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, February 24, 2006

Communities, corporate giving: Effective partnerships - OrlandoSentinel.com: Opinion

Communities, corporate giving: Effective partnerships - OrlandoSentinel.com: Opinion: "Pamela Mann, Tara Luby and Sabrina Collins at Esteem for Florida Youth go to work every day with one goal in mind: boosting literacy and employability skills for some of Orlando's poorest families. Their organization helps thousands every year gain the skills they need to build better lives.

One source of support for Esteem's work is the Orlando business community. Monday is National Corporate Philanthropy Day, so designated by the U.S. secretary of commerce and the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy, a group of business leaders dedicated to increasing the impact of corporate giving."

Wired News:-"Brilliant's Wish: Disease Alerts

Wired News:: "Brilliant's Wish: Disease Alerts

By Kim Zetter | Also by this reporter
04:00 AM Feb, 23, 2006 EST

MONTEREY, California -- Google's newly appointed philanthropy chief is rallying industry support for an ambitious plan to create a global early warning system aimed at identifying and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and other disasters.

Larry Brilliant, appointed Tuesday as executive director of Google's new philanthropic organization, is expected to announce the project Thursday at the Technology, Entertainment and Design, or TED, conference here."

Meals on Wheels donations off by 74 percent

Meals on Wheels donations off by 74 percent: "Meals on Wheels donations off by 74 percent

By Paul Huggins
DAILY Staff Writer
phuggins@decaturdaily.com · 340-2395

With five days left, THE DECATUR DAILY's annual Meals on Wheels fundraiser trails last year's campaign by 74 percent.

The bottom of the ledger says that's 26,000 fewer dollars than last year, and the bottom line says that means fewer elderly and disabled residents of Morgan County will receive their weekday visits and warm meals. About 350 currently receive the meals."

The Cincinnati Post - NKU starts help center for nonprofits

The Cincinnati Post - NKU starts help center for nonprofits: "NKU starts help center for nonprofits
Post staff report

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Northern Kentucky University plans to start an institute to help the region's 6,000 nonprofit organizations better serve people.

The Non-Profit Capacity Building Institute will train staff members of organizations, give them good ideas and link them with consultants who can provide more help.

'We want to bring the university's energies and talents to nonprofit organizations to help them increase the impact they have on the community,' said Miles Wilson, director of NKU's Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement."

MercuryNews.com | 02/24/2006 | Silicon Valley Charity Ball board faces facts: the party's over

MercuryNews.com | 02/24/2006 | Silicon Valley Charity Ball board faces facts: the party's over: "Silicon Valley Charity Ball board faces facts: the party's over
TRADITION PASSES AMID RISE OF MORE TARGETED CHARITABLE GIVING
Mercury News Editorial

The themes of 18 Silicon Valley Charity Balls over 19 years involved adventure or glamour more often than nostalgia. But this week the ball itself joins orchards, prune yards and canneries as part of the valley's past. It's another rite of passage for a place that embodies change.

The charity ball's planners were right to end the tradition. But two decades was a healthy run.

The ball was conceived when Silicon Valley was giddy with new economic power but still grappling with its civic identity. The tech industry was generating enormous wealth but lacked the tradition of social responsibility typical of older companies in San Francisco and in rust belt cities of the East and Midwest. The charity ball founders saw it as a way to stimulate civic engagement while raising money."

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Scots tycoon saves English opera - Sunday Times - Times Online

Scots tycoon saves English opera - Sunday Times - Times Online: "Scots tycoon saves English opera
Richard Brooks, Arts Editor
ONE of Scotland’s richest men, the businessman Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, is to come to the rescue of the troubled English National Opera with a donation of £2m.

Laidlaw, who has almost single-handedly kept the Scottish Conservatives afloat since 1997, is to help to finance a number of productions over at least two seasons at the Coliseum in London’s West End.

His intervention will be a huge relief to the opera company, which has been beset by a wave of financial and managerial problems.

In the past three months ENO has lost its chairman, Martin Smith, its chief executive, Sean Doran, and its music director, Oleg Caetani, who resigned before he had even started. Last month the company was threatened with a strike by staff."

AP Wire | 02/19/2006 | Mills to be honored by charity

AP Wire | 02/19/2006 | Mills to be honored by charity: "Mills to be honored by charity
Associated Press

Billy Mills, a South Dakota native who won an Olympic gold medal in 1964, will be honored by Christian Relief Service Charities in April, organizers said.

Mills, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is scheduled to attend a reception April 22 at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and receive a humanitarian award from the organization, officials said."

Thon shatters previous record

Thon shatters previous record: "Thon shatters previous record

By Bethany Fehlinger and Kristen Huth email
Collegian Staff Writer

Nobody thought it could be done -- the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon) broke last year's record by almost $100,000.

This year, Thon raised $4,214,748.18."

The Post and Courier | Charleston.net | News | Charleston, SC"Hospital fundraisers overlook staff

The Post and Courier | Charleston.net | News | Charleston, SC: "Hospital fundraisers overlook staff
HEALTH CARE

BY JONATHAN MAZE
The Post and Courier

Hospitals that raise funds for new equipment or other projects frequently overlook two groups closest to them: doctors and nurses.

That's according to a new study by Corporate DevelopMint, the Charleston-based fundraising consultant that specializes in hospital fundraisers. The company released the results last week at its annual Healthcare CEO Forum on Philanthropy.

The study found that there is no relationship between gifts from doctors and the success of a hospital fundraiser. Nor is there a relationship between gifts from nurses and other workers and fundraising success.

Competitive Philanthropy - The history of the Slate 60. By David Plotz

Competitive Philanthropy - The history of the Slate 60. By David Plotz: "

the slate 60 Analysis of the year's biggest philanthropists.

Competitive Philanthropy
The history of the Slate 60.
By David Plotz
Updated Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, at 8:22 AM ET

The Slate 60 attempts to fuse two essential but conflicting aspects of the American character: generosity and competitiveness. So, it's not surprising that the inspiration for the list came from a man rich in both qualities, Ted Turner. In 1996, Slate editor Michael Kinsley was struck by remarks Turner made in an interview with Maureen Dowd: The CNN founder bemoaned the influence of the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans, saying it discouraged the wealthy from giving away their money for fear of slipping down the rankings. Turner suggested that a list of charitable contributions could inspire rich Americans to compete in a more beneficial way."

The Chronicle, 2/23/2006: How the Wealthy Give

The Chronicle, 2/23/2006: How the Wealthy Give: "How the Wealthy Give
List of generous donors in 2005 includes some little-known names

By Maria Di Mento and Nicole Lewis

America's most-generous donors contributed a total of $4.3-billion to charity last year, a sharp drop from 2004, when the top donors gave more than $10-billion, a new Chronicle
ALSO SEE:

survey has found. For the first time since 1998, no gifts of $1-billion or more were donated to charitable causes."

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 02/21/2006 | Is MPR truly a nonprofit? It really is hard to imagine Minnesota Public...

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 02/21/2006 | Is MPR truly a nonprofit? It really is hard to imagine Minnesota Public...: "Is MPR truly a nonprofit? It really is hard to imagine Minnesota Public...

Is MPR truly a nonprofit?

It really is hard to imagine Minnesota Public Radio as a nonprofit corporation in the true sense of the term ('MPR disputing funding's terms,' Feb. 15). President and CEO William Kling, a wily media mogul, has established a lavish statewide public radio monopoly under the auspices of nonprofit trappings, all the while asking for public (read: taxpayer) monies.

So it comes as no surprise that MPR is disputing funding terms associated with a state appropriation of $380,000. Why reveal all MPR salaries in excess of $100,000 when MPR already has revealed on its 2004 tax return that the 12 highest-paid salaries are in excess of $100,000? Especially during a fund drive?"

Eli Lilly tallies $511M in '05 giving | IndyStar.com

Eli Lilly tallies $511M in '05 giving | IndyStar.com: "Eli Lilly tallies $511M in '05 giving
Company's largesse included $453M in drug product aid

Powered by Topix.net
By Jeff Swiatek
jeff.swiatek@indystar.com
A vicious hurricane that battered New Orleans and other natural disasters spurred Eli Lilly and Co. to give a record $511 million in philanthropic donations last year.

The Indianapolis drug maker, which has a policy of trying to be among the top 10 largest U.S. corporate givers of philanthropic aid every year, said it contributed $58 million in cash and $453 million in drug products last year, as it tried to respond to several global tragedies and growing demand from low-income Americans for free or discounted drugs."

Fidelity Charitable Fund Gave Out a Record $846M in 2005: The donor-advised fund saw a 21% increase in donations from 2004.

Fidelity Charitable Fund Gave Out a Record $846M in 2005: The donor-advised fund saw a 21% increase in donations from 2004.: "Fidelity Charitable Fund Gave Out a Record $846M in 2005

The donor-advised fund saw a 21% increase in donations from 2004.

By Hannah Glover, Money Management Executive

February 21, 2006- The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund gave $846 million in grants last year, setting a new record and signaling a strengthening market. The fund also received 21% more donations last year compared with giving in 2004. 'These milestones reflect the continued generosity of our donors and demonstrate how donor-advised funds continue to bring more individuals to philanthropy by making giving simpler and more effective,' said David Giunta, president of the 15-year old fund. Fidelity cited the spate of natural disasters in 2005 as a cause for the spike in donations, and also announced 10% increase in the number of organizations nominated for grants."

Elton John plays for charity with eBay auction - vnunet.com

Elton John plays for charity with eBay auction - vnunet.com: "Elton John plays for charity with eBay auction

Famous Yamaha grand will be sold to raise funds for star's Aids charity
Robert Jaques, vnunet.com 22 Feb 2006

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Sir Elton John has placed one of his most famous pianos up for auction on eBay to raise funds for the Aids charity which he founded.

The iconic Yamaha DC6A Pro digital acoustic 6ft 11in grand piano, played by the star at a variety of special events surrounding his hit shows in Las Vegas, will be sold off to support the Elton John Aids Foundation.

The famous grand piano, nicknamed 'Fiona', was on display in the Colosseum Lobby at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas."

Style Weekly in Richmond, Virginia

Style Weekly in Richmond, Virginia: "Too Much Charity? Some Nonprofits Think So
by Melissa Scott Sinclair
February 22, 2006

A small group of nonprofit service organizations are worried that Richmond is overrun with, um, nonprofit service organizations. There are just too many, some leaders in this group say. It’s creating an environment that leaves organizations with similar missions to fight for money as federal funding shrinks and shrinks. Yet more nonprofits keep sprouting to address needs that aren’t being met, observes Reggie Gordon, executive director of the William Byrd Community House in Oregon Hill. Something’s gotta give."

KRT Wire | 02/23/2006 | Muslim students going Greek

KRT Wire | 02/23/2006 | Muslim students going Greek: "Muslim students going Greek
BY TONI CALLAS
Knight Ridder Newspapers

PHILADELPHIA - Islam and sorority.

The words are so far apart on the spectrum that even Rutgers University student Amina Moghul, a Muslim, couldn't fathom the idea of pairing the staid principles of Islam with an American institution known more for its social graces than religious devotion.

But as an emerging generation of American-born Muslim women seeks to assert itself and its cultural identity, the concept is not so far-fetched.

In fact, through Gamma Gamma Chi, the nation's first Islam-based sorority, takes shape at several universities across the country, it has become a reality."

Kirov presents smooth 'Parsifal' - baltimoresun.com

Kirov presents smooth 'Parsifal' - baltimoresun.com: "One name you won't find on the programs for the Kirov Opera's Kennedy Center residency this year -- the fourth in a decade-long association -- is Alberto Vilar, the one-time billionaire money manager and super-philanthropist who pledged tens of millions to arts organizations around the world.

The Kirov deal is just one of many projects that Vilar did not fully fund, even before his arrest last year on various fraud charges. Gergiev was one of only a handful of Vilar beneficiaries to come to his aid, contributing $500,000 toward his bail."

DMNews.com | News | Article-Outlook 2006: Fundraising Forecast for ’06, Beyond

DMNews.com | News | Article: "Here’s a prediction: Next year, some fundraising organizations will look back on 2006 with disappointment, specifically in terms of net revenue gains. But others will see increases and be pleased. The key challenges for the year? Continued increases in costs of acquiring new donors, driven in part by paper and postage. And, yes, donor fatigue is an issue. Legislation aimed at protecting individual privacy also is a challenge."

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com-Kroc center needs your support now and later

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com: "Kroc center needs your support now and later
Without pledges, Salem area could be denied project grant
February 23, 2006
The Salem area is this close to landing $60 million to build and operate a Kroc community center.
Supporters have demonstrated that this area's need is great and that their vision is strong. Now, one hurdle remains: persuading the Salvation Army's decision-makers that this community will support the center's operation above and beyond the generous grant.
That must happen soon -- within the next few weeks. A final proposal is due at regional headquarters by April 3."

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

MSN Money - Associated Press Business News: Google Names Head of Philanthropic Efforts

MSN Money - Associated Press Business News: Google Names Head of Philanthropic Efforts: "Google Names Head of Philanthropic All Associated Press NewsMOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) - Google Inc. named Larry Brilliant the executive director of Google.org Wednesday, to lead the search engine giant's philanthropic activities."