Friday, April 21, 2006

An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife

An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife: "An Unethical Arrangement for a Lawmaker's Wife

Wednesday, April 19, 2006; Page A16

In the April 16 Sunday Politics column, 'Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife,' Thomas B. Edsall and Zachary A. Goldfarb reported that Julie Doolittle, wife of Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), had formed a fundraising company whose clients include her husband's campaign committee and his leadership PAC. Mr. Doolittle's spokesman said the company's 'compensation is based entirely upon performance in that it receives a percentage of what it is directly involved in raising.' He said the arrangement was 'consistent' with that of other fundraisers, that 'having family members paid for such work is both legal and ethical' and that it meets with the approval of the House ethics committee as long as 'compensation is consistent with the market rate.'"

ARTICLE: Local arts groups say they’ll miss Ford’s help (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com)

ARTICLE: Local arts groups say they’ll miss Ford’s help (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com): "Local arts groups say they’ll miss Ford’s help

By TERESA ANNAS, The Virginian-Pilot
© April 21, 2006

Through the years, the Ford Motor Company Fund has given local cultural groups modest donations that arts managers say would be missed if the Norfolk Assembly Plant closes in 2008 .

“At a time when we are working to build corporate support, to lose even one company’s support is a disappointment,” said Tom Costello, director of development and marketing for the Virginia Opera."

Kansas City Jewish Chronicle-"J-LEAD aims to stimulate young Jewish philantrhopy

AFP also has a Blog specifically for Youth in Philanthropy stories

Kansas City Jewish Chronicle: "J-LEAD aims to stimulate young Jewish philantrhopy
By: Barbara Bayer, Staff Writer April 21, 2006

J-LEAD, which stands for Jewish Leadership Education Action and Development, was created one year ago as a program of the Jewish Community Foundation. And it's already having an impact on the Jewish community. Earlier this month it awarded seven grants totaling $35,500. (See box, 6)
Lauren Hoopes, JCF's executive director, explained that JCF had been hoping to start a giving circle - a pooled fund through which members make grants together - for a year or two before J-LEAD was conceived."

Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper-"Towey appointed as president of St. Vincent College

Pittsburgh Catholic Newspaper - News and Features: "Towey appointed as president of St. Vincent College
current article

James Towey, 49, has been named the 16th president of St. Vincent College, effective July 1, according to an announcement April 18 by Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, chancellor, and J. Christopher Donahue, board chairman.

Towey, who has served since 2002 as assistant to the president of the United States and director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, becomes head of St. Vincent, a 160-year-old Benedictine Catholic college in Latrobe."

For many, tithing a welcome duty | Chicago Tribune

For many, tithing a welcome duty | Chicago Tribune: "For many, tithing a welcome duty
Tradition runs strong in black communities

By Avis Thomas-Lester
The Washington Post
Published April 21, 2006

WASHINGTON -- LaVonne and Bernard Snowden have three children in private school, two flourishing careers and an elegant house in Mitchellville, Md. As thanks for those blessings, the Snowdens said, they give 10 percent of everything they make to their church.

Carla Brooks, a Howard University graduate student, doesn't bring in much except her financial aid and what she earns working part time. Even so, she puts 10 percent of her money in an envelope marked 'tithes.'"

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ Nonprofit chief urges new strategy

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ Nonprofit chief urges new strategy: "Nonprofit chief urges new strategy

By MIKE CHALMERS
The News Journal
04/21/2006

To effect real change in society, and to avoid extinction, nonprofit organizations in Delaware and nationwide need to collaborate and rethink their fundraising strategies in the coming years, a national expert told leaders Thursday.

'We fight each other for money, for scraps,' said Robert Egger, co-chairman of the Nonprofit Congress, a national effort to encourage such collaboration. 'We'll never achieve the ends we seek as long as we're fighting each other.'"

ContraCostaTimes.com | 04/18/2006 | Spouse gets a cut of donations to lawmaker

ContraCostaTimes.com | 04/18/2006 | Spouse gets a cut of donations to lawmaker: "Spouse gets a cut of donations to lawmaker
By Thomas B. Edsall and Zachary A. Goldfarb
WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON - On Capitol Hill, there is widespread agreement that the annual congressional salary of $165,200 just does not go far enough on today's dollar. The clamor for ethics reform will likely make things tougher, forcing congressmen to pick up lunch and dinner tabs and pay their own way to Washington Redskins games.

One enterprising member of the House, Rep. John Doolittle, R-Granite Bay, and his wife, Julie, have found an innovative -- and apparently legal -- way to boost the family salary."

The Union - News-County leaders rally around Doolittle

The Union - News: "County leaders rally around Doolittle

By Josh Singer, joshs@theunion.com
April 21, 2006

Local Republican leaders were quick to defend Rep. John Doolittle in the wake of another allegation of misconduct concerning the congressman's campaign finances.

Doolittle's wife, Julie Doolittle, owner of Sierra Dominion Financial Institutions, receives a 15 percent commission from her husband's campaign on funds she raises for him, and some of 'that is of course shared with him' for household expenses, said his spokesman Richard Robinson."

KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Congressman hires ex-Starr aide for advice in Abramoff case

KESQ NewsChannel 3 Palm Springs, CA: Congressman hires ex-Starr aide for advice in Abramoff case: "Congressman hires ex-Starr aide for advice in Abramoff case
WASHINGTON Representative John Doolittle has hired a former aide to special prosecutor Kenneth Starr to advise him on how to answer media questions about his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff."

24 Hours Vancouver - News: Bootlegging for charity

24 Hours Vancouver - News: Bootlegging for charity: "hese boots weren't made for walking.

Work boots autographed by celebrities like Wayne and Walter Gretzky, Darryl Sittler, Bobby Orr and Pinball Clemons are being auctioned off online for a new scholarship fund for blind students."

Charity poker organizers raising stakes

Charity poker organizers raising stakes: "Charity poker organizers raising stakes
Number of 4-day events to nearly double
Friday, April 21, 2006
Tom Breckenridge
Plain Dealer Reporter

Organizers of the poker-for-charity tent on the west bank of the Flats are doubling their bets this year.

Jacobs Investments Inc. says its all-volunteer, Texas Hold 'Em tournaments will start next week and stretch into October -- 24 four-day events, almost double the number from last year.

The goal is $1 million for charity, more than twice the cash raised in 2005 at the Nautica Entertainment Complex, said David Grunenwald, vice president of development for Jacobs."

The Doolittles' Rich Deal

The Doolittles' Rich Deal: "The Doolittles' Rich Deal
How one congressional couple collected campaign checks -- and put $215,000 in their pockets

Friday, April 21, 2006; Page A22

IMAGINE THAT every time members of Congress received a $1,000 campaign contribution, they could skim $150 off the top and put it straight into their personal bank accounts. Sound shady? That is, in effect, how Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and his wife, Julie, operate. According to our review of campaign finance records, Mrs. Doolittle has received at least $215,000 from Mr. Doolittle's various campaign committees since 2001. This doesn't include $6,800 in payments to another of Mrs. Doolittle's companies, Events Plus, before she started doing his fundraising work. She's taken in nearly $100,000 during the 2006 campaign alone."

Politics - Fundraising ethics code prohibits Doolittle commission - sacbee.com

Politics - Fundraising ethics code prohibits Doolittle commission - sacbee.com: "Fundraising ethics code prohibits Doolittle commission
By David Whitney -- Bee Washington Bureau
Published 2:55 pm PDT Wednesday, April 19, 2006
WASHINGTON - Rep. John Doolittle's practice of paying a 15 percent fundraising commission to a company owned by his wife Julie has come under attack from a professional association of fundraisers.

The 27,000-member Association of Fundraising Professionals told the Roseville Republican in a letter this week that its ethics code 'explicitly prohibits percentage-based compensation' and it urged his campaign to cease paying Julie Doolittle's company, Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions, that way."
Tags:

Thursday, April 20, 2006

A Philanthropist in the Making - News - Great Falls Connection - Connection Newspapers

A Philanthropist in the Making - News - Great Falls Connection - Connection Newspapers: "A Philanthropist in the Making
McLean High School graduate plans to raise $33,333 for a failing Honduran orphanage.
By Aranya Tomseth
April 19, 2006


One night, after eating at a Burger King in Honduras, Shin Fujiyama returned to Copprome, the orphanage where he was staying and working as a volunteer. As he walked into the building, he threw his Burger King bag into a trash can at the entrance.
'Some of the kids went to the trash and took the bag out, and they began eating the leftover bun that was in the bag,' said Fujiyama. 'They shared the two French fries that were in there and gave most of it to the smallest kids. These kids have bigger hearts than I do, and that day really opened my eyes to the level of poverty.'"

It Was Clintonian -- Now It's Meat for Bush's Grinder

It Was Clintonian -- Now It's Meat for Bush's Grinder: "Supporters of an AmeriCorps program are not giving in to budget cutters without a fight.

Advocates and former participants have begun rallying opposition on Capitol Hill to President Bush's proposal to slash the National Civilian Community Corps' budget by $22 million and phase it out in a year."

ICMA-RC/Story0-"VolunteerMatch Makes It Easy to Find a Rewarding Way to Give Back for National Volunteer Week, April 23-29

ICMA-RC/Story: "VolunteerMatch Makes It Easy to Find a Rewarding Way to Give Back for National Volunteer Week, April 23-29

Market Wire - Wednesday, April 19, 2006
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Apr 19, 2006 -- National Volunteer Week is April 23-29, and millions of Americans are thinking about finding a rewarding way to get involved. With VolunteerMatch, a national, nonprofit service available at www.VolunteerMatch.org, it is easier than ever for anyone to go online and find a local volunteer opportunity right away.

'VolunteerMatch showed me all of the volunteer jobs in my area,' said Spike Taylor, an active volunteer in Arizona. 'It was the only way that I could find out what was available to me. It's a volunteer's tool -- the best there is.'"

iobserve-"Catholic Charities says Web site falsely claims connection to agency

iobserve: "Catholic Charities says Web site falsely claims connection to agency

By Catholic News Service

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS) -- The president of Catholic Charities USA has asked potential donors not to direct their contributions to a Web site that he said falsely claims a connection to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Charities and other charitable causes.

'We are alerting federal officials and will take appropriate steps to prevent donations from being solicited in such a manner,' said Father Larry Snyder, head of the Alexandria-based organization, of the Web site www.catholic-charities.net.

Legitimate Web sites associated with Catholic Charities USA include www.catholiccharitiesusa.org and www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org.

'Let me be clear, the Web site www.catholic-charities.net is not affiliated with Catholic Charities,' said Father Snyder in a statement April 17. 'We urge anyone who wants to support Catholic Charities not to make donations through www.catholic-charities.net.'"

RIC - News and Events-"Shipbuilder donates cruise ship to three New England institutions

RIC - News and Events: "Shipbuilder donates cruise ship to three New England institutions
Date Posted: April 19, 2006

Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University and Wentworth Institute of Technology will assume ownership of a 137-foot cruise ship from Rhode Island businessman.

Luther Blount, Warren, R.I. shipbuilder and owner of American Canadian Caribbean Lines, is donating the M/V Niagara Prince cruise ship to Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

The schools will accept joint ownership of the ship, valued at $6.5 million, at the end of its scheduled summer and fall foliage cruises in October.

Blount said it is the first time that a cruise ship has been donated to local colleges.
"

Fundraising group assails the Doolittles - John Doolittle - sacbee.com

Fundraising group assails the Doolittles - John Doolittle - sacbee.com: "Fundraising group assails the Doolittles
By David Whitney -- Bee Washington Bureau
Published 2:15 am PDT Thursday, April 20, 2006
Story appeared on Page A1 of The Bee
WASHINGTON - Rep. John Doolittle's practice of paying a 15 percent fundraising commission to a company owned by his wife violates the ethical standards of the industry, a national group of fundraising professionals told the congressman this week.

The 27,000-member Association of Fundraising Professionals said in a letter to Doolittle that its long-standing ethics code 'explicitly prohibits percentage-based compensation' and urged his campaign to cease doing so with Julie Doolittle's company, Sierra Dominion Financial Solutions."
Tags:

KCTV5 - Charity apparently ready to abandon raffle of $700,000 home

KCTV5 - Charity apparently ready to abandon raffle of $700,000 home: "Charity apparently ready to abandon raffle of $700,000 home

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- A charity that raffles off expensive homes to raise money apparently has failed to raise enough money to raffle off a $700,000 home in St. Charles County.

Gateway to a Cure, which raises money for spinal cord injury research, is under investigation by the Missouri attorney general's office.

The St. Louis-area charity announced its 'Grand Giveaway' raffle more than 2 1/2 years ago, but the owner of the home, Arbor Homes, said slow ticket sales have prompted it to put the house up for sale."

NPQ - Spring Issue - Research and Nonprofit Excellence

NPQ - Spring Issue - Research and Nonprofit Excellence: "Research and Nonprofit Excellence

by Ruth McCambridge

When was the last time you were in a nonprofit staff or board meeting where the agenda included a discussion of the implications or lessons from a specific research study?

Despite thousands of evaluations in human services, countless foundation and government reporting regimens, an “outcomes” movement, small armies of evaluation consultants, large parts of the nonprofit sector engage in very little discussion of contemporary research within organization managements, boards or supporters. Is research avoidance something inherent in our nonprofit corporate cultures?"

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The Chronicle, 4/19/2006: Head of White House 'Faith-Based' Effort Resigns

The Chronicle, 4/19/2006: Head of White House 'Faith-Based' Effort Resigns: "Head of White House 'Faith-Based' Effort Resigns
By Ian Wilhelm

Washington

H. James Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying that despite his departure, President Bush will continue to steer federal dollars for social services to religious organizations.

'The wall between church and state is still standing, faith-based groups have been welcomed into the public square, and the poor have benefited from having access to their effective programs,' Mr. Towey said. Efforts to channel aid to religious groups are 'established and will continue to bear fruit for years and years to come,' he said."

Habitat's new HQ headed to Southern Co.'s old digs - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

Habitat's new HQ headed to Southern Co.'s old digs - Atlanta Business Chronicle:: "The nonprofit will take 27,632 square feet of space at 270 Peachtree St., site of Southern Co.'s (NYSE: SO) former headquarters. The new office will open in August.

'While our operational headquarters will remain in Americus, Ga., where Habitat for Humanity was founded and has flourished, we are thrilled today to announce the establishment of administrative headquarters in downtown Atlanta, a world-class city with world-class services essential to a growing, global organizations,' said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat CEO, in a statement obtained by Atlanta Business Chronicle."

Baptist missions leader quits | ajc.com

Baptist missions leader quits | ajc.com: "Baptist missions leader quits
Management of finances questioned

By By GAYLE WHITE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/18/06

The president of the Southern Baptist Convention's domestic missions agency resigned Monday, two months after a Georgia Baptist newspaper raised questions about his leadership.

The Rev. Robert Reccord had headed the North American Mission Board, based in Alpharetta, since it was created from three other agencies in 1997. With a 2006 budget of $124 million, the agency is responsible for the 15-million-member denomination's new churches, evangelism, disaster relief and broadcast ministries in the United States and Canada."

You can now subscribe to this blog by email or RSS

We are now offering the option of email subscriptions to this blog. Just enter your email address in the subscribe box to the right. Or click on the subscribe icon to subscribe via RSS.

The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - "Nonprofit execs feeling the pressure

The Ithaca Journal - www.theithacajournal.com - Ithaca, NY: "Nonprofit execs feeling the pressure

By KELLY HILDEBRANDT
Gannett News Service

It can be lonely at the top — even if you're the executive director of a nonprofit organization. Not only are you trying to keep the board, staff and clients happy despite their different needs, but you also must be a financial magician and constant cheerleader to raise money.

Most people, including executive directors, work at a nonprofit because they love the cause and the work.

Yet three of four executives in the nonprofit sector plan to leave their jobs within five years, according to a recent study by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, a consulting group in San Francisco, and The Meyer Foundation."

Big givers ranked for the first time( Colonial Williamsburg)

Big givers ranked for the first time: "A Who's Who of philanthropists to Colonial Williamsburg has been assembled to honor them, and attract more.

The Philanthropy Courtyard at the entrance of the Visitor Center was quietly unveiled to honor those who have donated at least $1 million to the foundation since it was established in 1926.


The list is intriguing because it's the first time any ranking of the biggest givers has been made public, not to mention prominently. As one might expect, the top tiers are dominated by Rockefellers and other names familiar for the buildings they endowed. "

.:: Welcome To The Jewish Ledger ::.Women's philanthropy continues its upward trend

Just a reminder that the excerpts we choose are not neccessarily from the beginning of the article.

.:: Welcome To The Jewish Ledger ::.:
snip snip>

"'Jewish women have a long legacy and tradition of being philanthropic...of giving tzedakah and performing acts of chesed - what has come to be called acts of lovingkindness. I think that sense of giving that women have still exists in our communities today,' says Perry.
'In America, women continue to be extremely generous and extremely philanthropic, whether they have a tzedakah box that they throw coins into when they light the Sabbath candles, or whether they give through pledges to Federation or the many other worthy causes in our communities.'
"

Lacrosse incident could slow down giving at Duke - Triangle - MSNBC.com

Lacrosse incident could slow down giving at Duke - Triangle - MSNBC.com: "Lacrosse incident could slow down giving at Duke
Related Stories

By Michael Wagner
Triangle Business Journal
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET April 16, 2006

DURHAM - Amid the round-the-clock headlines surrounding the rape allegations made against members of the Duke University lacrosse team, school officials find themselves in the delicate position of trying to protect the university's elite reputation while also diverting any potential financial damage to the university's coffers.

starbulletin.com | News | /2006/04/19/-Former charity worker facing more charges

starbulletin.com | News | /2006/04/19/: "Former charity worker facing more charges
By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

Honolulu police are expanding an investigation into fundraising activities by Timothy Peter Janusz, who allegedly steered Salvation Army donations to companies controlled by him.

Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter told Circuit Judge Derrick Chan yesterday that more charges are expected against the 48-year-old Janusz.

'There's at least five additional potential offenses the defendant committed during his employment with Salvation Army involving real property and other donations,' Van Marter said.

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Future of national parks depends on efforts of many

CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Future of national parks depends on efforts of many: "Park philanthropies have traditionally provided the National Park Service with funds that provide a margin of excellence, but continued federal under funding could force them to provide a margin of survival. This is unfair to the donor who has made a good faith contribution with the expectation that their gift will support the “excellence” factor. This arrangement could even potentially establish a form of double taxation: a donor pays for parks once via the IRS, and the second time via a charitable gift to compensate, unwittingly, for a park operations offset."

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Most Americans Gave To Hurricane Relief and Their Other Charities as Well

Most Americans Gave To Hurricane Relief and Their Other Charities as Well: "Most Americans Gave To Hurricane Relief and Their Other Charities as Well
Apr. 17, 2006

Most Americans who gave money to help victims of the Katrina and Rita hurricanes also contributed to all of their normal charities as well, according to a nationwide survey released today by The Conference Board. (Fears were expressed that giving to help victims of the Louisiana and Mississippi disasters would reduce giving to other charities).

Nine out ten Americans who gave funds to hurricane relief efforts also gave to their customary charities.
"

newsobserver.com | Museums study merger

newsobserver.com | Museums study merger: "Museums study merger
County OKs its half of funding for a look at how to join Playspace and Exploris

Ryan Teague Beckwith, Staff Writer
Two Raleigh museums are looking more closely at how a merger would work.

Child-oriented Playspace and international-themed Exploris want to hire Cincinnati-based Kraemer Design & Production to study how they could create a new museum aimed at children under age 12.

The nonprofits have talked about a merger for several months, but the study would be the first concrete step.

Wake County and the city of Raleigh would split the cost, including $50,000 to develop a conceptual plan and $20,000 to determine whether the museum could support itself with government subsidies, private donations and admissions fees."

Getty Trust's Membership Restored - Yahoo! News

Getty Trust's Membership Restored - Yahoo! News: "The nation's leading group of foundations and charitable organizations said it has restored the J. Paul Getty Trust's full membership status after seeing 'positive and significant' reforms at the beleaguered trust.

The Council on Foundations placed the trust on probation in December for failing to provide adequate documentation as part of a review into the trust's financial practices."

Elton John's threads raise $700,000 for AIDS charities | News | Advocate.com

Elton John's threads raise $700,000 for AIDS charities | News | Advocate.com: "Elton John's threads raise $700,000 for AIDS charity

After all the receipts were counted for Elton John's five-day charity clothing sale, the pop star's flashy duds managed to pull in more than $700,000 for AIDS charities."

Cheneys Donate Millions In Charity

Cheneys Donate Millions In Charity: "Cheneys Donate Millions In Charity
Scholarship Fund, Heart Center Benefit

By Lisa Rein and Amy Goldstein
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, April 18, 2006; Page B01

Millions of dollars in charitable contributions from Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne, will nearly double the budget of a scholarship fund for low-income area teenagers to attend private schools and will help George Washington University create a center to study heart disease.

The Cheneys' 2005 federal tax return, released by the White House late last week, shows that they made a $2.7 million donation to the Cardiothoracic Institute of George Washington University Medical Center, where the vice president has been treated for heart ailments."

Channelnewsasia.com-Former NKF CEO TT Durai charged with corruption

Channelnewsasia.com: "Former NKF CEO TT Durai charged with corruption

SINGAPORE : Former National Kidney Foundation (NKF) CEO TT Durai has been slapped with two charges of corruption.

He is accused of submitting false invoices to mislead the NKF.

One charge reads that 57-year-old Durai had, between December 2003 and January 2004, deceived the NKF into making a $20,000 payment to a company for providing interior design consultancy service for various dialysis centres in 2003. "

Journal and Courier Online - News-Junk costly for nonprofits

Journal and Courier Online - News: "It happens mainly at night. And on weekends.

People with junked items they would have to pay to dispose of, avoid the cost by leaving the stuff outside the back doors of nonprofit groups that gladly accept usable clothing, furniture and other goods for resale.

But disposing of used tires, dead car batteries and broken appliances in that manner stretches the already thin budgets of the organizations."

Monday, April 17, 2006

Bloomberg.com: Culture-New Yorkers Would Rather Give Than Go as Charity Galas Abound

Bloomberg.com: Culture: "New Yorkers Would Rather Give Than Go as Charity Galas Abound

(The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Bloomberg.)

By Lisa Kassenaar

April 17 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Fisch got 25 invitations last week to Manhattan charity parties. The private equity investor, who already spends as many as 15 days a month traveling, says he'll probably attend five benefits this spring.

``It's time away from my family and my work,'' says Fisch, 43, president of American Securities Capital Partners LLC. He will donate to about 10 causes and may get more than 100 invitations by the time the season's social whirl ends, he says. ``There's only so much I can do.''"

Musematic » Museum Blogging

Musematic » Museum Blogging: "While blogs have been around for the last few years, it is only recently that museums have started using blogs as part of carrying out their mission. Blogs began mainly are personal “web logs” and a few intrepid museum professionals that have been adding their voices to the blogosphere. Museums have also begun to use blogs as ways to reach out to their audiences, by providing behind-the-scenes updates on renovations and exhibit development, a place for conversations about exhibits, and to discuss topics of professional practice.

I thought a good way to introduce myself to the Musematic audience was to talk a little about what blogs do for me and how I generally use them."
Tags:

The Chronicle, 4/20/2006: Development Dollar Divide

The Chronicle, 4/20/2006: Development Dollar Divide: "Development Dollar Divide
Evidence of gender gap in pay found in study of fund raisers

By Holly Hall and Leah Kerkman
Atlanta

The gender gap in pay for fund raisers is a reality, according to the first comprehensive study of the salary differential


Women who hold the top development jobs at their institutions earn 12 percent less than their male counterparts — even when they are the same age as the men, have the same education and experience, and work for organizations with similar missions and budgets, according to research presented here at the annual meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Money tops time - Philanthropy Journal-Your online source for news about nonprofits, social issues, and policy change

Money tops time - Philanthropy Journal-Your online source for news about nonprofits, social issues, and policy change: "Money tops time

Americans prefer to give money rather than time, study says.

04.10.2006 -

Americans believe it is easier to donate money to support charitable causes than it is to volunteer their time, a significant difference from a year ago, a new study says.

Overall, half of people surveyed by Minneapolis-based Thrivent Financial for Lutherans say they find it easier to give money than time, up 13 percent from last year."

Metro Briefing - New York Times-MANHATTAN: NEW PRESIDENT FOR James Beard FOUNDATION

Metro Briefing - New York Times: "NEW YORK

MANHATTAN: NEW PRESIDENT FOR FOUNDATION The James Beard Foundation, a culinary charity whose board resigned en masse last year after its former president admitted stealing from the foundation, named a new president yesterday. The president, Susan Ungaro, 52, is the former editor in chief of Family Circle magazine, where she worked from 1976 to 2005."

Parks Feel '80 Percent' Squeeze

Parks Feel '80 Percent' Squeeze: "Parks Feel '80 Percent' Squeeze
Visitor Services Getting Pinched in Move to Cut Costs

By Matt Stearns
Knight Ridder
Monday, April 17, 2006; Page A11

The Bush administration has ordered America's national parks to show that they can function at 80 percent or less of their operating budgets, which is forcing some parks to cut services for visitors as summer approaches.

National Park Service officials said the initiative was an effort to cope with the rising costs of salaries, utilities and other management expenses without harming the parks' 'core' missions of protecting the nation's natural treasures and enabling visitors to enjoy them. The Park Service has more than 270 million visitors annually."

Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife

Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife: "Donations for a Congressman, Profits for His Wife

By Thomas B. Edsall and Zachary A. Goldfarb
Sunday, April 16, 2006; Page A05

On Capitol Hill, there is widespread agreement that the annual congressional salary of $165,200 just does not go far enough on today's dollar. The clamor for ethics reform will likely make things tougher, forcing congressmen to pick up lunch and dinner tabs and pay their own way to Redskins games.

One enterprising member of the House, Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.), and his wife, Julie Doolittle, have found an innovative -- and apparently legal -- way to boost the family salary."

Colorado Daily News-Raising their hands

Colorado Daily News: "Raising their hands

By PAULA PANT Your Town Correspondent
Sunday, April 16, 2006 9:41 PM MDT

More than 400 local residents will kickoff National Volunteer Week by planting gardens, fixing fences, decorating cards and otherwise contributing their Saturday morning to helping others at this year's I Volunteer! Day.

Held April 22, I Volunteer! Day is “a mobilization of volunteers throughout the area in one time period,” said coordinator Christine Berg. “We try to create an opportunity for absolutely anyone.”
"

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story-Paper Promise: Direct mail still holding its own in the electronic age

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Paper Promise: Direct mail still holding its own in the electronic age
Elisa BirnbaumApril 17, 2006
By Elisa Birnbaum

While so much of our daily lives is now conducted online, one vestige of our paper past - a remnant of fundraising days of yore - still holds strong. Direct mail, in all its varied and colourful incarnations, continues to fill our mail slots, drop to awaiting floors, and give our mail carriers backaches. Yes, in this electronic age, direct mail is holding its own. But how is it achieving this improbable feat and what lies ahead for this traditional element of direct response marketing, especially as donors become increasingly tech savvy?"

Trustees to reimburse charitable foundation - The Boston Globe

Trustees to reimburse charitable foundation - The Boston Globe: "Trustees to reimburse charitable foundation
AG's investigation leads to agreement

By Francie Latour and Walter V. Robinson, Globe Staff | April 14, 2006

Trustees at a prominent local foundation took money meant for charity to enrich themselves, and its top directors will have to return more than $1 million under an agreement with the office of Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly."

TIP SHEET-CHARITY: Gauge a nonprofit before you contribute to it

TIP SHEET: "
More than a million charities are registered with the Internal Revenue Service, and the total is growing. So are problems, or at least the attention paid to fraudulent, poorly managed or otherwise deficient nonprofits.

But there is also a renewed focus on donating -- witness the outpourings after the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina -- and on donating well."

North Lake Tahoe Bonanza Nonprofits collaborate for summer tournaments

North Lake Tahoe Bonanza - Your Town: "Nonprofits collaborate for summer tournaments


Patricia Hickson
Bonanza Staff Writer
April 14, 2006


In what has been described as a shining example of collaboration, three major educational nonprofits are combining energies this summer to attempt a joint fundraiser.

The America Association of University Women, the Incline Schools Academic Foundation and Project MANA will host the 'Golf Fore Education' tournament scheduled for June 25.

'What we have in common is education,' said chair of ISAF Bill Horn. 'Project MANA deals with nutrition education, AAUW helps with education for women and ISEF has been raising money for tutoring as well as mini grants...."

HND conference a success-

HND conference a success: "HND conference a success



About 1003 people attended the 2006 Hmong National Development Conference the weekend of March 16-19 at the Minneapolis Downtown Hilton. This 11th conference, held annually in various cities with a sizeable Hmong population, had the theme this year of “Leadership for Tomorrow” and served as a truly remarkable marking point at what has been accomplished and what is yet to come in the Hmong American community."

What The Coconut Grove Playhouse Needs To Do (BroadwayWorld.com)

What The Coconut Grove Playhouse Needs To Do (BroadwayWorld.com): "What The Coconut Grove Playhouse Needs To Do
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April 14, 2006 - by Beau Higgins

On Thursday, it was being widely reported that Miami’s legendary Coconut Grove Playhouse had closed. We were the first to report on Thursday morning that the Playhouse was actually not going to close. However, the leaders and staff of the Coconut Grove Playhouse must take fast, and passionate action, to make sure the Playhouse is never in danger of truly shutting down. More about that shortly.

There are many ironies in this story. It was just a few precious days ago, Monday, April 10, that Arnold Mittelman, the Playhouse’s Chief Executive Officer and Producing/Artistic Director was given the Carbonell’s (South Florida equivalent to the Tony award) George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. This happened two days before the ‘Closed’ sign was placed at the theater."

IBJ Story-Paid boards spur not-for-profit debate

IBJ Story: "Paid boards spur not-for-profit debate
Critics: If directors won't give time, who will?

By Andrea Muirragui Davis
IBJ Reporter

Indianapolis-based USA Funds is a large, complex organization, and members of its governing board are busy people.

Same goes for the NCAA, another local not-for-profit with a national reach, a nine-figure budget and directors who are anything but professional volunteers.

The two organizations have one key difference, though:

USA Funds pays its board members. The NCAA does not."

WUSA9.com - PG County Among Nation's Most Giving Counties

WUSA9.com - PG County Among Nation's Most Giving Counties: "G County Among Nation's Most Giving Counties

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Written by The Associated Press
Created:4/15/2006 10:19:05 AM
Last Updated:4/16/2006 4:00:29 PM

The practice of tithing has helped place Prince George's County among the country's most charitable.

A study by the Chronicle of Philanthropy says the county is among the top five counties in the U.S. based on donations as a percentage of income.

Tithing - or voluntarily contributing part of your annual income to support churches and charities - has been important in the county.

Massive fraud hits tsunami aid - Sunday Times - Times Online

Massive fraud hits tsunami aid - Sunday Times - Times Online: "Massive fraud hits tsunami aid
Michael Sheridan, Banda Aceh
Builders take charity millions
THIS was supposed to be the scene of the world’s greatest aid effort, but endemic corruption has drained it of millions of pounds while leaving tens of thousands of tsunami victims stranded in tents.

Banda Aceh was ground zero in the tsunami of Boxing Day 2004, which claimed more than 200,000 lives across the Indian Ocean. More people died here than anywhere else.

Now two charities that raised unprecedented sums in Britain have fallen victim to rip-offs that ruined their efforts to house the survivors and have forced them to suspend key projects."

The Sun News | 04/16/2006 | Nonprofits learn caution from Lymo

The Sun News | 04/16/2006 | Nonprofits learn caution from Lymo: "Nonprofits learn caution from Lymo
Boards keep closer watch after scandal
By David Wren
The Sun News

The financial scandal at the Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority has caused some area nonprofit groups and government agencies to pay closer attention to their spending policies.

Some directors, however, say they struggle to strike a balance between holding staff members accountable and micromanaging them.

'Boards of directors are paying big-time attention now to how the money is being spent,' said Howard Barnard, an Horry County councilman who serves on the board of directors of several area groups including the transportation authority, also known as Lymo."

The Seattle Times: Make It Count: Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?

The Seattle Times: Make It Count: Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?: "Do telephone surveys skirt the do-not-call laws?

Q: Over the past few weeks we've received automated calls that purport to be a survey. Today, for example, we received an automated call that claimed to be from 'My Surveys' (the names of these surveys change from call to call, we've noticed). The recorded voice says you've been selected for a survey and then asks a series of questions to which you are to respond either yes or no by pushing numbers 1 or 2 on your phone. Some questions are financial: for example, 'Do you have a mortgage?' Today's survey asked if anyone in your family has an addiction.

Who are these people? What are they up to? Is this practice, as I suspect, an attempt to get around the do-not-call list? And is there anything we can do to get them to stop?

— M.M.

A: Surveys are one of three types of calls that are exempt from the do-not-call registry, said Charles Harwood, regional director for the Federal Trade Commission. (Political calls and nonprofit activities are also exempt). If the survey turns into a sales pitch, then it is a commercial call and should be covered by the do-not-call rules, he said."

Practicers of quiet philanthropy - baltimoresun.com

Practicers of quiet philanthropy - baltimoresun.com: "Practicers of quiet philanthropy
Millionaire Maryland couple don't judge themselves by how much wealth they've accrued but by how many people they've been able to help
By Joe Burris
Sun reporter
Originally published April 16, 2006
Eddie and Sylvia Brown have hung the provocative artwork in a can't-miss-it spot in their Glen Arm home, giving them ample opportunity to ponder its message.

The piece, by African-American artist Betye Saar, features three washboards hung vertically, each with a poignant image of old, tired washerwomen primed to tackle the day's laundry. The work's title is imprinted in bold lettering: Lest We Forget, Upon Whose Shoulders, We Now Stand.

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'Every day when we head to our garage,' said Eddie Brown, 'it's there.'"

Former HealthSouth CEO Focuses on Ministry - Forbes.com

Former HealthSouth CEO Focuses on Ministry - Forbes.com: "Former HealthSouth CEO Focuses on Ministry
By JAY REEVES , 04.16.2006, 01:40 PM

Ordained as a minister and acquitted in a $2.7 billion fraud, fired HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy is done with the corporate boardroom. Now, he says, it's all about God.

Scrushy has helped found a ministry he says is feeding starving children in Africa and is planning even more missions work. It will also build a Bible-based university and offer services including mortgages, insurance and health care, he says."

News Article - WJBDRadio.com

News Article - WJBDRadio.com: "A St. Louis area charity has reportedly settled with a Texico woman who won their 'Grand Giveaway' raffle. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the woman who had asked to be identified by her maiden name of S. Clark agreed to an undisclosed amount of cash."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Study says folks willing to pay taxes to fund arts

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Study says folks willing to pay taxes to fund arts: "Study says folks willing to pay taxes to fund arts

By Preston Turegano
UNION-TRIBUNE ARTS WRITER

April 16, 2006

San Diego County residents have an ongoing, active relationship with the arts and most would be willing to pay additional taxes if they were strictly used to support art and culture activities and facilities.

Those are some of the key findings of a two-year study commissioned by a task force of the San Diego Foundation, which works with citizens concerned about community problems and manages 1,050 separate philanthropic funds."

The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Project to get more people involved in nonprofits - 2006-04-17

The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Project to get more people involved in nonprofits - 2006-04-17: "Project to get more people involved in nonprofits
The Business Journal of Milwaukee - April 14, 2006
by Rich Kirchen

An advertising and Web site campaign will launch May 2 to recruit more people from metropolitan Milwaukee's business community and general community to volunteer for area nonprofits.

The initiative is called Project Ripple Effect. The main goal is to attract a wider swath of volunteers for nonprofit organizations that frequently rely on the same, narrow group of volunteer board members, helpers and donors, organizers said."

United Way Says Ex-Leader Took Assets - New York Times

United Way Says Ex-Leader Took Assets - New York Times: "United Way Says Ex-Leader Took Assets


By STEPHANIE STROM
Published: April 14, 2006

The United Way of New York City said yesterday that an internal investigation had determined that its former leader, Ralph Dickerson Jr., diverted $227,000 of charitable assets for personal use in 2002 and 2003."

Tithing Rewards Both Spiritual and Financial

Tithing Rewards Both Spiritual and Financial: "Tithing Rewards Both Spiritual and Financial
Pr. George's Among Nation's Most Giving

By Avis Thomas-Lester
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, April 15, 2006; Page A01

LaVonne and Bernard Snowden have three children in private school, two flourishing careers and an elegant house in Mitchellville. As thanks for those blessings, the Snowdens say, they give 10 percent of everything they make to their church.

Carla Brooks, a Howard University graduate student, doesn't bring in much except her financial aid and what she earns working part time. Even so, she puts 10 percent of her money in an envelope marked 'tithes.'"