Saturday, January 03, 2009

Healers, and leaders

Healers, and leaders: "For many of the brightest lights in Ottawa's medical community, fundraising is profoundly personal. Susan Doyle's relationship with The Ottawa Hospital began when she gave a kidney to her son there in 1997. She's now president and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and was named fundraiser of the year in 2003 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Preferred way to handle fund-raising - The Boston Globe

Preferred way to handle fund-raising - The Boston Globe: "AS PRESIDENT of the Massachusetts chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, I'd like to make three points about the article 'Solicitors kept bulk of donations' (Metro, Dec. 29)."

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Service Coalitions Propose 'Nonprofit Stimulus Package' - Philanthropy.com

Service Coalitions Propose 'Nonprofit Stimulus Package' - Philanthropy.com: "December 31, 2008
Service Coalitions Propose 'Nonprofit Stimulus Package'

Several coalitions of groups promoting community and national service are urging President-elect Obama and Congress to include a “nonprofit stimulus package” as part of the economic-recovery plan they are drafting."

Law Blog - WSJ.com : Madoff Scandal Threatens Country's Criminal Justice Organizations

Related Madoff stories

Law Blog - WSJ.com : Madoff Scandal Threatens Country's Criminal Justice Organizations: "allying the losers in the Madoff scandal has become somewhat of a parlor game. On the legal front, we’ve seen the New York Law School emerge as an alleged victim. But the criminal justice system is reeling, as well."

Glamour Still Rules, but With Fewer Debutantes - NYTimes.com

Glamour Still Rules, but With Fewer Debutantes - NYTimes.com: "Some parents recognized the disconnect between the opulence inside the hotel’s gilded doors and the mood beyond them; others took comfort in the fact that the event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, mainly the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club, a hotel in Manhattan for military members and their families."

Telemarketers Take Hefty Share of Charity Dollars, Study Finds - NYTimes.com

Telemarketers Take Hefty Share of Charity Dollars, Study Finds - NYTimes.com: "On average, just 39 cents of every dollar raised by commercial telemarketing companies for charities in New York State actually go to charity, the state attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, concluded in a report issued on Tuesday. The balance, he found, is used to pay fees and expenses associated with professional fund-raising."

Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News

Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News: "Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme

By Jacob Berkman · December 30, 2008

Sometimes its good to put things into perspective.

The Jewish nonprofit world certainly lost money in the Madoff scheme, but we were not the only losers, and perhaps not even the biggest.

Bloomberg News put together a list of grants given out in 2007 by 10 foundations that lost significant assets in the Madoff scandal, nine of which are Jewish."

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News: "(CBS) Because of Bernie Madoff, Deborah Coltin is out of a job and a 401k retirement account, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor. But for her, even more devastating is the impact on others.

'It is extremely tough for me to believe it and for the community to believe it,' Coltin said. 'We've been in a state of disbelief.'"

Fund set up to replenish nonprofits | Jacksonville.com

Fund set up to replenish nonprofits | Jacksonville.com: "Local philanthropies, led by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, announced Tuesday they have raised $1.3 million behind the scenes this month to launch the Community Safety Net Fund. It will allow nonprofit agencies to replenish their resources and provide emergency assistance to residents in need."

Anger replaces shock as Madoff scam puts spotlight | U.S. | Jewish Journal

Anger replaces shock as Madoff scam puts spotlight | U.S. | Jewish Journal: "Anger has begun to supplant shock as those who contribute to prominent Jewish charities or work on their behalf gasp for comprehension of the unprecedented percussion that the Bernard L. Madoff investment fraud is having on their favorite causes."

KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Nonprofits angle for pieces of a nearly $20 million pie

KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Nonprofits angle for pieces of a nearly $20 million pie: "ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Local nonprofit groups are hoping to get a share of nearly $20 million, part of a federal plan to help states recover from foreclosure problems."

Martha's Vineyard Times : For Island nonprofits, challenges mean redoubling their heroic efforts

Martha's Vineyard Times : For Island nonprofits, challenges mean redoubling their heroic efforts: "To say that the past year presented unique challenges for the Vineyard’s more than 100 nonprofit organizations is certainly an understatement. It was a year of reasonably good results for most Island charities, and very good results for several, with a sudden international financial meltdown dominating the final months and, most probably, many months ahead."

Local charitable giving down this year | GJFreePress.com

Local charitable giving down this year | GJFreePress.com: "GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Charitable giving to local chapters of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross was down this year, said representatives of those nonprofits.

Giving to the trademark red kettles for the Salvation Army was down $9,862, or about 5.5 percent, this year. Last year, bell ringers collected $179,593.62, and this year the amount was $169,731.54, said Cora Gress, Christmas assistant."

Even as resources dwindle, more are calling for nonprofits' help | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Even as resources dwindle, more are calling for nonprofits' help | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal: "ob layoffs and the collapse of the housing market have kicked up waves of people who now must lean on nonprofits that are themselves pinched by the economy.

Maintaining morale among volunteers and paid staffers can be difficult, and while Castillo hasn't had anyone quit yet, he said he can see the pressure getting to workers in the future."

Economic downturn continues to affect families in Tulare County | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register

Economic downturn continues to affect families in Tulare County | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register: "Local charitable organizations have seen an influx of families seeking help. Visalia Salvation Army representatives reported serving more than 700 families, a record, for this month's holiday distribution of toys, food and clothing.

'We are seeing more men in line [for assistance], where before it was mostly women,' Capt. Ezekiel Guevara said. 'Many said they were laid off, and that was a sad thing for me to see.'"

IRS Releases Final Form 990 and Instructions - 30 Dec 2008

IRS Releases Final Form 990 and Instructions - 30 Dec 2008: "The Internal Revenue Service announced on December 24 that it has released the final versions of the 2008 Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return, schedules and instructions effective for 2008 tax year.

The new form consists of an 11-page, 11-part core form that is required to be completed by all organizations that file the Form 990, and Schedules to be completed by those organizations that satisfy the applicable requirements for each Schedule."

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Cultural Trail seeks donations online | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Cultural Trail seeks donations online | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "In an appeal to public donors, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is launching a portal to allow people to give money online.

The push to raise funds online for the trail, an eight-mile bike and pedestrian path connecting the city's Downtown districts and Fountain Square, was inspired partly by a season of political campaigning that proved the Internet a powerful fundraising tool, said Gail Payne, the trail's public outreach and fundraising manager."

Loose Change: Giving to charity on a tight budget | Business | Star-Telegram.com

Loose Change: Giving to charity on a tight budget | Business | Star-Telegram.com: "This year’s tight budgets may make it hard for you to spread your generosity among charities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still give to your favorite cause. You just have to give strategically to ensure that your hard-earned dollars help as much as possible. Here’s how to donate without busting your budget."

Childhood inspires Crystal Lake Salvation Army major's 'toy store' -- chicagotribune.com

Childhood inspires Crystal Lake Salvation Army major's 'toy store' -- chicagotribune.com: "Now a corps commanding officer in Crystal Lake, Maj. Price and his volunteers this holiday season organized the Army's first toy store for needy families. An empty fabric store, located in a strip mall in Crystal Lake, was filled with hundreds of donated new toys, such as Polly Pockets, Barbie dolls, Little Pony figures and Hot Wheels. There were racks of winter coats and pants, and boxes of T-shirts, sweat shirts and household items."

SunJournal.com - Dempsey plans charity bike trek

SunJournal.com - Dempsey plans charity bike trek: "LEWISTON - Patrick Dempsey hopes to draw thousands of people onto bicycles with an annual 100-mile trek though Androscoggin and Cumberland counties, beginning and ending here in Lewiston."

Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index

Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index: "Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index
Date Published: December 8, 2008"

In difficult times, give freely to assist others | ajc.com

In difficult times, give freely to assist others | ajc.com: "“Do not separate yourself from the community.”

Written 2,000 years ago by Rabbi Hillel, these words ring true in today’s difficult times.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, thousands of Atlantans stepped forward to open our homes and our wallets to help.

After the tsunami of 2006, the entire world responded, sending money, food and supplies to the victims of perhaps the world’s most massive natural disaster.

Today, Americans of all walks of life and income levels are facing a major economic disaster. As both unemployment and home foreclosure rates soar, more of our neighbors than ever are turning to local charities for help."

NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source

NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source: "That business includes making last-minute donations to various nonprofit organizations - not just for the sake of holiday charity, but because of the possibility of a tax deduction. No matter what the reason, nonprofit organizations appreciate end-of-the-year donations."

Monday, December 29, 2008

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "New Nonprofit Investment Rules About To Hit

Nonprofit organizations with donor-restricted endowment funds and board-designated endowment funds are facing changes in financial statement reporting and disclosure requirements in the immediate future. Now is the time to ensure that your organization will be ready for these changes.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) this past August issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 117-1, “Endowments of Not-for-Profit Organizations: Net Asset Classifications of Funds Subject to an Enacted Version of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), and Enhanced Disclosures for All Endowment Funds.” The FSP’s objective is two-fold:"

Top 25 Foundations: Charity funders feeling pinched

Top 25 Foundations: Charity funders feeling pinched: "Minnesota foundation executives are sweating the hits to their endowments caused by the 40 percent decline in the value of the U.S. stock market this year.

Some are flexing grant-making guidelines and otherwise scrambling to make good on 2009 commitments to hard-hit charities that are experiencing unprecedented demand amid a recession that reaches from the heart of the city to the shores of Lake Minnetonka."

Lexington News - Kentucky News | Lexington Herald-Leader

Lexington News - Kentucky News | Lexington Herald-Leader: "When a certain type of fund-raiser is successful, it's only natural that others will imitate it. For example, the 1990s saw an explosion of fund-raiser walkathons, bicycle rides and running events.

But such events typically have a life cycle of waxing and waning, said Michael Nilsen, spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

'At some point, they might reach the oversaturation stage,' Nilsen said."