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, November 10, 2006

Smart investments are crucial to philanthropy. - By Henry Blodget - Slate Magazine

Smart investments are crucial to philanthropy. - By Henry Blodget - Slate Magazine: "The Gifts That Keep On GivingWhy smart investment policy is critical to healthy philanthropy.
By Henry Blodget
Updated Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at 12:27 PM ET

Click here to read more from Slate's philanthropy series.

Does the world's largest philanthropic foundation suffer from the same investing affliction that cripples many mere financial mortals—'myopic loss aversion'? Or is there another explanation for why the $32 billion Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation invests its massive endowment so conservatively that it might lose value and influence in future years?"

Philanthropy In Manufacturing - 11/10/2006 8:25:00 AM - Manufacturing.Net - CA6390132

Philanthropy In Manufacturing - 11/10/2006 8:25:00 AM - Manufacturing.Net - CA6390132: "Philanthropy In Manufacturing
By Nancy Syverson, Editor-in-Chief, IMPO
Manufacturing.Net - November 10, 2006

American industry has a long tradition of corporate giving. In 1889, Andrew Carnegie, founder of Carnegie Steel (today U.S. Steel) publically announced that the rich had a moral obligation to give away their fortunes. Since then, corporations have developed a wide array of charitable vehicles: foundations; non-profit and association umbrella groups; and community outreach programs.

In dollars and cents, charitable corporate contributions are on the rise. The Conference Board estimated that corporations gave away $12 billion in charitable donations in 2004, a big jump from only $3.88 billion in 2003. Targeted areas of contribution were health and human services; education; and art. In addition, international giving has also increased. More than $260 mln has been donated to Tsunami relief funding."

The 19th-century critique of big philanthropy. - By David Nasaw - Slate Magazine

The 19th-century critique of big philanthropy. - By David Nasaw - Slate Magazine: "Looking the Carnegie Gift Horse in the MouthThe 19th-century critique of big philanthropy.
By David Nasaw
Posted Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at 12:27 PM ET

Click here to read more from Slate's philanthropy series.

Warren Buffett's announcement in June that he was giving $31 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was greeted with near universal acclaim. About 120 years ago, when Andrew Carnegie declared in his 'Gospel of Wealth' essays"

National Philanthropy Day(R) Honors Millions Who 'Change the World with a Giving Heart': Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

More information on local National Philanthropy Day® events can be found on the official website -- http://www.nationalphilanthropyday.org.

PRESS RELEASE

National Philanthropy Day(R) Honors Millions Who 'Change the World with a Giving Heart': Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "National Philanthropy Day(R) Honors Millions Who 'Change the World with a Giving Heart'
Friday November 10, 9:00 am ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Charitable organizations across North America and around the world will celebrate and recognize the countless contributions that philanthropy -- and the millions of donors and volunteers who support philanthropy -- has made to our communities on National Philanthropy Day® (NPD), November 15.

More than 110 events involving over 50,000 people will take place in almost every major metropolitan area across North America. These celebrations will honor local philanthropists, donors, businesses, foundations and others who work everyday to 'Change the World with a Giving Heart,' the theme of National Philanthropy Day®.

'National Philanthropy Day is the special time that we set aside to remember how important giving and volunteering are,' said Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), which has been a key supporter of National Philanthropy Day®."

cbs5.com - Bay City News Wire-UNITED WAY SURVEY FINDS BAY AREA NONPROFITS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS

cbs5.com - Bay City News Wire: "UNITED WAY SURVEY FINDS BAY AREA NONPROFITS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT PROSPECTS
11/10/06 1:55 PST

Nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area are generally feeling optimistic about their prospects for 2007, according to a survey released by United Way of the Bay Area.

UWBA sent surveys to 2,201 nonprofits in 11 counties in and near the Bay Area in October asking about charitable giving and received 331 completed surveys - a return rate of around 15 percent."

KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | 48% Of Charitable Donations In Washington Actually Went To Charity

KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | 48% Of Charitable Donations In Washington Actually Went To Charity: "How would you feel if only ten percent of the money you contributed to a charity actually went to the intended cause?

On Thursday, Secretary of Sate, Sam Reed revealed some information about how much money some fundraisers in Washington actually donate."

FIU loses $20M donation, board member - South Florida Business Journal:

FIU loses $20M donation, board member - South Florida Business Journal:: "FIU loses $20M donation, board member
South Florida Business Journal - 5:35 PM EST Thursday
by Brian Bandell

Herbert Wertheim has withdrawn his pledge to donate $20 million to Florida International University's newly created College of Medicine and resigned from the university's board of trustees after a dispute with the administration.

The former chairman of the FIU board of trustees, Wertheim, requested his name be taken off the college of medicine. He had been one of its key supporters as the college won state approval this year and his donation and its state match was to be a large part of its funding. The donation was the largest in FIU's history."

Fifth Annual GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey Reveals Both Charitable Donations and Demand up: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Fifth Annual GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey Reveals Both Charitable Donations and Demand up: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Fifth Annual GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey Reveals Both Charitable Donations and Demand up
Thursday November 9, 5:47 pm ET
Three-Year Trend Continues

WILLIAMSBURG, Va., and WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, the GuideStar nonprofit economic survey indicates that both support for charitable organizations and demand for their services is increasing."

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Benioff the Author Strikes Again

Benioff the Author Strikes Again: "Benioff wrote about this in his previous book, Compassionate Capitalism: How Corporations Can Make Doing Good an Integral Part of Doing Well. Now he's back with another book on philanthropy, The Business of Changing the World. This one is a collection of essays on philanthropy by business and social leaders including Michael Dell, Craig Barrett of Intel, Steve Case of Revolution, and Laura Scher of Working Assets."

Start good practices young: 5 tips on how to raise charitable children - Orlando Sentinel : Features Start good practices young: 5 tips on how to rais

Start good practices young: 5 tips on how to raise charitable children - Orlando Sentinel : Features Start good practices young: 5 tips on how to raise charitable children - Orlando Sentinel : Features: "Carol Weisman is a speaker on philanthropy, volunteerism and fundraising. Back in the 1980s when her sons were young, she found ways to instill in them a sense of philanthropy (on their birthdays, for example, they made a small donation to the charity of their choice; it became a family tradition). Her book -- Raising Charitable Children (F.E. Robbins & Sons, $14.95) -- does a good job of helping parents guide their children in the right direction.

1. Introduce kids to charitable giving when they're 3 or 4; even that young, they understand the concepts of giving and caring."

The Chronicle, 11/8/2006: What the Election Results Mean for Nonprofit Groups

The Chronicle, 11/8/2006: What the Election Results Mean for Nonprofit Groups: "What the Election Results Mean for Nonprofit Groups

By Leslie Lenkowsky

The results of this week's election were mostly a reflection of how voters felt about foreign policy and corruption in Washington.

While those issues are of concern to people in the nonprofit world, other issues at stake on Tuesday will have a more direct impact on many types of nonprofit groups."

B.C. women honoured for their quiet giving

B.C. women honoured for their quiet giving: "B.C. women honoured for their quiet giving

Nicholas Read, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, November 09, 2006

Three B.C. women known for devoting their lives to giving will be honoured next month at a Scotia Private Client Group Women in Philanthropy luncheon.

The luncheon, to be held Dec. 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel, will be the first of what organizers hope will be an annual affair celebrating generous B.C. women."

Arkansas Times

Arkansas Times: "It has been 10 years since the online magazine Slate began publishing the Slate 60, a list of the country’s most generous givers to charity, in a bit of advocacy journalism.

Slate will celebrate that anniversary next week at the Clinton Library, where it will stage the Slate 60 Conference on Innovative Philanthropy.

Speakers will include Bill Clinton, Ted Turner (No. 15 on the Slate 60 list for 2005), William Gates Sr., New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (No. 7), AOL founder Steve Case, Product RED
founder Bobby Shriver, Venture Philanthropy Partners chair Mario Morino and Generation Engage founder Justin Rockefeller."

VOA News - Some Philanthropists in America Give More Than Money

VOA News - Some Philanthropists in America Give More Than Money : "The common perception of philanthropy in America is that of the very rich donating money to humanitarian causes through non-profit foundations. But according to a study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, America's middle class contributes 59 percent of all philanthropic dollars. And many believe that motivated individuals have a much greater impact than the corporate model foundations at solving the problems of poverty."

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

At United Way, they’ve figured out that youth thing | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

At United Way, they’ve figured out that youth thing | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA: "As a newcomer to Pierce County, Diana Stover wanted to learn about the place, get to know other young folks and do some good.

But how?

“Life is so crazy,” Stover said. “It’s difficult with the computer age; you communicate so frequently over e-mail now, it just seems like we’re a hands-off generation.”

Who can understand kids these days?
Turns out United Way of Tacoma-Pierce County does. The do-good workplace fundraiser, which some might describe as stodgy, created an ultramodern answer for twentysomethings and thirtysomethings.

In oldtimey, techno-academic terms, you’d call it “episodic volunteerism-infused social networking.”

Since January, United Way calls it Project:U."

AP Wire | 11/08/2006 | Column: Social circles practice charity

AP Wire | 11/08/2006 | Column: Social circles practice charity: "Column: Social circles practice charity
EILEEN ALT POWELL
Associated Press

NEW YORK - Every other month, Karlene Grabner joins about 20 women for a pot luck supper that may seem like a social gathering but actually has a much more serious purpose.

Grabner is part of a group that calls itself the GEMS, an acronym for Giving Empowers My Sisters. Formed more than a year ago, the GEMS pool their money to donate to charitable causes in their community, Oshkosh, Wis.

The GEMS are part of a growing cadre of charitable giving circles that gather people interested in philanthropy and enable them to pool their money and time so they can have a bigger impact than they would by donating individually."

Frank Sietzen: A lesson to nonprofits with federal funds: Diversify - Examiner.com

Frank Sietzen: A lesson to nonprofits with federal funds: Diversify - Examiner.com:
Frank Sietzen, The Examiner
Nov 6, 2006 5:00 AM (2 days ago)
Current rank: Not ranked
WASHINGTON - We don’t usually think of nonprofits as depending on federal funds, but many local charities count on federal monies to accomplish their missions. Like any sole-source operation, these groups can be imperiled by changes in federal policy, personnel shifts or tightening federal budgets.

The D.C. nonprofit Alliance for Healthy Homes nearly ran aground when a shift in agency management led to a disconnect with the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development."

The Daily Evergreen Online - Life - Columns

The Daily Evergreen Online - Life - Columns: "Nonprofits expanding, more jobs available

Many different majors can prepare students for work in the growing nonprofit sector.

The Daily Evergreen

Sure, you know they are out there. You might even know what some of them do. But have you ever considered the career and volunteer opportunities of the nonprofit sector? Nonprofits range in size, structure, location and breadth, but they have a few things in common – namely, their rapid growth."

Shriners Seize a Clubhouse in a Dispute Over $119,000 - New York Times

Shriners Seize a Clubhouse in a Dispute Over $119,000 - New York Times: "Shriners Seize a Clubhouse in a Dispute Over $119,000

By STEPHANIE STROM
Published: November 7, 2006

The leader of a Shrine temple in Huntsville, Ala., seized an affiliated club’s building Sunday, saying it would be sold to raise $119,000 that should have gone to the Shriners Hospitals for Children but had instead been used to pay the club’s own bills."

German university finds money in a name - Business - International Herald Tribune

German university finds money in a name - Business - International Herald Tribune: "BREMEN, Germany: Moments after learning that their university had offered to change its name in return for a €200 million donation, students at the International University of Bremen gathered on campus the other day to debate whether the gift was worth the price.

A few complained that the new name, Jacobs University, was not dignified, given that it honored a billionaire businessman, Klaus Jacobs. In Germany, extreme wealth is still viewed with suspicion rather than reverence."

Videos in Lobby Help Nonprofit Theaters Keep Actors on Stage - New York Times

Videos in Lobby Help Nonprofit Theaters Keep Actors on Stage - New York Times: "THE world of nonprofit regional theater has been an uncluttered oasis in a commercial-laden world.

But nothing lasts forever.

Seven major regional theaters around the country — from Seattle, Wash., to Providence, R.I. — have put video monitors in their lobbies to carry information and advertising."

Monday, November 06, 2006

Journal Gazette | 11/06/2006 | Hands on the inheritance

Journal Gazette | 11/06/2006 | Hands on the inheritance: "Hands on the inheritance
Save or donate, splurge or invest? Life gets topsy-turvy when you get your…
By Stefanie Scarlett
The Journal Gazette

If you should suddenly find yourself wealthier, because of an inheritance or lottery payout, you might start having visions of the good life.

Your dream could be to splurge on that luxury cruise, second home, new car or boat."

WCFCourier.com | The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier Online!-"A new era for United Way brings optimism and hope

WCFCourier.com | The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier Online!: "A new era for United Way brings optimism and hope
By JENS MANUEL KROGSTAD, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- Glance at the spreadsheet, and not much has changed.

Last year, the Cedar Valley United Way broke the $2.4 million fundraising barrier for the first time since 2001. It hauled in a record $2,455,129.

But passing the $2.4 million barrier is nothing new for the United Way, which raised that much from 1999 to 2001.

While the level of giving doesn't jump off the page, it is how the organization has climbed back and even inched to new heights that has United Way officials thinking this is the year it will finally put its history of stagnant fundraising to rest."

The State | 11/06/2006 | CBJ | Giving: Women taking care of women in burgeoning female philanthropy

The State | 11/06/2006 | CBJ | Giving: Women taking care of women in burgeoning female philanthropy: "CBJ | Giving: Women taking care of women in burgeoning female philanthropy
By JASON RYAN
jpryan@thestate.com

When Ian Sanchez found a willing ear on the outdoor patio, he filled it with up with song.

“Rise up, water, rise up.

“Eee-vap-o-ration ... water rise up.”

The tune was one Sanchez usually sang in the classroom, but this night he crooned at a cocktail reception at the Red Drum Gastropub in Mount Pleasant.

Of the ears he reached, many belonged to women, many of whom came with money for Sanchez’s organization, Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs."