Following the Money: Scientific American

Following the Money: Scientific American: "Global health hit the philanthropic jackpot in recent years. About four times more aid flowed into developing countries in 2007 than in 1990. But a paper published in The Lancet suggests the nearly $22 billion donated in 2007 missed many of the world’s most deserving countries and diseases."

Russia Moves to Loosen Restrictions on Nonprofit Groups - Philanthropy.com

Russia Moves to Loosen Restrictions on Nonprofit Groups - Philanthropy.com: "Russia Moves to Loosen Restrictions on Nonprofit Groups

Dmitri A. Medvedev, president of Russia, has proposed legislation to loosen restrictions on civic organizations and charities, The New York Times reports."

AFP > Resource Center | Resource tools > Writing Effective Newsletters, Online and Off

AFP > Resource Center | Resource tools > Writing Effective Newsletters, Online and Off: "Writing Effective Newsletters, Online and Off

By Tom Ahern

(June 16, 2009) Award-winning journalist and communications trainer Tom Ahern answers some of the most common questions he hears about nonprofit newsletters—about how they are sent and what makes people want to read them in the first place."

Kellogg donates day's worth of production | battlecreekenquirer.com | The Enquirer

Kellogg donates day's worth of production | battlecreekenquirer.com | The Enquirer: "Kellogg Co. is making good on a promise to donate a day's worth of cereal — more than 55 million servings — that could have been sold to consumers for an estimated $10 million"

Another cycle of healthy charity

Another cycle of healthy charity: "Today marks the 25th anniversary of Trek Across Maine, a fundraiser for the American Lung Association of Maine.

Money is raised through corporate sponsors and pledges brought in by the riders, with the funds going toward research and advocacy to fight lung disease and promote clean air."

United Way reports increase in giving

United Way reports increase in giving: "The United Way of Allegheny County announced yesterday that, despite the weak economy, it raised more than $31 million in its latest campaign, a small increase over the previous year."

Service initiative aimed at aiding economy - USATODAY.com

Service initiative aimed at aiding economy - USATODAY.com: "First lady Michelle Obama will launch a summer of service Monday that the White House hopes will help the economy recover through the work of individuals.

The announcement will be made at a volunteer conference in San Francisco, where Obama will join California first lady Maria Shriver to work on a playground."

Philanthropist seeks out achievers to film, fund - Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor's Information - The Maui News

Philanthropist seeks out achievers to film, fund - Mauinews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Visitor's Information - The Maui News: "Charles Annenberg Weingarten is in the business of making reality television. But instead of focusing on superstar hopefuls or singles searching for love, he's turning the camera on dynamic leaders who are spreading good around the world."

News: Annual Fund approaching record $10 million || Bucknell University

News: Annual Fund approaching record $10 million || Bucknell University: "EWISBURG, Pa – For the first time in Bucknell history, the Annual Fund is positioned to surpass $10 million in cash gifts to the University. || Giving form

With just two weeks left in the fiscal year, Annual Fund cash gifts total $9.3 million, compared to $8.7 million at the same time last year, an increase of 7 percent."

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, WEAR HEELS! : Don't Miss : The Buffalo News

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, WEAR HEELS! : Don't Miss : The Buffalo News: "They will likely be heeled but not necessarily well-heeled for the second annual Stiletto Run, taking place Wednesday night along Elmwood Avenue.

Feet hurting already? Well, feel relieved that all types of shoes are welcome, and you don’t even have to run."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "You Are What You Are Or Are You?

By Mark Hrywna

While some nonprofits go for a complete overhaul of name and brand, others realize they only need a few nips and tucks."

Cash-Poor Americans Find Other Ways to Give - ABC News

Cash-Poor Americans Find Other Ways to Give - ABC News: "nstead of writing a check, a lot of people are becoming more directly involved in helping others -- you could call this new normal, 'person-to-person philanthropy"

Marketers, Nonprofits Grapple With Definition of Cause Marketing - GoodWorks - Advertising Age

Marketers, Nonprofits Grapple With Definition of Cause Marketing - GoodWorks - Advertising Age: "Cause marketing spending is projected to reach $1.57 billion this year, according to the IEG Sponsorship Report. And it's more powerful and effective than ever in this economy. According to Performance Research, 41% of U.S. consumers believe companies can best improve brand perceptions by increasing their cause sponsorships -- for the first time surpassing sports and arts/cultural categories as ways to boost consumer opinion."

Robert Egger´s Piece of Mind » Blog Archive » A Starbucks Moment for Nonprofits?

From Robert Egger's blog

Robert Egger´s Piece of Mind » Blog Archive » A Starbucks Moment for Nonprofits?: "Flash forward to today. Many nonprofit organizations are laying off staff or freezing services. This is certainly understandable, as the current economic climate would suggest that growth is now all but impossible. But some nonprofits have been looking at the business model we have used for decades and are wondering….”Is this our Starbucks moment?”…a time where we move beyond the metaphorical fast food of charity and develop a more sustaining menu of philanthropy. Surprisingly, the opportunities are strikingly similar."

Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities - 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM - TWICE

Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities - 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM - TWICE: "Samsung’s ‘Hope’ Gala Raises $1M For Charities
-- TWICE, 6/17/2009 8:13:00 AM

New York — Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a charitable endeavor benefiting children and families, held its eighth annual celebrity gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street."

Funkier ball fills in for delayed Arts Council fundraising event | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times

Funkier ball fills in for delayed Arts Council fundraising event | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times: "With the announcement by the Asheville Area Arts Council that its annual ball is being postponed until December, the Asheville Art Initiative decided to hold its own ball to benefit local artists.

The atmosphere will be decidedly funkier at the Black Ball event, taking place Friday at five venues — Eleven, Scandals, The Boiler Room, Getaways and the parking lot of 11 Grove St."

Ex-Bulldog donates $10 million to Fresno State - Sports - fresnobee.com

Ex-Bulldog donates $10 million to Fresno State - Sports - fresnobee.com: "Fresno State athletics received a record donation Tuesday from a newcomer to philanthropy who gave few details about the source of his bounty.

The $10 million pledge from former Bulldogs football player Alphonso Bigelow will help fund the university's master plan for facilities and for athletic scholarships."

Turning Nonprofits into For-Profits - BusinessWeek

Turning Nonprofits into For-Profits - BusinessWeek: "The nonprofit Bikestation reached a crossroads in late 2007. Founded in Long Beach, Calif., in 1996 to design, build, and manage bike transit centers, the 10-employee organization couldn't handle all the calls coming in on its $300,000 budget, funded mostly through earned income. With little grant funding available, the board determined that the best way to meet demand was to raise money from private investors­—which meant turning Bikestation into a for-profit social venture. 'We just didn't have the resources to expand the mission and the vision further,' says Andréa White-Kjoss, who joined the nonprofit as CEO in 2004."

Vets Charity Comes Up Short In Condo Raffle - cbs4.com

Vets Charity Comes Up Short In Condo Raffle - cbs4.com: "The idea was to sell five thousand raffle tickets at $100 apiece. But as the six month contest deadline neared, sales were nowhere close to a sell-out.

When they held the raffle drawing in the office of a Bal Harbour law firm on Monday, the numbers were a bit disappointing."

Denim Donation Drive to Help Insulate Habitat for Humanity Homes | NewsChannel 8

Denim Donation Drive to Help Insulate Habitat for Humanity Homes | NewsChannel 8: "Montgomery County residents found a new use for their old blue jeans and helped insulate homes with Habitat for Humanity's 2nd Annual Denim Drive."

Editorials | Rice impressive pick for Seattle Foundation | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials | Rice impressive pick for Seattle Foundation | Seattle Times Newspaper: "TAPPING former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice to head the philanthropic Seattle Foundation ensures strong continuity for one of the largest community foundations in the nation."

James' bikeathon charity event expected to attract 3,500 participants Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball NBA News - cleveland.com

James' bikeathon charity event expected to attract 3,500 participants Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball NBA News - cleveland.com: "CLEVELAND, Ohio -- More than 3,500 riders are expected to take part in the LeBron James State Farm King for Kids Bikeathon in Akron on Aug. 22, the LeBron James Family Foundation announced Monday."

Elmer Smith: A Unique story about caring that's all Greek to us | Philadelphia Daily News | 06/16/2009

Elmer Smith: A Unique story about caring that's all Greek to us | Philadelphia Daily News | 06/16/2009: "Today, some of the most important service organizations in the black community are Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities, especially graduate chapters organized specifically for community service.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has been tapping that resource. They have had a productive partnership with Alpha Phi Alpha for years."

Standard Journal Online - Teton Dam Marathon, bigger, more generous

Standard Journal Online - Sports: "REXBURG -- The Teton Dam Marathon has gotten bigger with every edition, and this year is no exception."

The NonProfit Times - Raising Money Outside The U.S.

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Raising Money Outside The U.S.
Some countries are fertile ground that's never been plowed

By Michele Donohue

St. Joseph's Indian School provides education and residential care to approximately 200 Lakota Native American children in Chamberlain, S.D., America's heartland. When the organization completed a long-term planning session to brainstorm new fundraising strategies, the decision was made to expand St. Joseph's direct mail program - into Germany."

Nonprofit welfare - EDITORIAL - The News Herald

Nonprofit welfare - EDITORIAL - The News Herald: "Call it Battle of the Nonprofits. It might not be as explosive summer fare as the latest 'Transformers' movie - it's hard to tell who is Megatron and who is Optimus Prime in this showdown - but it does illustrate what happens when government starts sprinkling the public's money on non-essential services. Pretty soon a long line of outstretched hands forms - especially in tough economic times, when private donations and gate receipts decline.
Indeed, Panama City is seeing its property and commercial tax bases decline sharply during this recession. It had better pinch every penny it has."

Nonprofit diversity survey results - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com

Nonprofit diversity survey results - Canton, OH - CantonRep.com: "The leaders of 100 Stark County nonprofit organizations recently answered a 20-question online poll about the diversity of their governing boards, their thoughts on diversity’s role in the nonprofit sector and about recruiting minority candidates.

Here are the survey results:"

One Grant Maker's View on Succession Planning - Philanthropy.com

One Grant Maker's View on Succession Planning - Philanthropy.com: "All organizations should have in place an emergency plan to cover “what happens if someone flies to Tahiti or gets put in the hospital for three months” Ms. Houston told attendees at a session of the 30th annual Fundraising Day in New York, a conference sponsored by the Greater New York Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

United Way implementing 'community impact' model | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan,

United Way implementing 'community impact' model | coloradoan.com | The Coloradoan,: "About six years ago, United Way of Larimer County adopted what we call the 'community impact' model. Starting July 1, this model will be implemented.

So what exactly does community impact mean? Community impact is about taking a comprehensive approach to specifically identified problems in our community. Instead of putting Band-Aids on the problems, we want to achieve long-term solutions that address root causes of these specific issues affecting our community."

McDonald’s Heir’s Plan for Dozens of Salvation Army Centers Falters - NYTimes.com

McDonald’s Heir’s Plan for Dozens of Salvation Army Centers Falters - NYTimes.com: "At her death in 2003, Joan B. Kroc, the widow of the founder of the McDonald’s Corporation, left a grand idea and $1.8 billion to make it happen. She wanted the Salvation Army to build some 30 lavish community centers around the nation, like the $87 million complex she paid for in San Diego, with three swimming pools, an indoor ice skating arena and a 600-seat theater."

Lessons for nonprofits in hard times | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader

Lessons for nonprofits in hard times | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader: "Though small, the Resurrection House could serve as a model for other nonprofit organizations struggling in the tough economy. It and others have proven resilient by building a strong volunteer base and finding diverse funding sources.

Resurrection House has not sought government funding since opening 20 years ago, and lately, that has been a blessing. Unlike many nonprofit groups, the homeless center does not face big budget cuts as governments reduce grants for social service groups."

Economy Squeezes Southern Maryland Charities, Arts Groups - washingtonpost.com

Economy Squeezes Southern Maryland Charities, Arts Groups - washingtonpost.com: "Arts and humanitarian organizations in Calvert County are feeling the trickle-down effect of the tough economy."

Putt-athon swings for record, charity - The Denver Post

Putt-athon swings for record, charity - The Denver Post: "Luciano and his teammates have been kicking around the idea of breaking a Guinness World Record for some time.

'We had to find something that seemed doable,' he says, 'and we're all avid regular golfers.'

The team is inviting the public to sponsor each round they complete with donations to the Children's Hospital Handicapped Sports Program. Each of the team members also has pledged $1 per round for the event."

Penn raises $30,000 for charity in furniture sale | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/13/2009

Penn raises $30,000 for charity in furniture sale | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/13/2009: "The University of Pennsylvania raised $30,000 for local charities by selling off furniture, appliances, and other items left behind by students who moved out this spring, officials said Thursday."

Paulette's Point of View

Paulette's Point of View: "Friday, June 12, 2009
Must-Reads!
I found what I think are a couple of must-reads given the current giving environment."