MinnPost - United Way leader stepping down and hints at changes in giving

MinnPost - United Way leader stepping down and hints at changes in giving: "First, United Way is evaluating whether to put more money into basic needs — hunger, homelessness and financial stability. (That could mean cuts in other parts of the United Way's 10-point Agenda for Lasting Change, such as money for quality out-of-school activities.)"

Food bank drive sets record at $1 million | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Food bank drive sets record at $1 million | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal: "ith donations still trickling in, officials are expecting the record-setting fundraising event to reap a total of $1.05 million for the 2008-09 campaign.

It could help needy families across Greater Lansing have three meals a day instead of two, or alleviate their having to choose between spending their dollars on heating bills or medicines rather than food."

Twitter Followers Raise Thousands of Dollars for Charity - Philanthropy.com

Twitter Followers Raise Thousands of Dollars for Charity - Philanthropy.com: "Twitter Followers Raise Thousands of Dollars for Charity

Organizers of the 24-hour global fund-raising effort known as Twestival are still counting the cash they raised Thursday for charity: water, which works to provide clean drinking water to developing countries."

Fan Fare » Blog Archive » Stars auction iPods, playlists for hurricane charity | Blogs |

Fan Fare » Blog Archive » Stars auction iPods, playlists for hurricane charity | Blogs |: "Philanthropic Web site Tonic.com is auctioning off between one and five of the signed iPods every week from now until August and sending all the money directly to benefit Music Rising — an organization that replaces musical instruments that were lost or destroyed by Katrina and other hurricanes in the Gulf Coast region."

Bloomberg.com: Arts and Culture

Bloomberg.com: Arts and Culture: "The reopening of Ford’s Theatre after an 18-month refurbishment coincides with a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. Obama, 47, who took the oath of office on Lincoln’s bible, will travel to Springfield, Illinois, today to mark the bicentennial."

Diane Bell: Museums, nonprofits battle tough times, too

Diane Bell: Museums, nonprofits battle tough times, too: "The San Diego Museum of Art laid off 23 people Friday following on the heels of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego's 15 percent cut of full-and part-time staff, down to about 75. Both suffered about a 30 percent endowment loss.

Elsewhere, the Mingei folk art museum recently eliminated two management positions, but instead of pay cuts or furloughs, it is extending current exhibitions and reducing marketing and printing expenses."

New report shows recession hitting Idaho nonprofits hard | News Updates | Idaho Statesman

New report shows recession hitting Idaho nonprofits hard | News Updates | Idaho Statesman: "An online survey conducted by the Idaho Nonprofit Center in January that collected responses from 270 Idaho organizations, found trouble in the local nonprofit community:

-- 64 percent experienced a decline in total revenue

-- 52 percent had an increase in demand for services

-- 52 percent reported increased expenses."

Raising Money For Nonprofits In Terrible Times - Forbes.com

Raising Money For Nonprofits In Terrible Times - Forbes.com: "How does she do it? First of all, she goes to where the money is now. The career fundraiser put together a list of tips for her staff about how to raise money in tough times, and No. 3 was 'Follow the market.'"

Compromise Stimulus Plan Restores Some Social Spending - Philanthropy.com

Compromise Stimulus Plan Restores Some Social Spending - Philanthropy.com: "Details of the agreement between congressional leaders on a compromise economic-stimulus measure are not yet all available, but an initial summary shows that lawmakers restored some social spending that had been cut in the Senate version of the bill."

Editorial: Charities suffered all over Michigan - Kalamazoo, Michigan Columns, Letters & Opinion - Kalamazoo Gazette – MLive.com

Editorial: Charities suffered all over Michigan - Kalamazoo, Michigan Columns, Letters & Opinion - Kalamazoo Gazette – MLive.com: "Editorial: Charities suffered all over Michigan
by the Kalamazoo Gazette Editorial Board
Thursday February 12, 2009, 9:07 AM

The Michigan Nonprofit Association's annual report, released this week, indicates that 45 percent of charities in the state have seen donations go down this year.

Meanwhile, 65 percent of arts and entertainment nonprofit organizations and 52 percent of community service groups also have seen revenues decline, Gongwer News Service reported this week."

Desoto Times Online

Desoto Times Online: "There is an old saying that charity begins at home. In this era of economic uncertainty, the faith-based charitable network that has existed in hometowns across America for nearly 200 hundred years received its stamp of approval from the new Obama Administration recently with the newly renamed White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Nervous Nonprofits Look for Signs of Hope in Foundation Report

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Nervous Nonprofits Look for Signs of Hope in Foundation Report: "With a Foundation Center report out today on giving trends in 2007, nonprofits are anxiously scouring the analysis for hints as to how funders will act in the year ahead. Organizations supporting the environment and animals had a strong showing, so those sectors may feel a bit more secure, but who knows whether even that trend will continue?"

The dual philanthropy of our area's snowbirds | fortmyers.floridaweekly.com | Fort Myers Florida Weekly

The dual philanthropy of our area's snowbirds | fortmyers.floridaweekly.com | Fort Myers Florida Weekly: "February, March and April are among the busiest months in Southwest Florida for seasonal residents. We welcome our northern friends from Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois,

Iowa, and others blustery states. Snowbirds, as they are called, improve our regional economy through their collective purchasing habits. Loosely defined, a snowbird is a person who spends several months out of each year as a part-time resident in warmer state. Florida and Arizona are two of the most popular destinations."

Teens help direct giving in area - Kansas City Star

Teens help direct giving in area - Kansas City Star: "In Kansas City, one organization funneling that flow is the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. Its brainchild, the Youth Advisory Council, has even expanded the breadth of giving to area nonprofits and those they serve to a greater focus on youth needs."

Museum Finds a Way to Energize Revenues - Philanthropy.com

Museum Finds a Way to Energize Revenues - Philanthropy.com: "Museum Finds a Way to Energize Revenues

At a time when the crumbling economy is forcing many museums and other arts organizations to cut hours, performances, staff members — and to shut down completely in some cases — one museum has a promising new source of revenue."

Yao’s charity to no longer benefit from Rockets gala | Sports | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Yao’s charity to no longer benefit from Rockets gala | Sports | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "The change was made to take the Yao Ming Foundation out of the loop, staying within newly enforced NBA guidelines set to prevent salary-cap circumvention.

Yao can opt out of his contract with the Rockets after the 2009-10 season, and the league office said donations to his foundation could be interpreted as influencing negotiations."

Twitter users will meet offline for a good cause | Living | Star-Telegram.com

Twitter users will meet offline for a good cause | Living | Star-Telegram.com: "t’s enough to set your heart a Twitter.

On Thursday, in more than 175 cities worldwide, people who chat on the social-networking site Twitter will come together (in person) to raise money for one charity.

Think of it as virtual fundraising with a twist."

CSU donations hit record high figures - News

CSU donations hit record high figures - News: "Despite the tight economy, donations to the California State Universities were $442 million for 2007-08, a 35 percent increase from the previous academic year.

Associate Vice President for University Development Rebecca Thompson said that last year Sacramento State received $17,987,769 in donations."

Latino nonprofits feel the squeeze of economic crunch

Latino nonprofits feel the squeeze of economic crunch: "The bad economy has dealt a big blow to the city’s Latino nonprofits, many of which have been forced to cut hours, reduce services and even consider closing.

From theaters and language centers to housing and employment programs, organizations that have served the Latino community for decades are now struggling to stay afloat."

toledoblade.com --Two Toledo organizations are looking to provide an extra safety net for low-income families in the region.

toledoblade.com --: "Two Toledo organizations are looking to provide an extra safety net for low-income families in the region.

The nonprofit Toledo Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Toledo announced yesterday that they have created the Safety Net Fund to aid groups that provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. The organizations will match donations up to $2,000 with 50 cents for each dollar contributed to the fund."

Volunteer vacations: More than just a great trip

Volunteer vacations: More than just a great trip: "When two friends and I decided to add the element of volunteering to a trip, we opened a cornucopia of opportunities.

Our research divulged you can do everything from pounding nails and painting buildings to counting turtles or extracting teeth, should you have that talent. You can head for, as examples, a tiny village in Sri Lanka, a summer camp in Poland or a schoolhouse in Thailand."

Catholic Charities tones down annual ball - Washington Business Journal:

Catholic Charities tones down annual ball - Washington Business Journal:: "Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington is doing things a little differently this year — they are scaling back on the glitz and glamor of their annual benefit gala."

Penn State Live-"Giving to Penn State is resilient, even in tough times

Penn State Live: "Giving to Penn State is resilient, even in tough times
Tuesday, February 10, 2009

University Park, Pa. — Despite the current economic climate, Penn State's alumni and friends are continuing to support the University through philanthropy, according to University President Graham B. Spanier. Tallies through the first seven months of fiscal year 2008-2009 show that while some donors have had to cut back their giving, others are making significant commitments to the University-wide capital campaign, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. Overall figures are in line with last year's pace."

Senate-Passed Stimulus Bill Does Not Include Philanthropy Measures - Philanthropy.com

Senate-Passed Stimulus Bill Does Not Include Philanthropy Measures - Philanthropy.com: "Senate-Passed Stimulus Bill Does Not Include Philanthropy Measures

By Suzanne Perry and Grant Williams

Washington

The economic-stimulus package passed by the Senate today does not include a number of measures that nonprofit and foundation leaders had proposed to help ease the impact of the recession on the philanthropic world."

Davos, the Poor, and the Crash of '08 - Council on Foreign Relations

Davos, the Poor, and the Crash of '08 - Council on Foreign Relations: "n a Davos session focused on philanthropy, speakers bemoaned that dismal economic trends are pushing private donors from an era of what they termed 'philanthrocapitalism,' to one of 'philanthrocrisis.' In an almost pleading tone, former U.S. President Bill Clinton urged the Davos gathering to 'prioritize keeping people alive.'"

Thailand Bed Push Race For Charity

Thailand Bed Push Race For Charity: "- When you think of a bed you think of rest and relaxation. But some fundraisers in Thailand want you to think again with their Bed Push Race.

Participants are pushing beds in a race to the finish line to promote tourism and raise money for charity.

The competition happened Sunday in the resort town of Pattaya in Thailand."

Case Foundation-What are you spending on this Valentine's Day - chocolates or charity?

Case Foundation: "Last year, Elaine Gast wrote a great article for us entitled, “14 Charitable Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day.” From volunteering to buying gifts that give back, Elaine offers great suggestions on ways to do good and feel good on Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for meaning and leaning towards charity instead of chocolates this year, check out Elaine’s suggestions. In addition, keep coming back throughout the week for more ideas from our staff on how to truly spread the love this February 14th."

JFN will give out up to $5 million in loans for nonprofits hurt by Madoff | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News

JFN will give out up to $5 million in loans for nonprofits hurt by Madoff | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News: "The Jewish Funders Network has allocated $5 million to give out loans of between $100,000 and $300,000 to non-profits hurt by Bernard Madoff’s scandal.

Here is the info:
The Jewish Funders Network announced today the launch of a Crisis Loan Fund to assist nonprofits harmed by the Madoff Ponzi scheme. With an initial pool of $5 million, The Crisis Loan Fund will provide bridge financing and interest subsidies to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits facing budget shortfalls as a result of the scheme. The fund was created through a collaboration of JFN members. JFN has also launched a Pro Bono Resource Bank that offers consulting services to nonprofits who are struggling in this down economy."

AmeriCorps Expansion Should Consider Quality, Not Number of Participants - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy

AmeriCorps Expansion Should Consider Quality, Not Number of Participants - Philanthropy.com: "AmeriCorps Expansion Should Consider Quality, Not Number of Participants

If Congress moves to expand AmeriCorps, the national-service program, it should focus more on improving its quality than on increasing the number of people who participate, a consultant who helped draft the legislation that created the program told a forum on national service today."

Associations Release Recommendations for Obama, Congress, to Strengthen Nonprofit Sector | OMB Watch

Associations Release Recommendations for Obama, Congress, to Strengthen Nonprofit Sector | OMB Watch: "Associations Release Recommendations for Obama, Congress, to Strengthen Nonprofit Sector


Two major nonprofit associations, Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofits, have released detailed recommendations on how the federal government can strengthen and serve communities through nonprofit organizations, including some proposals that can be included in the upcoming economic stimulus package."

The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau

The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau: "State Farm Bureaus Provide Record-Breaking Support to Food Banks

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 9, 2009 – Farm Bureau and its farm and ranch families last year raised more than $160,000 and donated more than 6.7 million pounds of food to hungry Americans through the organization’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations provided the equivalent of 6.4 million meals through Feeding America-affiliated food banks across the country."

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - Nonprofits try to find ways to cope - Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - Nonprofits try to find ways to cope - Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009: "This week, however, five of UpReach's 10 employees will lose their jobs as the organization cuts costs to sustain itself amid the recession. As a result, UpReach's service capacity will drop from 80 clients a week to 60, Executive Director Karen Kersting said.

As nonprofits across the state address the funding squeeze precipitated by the recession and financial crisis, organizations like UpReach that serve small populations or espouse missions deemed less urgent than those meeting basic human needs face particular challenges."

NATIONAL BRIEFING - washingtonpost.com

NATIONAL BRIEFING - washingtonpost.com: "The Securities and Exchange Commission announced an agreement with disgraced money manager Bernard L. Madoff that could eventually force him to pay a civil fine and return money raised from investors."

Vail too pricey for many nonprofits | VailDaily.com

Vail too pricey for many nonprofits | VailDaily.com: "VAIL, Colorado — Many so-called Vail nonprofit organizations don’t actually reside in Vail, and several have moved offices downvalley in the last few years, said Pam Brandmeyer, Vail assistant town manager.

The reason for the moves is that Vail real estate is just too expensive for these kinds of organizations, she said.

“Office space that is economical for (nonprofits’) use is just not available,” Brandmeyer said."

reportonbusiness.com: globeinvestor.com - Charities the overlooked victims in Madoff swindle

reportonbusiness.com: globeinvestor.com - Charities the overlooked victims in Madoff swindle: "Charities the overlooked victims in Madoff swindle
Philanthropic community reeling from firm's collapse as hundreds forced to curtail grants

SINCLAIR STEWART AND PAUL WALDIE

Monday, February 09, 2009

NEW YORK AND TORONTO — On a recent January afternoon, Phillip Shaw was walking the streets of St. Louis, confronting the biting cold and the long odds of landing a job in this wretched economy. His resumé was threadbare, his past troubled, and yet Mr. Shaw couldn't help but feel fortunate - particularly"

N.H. updates website list due to charitable solicitation scams - Fosters

N.H. updates website list due to charitable solicitation scams - Fosters: "N.H. updates website list due to charitable solicitation scams

Monday, February 9, 2009

The attorney general is receiving increased reports of charitable solicitation scams being conducted in New Hampshire, including requests for donations to nonprofit organizations which either do not exist or are not legitimate."

Singer Diamond honoured for his philanthropic endeavours - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Singer Diamond honoured for his philanthropic endeavours - Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "The music industry charity celebrated Diamond for his philanthropy, which included donating concert merchandise sales last fall to relief efforts for Texas areas ravaged by hurricane Ike.

Surrounded by his children and grandchildren, Diamond listened as more than 50 years of what he called 'my little musical creations' were interpreted for 2,200 people at the Los Angeles Convention Center."

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Fundraising Push Could Be Delayed Further

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Fundraising Push Could Be Delayed Further: "Harvard’s plans to launch a long-delayed capital campaign are once again in limbo, even though alumni donations have held largely steady through the current financial crisis, the University’s chief fundraiser suggested in an interview Friday."

Madoff customers also donors to numerous Aspen nonprofits | Aspen Daily News Online

Madoff customers also donors to numerous Aspen nonprofits | Aspen Daily News Online: "A number of donors and supporters of Aspen nonprofit organizations are on a list of apparent investors and customers of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, which has been charged by federal officials in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme."

News : More people seeking help at shelters and food banks in Phoenix metro area : Sierra Vista, AZ

News : More people seeking help at shelters and food banks in Phoenix metro area : Sierra Vista, AZ: "PHOENIX (AP) — The grim economy has driven many residents in the Phoenix metro area to turn to shelters and food banks, and the charities are feeling the pinch.

Each night, more than 300 people sleep in the parking lot of one Phoenix homeless shelter for men because there’s no room left inside of the building. Central Arizona Shelter Services, the nonprofit that runs that shelter, lost $118,000 of the $839,000 it used to get annually from Phoenix."

The Standard | Online Edition :: Hugging for… a good cause

The Standard | Online Edition :: Hugging for… a good cause: "But the stingy accountant that he is, he has come up with an ingenious way to achieve his goal of philanthropy. He believes that he can hug people (read women) then charge them for the favour to help raise money for charity. Essentially, he is on a ‘hugs-for-sale’ campaign.

I have explained to him that not everyone can be hugged, leave alone getting to charge for it, but the poor soul is obstinate."

The NonProfit Times - TWriting Grant Proposals Funders Want To Read

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Writing Grant Proposals Funders Want To Read

By Waddy Thompson

Learning to write in a style that will engage a funder is perhaps the most difficult skill to acquire, but one that need not elude you if you’re intent on making a successful career in grant writing. When crafting a grant proposal, you just need to follow a few basic principles for success."

NZ PM's mishap is lucky break for charity - CNN.com

NZ PM's mishap is lucky break for charity - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- An Internet auction to sell off the plaster cast that New Zealand Prime Minister John Key wore when he broke his right arm has raised close to NZ$ 20,000 for charity."

A nonprofit in trying times -- baltimoresun.com

A nonprofit in trying times -- baltimoresun.com: "Before coming to Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc., Doran worked at Community Assistance Network in Baltimore County for 16 years, the past eight years as its executive director.

Typical day As executive director of BNI, a statewide nonprofit group focused on fair-housing issues, Doran said his daily tasks 'involve a little bit of everything.'"

It's time to beef up the board | ajc.com

It's time to beef up the board | ajc.com: "It’s time to beef up the board
Getting the right people helps nonprofits improve diversity, effectiveness.

By Laura Raines

For the Journal-Constitution

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Like most nonprofit organizations, Hands of Hope Clinic has its hands full these days. On the campus of the Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, the clinic provides free medical and dental care to uninsured and underserved residents of Henry County.

“We know that the demand far outstrips the services we can offer,” said Tom Shanahan, chairman of the board. “We needed to grow, but wanted to do it in a sustainable way.”

Fortunately, the organization was able to secure a grant through the Georgia Free Clinic Network for management consulting services."

techPresident – Information Age Volunteerism - Open Sourced! Crowdsourced!

techPresident – Information Age Volunteerism - Open Sourced! Crowdsourced!: "Information Age Volunteerism - Open Sourced! Crowdsourced!

My mom friended me on Facebook last week - we've formally entered the Information Age. The transformation touches so many aspects of our lives, from family relationships to the seeds of our economy. But despite my mom's online habits (and the empirical evidence it may provide about living in the Information Age) and in the midst of great national excitement about community service, the field of volunteerism remains stolidly in the Industrial Era. It retains structured hierarchies, formal vetting phases, and long-term relationships. But the moment is ripe. We can look to Wikipedia, iStockPhoto, and other Information Age examples to inform, enliven and inspire volunteerism."