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 05, 2007

South County Independent-"EDITORIAL: Coordination might help

South County Independent: "EDITORIAL: Coordination might help

A tale of two communities just miles apart shows the disparity in donations this holiday season. In one town, the town’s social services coordinator had so many offers from people willing to “adopt” families that it began directing donors to a nonprofit group in the northern part of the state. In another town, an agency scrambled to get its last few families adopted just days before the holiday, when the families usually are spoken for much earlier in the season.

There are many reasons why some local nonprofits reported a difficult fund-raising year: a tough economy, increased cost of living, reduced contributions from local municipalities and people contributing donations to national causes instead of local ones among them. After a challenging 11 months, some, such as the Galilee Mission to Fishermen in Narragansett and the Jonnycake Center in Peace Dale, report that critical donations came just in time for the holiday season."

Raising the Bar | emporiagazette.com

Raising the Bar | emporiagazette.com: "Bob Hartsook’s been a successful fund raiser for years. Now he’s trying to grow more of them.

Hartsook drew national attention in October when he gave $1.5 million to Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy to establish the nation’s first academic chair in fundraising. He said his hope is that by studying the theory behind fundraising, the methods of raising money can be made more effective.

“Philanthropy has been 2 percent of the gross domestic product since they started counting in 1949 and it’s never increased that percentage,” said Hartsook, the brother of Emporia’s Roger Hartsook. “I’m embarrassed by that 2 percent. I consider it a failure of our profession.”"

Thursday, January 04, 2007

GuideStar - News - Articles - Bridging the Gap between Volunteers and Coordination

From the Guidestar Newsletter

GuideStar - News - Articles - Bridging the Gap between Volunteers and Coordination: "Bridging the Gap between Volunteers and Coordination
'So Little Time ...'

Has this become a mantra at your organization? If so, you are not alone; it's a common theme at most nonprofits nationwide. One solution to this time shortage is, of course, to recruit additional volunteers. In fact, a 2004 study by the Urban Institute on volunteer management states that most nonprofit charities indicate a capacity and need for additional volunteers. With each volunteer's time worth an estimated $20 per hour, there is no question that they can be valuable assets to your organization."

N-TEN Connect: > 10 Easy Steps to Improve Email Delivery

AFP also has a Nonprofit Technology Blog

N-TEN Connect: > 10 Easy Steps to Improve Email Delivery : "10 Easy Steps to Improve Email Delivery

Tag_email It's January, which means we're all thinking about New Year's Resolutions, and starting the year off on the right foot. A little housekeeping is usually in order. Why not start with your email lists?

We see lots of questions in the NTEN Affinity Groups about email delivery - the problems we are all having making sure that our email ends up where it's supposed to. Adam Bernstein from Electric Embers will be leading a fabulous session on this topic at the 2007 NTC, but if you're looking for a few pointers in advance, we've got them for you."

UK Fundraising | Blogs | UK Fundraising Newswire | Blog Archive | Institute Announces Awards of Fellowship

Andrew Watt is recognized as a honorary fellow by the Institute of Fundraising.

UK Fundraising | Blogs | UK Fundraising Newswire | Blog Archive | Institute Announces Awards of Fellowship: "The Trustees of the Institute of Fundraising (‘Institute’) are delighted to announce the election of four Fellows, including the first award of an honorary Fellowship – to Andrew Watt - in ten years. Fellowship of the Institute is an honour that recognises substantial contribution to both fundraising and the Institute. The new Fellows are as follows:

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : A Buffett Bonanza

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : A Buffett Bonanza: "A Buffett Bonanza

Charitable giving by the super-rich broke a record in 2006, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The main reason: Warren Buffett.

According to the Chronicle, which began compiling an annual list of individual gifts and pledges in 1997, there were 15 donors who gave gifts or pledges of $100 million or more last year. In 2005, there were only 10 gifts of that size."

Courier News Online - Couple give $2M for kids in need

Courier News Online - Couple give $2M for kids in need: "Couple give $2M for kids in need
Somerset County couple's charity largest individual donation in Make-A-Wish history

By CHRISTA SEGALINI
Staff Writer

A Somerset County couple have donated $2 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation -- the largest individual donation ever bestowed upon the organization in its 26-year history.

Joe and Nancy Plumeri's generosity will be used to further plans for construction of a 'Wishing Place,' a headquarters building for the foundation's New Jersey chapter that spokesman Ted Deutsch said is being planned for Monroe."

Independent Weekly: News: National/ International: Charities get creative as giving gets harder

Independent Weekly: News: National/ International: Charities get creative as giving gets harder: "Charities get creative as giving gets harder
The Triangle's social service organizations are giving donors more options to help them meet increasing need

BY FIONA MORGAN

Charities depend on the month of December for much of their revenue, just as retailers do, and so as our mailboxes fill with catalogs, they also fill with end-of-year appeals from nonprofits.

Nationally, both need and donations went up in the first nine months of 2006, according to a study published recently by GuideStar, a national nonprofit that gathers financial information about nonprofits to allow donors to make better-informed decisions. But not all organizations saw increased donations to meet their growing needs, particularly among social service organizations that rely most on holiday giving for their annual budget.

To compensate, many are turning to creative appeals that draw donors who want to do more than just write a check."

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS | Executives tour nonprofits they help

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS | Executives tour nonprofits they help:

United Way took executives from 3M on an impact tour Wednesday to show them places where their donations have made a difference. They hope that showing givers the results of their charity might encourage more help."

CU enjoying record fundraising - The Denver Business Journal:

CU enjoying record fundraising - The Denver Business Journal:: "The University of Colorado is on a record fundraising pace, collecting $54.1 million in six months -- nearly as much as it raised in the entire previous year."

M.U.S.E. Foundation closing its doors - Neighborhoods

M.U.S.E. Foundation closing its doors - Neighborhoods: "The M.U.S.E. Foundation, which produced the Music from the Mountains concerts for Maryland Therapeutic Riding and concerts for many other charities nationwide, is closing its doors in the first quarter of 2007.

'This was not an easy decision and arrived at only after thoughtful contemplation,' said Larry Kushner, executive director of the Music Unites the Soul of Everyone Foundation, formerly of Severn and now of Bel Air in Harford County."

How to go to M.I.T. for free | csmonitor.com

How to go to M.I.T. for free | csmonitor.com: "nline 'intellectual philanthropy' attracts students from every nation on earth.
By Gregory M. Lamb | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
By the end of this year, the contents of all 1,800 courses taught at one of the world's most prestigious universities will be available online to anyone in the world, anywhere in the world. Learners won't have to register for the classes, and everyone is accepted.

The cost? It's all free of charge.
In the Monitor
Thursday, 01/04/07

The OpenCourseWare movement, begun at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2002 and now spread to some 120 other universities worldwide, aims to disperse knowledge far beyond the ivy-clad walls of elite campuses to anyone who has an Internet connection and a desire to learn.

Intended as an act of 'intellectual philanthropy,"

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Give your old job a makeover. - Jan. 3, 2007

Give your old job a makeover. - Jan. 3, 2007:
snip snip>>>

"3) Look outside the workplace, especially at nonprofits.

'Usually, nonprofits want to tap you to do things you're already good at. But for your own career growth, it's better to look for a 'stretch' assignment that will give you new skills you can take back to work with you,' says McCauley. 'For example, you can join a start-up nonprofit, to get experience at establishing something new. One executive told me he deliberately chose an advocacy organization, so he could practice persuading people of a point of view. You can also gain global or cross-cultural experience through nonprofits. I know a woman who works for a very U.S.-centric company, but who spends two weeks a year working for a nonprofit that provides educational services overseas. It's a valuable perspective.'"

PND - News - Charities Make Case for Funding Administrative Costs

PND - News - Charities Make Case for Funding Administrative Costs: "Charities Make Case for Funding Administrative Costs

After years of listening to donors insist that the funds they donate should be devoted exclusively to programs, a growing number of nonprofits are trying to convince donors that spending money on overhead isn't necessarily a bad thing, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Often influenced by charity-watchdog sites, many donors have become extremely selective about the kinds of charities they will support, often supporting only those which spend a tiny fraction of their budget on administrative costs. Charities have countered by seeking gifts specifically to help fund overhead, arguing that such gifts are vital to their ability to grow, attract quality staffers, and deal with rising costs. 'The key,' said Eric Schwarz, CEO of Citizen Schools, Boston, 'is you don't call it overhead. Talk about metrics. Show that to get even better results and expand to reach more kids we need to invest in our team.'"

Make a Charitable Pledge [Fool.com: Foolanthropy] January 3, 2007

Make a Charitable Pledge [Fool.com: Foolanthropy] January 3, 2007: "Make a Charitable Pledge

By Dan Caplinger
January 3, 2007

As the new year begins, you may be breathing a sigh of relief. You've gotten through the holidays, hopefully having gotten everyone on your list a present they like. If you're charitably inclined, you've probably made another annual round of December gifts to your favorite charities. January is a nice time to relax and take a break from the stress and constant activity of the holiday season."

Laurie Garrett - The Challenge of Global Health - washingtonpost.com

Laurie Garrett - The Challenge of Global Health - washingtonpost.com: "Health philanthropy that just five years ago witnessed 'large' donations in the tens of millions now routinely hears of awards exceeding $200 million, targeting single projects. A sense of urgency, both genuinely driven by expanding pandemics and politically propelled by a wealthy-nation public that demands immediate results, is pushing money into the coffers of poor nations' ministries of health and a vast array of nongovernmental and faith-based humanitarian organizations"

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ New rules in effect for giving car to charity

delawareonline ¦ The News Journal ¦ New rules in effect for giving car to charity: "New rules in effect for giving car to charity
By SANDRA BLOCK, USA Today
Posted Sunday, December 31, 2006

For years, giving a car to charity offered multiple benefits. You could get rid of your beater, help a worthy cause and pocket a sizable tax deduction.

There are still many charities that will happily haul away your 1987 Chrysler LeBaron, but a law that took effect last year has deflated the tax deduction. Now, most donors can deduct only the amount the charity receives when it sells the vehicle -- which is usually much less than the amount claimed under the old rules."

Car donations are both an act of charity and an income tax write-off - The Boston Globe

Car donations are both an act of charity and an income tax write-off - The Boston Globe: "Car donations are both an act of charity and an income tax write-off

By Michelle Krebs, Cars.Com | December 31, 2006

If you think your car won't fetch much as a trade-in and don't want the trouble of selling it yourself, you can always explore the possibility of donating it to charity. It's an act of good will, and the donation can serve as a tax write-off."

MercuryNews.com | 01/01/2007 | Charitable instinct lacking

MercuryNews.com | 01/01/2007 | Charitable instinct lacking: "Charitable instinct lacking
Mercury News Editorial

The wealthy in Silicon Valley are the stingiest in California or, using another measure, next to the stingiest, when it comes to charitable giving, according to a new study.

The actual picture is probably a lot worse. The study of state tax data by NewTithing Group based calculations only on income-producing wealth, but a huge portion of wealth in the valley is derived from high-tech stocks that don't pay dividends. NewTithing, a San Francisco non-profit, must have substantially underestimated the assets of the richest 3 percent. That means they donate an even smaller portion of their wealth than the already paltry percentage that the study found.

Welcome, Emmett Carson. That is your dilemma: figuring out how to entice the rich in the valley to give back more of the money they've been fast accumulating."

Md. foundations gave 7% more in 2004 - baltimoresun.com

Md. foundations gave 7% more in 2004 - baltimoresun.com: "Maryland foundations gave 7 percent more money in 2004 than they did the year before, growth that topped the average increase nationwide, a new report shows."

The Chronicle, 1/11/2007: The Challenges Posed by an Era of Mega-Gifts

The Chronicle, 1/11/2007: The Challenges Posed by an Era of Mega-Gifts: "The Challenges Posed by an Era of Mega-Gifts

By Leslie Lenkowsky

Although Warren Buffett's pledge of most of his fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was, by far, the biggest gift of 2006, large-scale philanthropy is no longer as rare as it once was.

Billion-dollar foundations are much more common — today the United States has more than 50 — than they were just 20 years ago, when only a few were as well-endowed. Moreover, during 2006, at least 14 groups (besides the Gates Foundation) received pledges of $100-million or more from individuals. Before the mid-1990s, it was unusual to see more than a handful of such gifts each year, if that many."

The philanthropist from Oklahoma - Haaretz - Israel News

The philanthropist from Oklahoma - Haaretz - Israel News: "he philanthropist from Oklahoma
By Amiram Barkat

A close look at the leading Jewish philanthropists in the United States reveals that only a very small percentage of donations are invested in Israel, or in other Jewish causes. Another prominent characteristic of Jewish philanthropy is the paucity of women, both as donors and in senior positions in community institutions. Lynn Schusterman, a billionaire who donates millions of dollars a year to Israel, is an exception that proves the rule."

The Art Newspaper -- News-Whitney Museum could lose major funder following corporate breakup

The Art Newspaper -- News: "Whitney Museum could lose major funder following corporate breakup

By Jason Edward Kaufman | Posted 03 January 2007

NEW YOK. The breakup of the Altria conglomerate which begins this month is expected to severely reduce the company’s generous support of museums and other cultural organisations. “We anticipate that our programme will be significantly reduced in 2008,” says Jennifer Goodale, the vice president in charge of contributions at Altria."

- Baa Relief - washingtonpost.com

- Baa Relief - washingtonpost.com: "Baa Relief

Wednesday, January 3, 2007; Page C08

Dear Miss Manners:

We have received a gift from friends that was actually a gift of a goat to a family in need of sustenance in another country. I was perplexed as to how to word the thank-you note."

Ethics Newsline from the Institute for Global Ethics

Ethics Newsline from the Institute for Global Ethics: "Philanthropy
Survey Finds High Rate of Philanthropic Activity Among U.S. Adults

Donations to disaster relief decline; homeless and hunger groups see gains

From the Wall Street Journal and Harris Interactive®:

'According to a new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Personal Finance Poll, an overwhelming majority (83%) of U.S. adults say they have contributed to a charity in the past 12 months, with about one-third of adults saying they contributed to religious, hunger and food-related, or health and disease-related charities each in the past year. The average total giving among those making contributions in the past 12 months fell to $1,220 from $1,352 in 2005...."

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

allAfrica.com: Kenya: The New World of Philanthropy (Page 1 of 2)

allAfrica.com: Kenya: The New World of Philanthropy (Page 1 of 2): "Kenya: The New World of Philanthropy

The Nation
The Nation (Nairobi)

December 30, 2006
Posted to the web December 31, 2006

Richard Branson
Nairobi

As the world truly becomes a global village through technology, media and transportation, more and more people have become aware of the issues facing humanity, even in the most remote corners of the globe.

They realise more than ever how imbalanced the world is, with incredible wealth in some areas and dire poverty in others. Meanwhile passionate individuals such as Mr Al Gore, the former US Vice-President, have helped to wake up a growing number of us to the worst catastrophe facing the planet: the growing threat of global warming.

At the same time promising trends in charitable giving are putting those of us who can make a difference in a better position to tackle some of the world's imbalances and threats."

Fine wine or faux Bordeaux?

Fine wine or faux Bordeaux?: "Opinions differ on the impact of the suit, but a win for Koch would publicize the problem, which he contends is widespread. It also might prod French and other winemakers into doing more to ensure their wines' pedigree.

What is unknown is whether local wine auctions, and the charity proceeds they generate, will be tainted. 'A fund-raising event where they are serving exotic wine or spirits is certainly appealing to prospective donors,' said Leah Miles, a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Palm Beach County chapter."

Couple collects 32 million pennies for cancer care center - The Cancer Blog

Couple collects 32 million pennies for cancer care center - The Cancer Blog: "Couple collects 32 million pennies for cancer care center

Posted Dec 30th 2006 9:30AM by Dalene Entenmann
Filed under: All Cancers, Fundraisers, Cancer Caregivers, Cancer Survivors
How many of us value the worth of a penny?

Twenty years ago, Peter and Bette Pickstock, from a village in Sturdivant near Cheltenham, England, thought pennies might one day add up to make a difference and thus began the collection of pennies.

Two decades later, and 32 million pennies total (nearly $700,000 dollars), the couple recently donated the money to the Cobalt Appeal Fund in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, a cancer care center."

News » Susan D. Vance awarded scholarship to largest fundraising conference in the world

News » Susan D. Vance awarded scholarship to largest fundraising conference in the world: "Tusculum College Director of Development and Alumni Relations Susan D. Vance has been named a Chamberlain Scholar by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy and is to attend the 2007 International Conference on Fundraising in Dallas, Tex.

AFP is the largest association of fundraisers in the world and represents more than 27,000 fundraising practitioners across the globe. The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy supports programs and initiatives that help train fundraisers and increase knowledge and awareness of ethical fundraising."