Nicholas Kristof: A refugee's gift changes lives : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

Nicholas Kristof: A refugee's gift changes lives : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis: "Here's a story for the holiday season. A 30-year-old former refugee is putting together a most extraordinary Christmas present -- the first high school his community has ever had."

CEP | Beyond Administrative Cost Ratios | The Center for Effective Philanthropy

CEP | Beyond Administrative Cost Ratios | The Center for Effective Philanthropy: "While agreeing that the nonprofit sector must dramatically step up its effectiveness, I suggested in my Duke posts that it is important not to lose our appreciation of the distinct role of the sector by simply assuming that “business thinking” has all the answers. I also suggested that we need to recognize the successes (and failures) of the past – and present – from which we can learn. The fact is, there are excellent examples of effective philanthropic strategy that are older than any of us."

TheGardenIsland.com > News > Kauai News > United Way goal-busting may come to an end

TheGardenIsland.com > News > Kauai News > United Way goal-busting may come to an end: "And while those checking out the thermometer at Kukui Grove Center showing the agency at 70 percent of its $615,000 campaign goal for 2009 might see that progress as good news in this down economy, it is not, said Scott Giarman, Kaua‘i United Way executive director.

“It’s stuck at 70 percent. No, it’s not enough,” said Giarman, adding that with how intense the demand is for services at KUW’s 26 member agencies, there is a real need to exceed this year’s goal."

Broad and Other Philanthropists Pay for Jobs at L.A. Schools - Philanthropy.com

Broad and Other Philanthropists Pay for Jobs at L.A. Schools - Philanthropy.com: "Broad and Other Philanthropists Pay for Jobs at L.A. Schools

More than a dozen senior staff jobs in the Los Angeles school district are financed by philanthropists, including Eli Broad and the Wasserman and Walton foundations, according to the Los Angeles Times."

Survey: 86 percent of nonprofits report fiscal stress | Alexandria Echo Press | Alexandria, Minnesota

Survey: 86 percent of nonprofits report fiscal stress | Alexandria Echo Press | Alexandria, Minnesota: "The survey of 280 Minnesota nonprofit and governmental organizations in late September found:

•Organizations experiencing widespread changes in volunteers’ interests. Forty-four percent of respondents reported increased numbers of inquiries from potential new volunteers. Fifty-two percent reported volunteers were more likely to have strong work skills and 54 percent said they were more likely to be unemployed."

Report on Colorado nonprofits reveals many struggles - The Denver Post

Report on Colorado nonprofits reveals many struggles - The Denver Post: "A report released this week by the Colorado Nonprofit Association shows 56 percent of the state's nonprofits reported a time in the past year when their total expenses exceeded their total revenue.

The association's 'Weathering the Storm' report surveyed 450 Colorado nonprofits that, in a weakened economy, are trying to balance their community's heightened needs with decreased donor funding."

Yosemite nonprofits join forces - Mariposa and Yosemite - MercedSun-Star.com

Yosemite nonprofits join forces - Mariposa and Yosemite - MercedSun-Star.com: "The Yosemite Fund and Yosemite Association, two of Yosemite National Park's major nonprofit groups, said they’re forming a unified nonprofit to support projects and programs that preserve park resources and enrich the visitor experience."

Donors Give Pluralistic School in Boston $12.25 Mil – Forward.com

Donors Give Pluralistic School in Boston $12.25 Mil – Forward.com: "Defying the recession and concerns about Jewish philanthropy after Bernard Madoff, a group of anonymous donors recently gave $12.25 million to Gann Academy, a 13-year-old pluralistic Jewish high school in suburban Waltham, Mass., enabling the school to retire its building debt."

Busiest weekend yet for Oregon Humane Society | KATU.com - News - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional

Busiest weekend yet for Oregon Humane Society | KATU.com - News - Portland, Oregon | Local & Regional: "The public's response to two huge animal rescues last week has been nothing short of overwhelming,' reports an OHS press release. 'The shelter's storage areas have been overflowing with donated pet food while shelter staff have been working overtime to keep up with the public's demand to adopt the neglected dogs.'"

GETTING PERSONAL: Philanthropists Warily Watching Copenhagen - WSJ.com

GETTING PERSONAL: Philanthropists Warily Watching Copenhagen - WSJ.com: "Philanthropists attending the conference include Jet Li, martial artist, actor and founder of the One Foundation; Al Gore, former U.S. vice president and founder of the Climate Project; and financier George Soros, who recently announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in green technology and pledged $100 million to start the Climate Policy Initiative.

Philanthropists stress that, for their actions to be effective, more money needs to be aimed at slowing climate change. Donors directed only $6.58 billion, or 2% of overall giving in the U.S., to environmental causes in 2008, according to Giving USA."

Charities Feeling Economic Woes This Holiday Season - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

Charities Feeling Economic Woes This Holiday Season - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "two recent surveys convey the extent of the challenges.

According to Catholic Charities, 76 percent of the agencies in its national network are seeing an increased demand for food while 72 percent have cut operating costs. The Bridgespan Group, a Boston-based adviser to charities, said 80 percent of the 100 nonprofits responding to its latest survey are coping with funding cuts.

Rebecca Brislain, executive director of the Florida Association of Food Banks, said many of her affiliates are experiencing unprecedented demand for assistance as the state reels from rampant home foreclosures and job losses."

Community Giving at MIT: power in numbers

Community Giving at MIT: power in numbers: "Local nonprofits need financial help now more than ever, and the MIT community is responding with a big heart. The Community Giving at MIT campaign invites you to join the equation of generous MIT employees and retirees. The campaign offers the easiest and most effective way to make your charitable contribution. Every gift, modest or large, counts and is appreciated."

The Rise of Mobile Giving : By Philip King : FundRaising Success

The Rise of Mobile Giving : By Philip King : FundRaising Success: "Now to today’s topic. As you read this article, consider that the world’s population will be approximately 6.8 billion people by the end of 2009. We believe that in that population, just more than 25 percent are Internet users or, in other words, 1.7 billion Internet users. Internet usage is highest in North America where we believe more than 74 percent of people are Internet users. That is a lot, right? Not when compared to mobile!

Global mobile statistics make Internet statistics look meager by comparison. Mobile subscriptions across the globe are expected to reach 4.6 billion by the end of this year, and mobile broadband subscriptions are estimated to top 600 million in 2009, having overtaken fixed broadband subscribers last year."

Innovative E-newsletter E-mails : By Christina Johns : FundRaising Success

Innovative E-newsletter E-mails : By Christina Johns : FundRaising Success: "Over the past couple of months, I’ve signed up for numerous organizations’ e-newsletters seeking innovators and strategic thinkers who look at an e-newsletter as more than a condensed version of their home pages. Here are some of my favorites and the reasons I chose them."

IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations | Planned Giving Design Center

From PGDC

IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Donations | Planned Giving Design Center: "Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. Some of these changes include the following..."

From The Chronicle: Holiday Giving Lags - Philanthropy.com

From The Chronicle: Holiday Giving Lags - Philanthropy.com: "From The Chronicle: Holiday Giving Lags

A poll of 395 charities that The Chronicle of Philanthropy conducted over the past week finds that one-third of nonprofit groups expect that by year’s end, donations will have declined by 10 percent or more from 2008 numbers."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Pardee ditches holiday lunch for philanthropy

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Pardee ditches holiday lunch for philanthropy: "One home development company has opted to ditch its holiday luncheon in order to help victims of domestic violence and more than 100 special needs children.

Pardee Homes representatives presented Tuesday a $500 check donation to The Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita Valley."

Speed Mentoring Event Hooks Up Entrepreneurs with Nonprofit Leaders | KCPW

Speed Mentoring Event Hooks Up Entrepreneurs with Nonprofit Leaders | KCPW: "(KCPW News) You’ve heard of speed dating. But what about speed mentoring? The Community Foundation of Utah hosted an event this morning that brought together entrepreneurs and non-profits at Salt Lake Community College’s Miller Campus in Sandy. Executive Director Fraser Nelson says the foundation wanted to find a way to harness the smarts and expertise of entrepreneurs to help nonprofits."

From the Field » Blog Archive » The Preliminary Steps for The Art of Asking!

From the Field » Blog Archive » The Preliminary Steps for The Art of Asking!: "You think that you know all the earthly sins in the world, particularly those surrounding the Art of Asking, well what are the three most flagrant ones in all of philanthropy?

You are right if you immediately uttered -
“I forgot to ask the prospect for financial support“,
“I didn’t ask for a specific project, amount or need“, and
“At the last moment, I had another event to attend and did not visit the prospect personally - just sent a little hand-written note.”

In nine out of every ten solicitations that are not successful, these three items are, at least, one of the main reasons for failure and no bacon!"

AFP Holiday Giving Survey Shows Giving Still Lagging, But Optimism Rising Among Charitable Fundraisers - Press - AFP

AFP Holiday Giving Survey Shows Giving Still Lagging, But Optimism Rising Among Charitable Fundraisers - Press - AFP: "AFP Holiday Giving Survey Shows Giving Still Lagging, But Optimism Rising Among Charitable Fundraisers

December 15, 2009

About one-third of charities are raising more funds so far during the 2009 holiday season compared to the same time period in 2008, according to the Holiday Giving Survey by AFP.

These giving figures are better than they were in last year's survey, and optimism for the rest of the year and 2010 is much stronger."

Study Finds U.S. Residents Give Twice as Much as Canadians - Philanthropy.com

Study Finds U.S. Residents Give Twice as Much as Canadians - Philanthropy.com: "Study Finds U.S. Residents Give Twice as Much as Canadians

Canadians give less than half as much to charity as Americans relative to income, the Toronto Sun reports, citing data from the Canadian research group the Fraser Institute."

Idealware: Get Ready For A Sea Change In Nonprofit Assessment Metrics

Idealware: Get Ready For A Sea Change In Nonprofit Assessment Metrics: "ast week, GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and three other nonprofit assessment and reporting organizations made a huge announcement: the metrics that they track are about to change. Instead of scoring organizations on an 'overhead bad!' scale, they will scrap the traditional metrics and replace them with ones that measure an organization's effectiveness.

The new metrics will assess:

* Financial health and sustainability;


* Accountability, governance and transparency; and


* Outcomes."

Bebo founder drops $1 million at charity auction | The Social - CNET News

Bebo founder drops $1 million at charity auction | The Social - CNET News: "On Monday night, at the annual benefit gala for the nonprofit Charity Water, Bebo founder Michael Birch, one of the event's co-hosts along with the likes of Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and entrepreneur Sean Parker, made a surprise announcement. Shortly before the event's live auction to solicit donations for new wells, Birch declared that he would personally match all donations up to $1 million."

Marin natives behind holiday benefit party for philanthropic-minded 20-somethings - Marin Independent Journal

Marin natives behind holiday benefit party for philanthropic-minded 20-somethings - Marin Independent Journal: "Anderson Pugash and Kelly Cregg know how lucky they are to have grown up wealthy in Marin County, with all the opportunities and privileges that brings. And now they feel it's time for them to give back.

Both are college grads in their 20s who come from prominent Marin families that instilled in them the value of art and music and culture."

Hugh Jackman And Daniel Craig Raise Record $1.5m For AIDS Charity « ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

Hugh Jackman And Daniel Craig Raise Record $1.5m For AIDS Charity « ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip: "Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig received wide praise for their performances in the Broadway two-man drama A Steady Rain; and while they were at it helped bring in a record $1.5 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The annual competition, now in its 21st year, pits Broadway, Off-Broadway and National Tour companies against each other for six weeks to see who can bring in the most money for AIDS relief. The winners are proclaimed “The Gypsy of the Year”."

Eight Strategies for Stronger Fundraising at Hospitals

Eight Strategies for Stronger Fundraising at Hospitals: "Presently, philanthropic efforts nationwide aren't booming. So, it's not surprising that healthcare philanthropy has also had difficult year. The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) reports that its members nationwide have seen donations fall off considerably since mid-2008, and it's not clear when they will pick back up again"

New nonprofit model for a down economy | Philadelphia Daily News | 12/15/2009

New nonprofit model for a down economy | Philadelphia Daily News | 12/15/2009: "Recognizing that a recovery is still some way off, leaders from several of Philadelphia's most venerable nonprofits have come together to create a solution and chart a new course for building support and raising the dollars necessary to fund long-valued programs.

This new coalition is called Give Philly - and it consists of seven of the city's leading nonprofits serving children and families:"

Are news nonprofits doomed to reliance on big gifts? A study in fundraising — and sustainability » Nieman Journalism Lab

Are news nonprofits doomed to reliance on big gifts? A study in fundraising — and sustainability » Nieman Journalism Lab: "’ve been studying journalism nonprofits one way or another for about five years now, and I confess that in all that time, I’ve looked at their business models really as being slightly different iterations of the same species. But now, I’m not so sure.

As part of my graduate studies in nonprofit management at George Washington University, this fall I took a closer look at the finances of a dozen journalism nonprofits, keeping in mind the most pressing question for many: How can they diversify revenues and achieve some level of sustainability?"

Anonymous donor pledges $1M to charity | argusleader.com | Argus Leader

Anonymous donor pledges $1M to charity | argusleader.com | Argus Leader: "An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million in matching funds to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota."

Money falls from sky as clerk's office carols for charity

Money falls from sky as clerk's office carols for charity: "WEST PALM BEACH — For a half an hour this morning, dollar bills fell like snowflakes at Palm Beach County's governmental center.

Wrapped in red ribbons and tied to balloons, paper-clipped to tiny parachutes or folded in the shape of little airplanes, $500 fluttered down to the atrium floor from government workers on balconies above."

In the Arts: Recession Cools Fever for Big-Ticket Buildings - Philanthropy.com

In the Arts: Recession Cools Fever for Big-Ticket Buildings - Philanthropy.com: "In the Arts: Recession Cools Fever for Big-Ticket Buildings

The recession has reined in ambitious expansion projects at major arts institutions across the country and, according to one prominent arts researcher, exposed “poor management and poor planning” by organizations that were caught up in the boom, according to The New York Times."

The NonProfit Times - Milton Murray, Man Behind The Philanthropy Stamp, Dead At 87

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "December 14, 2009

Milton Murray, man behind the philanthropy stamp, dead at 87
Milton Murray, a maverick fundraiser who worked diligently for two decades to get a postage stamp honoring philanthropy, died Dec. 9. He was 87.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued the “Giving & Sharing” stamp in 1998, featuring a bee with flowers back when First Class postage was 32 cents. Murray pushed for 27 years for a philanthropy-inspired postage stamp.

In 1973 Murray founded the Seventh-day Adventist Church Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI). For nearly 20 years he served as director of PSI, which provides philanthropic education and resources to enhance development programs to members within the church and its related colleges, universities, healthcare systems and other members."

IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates

IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates: "IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates


IR-2009-111, Dec. 3, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2010 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

* 50 cents per mile for business miles driven
* 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
* 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations"

Young philanthropists: Naples children raise funds for those less fortunate» Naples Daily News

Young philanthropists: Naples children raise funds for those less fortunate» Naples Daily News: "eremy Franks’ philanthropy began five years ago when he was cleaning out his closet and discovered unopened toys from birthday parties.

The 6-year-old and his family decided to give the toys to the Salvation Army. Soon, a new tradition was born.

Rather than receive gifts at his birthday party every year, Jeremy asks his friends to donate the money to help out local charities."

Amrod works in philanthropy at Mary Washington

Amrod works in philanthropy at Mary Washington: "Ridgefield native Matthew Amrod isn’t just learning about philanthropy at college, he’s doing it. His philanthropy and the non-profit sector class at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., allocated a total of $10,000 to two local non-profits."

Funds development staff members ease financial pressure for nonprofits -- GazetteXtra

Funds development staff members ease financial pressure for nonprofits -- GazetteXtra: "U.S. News and World Reports recently identified fundraising as one of this country's top 30 professions for the future.

'Fundraising knowledge and know-how is in huge demand in this challenging economy when giving is at a premium,' said Paulette V. Maehara, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Local nonprofits agree."

Hurting for dollars, R.I. nonprofits try to earn their own | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

Hurting for dollars, R.I. nonprofits try to earn their own | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal: "Struggling with a decline in donations and financing, cash-strapped nonprofits are looking for new ways to raise money, along with the usual array of silent auctions, races, car raffles and holiday fundraisers.

Some, like Crossroads Rhode Island, are tweaking pioneer efforts. Four years ago, the homeless shelter launched a printing and graphic design business to provide jobs to the homeless and generate income."

Donated space breathes life into nonprofit organizations | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Donated space breathes life into nonprofit organizations | Richmond Times-Dispatch: "or nonprofit organizations that receive a gift of space, the donation can be as precious as money.

'It's been a wonderful, wonderful gift for us,' said Suzanne Miller-Cormier, director of Central Virginia's Legal Information Network for Cancer, which moved into new offices in September at CJW Medical Center (Johnston-Willis). She estimated that the group saves $3,000 a month on rent. LINC, which helps cancer patients with legal and financial issues, is in an outbuilding that held The Hawthorne cancer resource center until The Hawthorne moved this year."

A gala to remember | Napa Valley Register

A gala to remember | Napa Valley Register: "A sell-out crowd of 500 packed Chardonnay Hall at the Napa Valley Expo on Dec. 4 for the first annual Let’s Pretend event to benefit the Napa Valley Coalition of Nonprofit Agencies.
“We’re thrilled with the turnout,” said Peggy Klick, Coalition board chair and program director for the Tobacco Education and Quit Smoking Program. “It was an evening to celebrate nonprofits and put aside our worries and concerns.”"

The outlook for fundraising in 2010 | Mal Warwick's Newsletter

The outlook for fundraising in 2010 | Mal Warwick's Newsletter: "The outlook for fundraising in 2010
by Peter Schoewe
From December 2009

It would be easy to write off 2009 as a terrible year for fundraising. Because of the economic crisis at the end of 2008, the past 12 months have been a time of uncertainty and challenges for many fundraising programs. But there have been bright spots—believe it or not—amid the wreckage of falling donor counts and dropping average gifts in the past year. Here are a couple:"

Sunny and share: The pros and cons of shared workspaces

Sunny and share: The pros and cons of shared workspaces: "From infancy onward, we are taught the value and correctness of sharing. Partaking in playtime with peers while allotting toys to friends is one of the fundamental lessons in life's early learning stages.

So it's no surprise, then, that over the last few years the concept of office consolidation has been adopted by - and a subject on the lips of - voluntary sector organizations in the context of workspace environment: splitting rents, sharing office supplies, and in the process, reducing all manner of overhead costs associated with running a nonprofit or business of any kind.

Yet while the idea is fiscally sound, there are pros and cons to sharing one's workspace with other organizations."

Philanthropy: The online appeal - The Business Review (Albany):

Philanthropy: The online appeal - The Business Review (Albany):: "Cohoes Music Hall raised more than $15,000 online—a few dollars at a time—when corporate sponsorships and season ticket sales tanked this year."

State's charities need experienced leadership | delawareonline.com | The News Journal

State's charities need experienced leadership | delawareonline.com | The News Journal: "While they may be well-capitalized, a culture of fiefdoms stagnates too many organizations. The internal inefficiency and disarray are obvious in the substandard level of service being provided.

As it should be, the recently released 'Philanthropy In The First State, Delaware's Nonprofits, Individual Donors and Grantmaking Organizations' report is the talk of the state's nonprofit community.

This first-ever analysis brims with demographic and philosophical validity for a sea change in individual and corporate giving ."

23,469 runners hit streets of Honolulu | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

23,469 runners hit streets of Honolulu | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser: "While the marathon contenders will be chasing after a paycheck, some runners are looking to cash in for their favorite charities. Every year, hundreds compete for their designated charity, asking family members, friends, and the public to make a donation."

Out of the closet: Elton John wardrobe of crazy costumes in charity sale - Telegraph

Out of the closet: Elton John wardrobe of crazy costumes in charity sale - Telegraph: "Out of the closet: Elton John wardrobe of crazy costumes in charity sale
Elton John's flamboyant wardrobe of designer labels has been up for grabs as the singer and his partner David Furnish sold off a huge collection of their clothes for charity."

Hockey Fans Toss Teddy Bears For Charity - Sports News Story - WMTW Portland

Hockey Fans Toss Teddy Bears For Charity - Sports News Story - WMTW Portland: "LEWISTON, Maine -- Regardless of who scored the most goals at Sunday's Maineiacs game in Lewiston, the real winners were local kids.

The hockey team held its seventh annual Teddy Toss during the game."

Students build menorah of cans for formals charity drive - The Daily Princetonian

Students build menorah of cans for formals charity drive - The Daily Princetonian: "Inspired by the actions of Jewish chaplaincies on other campuses across the country, Princeton’s Chabad House launched the “Giving Back at Formals” initiative by collecting more than 1,000 cans to construct a menorah, which was displayed outside Quadrangle Club during Winter Formals on Saturday. The cans will be delivered to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen this week."