Black Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Looks to a Future Beyond Obama - washingtonpost.com

Black Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Looks to a Future Beyond Obama - washingtonpost.com: "Boosting philanthropic giving, reducing obesity, improving access to preventive health care and increasing financial literacy and college graduation rates for black men topped the convention agenda. In the coming year, the last two priorities will receive the most attention from the fraternity, which has almost 200,000 members spread across 700 chapters, some of them abroad."

Volunteers in US say they work mostly through religious organizations

bishops page: "WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The most common way people do volunteer work in the United States is through a religious organization, with 36 percent saying it's the main outlet for their volunteering.

A report on volunteering released July 28 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, also noted that nonprofit organizations without religious connections are missing an opportunity by not partnering with faith-based groups."

When Volunteer Leaders Overstep the Bounds of Authority - washingtonpost.com

When Volunteer Leaders Overstep the Bounds of Authority - washingtonpost.com: "am being attempted to be micro-managed by a pair who are not my supervisors. They demand to sign off on my work products, order me to attend meetings, etc. My supervisor agrees this it totally inappropriate, but he is conflict averse and does not step in to help me. Meanwhile, they get angrier at me... accuse me of insubordination, but I'm not subordinate to them and have been always polite."

Giving when it hurts

Giving when it hurts: "In times of economic distress, charitable organizations often suffer a decline in donations. People are quick to consider gifts of their time or talent but due to personal financial hardships, many donors have recently found it necessary to cut back on their cash contributions.

Luckily, thanks to some creative ingenuity, many philanthropically inclined people are now effectively using alternative ways of gifting to their favorite charities."

Art Van gives $1 million to 50 nonprofits to celebrate its 50th anniversary - MLive.com

Art Van gives $1 million to 50 nonprofits to celebrate its 50th anniversary - MLive.com: "To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Art Van Furniture is giving away $1 million to 50 Michigan-based children, health and human services programs during a 50-hour period that started Monday and ended Wednesday."

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Metro/Region - Poker called 'the new bingo'

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Metro/Region - Poker called 'the new bingo': "LINCOLN — Up at the Holy Name Bingo Hall in north Omaha, manager Ron Nevrivy is pining for the old days.

That's when 300 to 400 people a night would cram into the hall to the rhythmic chants of “Beeee 12” and “Nnnnn 33,” and the church would make $200,000 a year in profits.

But the arrival of the riverboat casinos in Council Bluffs in 1996 and a lot of other diversions have cut those crowds in half.

As a result, Holy Name made only about $78,000 last year, about 20 percent less than the previous year."

UJC’s New Leaders Saying Little About Their Plans – Forward.com

UJC’s New Leaders Saying Little About Their Plans – Forward.com: "Conceived as the umbrella group, national advocate and central address of American Jewry’s sprawling system of local charity funding bodies known as federations, UJC has cost those strapped community-based groups tens of millions of dollars in annual dues during its 10 years of existence. But by widespread consensus, the national organization has yet to find its footing."

Spend Out vs. Perpetuity: Raising the Question « Smart Assets: The Philanthropy New York Blog

Spend Out vs. Perpetuity: Raising the Question « Smart Assets: The Philanthropy New York Blog: "A trend? Hard to say. Research by the Foundation Center shows a modest uptick in the decision to spend out by family foundations. If my private conversations with executive directors and foundation board members are any indication, the spend out vs. perpetuity question is on the table for a growing number of private foundations. They are hungry for advice and examples."

Community Foundations National Standards Board Created :: PNNOnline ::

Community Foundations National Standards Board Created :: PNNOnline ::: "Even before calls for increased transparency and accountability among foundations, community foundations led the way in self-regulation with the establishment in 2000 of the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, a first-of-its-kind voluntary program.


Today, with more than 450 community foundations in compliance with the National Standards, the Council on Foundations announces the creation of the Community Foundations National Standards Board – a new organization that will now administer the National Standards accreditation process.


“We view the launch of the new Community Foundations National Standards Board as the next step in the growth of the National Standards accreditation program,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “A separate organization led by community foundation practitioners and representatives from organizations that support community foundations will enhance the benefits, identity and self-sufficiency of the program for years to come.”"

Curtain call?

Curtain call?: "But once a champion is crowned for this year's tournament on Sept 20, the clock begins to tick. And whoever hoists the champion's trophy may be the last to do so.

America is still in the grip of its most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression, and casualties of the crisis are littered throughout the nation. Sadly, the Greater Hickory Classic could be another added to the list."

Northwest Herald | Nonprofits adapt as volunteers change

Northwest Herald | Nonprofits adapt as volunteers change: "Short-term, episodic volunteerism is on the rise.

Baby boomers are not lining up to take the long-term, ongoing volunteer jobs that are ready for them. More schools, churches and community groups are asking their members to volunteer. The episodic line continues to grow.

There is a place for episodic volunteerism. It gives people a chance to experience helping and giving back. It encourages civic responsibility and allows people with busy schedules to continue helping their neighbor.

But are we going too far? Does this trend impact nonprofits?"

Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy - Philanthropy.com

Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy - Philanthropy.com: "Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy

The debate about President Obama’s interest in philanthropy continues.

David J. Sanders, a columnist for Stephens Media, in Little Rock, Ark., wrote in The Wall Street Journal last week that the president wants to effectively “nationalize” rural giving based on a recent meeting between foundations and federal officials."

Penn charitable giving down, but tops target | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/04/2009

Penn charitable giving down, but tops target | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/04/2009: "In keeping with national trends, giving to the University of Pennsylvania was down over fiscal 2008's record-breaking year, but officials were planning for that and were upbeat that the school nonetheless exceeded its target.

Penn took in $440 million for the 2008-09 year ending June 30, down $36 million or 7.5 percent from the year before but still its second-highest year ever, said John Zeller, Penn's vice president for development and alumni relations."

TheDay.com - Boy Scouts' Highway Coffee Stops Are Back In Business

TheDay.com - Boy Scouts' Highway Coffee Stops Are Back In Business: "Ferguson said Monday he was pleased as well but also concerned that he doesn't have a lot of time to organize the free coffee stop, which dispenses up to 4,000 cups of soda, dozens of doughnuts and more than 100 gallons of coffee in a typical year. The Scouts accept donations to help offset the cost of their operation, and extra money is given to charity, but the coffee stop is meant as a service for motorists who need a place to grab a quick pick-me-up before returning to the highway."

Andy Katz's Daily Word: IUPUI coach Ron Hunter has an alternative to cutting out foreign trips - ESPN

Andy Katz's Daily Word: IUPUI coach Ron Hunter has an alternative to cutting out foreign trips - ESPN: "Hunter has teamed up with Crocs to gain access to 2 million shoes over the next two summers for teams to take with them when they go on a foreign trip. IUPUI will be in Costa Rica from Aug. 13 to 19. The Bowling Green women's team and the Bethune-Cookman men's team will be visiting the Central American country at the same time. Hunter contacted both schools and said they're on board to deliver shoes on the trip.

'We want to push for every school that goes on a trip to do this,'' Hunter said. 'The country doesn't have to be impoverished.'"

Priorities of corporate philanthropy in the Bay Area

Priorities of corporate philanthropy in the Bay Area: "I recently had the opportunity to speak with top brass from VISA, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, two global businesses headquartered in San Francisco. Executives from both companies expressed guarded optimism about their corporations' ability to help meet charitable needs in the Bay Area."

Idea Bank: What Would You Do for a ... Fundraiser? - Associations Now Magazine - Publications and Resources - ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership

Idea Bank: What Would You Do for a ... Fundraiser? - Associations Now Magazine - Publications and Resources - ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership: "When 60 NTEN members needed financial support to attend the 2009 Nonprofit Technology Conference, Executive Director Holly Ross asked other members to donate to a scholarship fund. As incentive, Ross promised to offer her talents and drop her inhibitions if the fund reached $10,000. Once the fund reached its goal, donors voted on Ross' fate: Eat a 'bacon explosion,' play trombone in Union Square, or re-create the dance from Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)' video—all caught on camera to be revealed at the conference. (Beyoncé won. Watch the video below.)"

The NonProfit Times - Power & Influence Top 50

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "The NonProfit Times
Power & Influence Top 50
Volunteering as a Fashion Statement Donor Scales Back Major Gift To University
August 1, 2009

NPT Power & Influence honorees
show how community service can power a nation

Service is the new black. It’s so fashionable that those leading the national service movement have packed the catwalk of The 2009 NPT Power & Influence Top 50.Whether it’s military conscription, stipended service or traditional volunteering, community building is the core of the sector these days."

Article - WSJ.com-Twitter Doesn't Yet Measure Up For Advisers

Article - WSJ.com: "NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--For building a financial adviser's business, Twitter might not be all it's tweeted up to be.

Droves of financial advisers who flocked to the micro-blogging site as a route to new clients haven't gotten the results they wanted. Others are confronting a host of compliance issues around what advisers can say in such a public arena.

'Twitter seems to be just a bunch of noise, and the type of clientele we want to attract - the typically older, high-net-worth investor - is not going to find me on Twitter,' said Fred Dent, a financial adviser at Raymond James Financial Services Inc. in Mclean, Va., who goes by @dentfred on Twitter.

Twitter may be useful if advisers lower their expectations and simply use it as a way to expand their overall network."

Generation B - Bikeathon Organizer Cites Determination as Critical Element of His Career - NYTimes.com

Generation B - Bikeathon Organizer Cites Determination as Critical Element of His Career - NYTimes.com: "Paulette Maehara, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, tracks the participatory “thons” to the early ’60s, when President Kennedy urged Americans to get fit, and communities began organizing 50-mile walks. Nonprofit groups adapted the outings as a way to raise money, with the Church World Service (hunger, 1969) and the March of Dimes (birth defects, 1970) among the first to organize charity walkathons. “Until then,” Ms. Maehara said, “people gave money and were hands off. The thons tapped into the boomers’ desire to participate plus stay fit.”"

North Babylon man swings at 7,000 pitches for charity

North Babylon man swings at 7,000 pitches for charity: "For his batting efforts, Filippone raised more than $4,000 for the hospital. He said the league prides itself 'in our ability to give back to the community and help others.' Among those efforts is a 'challenger program' that gives children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball, 'with our students as coaches,' he said."

stjoenews.net | Charities fret over ‘clunkers’ program

stjoenews.net | Charities fret over ‘clunkers’ program: "But some charitable organizations are concerned about trends in the auto industry, including Cash for Clunkers.

Kathie Conwell, manager of marketing and

communications at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, said the organization had seen a decrease in car donations."

FSU players take a time out for charity

FSU players take a time out for charity: "TALLAHASSEE - More than 40 Florida State football players learned Saturday that, really, even the little things can make a difference.

That's why groups of players were taken to The Shelter, the Second Harvest Food Bank, Capital City Youth Services and the Boys and Girls Club — to spend a little time giving back to the Tallahassee community"

Students get free school supplies at zoo event | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY

Students get free school supplies at zoo event | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY: "The Brevard Schools Foundation and the Brevard Zoo held a Back-to-School Safari, giving free zoo admission and handing out backpacks filled with school supplies to pre-registered students who were on the free or reduced-price lunch program at the end of last school year."

Nonprofit leaders say financial checks and balances are crucial | Local | Wichita Eagle

Nonprofit leaders say financial checks and balances are crucial | Local | Wichita Eagle: "In the nonprofit world, the system of checks and balances is crucial when it comes to financial oversight, several local nonprofit leaders said.

That issue was heightened last week when Rainbows United, a nonprofit that serves children with special needs and their families, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late Thursday."

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | 6,000 Runners Have 6,000 Different Motivations

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | 6,000 Runners Have 6,000 Different Motivations: "Many runners run for charity. While the race will benefit Maine Handicap Skiing this year, many runners run the race to raise funds or awareness for their own personal causes."

Catholic officials: tough times boost fundraising -- chicagotribune.com

Catholic officials: tough times boost fundraising -- chicagotribune.com: "Many factors, including diocese size and location, the ways appeals are presented and the strength of parishioner support can affect church fundraising, but Roman Catholic leaders believe the tough economy is helping their annual fund drives this year as hard times hit people closer to home. Fundraising or the size of gifts is up in Cincinnati and some other cities."

Tulsa World: Volunteers in Tulsa top U.S. average

Tulsa World: Volunteers in Tulsa top U.S. average: "Even with lower rankings in this year's Volunteering in America Report, Tulsa still beats the national average in the percentage of residents who volunteer and in the number of volunteer hours."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer

onPhilanthropy: Articles: State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer: "State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer
Friday, July 31, 2009
By: Tony Martignetti, Esq.

State charity registration laws have been ignored for decades. Until earlier this year, I wouldn't have been given space to write about them. There is no penalty for breaking most of them and the few states that have penalties rarely enforce them, so there's been no incentive to comply. Until the IRS stepped in."

The NonProfit Times - NPT Study: Creative Ways of Luring Conference-Goers

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "NPT Study: Creative Ways of Luring Conference-Goers

By Michele Donohue

Carol Lewis, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, said she worried people wouldn’t be able to afford the organization’s annual conference next month. So, the Seattle-based organization decided to tweak the conference to make it more financially accessible.

The organization kept prices at last year’s levels and moved it to a less expensive venue. It was originally scheduled for Alaska. But with the high cost of airfare, Philanthropy Northwest moved the conference to Stevenson, Wash., just outside of Portland, Ore."