Donor Power Blog: How political fundraising impacts charitable giving

Jeff posts on the topic of the intersection of Political and charitable fundraising.

Donor Power Blog: How political fundraising impacts charitable giving: "How political fundraising impacts charitable giving

Some fundraisers are living in mortal fear of the coming US presidential election. Not over who might or might not win, but over the awe-inspiring amounts of money the candidates and parties are raising. They're scooping up all our donations, you might be crying."

AFP > Research & Statistics | Fundraising research > Fundraisers Brace for a Challenging Giving Climate

AFP > Research & Statistics | Fundraising research > Fundraisers Brace for a Challenging Giving Climate: "(July 28, 2008) Fundraisers say the economy is having negative effect on giving and are also tempering their expectations for the future, according to a recent survey of fundraisers’ attitudes about the economy and giving."

New challenges for nonprofits | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

New challenges for nonprofits | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader: "Boards of nonprofit organizations like CoxHealth face a more challenging health care atmosphere -- the federal government has stepped up its regulatory enforcement of Medicare and Medicaid programs to recapture money lost through fraud, and settlements require providers to toe the line in following corporate compliance agreements."

Run-up to huge wealth transfer highlights gap - Boston Business Journal:

Run-up to huge wealth transfer highlights gap - Boston Business Journal:: "But like many donors and their foundations, neither Abele nor Argosy accepts unsolicited requests for gifts, putting them right at the center of a philanthropic paradox: Many small nonprofits that stand to gain the most by tapping into the gusher of money expected to change hands in the coming decades are the least likely to cash in."

Charity Hopeful to Raise $8 Million for J.K. Rowling's Fairytales

Charity Hopeful to Raise $8 Million for J.K. Rowling's Fairytales: "A new book by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is set to hit the shelves in December with the proceeds going to charity, the British writer announced Thursday.

It may not be a new Harry Potter novel, but 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard,' is expected to fetch around $8 million through sales, a rep for British charity The Children's High Level Group, which Rowling co-founded, said."

Va. Tech campaign closes in on $1 billion goal - Roanoke.com

Va. Tech campaign closes in on $1 billion goal - Roanoke.com: "BLACKSBURG -- Less than a year into the public phase of its $1 billion fundraising campaign, Virginia Tech has raised more than two-thirds of its goal.

Total pledges for 'The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the Future,' totaled $683.5 million as of June 30. And fiscal year figures recently tallied by the university show that 2007-08 was the best fundraising year in the university's history."

Hawaii funds several dozen charities, but not all - Forbes.com

Hawaii funds several dozen charities, but not all - Forbes.com: "HONOLULU -

More than half of Hawaii charities counting on state funding got their money before last month's deadline, but a few dozen other nonprofit organizations fell victim to tightening government budgets."

The Daily News Record: Top News

The Daily News Record: Top News: "HARRISONBURG - James Madison University's first comprehensive fundraising campaign concluded last month with $70 million committed, surpassing the campaign goal by 40 percent.

According to JMU fundraising officials, the six-year campaign, called 'The Madison Century,' began July 1, 2002, with a goal of raising $50 million. The campaign officially closed June 30 with contributions 'right at $70 million,' officials said. JMU began the public phase of the campaign in March 2006.

The drive 'surpassed an unprecedented fundraising goal in the history of the institution,' according to a JMU release."

A Circle With a Deep Center - washingtonpost.com

Some comments on this Wash Post story from the 501cfiles blog

A Circle With a Deep Center - washingtonpost.com: "The women of varied ages and backgrounds make up a sisterhood of philanthropy working to change the lives of the District's women and girls by confronting the city's social ills. On a recent Sunday, they gathered to give back."

Hong Kong first aiders to serve in Beijing Games with honor _English_Xinhua

Hong Kong first aiders to serve in Beijing Games with honor _English_Xinhua: "HONG KONG, July 31 (Xinhua) -- As one of the 22 members from the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, Lung Ngai Cheung is to be part of the Beijing Olympic Games providing first aid service.

'This is a scarce opportunity and it's our honor. We will do our best to serve the Games well,' Lung, an administrative officer in a local surveying company, told Xinhua with excitement.

Hong Kong St. John Ambulance is the only first aid team outside Beijing serving the 2008 Games and Lung, who has been a volunteer at St. John Ambulance for 25 years, is one of the coordinators dealing with the matter."

$106.2 million year shatters USC fund-raising records | GreenvilleOnline.com | The Greenville News

$106.2 million year shatters USC fund-raising records | GreenvilleOnline.com | The Greenville News: "The University of South Carolina raised $106.2 million in 2007- 08, shattering all fund-raising records, university officials announced Wednesday."

Golden Globe sponsors give $750,000 to charity | Entertainment | Reuters

Golden Globe sponsors give $750,000 to charity | Entertainment | Reuters: "LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The organization that hands out Hollywood's Golden Globe Awards said on Wednesday said it has given grants of more than $750,000 to several top film schools and nonprofit organizations."

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 07/31/2008 | Republicans giving money they got from Stevens to charity

McClatchy Washington Bureau | 07/31/2008 | Republicans giving money they got from Stevens to charity: "WASHINGTON — Republican senators facing reelection challenges sought to insulate themselves from indicted Sen. Ted Stevens Wednesday by promising to donate to charity tens of thousands of dollars they received from the veteran Alaska lawmaker's political action committee."

Wealthy women give to women | csmonitor.com

Wealthy women give to women | csmonitor.com: "was only when she read about a group of California women pooling their money to create a women's fund that Ms. Hunt broke through the disconnect between herself and her net worth. That breakthrough has led to two decades of rewarding philanthropy and a place in the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Today, she's encouraging others to burst through that barrier with a new initiative – Women Moving Millions. The aim is to inspire high-net-worth women to write checks for $1 million or more to improve the lives of women and girls – and their communities – around the world."

Jitters Amid Strong Returns - Philanthropy.com

Jitters Amid Strong Returns - Philanthropy.com: "The 253 endowments in The Chronicle's annual survey enjoyed their fifth straight year of strong investment returns in 2007, but that streak may come to a halt in 2008.

The endowments in the survey earned a median return of 15.7 percent in 2007 — meaning that half of the endowments achieved higher returns and half lower — helped by a rising stock market and good returns on other types of investments."

Cherry Creek News - CU Donors Break Fundraising Record with More Than $162.5 Million

Cherry Creek News - CU Donors Break Fundraising Record with More Than $162.5 Million: "U Donors Break Fundraising Record with More Than $162.5 Million Print E-mail
Created: Tuesday, Jul 29/2008 16:27
Written by Deborah Mendez-Wilson

DENVER – The University of Colorado and the University of Colorado Foundation announced today that donors have contributed more than $162.5 million for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2008, the most in the university’s 132-year history. The CU Foundation brought in more than $123.5 million of the record-breaking total. This marks the second straight year CU has set a record for funds contributed, and eclipses the $133.5 million in donations contributed to the university last fiscal year."

Editorial: Bush Foundation makes a smart shift

Editorial: Bush Foundation makes a smart shift: "In its proud 55-year history, the Archibald Bush Foundation has touched a lot of lives through grants to thousands of organizations. Now the board of the state's second-largest foundation wants to have a more direct and measurable impact on specific community issues."

AT&T move to Dallas bodes well for area arts and education | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Business News

AT&T move to Dallas bodes well for area arts and education | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Business News: "Indeed, AT&T's track record in its old hometown bodes well for Dallas, experts from both cities say.

Working through its nonprofit foundation, AT&T will probably give millions of dollars and countless man-hours to educational, cultural and medical projects across the region.

Its move should also attract many jobs beyond the 700 AT&T employees who come here."

Relay for Life event raises $42K; low turnout hinders fundraising

Relay for Life event raises $42K; low turnout hinders fundraising: "Saturday's Relay for Life event, held at the Benesse Oncology Center, drew nine teams, 200 participants and raised $42,000 after expenses.

The turnout was much lower than expected because of the June 7 flash flood that canceled the original event date, but event chairperson Kim Sanders was positive about the outcome."

Tips for Raising Money in a Recession - Philanthropy.com

From Chronicle Prospecting Blog re a session at Bridge Conference 2008.

Tips for Raising Money in a Recession - Philanthropy.com: "Tips for Raising Money in a Recession

As fund raisers think about how to handle tough economic times, they should ask themselves how their plans would change “if you knew for a fact that there’d be no recovery until 2010?” says Steve Meyerson, a Washington fund-raising consultant."

EDP24 - Seafront airshow raises record cash sum

EDP24 - Seafront airshow raises record cash sum: "NEWS
Seafront airshow raises record cash sum

ALASDAIR MCGREGOR

29 July 2008 20:09


A record amount of cash was donated by visitors to this year's Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival - even though the ratio of people paying up was lower than in 2007.

Delighted show organisers yesterday revealed that at least £80,245 was thrown into donation buckets along the seafront during last week's highly successful two-day event.

The figure eclipses the £59,206 made last year, but only 260,000 people attended that event compared with 445,000 during last week's glorious summer weather."

Editorial - Big Tobacco, Meet Big Philanthropy - Editorial - NYTimes.com

Editorial - Big Tobacco, Meet Big Philanthropy - Editorial - NYTimes.com: "Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Gates jointly announced commitments from their charitable foundations last week that will raise the money available to roughly $500 million over the next several years. Mr. Bloomberg plans to invest another $250 million over the next four years on top of $125 million that already had been committed. Mr. Gates, who was happy to join the crusade, is to allocate $125 million over five years."

Nonprofits want share of workers' donations : News-Record.com : Greensboro, North Carolina

Nonprofits want share of workers' donations : News-Record.com : Greensboro, North Carolina: "The United Way, which long has relied on employee payroll deduction for much of its revenue, could soon be facing competition from other nonprofits.

The American Cancer Society wants employers to give it and other nonprofits access to the same stream of benefactors who have historically set aside a bit of their paychecks to charity."

Columbus Symphony baroque? | coshoctontribune.com | Coshocton Tribune

Columbus Symphony baroque? | coshoctontribune.com | Coshocton Tribune: "The orchestra's board of trustees suspended operations on June 1 and canceled the popular summer pops series and at least 10 fall classical concert performances, citing a projected $3 million budget shortfall. Managers and musicians have clashed over the next union contract and what direction to take the organization in the future."

NJPAC is $200,000 richer after board member climbs Kilimanjaro - Newark Live - NJ.com

NJPAC is $200,000 richer after board member climbs Kilimanjaro - Newark Live - NJ.com: "People run, walk and bike in both organized events and solo efforts to raise money, but individual feats like this are rare, fund-raising experts say.

'People have run marathons and done a number of events involving bike-riding,' said Robert Wahlers, president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Fund-raising Professionals. 'When you can mix passion for a cause with an achievement like walking or climbing a mountain, it makes it that much more special.'"

Daredevils sought for skyscraper charity event -- chicagotribune.com

Daredevils sought for skyscraper charity event -- chicagotribune.com: "GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - For $1,000, anyone who dares can rappel 400 feet down Grand Rapids' newest and tallest skyscraper."

The Frederick News-Post Online - Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper

The Frederick News-Post Online - Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper: "Maryland's nonprofit sector is increasing its workforce nearly three times faster than for-profit business, according to a Johns Hopkins University report released in June."

Charlotte Observer | 07/27/2008 | United Way losing ground since '90s

Charlotte Observer | 07/27/2008 | United Way losing ground since '90s: "United Way losing ground since '90s
Expert says 80 percent of workers participated in drives then, compared to 40 percent today.
By Kerry Hall
khall@charlotteobserver.com

Choice campaigns, popular in cities such as San Francisco and Philadelphia, are slowly taking hold in the South.

Employees began shunning United Way-led campaigns in the early 1990s, said Mark Shamley of The Association of Corporate Contributions Professionals.

One nonprofit expert said it was routine for 80 percent of workers to participate in a drive in the early 1990s. Today, about 40 percent participate, according to the United Way of America."

Feeling the philanthropic pinch, Island nonprofits and cultural groups get creative - Staten Island Real-Time News - SILive.com

Feeling the philanthropic pinch, Island nonprofits and cultural groups get creative - Staten Island Real-Time News - SILive.com: "In a tough economic climate, two causes may be better than one at attracting supporters.

That's what Meg Ventrudo, executive director of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, is hoping. She noticed a drop in attendance at museum fundraising events before deciding to team with nearby Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center for a combined $100-a-plate gala this September."

SouthCoastToday.com: Increased demand strains supplies at local food pantries

SouthCoastToday.com: Increased demand strains supplies at local food pantries: "Hunger relief agencies across Massachusetts say the demand for food is climbing at an alarming rate, but dwindling financial resources and fewer donations have made it almost impo"

Woman's nonprofit brings power, hope to Africans -- dailypress.com

Woman's nonprofit brings power, hope to Africans -- dailypress.com: "AMES CITY - When someone switches on a light in Banco, Mali, it's most likely connected to a photovoltaic solar power system in the village. But its original source can be traced to an unassuming house in James City County.

That's where Mary Graham, who grew up in Northern Virginia, lives with her parents in Kingsmill when she's not in Mali overseeing Practical Small Projects. That's the nonprofit she founded three years ago to foster sustainable enterprise in the impoverished West African country."

OnMilwaukee.com Milwaukee Buzz: Non-profit Spotlight: Wisconsins Ride for Kids

OnMilwaukee.com Milwaukee Buzz: Non-profit Spotlight: Wisconsins Ride for Kids: "Bentz said that the Wisconsin ride, one of 37 across the country, raised $82,000 last year and could be close to $100,000 this year. 'We get riders from all over the state and all over the Midwest,' Bentz said. 'We contact just about every motorcycle group we can. There will be people from all over.'"

Nonprofits seek passionate leaders to shape future | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan,

Nonprofits seek passionate leaders to shape future | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan,: "Currently, more than 40 nonprofits in Fort Collins, Loveland and Berthoud are seeking skilled and passionate community professionals to serve on their boards of directors, according to United Way of Larimer County.

'Serving on a board provides a tremendous opportunity to understand the business of the organization, to work with outstanding and committed staff, to developing lasting friendships with other board members and to provide input and in some cases direction to the work of the organization,' explained Suzanne Jarboe-Simpson, chair of the Untied Way of Larimer County board of directors."