9/11: National Day of Remembrance - washingtonpost.com

9/11: National Day of Remembrance - washingtonpost.com: "andy Scott: Projects are taking place in every state -- here are a few examples -- In Boston, hundreds of volunteers will fill care packages and write letters to military personnel serving overseas. Volunteers in New Hampshire will collect and bag 7,000 dental supply kits for Manchester school children. More than 9,000 volunteers are expected to turn out today for projects in Seattle including habitat restoration and neighborhood cleanups and renovating a child care center."

Bloomberg and 16 Other Mayors Announce Coalition to Promote Volunteerism - Philanthropy.com

Bloomberg and 16 Other Mayors Announce Coalition to Promote Volunteerism - Philanthropy.com: "Bloomberg and 16 Other Mayors Announce Coalition to Promote Volunteerism

By Suzanne Perry

Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York, and 16 other mayors today announced a new coalition to promote volunteerism as a way to help cities combat their most-pressing problems.

The mayors, dubbing their effort “Cities of Service,” said they will share strategies on how to engage citizens at the local level an"

Dinner With Sarah Palin On eBay, Proceeds Go To Charity

Dinner With Sarah Palin On eBay, Proceeds Go To Charity: "he Sarah Palin dinner is part of a wider Ride 2 Recovery charity auction (another item up for auction is lunch with Karl Rove, only up to about $12,000 right now)."

Star Local News > News Update > CREW Dallas -- charity tournament golfers to play 100 holes in one day

Star Local News > News Update > CREW Dallas -- charity tournament golfers to play 100 holes in one day: "Gleneagles Country Club will host a unique charity golf tournament Monday morning as local golfers attempt to play 100 holes in one day."

Slow economy sparks nonprofit collaborations - New Mexico Business Weekly:

Slow economy sparks nonprofit collaborations - New Mexico Business Weekly:: "There is a growing mantra in the nonprofit world to explore collaboration and cooperation these days, perhaps even mergers, in light of the economy. It’s one of the main ideas behind the new New Mexico Office of Philanthropic Outreach as well. Nonprofit leaders have not seen any mergers yet, but they’re hearing lots more talk about cooperation."

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Fundraising Total Falls Eight Percent

The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Fundraising Total Falls Eight Percent: "Harvard received $602 million in gifts this past fiscal year—an 8 percent decline from last year’s total, University officials announced yesterday."

Thefts jeopardize ride for charity - The Boston Globe

Thefts jeopardize ride for charity - The Boston Globe: "They were not ordinary, recreational bicycles that could be so disposable. They had been primed and tuned in the name of charity, ready for a challenging 65-mile-a-day trek from New York to Washington, D.C., to help raise awareness for a cause."

University of Florida News - UF college of business namesake commits $16 million to create faculty fellows fund

University of Florida News - UF college of business namesake commits $16 million to create faculty fellows fund: "GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Citing faculty as the key to a competitive future for the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business Administration, UF Trustee Al Warrington announced today that he has committed a deferred gift of $16 million to establish an endowment to privately fund faculty positions in the college."

For Flight 93 memorial, long-awaited progress - USATODAY.com

For Flight 93 memorial, long-awaited progress - USATODAY.com: "Eight years after terrorists hijacked United Flight 93 and crashed it in the western Pennsylvania countryside on Sept. 11, 2001, the memorial to the 40 passengers and crew who fought against them looks more like a roadside shrine than a national park, a homemade expression of patriotism and sorrow nestled in a rural expanse."

On-Air Pledges to Public Television, Radio Stations Hold Steady :: PNNOnline ::

On-Air Pledges to Public Television, Radio Stations Hold Steady :: PNNOnline ::: "On-Air Pledges to Public Television, Radio Stations Hold Steady
Posted by: philcrosby on Thursday, September 10, 2009
Topic Arts, Culture & Humanities


In the face of the worst recession in decades, on-air fundraising for public television and public radio stations around the country has held steady and in some cases has set records, the Washington Post reports."

Sweet Charity: Sharon Stone, a Sizzling Do-gooder -- chicagotribune.com

Sweet Charity: Sharon Stone, a Sizzling Do-gooder -- chicagotribune.com: "Stone has raised millions for amfAR with her legendary auctioneering powers, but she is involved in a number of other charities, including Planet Hope, co-founded with her sister, Kelly, and also 'Homeless Not Toothless'--a nonprofit organization that provides homeless patients and foster children with free dental care. Brentwood dentist Dr. Jay Grossman started this up."

How To Do a Good Job on a Nonprofit Board | Leading Companies for Good | Fast Company

How To Do a Good Job on a Nonprofit Board | Leading Companies for Good | Fast Company: "How To Do a Good Job on a Nonprofit Board
BY FC Expert Blogger Alice KorngoldThu Sep 10, 2009 at 10:30 AM
This blog is written by a member of our expert blogging community and expresses that expert's views alone.

So you've joined the board of a nonprofit where you care about the mission and the work, you think you can be useful, and you like some of the people you'll be working with--the ones you've met so far. What do you do next in order to be productive?

1. Learn more about the organization and the community you serve."

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: National Day of Service and Remembrance

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: National Day of Service and Remembrance: "By Jordan Walker

This Friday, September 11, marks the eighth anniversary of the attacks on America as well as the inaugural National Day of Service and Remembrance. Friday caps off the “United We Serve” initiative, a summer dedicated to addressing community needs in areas such as education, health care, energy independence, and economic renewal."

Transformative Gift Will Foster Leadership in Engineering Field :: PNNOnline ::

Transformative Gift Will Foster Leadership in Engineering Field :: PNNOnline ::: "Bernard Gordon, known as the father of analog-to-digital conversion and for breakthroughs such as the fetal heart monitor and portable CT scan, has committed $40 million to Tufts University’s School of Engineering to advance its engineering leadership education programs.


“Great engineers succeed because they are true leaders who combine technical skill with the capacity to lead and motivate others,” says Bernard Gordon. Photo: Alonso Nichols"

Feeling Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior — HBS Working Knowledge

Feeling Good about Giving: The Benefits (and Costs) of Self-Interested Charitable Behavior — HBS Working Knowledge: "Executive Summary:

Helping others takes countless forms and springs from countless motivations, from deep-rooted empathy to a more calculated desire for public recognition. Social scientists have identified a host of ways in which charitable behavior can lead to benefits for the giver, whether economically via tax breaks, socially via signaling one's wealth or status, or psychologically via experiencing well-being from helping. Charitable organizations have traditionally capitalized on all of these motivations for giving, with a recently emerging focus on highlighting the mood benefits of giving—the feelings of empowerment, joy, and inspiration that giving engenders. Indeed, if giving feels good, why not advertise the benefits of 'self-interested giving,' allowing people to experience that good feeling while increasing contributions to charity at the same time? HBS doctoral candidate Lalin Anik, Professor Michael I. Norton, and coauthors explore whether organizations that seek to increase charitable giving by advertising the benefits of giving are making claims supported by empirical research and, most importantly, whether such claims actually increase donations."

Donations break record | The Collegian — University of Richmond

Donations break record | The Collegian — University of Richmond: "Online fundraising made the difference on both ends of the equation, Peters said. Volunteers sent 24,000 personalized e-mails in June alone, which likely exceeded the number sent during the previous 11 months combined. When one message toward the end of the month announced that only 247 donors were needed to set a record, that night, 170 alumni made donations online. Online credit card payments have almost quadrupled during the past two fiscal years."

Endowment sees record number donations : Kansan.com

Endowment sees record number donations : Kansan.com: "In a year of budget cuts at the University of Kansas, alumni are opening their wallets to help more than ever before. The number of donors and total donations to the Kansas University Endowment Association hit record numbers last fiscal year, according to a KU press release on Tuesday."

Twitter users network to raise funds for charities - USATODAY.com

We also have a blog on Nonprofit Technology. You can see some stories in the right sidebar on this blog or go to the Blog itself.

Twitter users network to raise funds for charities - USATODAY.com: "Tweet. Meet. Give.

That's the call to action for 'Twestival,' a multicity international fundraiser scheduled today through Sunday that uses the social network Twitter as its starting point."

Mistakes nonprofits can’t afford to make

Mistakes nonprofits can’t afford to make: "Nonprofits are notorious for making some common marketing missteps that can cost in the long run. They are easy to fix with a little thought and commitment by the board and staff."

Income Gap Shrinks in Slump at the Expense of the Wealthy - WSJ.com

Income Gap Shrinks in Slump at the Expense of the Wealthy - WSJ.com: "Another loser: philanthropy. In the brutal second half of last year, the number of charitable gifts of $1 million or more from individuals fell by more than a third from a year earlier, according to the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University."

Getting Clients To Focus On Philanthropic Goals - Forbes.com

Getting Clients To Focus On Philanthropic Goals - Forbes.com: "Philanthropy has evolved from simply supporting your college alma mater and church to being a strategic way for clients to positively influence the world they and their children will live in. Through informal and formal structures, such as family foundations, donor-advised funds and giving circles, clients are becoming more highly engaged in philanthropy. As advisers, we can provide valuable insight and planning advice to help our clients become more strategic and focused in their philanthropy, and to help us forge deeper relationships that get at the heart of our clients' long term goals."

How to find a career in fundraising

How to find a career in fundraising: "Actively pursuing a career in fundraising and development may seem a bit uncertain during this economic climate. It’s common knowledge that nonprofits are typically hit hardest in economic downturns as many consider donating a luxury, not an obligation."

New Report Tracks Obstacles to Outsourcing Administrative Tasks - Philanthropy.com

New Report Tracks Obstacles to Outsourcing Administrative Tasks - Philanthropy.com: "Many organizations are under-investing in their infrastructure and in their back-office functions,” says Rick Moyers, director of programs at the Meyer Foundation. “If a group is not spending enough money on something in the first place –- or in some cases they’re not spending any money on it –- then they’re not going to be able to save any money by hiring someone else to do it.”"

Wealthy Donors Keep On Giving - Forbes.com

Wealthy Donors Keep On Giving - Forbes.com: "Despite managing through the worst economic conditions the U.S. has seen since the Great Depression, high-net-worth individuals are still committed to charitable giving. In fact, in many cases, they are now more generous than in years past, according to results of a survey of 500 high-net-worth and ultra-high -net-worth individuals in the U.S. and U.K. conducted by Barclays Wealth and Ledbury Research. Click here to view the complete survey results."

Head of Indiana school on philanthropy spins positive on Jewish giving | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News

Head of Indiana school on philanthropy spins positive on Jewish giving | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News: "eJewishphilanthropy has an interesting post today in which Bob Evans and Avrum Lapin of EHL Consultants spoke with the new head of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Patrick Rooney, about Jewish philanthropy.

Rooney asserts that Jews give on average more than people of other faith groups and more than those who do not belong to a faith group, but these two questions and answers stuck out for me:"

Heschel announces $75 million in gifts | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News

Heschel announces $75 million in gifts | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News: "Heschel announces $75 million in gifts

By Ami Eden · September 9, 2009

A few years back, when I was at the Forward, we were looking for an angle to cover Ronald Stanton's $100 million gift to Yeshiva University (the size of the gift would have been angle enough, had Y.U. not understandably decided to give an exclusive to The New York Times). What we came up with was the fact that in addition to his support of the flagship institution of Modern Orthodoxy, Stanon was also a major backer of Manhattan’s Heschel School, a pluralistic Jewish day school."

Tufts receives $40m gift for engineering school - National Wire - fresnobee.com

Tufts receives $40m gift for engineering school - National Wire - fresnobee.com: "BOSTON -- Tufts University's School of Engineering has received a $40 million gift from Bernard Gordon, a prominent inventor and founder of Analogic Corp.

Tufts said the gift - the fourth-largest in the university's history - will be used to support and expand undergraduate programs geared toward leadership in the engineering field, including an expansion of project-based learning outside the classroom and the creation of an engineering leadership minor, focused on teaching students motivational and team-building skills."

Times - they are changing - News

Times - they are changing - News: "UMKC has an average endowment per student of $16,000, compared to a $66,000 average among peers, which translates to philanthropy being a small portion of funding.

'That's a little bit shocking when we are in a city that has more philanthropy than any other city in the world,' Morton said. 'So that just says we have a lot of opportunities, but it also says that we, as a university, need to do what it takes to have this community appreciate our value.'"

How charities harness social media for a social impact | csmonitor.com

How charities harness social media for a social impact | csmonitor.com: "Scott Harrison’s new media revolution started by accident.

Mr. Harrison is the founder of Charity: Water, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing clean water to impoverished villages in Africa. In January, he got an e-mail from a British woman who wanted to test Twitter as a fundraising tool. Amanda Rose thought the microblogging site, with its 30 million users, might have some cash power, and if it did, she wanted to put the cash in Harrison’s wells."

This Sept. 11, Hoboken children take part in Charity Day - Hoboken Now - NJ.com

This Sept. 11, Hoboken children take part in Charity Day - Hoboken Now - NJ.com: "This Friday is the eighth anniversary of Sept. 11. To commemorate the day, kids from the Hoboken Jubilee Center will participate in BGC Partners' Charity Day.

Since 2005, BGC Partners, an inter-dealer brokerage firm spinoff of Cantor Fitzgerald, has held Charity Day, where celebrities like Yogi Berra, Donald Trump and Walt Frazier stop by the firm and raise money for New York City non-profits."

Lynda Resnick: Doing Well by Doing Good -- Together

Lynda Resnick: Doing Well by Doing Good -- Together: "It was heartening to discover than many businesses, despite their own financial hardships, are recognizing this fact. I learned this during my interview with Terry Kellogg, CEO of 1% For The Planet, a nonprofit whose sole purpose is to help businesses help the environment by providing a third-party seal of authenticity for their philanthropic efforts -- a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for the 21st century, if you will. One percent of total sales may not sound like a whole lot, but let me assure you that it can amount to quite a commitment, especially for businesses struggling during the economic downturn."

massnonprofit.org ::New England Aquarium Forgoes Annual Gala to Note Its 40th Year

massnonprofit.org ::: "September 3, 2009 — Feeling that the current recession is not the time to host a gala fundraiser to celebrate its fortieth anniversary, the New England Aquarium instead opted to engage with the local community through a series of free “Community Nights” which culminated last Sunday, drawing 2,000 people of Caribbean origin to one of Boston’s premier visitor attractions."

massnonprofit.org ::"Budget Cuts Has LGBT Nonprofits Relying More on Volunteers

massnonprofit.org ::: "Budget Cuts Has LGBT Nonprofits Relying More on Volunteers

September 4, 2009 — Massachusetts nonprofits serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, under strain due to the recession, and state funding cuts of 26% in the current fiscal year means many are relying more on volunteers while working overtime to handle more clients."

Nation Rallies Around First Official 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance | Reuters

PRESS RELEASE


Nation Rallies Around First Official 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance | Reuters: "NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- With President Obama planning to formally declare September 11th for the first time as a federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance at the urging of the 9/11 community and Congress, thousands of organizations around the nation -- nonprofits, employers and faith based groups and others -- are already mobilizing hundreds of thousands of Americans to engage in service and perform good deeds in observance of the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks."

Plain Dealer Living News - Cleveland.com-Timing may be off, but nonprofits proliferate

Plain Dealer Living News - Cleveland.com: "They typify recession-era newcomers that David Holmes has been seeing more frequently at his grant-writing classes at the Foundation Center Cleveland. 'We've had a lot of career changers,' said Holmes. 'Some are thinking, 'This is something I've always wanted to do, and now I have the opportunity to do it.' '

Yet leaders from the nonprofit world say this is no time for novices to leap idealistically into their sector."

'Nonprofit Man' puts heart, soul and backing into causes he believes in : Profiles : Memphis Commercial Appeal

'Nonprofit Man' puts heart, soul and backing into causes he believes in : Profiles : Memphis Commercial Appeal: "He's known as 'Nonprofit Man' and 'super senior' by those he helps, but 84-year-old Lee Wakeman prefers the shadow to the limelight."

Charity started by young Dallas professionals bridges generation gap | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News

Charity started by young Dallas professionals bridges generation gap | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News: "Though some boomers may think they're still too young to become a charitable cause, others with more gray in their hair are only too happy to see the young accountants, lawyers, nurses, teachers and other professionals bridging the generation gap.

In its first six months, the group has held cookouts and social hours for the residents of retirement homes and raised thousands of dollars for the Senior Source, a nonprofit agency that serves older adults in North Texas."

Rubber ducks regatta nets record | Community Press & Recorder | CommunityPress.com

Rubber ducks regatta nets record | Community Press & Recorder | CommunityPress.com: "A record number of rubber ducks, 100,000, floated down the Ohio River during Riverfest on Sunday afternoon.
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As a result, a record net profit will benefit the Freestore Foodbank."

Big Tasks for Richard Buery Jr., New Head of Children’s Aid Society - NYTimes.com

Big Tasks for Richard Buery Jr., New Head of Children’s Aid Society - NYTimes.com: "There are a few things about Richard R. Buery Jr. that made him a novel choice to lead the Children’s Aid Society. He is 37, almost 30 years younger than the man he will replace. He is the first black person to run Children’s Aid. And he has spent much of his professional life building organizations from scratch, not taking over established ones with venerable, 150-year-old reputations."

CharityVillage® Research: Overview of governance models and board types

CharityVillage® Research: Overview of governance models and board types: "Overview of governance models and board types
By Mel Gill, President of Synergy Associates
September 8, 2009

Bookmark and Share

Operational (primary focus: operations)

The board does the work of the organization and manages as well as governs it. This is typical of a board in the 'founding' stage of an organization and of boards in organizations, such as service clubs, that have no staff and that must rely largely on board members and other volunteers to achieve their aims. Operational boards also have management responsibilities but are distinguished from management boards by their lack of staff support.

Collective (primary focus: operations/inclusive decision-making processes)"

Midland's 100 Club lets busy philanthropists give and go - MLive.com

Midland's 100 Club lets busy philanthropists give and go - MLive.com: "Philanthropy, simplicity and volunteerism are hallmarks of the newly-formed Midland 100 Club.

Women meet three times a year to make pitches for nonprofit organizations."

Desperately Seeking Grants Can Lead to Identity Crisis | KeysNews.com

Desperately Seeking Grants Can Lead to Identity Crisis | KeysNews.com: "Nonprofit board members play an important role in seeking funding from foundations. Board members can utilize their connections to make phone calls to friends or colleagues to move the proposal along. Also, nonprofit boards have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure the organization fulfills the grant requirements, such as raising matching funds and allocating organizational resources. Policies may need to be adopted regarding compensation of professional grant writers. Industry standards set by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles does not allow its members to receive fees based on a percentage of contributions, but members may accept performance-based compensation."

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville lends staff to charities | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Hard Rock Cafe Nashville lends staff to charities | tennessean.com | The Tennessean: "Hard Rock will pay its staff their regular salaries, including the average tip its servers make, during the restaurant's dark days. And 71 employees will stay busy with community-spirited assignments at local nonprofits."

Camp Hill's $15 million donor sees herself as 'an old lady who likes children' - PennLive.com

Camp Hill's $15 million donor sees herself as 'an old lady who likes children' - PennLive.com: "In January 2006, she stunned the Camp Hill School District, and its residents, by donating $15 million to the district's nonprofit Lion Foundation for the creation of a performing arts center, hoping to enhance music, dance and the visual arts in the borough's schools. Her gift is one of the largest individual donations to a school district in the state, according to the Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Education Foundations. The arts center will feature a rounded two-story glass atrium, amphitheater and a walkway between it and the school."

Deseret News | Utahns are nation's most charitable

Deseret News | Utahns are nation's most charitable: "Utahns give far more of their income to charity than any other Americans, a Deseret News study of Internal Revenue Service tax data shows.

Utahns reported providing $2.9 billion

Shell Island goes to the dogs // PHOTO GALLERY - The News Herald

Shell Island goes to the dogs // PHOTO GALLERY - The News Herald: "SHELL ISLAND — Collar tags jingled, leashes tangled and tails wagged as the ferry left Bay Point Marina at 9 a.m. Saturday, sailing for Shell Island on the first-ever nonprofit-sponsored dog-friendly excursion."

Understanding bonds and the new Form 990 | Philanthropy Journal

Understanding bonds and the new Form 990 | Philanthropy Journal: "The revised IRS Form 990, specifically the new Schedule K, requires increased reporting from nonprofits regarding their outstanding bond issues."

The Associated Press: After first year, Smithsonian chief has big ideas

The Associated Press: After first year, Smithsonian chief has big ideas: "It is no longer acceptable for us to share only 1 percent of our 137 million specimens and artifacts in an age when the Internet has made it possible to share it all,' Clough told curators and scientists earlier this year.

Unlike his predecessor, who sought to maximize the institution's potential as a visitor attraction and business enterprise, Clough is intent on building up the Smithsonian's science, research and educational impact beyond its walls."

Yale Daily News - Yale’s donor dollars dwindle

Yale Daily News - Yale’s donor dollars dwindle: "Yale raked in gifts totaling about $439 million between July 1 of last year and June 30 of this year, Vice President for Development Inge Reichenbach said this week. That number fell far short of the roughly $600 million Yale had raised the year before and short of the more than $550 million Yale had brought in on average in each year since 2004, when the silent phase of its capital campaign, Yale Tomorrow, began.

Reichenbach said it is unlikely that things will get better this year, the fourth since the official launch of the campaign."

Los Angeles Charities Rarely on Hollywood’s ‘Must Do’ Lists - NYTimes.com

Los Angeles Charities Rarely on Hollywood’s ‘Must Do’ Lists - NYTimes.com: "While big companies and their leaders have historically helped out their hometowns in a pinch, out of benevolence or for bragging rights, Hollywood has been playing a relatively minor role in the civic life of Los Angeles, preferring national and international charities, say political leaders and many who care for those in need in the city."

Meaningful mud - Macomb, IL - Macomb Journal

Meaningful mud - Macomb, IL - Macomb Journal: "While standing knee deep in mud, hundreds of Western Illinois University students splashed and spiked their way to raising money for the Macomb Fire Department last weekend."

Leona Helmsley's gift to rescue organizations stalled

Leona Helmsley's gift to rescue organizations stalled: "ASPCA Asks Court to Direct Helmsley Money Back to Dogs

The ASPCA, along with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Maddie’s Fund, filed suit this week in New York Surrogate’s Court to intervene in the matter of the late Leona Helmsley’s $5 billion estate. The suit seeks to overturn an earlier ruling that allows the Helmsley Trustees—those responsible for issuing charitable grants from the estate—to disregard Mrs. Helmsley’s specific instructions that her wealth be used to help dogs."