Friday, May 25, 2007

Pajamas Yield Bonus for Charity Worker - washingtonpost.com

Pajamas Yield Bonus for Charity Worker - washingtonpost.com: "Pajamas Yield Bonus for Charity Worker

The Associated Press
Friday, May 25, 2007; 8:36 AM

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A Goodwill Industries worker who turned in more than $5,000 she found in donated pajama pants will get to keep the money because the owner could not be found.

Kelli Owens, a 21-year-old single mother of three, was sorting donated clothes as part of her training at Goodwill earlier this month when she found the money. She took it straight to her supervisor.


'She will get to keep the money,' Goodwill spokeswoman Crystal Hardesty said Friday. 'It's being invested into a scholarship fund.'"

SOCIAL NETWORKING / Changes in Facebook / Web plan hopes to boost activism

SOCIAL NETWORKING / Changes in Facebook / Web plan hopes to boost activism: "Now Parker and Green hope that online grassroots activism will become an important part of Facebook. The service allows Facebook members to start a cause, nurture it through e-mail invitations and raise money from their networks of online friends to support any one of the more than 1.5 million registered nonprofits in the United States, from the American Heart Association to the Heritage Foundation. A 'scorecard' on their profile page will track how many people they have recruited and how much money they have raised for their cause.

'The goal of all this is what we call 'equal opportunity activism,' ' Parker said."

The Columbus Dispatch : $1 billion? Just more to give out

The Columbus Dispatch : $1 billion? Just more to give out: "n 1943, the Columbus Foundation organized around a wealth of good wishes and a $700 grant. The aim remains much the same, but now the money is a 10-figure matter.

Officials announced yesterday that the philanthropic organization has surpassed $1 billion in assets.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Experts worry about shopping for charity - Yahoo! News

Experts worry about shopping for charity - Yahoo! News: "Shopping for charity — also known as cause-related marketing — has become an increasingly important way for some philanthropies to raise funds. In most cases, some or all of the money a consumer pays for designated products or services is donated to a charitable organization."

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Newswise | Nonprofits: Less Fiscal Stress in 2006, Despite Concerns

PRESS RELEASE

Newswise | Nonprofits: Less Fiscal Stress in 2006, Despite Concerns: "Newswise — Despite continuing fiscal challenges, the percentage of nonprofits reporting severe fiscal stress fell between 2003 and 2006, according to a survey by the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Listening Post Project.

Reflecting this, a substantial majority -- 76 percent -- of nonprofit organizations in all fields, and of all sizes, reported generally successful financial performance during 2006, the survey showed."

The Denver Post - Rose foundation partners with Latino philanthropists

The Denver Post - Rose foundation partners with Latino philanthropists: "The idea that anyone would see them as takers instead of givers was unacceptable - and thus became motivation to start an organization devoted to increasing Latino involvement in philanthropy.

The Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, a fund of Rose Community Foundation, was introduced at a celebration hosted by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and his wife, Helen"

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

news @ nature.com - Millionaires' pet projects - When philanthropy gets personal.

Access to this News Article is no longer free.

news @ nature.com - Millionaires' pet projects - When philanthropy gets personal.: "There are no rules governing how philanthropic money is spent. This has allowed a number of wealthy individuals to throw cash at pet projects — such as when Andrew Carnegie sponsored the expedition that discovered a species of dinosaur, earning him a namesake (Diplodocus carnegiei)."

Nonprofit Arts Groups Rebound From 9/11 Slide - washingtonpost.com

Nonprofit Arts Groups Rebound From 9/11 Slide - washingtonpost.com: "Nonprofit Arts Groups Rebound From 9/11 Slide
Survey Shows 24 Percent Spending Growth Since '02

By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 22, 2007; Page C04

The nonprofit segment of the arts industry is robust economically and attracting more people to its workforce, according to a new national survey.

The nonprofit arts sector generates $166 billion in total U.S. economic activity, says a study being released today. 'Arts & Economic Prosperity III' was conducted by Americans for the Arts with data analysis provided by economists from Georgia Tech."

New Orleans CityBusiness -- Gates donates $7.1M to Gulf Coast nonprofits

New Orleans CityBusiness -- The Business Newspaper of Metropolitan New Orleans: "The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $7.1 million for nonprofits working in the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Officials with Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization that works on solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice, said the donation will be used over the next three years to support advocates of affordable housing and workers rights in the Gulf Coast."

Business in MaineToday.com | Maine Women's Fund Recieves $1 Million to Advance Women and Girls of Maine

Business in MaineToday.com | Maine Women's Fund Recieves $1 Million to Advance Women and Girls of Maine: "Maine Women's Fund Recieves $1 Million to Advance Women and Girls of Maine

River Rock Foundation Donates Fund’s Largest Gift to Date, Exemplifying Philanthropic Trend of Women Giving to Women


Augusta, ME. May 21, 2007: Maine Women’s Fund, a public foundation dedicated to advancing the political, economic and social equality of women and girls in Maine, announced today that it received a $1 million gift, the largest in its history. The gift is from the five female trustees of the River Rock Foundation, an independent foundation that invests in sustainable change for Maine."

Monday, May 21, 2007

STLtoday - Business - Story-Want to hire the best and brightest members of Gen Y?

STLtoday - Business - Story: "On top of that, nonprofits want and need business volunteers to help them function more efficiently and effectively.

New research suggests companies that connect these trends — by helping employees volunteer professional skills to nonprofits in need — could receive a serious windfall: a recruiting edge among Gen Y workers. Indeed, companies that 'get it right' with their community involvement are going to be very attractive employers to Gen Yers seeking employment."

Wisconsin State Journal-Fundraising: Mixed bag for nonprofits

Wisconsin State Journal: "Fundraising: Mixed bag for nonprofits
By DOUG ERICKSON
derickson@madison.com
Every September for 26 years, tens of thousands of people filled the grounds of Edgewood High School in Madison for Edgefest, a three-day fundraiser with beer, carnival games and live music.

When the event ceased in 1999, people were shocked. How could something so successful not last?

Behind the scenes, the view was different. The event still raised $47,000 after expenses, but that was down from a one-time high of $128,000. The larger issue was manpower — it sucked dry the energy of staff members and parents."

Nashuatelegraph.com: Local/Regional- Symphony keeps changing its tune

Nashuatelegraph.com: Local/Regional: "NASHUA – The Nashua Symphony Association has spent 85 years adapting to changes to find its niche in the city’s arts scene. If it hadn’t, it wouldn’t still be here.

A lot has happened just in the last few years: funding for the NSA from the city has decreased, the administrative roles of the organization are filled by new staff members and in April, maestro Royston Nash stepped down from his position as the conductor and music director.

Lowell Sun Online - Campuses thrive with student philanthropy

Lowell Sun Online - Campuses thrive with student philanthropy: "College students in the Mill City have increasingly been leaving the ivory tower to get their hands dirty in the real world.

Middlesex Community College and UMass Lowell are both promoting so-called 'service learning' programs that pair students with community organizations. It's a win-win situation, according to officials at the two institutions: Students get much-needed practical experience, while providing local businesses and nonprofits with extra bodies and expertise."

globeandmail.com: Dubai ruler donates $10-billion to boost education in Arab world

globeandmail.com: Dubai ruler donates $10-billion to boost education in Arab world: "The ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates left the other delegates at the forum almost speechless when he announced on the weekend that he would spend $10-billion (U.S.) of his own money to improve the level of education in the Arab world.

The announcement was greeted by thunderous applause at the forum being held on the shores of the Dead Sea, and was immediately hailed as the largest charitable donation ever given in the Muslim world."