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, January 06, 2006

E-net! Elon's news and information site-Winter Term course focuses on hurricane relief efforts

E-net! Elon's news and information site: "Winter Term course focuses on hurricane relief efforts

Some Elon University faculty and students took their Hurricane Katrina relief efforts one step further this month with a Winter Term course called “Volunteerism, Social Justice & Civic Engagement in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina.” Details...

Fifteen students are enrolled in the General Studies class which will leave early on Monday, Jan. 9, for Bay St. Louis, Miss., and the hands-on portion of the instruction.

Ocek Eke, assistant professor of communications, developed the unique course after traveling to the hurricane stricken area with the fall break service trip group. The course examines civic responsibilities of citizens in times of natural disasters with a focus on Hurricane Katrina, according to Eke. "

Channelnewsasia.com-Corporate donors still forthcoming, says Community Chest

Channelnewsasia.com: "ime is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 06 January 2006 2156 hrs

Corporate donors still forthcoming, says Community Chest
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Corporate donors are still forthcoming, despite the recent NKF saga, which has dealt a blow to the charity sector, says Community Chest Chairman Jennie Chua.

Among them is Kah Motor, which launched its Honda Civic Drive for Charity Fund.

The community project aims to raise half a million dollars for the Community Chest.
"

BizNewOrleans: News

BizNewOrleans: News: "14 major nonprofits meet in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — Fourteen of the nation's largest nonprofit human services organizations are gathering in New Orleans today to reaffirm their collective commitment to focus on the human side of rebuilding lives in the Gulf Coast area.

In order to keep the focus on human needs during the long Gulf Coast recovery and rebuilding progress, the group will undertake a listening initiative to aggressively engage people, understand their needs and take those messages to those who can most effect change. This effort will begin in the first quarter of 2006 and include visits to communities throughout the affected areas.

'We remain committed to ensuring the viability of neighborhoods; providing for the development and education of children; and encouraging the self-sufficiency of the citizens of the area,' says Brian Gallagher of United Way of America. "

TownOnline.com - The Cape Codder - Opinion & Letters

TownOnline.com - The Cape Codder - Opinion & Letters: "Editorial: Generosity abounds, amazes
Friday, January 6, 2006

The checks came in by the dozens. Some were for small amounts, others more generous than we could have imagined ($25,000, for example). Yet every last one was critical to the success of this year's Gifts of Hope campaign.
We shouldn't be at all surprised by the kindness of Lower Cape residents - year after year we have been witness to how people dig deep to help neighbors, friends and family. We can't help but be overwhelmed, though, that such generosity has resulted in this year's campaign reaching a whopping $150,000! That's $30,000 more than last year's record-breaking effort."

Modbee.com | The Modesto Bee-Wal-Mart to stop food donation

Modbee.com | The Modesto Bee: "Directors of local charities reacted with surprise and disappointment Thursday after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced it would no longer donate food near or past its expiration date to groups feeding the hungry.

A spokesman for the nation's largest food retailer said the food will be thrown away to protect the corporation from liability in case someone becomes sick from the donated food. The policy will apply to all 1,224 Wal-Marts, 1,929 Wal-Mart Supercenters and 558 Sam's Clubs.

'We can't guarantee the safety of the merchandise, and consumer safety is our top priority,' said spokesman Olan James, in a phone interview from Wal-Mart headquarters in Arkansas.

James said he is not aware of anybody suing Wal-Mart after getting sick from donated food.

Charities that received food from Wal-Mart are encouraged to apply for grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation, although the foundation won't increase the amount of money it gives out. The foundation distributed $170 million in 2004."

State's nonprofits urge unity - baltimoresun.com

State's nonprofits urge unity - baltimoresun.com: "State's nonprofits urge unity
Effort begun to seek funds, political clout
By Jamie Smith Hopkins
Sun reporter
Originally published January 6, 2006
Maryland's nonprofits are an economic force - they include some of the state's largest employers - but they aren't a unified political force.

They're hoping to change that.

Advertisement
The Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations announced yesterday a Voices for Maryland initiative to bring disparate groups together to press for more funding and attention to community issues, and to help disaffected residents get involved in the political process."

Some don't chip in - PittsburghLIVE.com

Some don't chip in - PittsburghLIVE.com: "Some nonprofits do not chip in

By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 6, 2006

The city received a cash infusion of $4.56 million this week from 102 nonprofit groups, big and small.

But some of the organizations that chose not to contribute to the cash-strapped city constitute a Who's Who of prominent charities in Pittsburgh."

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -Behold the power of listening

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -Behold the power of listening: "Behold the power of listening

Roanoke City Council heeded the concerns of nonprofit groups and revised grant guidelines.

The Roanoke Times

Accountability is a fine tool. That's just what Roanoke was seeking last fall when it adopted stringent rules for agencies seeking city grants.

The city did not expect the backlash from 70 or so nonprofit groups justifiably angry that Roanoke didn't bother to ask for their suggestions in designing the rules.

The city's one-size-fits-all approach was tailor-made for the largest nonprofit groups. But the regulations swaddled smaller, neighborhood groups in so much red tape that qualifying for a few hundred dollars wouldn't be worth the effort."

TownOnline.com - Weston Town Crier - Coburn and Blake: Importance of charitable giving

TownOnline.com - Weston Town Crier - Opinion & Letters: "Coburn and Blake: Importance of charitable giving
By Jeff Coburn and Mel Blake/ Guezt Columnists
Thursday, January 5, 2006

In naming Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono as its 'Persons of the Year,'Time magazine has brought to light the growing importance of charitable giving in the struggle to eradicate poverty. What a timely and appropriate message during this special holiday season!
This past year we witnessed three unimaginable natural disasters - the Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and the Pakistani earthquake. These tragedies captured the hearts of Americans, and as a nation we responded by contributing more than $3.6 billion to these causes. "

The Chronicle, 1/1/2006: Biggest Gifts Announced in 2005

The Chronicle, 1/1/2006: Biggest Gifts Announced in 2005: "Biggest Gifts Announced in 2005
Amount

Donor

Purpose or beneficiary
$400-million (bequest)

Cordelia Scaife May, an heiress to the Mellon fortune

To the Colcom Foundation (Pittsburgh)
$320-million

William H. (Bill) Gates III, chairman of Microsoft, and his wife, Melinda F. Gates

To the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle)
$206-million

George Soros, a financier in New York

To Central European U. (Budapest) for its endowment
$115-million (pledge)

Lawrence J. Ellison, chief executive officer of Oracle

To Harvard U. (Cambridge, Mass.) to finance research on global health
$105-million (pledge)

Jan T. Vilcek, medical professor at New York U. School of Medicine, and his wife, Marica F. Vilcek

To New York U. School of Medicine for its Department of Microbiology"

Channelnewsasia.com-Charity crunch shows need for whistle-blower law: legal experts

Channelnewsasia.com: "Charity crunch shows need for whistle-blower law: legal experts
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

Most charities welcome the call for a whistle-blower policy by the National Council of Social Service as a way to raise corporate governance in companies.

But many are asking how the whistle blower can be protected. "

Channelnewsasia.com

Metropolitan Opera, in Tight Times, Receives Record Gift of $25 Million - New York Times

Metropolitan Opera, in Tight Times, Receives Record Gift of $25 Million - New York Times: "Metropolitan Opera, in Tight Times, Receives Record Gift of $25 Million

By DANIEL J. WAKIN
Published: January 5, 2006

The Metropolitan Opera has received the largest individual gift in its history, a $25 million donation from the socialite Mercedes Bass and her husband, Sid R. Bass, that comes at a time of increasing financial troubles for the house."

Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich.

Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich.: "Feeling at home in new job, city
Stacy Hanna
The Enquirer

Sterling Speirn already is at home in Battle Creek.

The new president and chief executive officer of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation arrived, with his wife, the day after Christmas and has been on the job just two days, but already has set about making himself comfortable in the Cereal City"

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Raising money is his passion

Raising money is his passion: "Raising money is his passion

By Cliff Peale
Enquirer staff writer
Zoom The Enquirer/Cara Owsley
Pat Ryan is chairman and CEO of Skystone Ryan, a fund-raising consultant that's helped nonprofits from Freestore Foodbank to the Contemporary Arts Center.
SKYSTONE RYAN

Expertise: Nonprofit fund-raising consultant.

Chairman and CEO: Pat Ryan.

President and COO: John Olberding.

Year founded: 1977, as Staley Robeson Ryan.

Employees: 60.

Headquarters: 638 W. Seventh St., Suite 107, Queensgate. (513) 241-6778.

Clients: Nearly 80 organizations around the country. Since its founding, the firm has served more than 200 nonprofits in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
ADVERTISEMENT

In more than three decades raising money for nonprofit groups, Pat Ryan has successfully collected $50,000 from Jimmy Hoffa and been turned down by Mother Teresa.

The solicitation to Hoffa's Teamsters Union, for a hospital expansion near Detroit, came in cash - in a brown paper bag.

'I took it to the bank,' recalls Ryan, chairman and chief executive officer of Queensgate-based fund-raising consultant firm Skystone Ryan. 'I was stupid because I should have counted it."

Channelnewsasia.com- NKF staff, patients eager to move on following audit report

Channelnewsasia.com: "NKF staff, patients eager to move on following audit report
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : It is time to move on from the fiasco of the old management, say National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) patients and staff.

53-year-old office clerk Cecilia Yeo has gone through thick and thin with NKF for the last 15 years.

When the NKF took her on as one of its patients, it halved her dialysis costs from over $2,000 a month at a public hospital, to just under $1,000. "

Channelnewsasia.com-NCSS wants whistle-blower policy at all social service charities

Channelnewsasia.com: "NCSS wants whistle-blower policy at all social service charities
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

Related News »
• PM Lee urges Singaporeans to help build vibrant charity sector
• Singapore's economy grew 5.7% in 2005: PM Lee
• NKF should do more to rebuild image: Channel NewsAsia poll
more>>

SINGAPORE : The watchdog of charities in the social service sector wants every charity, big or small, to have a whistle-blower policy.

The move, says the National Council of Social Service, would help charities better stand up to public scrutiny.

On Monday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged Singaporeans to help keep watch on charities, and report any hanky-panky to the authorities.

Every year, NCSS receives complaints about some three to five charities. "

World Volunteer Web: New campaign urges America’s 77 Million baby boomers to volunteer

World Volunteer Web: New campaign urges America’s 77 Million baby boomers to volunteer: "New campaign urges America’s 77 million baby boomers to volunteer
04 January 2006

Washington, D.C., USA: Recognizing the extraordinary potential for social good among America’s 77 million baby boomers, the Corporation for National and Community Service recently unveiled a multi-year public service ad campaign that asks older Americans to get involved in their communities.

The 'Get Involved' campaign was launched at the White House Conference on Aging, a once-a-decade gathering that makes policy recommendations to the President and Congress about aging issues. The campaign is part of a larger effort by volunteer and nonprofit leaders at the conference to develop a national strategy to engage more baby boomers in service.

Born between 1946 and 1964, baby boomers came of age in a period of great social idealism. Many were inspired to service by President Kennedy’s famous 'Ask not…' speech. Data released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently shows that 33 per cent of all boomers – 25.8 million people – volunteered in formal organizations in 2005. This represents the highest rate of volunteering of any age cohort. Campaign organizers want to increase that percent, especially as boomers begin to retire and have more free time"

Institute of Fundraising - News - Main List-50 Top Charities Sign Up to ImpACT

Institute of Fundraising - News - Main List: "3 Jan 2006

50 Top Charities Sign Up to ImpACT

Today, the ImpACT (Improving Accountability, Clarity and Transparency) Coalition is announcing that over 50 top charities and trade bodies, including the top 15 charities by voluntary income, have now signed up to the Coalition. All members have committed to increase public understanding of charities’ work and to communicate with clarity and openness by fulfilling a number of pledges, they are:

- To be transparent about the fundraising process, how much is invested in raising money and how this helps meet the needs of beneficiaries;
- To collaborate in actively promoting sector-wide initiatives aimed at enhancing donor understanding that charities operate openly, honestly and effectively;
- To report on successes, achievements and setbacks;
- To monitor progress against the established success criteria."

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

reviewjournal.com -- Business - PHILANTHROPY: Donating making a comeback

reviewjournal.com -- Business - PHILANTHROPY: Donating making a comeback: "Charities nationwide are on the rebound.

From 2000 to 2002, when stock markets shed trillions of dollars in value and foundations lost assets and donations as a result, philanthropies struggled.
Advertisement

Several national and global disasters -- the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and last year's South Asian tsunami, among others -- also hurt many nonprofits, as benefactors redirected giving to victims of widespread calamity.

Those obstacles kept giving by foundations at about $30 billion from 2001 to 2003.

But the Foundation Center, a charity trade group in New York, has released a report showing big strides in nonprofit giving in 2004.

America's 66,000 grant-making foundations boosted their giving 6.9 percent in 2004, from $30.3 billion in 2003 to an all-time high of $32.4 billion, the group's study showed. The $2.1 billion increase followed a $193.4 million decline in foundation giving from 2001 to 2003."

Workplace giving grows beyond borders

Workplace giving grows beyond borders: "Workplace giving campaigns grow beyond local borders

By Kathy Gurchiek

More corporations are providing their employees with choices for giving that extend beyond local charities, according to a study by Global Impact, a nonprofit organization in Alexandria, Va.

Workplace giving campaigns generate more than $3.8 billion annually in the United States, according to Global Impact. And a Bureau of National Affairs survey of year-end holiday practices found that 72 percent of HR executives polled said their organization plans to participate in one or more charitable activities this year, the same as in 2004.

Among the findings of Global Impact’s recent survey of 22 U.S. corporations:"

San Luis Obispo Tribune | 01/03/2006 | Challenges, opportunities for nonprofits in 2006

San Luis Obispo Tribune | 01/03/2006 | Challenges, opportunities for nonprofits in 2006: "Challenges, opportunities for nonprofits in 2006
By Dave Edwards
The Tribune

The Chinese proverb 'may you live in interesting times' probably applies to what lies ahead for nonprofits in 2006. While forecasting the future is always risky, there are some trends that will affect local nonprofits in the coming year. Here are some of the more challenging trends:"

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News:
snip snip>
"Said Mr David Ong, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (Singapore): 'At the time of appeal for donations, it is important to let donors know how you will disburse your funds. Does the money go directly to beneficiaries?

'But donors must also ask the right questions - on how exactly the funds will be used, and if the project... can be sustained.'"

Bono seeks balance between U2, charity work - ROCK MUSIC - MSNBC.com

Bono seeks balance between U2, charity work - ROCK MUSIC - MSNBC.com: "Bono said he feared his commitment to campaigning against poverty would force him out of his band, U2.

'They (the band) are hugely supportive spiritually and financially of the work I do, but they are in a rock 'n 'roll band, and the first job of a rock 'n 'roll band is not to be dull,' Bono told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Saturday.

'So we have to be very careful about just letting me go too far.'"

News-Record.com - Greensboro, North Carolina: News: Firefighters get fund-raising advice

News-Record.com - Greensboro, North Carolina: News: Firefighters get fund-raising advice: "While some have been choosing to ask for donations outright, other firefighter groups take a different path to raising money.

Divergent strategies sometimes leave community donors unsure how much their contribution is helping firefighters.

Some departments retain as much as 60 percent of what’s raised; others, 20 or 30 percent.

So who’s getting the better deal? Firefighter groups say not to worry; they all are."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Nonprofits find it hard to vet their volunteers

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Metro -- Nonprofits find it hard to vet their volunteers:
snip snip>>

"Those cases and others from across the country are drawing new attention to a growing problem confronting the nation's charities: vetting volunteers.

An estimated 84 million adults in the U.S. volunteer 15.5 billion hours each year, according to Independent Sector, a Washington, D.C., resource network for nonprofit groups and donors. The volunteer effort is roughly equivalent to 9 million full-time employees."

Workshops offer advice to nonprofits: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Workshops offer advice to nonprofits: South Florida Sun-Sentinel: "Workshops offer advice to nonprofits

By Sally J. Ling
Special Correspondent
Posted January 1 2006

An orientation reception Wednesday will kick off the second Delray Beach Nonprofit Academy, a series of workshops designed to help strengthen the city's nonprofit organizations.

The academy, being offered by the city Jan. 16 through March 26, is free to nonprofit organizations' board members, administrative staff and volunteers, said Janet Meeks, the city's education coordinator."

The Baytown Sun

The Baytown Sun: "The newspaper has occasionally supplemented the charity drive during lean years of fund raising.

“But donations were at their lowest ebb this year,” Cash said. “Probably because folks were tapped out after being so generous in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.”

The Association of Fundraising Professionals reported “nearly half of U.S. charities have seen their fund-raising decline because of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes and the associated relief efforts.”
"

More in Britain giving to charity

More in Britain giving to charity: "
More in Britain giving to charity

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- In what appears to have been a sudden burst of anti-materialism among British Christmas shoppers, more gave gifts of charity this year.

Related Headlines

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Bird flu fears rise in Britain (October 23, 2005) -- Britain is urging the European Union to ban wild bird imports as bird flu fears escalate following a positive test on a dead parrot. The parrot was ... > full story

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A spokesman for the charity Oxfam said more than 150,000 people had bought products from its Oxfam Unwrapped catalogue over the Christmas season. Send A Cow, which provides livestock for families in developing nations, said both catalogue and Web orders had doubled in 2005, reported the Daily Telegraph Saturday."

East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale

East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale: "alley unloads tax write-offs
By Andy Hobbs, Tribune
December 31, 2005
Donation centers are experiencing a surge in post-Christmas giving, with some places reaching unprecedented levels.
Whether rushing for last-minute tax write-offs or simply cleaning out closets, residents are keeping the centers busy."

.:Mindanews -- 3 January 2006:.

.:Mindanews -- 3 January 2006:.: "iaspora philanthropy: the other face of the OFW phenomenon
By Leila Rispens-Noel /MindaNews / 02 January 2006

GOUDA, The Netherlands -- Migrants sent home through official channel a total amount of $160 billion in 2004, exceeding development aid from all sources by 50 percent. Another 50% of the total remittances is estimated to be have been sent through informal channels. These figures come from the recently-released Global Economic Prospect 2006 Report of the Washington-based World Bank.

Remittances are the money that foreign-born workers send to their relatives and/or communities abroad. The countries receiving the most in recorded remittances in 2004 were India ($21.7 billion), China ($21.3 billion), Mexico ($18.1 billion), France ($12.7 billion), and the Philippines ($11.6 billion)."

Conner Prairie gets extra cash | IndyStar.com

Conner Prairie gets extra cash | IndyStar.com:
snip snip>>
"Announcement of the additional money came at a Statehouse news conference that marked the separation of Conner Prairie and Earlham, the Quaker college in Richmond that had served as the museum's governing trustee since the 1960s.
Conner Prairie and Earlham had wrestled for years over the museum's autonomy and control of a sizable endowment left to both parties by the late grandson of Eli Lilly, founder of drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. The dispute had thrown into doubt the fate of one of Indiana's most popular historic attractions and laid bare growing tensions between Conner Prairie officials and Earlham."

FundRaising Success Advisor • 2005 Giving Marked by Disaster-related Spikes

FundRaising Success Advisor • 2005 Giving Marked by Disaster-related Spikes: "2005 Giving Marked by Disaster-related Spikes

Jan. 3, 2006

By Abny Santicola, associate editor, FundRaising Success

Spikes in giving, especially online, due to the December 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina make it difficult to use 2005 as a predictor for charitable giving in 2006, says Cary Silvers, vice president of consumer trends with Roper Reports, a division of worldwide market research firm Gfk NOP."