Rain doesn't stop charitable giving | zanesvilletimesrecorder.com | Zanesville Times Recorder

Rain doesn't stop charitable giving | zanesvilletimesrecorder.com | Zanesville Times Recorder: "Inside, dozens of volunteers wearing The Salvation Army's red signature aprons were finding their stations and getting organized and ready for the masses of people who would soon flood through the building."

Harrisburg-area charity lifts kids' spirits - Evening Sun

Harrisburg-area charity lifts kids' spirits - Evening Sun: "Harrisburg-area charity lifts kids' spirits
By DANIEL VICTOR The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News
Article Launched: 12/20/2008 12:05:53 PM EST

DAUPHIN, Pa.—When she was in first grade, Claire Brobson worked to make life a little cheerier for kids who needed help.

As part of a school project, she filled goodie bags with art and writing supplies for Caitlin's Smiles, a charity that delivers presents to children with life-threatening illnesses in hospitals.

Less than a year later, after learning she herself had leukemia, she got some smiles from the same program.

Both times made her feel great, she said."

Bernard Madoff: One of world's biggest charity foundations forced to shut - Telegraph

Bernard Madoff: One of world's biggest charity foundations forced to shut - Telegraph: "Barbara Picower, who along with her husband, Jeffry, established the Picower Foundation to fund pioneering medical research, said in an email to beneficiaries that its grant-making would cease 'effective immediately'.

It also said the American organisation would 'close its doors in the coming months' because its money was managed by Mr Madoff."

PBJ poll: Charities need the money - Portland Business Journal:

PBJ poll: Charities need the money - Portland Business Journal:: "majority of the responders to last week’s Business Pulse question are not cutting back on their charitable giving this year.

With the economy in recession, we asked if you would cut back on charitable giving this holiday season. Thirty-five percent said no, charities need the money now more than ever; 13 percent said they are giving more; 9 percent said they were not sure yet; and 42 percent said yes, they simply cannot afford to give as much."

Madoff Scandal Rips Apart Close World of Jewish Philanthropy - Forward.com"

Madoff Scandal Rips Apart Close World of Jewish Philanthropy - Forward.com": "Madoff’s sterling reputation, his affable personality and his apparent financial acumen allowed him to move easily through the clubby Jewish philanthropic circles of New York and Palm Beach, Fla. Madoff served on prominent boards, such as that of Yeshiva University; fellow board members, and even other money managers, sought after him to invest their money."

Madoff: The Pain Runs Deep - BusinessWeek

Madoff: The Pain Runs Deep - BusinessWeek: "Philanthropies Crippled

At stake are not only comfortable retirements for the wealthy but also college tuitions, jobs, and plans for retirement someday. MarketWatch columnist Robert Powell writes that when the Madoff story broke, he felt sorry for an acquaintance who had lost his investment. Then he found out that the foundation his wife worked for had invested its money—and its employee retirement accounts—with Madoff as well. The foundation is closing, and Powell's wife is out of both a job and her 401(k)."

The Giving Map (washingtonpost.com)

The Giving Map (washingtonpost.com): "The Giving Map

In this holiday season of particular economic hardship, charitable giving is critical to many in our region. The Giving Map is designed to make it fast and easy to connect you with a nonprofit organization that helps others and fits your areas of interest, whether that's hunger and homelessness or arts and education. The D.C. region is home to many with considerable resources, and others with few. We hope those who can afford to help others will find this tool useful."

More Choose Gift That Truly Keeps Giving - washingtonpost.com

More Choose Gift That Truly Keeps Giving - washingtonpost.com: "This year, largely due to the economy and people's own money concerns, consumers are looking for ways to be thrifty and generous all at once,' said Lucy Bernholz, president of Blueprint Research and Design, a philanthropy advisory firm that publishes a blog on the business of giving. That two-for-one desire has led to what she calls 'good gifting,' of which the cards are just one example."

Economic chill slows donations to Houston's charities | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Economic chill slows donations to Houston's charities | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "With Christmas fast approaching, the chill wind of economic hard times is blowing through Houston's charitable organizations, where seasonal donations of toys and cash are significantly below last year's levels."

ROB WOUTAT: No Brag, Just Fact: We're Generous : Rob Woutat : Kitsap Sun

ROB WOUTAT: No Brag, Just Fact: We're Generous : Rob Woutat : Kitsap Sun: "The Association of Fundraising Professionals found various factors that influence charitable preferences. Young people are more likely to support health and human services. New parents between 25 and 34 are more likely to donate to education. Americans 45 and older more often put religious organizations at the top of their lists, while younger donors put religious charities last. In their charitable giving, men gave stronger preference to educational organizations than women, while woman showed a stronger preference for environmental causes."

In tough times, tough choices for grant makers -- baltimoresun.com

In tough times, tough choices for grant makers -- baltimoresun.com: "Bad economic times hit grant makers hard, too. Foundation assets are shrinking rapidly, with some down by 30 percent or more this year. The corporate world is changing and putting corporate giving programs in double jeopardy: declining profits coupled with loss of local control. Family foundations are seeing their investment returns decrease just when many have made multiple-year commitments to causes they believe in."

Bryant University - About Bryant: Bryant Spotights: 2008 - Honors Bus 101

Bryant University - About Bryant: Bryant Spotights: 2008 - Honors Bus 101: "Honors students create business plan for local nonprofit organization
Proposals establish plans for a computer repair business that will be run by Rhode Island veterans with disabilities.

Students in one of Management Lecturer Dave Greenan’s “Business 101” honors classes took part in a version of Donald Trump’s hit reality show “The Apprentice.” Instead of hearing “You’re Fired,” however, everyone came out a winner – including the local organization the students partnered with and the veterans who will benefit from the program."

Wall Street Journal » Blog Archive » Evaluating the Charity Evaluators

Wall Street Journal » Blog Archive » Evaluating the Charity Evaluators: "Paulette V. Maehara, president and chief executive of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, said people should look beyond ratings. “We encourage donors to get information about the charity from the charity,” Maehara said, “and look at the impact and effectiveness of the organization.”"

NCPG Becomes the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning | Planned Giving Design Center

NCPG Becomes the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning | Planned Giving Design Center: "On January 1, 2009, the National Committee on Planned Giving will become the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning. The new name reflects a broader mission and constituency for an organization that has been serving the charitable planning community since 1988."

Charity Fundraising Efforts Lagging Significantly This Holiday Season

Charity Fundraising Efforts Lagging Significantly This Holiday Season: "AFP's 2008 Holiday Giving Survey found that 53.3 percent of charities responding to the survey are raising less money during the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. Just 22.7 percent are raising more money, and 23.9 percent are raising about the same amount. These figures are in stark contrast to the 2007 survey, when 48.3 percent of organizations were raising more money than the previous year and 26.3 percent were raising less."

The NonProfit Times - Giving And The Recession

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Giving And The Recession

By Patrick M. Rooney

Is the wolf at the door, or just passing through the neighborhood?

Right now, it’s hard to know precisely what the economy’s effect on nonprofits and charitable giving will be, but current signs are not encouraging, and it’s unlikely the nonprofit sector will escape unscathed.

The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have declined three tenths of one percent during the third quarter of 2008. Many other economic indicators are also down. Endowments have felt a significant impact from the Wall Street meltdown, and some nonprofits are reporting increased demands to meet basic needs."

Charities running low on toys - USATODAY.com

Charities running low on toys - USATODAY.com: "Charities that distribute toys to children during the holidays are struggling with lagging donations even as more families need help putting gifts under the Christmas tree.

'Donations are definitely down more so than they have been in a number of years,' says Bill Grein, vice president of marketing and development for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, which distributed 16.6 million toys, books and other gifts to 7.5 million children last year."

Philanthropy About to Enter New Era in State, Nation - State Journal - statejournal.com

Philanthropy About to Enter New Era in State, Nation - State Journal - statejournal.com: "Philanthropy About to Enter New Era in State, Nation
Posted Thursday, December 18, 2008 ; 06:00 AM

Although Americans in general and West Virginians in particular have historically been generous in their philanthropic giving, even in recessionary times, with discretionary income dropping, there is evidence that the nation's one million charities are facing a challenging holiday season.

Story By Scott Miller

Although Americans in general and West Virginians in particular have historically been generous in their philanthropic giving, even in recessionary times, with discretionary income dropping, there is evidence that the nation's one million charities are facing a challenging holiday season."

The Juggle - WSJ.com : Giving Back Over the Holidays

The Juggle - WSJ.com : Giving Back Over the Holidays: "Our family’s work reminds us that the holidays aren’t just about spending and giving tangible gifts, but also about how we give back. While we write a lot in personal finance stories about managing spending, debt, and investments, the financial equation also includes charitable giving of both money and time. Some families sing at nursing homes. Others serve food to the needy or help stock food pantries. Especially this year, when many people are hurting, the opportunities are plentiful."

Our View: Don't let nonprofits starve - Pasadena Star-News

Our View: Don't let nonprofits starve - Pasadena Star-News: "Talking to executive directors and board members of nonprofit organizations throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas, it seems everyone has heard the same dire prediction: 100,000 nonprofit organizations will close their doors over the next two years because of the ongoing financial crisis in the private sector.

That large number has been tossed around at a number of venues, in newsletters, on blogs and most recently at a Washington, D.C. meeting this week dubbed Nonprofit 101."

Silver lining to darkest cloud in arts patronage

Silver lining to darkest cloud in arts patronage: "Like any other business, arts organisations need to have confidence in future sources of revenue to maintain their programs and plan ahead. Many Australian companies have arts sponsorship arrangements that span decades. They are to be commended for their constancy and celebrated as role models for others in the business community."

Morgan County Herald - One of Ohio's Leading Community Newspapers

Morgan County Herald - One of Ohio's Leading Community Newspapers: "‘Holidays for Humanity’ event brings record $14,147
The fourth annual “Holidays for Humanity” Christmas Tree and Gift Sale held at the Stockport Mill was one for the record book. This year’s sale brought $14,147 for Morgan County Habitat for Humanity (MCHFH), the highest amount in the four-year history of the sale, according to Susan Kaster, one of the coordinators for the event.

In the four years combined, over $49,000 has been donated through this sale."

Twelve Blue Avocado Days of Christmas | Blue Avocado

Twelve Blue Avocado Days of Christmas | Blue Avocado: "Twelve Blue Avocado Days of Christmas
Feature Articles • By Jan Masaoka • December 14, 2008 • forward articleEmail print articlePrint

12 days of christmas score graphicOkay now, boys and girls, sing along!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, our board chair sent to me (click on links or see below for key):"

Nonprofit Coalition Proposes Revolving-Loan Fund for Charities - Philanthropy.com

From The ChronicleNonprofit Coalition Proposes Revolving-Loan Fund for Charities - Philanthropy.com: "Nonprofit Coalition Proposes Revolving-Loan Fund for Charities

By Suzanne Perry

Washington

Independent Sector, a coalition of charities and foundations, said today it is working on a proposal for a government revolving-loan fund to help cash-strapped nonprofit groups respond to growing caseloads as the economic crisis takes its toll."

Child's Play Charity Drive Tops $1,000,000 | Game | Life from Wired.com

Child's Play Charity Drive Tops $1,000,000 | Game | Life from Wired.com: "The 2008 edition of Child's Play has topped $1,000,000 in funds raised, according to a recent announcement by the charity drive's organizers."

Charities Feeling The Pinch This Holiday, Economic Downturn Has Made It A Tough Time To Be In Business Of Receiving - CBS News

Charities Feeling The Pinch This Holiday, Economic Downturn Has Made It A Tough Time To Be In Business Of Receiving - CBS News: "CBS) Retailers aren't the only ones vying for your holiday dollars, since it's also the season of giving to charity. But as CBS News correspondent Priya David found, the economic downturn has made it a tough time to be in the business of receiving.

Several charities say their donations are down, so while there are more people in need, resources to help them are thinner than in years past."

MinnPost - Survey paints worrisome picture for Minnesota nonprofits

MinnPost - Survey paints worrisome picture for Minnesota nonprofits: "Survey paints worrisome picture for Minnesota nonprofits

According to a survey of 660 Minnesota nonprofits, more than half have had declining revenues this year and one quarter had already cut staff. Nearly half report increasing service demands."

Charitable Swedes defy credit crunch - The Local

We post additional International Stories on the AFP International blog

Charitable Swedes defy credit crunch - The Local: "Swedish charities are predicting a record year for fundraising despite the ongoing financial crisis. Private donations have continued to increase despite credit crunch concerns, according to a report in Dagens Nyheter (DN)."

Charities hit hard as Madoff losses mount

Charities hit hard as Madoff losses mount: "Sometimes we have seen this wrongdoing happen, and it cuts into endowment funds. But I have been working here for 10 years and I haven't seen a situation where organizations simply disappeared,' said Michael Nilsen, a senior director at the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Nonprofit theater audience down - Entertainment News, Legit News, Media - Variety

Nonprofit theater audience down - Entertainment News, Legit News, Media - Variety: "That's the good news/bad news from a report from the National Endowment for the Arts on the growth and finances of U.S. nonprofit theaters since 1990. Titled 'All America's a Stage,' the study chronicles a recent increase in professional nonprofit legit orgs, especially in geographic areas where theaters traditionally haven't thrived.

According to the report, in 2005 there were 1,982 nonprofit theaters with annual budgets of at least $75,000, double the 991 theaters in 1990. Sharpest growth occurred in states with small numbers of theaters such as Nevada, Arkansas and Colorado."

Memphians gave more to charity than national average in '07, study finds : Business News : Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphians gave more to charity than national average in '07, study finds : Business News : Memphis Commercial Appeal: "That's borne out in the relatively high percentage of charitable contributions that stay in the community, said Virginia Stallworth, executive director of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center and president of the Memphis chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Of the estimated $1.58 billion in charitable giving area residents, foundations and companies did in 2007, about 80 percent went to nonprofits in the region. The 2002 figure was 79 percent."

Nonprofits line up for free school buildings - Muskegon News - The Muskegon Chronicle Online - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com

Nonprofits line up for free school buildings - Muskegon News - The Muskegon Chronicle Online - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com: "There's no shortage of organizations interested in taking Muskegon Public Schools up on its offer for a free school building."

Holiday-Giving Update: Social-Services Groups See a Surge, But Most Groups Face Big Slowdown in Donations - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy

Holiday-Giving Update: Social-Services Groups See a Surge, But Most Groups Face Big Slowdown in Donations - Philanthropy.com: "Holiday-Giving Update: Social-Services Groups See a Surge, But Most Groups Face Big Slowdown in Donations

By Holly Hall and Paula Wasley

Fund raisers nationwide have been hoping donations would increase this month, but the outlook is grim for many charities now entering the final weeks of the year when giving normally increases sharply."

The Jonas Brothers Enjoy Giving Back

The Jonas Brothers Enjoy Giving Back: "The family based trio has always believed in the concept of philanthropy and have done their part to give back to their fans and strangers. The band is active with the Make-A-Wish program, among other charitable organizations."

Holiday charity can help bring a workplace together | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times

Holiday charity can help bring a workplace together | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times: "It's the season for giving and, unless you have had a particularly abysmal year, charitable giving can be a productive way to bring your team together. Even if your company has to cut back on its philanthropy, a commitment to community support can be good for everyone involved. It feels good to do good."

Charities Suffering This Holiday Season | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News

Charities Suffering This Holiday Season | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News: "Tis the season for charitable donations. But the salvation army and area churches say it's been the slowest season in more than a decade. Shiloh Baptist Pastor D.K. Ferguson says, 'We've seen some downturn in the gifts that are being given, and those who are giving.'

Major Butch Mallard of the Salvation Army says, 'Our monetary donations are down, and I think that has to do with the economy, but we have more people coming to us for assistance.' The struggling economy means more people have fallen on hard times, forcing them to pinch pennies."

Giving frugally: Charitable giving in lean times | NevadaAppeal.com

Giving frugally: Charitable giving in lean times | NevadaAppeal.com: "EW YORK — The holiday season is looking lean this year, and your wallet may be thinner than your generosity.
Even if you can’t afford to write a check, remember there are plenty of ways to help out a good cause. Donating property such as art or volunteering professional services are just a few options to consider. In fact, more people are realizing their job skills may be of great use to nonprofit groups.
“You’re seeing this culture where volunteerism is spreading,” said Mark Schickman, chair of the Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service for the American Bar Association."

AFP's 46th International Conference Will Focus on Fundraising in Challenging Times - MarketWatch

AFP's 46th International Conference Will Focus on Fundraising in Challenging Times - MarketWatch: "PRESS RELEASE
AFP's 46th International Conference Will Focus on Fundraising in Challenging Times

Last update: 12:16 p.m. EST Dec. 12, 2008
ARLINGTON, Va., Dec 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Largest Gathering of Fundraising Professionals in the World to Feature Michael Douglas, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Christopher Gardner
The Association of Fundraising Professionals' 46th International Conference on Fundraising, March 29 - April 2, 2008, in New Orleans will feature more than 4,000 fundraisers from around the world coming together to discuss ways to inspire donors and volunteers in economically challenging times."

Little raised over phone goes to charity | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register

Little raised over phone goes to charity | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register: "Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a trade organization representing nearly 30,000 professional fundraisers, said a median return to charities of 24 percent is low, even in hard times.

'You would like to see that reversed,' Nilsen said, adding that hard-and-fast guidelines are difficult. 'Some companies are going to have some legitimate reasons for those low percentages, and some aren't.'"