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, March 02, 2007

Georgetown University: Report Analyzes Disaster Relief Philanthropy

Georgetown University: Report Analyzes Disaster Relief Philanthropy: "Report Analyzes Disaster Relief Philanthropy

With the number of reported natural and man-made disasters rising significantly in the last decade, a new study released by Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM), makes key recommendations on ways to improve philanthropic giving for natural disaster and humanitarian emergency relief around the globe.

The report, “Philanthropic Grantmaking for Disaster Management: Trend Analysis and Recommended Improvements,” includes steps that must be taken to address the full range of needs associated with disasters. In particular, the report’s authors suggest that donor organizations should employ a more comprehensive approach beyond immediate relief to focus on prevention, response and recovery."

The art of giving - Greenwich Time

The art of giving - Greenwich Time: "The art of giving

By Harold Davis
Special Correspondent

Published March 2 2007

Keira McGrath studied sociology and earned a master of business administration degree but wanted a career that combined 'greater social impact' and 'elements of the business.'

She found what she wanted by becoming a director of annual giving"

Give and Take: Welcome to Give and Take

Give and Take: Welcome to Give and Take: "A roundup of blogs about the nonprofit world

Interesting new offering by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. We note a number of the blogs we read regularly are included in the blogroll.

February 23, 2007
Welcome to Give and Take

The growing number of Web logs that focus on the nonprofit world often makes it difficult to keep up with the items of greatest interest.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy‘s Give and Take column seeks to highlight the most notable and provocative online postings — and keep you up to date on the most important and intriguing observations about the nonprofit world."

It's 'Case Western Reserve'

It's 'Case Western Reserve': "It's 'Case Western Reserve'
Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Case Western Reserve University's bid to 'rebrand' proved a bust almost as soon as it started in 2003.

Emphasizing the Case portion of the name instantly alienated legions of alumni, and the new abstract logo was immediately scorned as 'Fat Surfer Guy.'

Interim President Gregory Eastwood easily could have left the controversy for his successor, but, as in so many other matters this academic year, he chose not to let it fester. He convened a study panel last summer, which in turn contracted with a consultant specializing in nonprofits' strategic marketing."

Former D.C. official named head of Venture Philanthropy Partners - Washington Business Journal:

Former D.C. official named head of Venture Philanthropy Partners - Washington Business Journal:: "Former D.C. official named head of Venture Philanthropy Partners
Washington Business Journal - 11:51 AM EST Thursday, March 1, 2007
by Neil Adler
Staff Reporter

Carol Thompson Cole, a former D.C. city administrator, has been named president and CEO of Venture Philanthropy Partners, replacing founder Mario Morino, who remains the organization's chairman.

D.C.-based Venture Philanthropy Partners, which invests in nonprofit organizations, was created in June 2000 by local tech titans Morino, Raul Fernandez and future Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who recruited 26 other business leaders and several foundations to contribute more than $30 million for the first fund."

Breaking News from The Birmingham News: Nonprofits told be get ready for aging boomers

Breaking News from The Birmingham News: Nonprofits told be get ready for aging boomers: "Nonprofits told be get ready for aging boomers
Posted by Birmingham News staff March 01, 2007 14:36PM

Nonprofit agencies need to prepare for aging baby boomers, who will be either a source of volunteers or clients needing services, leaders of nonprofit agencies in Alabama were told today in Birmingham.

'There are 80 million boomers about to get old,' said Robert Egger, founder and president of DC Central Kitchen, a Washington culinary arts training program that turns donated food into 4,000 meals delivered daily in the nation's capital. It provides unemployed men and women with a marketable skills."

Non-Profit Publisher Wants To Game For Charity - Kotaku

Non-Profit Publisher Wants To Game For Charity - Kotaku: "Startup publishers OneBigGame have announced themselves to the world today, claiming they're 'the world's first non-profit videogames publisher'. Not exactly a crowded market, that."

Editorial: Philanthropy raises sounds of BSO - Examiner.com

Editorial: Philanthropy raises sounds of BSO - Examiner.com: "BALTIMORE - Listen up, people! Literally. PNC Foundation and The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra just put a galaxy of fantastic music within the reach of all.

A $1 million grant from the foundation, a charitable arm of The PNC Financial Services Group, cuts ticket prices at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to $25.

This is a fitting tribute to the Meyerhoff’s 25th anniversary and inaugural season of new music director Marin Alsop. It’s an appropriate hello from Pittsburgh-based PNC, which Tuesday merged with Baltimore-based Mercantile Bankshares."

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Entrepreneur Business Blog: Big Givers Give Bigger

Entrepreneur Business Blog: Big Givers Give Bigger: "Philanthropy is contagious,' says Adam Meyerson, president of the Philanthropy Roundtable, an association of donors and foundation executives. 'It reminds business leaders that philanthropy is part of what it means to be a business leader in this country."

onPhilanthropy: Like George Soros, You Can Make Your Philanthropic Bets Pay Off

onPhilanthropy: Like George Soros, You Can Make Your Philanthropic Bets Pay Off: "Like George Soros, You Can Make Your Philanthropic Bets Pay Off
By: Janice Schoos, 2/28/2007

Leading philanthropists know that to achieve significant results, they often have to be willing to tolerate a certain amount of risk. How can they tell which initiatives are worth “gambling” with their philanthropic dollars? This week, Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy hosted a stimulating forum: Big Ideas, Big Gifts, Big Impact: A Conversation with Today's Philanthropists. The featured panelists were Alphonse Fletcher, Jr. Chief Executive Officer of Fletcher Asset Management, Inc. and President of The Fletcher Foundation; Agnes Gund, Founder and a Trustee of Studio in a School Association, a nonprofit organization that supports public school art classes; Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. and Founder and Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation; and George Soros, chairman of Soros Fund Management, and Founder & Chairman of the Open Society Institute and Soros Foundations Network."

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

ArkansasBusiness.com - Legal E-source Assists Nonprofits with Legal Direction

ArkansasBusiness.com - Legal E-source Assists Nonprofits with Legal Direction: "The University of Arkansas is offering support to nonprofit organizations with a Web resource called Legal E-source.

The Web site, located at www.uacted.uark.edu/legalesource/index.html, contains free information through video lectures, frequently asked questions and information to local resources."

High-dollar giving is 'contagious' - USATODAY.com

High-dollar giving is 'contagious' - USATODAY.com: "What made T. Boone Pickens, oilman, corporate raider and hedge fund billionaire, go from giving away mere millions to donating hundreds of millions?

'It's pretty easy: I made more money,' says Pickens, who earned the No. 8 spot on the list of the most generous Americans with donations of $172 million last year. 'I had it to give away. And I have figured out I can't take it with me. So why not give it and see the results instead of leaving it and never knowing what happens to it?'"

Philanthropy hits record as number of $100 million donations increase - USATODAY.com

Philanthropy hits record as number of $100 million donations increase - USATODAY.com: "

GENEROSITY GROWING

By Martha T. Moore, USA TODAY
As the rich get richer, they get more generous. Much more generous.

The number of individual donations of $100 million or more hit a record in 2006, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which compiles a yearly list of the biggest givers Last year, there were 21 donations of $100 million or more by individuals to universities, hospitals and charities, compared with 11 in 2005."

AFP > Resource Center | Fundraising news > Family and Friends Best Way to Reach Donors

AFP > Resource Center | Fundraising news > Family and Friends Best Way to Reach Donors: "Family and Friends Best Way to Reach Donors

(Feb. 26, 2007) A new survey by Cone Communications provides further evidence that the most effective way for charities to reach potential new donors and influence their giving decisions is through people they know."

Monday, February 26, 2007

Colorado Entrepreneurs Team For Philanthropy

Colorado Entrepreneurs Team For Philanthropy: "Colorado Entrepreneurs Team For Philanthropy

A new group focused on philanthropy in the community has formed, saying today that it will provide a permanent endowment to community grants for arts, civic involvement, education, the environment, and health and human services."

CEOs say not enough time spent on philanthropy | Reuters.com

CEOs say not enough time spent on philanthropy | Reuters.com: "By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A survey of U.S. chief executive officers by a group founded by actor Paul Newman found that boards of directors do not spend enough time on philanthropy; that giving should be tied to profitability; and that shareholders are divided on whether giving matters."

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Corporate philanthropy is a sound business strategy - Examiner.com

Corporate philanthropy is a sound business strategy - Examiner.com: "ALTIMORE - Corporate brand names often get the highest visibility as platinum donors or sponsors at charity events and other philanthropic endeavors.

But corporate giving makes up only 5 percent of all charitable giving in Maryland, according to the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmaker’s 2006 State of Giving Report."

IT Confidential: What Web 2.0 Will Mean For Workforce 2.0 - News by InformationWeek

IT Confidential: What Web 2.0 Will Mean For Workforce 2.0 - News by InformationWeek: "» E-Mail
»

IT Confidential: What Web 2.0 Will Mean For Workforce 2.0

How will the way college students use Web 2.0 technologies affect corporate computing? Here's a hint: Jackass, The Presentation.

By John Soat
InformationWeek

Feb 24, 2007 12:00 AM (From the February 26, 2007 issue)

Our cover story this week, 'Enterprise 2.0,' describes the increasing use of Web 2.0 technologies in business computing, technologies that are particularly popular among college students these days. What lessons are today's students learning from Web 2.0, and what outcomes can we expect as they move into the corporate world?"

State your salary needs honestly, and then stick with what you said - The Boston Globe

State your salary needs honestly, and then stick with what you said - The Boston Globe: "State your salary needs honestly, and then stick with what you said

By Joan Cirillo | February 25, 2007

Q. I know I should know this, but I am always baffled how to respond when an interviewer asks me what salary I am looking for. I want to stay open but I am at a fairly high level in the not-for-profit sector and frankly, I couldn't accept anything under $60,000. I couldn't live on anything less. How should I respond when I am asked what salary I am looking for? I have been working for nonprofits for almost 20 years."

Burchill was a mainstay of St. Mary's U.

Burchill was a mainstay of St. Mary's U.: "emembered as 'steady as a rock, smart, wise and ethical.'

By Brad Stokman, Star Tribune

Last update: February 25, 2007 – 5:49 PM

Thomas (Tim) Burchill III, an administrator and business ethicist at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home in Winona, Minn. He was 59."

APP.COM - Responsibility is profitable | Asbury Park Press Online

APP.COM - Responsibility is profitable | Asbury Park Press Online: "esponsibility is profitable
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/25/07

BY EDWARD IWATA
GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Activists have argued for decades that companies are morally obligated to adopt socially responsible business practices. Companies say they exist to sell products, make money and please shareholders — not to save the world.

But those clashing views may be finding common ground, say business experts on the movement known as 'corporate social responsibility,' or CSR.

Christine Arena, a San Francisco business consultant and author of 'The High-Purpose Company', says more corporations are using CSR not for feel-good philanthropy or to polish their public image, but as long-term corporate strategy."

KnoxNews: People

KnoxNews: People: "What do you get when you combine philanthropy and playing in the snow? The sixth annual Southern Exposure Great Cardboard Sled Race.

It took place earlier this month at Ober Gatlinburg, where 37 sleds, entered by corporate and nonprofit sponsors, competed."

Texarkana Gazette: News and Classifieds From Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas

Texarkana Gazette: News and Classifieds From Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas: "n Our View: Philanthropy
Saturday, February 24, 2007 1:02 PM CST

Science shows doing good makes you feel good

Now that we know it feels good, let’s do it some more. It’s philanthropy, people—not what you may have thought initially.

It seems a valid study, brought to light by the National Institutes for Health, shows that giving—as in to churches or charity—affects the same part of the brain that evokes pleasurable responses stimulated by sex, drugs and money.

In short, we can get high on helping."