having corporations involved in philanthropy increases the amount of money given to worthy causes. It is also that companies can bring unique resources and expertise to these challenges and tap into the enthusiasm and creativity of their employees."

Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/22/2006 | 'Gross Clinic' to stay in city

Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/22/2006 | 'Gross Clinic' to stay in city: "Gross Clinic' to stay in city
By Stephan Salisbury
Inquirer Culture Writer
Three people at yesterday's announcement who played roles in keeping the painting here: Hugh Long, CEO for Wachovia's MidAtlantic Banking Group; Anne d'Harnoncourt, (center), director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and Rebecca Rimel, president and CEO of the Pew Charitable Trust.
Michael Bryant / Inquirer
Three people at yesterday's announcement who played roles in keeping the painting here: Hugh Long, CEO for Wachovia's MidAtlantic Banking Group; Anne d'Harnoncourt, (center), director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and Rebecca Rimel, president and CEO of the Pew Charitable Trust.

Capping as wild a fund-raising ride as this city has ever seen, Mayor Street gleefully announced yesterday that Thomas Eakins' The Gross Clinic had been purchased by local institutions and would remain in Philadelphia."

Beer slab donation not enough to make poverty history

Beer slab donation not enough to make poverty history: "Beer slab donation not enough to make poverty history

Compared to money spent on Christmas, Caritas Australia chief Jack de Groot says that Australians can do a lot better to alleviate poverty than the $43 average donation - the price of a slab of beer - to development agencies in 2005."

Father and daughter lend a hand in New Orleans

Father and daughter lend a hand in New Orleans: "Anyone who knows Rick Prose knows that he is a man of indefatigable energy, sharp wit, and good, albeit warped, humor. Prose is the heart, soul, and brains of BRCTV, its station manager, and is active in various other civic organizations. In addition to these endeavors, he also runs, with his wife Barbara, Harborfields Cottages, Finest Kind Wooden Boats and has started his own video production company. Encountering Prose one expects an upbeat, sometimes manic, but usually entertaining exchange. So I was taken aback when I saw Prose two days after his return from New Orleans with a look akin to grief in his eyes and a stated inability to talk about the experience just yet."

A Resolution for the New Year

A Resolution for the New Year: "A Resolution for the New Year
There is a lot of evidence to support the unfortunate fact that many people do not trust nonprofits to use their donations wisely.

A recent survey of wealthy individuals again confirms this sad fact. The new WealthSurvey, conducted by the New York City-based Luxury Institute in association with Charles Maclean, donor advocate and founder of PhilanthropyNow, reveals that one of the primary reasons affluent individuals do not contribute to certain nonprofits is that they distrust those organizations.

Some 56 percent of those surveyed mentioned this issue with only 35 percent saying that they believe that nonprofits would use their donations wisely."

Marin Independent Journal - Bay Model nonprofit calling it quits

Marin Independent Journal - Bay Model nonprofit calling it quits: "The Bay Model Association, a nonprofit that for 17 years has provided environmental education programs for Bay Area students, is calling it quits due to a lack of funding.

The association, which will halt operations officially on Dec. 31, also provides staff and funding for the Bay Model bookstore and gift shop. Its demise will not affect normal operations of the Bay Model, a vast expanse of water in the Sausalito museum replicating the San Francisco Bay."

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Business

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Business: "Pickens plans to launch charity

Billionaire to donate $135 million to kick off foundation

11:11 PM CST on Thursday, December 21, 2006

By ELIZABETH SOUDER / The Dallas Morning News

Dallas billionaire Boone Pickens will announce today a donation of $135 million to establish a foundation in his name.

The 78-year-old investor, famous in financial circles for correctly predicting oil prices, has become a major philanthropist during the past few years."

Hong Kongers' largesse

Hong Kongers' largesse: "Hong Kongers' largesse
(Shanghai Star)
Updated: 2006-12-22 10:51

Hong Kong - When Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan announced he would leave half his fortune to his charity for helping young people, the news created barely a ripple in his home city.

The kungfu star named this year in Forbes magazine's list of 10 most generous celebrities - took his cue from US billionaire investor Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who have pledged large legacies to charity.

Chan's estimated wealth of US$128 million hardly puts him in the billionaire league, but his largesse is typical in Hong Kong."

Bloomberg.com: Muse

Bloomberg.com: Muse: "iki Barber Jokes About Miro, Goads Bidders in Charitable Work

By Mary Romano

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- While his football days are drawing to a close, Tiki Barber has carved out an active role in philanthropy.

The 31-year-old New York Giants running back, who plans to retire from the National Football League at the end of this season, puts a lot of his time and celebrity into charity events. In the past four weeks he has hosted a ceremony honoring leaders in New York City tourism, presented a humanitarian award to his friend, Richard Mina, chief executive officer of Foot Locker's U.S. division, and helped auction art to benefit Save the Children."

MPR: Is donor fatigue hitting Minnesota charities?

MPR: Is donor fatigue hitting Minnesota charities?: "Is donor fatigue hitting Minnesota charities?
by Toni Randolph, Minnesota Public Radio
December 22, 2006

A year after Americans responded with unprecedented giving to help people devastated by Hurricane Katrina, some of Minnesota's best known charitable organizations say giving is off.

St. Paul, Minn. — The Greater Twin Cities United Way says it is $1.5 million short of its goal this year. If the current pace continues, this will be the first time in four years that the United Way misses its goal. United Way President Lauren Segal says the shortfall in 2001 was a direct result of the terror attacks.

Now, she sees something else."

Congress opens door for philanthropy - Independent Tribune - Concord and Kannapolis

Congress opens door for philanthropy - Independent Tribune - Concord and Kannapolis: "Congress opens door for philanthropy

By Josh McCann
jmccann@independenttribune.com
Friday, December 22, 2006

Older Americans have a new opportunity to share the wealth of their retirement savings with charity.

While that trial run is limited, philanthropic leaders are hopeful Congress will expand it in the future. The Pension Protection Act of 2006, enacted in August, included a provision long sought by philanthropic organizations. The law allows holders of Individual Retirement Accounts who are at least 70 and a half years old to make direct charitable transfers of up to $100,000 per year."

Thursday, December 21, 2006

During the Holiday Season posting will be limited.

AFP ( The Association of Fundraising Professionals) will close at 3 pm on Dec 22nd and reopen on the 27th.
We will then close at 3pm on the 29th and re-open January 2nd. During this time our postings to the blogs will be limited.
We look forward to serving you with our normal level of postings on January 2nd.

Have a great Holiday. We look forward to your continued feedback and thanks for your continued support.

CEO succession planning

CEO succession planning: "Despite acknowledging the importance CEO succession, new research amongst U.S. organisations has found that a remarkable proportion have failed to put succession plans in place, an oversight that is symptomatic of a more widespread failures in talent management and leadership development.

Around half the boards of public, private and nonprofit corporations consider their efforts around CEO succession to be less-than effective and a similar proportion admit they have no succession plan in place."

Boomer phenom even hits charities

Boomer phenom even hits charities: "Boomer phenom even hits charities
Wanting to know where money is spent seen as generational trend by expert
Peter Wilson, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, December 21, 2006

An overwhelming 72 per cent of baby boomers in B.C. want to know exactly where their charitable dollars are going before they hand over their cash, according an Ipsos Reid survey for BMO Harris private banking released Wednesday.

That's only slightly below the national average of 74 per cent -- heavily skewed by an 86-per-cent response rate in Quebec.

However, just five per cent of British Columbians surveyed said that the recent federal elimination of capital gains tax on publicly traded stocks had encouraged them to give more."

onPhilanthropy: Philanthropy and Civil Society: The Clash of Currents

onPhilanthropy: Philanthropy and Civil Society: The Clash of Currents: "Philanthropy and Civil Society: The Clash of Currents
By: Susan Raymond, Ph.D., 12/21/06

There is an irony emerging in philanthropy, and it will grow enormously as wealth changes hands in the coming generational shift in America. It is an irony that is good neither for public policy nor for civil society.

In our nation there are two expressions of public will. The first is at the ballot box. There is, of course, an indirect path from the expression via voting to the ultimate embodiment of public will in public policy. One makes the assumption that a vote for an individual will be expressed in the policies that are enacted. But, as all participants in democracy know, that link can be less a hoop of steel than a fine silken thread. Whether or not public will leads to publicly willed public policy is often hard to tell."

Business Review: Nonprofits tweak strategies for year-end donations

Business Review: Nonprofits tweak strategies for year-end donations: "Nonprofits tweak strategies for year-end donations

Thursday, December 21, 2006

BY MARY LOWE
mlowe@mbizreview.com

Nonprofits are making a last-minute, end-of-the-year push for contributions in the wake of a deepening need for services and a falloff in donations.
By tapping new media, intensifying the use of public service announcements and highlighting community outreach projects, Oakland County nonprofits are seeking to increase their donor bases and demonstrate value to individual and corporate donors.

It's not that giving has stopped, said Laura Covintree, individual giving officer for Lighthouse of Pontiac, which provides emergency assistance and transitional housing for homeless women and children, and low-cost housing for low- and moderate-income families. But companies are opting to host fund-raisers and food drives in lieu of writing a check."

The Right Kind of Giving (News) Suzanne Lindgren

The Right Kind of Giving (News) Suzanne Lindgren: "he Right Kind of Giving
New findings illuminate the connection between generosity, faith, and politics
—By Suzanne Lindgren, Utne.com
December 21, 2006 Issue

As people on all sides of the political spectrum scramble to make their end-of-year donations, liberals may be inspired to give more than ever this year -- in an effort to clear their good name. The progressive reputation for compassion is tarnished in the new book, Who Really Cares: America's Charity Divide: Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters, in which Arthur C. Brooks mines the data to conclude that religious affiliation plays a big part in how much we give. Of course, since religion and political conservatism often go hand in hand, liberals are left looking a little tight-fisted, writes Ben Gose for the Chronicle of Philanthropy."

Kaleidoscope Winter 2006

AFP has a new e-newsletter.

Kaleidoscope Winter 2006: "It takes special effort to examine the differences that exist among us. There are untapped partnerships that can enrich our lives, and there are differences that still wrongly divide us. That is why the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is releasing Kaleidoscope, a quarterly diversity e-newsletter designed to bring to light the differences and similarities of human experience that we so often overlook. As its name implies, Kaleidoscope aims to inspire a vision of inclusiveness and harmony that can be achieved when true differences are respected and false perceptions are forgotten."

BostonHerald.com - Lifestyle: Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity

BostonHerald.com - Lifestyle: Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity: "Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity
By Jed Gottlieb
Thursday, December 21, 2006

What would you give for a date with “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo? It’s not a trick question. If your wallet and heart were in the right place on Sunday, you could have made the winning bid - which incidentally was $16,900 - on BiddingForGood.com for lunch with the Everett native.
Run by Cambridge-based cMarket, the BiddingForGood Web site lets scores of nonprofits auction off everything from iPods to Uggs to weekend getaways to lunch with a celebrity. Maybe you want to help raise money for Boston’s Home for Little Wanderers? Maybe you just want to quiz Pompeo about what “Dr. McDreamy” Patrick Dempsey is really like? Either way, it’s a win-win situation, said cMarket CEO John Carson."

Couple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two - washingtonpost.com

Couple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two - washingtonpost.com: "ouple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two

By Susan DeFord
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 21, 2006; Page HO03

Howard Community College President Mary Ellen Duncan recently asked two of the college's longtime benefactors, Patrick and Jill McCuan, to donate as much as half a million dollars as part of the college's private fundraising campaign.

The McCuans thought it over, consulting with board members of their family trust, and then decided to donate more than double Duncan's request. At $1.2 million, it is the Columbia college's largest cash gift."

DenverPost.com - Liberals confused over charity

DenverPost.com - Liberals confused over charity: "Liberals confused over charity
By David Harsanyi
Denver Post Staff Columnist
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2006 02:21:02 AM MST

Anyone can be compassionate with other people's money.

So for the purposes of this column, 'giving' to charity will not mean voting for a ballot initiative that forces others to pay for free universal preschool. It will mean digging into your very own pockets.

And in general, Americans are exceptionally generous. Nearly 75 percent of families donate to charity at some point during the year, and they do so at an average of $1,800 per family.

In total, Americans gave around $260 billion to charity in 2004. That was $15 billion more than they had given in 2003. Two billion was raised for the Asian tsunami relief alone."

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - WEDNESDAY: Indians make $22B on casinos nationwide in 2006 (10:30 a.m.)

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - WEDNESDAY: Indians make $22B on casinos nationwide in 2006 (10:30 a.m.): "The Morongos’ charitable giving this year included a recent visit by a “tribal” Santa and two dozen helpers to Cabazon Elementary School in Cabazon, Calif., where children were treated to a holiday party and Christmas stockings stuffed with fresh fruit, trail mix and $100 gift cards from Wal-Mart.

“Morongo tribal members know what hard times are all about,” said the tribe’s spokeswoman, Waltona Manion. “They see their outreach as an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Giving has historically been a major part of native cultures. But the economic prosperity casinos have brought to dozens of American Indian tribes has dramatically altered the philanthropic landscape across Indian country."

Giving Is Good Business [Fool.com] December 20, 2006

Giving Is Good Business [Fool.com] December 20, 2006: "Giving Is Good Business
By Dan Caplinger
December 20, 2006

When you look at the charitable gifts that make headlines, individual philanthropists seem to dominate the list. High-profile donations and volunteer work from successful business leaders have become increasingly popular. For instance, David Rockefeller, former chairman of the Chase division of JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), made nine-figure gifts to his family's namesake university and to New York's Museum of Modern Art earlier this year."

‘Survivor’ winner turns to charity - Examiner.com

‘Survivor’ winner turns to charity - Examiner.com:
snip snip>>

"But unlike previous winners, who have hosted television shows, starred in movies or been arrested for tax evasion, Kwon said he wants to focus his new fame on charity work, including advocacy for bone marrow donor registration.

The choice of cause is a personal one for Kwon, who helped organize a bone-marrow-donor registration drive at Stanford University 10 years ago to help his best friend, who later died of leukemia."

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid | IndyStar.com

Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid | IndyStar.com: "December 19, 2006
Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid

If you find this story interesting we have two related blogs.
AFP Blog Tsunami Relief
and
the AFP Disaster Relief Blog
Feedback is always welcome.
We also maintain tags for
Tags: NPDisasterRelief, NPTsunamiRelief

Star report
A new study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University nearing the second anniversary of the December 2004 Asian tsunami finds that individuals, corporations, and foundations in the United States donated a total of $3.16 billion toward relief efforts.

The overwhelming majority of disaster relief giving came from the combined gifts of individuals nationwide -- not million dollar corporate or foundation gifts.

The 25 percent of American households that donated for tsunami relief gave a combined total of $2.78 billion. Another $340 million came from corporations and $40 million came from foundations."

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas-Voluntary philanthropy shows free market in its purest form

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas: "Voluntary philanthropy shows free market in its purest form
December 19,2006
The Freedom View
The Lima News

Everywhere you look right now, you can find some organization asking for your assistance to help someone in need. Perhaps you start to feel overwhelmed by all the requests, but consider looking at it this way: It’s a good thing private organizations are addressing community needs through private donations. That is one of the tenets of the American ideal.

The examples appear without end:"

Kansas City Star | 12/19/2006 | Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story

Kansas City Star | 12/19/2006 | Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story: "HELPING THE NEEDY | KC area programs
Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story
By ROBERT COLE
The Kansas City Star

* KC STARS | Nonprofits

Several of Kansas City’s largest nonprofits operate with multimillion-dollar budgets, but dollars alone seldom tell their story.

There are too many mouths to feed, too many kids that need a ride to Head Start, too many homeless wanderers that may need a warm coat to help them get through another winter.

Agencies depend on thousands of local volunteers to help offer counseling, provide legal assistance and aid disaster victims. They also mentor high-risk children, work to suppress domestic violence and physical abuse, and tend to patients with autism.

Karen Haren, executive director of Harvesters-The Community Food Network in Kansas City, said that 2,000 volunteers come every month to sort, repackage and box food that is distributed to more than 550 area nonprofits."

Foundations R Us - Philanthropy - Charity - Social Entrepreneur

Foundations R Us - Philanthropy - Charity - Social Entrepreneur: "You can give it away as smartly as you made it.

When the subject is philanthropy, it's natural to think of such heavyweights as Gates, Buffett, and Soros. Even Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has started a foundation. And then of course there's Fung.

That would be Coleman Fung. He came to this country from Hong Kong when he was 16, got degrees from Berkeley and Stanford, and eventually started Openlink Financial, a Long Island software firm whose annual sales now exceed $90 million. Says Fung: 'I am your classic poster child for the American dream.' Recently, Fung decided it was time to 'give something back,' so he plowed $18 million into the new Coleman Fung Foundation, which he'll use to support education and environmental causes. He hopes to get his kids involved when they're older, and to challenge--by his example--other well-to-do Asian Americans to step up their philanthropy. As the end of the year approaches, you may be scrambling to get your charitable donations done in time for your 2006 tax return. Go ahead and give generously. But then sit down and think about whether something grander might be in order. Think about making like Coleman Fung."

Boston - As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In

Boston - As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In: "As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In

By Jacob Berkman

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (JTA) -- While most Jewish federations struggle to pool $10 million per year, the UJA-Federation of New York took in some $21.5 million in a single night.

Far from the world of Super Sunday phone-athons, with volunteers cold-calling strangers for small donations, the New York federation pulled out the stops at the New York Hilton on Dec. 6 as some 1,200 bankers met for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and a night of card playing.

On the dais for an hourlong presentation between drinks and cards were the power brokers of Wall Street, including the president of Goldman Sachs, the chairmen of Bear Stearns and Offit Hall Capital, and the managing director of Lehman Brothers."

Marin Independent Journal - Leslie Harlib's Social Scene: A doggone great fundraiser

Marin Independent Journal - Leslie Harlib's Social Scene: A doggone great fundraiser:
snip snip>>

"Guide Dogs for the Blind, the nationally famous nonprofit that raises guide dogs and teaches the blind to work and live with them, knows this better than anyone. The San Rafael-based organization's 30th anniversary and benefit luncheon, held Wednesday at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, was rife with baby dogs: 8-week-old Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherds.

Just about every one of the 930 guests who packed the hotel's Grand Ballroom took time to meet and pet a pup. There's no other event that makes otherwise perfectly lacquered and tailored men and women lose their cool to become cooing googly-eyed melty hearts in the presence of the puppies. Especially since stroking one of those downy heads and floppy ears earns you a few licks for your promise to give time and/or money to the organization.

'It takes approximately $30 million a year to run Guide Dogs,' said president and CEO Bob Phillips in a moving speech. 'A guide dog is about relationships, trust, and it's a liberating life choice.'"

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com-"State drops the ball with botched arts awards

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com: "State drops the ball with botched arts awards

There's no excuse for failing to honor dedicated people

December 19, 2006

Ladies and gentlemen, let us turn the spotlight on those citizens who have enriched this state through their contributions to the arts because without the arts, Oregon would be -- would be --

Oh, forget it. You won't hear any speech like that because Oregon isn't going to hold the Governor's Arts Awards this year after all. The state's premier event to recognize groups and people in the arts community won't take place; organizers say they just didn't have time to pull it off.

The folks responsible for the snafu -- the Oregon Arts Commission and the governor's office -- say they really do value the arts. But this was a busy year, what with the governor's election and getting the budget ready. So they'll double up and give two years' worth of awards in 2007."

Monday, December 18, 2006

Smithsonian Deal With Showtime Passes Muster - washingtonpost.com

Smithsonian Deal With Showtime Passes Muster - washingtonpost.com: "The Smithsonian Institution's controversial partnership with Showtime Networks has not hampered researchers' access to Smithsonian materials, the Government Accountability Office said yesterday.

The GAO said its review of the contract also found the Smithsonian conducted a thorough and competitive process before closing the Showtime deal."

Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays

PRESS RELEASE

Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays: "Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays

18 December 2006, 05:20am ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 18, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ --

A survey released by the national nonprofit organization Volunteers of America finds that 9 out of 10 respondents say they will be home for the upcoming holiday season. However, for many homeless Americans, 40% of whom are families with children, going home for the holidays isn't possible. Fortunately, the survey also found that our desire to be at home with family is matched by our intent to give during the holiday season."

KRT Wire | 12/18/2006 | Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving

KRT Wire | 12/18/2006 | Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving: "Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving

By Jerry Large

The Seattle Times

(MCT)

Business and charity can mix and often do, but it's rare for the balance to tilt so far to the service side of things as it does at American Preparedness.

But the company's president, Jeff Guite, thinks it's business, and especially big business, that ought to take responsibility for the community. Charity isn't about leftovers.

'You have to be hardworking and smart to help other people,' Guite said. 'You can't do it if you're lazy and dumb.'

American Preparedness is run by Guite and Sherman Fantroy, a couple of disabled Army veterans who after years in other businesses decided they wanted to leave a different kind of legacy."

Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?

Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?: "Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?
E-mail scams from fake charities abound at this time of year. Here's how to avoid giving to the wrong folks

by Paula Lehman

* save to del.icio.us

So far this holiday season I've received 38 e-mails from Santa Claus. Apparently the tables have turned because through his various correspondences Santa has asked for a lot this year. He wants money for sick kids, generosity for those less fortunate than I, money to send care packages to soldiers in Iraq. But most of all Santa wants my credit card number and/or bank account information."

BillingsGazette.com :: Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy

BillingsGazette.com :: Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy: "Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy

By CINDY BUTLER
Philanthropy is a necessary component of our society.

Donors and their dollars make a difference every day.

Nonprofit organizations cannot survive without individual donors.

Government and private grants often do not provide enough funding and are unpredictable."

San Diego Business Journal Online - "Irwin Jacobs Believes There’s Still Plenty to Give in San Diego

San Diego Business Journal Online - San Diego California business news": "rwin Jacobs Believes There’s Still Plenty to Give in San Diego

Qualcomm Leader Is Committed to Fostering Educational Endeavors

BY RICK BELL

Though Qualcomm Inc. co-founder Irwin Jacobs donated an astounding $60 million this year to an overseas university and an Ivy League school in New York, he still believes there’s plenty of opportunity for philanthropic endeavors in San Diego.

“The causes grow faster than contributors,” said Jacobs, 73, who retired as the Fortune 500 company’s chief executive officer in July 2005, handing the reins to his son, Paul. “We’re all aware of the needs in San Diego"

San Diego Business Journal Online -San Diego’s Wealthiest Run the Gamut of Elusive to Prominent

San Diego Business Journal Online - San Diego California business news": "Primarily, the list relies on public information obtained through news releases and holdings of public record, such as stocks and large amounts of property. Major acts of philanthropy provide easy jumping off points for wealth as well. For example: If Ernest Rady, No. 1 on the list with an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion, gave $60 million to Rady Children’s Hospital on June 29 (which he did), it’s safe to say he is worth at least, if not much more than, $60 million."

Table of Contents - IJNL Vol. 9 Iss. 1

Table of Contents - IJNL Vol. 9 Iss. 1: "Table of Contents

IJNL has a special section on Philanthropy

Special Section: Philanthropy

A New Take on Tithing
Claude Rosenberg & Tim Stone

The Great Divide in American Giving"

Lisa de Moraes - Oprah's Reality Check - washingtonpost.com

Lisa de Moraes - Oprah's Reality Check - washingtonpost.com: "Here's a great TV story for the holiday season:

Oprah Winfrey, the post-Ghost-Chats Ebenezer Scrooge of daytime TV, is taking her money-spewing ways to ABC's prime-time schedule.

. (Dima Gavrysh - AP)

First, the network has ordered eight episodes of a reality series called 'Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give,' in which 10 people will be challenged to take Oprah-dispensed money and resources and come up with 'the most powerful, sensational, emotional and dramatic ways to give to others,' ABC announced."

Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy

Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy: "Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy
Austin digs the arts, but doesn't dig into its pockets for them — at least, not yet

By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN ARTS WRITER
Saturday, December 16, 2006

We love an arty party in Austin.

But we're not too keen on anteing up for the arts."

More turn to gifts that give to charity - The Boston Globe

More turn to gifts that give to charity - The Boston Globe: "Kelly Hodoval's best-ever Christmas gift was a manatee.
Article Tools

Not an actual 1,000-pound sea cow, of course. Rather, when Kelly was about 10 years old and mad about manatees, her mother made a donation in her name to the Save the Manatee Club."

What Should a Billionaire Give – and What Should You? - New York Times

What Should a Billionaire Give – and What Should You? - New York Times: "By PETER SINGER
Published: December 17, 2006

What is a human life worth? You may not want to put a price tag on a it. But if we really had to, most of us would agree that the value of a human life would be in the millions. Consistent with the foundations of our democracy and our frequently professed belief in the inherent dignity of human beings, we would also agree that all humans are created equal, at least to the extent of denying that differences of sex, ethnicity, nationality and place of residence change the value of a human life."

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story-Quest for Success: Cause-related marketing and the desire to do good

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Quest for Success: Cause-related marketing and the desire to do good
Elisa Birnbaum By Elisa Birnbaum
December 18, 2006

When Joanna Broadhurst and her partner Odette McCarthy invented EVE’s Quest - an innovative new board game - in the fall of 2005, they definitely had their work cut out for them. Designed to give women a voice the creators felt was lacking in other games in the marketplace, EVE’s Quest involves charades, drawing, singing, intuition challenges and trivia questions, all the while making women’s issues and accomplishments its central focus. And despite their fair share of challenges, the dynamic duo never wavered from one overriding commitment: to run their business with a social conscience."

The Resource Alliance -"What makes a great fundraiser?

The Resource Alliance (formerly known as The International Fund Raising Group): "What makes a great fundraiser?

At the 26th International Fundraising Congress held in October 2006, four leaders in our field shared their thoughts on what constitutes a great attitude as a fundraiser. They started by defining what we mean and described how it affects the way great fundraisers go about their important work. The panel consisted of Judy Beard, Jon Duschinsky, Karen Osborne and Ruth Ruderham, hosted by Tony Elischer. Following are some of the ideas they shared.

What do we mean by attitude, and how does it affect the way people fundraise? We could define attitude very generally as a way of thinking or a kind of behaviour, but is that all there is to it? Our attitudes play a huge role in the way we approach and tackle various situations, so what can we do to achieve the “right” attitidue?

But before we delve into this, let’s take a moment to imagine what the fundraising environment could be like in ten years time if we don’t try and develop our fundraising attitude for the better…

Fundraising 2016"

Friday, December 15, 2006

The Times and Democrat - Generosity comes with age

The Times and Democrat - Generosity comes with age: "Generosity comes with age

By T&D Staff
Friday, December 15, 2006

Older Americans are leaders when it comes to giving, the American Association of Retired Persons wants us to know.

One in 10 adults age 65 or older donated $5,000 or more to charities last year, according to an AARP Bulletin poll of 930 people 18 and older.

Those ages 35 to 49 were next, with 9 percent giving that much, and next were those 50 to 64, 7 percent of whom were as generous."

News onPhilanthropy: Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia

News onPhilanthropy: Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia: "Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia

Relatively new to philanthropy blogging - and out of beta this week after several months of blogging - is the wide-ranging and sharp-eyed Philanthromedia.

A joint project of Community Foundations of America and some veteran consultants (you may find my voice there from time to time), Philanthromedia bills itself as 'dialogue for the discerning donor' and it delivers on that premise with lively first-person reports from conferneces and seminars, analysis of major news stories, links to other blogs, and a point of view that is donor-specific, but of tremendous value to the whole nonprofit sector."

Charlotte Observer | 12/15/2006 | Giving is less about means, more about will

Charlotte Observer | 12/15/2006 | Giving is less about means, more about will: "Giving is less about means, more about will
`Working poor' provide instruction, inspiration about helping others
FANNIE FLONO

I've struggled to find 'Peace on Earth' and 'Joy to the World' this Christmas season. The world is in such chaos, and so many people seem self-absorbed and just downright mean.

Then I heard a story about the working poor on National Public Radio and thought of Alma. I haven't talked to her in a while but I smile just thinking of her.

Alma is not a woman of means. But she's managed to provide for her children, and to have something left to give to somebody else."

Investors give to charity through donor-advised funds - December 25, 2006

Investors give to charity through donor-advised funds - December 25, 2006: "A charity of one's own
You don't have to be filthy rich to give as if you were. Donor-advised funds are becoming the vehicle of choice for mainstream investors.
FORTUNE Magazine
By Ellen McGirt, Fortune
December 15 2006: 7:37 AM EST

(Fortune Magazine) -- So you're not Warren Buffett or Bill Gates. There's no reason you still can't give like a billionaire. Donor-advised funds - investment accounts that let you deposit assets for an upfront tax deduction, then make donations to charities of your choice - have become a popular option for investors.

'These funds are offering people an easy way to give that they never thought was available to them,' says Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy."

Thursday, December 14, 2006

What's new in New York, etc. - By Christopher Beam, Zuzanna Kobrzynski, and Blake Wilson - Slate Magazine

What's new in New York, etc. - By Christopher Beam, Zuzanna Kobrzynski, and Blake Wilson - Slate Magazine: "Give 'Til It HurtsNew York Times Magazine on philanthropy.
By Christopher Beam, Zuzanna Kobrzynski, and Blake Wilson
Updated Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at 3:14 PM ET

New York Times Magazine.New York Times Magazine, Dec. 17
In the cover story, philosopher Peter Singer tackles the big questions surrounding philanthropy. Criticism that Bill Gates' generosity was motivated by Microsoft's antitrust woes rather than altruism 'tells us more about the attackers than the attacked,' Singer contends. Rather, such generosity should make us rethink our own behavior."

newsobserver.com | Marketers take a bigger bite

newsobserver.com | Marketers take a bigger bite: "Marketers take a bigger bite
Charities' share of donated funds falls from 55% to 48%
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ONLINE

Lynn Bonner, Staff Writer
More of the money North Carolinians are donating to charities through professional solicitors is going to the telemarketing companies than to the causes they represent, according to a new state report.

Paid solicitors that must tell the state about their activities raised $194 million for charities from state residents from July 2005 to June 2006, according to a report the N.C. Secretary of State's Office released Wednesday."

Recent Tax Law Changes May Affect People Giving to Charity: IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

Recent Tax Law Changes May Affect People Giving to Charity: IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations: "Recent Tax Law Changes May Affect People Giving to Charity: IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations

IR-2006-192, Dec. 14, 2006

WASHINGTON — Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law changes made last summer by the Pension Protection Act.

The new law offers older owners of individual retirement accounts a new way to give to charity. It also includes rules designed to provide both taxpayers and the government greater certainty in determining what may be deducted as a charitable contribution. Some of these changes include the following."

Jewish and Israel News from New York - The Jewish Week-Wall Street Thrives And UJA-Fed Benefits

Jewish and Israel News from New York - The Jewish Week: "Wall Street Thrives And UJA-Fed Benefits
Charity’s Wall Street Division sets giving record.
Martha Mendelsohn - Jewish Week Correspondent
Know when to hold ‘em: The scene at the blackjack table at the Wall Street Division dinner. The Wall Streeters raised a cool $21.5 million at the event. Photos by Sharon Stern

The Dow is up, and so is Jewish philanthropy.

Just do the math.

UJA-Federation’s Wall Street Division dinner at the Hilton on West 53rd Street last Wednesday raised a record $21.5 million, drawing 1,300 financial professionals to an exuberant evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, faux-gambling, and speeches, which featured the first official appearance in New York by Israel’s new ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor.

Total funds raised, which exceed last year’s by $1.1 million, amount to $11,000 in contributions per person."

WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Clark Releases Charities Report

WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Clark Releases Charities Report: "Clark Releases Charities Report

by Howard Ballou
howard@wlbt.net

Mississippi still ranks at the top of the nation when it comes to charitable giving. That word from Secretary of State Eric Clark as he released the Ninth Annual Comprehensive Financial Report on Charties Operating in Mississippi.

This year's report is the first to contain financial information on charitable giving since Hurricane Katrina. Secretary Clark said, 'All of y'all know that Mississippi ranks at or near the top every year in what's called the generosity index that our people are always about the most generous in the country in terms of giving to church and charity as a percentage of our income..'"

DenverPost.com - Charities give big bucks to telemarketers

DenverPost.com - Charities give big bucks to telemarketers: "Charities give big bucks to telemarketers
By Will Shanley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:12/13/2006 10:48:27 AM MST

Annual Report

Charitable organizations that used telemarketers to solicit money from Colorado residents in the past year kept an average of 51 percent of the cash collected, with the telemarketing companies retaining the rest.

That's slightly better than 2005, when 47.9 percent was kept by nonprofits, according to a report released Tuesday by Colorado Secretary of State Gigi Dennis."

The Blog | Tom Watson: Consumer Philanthropy: Nonprofits Spend Billions to Reach Consumers | The Huffington Post

The Blog | Tom Watson: Consumer Philanthropy: Nonprofits Spend Billions to Reach Consumers | The Huffington Post: "In fact, nonprofit organizations are spending big dollars on media, public relations, advertising and communications, according to exclusive research by Changing Our World, Inc., the parent company to onPhilanthropy, which I publish. In many cases, it's the nonprofits that are driving the message recognition - the branding - of philanthropic causes. And they're spending billions to do it.

Large American nonprofits spend at least $7.6 billion per year on marketing and public relations, and may in fact spend a great deal more, according to the Changing Our World analysis of 71 nonprofits with annual revenues of $10 million or more per year. Itemized examination of IRS Form 990 Line 43, where marketing and communications expenses reside, resulted in an extrapolated estimate of $7.6 billion for the sector."

Charities hope for record giving through websites - USATODAY.com

Charities hope for record giving through websites - USATODAY.com: "Charities are ramping up online fundraising, hoping to match or beat records for holiday giving set last year.

The Salvation Army urges people to set up their own online red kettles so friends and relatives can donate.

U.S. Army Sgt. Lacy Hennessy, 23, a former bell ringer now in Baghdad, e-mails friends to give through a kettle on her website. It can be accessed at www.salvationarmyusa.org."

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Appleton Post-Crescent: Your Fox Cities News Source - Thrivent match means over $100,000 for Salvation Army

Appleton Post-Crescent: Your Fox Cities News Source - Thrivent match means over $100,000 for Salvation Army: "Thrivent match means over $100,000 for Salvation Army

The Post-Crescent

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation matched the Salvation Army-Fox Cities’ record single-day red kettle contributions of $54,699.24 dollar for dollar Dec. 8 to yield a grand total of $109,398.48."

Desktop Donations - Kiplinger.com

Desktop Donations - Kiplinger.com: "PHILANTHROPY
Desktop Donations
We show you how to avoid scams and check out a charity's credentials before you donate.
December 11, 2006

You may be feeling generous this holiday season, but unfortunately some people prey upon the good intentions of others. With a little research and a bit of caution, you can make sure your donation counts."

Do political leanings influence your purse strings? | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.

Do political leanings influence your purse strings? | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, Fla.: "Do political leanings influence your purse strings?

By SARAH WOOD

Special to The Sun
December 13. 2006 6:01AM

It is a touchy subject right from the get-go. Who gives more to charities: conservatives or liberals?

University of Florida professor Elizabeth Bolton asked that very question recently to her class, Working with Nonprofit Organizations in Community Based Settings.

'We had discussed that when you are preparing a fundraising plan, you have to know who are the givers and non-givers,' said Bolton, who teaches for the graduate and undergraduate nonprofit organization minor at UF."

Holiday Giving

Holiday Giving: "Holiday Giving That Keeps Giving

This holiday season, when people turn their attention to family, friends, and loved ones, we've decided to take a look at giving -- in all of its forms. Instead of focusing on philanthropy by foundations or corporations, we explore simple ways individuals can give their time or money to improve their communities and the world.

Read on to learn about giving trends and tools that are making it easier than ever to support the organizations and causes you care about. Get specific tips about how to give wisely -- and ideas for creative gift-giving that makes a difference."

Midland Daily News - Donors plant seed for organic building at CMU

Midland Daily News - Donors plant seed for organic building at CMU:
snip snip>>(Just a reminder that we clip portions of articles)
"CMU's Board of Trustees last week approved the February 2007 demolition of the Washington Apartments' central quad to make room for the $50 million building project, set to break ground next spring. The new building, which will house education-related departments in the College of Education and Human Services in one 'organic' four-story building when it opens in summer 2009.

So organic, in fact, that the roof of the north wing will be covered by trees and other vegetation. Known as a 'green roof,' it is one of many design features officials hope will secure CMU's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council."

Study Weighs in on Board Member Succession Planning | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Study Weighs in on Board Member Succession Planning | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Study Weighs in on Board Member Succession Planning

© 2006 The Associated Press
TOOLS

NEW YORK — Roughly 50 percent of boards consider themselves 'less than effective' in the area of CEO succession, according to a survey released Tuesday.

The 2006 Governance Survey of 1,400 public, private and nonprofit companies by The Center for Board Leadership, done with Mercer Delta Consulting, also found that the majority of directors from public boards feel that companies should have a policy restricting the number of boards a CEO may serve on, but less than half, 42.3 percent report actually having such a policy."

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

ThePilot.com : Leave Donation Program Offers Way to Help Victims of Katrina

ThePilot.com : Leave Donation Program Offers Way to Help Victims of Katrina: "Leave Donation Program Offers Way to Help Victims of Katrina

During the holiday season and in the spirit of giving, employees and employers are reminded they can use established leave donation programs to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina."

Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com Gold coins add surprise to kettle drives

Norwich Bulletin - www.norwichbulletin.com - Norwich, Conn.: "Gold coins add surprise to kettle drives
Anonymous donors occasionally drop items into Salvation Army collections
By OREN DORELL
Gannett News Service

Anonymous Santas have been dropping gold in Salvation Army kettles across the country, delighting the bell ringers who come out every year before Christmas to take in spare change for the poor.

“Whoever does this is very clever about putting the money in the kettle because we never know what he’s doing,” says Sue Hennings, spokeswoman for the Waterloo, Iowa, chapter of the Salvation Army. “It truly makes it Christmas.”"

NWAnews.com :: Bloggers connect donors, charities

NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source: "Hoping to tap into a new source of donations this Christmas season, Heifer International is reaching out to bloggers like Erin McKean, a dictionary editor with a zeal for dresses with stories to tell.

The editor-in-chief of The New Oxford American Dictionary is among about 100 bloggers raising money in a new campaign rolled out by Heifer, the Little Rock charity famous for supplying livestock to families in the world’s neediest places."

Local giving circle blends philanthropy, social time | www.azstarnet.com ®

Local giving circle blends philanthropy, social time | www.azstarnet.com ®:

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"The trend in grass-roots efforts to form giving circles has popped up nationally and is picking up in the Phoenix area and could catch on in Tucson, said Rick Wilson, president of the Southern Arizona chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
'We get to know our own community more. It's like a survey course on local charities,' said Ellie Bublick, a 41-year-old University of Arizona law professor."

LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | As Shriners membership dwindles, so does funding

LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas:

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It’s a fraternity-turned-philanthropy organization that began more than 100 years ago.

“It’s a labor of love for them, and it’s all volunteer,” Gantt said. “Not only do they donate the time, but they donate the money.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars, actually, to treat children in their hospitals from coast to coast.

But the Shriners are dying.

The membership exploded after World War II, but like many of the soldiers of that era, the Shiners are fading into history.

The membership that exploded after World War II is like many soldiers of that era, slowly fading into history."

Babson College - Women, Philanthropy and Advancement

Babson College - Women, Philanthropy and Advancement: "Women, Philanthropy and Advancement

It's that time of year, when many of us are thinking of the things we have to be grateful for and are turning to end-of-year giving. In recent research from the Center for Women's Leadership on woman-led businesses in Massachusetts, one of the findings that struck me was the link between the employment of women and the philanthropic activity of the firm."

Monday, December 11, 2006

End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act

End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act: "End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 has several provisions that could affect your end-of-year charitable donations. For instance, you can make contributions from an IRA account but you must be 70 1/2 years of age."

The Calgary Sun - Charity given precious coin

The Calgary Sun - Charity given precious coin: "BARRE, Vt. -- With the drop of a single coin into a Salvation Army holiday collection kettle, the group may have been enriched by as much as $14,000."

ContraCostaTimes.com | 12/10/2006 | Community college foundations have common aims

ContraCostaTimes.com | 12/10/2006 | Community college foundations have common aims: "Community college foundations have common aims
By Linda Cherry

DR. BILL VAN DYK is straightforward about why he serves on the Contra Costa College Foundation board of directors and is now in his second term as its president.

He supports CCC because his San Pablo dental practice is dependent upon graduates from the college's dental assisting program. His personal donations to the CCC Foundation are designated for the dental assisting program, and he urges other West County dentists to follow his lead.

Many foundation board members at Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College are in the same situation. Whether they are in business, government or the nonprofit sector, their organizations benefit from well-trained and educated community college students."

The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa - New York Times

The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa - New York Times: "The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 10, 2006

MARTINEZ, Ga., Dec. 9 (AP) — At the evangelical Stevens Creek Community Church, God takes credit cards.

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

Kiosks at the Stevens Creek Community Church in Martinez, Ga., accept donations via credit or debit card.

Debit cards, too.

Two “giving kiosks” sit outside the church’s chapel in East Georgia, high-tech collection plates that allow people to swipe their credit or debit cards and instantly send donations. Marty Baker, the church’s pastor, likes to call the terminals A.T.M.’s: “automatic tithe machines.”"