IRA Rollovers: A Win-Win Situation for Donors, Federation | The Jewish Exponent

IRA Rollovers: A Win-Win Situation for Donors, Federation | The Jewish Exponent: "IRA Rollovers: A Win-Win Situation for Donors, Federation November 22, 2007 Thanksgiving is a traditional time to count our blessings and share our bounty with others. Rachel Gross, director of Planned Giving and Endowments for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, believes that this holiday also provides an ideal forum for family discussion of how the IRA rollover legislation can help maximize philanthropic giving while minimizing tax liabilities."

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News: "More than 1,000 spectators gathered to watch as 64 teams, decked out in outrageous costumes, ran, danced, and sang songs to raise money for over 100 charities, reported The Standard. This year's green-themed race saw many teams dressing up in nature-inspired costumes."

Bloomberg.com: Muse

Bloomberg.com: Muse: "Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) -- The Smithsonian Institution will re- evaluate its procedures for vetting donations in the wake of a public dispute that prompted the oil and gas industry to pull out of a planned $5 million sponsorship. The Smithsonian's governing board of regents, at a meeting today in Washington, agreed to seek quicker notification from staff members about proposed major donations to its museums, galleries and research facilities."

How Companies Dig Deep

How Companies Dig Deep: "Many corporations talk about the importance of being a good corporate citizen and supporting causes employees care about. To find out which companies were the most generous givers for fiscal year 2006, for both cash and 'in-kind' donations such as drugs and software, BusinessWeek surveyed companies in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index."

TheStar.com | GTA | Sears sues over Ryerson sign

TheStar.com | GTA | Sears sues over Ryerson sign: "Store chain says $10M donation was supposed to get name on a building, not a pillar Nov 21, 2007 04:30 AM Daniel Girard Education Reporter As Ryerson University celebrates a new lecture theatre named for clothier Harry Rosen, Sears is wondering where its building is. The department store giant is claiming that instead of getting the promised top billing on a building on the downtown campus in exchange for $10 million in donations, it's left with a lousy little plaque in the George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, named for a guy who forked over half that much."

Using New Media in Virtual Meeting Spaces | NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network

Using New Media in Virtual Meeting Spaces | NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network: "The National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC), which leads the movement connecting working families with tax credits and economic opportunities, is a national coalition of 600 plus organizations providing free tax preparation for low-income families. The NCTC is a project of the Chicago-based Center for Economic Progress.
We have a Steering Committee of 25 people, dispersed nationally, that meets by phone monthly. One of the group wanted to improve our meeting process, so he suggested:"

The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA: "Soliciting major contributions is difficult, but most large gifts are wrapped up before a campaign goes public, said Michael Nilsen, public affairs director for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which represents about 3,500 fundraisers in Canada and 28,000 across North America.

That can create excitement among other donors to give to a project, he said. However, major gifts don't happen overnight, Nilsen said, and the arena is close to opening."

SW Iowa News - Bell ringer rings up donations for Salvation Army

SW Iowa News - Bell ringer rings up donations for Salvation Army: "ometimes Al Brock's hands swell; some days he can barely make a fist. While his face almost always shows a smile, ringing a bell all day can take its toll. But, this Salvation Army bell ringer isn't complaining. 'All those years I walked by and didn't put anything in,' Brock said. 'But then I needed their help one time. I figured, what better way to pay it back?'"

UCSD Guardian Online

UCSD Guardian Online: "Private financial support for UC system’s 10 campuses reached nearly $1.3 billion over the past year, making it the seventh consecutive year that contributions from individual alumni, charitable foundations, corporate sponsors and other friends of the university topped the billion-dollar threshold, according to Nov. 15 report from UC officials."

Smithsonian Is Planning a Big Fund-Raising Push

National

Smithsonian Is Planning a Big Fund-Raising Push

By ROBIN POGREBIN

Published: November 20, 2007

The Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents voted Monday to undertake the first large-scale private fund-raising effort in the organization’s history.

Donor-advised funds gaining - InvestmentNews

Donor-advised funds gaining - InvestmentNews: "The use of donor-advised funds is on the rise. Assets in the popular charitable-giving vehicle increased 23.4% to $21.6 billion last year, according to the National Philanthropic Trust, a Jenkintown, Pa.-based independent public charity that promotes philanthropy. The number of new accounts, meanwhile, jumped 7% to 107,250, the company said."

Deseret Morning News | Utahns helping — and need help

Deseret Morning News | Utahns helping — and need help: "The need is being mirrored nationwide. Emergency shelters, food assistance programs and charitable organizations of all types are expecting holiday giving to be lower than expected. Plus, fund-raising arms for charities are worried that the wave of transitioning families will deepen as the full effects of the subprime mortgage market collapse become reality. 'There is some growing concern' about the effect of the housing slowdown on charitable donations, said Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fund-raising Professionals."

Study: Nonprofit employment growing faster than private sector - Examiner.com

Study: Nonprofit employment growing faster than private sector - Examiner.com: "BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Employment at Maryland’s nonprofit organizations grew more than twice as fast as private sector employment between 1995 and 2005, according to a Johns Hopkins University study released Monday. During that decade, nonprofit employment statewide grew by 36 percent, compared with a 15.3 percent increase in the for-profit sector, according to the study, conducted by Johns Hopkins’ Center for Civil Society Studies."

Leslie Walker - On a Laptop Mission for Kids - washingtonpost.com

Leslie Walker - On a Laptop Mission for Kids - washingtonpost.com: "On a Laptop Mission for Kids A Buy One, Give One Campaign Seeks to Send Tech Abroad By Leslie Walker Special to The Washington Post Sunday, November 18, 2007; Page F06
For two weeks this month, Americans are being invited to join a global marathon -- the uphill effort to take 21st-century computing to poor children around the world.
The invitation comes from One Laptop Per Child, a nonprofit group founded in 2005 by academics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab. The MIT gang is trying to jump-start unexpectedly slow laptop computer sales abroad by appealing to charitable impulses at home."

Lewis earns Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fund Raising | ASU News

Lewis earns Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fund Raising | ASU News: "The ASU Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management is pleased to announce that Senior Professional-in-Residence, Patricia Lewis, has been honored with the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University’s Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fund Raising, the Center’s most prestigious award, at a ceremony Nov. 4th in Indianapolis. Robert Pierpont, an independent fund raising consultant and Ed Schumacher, founder and president of Third Sector Consulting, were also named honorees."

The Greatest Givers

The Greatest Givers: "Many of this year's top U.S. philanthropists are keeping their money close to home

>> Whittling down a lifetime of earnings—a prospect most of us would like to avoid—is the goal of many of the billionaires and multimillionaires in BusinessWeek's (MHP ) annual ranking of Most Generous Givers. If their megagifts to causes ranging from cancer research to civil rights to the prevention of meth addiction are any indication, they're making good progress. Sixteen of the 50 U.S. philanthropists on our list gave north of $100 million this year, nine donated $200 million or more, and one towered above them all with $723 million in gifts."

Salt Lake Tribune - Odd donations: Aquariums for Utah's homeless

Salt Lake Tribune - Odd donations: Aquariums for Utah's homeless: "Odd donations: Aquariums for Utah's homeless Charities want usuable donations -- not your rock collection By Kirsten Stewart ]
The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 11/16/2007 02:51:31 PM MST Posted: 2:35 PM-
So the sweater is moth-bitten, and the canned peas are nearing their expiration date.
Surely someone can put them to good use. Why not brighten someone else's life, while clearing yours of clutter?
It's easy to rationalize off-loading your junk onto charities, especially during the holidays.
But at the risk of appearing ungrateful, Utah charities ask this season that you keep the moldy food, bullets and rock collections to yourself. They just have to pay to get rid of them, wasting precious dollars that could be used to feed, clothe and comfort the needy."

Smithsonian Project Loses Oil Sponsor - washingtonpost.com

Smithsonian Project Loses Oil Sponsor - washingtonpost.com: "The American Petroleum Institute yesterday rescinded its offer to give the Smithsonian $5 million for a major exhibit hall and Web site on the world's oceans, ending a controversy destined for the institution's Board of Regents meeting on Monday. The decision is a setback for Cristi¿n Samper, the acting secretary of the Smithsonian, who has said the ocean exhibition is 'very close to my heart.' Samper approved the contribution in his current role and helped develop the Ocean Hall when he was director of the National Museum of Natural History."

Canadians' generosity has transcended riches

Canadians' generosity has transcended riches: "'Canadians contribute with the resources they have and that includes money and talent and energy,' says Michael Hall, vice-president of research at Imagine Canada, a national charity that conducts research on the non-profit sector, and author of the study. Mr. Hall says the history of Canadian philanthropy is full of examples of ordinary people making small donations and inspiring others to do the same. For example, a $1,000 donation in 1944 by secretary Alice MacKay, who was interested in helping homeless women, was the beginning of the Vancouver Foundation, a community foundation that today distributes $40-million to projects in British Columbia."

Why nonprofits?

Why nonprofits?: "Long hours, mediocre pay, frustrating challenges: No one said working for social service agencies was easy. But many of the people working to help Austin's needy say they couldn't imagine doing anything else with their lives."

News-Leader.com | Jeanne Duffey

News-Leader.com | Jeanne Duffey: "If you work for one of the couple hundred nonprofits in the community that depend on funding for their programs, you're probably aware of the Springfield-Greene County Library's Funding Information Center. Located near the reference desk at the Library Center, the Funding Information Center is the place to go when you have a question similar to this one: 'Where can I find information about foundations that fund programs to help children with health problems in Missouri?"

Lansing State Journal: The gift of giving: Nonprofits hope goodwill trumps bad economy

Lansing State Journal: The gift of giving: Nonprofits hope goodwill trumps bad economy: "An electrical engineer going into his second year working for Spartan Chassis Inc. in Charlotte, Manly said he benefited from some of the community programs that were available when he was younger. Now, the 30-year-old, who grew up in Detroit, is returning the favor by donating to the local United Way campaign."

Fundraising fatigue: Schools tap new ways to get money

Fundraising fatigue: Schools tap new ways to get money: "Want to buy some cookie dough? How about wrapping paper? Interested in a magazine subscription? A growing number of parents are saying no, even to their own kids, tired of the incessant stream of order forms, catalogs and discount coupon books coming home in backpacks from school. Their freezers are crammed with cookie dough from last year's sale, their spare drawers filled with wrapping paper and their mailboxes overflowing with magazines. Parents are burned out, and as a result some cash-strapped schools are changing their fundraising ways."

The Spectrum - www.thespectrum.com -

The Spectrum - www.thespectrum.com -: "Philanthropy is described as voluntary giving for the public good. If ever there is a place on earth where that phenomena thrives, it is here in Dixie. Everywhere we turn, there is evidence of time, talent and treasure shared in the name of community goodwill - from the arts to education to services for domestic violence and certainly in health and hospital services. For 26 years, the Jubilee of Trees has inspired charitable giving to advance extraordinary health care at our non-profit hospital - Dixie Regional Medical Center. What you see when you attend is the largest showcase of custom designed Christmas Trees, wreaths and décor between the Wasatch Front and Las Vegas."

Where are all the charitable bequests? | csmonitor.com

Where are all the charitable bequests? | csmonitor.com:

"Only 8 percent of Americans have named a charity in their wills, according to a survey released earlier this year from Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy. That's in spite of the fact that Americans are a generous lot: Two out of every 3 have given to charity in recent years, according to the same survey.

Charitable bequests are also becoming more rare. From 1998 to 2006, the estimated yearly number of people who left money to charity has dropped from 17,587 to 9,522, according to Internal Revenue Service data. Over that period, fewer estates became subject to federal tax as the threshold for taxable estates rose from $625,000 in 1998 to $2 million in 2006."

Charities get a generous return from 'freemiums' | csmonitor.com

Charities get a generous return from 'freemiums' | csmonitor.com: "These gifts, known as front-end premiums or 'freemiums,' get mixed reviews from fundraising experts and the public alike. While freemiums typically bring in more money than they cost, the feelings of guilt and cynicism they can inspire may hurt nonprofits in the long run. '[Charities] wouldn't use this strategy unless it worked and brought in a good return on their investment,' says Tom Pollack, director of the National Center for Charitable Statistics."

AsianWeek » Playing Catch-up: Philanthropy and the API Community

AsianWeek » Playing Catch-up: Philanthropy and the API Community: "One of the more damaging assumptions that stems from the “model minority” myth is that Asian Americans don’t need anyone’s help — they’re too busy quietly succeeding. Perhaps this is contributing to the stagnant rate of philanthropic giving to the AAPI community. According to a recent report by Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, only 0.4 percent of foundation dollars have gone to AAPI communities, although AAPIs now make up 4.5 percent of the country’s population. Giving to AAPIs has increased by just 0.2 percent during the past two decades. Funding towards the AAPI community is not keeping up with the growing population, according to Dr. Albert Yee, program director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “A lot of not-for-profit organizations work on very lean budgets,” Yee said. “It’s much more difficult for them to carry out their mission, which is to help people.”"

Technology a blessing and curse in feeding needy

Technology a blessing and curse in feeding needy: "FAIRFIELD — Technology has been a blessing and a curse for area nonprofit agencies who receive donated food that is later distributed to the needy. While new technology has enabled Shared Harvest Foodbank in Faifield to better track food from wholesalers, the advancement has created less amounts to distribute."