Opinion: Why Charity Leaders Should Pay Close Attention to Obama's Pay Guidelines - Philanthropy.com

Opinion: Why Charity Leaders Should Pay Close Attention to Obama's Pay Guidelines - Philanthropy.com: "Opinion: Why Charity Leaders Should Pay Close Attention to Obama's Pay Guidelines

By Ralph De Jong and Michael Peregrine

President Obama’s announcement this week that he plans to limit executive pay and perks at financial companies seeking federal bailout aid should send a message to nonprofit groups’ leaders and their board members."

Sponsorship plunges downhill for ski racers | Sports | Reuters

Sponsorship plunges downhill for ski racers | Sports | Reuters: "'In the current environment we look even more closely at every euro invested in ski sponsorships,' said a spokesman for German chocolate brand Milka, which has been one of the biggest supporters of skiing events for more than a decade and currently backs six racers.

Unlike Formula One drivers and tennis players, skiers belong to a non-profit organization, the International Ski Federation (FIS), which limits their sponsorships opportunities, often centered on sportsgear."

IU raises fundraising campaign goal: IU News Room: Indiana University

IU raises fundraising campaign goal: IU News Room: Indiana University: "BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University and its fundraising partner, the IU Foundation, today announced that they are raising the goal of the university's 'Matching the Promise' fundraising campaign for the Bloomington campus by $100 million, or 10 percent, to $1.1 billion."

Waukesha United Way takes record hit - JSOnline

Waukesha United Way takes record hit - JSOnline: "Waukesha - Projecting its largest-ever decrease in annual fund raising, the United Way in Waukesha County announced Thursday that it plans to make across-the-board funding cuts to programs, many of which are reporting increased demand for services.

'The need for services is growing while it appears funding to support programs is shrinking,' said Janet Schulz, chair of the United Way's board of directors."

Cleveland Jewish News > News > Local

Cleveland Jewish News > News > Local: "Nearly 80 doctors, all highly skilled amateur musicians, will have a shot at performing live at Severance Hall. They will take the stage in the “Benefit Concert of the World Doctors Orchestra (WDO)” at Severance Hall on Sun., Feb. 8 (See box)."

Nonprofits consider shared resources as funds diminish - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

Nonprofits consider shared resources as funds diminish - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:: "She and others in the nonprofit field say charitable organizations have to take a hard look at which programs provide the most value and think creatively about how to deliver them.

Strategies might include aligning staff to focus more deeply on core services, looking at partnerships to lower administrative costs or perhaps considering a merger with a similar organization."

Melinda and Bill Gates on Making a Difference - BusinessWeek

Melinda and Bill Gates on Making a Difference - BusinessWeek: "MELINDA GATES

We're involved in three different areas: global health, global development, and the U.S. program, which is primarily focused on education. In global health, we're really focused on top diseases that affect the poor. Malaria, HIV-AIDS, and tuberculosis are the big ones, but also some things like maternal health and newborn death. So many newborns die in the first 28 days of life. In global development, we're really trying to see how you can help the poor lift themselves up in the developing world. So we work on agriculture and financial services."

Foundation Center Research Update

Foundation Center Research Update: "New York, NY — February 5, 2009. Foundation support for eight of the 10 major subject areas rose in 2007, despite the first signs of an economic downturn in the latter half of the year, according to Foundation Giving Trends (2009 Edition), released today by the Foundation Center. The environment and animals field posted the fastest rise in funding, up 28.5 percent from the prior year — more than double the 13.2 percent rise in overall grant dollars."

Inside Art - Altria Group Donates About 150 Works to Whitney Museum - NYTimes.com

Inside Art - Altria Group Donates About 150 Works to Whitney Museum - NYTimes.com: "Even in these grim economic times, institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art are able to continue building their collections. Some are gifts from donors unaffected by the financial markets; others are acquisitions in the works before things grew ugly; and then there is art that seemed out of reach before but is now available because of changing fortunes."

NorthJersey.com: Lautenberg's charity lost most of $15M in assets

NorthJersey.com: Lautenberg's charity lost most of $15M in assets: "The charitable foundation established by Sen. Frank Lautenberg lost nearly all its $15 million in assets by investing them with Bernard Madoff.

'Over 90 percent of the foundation's assets were invested with Madoff,' said Michael Griffinger, a Newark lawyer representing the senator and the Lautenberg Foundation."

Obama Creates Effort to Help Religious Groups Fight Poverty - Philanthropy.com

Obama Creates Effort to Help Religious Groups Fight Poverty - Philanthropy.com: "President Barack Obama today created a federal effort to help religious groups and grass-root charities fight social ills."

Fundraising in a Bad Economy | TechSoup Blog

Thanks to TechSoup for this Coverage

Fundraising in a Bad Economy | TechSoup Blog: "Fundraising in a Bad Economy
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 1:03pm — Robert Weiner

The Association of Fundraising Professionals has posted A Survival Kit for Fundraising in a Bad Economy, which includes links to dozens of articles."

IndyStar.com | Thou Shalt | The Indianapolis Star

IndyStar.com | Thou Shalt | The Indianapolis Star: "People in the philanthropic world tell me that, for folks with substantial wealth and a desire to bless worthwhile charities with a portion of it, giving away money isn't as simple an act as you might think it is."

CNS STORY: Catholic colleges adjust fundraising efforts to fit economic climate

CNS STORY: Catholic colleges adjust fundraising efforts to fit economic climate: "The economy is bad, everyone is tightening their belts and the natural instinct is to say, 'Wait until everyone's financial situation gets stronger before asking for money,'' said Charles J. Dougherty, president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. 'But we're on our way to having our best fundraising year ever. We just had to change the way we do our fundraising.'"

Habitat founder: a legacy of giving - Opinion - MassLive.com

Habitat founder: a legacy of giving - Opinion - MassLive.com: "Millard Fuller never became a household name, but the organization he built is instantly recognized across the globe as a model for creative philanthropy.

Fuller, who founded Americus, Ga.-based Habitat for Humanity in 1976 and ran it for three decades with his wife, Linda, died Tuesday at the age of 74, prompting former President Jimmy Carter, a Habitat volunteer, to call him 'one of the most extraordinary people I have ever known.'"

Arts survey shows economy hurting nonprofits

Arts survey shows economy hurting nonprofits: "The arts, like most business sectors, are feeling the effects of the current economic downturn. The N.H. State Council on the Arts recently did a survey to get a better take on how the state's art businesses are being affected and how they're handling any change."

TED 2009: Bill Gates on philanthropy | The Editors’ Desk | STLtoday

TED 2009: Bill Gates on philanthropy | The Editors’ Desk | STLtoday: "Bill Gates gave the opening session of the TED conference today a peek at his new life as a full-time philanthropist, focusing on two of his top priorities: global health and education."

List of Madoff clients runs in thousands - Feb. 5, 2009

List of Madoff clients runs in thousands - Feb. 5, 2009: "The densely typed list includes multinational banks, unions, charitable foundations, Madoff's attorney, Madoff's relatives and, possibly, celebrities."

Florida's ACLU affiliate in Miami to cut staff nearly 20 percent - South Florida - MiamiHerald.com

Florida's ACLU affiliate in Miami to cut staff nearly 20 percent - South Florida - MiamiHerald.com: "Tim Seiler, director of the Fund Raising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, said there is no evidence yet that charitable giving has declined nationally, but he added it may be that changes in giving have yet to be measured.

''We don't have any real national data. . . . It's too soon for us to be able to say what's going on and happening nationally,'' Seiler said. He added: ``We certainly have heard anecdotes about organizations experiencing a decline.''"

Shaky economy casts doubt on giving - Campus News

Shaky economy casts doubt on giving - Campus News: "Posted in the basement, known as the student call center, is a sign with the heading 'Fundraising in an Uncertain Economic Climate.'

'Many alumni, parents and friends have expressed concern about how the current global financial crisis is affecting Brown,' the sign warns, before giving more detailed advice to callers."

nfpSynergy - nfpSynergy - our latest editorial

nfpSynergy - nfpSynergy - our latest editorial: "Stairway to survival

Joe Saxton's ten steps to surviving the current recession and coming out the other side...

Let’s face it, these are hard times for any fundraising organisation. The gloomy economic situation is bad enough in itself, but the perception of hard times is probably worse. There are plenty of people out there who have not been affected by the credit crunch or the jobs market or the recession one bit."

AFP > Resource Center | Fundraising news > Seven Reasons for Fundraisers to be Optimistic in 2009

AFP > Resource Center | Fundraising news > Seven Reasons for Fundraisers to be Optimistic in 2009: "Seven Reasons for Fundraisers to be Optimistic in 2009

By Gail Perry, CFRE

(Feb. 2, 2009) AFP member, experienced fundraiser, speaker and author, Gail Perry, CFRE, shares with eWire readers her thoughts on how to keep going productively in these bad economic times. She believes that without a positive outlook we cannot go forward to make the world a better place. Below is her “positive thinking” list for ’09."

February 2009-1. Does your organization have jargon breath?

From Mal Warwick

February 2009: "1. Does your organization have jargon breath?

By Tom Ahern

“At risk?” “Accessible?” “Services?” I hear what you’re saying. I just can't see what you’re saying. And that’s the problem with jargon.

In fact, just about everything is wrong with jargon once it leaves your office."

PhilanTopic: Brother, Can You Spare a Grant?

PhilanTopic: Brother, Can You Spare a Grant?: "Brother, Can You Spare a Grant?

(Tracy Kaufman is an occasional contributor to PhilanTopic. In August, she asked the question, What's so great about an MBA?)

In the late 1920s, unprecedented rates of job and income growth in the United States prompted Herbert Hoover to boast, 'We shall soon with the help of God be within sight of the day when poverty will be banished from the nation.' A few years later, with the country mired in an economic depression, Hoover was repudiated by the voters, losing his bid for reelection to Franklin Roosevelt by a huge margin."

Economic crisis hitting political fundraising, too - McClatchy D.C. Bureau - Kentucky.com

Economic crisis hitting political fundraising, too - McClatchy D.C. Bureau - Kentucky.com: "The current recession is wrapping its tightfisted hands around its latest victim: political fundraising."

Fuller, co-founder of Habitat for Humanity, dies - Nation - The State

Fuller, co-founder of Habitat for Humanity, dies - Nation - The State: "TLANTA -- Millard Fuller, the millionaire entrepreneur who gave it all away to help found the Christian house-building charity Habitat for Humanity, died Tuesday. He was 74."

Charities feeling pinch of economic crisis - Philanthropy column - Cleveland.com

Charities feeling pinch of economic crisis - Philanthropy column - Cleveland.com: "ore than 90 percent of Ohio charitable foundations report that their assets have declined, and 60 percent expect to give less money than they did last year.

The gloomy figures, from a January survey of the state's 3,000 foundations, were released Monday at a gathering hosted by the Cleveland Foundation and the Ohio Grantmakers Forum."

Charitable giving still a priority in spiraling economy (OneNewsNow.com)

Charitable giving still a priority in spiraling economy (OneNewsNow.com): "A new study finds that Christians in America don't plan to cut their giving to faith-based groups, despite the sluggish economy.



According to the Wilson Research Strategies survey, 58 percent of Americans said they are cutting back on items such as entertainment and short-term savings. Also, the survey found that 43 percent said they had either reduced or stopped giving to charity."

NewsMaker - Technology Benchmarking Report shows charities slow to embrace the social web

NewsMaker - Technology Benchmarking Report shows charities slow to embrace the social web: "A new technology benchmarking report has found that Australia’s charities and nonprofit organisations are missing out on opportunities presented by the social web and buying software that does not meet their needs.

Those that embrace the digital future are experiencing gains in productivity but some still face major challenges, according to the Connecting Up Australia (CUA) ‘Are We There yet?’ Report. The report on the technology capacity of Australia’s charities and nonprofit groups was based on an extensive survey of over 930 organisations nationwide."

Communication key to recession fundraising | Philanthropy Journal

Communication key to recession fundraising | Philanthropy Journal: "This is the time to invest an even greater amount of time, energy and resources in continuing to cultivate relationships with donors and prospective donors,' says Robbe Healey, senior member of Farr Healey Consulting in West Chester, Pa., and chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

That focus on donors should be part of a larger effort that integrates philanthropy into an organization's business plan, connecting giving to the specific programs it supports and to their outcomes, Healey says.

More Big Donations Were Bequests in 2008 - Chronicle.com

More Big Donations Were Bequests in 2008 - Chronicle.com: "More than half of the donations from America’s top 10 philanthropists last year came in the form of bequests, The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy 50 survey has determined."

The NonProfit Times - "Attorneys General Focusing On Fiduciary Responsibilities

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Attorneys General Focusing On Fiduciary Responsibilities

By Michele Donohue

While long-established charities are seeing donations drop and more are shuttering their doors because of a tough U.S. economy, according to Terry Knowles, assistant director of the New Hampshire Department of Justice Charitable Trusts Unit, her office is seeing an increase in filings for nonprofit status."

Syracuse University campaign rakes in $110 million in first year

Syracuse University campaign rakes in $110 million in first year: "Despite a struggling economy, Syracuse University raised $110 million in the first year of the public portion of its five-year $1 billion fundraising campaign."

Seeking Grant Money Today: How To Plan Out This Year's Grant Seeking...

Seeking Grant Money Today: How To Plan Out This Year's Grant Seeking...: "Then do some research. Call your nearest United Way and ask them if they have a report on grants giving trends in the region for the past year. You could also ask the librarian at your public library's reference desk for the most recent philanthropy, nonprofit, donations, etc. studies. You do not need to find the giving trends for organizations who do similar work as yours', only. Looking at the overall granting trend for your geographic region will be informative on a high level so that you can see the general giving trend (up, down, or the same). Local and national professional nonprofit affiliations, such as The Foundation Center, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Association of Fundraising Professionals, etc. often conduct their own studies for both national trends, but also trends in specific regions of the United States."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: In Tough Times, It's Time to Step Up

onPhilanthropy: Articles: In Tough Times, It's Time to Step Up: "n Tough Times, It's Time to Step Up
Friday, January 30, 2009
By: Susan Carey Dempsey

When Ted Turner made an historic announcement of a billion dollar pledge to the United Nations a decade ago, he wished out loud that lists of most generous donors would become as competitive as lists of the World's Richest."