Thursday, December 23, 2010

Association of Fundraising Professionals - AFP

Postings will be intermittent until January 4.

AFP IHQ will be closed for the holidays beginning Dec. 23 and will reopen Jan. 3, 2011. The AFP Foundations for Philanthropy will remain open Dec. 23, and also Dec. 27-30. Happy Holidays!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

IRA Charitable Rollover Included in Final Tax Bill - Provision Could Boost Giving by Billions Annually - Press - AFP

IRA Charitable Rollover Included in Final Tax Bill - Provision Could Boost Giving by Billions Annually - Press - AFP: "(Dec. 17, 2010) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) today applauded the inclusion of the IRA (Individual Retirement Account) Charitable Rollover in the tax bill recently signed into law by the President, noting that the provision has been proven to work and could increase giving by billions every year.

The IRA Charitable Rollover, a part of the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, would allow donors age 70½ to exclude from their taxable income any IRA funds up to $100,000 that have been withdrawn and transferred to a charity when filing a tax return.

VolunteerMaine!

VolunteerMaine!: "Recently the Maine Commission for Community Service challenged communities across Maine to develop volunteer service projects that unite community sectors in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Our challenge was met with an overwhelming response of 26 grant applications. We are happy to announce, the Maine Commission for Community Service, awarded 16 organizations $500 grants to implement Martin Luther King Day of Service Projects.

We encourage local citizens to contact a project in their community and take part in the Martin Luther King Day of Service. This special day of service is an important way for Maine’s people to experience the significance of service, volunteerism and collaboration amongst their neighbors. These service projects will not only impact their communities, but celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and his commitment to service, non-violence, and diversity. The following organizations were selected:

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Friday, December 17, 2010

Students to build houses, community in Mexico - Canstar

Students to build houses, community in Mexico - Canstar: "But Gwen Neufeld, an educational assistant at the school, said those students are also deeply connected to another community — one located next to a desert, thousands of kilometres away from Winnipeg.


Since 2005, senior students from the collegiate have been traveling to Puerto Penasco, Mexico to build houses for families in need."

Texas Open hailed for charity strategy - San Antonio Express-News

Texas Open hailed for charity strategy - San Antonio Express-News: "According to the tour, the record-setting San Antonio competition was lauded “for integrating its charity messaging into the event’s marketing efforts, both on-site and into tournament programming” during the May tour stop at TPC San Antonio."

New Tax Deal Lowers Estate Tax and Extends IRA Charity Break - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

New Tax Deal Lowers Estate Tax and Extends IRA Charity Break - Tax Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Congress has approved a new tax deal that would lower estate-tax rates from 2009 levels and extend a benefit for older donors who tap their individual retirement accounts to make charitable donations.

President Obama, who brokered the deal with Republican lawmakers, is expected to sign the bill into law today."

Charities using fund-raisers get 43% of take - The Boston Globe

Charities using fund-raisers get 43% of take - The Boston Globe: "Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Virginia-based Association of Fundraising Professionals, said collecting money through a professional fund-raiser or telemarketer can be expensive, as firms must pay administrative costs, including workers’ salaries. But when a firm keeps a high percentage of donations that “absolutely raises flags.’’

“It’s OK to take your time in giving,’’ he said. “Fund-raising costs should be an element of your decision, and if they are too high that should be a good reason to stop the conversation.’’"

#TECH10 - Association Bisnow - Washington

#TECH10 - Association Bisnow - Washington: "The jobs of those who oversee IT in associations and non-profits has changed dramatically over the years from technical to strategic. Georgetown University Associate Dean of Technology Management Beverly Magda and Association of Fundraising Professionals CIO Prabhash Shrestha l"

Friday, December 10, 2010

Campbell and Putnam: Charity's Religious Edge - WSJ.com

Campbell and Putnam: Charity's Religious Edge - WSJ.com: "Americans are generous people. In 2006, as detailed in our recent book, 'American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us,' 80% of all Americans reported having made a charitable contribution in the previous year. But some—the religious—contributed more than others.

Of the most secular fifth of Americans, two-thirds said they gave money to charity in the previous year. That's an impressive number, but it pales next to the 94% of the most religious fifth who reported making a charitable donation."

'Philanthropy cannot be forced externally' - The Times of India

'Philanthropy cannot be forced externally' - The Times of India: "All of us need to do more than what we are doing because that is what this country needs. Sweden and Netherlands have led the way by making maximum contributions to philanthropy outside their own country. There is nothing that can stop us from emulating them. The desire to do something for society emerges from within. Contributing to society is eventually in our own interest and given the state of affairs on several development issues in our country, no individual or organisation can act like an ostrich with its head in the sand. At the same time, it cannot be forced externally. Everyone must act according to one's own conscience. We can't and must not judge others on this issue."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations: "December 8, 2010; Source: New York Times | Nonprofits don't seem to be on Apple's shiny radar. The company keeps apps that accept donations out of the iTunes store, and out of the toolboxes of nonprofits that would put those apps—and the donations—to use. This has the third sector riled up, enough so to circulate a petition to Apple's CEO Steve Jobs on the subject—a petition that has quickly attracted thousands of signatories from the world over."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations: "December 8, 2010; Source: New York Times | Nonprofits don't seem to be on Apple's shiny radar. The company keeps apps that accept donations out of the iTunes store, and out of the toolboxes of nonprofits that would put those apps—and the donations—to use. This has the third sector riled up, enough so to circulate a petition to Apple's CEO Steve Jobs on the subject—a petition that has quickly attracted thousands of signatories from the world over."

No-sweat nonprofit research : Richmond BizSense

No-sweat nonprofit research : Richmond BizSense: "etting a glimpse at the inner workings of local nonprofits just got easier.

The Community Foundation has launched GiveRichmond.org, an online database that compiles nonprofits’ organizational and financial data to give donors a better idea of where their money is going."

What CSR and Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading - Part IV | Fast Company

What CSR and Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading - Part IV | Fast Company: "Following up on last Sunday's Part III with recommendations for holiday gifts and your own reading list, here are additional ideas from CSR and nonprofit leaders. You can also check on the books that were recommended in Part I and Part II at the end of last summer. These are delightful, eclectic selections from a variety of perspectives--from Michelle Rhee to Matthew Bishop, and the heads of companies and nonprofits."

Survey: Atlanta ranks No. 4 in charitable giving | The Biz Beat

Survey: Atlanta ranks No. 4 in charitable giving | The Biz Beat: "Atlanta is the fourth most charitable city, according to a new survey by The Daily Beast news website."

Hunt unveils �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy - Third Sector

Hunt unveils �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy - Third Sector: "Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt wants the UK to become the first country in the world where it's normal for people to leave 10 per cent of their legacy to charity

Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, has announced an �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy in the culture sector.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will put �30m into the scheme and �50m will be taken from the National Lottery over the next four years. Hunt said the money will be put into a series of match fund schemes in the arts to try and raise at least an equivalent amount from private donors."

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Paulette's Point of View: Things Are Looking Up...Mostly!

Paulette's Point of View: Things Are Looking Up...Mostly!: "That’s one of the reasons why AFP has partnered with five other leading philanthropic organizations to create the Nonprofit Research Collaborative. As I wrote in one of my November posts, by combining our research, we’ve created the most comprehensive and accurate survey of fundraising ever, with responses coming from every type and size of charity. That’s important, because you know the data is solid and representative of the whole community."

16 Tycoons Agree to Give Away Fortunes - WSJ.com

16 Tycoons Agree to Give Away Fortunes - WSJ.com: "The billionaire founder of social network Facebook Inc. has agreed to give the majority of his wealth to charity, part of a broader group of rich entrepreneurs committing to philanthropy earlier in their lives.

Mark Zuckerberg has signed onto the 'Giving Pledge,' which asks its signatories to commit publicly to give away the majority of their wealth."

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy - Member News - Member - AFP

AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy - Member News - Member - AFP: "AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy

December 7, 2010

(Arlington, VA) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) today unveiled its new wise giving website, Change the World With a Giving-and Wise-Heart (http://www.afpnet.org/GivingHeart) designed to help donors think proactively about philanthropy and how they want to improve their communities through giving and volunteering."

The new trend in corporate philanthropy: giving books | Marketplace From American Public Media

The new trend in corporate philanthropy: giving books | Marketplace From American Public Media: "This holiday season, corporate philanthropy programs are donating books instead of more traditional donations. Jeff Tyler has more."

Education nonprofits White-Williams and Philadelphia Futures merge | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/06/2010

Education nonprofits White-Williams and Philadelphia Futures merge | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/06/2010: "Measured by the bottom line, a merger between White-Williams Scholars and Philadelphia Futures seems hardly noteworthy.

After all, the two Philadelphia nonprofit groups are worth barely $12 million, couch-cushion change when compared, say, with the $68 billion Pfizer Inc. spent to buy Wyeth last year."

Monday, December 06, 2010

Bush Tax-Cut Deal Between Obama and Republicans Is Near - NYTimes.com

Bush Tax-Cut Deal Between Obama and Republicans Is Near - NYTimes.com: "WASHINGTON — White House officials and Congressional Republicans said Sunday they were closing in on a deal to temporarily continue the Bush-era tax cuts at all income levels, while bitterly frustrated Democratic Congressional leaders began exploring whether they would have the votes for such a package."

Charity Village� Research: Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”

Charity Village� Research: Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”: "Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”
By Jayne Cravens, MSc
December 6, 2010


When a big news story or disaster strikes, the result can be hundreds, even thousands, of people contacting organizations to offer help, including potential online volunteers. It could be a natural disaster, an act of violence, or a particular issue suddenly becoming the hot item on the news. A nonprofit organization, NGO, school, or other organization could suddenly be swamped with emails and phone calls from people who want to help in some way online."

Charity Village� Research: 2011 Wish List: Making The Case For A Pay Raise

Charity Village� Research: 2011 Wish List: Making The Case For A Pay Raise: "The annual budget for 2011 may already be approved but how do you make an effective case for a salary increase? Consider that not all employees perform equally and if your contribution in 2010 was extraordinary, then an adjustment to your compensation may be in order. However, a case has to be prepared.

Employees have some latitude to ask for a salary increase that goes beyond the average allocated in the organization budget. Boards of directors usually approve an overall increase to the organization’s total compensation budget but do not become involved in deciding how much each employee receives. The actual increase for the individual, and whether it is below average, average, or above average, is usually left to the employee’s supervisor and/or executive director or, in the case of the chief staff executive, a compensation committee that has been mandated by the board. The decision invariably is tied to performance with outstanding employees receiving more than staff who under perform."

‘Polar Bears’ brave the cold water for charity

‘Polar Bears’ brave the cold water for charity: "The various teams who took part in the Polar Bear Club dip, an annual tradition that is part of Christmas By the Lake, asked for pledges from the public before the event.

This year’s plunge raised about $20,000 for Make A Wish of North Iowa and Toys for Tots."

The Daily Maverick :: Mega-philanthropists top the 100 big names among global thinkers

The Daily Maverick :: Mega-philanthropists top the 100 big names among global thinkers: "Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates are not in the winners’ circle because they are insanely rich (they are) or because they have made inspired investment choices (they’ve done that too). This time they are in first place because they have decided to give away half their fortunes, and to encourage other megarich people to follow suit.

This is not a new idea, of course, though Buffett and Gates are carrying it out with a special thoroughness. Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist who created US Steel, had determined to give away most of his money when he set up foundations to promote world peace, endowed libraries around the world and generally did lots of other good things with all the money he had made from his non-union wage slaves in Pittsburgh’s satanic mills."

About Thurgood Marshall Academy

About Thurgood Marshall Academy: "he Motley Fool has 'adopted' D.C. public charter school Thurgood Marshall Academy for Foolanthropy 2010. We'll be making a Foolish donation and organizing employee volunteers. We encourage you to do the same -- at any worthy organization in your own community. To learn more about TMA, read on."

Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy- The NonProfit Times Dec 6, 2010

Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy- The NonProfit Times Dec 6, 2010: "Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy

Many factors come into play when making a career transition at any point in life. Add in a cloudy economy and the new reality that nonprofit organizations are seeking out contracted employees, rather than hiring full time workers, and the decision becomes even tougher.

During Fundraising Day In New York 2010, held by the New York City chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Craig J. Williams Esq., interim executive director at the Robert Wood Williams University Hospital Foundation in New Brunswick, N.J., spoke at the session “Career Transitions in Today’s Economic Climate.” He gave insight into career paths."

Do-gooder gets joy from sending kids on shopping spree

Do-gooder gets joy from sending kids on shopping spree: "This time, however, Gubitosi wanted something different.

'Tom asked if we had 100 children that he could give $100 each to for a Christmas shopping spree at a toy store,' Elder said.

And thus a new tradition was born. But not at a toy store.

After consulting with Elder, Gubitosi agreed to fund a shopping spree at a Target, so that the children - who are picked by the corporation and who range from preschoolers to high school students - could buy anything from toys to music players to jeans."

Youth program finds way to give back amid closing | PennLive.com

Youth program finds way to give back amid closing | PennLive.com

How to Donate Like a Pro - WSJ.com

How to Donate Like a Pro - WSJ.com: "Investors demand a good return from their assets. Now donors are increasingly seeking the same for their charitable dollars.

Many philanthropists, large and small, are anxious about writing checks—and many endowments have yet to recover fully from the bruising they took during the financial crisis. Finding the worthiest, most-efficient organizations to maximize the impact of your donations couldn't be more pressing."

We’re Off to See the Oracle, the Awesome Oracle of Omaha - Wharton Journal - News

We’re Off to See the Oracle, the Awesome Oracle of Omaha - Wharton Journal - News: "On his views on philanthropy, Mr. Buffett said that giving away his money was really the best use for it. He joked that he could probably put Egypt out of business if he were to build a tomb for himself, but he wanted to create as much impact as possible per dollar used. That was why he had given away most of his money to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also talked about his work along with the Gates family to convince other billionaires to pledge away at least half their money to charity. The pledges can be looked up on givingpledge.org."

Friday, December 03, 2010

IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates

IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates: "14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations"

We Asked. They Answered: Do Annual Reports Still Matter? (the Communications Network blog)

We Asked. They Answered: Do Annual Reports Still Matter? (the Communications Network blog): "Some highlights worth noting:

--Over the past several years the number of foundations producing print versions of annual reports has been dropping. Here are the responses from a 'snap poll' conducted during that asked: Would your organization be willing to end production of printed annual reports?

Already Have: 31 %
Yes: 24%
No: 22%
It Depends: 22%"

SMSC Honored with Prestigious National Award for Philanthropy

SMSC Honored with Prestigious National Award for Philanthropy: "rior Lake, MN – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community was honored with a Jefferson Award for philanthropy at the Celebrate Twin Cities awards reception on December 1, 2010, at the St. Paul Hotel. SMSC Vice-Chairman Glynn A. Crooks accepted the award on behalf of the Community. From the 12 regional winners selected over the past year, the SMSC was chosen as the overall national winner for 2010 from this region."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Mission Accomplished? Nonprofit Considers Program Closure

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Mission Accomplished? Nonprofit Considers Program Closure: "December 1, 2010; Source: New York Times | We've lost track of the number of stories over the past few years about the many nonprofits being forced to close down, lay off staff, and leave people who depend on their services out in the cold. But what about a decision to close a nonprofit because the people living in the community it has long served are now too wealthy to justify continuing operations? That's exactly the situation facing the Children's Aid Society, which is considering closing a school in New York's Greenwich Village."

Rutgers University students launch movement to inspire lifelong charity giving | NJ.com

Rutgers University students launch movement to inspire lifelong charity giving | NJ.com

Gallo scions create wine with eye on philanthropy - Local - Modbee.com

Gallo scions create wine with eye on philanthropy - Local - Modbee.com: "Not every wine company has a following on Twitter.

Or its own clothing line. Or a pledge to give more than half of its profits to charity.

How millennial."

Furry fund-raiser benefits regional Red Cross efforts - MassLive.com

Furry fund-raiser benefits regional Red Cross efforts - MassLive.com: "The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter is offering its annual stuffed animal fund-raiser to support local disaster relief services of the chapter serving Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The cute, furry and cuddly gift idea will not only put a smile on the face of the recipient, but also help the chapter in its life-saving work."

Branding: Is It A Charity Or Dessert Topping - The NonProfit Times Dec 2, 2010

Branding: Is It A Charity Or Dessert Topping - The NonProfit Times Dec 2, 2010: "Times are tough across the board, for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes. With the emergence of new media, budget woes and board concerns, navigating the sector during a recession calls for efficient leadership and smart decisions.

In a frank discussion during the Direct Marketing Association New York Conference 2010, held in New York City, charity leaders addressed some of the sector’s hottest issues at the session “Cracking The Shell: Open Dialogue- The Most Pressing Issues Facing The Nonprofit World Today.” Tom Harrison, president and CEO of Russ Reid based in Washington, D.C. moderated the talk, asking nonprofit execs to weigh in on the issues of the moment."

Nonprofits Fear Loss of Charitable Tax Deduction - NYTimes.com

Nonprofits Fear Loss of Charitable Tax Deduction - NYTimes.com: "“The administration’s proposal went nowhere, but Pandora’s box was cracked open then,” said Diana Aviv, president of the Independent Sector, a trade group for nonprofits.

Charities warn that reducing or eliminating the deduction will cause irreparable damage to the nonprofit sector. They said the proposed changes came at a time of sustained and severe declines in donations because of the recession and cuts in government contracts for nonprofits. The charities also noted an increased demand for services."

Saundra Schimmelpfennig: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Charitable Giving

Saundra Schimmelpfennig: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Charitable Giving: "The holidays are prime fundraising time for nonprofits. Throughout the month there will be numerous requests donations or volunteer help. The following advice will you use your time and money wisely."

Thursday, December 02, 2010

America's Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

America's Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "America’s Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study

December 2, 2010, 11:11 am

By Holly Hall

Forty-one percent of American millionaires consider charity one of their top three spending priorities, a far bigger share than wealthy people in 19 other countries, according to a new survey."

Nine Tips For Tax-Smart Charitable Giving - Forbes.com

Nine Tips For Tax-Smart Charitable Giving - Forbes.com: "Of course, as with anything tax related, there are rules. Here are some key guidelines for making and reporting charitable contributions:"

Furthermore … | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Continued coverage of the Nonprofit Research Collaborative study

Furthermore … | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN: "conomic recovery is prompting people to increase their charitable giving, but need is still outpacing donations.

According to a national survey that was a project of the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, increased giving mirrors improvements in the economy but is not keeping up with demand for charitable services."

American Rich Lead the World in Philanthropy - The Wealth Report - WSJ

American Rich Lead the World in Philanthropy - The Wealth Report - WSJ: "What accounts for the fact that the American rich lead the world in philanthropy?

Are they more generous? Does religion play a role? Is it all just a matter of tax breaks?

The answer is probably more complex than anything we could explain in a blog post. Still, a new survey from Barclays Wealth shows the extent to which the American rich lead the world in giving. Of course, the U.S. has about a third of the world’s millionaires and they control trillions of dollars in wealth. Anyway, here is the ranking of the percentage of millionaires who said that philanthropy is one of their top three spending priorities:"

Ode to an unrestricted gift | Charity Chat

Ode to an unrestricted gift | Charity Chat: "But then I read the press release more closely.

“Kinnser Software, Inc., a leading home health software firm based in Austin, Texas, announces its charitable donation of $150,000 in unrestricted funds to the Austin Children’s Shelter (ACS) to deliver services to children and young adults in Central Texas.”

Wait, what? Unrestricted funds? A"

Philanthropists John, Tashia Morgridge donate hundreds of millions to Wisconsin causes

Philanthropists John, Tashia Morgridge donate hundreds of millions to Wisconsin causes: "ut Morgridge — a Wauwatosa native, UW-Madison graduate and member of the Forbes 400 list of America’s wealthiest people — wasn’t talking about helping a few kids through school. He and his wife wanted to give $175 million to create the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, an endowment that would provide a couple of thousand grants each year to low-income students attending one of Wisconsin’s public colleges or universities. The gift is believed to be the second-largest philanthropic act in state history behind the $205 million Jerome Frautschi gave to build the Overture Center in Madison."

Is Your Mission Getting Creepy?

From Guidestar

Is Your Mission Getting Creepy?: "s Your Mission Getting Creepy?

December 2010

I'm trying to launch two twenty-something-year-old sons. As they think about their futures and write and send out r�sum�s, my constant refrain to them is 'Don't chase the money; chase your lives. If you don't, you may—and it's only a possibility—end up with the money. However, you may find out later in life that you missed out on discovering your true passion and excelling at what you do best.'

The same holds true for organizations: Don't chase the money; passionately pursue your mission."

Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI

From Guidestar
Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI: "Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI

December 2010

A final 'Hello!'

This is the last installment of my 2010 article series to get your planned giving program started this year. We started your program with charitable bequests because they are the simplest—and by far the most popular—planned gift. There's more detail on why to start with bequests in this article from 2009.

The year's previous articles can be found in navigation links to the right.

In this final episode, we look at other planned gifts you can promote with relative ease because they do not require in-house expertise."

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

WHAT'S LURKING IN 2011 - Association Bisnow - Washington

WHAT'S LURKING IN 2011 - Association Bisnow - Washington: "Giving is up slightly so far this year, but it may not be enough for non-profits already struggling with cuts to programs and staff, reports a new survey from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative."

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com: "To Help Donors Choose, Web Site Alters How It Sizes Up Charities"

Prevention rather than cure is the new focus in Africa as donors look to cut aid - Africa, World - The Independent

Prevention rather than cure is the new focus in Africa as donors look to cut aid - Africa, World - The Independent: "As donor nations prepare to cut levels of overseas assistance, medical agencies and private charities may soon start to lose the race with HIV/Aids in sub-Saharan Africa unless new strategies for prevention and treatment are developed quickly, experts warned on the eve of World Aids Day."

Chevrolet Volt Production Begins Today, First Volt Going to Charity – Gas 2.0

Chevrolet Volt Production Begins Today, First Volt Going to Charity – Gas 2.0: "In order to increase their exposure (and good Karma) automakers often donate special cars to charity. Sometimes they are special editions, other times it is the first-ever of its kind, as is the case with the Chevy Volt.

Production of the Chevy Volt began today, and GM just launched a website, BidontheVolt.com, to sell the second production car. Why the second car? Well GM has this little collection of cars called the GM Heritage Collection, and basically they kept the first of every car there. So in actuality you would be bidding on the second-ever production Volt, the first one for sale to the public."

Charity Village� Research: A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector

Charity Village� Research: A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector: "A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector
By Jan Masaoka & Lynora Williams, from Blue Avocado
November 29, 2010

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Editor’s Note: We considered a Canadian version of this story, but decided this one published by Blue Avocado does a good job at sparking the discussion. In Canada, data published by the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector in 2008 showed that women comprise 75% of employees in the sector. We’d love to hear more from the men. Maybe you have an opinion you’d like to express for The Podium, or have requests for stories you’d like to see in Vibes. Write to us: editor@charityvillage.com.

We asked Blue Avocado's male readers to let us know their thoughts on being men in the majority-female nonprofit world. What we learned surprised us — and raised new questions:

The facts are that women comprise 70-75% of nonprofit employees (Nonprofit Almanac 2007). The experience of Ed Seay of Help Network in Russellville, Arkansas, reflects this exactly: 'You go to a United Way quarterly meeting,' he remarked, 'and there might be one other man in a room of 35 people.' But this, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg of what it's like for men who work in the female-majority nonprofit sector."

Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?

Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?: "Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
November 29, 2010

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On Sept. 22 of this year, the CBC produced an investigative report examining the nature of fundraising in the Canadian charitable sector and looking specifically at where donor dollars go. The story was also filed on their website here. On the whole, the CBC presented what many in the sector viewed as a sensationalized story that made it seem fraudulent, or at the very best, grossly mismanaged fundraising by charities was rampant across the nation.

Now that some water has passed under that particular bridge, there's been some sober reflection on the good that actually came out of the report and how third-party fundraising techniques aren't necessarily the evil incarnate that some would make them out to be."

The Business of Giving | Dave Matthews gives fans a ticket to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Business of Giving | Dave Matthews gives fans a ticket to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Musician Dave Matthews is testing a new idea in Seattle that he hopes will inspire more giving across the country.

In unique partnership with the website JustGive, Matthews is letting fans direct the proceeds of two upcoming Seattle shows to the charities of their choice. Every ticket is matched with an equal donation to philanthropy."

Penn Current: Latest News: Penn’s Way contributions exceed $1.3 million goal

Penn Current: Latest News: Penn’s Way contributions exceed $1.3 million goal: "Penn’s Way, the University’s annual combined workplace charitable giving campaign, has surpassed its $1.3 million goal for 2011, providing much-needed support to local charitable organizations"

$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays- The NonProfit Times Nov 30, 2010

$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays- The NonProfit Times Nov 30, 2010: "$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays

Americans will spread an average $281 across multiple charities via various solicitation channels this holiday season. Donors who have online relationships with a nonprofit report they will give almost $100 more than the average -- $378 vs. $281.

These are among the findings of a national survey by Edge Research for Austin, Texas-based online fundraising firm Convio. Based on the survey results, Americans could be giving as much as $48 billion during this holiday season. Many nonprofits generate as much as 30 to 40 percent of individual donations during the holidays."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | PILOTs in the Recession

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | PILOTs in the Recession: "The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has just produced the definitive study of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) that are slapped on tax exempt nonprofits to help pay for municipal services. The report documents PILOTs in 117 municipalities in 18 states. The researchers say that Boston's pilot program is among the nation's most 'revenue productive.'"

Nonprofit Research Collaborative Releases First Report | Nonprofit Trends with Steve MacLaughlin | a Blackbaud Blog

Nonprofit Research Collaborative Releases First Report | Nonprofit Trends with Steve MacLaughlin | a Blackbaud Blog

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts - Press - AFP

Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts - Press - AFP: "Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts

(Nov. 29, 2010) Nonprofit organizations have seen a slight turnaround in giving so far this year that mirrors the slow economic recovery, a new survey from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC) finds. But the small rebound hasn’t been enough to help many nonprofits that are grappling with staff and service cuts even as demand for their services has increased.

The national survey showed that 36 percent of charities reported an increase in donations in the first nine months of 2010, compared with only 23 percent in the same period of 2009."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?: "Face-to-face solicitation is the cheapest and most effective way to raise money. Face-to-face solicitation is also a marvelous cultivation strategy"

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building: "November 28, 2010; Source: Crain's Detroit Business | While many talk about or play at collaboration, small arts groups in Michigan are making it happen. Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings is at the center of it all because since 1992 it has used collaboration to expand its own capacity—along with the capacity of its partners. It has operational collaborations with six other nonprofits now and expects to add an additional two at the first of the year. You name it, these guys think its fodder for collaboration;"

Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg

Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg: "Whatever the reason (and perhaps the economy even had something to do with it), all 1,400 tickets to the annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation gala on Nov. 18 were sold in advance, mostly to bankers from the likes of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co."

PHILANTHROPY 2173: Philanthropy Buzzword 2010.7 - Giving Pledge & 2010.7a - Chuggers

PHILANTHROPY 2173: Philanthropy Buzzword 2010.7 - Giving Pledge & 2010.7a - Chuggers

Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com

Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com: "The results are encouraging as Americans seem to put aside the economic challenges to support the nonprofit sector and the good work charities do in our society,' said Paulette Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the largest association of philanthropic fundraisers in the world. 'With the nonprofit sector representing more than 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) and employing about 10 percent of the American workforce
, the year-end giving season is critical to the success of the many organizations that have a significant impact on our culture and communities.'"

Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29

Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29: "A day prior to World AIDS Day (WAD), amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research-one of the leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research-visits the NYSE to raise awareness for World AIDS Day, December 1. In honor of the occasion, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole and amfAR Ambassadors Liza Minnelli and Cheyenne Jackson ring The Opening BellSM.

Watch a live webcast of The Opening Bell at 9:29 a.m. ET on November 30, 2010. The archive will be available shortly after the event."

Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for

Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for: "Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for
Monday November 29, 2010

I decided to keep up the Thanksgiving theme today with a cluster of articles about writing thank you letters."

Monday, November 29, 2010

Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News

Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News: "n a special Thanksgiving edition of 'This Week,' some of the world's richest people sat down with Christiane Amanpour to talk about their extraordinary Giving Pledge -- a commitment to give the majority of their wealth away through philanthropy. Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, Ted Turner and others delved into the meaning of philanthropy, their moral obligation to give back and the future of the country in which each of them reached the heights of prosperity."

Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news

Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news: "This was no ordinary afternoon run in the park for Rusty Tolliver and Rhys Jenkins. It was the completion of a 2,000 mile run from Boston to Austin.

'My girlfriend Laura lives in Boston. I'm from Austin, they rhyme,' said Rusty Tolliver, who completed the 2,000 mile run.

But there was rhyme and reason behind the run that began on September 15. Tolliver and Jenkins were running for three charities: the troops, heart disease and cancer research."

Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010

Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010: "In October 2010, GuideStar joined forces with the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Blackbaud, and the Foundation Center to create the National Research Collaborative and conduct an end-of-year fundraising survey. Representatives of 2,356 public charities and 163 private foundations took the survey online between October 19 and November 3, 2010.

The results are encouraging: The proportion of participants reporting decreased contributions dropped 14 percent, from 51 percent in October 2009 to 37 percent in October 2010. The percentage who said contributions had increased grew 13 percent, from 23 percent in October 2009 to 36 percent in October 2010. These figures may herald the beginning of an economic recovery in the nonprofit sector, although only time will tell if the trend will continue. For the first time in two years, however, there's cause for cautious optimism about the sector and the economy."

All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession

All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession: "'I’m hungry.'

This is how the first call to my cellphone began. Until that point, the human toll of the Great Recession was much less immediate.

Two years ago, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region established the Neighbors in Need Fund to help nonprofits meet the growing demand for services in the wake of the economic meltdown. Working with the foundation, I have written about many individuals and corporations that have supported the fund, which makes grants to groups that provide food, shelter and clothing to the region’s most vulnerable. But until that call, the story had not hit home."

Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship

Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship: "Micro . . . what?! Sure, the term microfinance may sound complicated, but its message is simple: giving loans to budding entrepreneurs in another part of the world who need a little leg up to get out of poverty. If you're familiar with the microfinance world, the name Kiva will often pop up, and if you were watching Oprah last Friday, you'd know it was one of her favorite things. Kiva is a nonprofit that provides an Internet platform for lenders to connect with microfinance institutions around the globe. But don't worry, you don't need match up to an Oprah Winfrey-like donation -- even a $25 loan can make a difference. We talked to Kiva's CEO Matt Flannery, who told us more about the feel-good nonprofit."

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com: "Charity Navigator, perhaps the largest online source for evaluating nonprofit groups, recently embarked on an overhaul to offer a wider, more nuanced array of information to donors who are deciding which organizations they might help."

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch: "This fundraiser doesn’t want you to wonder where the money went.

The Columbus Foundation is telling donors upfront, and in detail, about plans for the $1.5 million that officials hope to provide for seven area charities hit hard by demand because of the recession."

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | The Philanthrobabble Generator

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | The Philanthrobabble Generator: "Thanks to the Philanthrobabble Generator (PBG), an innovative and impactful component of NPQ’s capacity building toolbox, you will never again have to actually think for yourself when crafting a grant proposal. This is your handy dandy one-stop shop for pre-fab phrases of sectoral jargon in current use. And they sure seem like they should mean something!"

Microsoft Pri0 | Microsoft helping nonprofits solve technology problems with Imagine Cup | Seattle Times Newspaper

Microsoft Pri0 | Microsoft helping nonprofits solve technology problems with Imagine Cup | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Microsoft launched Imagine Cup Solve This on Monday. The Imagine Cup competition brings together student teams from around the world who build software. In the past few years, Microsoft has asked students to build software that helps advance the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

The company called Solve This a crowdsourcing solution for technology challenges faced by nonprofits and NGOs, or non-government organizations.

'We often hear from all the NGOs and nonprofits that they would love to have our help in thinking through the application of technology to some of the very challenging issues they’re working on,' said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president for Microsoft corporate affairs. 'What we’ve done with Imagine Cup Solve This is provide a platform for our NGOs and U.N. organizations so they can submit applicat"

Link Charitable Passion & Polished Skills

Link Charitable Passion & Polished Skills

Salvation Army Red Kettle and Toys for Tots Are Consumers' Favorite Causes for the Holidays

Salvation Army Red Kettle and Toys for Tots Are Consumers' Favorite Causes for the Holidays: "The 2010 Cone Holiday Trend Tracker reveals that persistence and longevity pay off for nonprofits when it comes to their holiday campaigns.

There is also plenty of support for cause marketing as consumers continue to meld giving and shopping, especially during the holidays. Nevertheless, long standing nonprofit campaigns with top of the mind recognition by consumers even beat out cause-related marketing by leading brands."

The Urban Institute | Outcome Indicators Project

The Urban Institute | Outcome Indicators Project: "Outcome Indicators Project
A joint project of the Urban Institute and The Center for What Works

The Outcome Indicators Project provides a framework for tracking nonprofit performance. It suggests candidate outcomes and outcome indicators to assist nonprofit organizations that seek to develop new outcome monitoring processes or improve their existing systems.

This website contains three primary elements:"

Monday, November 22, 2010

How Useful Are 'Do-It-Yourself' Charity Evaluations? - Give and Take - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

How Useful Are 'Do-It-Yourself' Charity Evaluations? - Give and Take - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "How Useful Are ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Charity Evaluations?

November 21, 2010, 11:48 pm

By Caroline Preston

It’s one big challenge everyone in the nonprofit world wants to crack: finding a simple way that ordinary donors can evaluate charity effectiveness.

In a recent issue of The Chronicle, Sean Stannard-Stockton, an adviser to donors, listed five questions that people can ask all types of charities to determine if they’re worth supporting."

Donations, deductions and the deficit

Donations, deductions and the deficit: "But maybe the not-so-altruistic truth is that many people do give to charity because they get something in return. Since 1917, our tax code has allowed individuals who donate to charitable and certain other nonprofit organizations to receive a tax deduction for their gifts. The deduction, for those who itemize, can be a great incentive for donations. However, it comes with a cost to the federal bottom line."

A Frozen Plunge For Charity - Port Jefferson, NY Patch

A Frozen Plunge For Charity - Port Jefferson, NY Patch: "On Saturday hundreds of people came out to brave the cold weather and the even colder water to take part in the first ever Polar Bear Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to raise money for Special Olympics. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko and Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner were there and both took the plunge for charity along with hundreds of other plungers and spectators."

Give even in hard times, says Carnegie heir - Herald Scotland | Business | Corporate & SME

Give even in hard times, says Carnegie heir - Herald Scotland | Business | Corporate & SME: "Thomson told the Sunday Herald: “My great grandfather would have been pleased at the increase in corporate social responsibility, but he believed that people should give because they have a passion for an area – in his case, education, science and peace – and to provide benefits to other people, not necessarily for their own corporate satisfaction.

“People have been tightening their belts in the current climate, and the returns on investments are less than they were, but I’m sure that things will return in better times.”"

MAINE COMPASS: Charitable appeal highlights generosity of state employees | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

MAINE COMPASS: Charitable appeal highlights generosity of state employees | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME: "or state workers, the opportunity to support charities through the Maine State Employees Combined Charitable Appeal is a familiar tradition this time of year.

Those who are not employed by a state agency may be surprised to learn that during difficult economic times, as well as periods of greater prosperity, thousands of state employees have consistently reached deep into their pockets to donate millions of dollars to charities."

Religious Donations Going Awry - NYTimes.com

Religious Donations Going Awry - NYTimes.com: "Religious Donations Going Awry
By NICHOLAS KRISTOF

My Sunday column is about charitable contributions, particularly by Christians, Jews and Muslims, that are well-intentioned but poorly thought out — and thus not nearly as effective as they might be. This is of course also a problem with secular contributions, but we’re entering a season for religious giving and I think this is a particular problem for religious charities because of a false assumption that a charity that shares one’s faith also shares one’s values and bona fides."

Charity amazed by run results | The Selma Times‑Journal

Charity amazed by run results | The Selma Times‑Journal: "Alan Hicks Jr. really didn’t know what to expect with the first one. He and others had hoped to break even.

Now a few weeks removed from the first Integrity Worldwide 5K, Hicks, the executive director of Integrity Worldwide, still can’t believe just how successful it was.

“We had really hoped to break even on the first one and build something for down the road,” Hicks said. “But we brought in right at $10,000 that will go to continue our work in Kenya.”"

Anonymous donor gives 1,000 turkeys to North Jersey food pantry | NJ.com

Anonymous donor gives 1,000 turkeys to North Jersey food pantry | NJ.com: "An anonymous donor has saved Thanksgiving at a northern New Jersey food pantry.

The person donated 1,000 turkeys, allowing the Center for Food Action to provide Thanksgiving dinner baskets to most, if not all, of the 3,800 families in Bergen and Passaic counties who requested them."

Friday, November 19, 2010

Jewish fundraising these days requires creativity and a Jewish community connection | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California

Jewish fundraising these days requires creativity and a Jewish community connection | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California: "Examining fundraising trends anywhere in North America should begin with two assumptions: fundraising is more successful in a strong economy, and committed, accountable fundraising professionals can be effective in good times as well as bad.

CG cook, phyllisHowever, Jewish life in the West is often considered to be worthy of observation as a “canary in the coal mine,” portending significant changes that might not be widely evident. The Bay Area Jewish population is largely composed of people who were born elsewhere or whose immediate families hail from elsewhere. Individuals who reside in the area in which they were born have been more likely to maintain formal contacts within the Jewish community, including belonging to the synagogue in which they were raised and donating to Jewish charities"

Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance | Chris Wilkinson | Stage | guardian.co.uk

Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance | Chris Wilkinson | Stage | guardian.co.uk: "Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance

With arts organisations struggling financially, corporate sponsors have a vital role to play – and that includes alcohol distributors"

Thursday, November 18, 2010

UMass claims largest fall fundraising take - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

UMass claims largest fall fundraising take - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News: "Boston —

The University of Massachusetts has posted its largest fall fundraising haul ever, though Boston campus numbers are lagging, and its endowment has grown to nearly half a billion dollars.

An ebullient Jack Wilson, the system’s president, made the fundraising announcement Wednesday at a meeting of the school’s Advancement Committee at the Alumni Club on Franklin Street.

With the goal for this school year set at $100.3 million, donations so far total $33.5 million, Wilson said."

Americans plan to maintain their level of charitable giving - USATODAY.com

Americans plan to maintain their level of charitable giving - USATODAY.com: "Americans who donate to charity intend to keep their level of giving about the same this holiday season despite the lagging economy, a national survey released today shows.

The Best Holiday Fundraising Appeal You've Never Tried

The Best Holiday Fundraising Appeal You've Never Tried: "This past summer the Society of Singers, a nonprofit that provides financial support to professional singers dealing with career-threatening illnesses or other emergencies, found itself face to face with numerous challenges. In addition to having to adjust its budget and relocate to a staff member's home, its CEO/president retired, and the organization's new leadership was confronted with the challenge of raising $110,000 in a very short amount of time."

Hudson Institute Panel Debates Philanthropy as a Profession | Case Foundation

Hudson Institute Panel Debates Philanthropy as a Profession | Case Foundation: "Does a career in philanthropy constitute a profession? Does it need to? And if so, by what measurements and standards?

These questions were tackled by a panel at the Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal last Thursday. Panelists Karl Stauber, Susan Ditkoff, Teri Behrens and Joseph Palus debated Stauber’s most recent essay, “Is Philanthropy a Profession? Should it Be?” which appeared in The Foundation Review. The panel focused on the role of philanthropy in the professional industry and how to best measure the field."

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Stars turn to experts for philanthropy guidance - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com

Stars turn to experts for philanthropy guidance - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com: "egend is among an increasing number of celebrities, including Rachael Ray, Yao Ming, Ben Stiller, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher who have paid experts to strategize their goodwill. Such philanthropic advising has existed in Hollywood for decades - Barbra Streisand has had an adviser for 24 years - but the number of consultants working with celebrities is rising as younger and less established figures, such as television personality Nicole Richie and pop singer Avril Lavigne, call upon their services."

How the Omidyar Network Pumps Up Nonprofits | Fast Company

How the Omidyar Network Pumps Up Nonprofits | Fast Company: "Fast Company spoke to ON managing partner Matt Bannick, Omidyar's right hand man, about the link between technology and philanthropy, the classifieds market in rural India, and why some successes can't be measured with metrics.

How did you and Pierre's working relationship evolve from technology to philanthropy?

Pierre and I met in 1999, when I joined eBay. We developed a strong, trusting relationship while working together at the executive level. Even when I was running eBay International and was post-acquisition CEO at PayPal, we used to talk about ways in which we can bring some of the underlying promise of eBay—the creation of a platform that presents people with community and livelihood and creates opportunities for them to do fabulous things--to the developing world."

Pat Faubion: United Way's new strategy to bolster donors | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints

Pat Faubion: United Way's new strategy to bolster donors | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints: "All too often, the scattershot approach to philanthropy overtakes the more strategic concept of 'catalytic philanthropy,' which is investing enough resources to impact problems that have become societal issues. Sustaining 15,000 local charities is watering down our ability to put enough resources into the fight against these key community-level problems. We have not only sustained organizations, but have grown more, even in tough economic times. We have small victories, but pulling all of those small victories into one major solution has been a challenge."

Honouring those who help others

Honouring those who help others: "Williams was one of six winners of the 16th Annual Ottawa Philanthropy Awards. He received the Outstanding Youth Award and was recognized with other recipients at a gala Monday evening.

'It's really about watching out and helping other people, connecting with those who could use a helping hand,' said Leah Eustace, president of the Ottawa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the group giving out the awards."

Courting District for charity dollars

Courting District for charity dollars: "World TeamTennis Smash Hits, the annual charitable exhibition staged by longtime friends Billie Jean King and Elton John, was billed as 'tennis that serves a cause' - that cause being the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Its 18th edition (and first in Washington) delivered handsomely, with the roughly $500,000 that was raised tipping the total funneled to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local charities since 1993 to more than $10 million."

Brooklyn Eagle, Bay Ridge Eagle Brooklyn, NY :: daily paper in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Eagle, Bay Ridge Eagle Brooklyn, NY :: daily paper in Brooklyn: "A group of Brooklyn Law School students are growing mustaches this month, in the name of men’s health.

They are participating in “Movember” — when mustaches take over November to raise awareness and money for cancers that affect men."

Volunteer ennui — SocialFish

Volunteer ennui — SocialFish: "Same goes with engaging volunteers and building a community around them. If the project gets stuck, it dies. If the group gets stuck, it dies. (Only, we don’t always let the project or the group die…which is a whole different problem!) I just LOVE the Truths about volunteering posts that Peggy Hoffman has been blogging for nearly two years. She’s up to 18 sage (and tweetable!) volunteer maxims. All seem so simple, but in action, they’re quite tricky."

Faith & Organizations Project :: Policy Statement

Faith & Organizations Project :: Policy Statement: "Thinking about Partnerships among Faith Communities, Faith-Based Organizations and Government in a New Way: Observations from the Faith and Organizations Project"

National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever - Press - AFP

National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever - Press - AFP: "National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever

November 16, 2010

More than 50,000 people will celebrate National Philanthropy Day� (NPD) this year. Officially celebrated on Nov. 15, people around the globe are coming together to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments that philanthropy--and those involved in the philanthropic process--have made to the world."

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Membership Dues vs. Annual Fund at the Baseball Hall of Fame

Interesting article from Marc Pitman's blog
Membership Dues vs. Annual Fund at the Baseball Hall of Fame: "Membership Dues vs. Annual Fund
November 16th, 2010 · No Comments

This week I’m honored to introduce Ken Meifert. Ken is the Senior Director of Development at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY. He’s overseen the growth of their membership program from 7,000 to more than 30,000 members. So I’ve asked him for his thoughts on raising annual support from dues paying members. You can learn more about the Hall of Fame at baseballhall.org.

HK$1 million white truffle arrives in Hong Kong | CNNGo.com

HK$1 million white truffle arrives in Hong Kong | CNNGo.com: "The wine mistress and her friends were willing to pay higher than market prices as the auction was for a good cause -- proceeds from the auction, which brought in €307,000 (HK$3.3 million), will go to Italian scholarships and charities including Hong Kong's Mother's Choice.

But enough of all this talk. We want to get in on the action and eat truffles at these fine establishments."

IU Dance Marathon: IU Dance Marathon brings in $1.6 million for charity - fox59.com

IU Dance Marathon: IU Dance Marathon brings in $1.6 million for charity - fox59.com

Australian Man To Live With Deadly Spiders For Charity Stunt

Australian Man To Live With Deadly Spiders For Charity Stunt: "Sixty-seven-year-old Melbourne resident Nick Le Souef will spend the next three weeks living among hundreds of poisonous spider"

Minnesota nonprofits rev up for give-a-thon | StarTribune.com

Minnesota nonprofits rev up for give-a-thon | StarTribune.com: "More than 3,000 Minnesota charities, churches, schools and nonprofits are bracing for one of their biggest fundraising days of the year Tuesday -- 'Give to the Max Day.'

The 24-hour online giving blitz, which raked in an astounding $14 million last year, has generated a blizzard of creative ideas to call attention to the big day."

Book Authors To Give Away Advertising Worth $100K In Contest

Book Authors To Give Away Advertising Worth $100K In Contest: "I've heard of all sorts of ways to promote a book, but the authors of Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding have taken promotion to a whole new level."

Monday, November 15, 2010

Nonprofit Consulting 2010 | Philanthropy Journal

Nonprofit Consulting 2010 | Philanthropy Journal

Art fund-raising nonprofit's success leads to award for founder | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/12/2010

Art fund-raising nonprofit's success leads to award for founder | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/12/2010: "As founder of Fresh Artists, Allen, 62, of Lafayette Hill, in just two years has put more than 400 pieces of bold, lush, gorgeous 'refrigerator art' from Philadelphia schoolchildren into corporate boardrooms and surprising spaces around the region and nation.

She's used donations from those corporations to purchase $100,000 in art supplies for children in the city's neediest public schools."

Revolving loans to help nonprofits manage cash | News-Gazette.com – Your Source for News and Advertising in East Central Illinois

Revolving loans to help nonprofits manage cash | News-Gazette.com – Your Source for News and Advertising in East Central Illinois: "Revolving loans to help nonprofits manage cash
Mon, 11/15/2010 - 7:00am | Julie Wurth Contact Author

A new revolving-loan fund will soon be available to help nonprofit agencies withstand a one-two punch from the weak economy and delayed state payments.

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, using a $100,000 grant from the Marajen Stevick Foundation, will administer the 'Program-Related Investment Fund,' with loans of up to $15,000 for agencies facing a cash crunch."

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Boston Museum Casts Wide Net for Growth - NYTimes.com

Boston Museum Casts Wide Net for Growth - NYTimes.com: "Mr. Rogers and the museum have charmed a lot of people like the Wornicks lately. In a seven-year campaign that ended in 2008 — for a new wing, the endowment and operating expenses — the museum pulled in $504 million plus $165 million worth of art. After one slow year, it followed that with donations of $57 million, including art, in the year to June 30, and another $40 million, all told, since July 1."

Trustees Fall Short in Fund Raising and Promoting Diversity - Boards - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Trustees Fall Short in Fund Raising and Promoting Diversity - Boards - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Trustees Don’t Do Well in Fund Raising or Promoting Diversity, CEO’s Say

By Eric Frazier

Chief executives of nonprofit organizations gave their boards grades of D in fund raising and C in increasing board diversity, according to a national survey whose results were released on Wednesday.

The 2010 Nonprofit Governance Index, unveiled at the annual BoardSource Leadership Forum, in San Francisco, also shows many organizations are still struggling to recover from the recession: Forty-one percent cut or froze staff salaries, 29 percent laid off staff members, and 28 percent dipped into their reserves or endowments."

11 Holiday Gift Programs That Benefit Nonprofits and Make the World A Better Place :: 2010 Edition � Nonprofit Tech 2.0 :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits

11 Holiday Gift Programs That Benefit Nonprofits and Make the World A Better Place :: 2010 Edition � Nonprofit Tech 2.0 :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits: "Last year’s list of nonprofit holiday gift programs has been getting a lot traffic over the last two weeks thanks to Google searches. In addition to all those wonderful programs, I wrote up 11 more for 2010."

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | To Be or Not To Be an L3C

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | To Be or Not To Be an L3C: "A half dozen states have authorized the creation of L3Cs, the latest being North Carolina. As many have acknowledged, the aim of L3Cs is to get a sort of blanket approval of eligibility for Program Related Investments (PRIs), which are loans and loan guarantees that foundations can make and that count toward foundations' required qualified distributions or payout. (Note: Foundations can invest from their corpus in for-profit companies through Market Related Investments or MRIs, but they don't count toward payout)."L3c

Rich Americans' philanthropy dropped in 2009, but not for the arts, study finds | Culture Monster | Los Angeles Times

Rich Americans' philanthropy dropped in 2009, but not for the arts, study finds | Culture Monster | Los Angeles Times: "Looking at the four-year arc of the study, the arts feasted on their richest patrons’ donations in 2005, when the average wealthy household gave $17,498 inflation-adjusted dollars; arts groups had to get by on table scraps in 2007, when average giving fell to $4,958, but they enjoyed a more decent meal in 2009, thanks to an 11.6% increase, to $5,531."

Sharing Stream, Real-time Sharing, Trending Shares - ShareThis Stream

Sharing Stream, Real-time Sharing, Trending Shares - ShareThis Stream

Nonprofits Lend to Gulf Coast Businesses - BusinessWeek

Nonprofits Lend to Gulf Coast Businesses - BusinessWeek: "Mary's Floor World is one of the first Gulf Coast businesses to have obtained loan funding through Kiva.org, a microlender that pairs individuals who make interest-free loans with entrepreneurs across the globe. Founded in San Francisco in 2005, Kiva opened a pilot program in the U.S. a year ago. Since its domestic launch, the nonprofit says it has facilitated more than $1 million in loans to American small businesses. Globally, Kiva says, more than 487,000 individuals have gone through the site to extend credit to some 428,000 entrepreneurs in 54 countries."

Giving by the Rich: Altruism or Just a Tax Write-Off? - The Wealth Report - WSJ

Giving by the Rich: Altruism or Just a Tax Write-Off? - The Wealth Report - WSJ: "When asked why they give, a majority of high-net-worth respondents said their main motivations were the following:

• Being moved by how their gift can make a difference (72%).
• Feeling financially secure (71%).
• Giving to an organization that will use their donation efficiently (71%).
• Supporting the same causes or organizations annually (66%)."

Encore Careers | combine purpose, passion and a paycheck.

Encore Careers | combine purpose, passion and a paycheck.: "ALL WINNERS AND FELLOWS

* Prize

Over the past five years, more than 300 adults over the age of 60 have been named Purpose Prize winners or fellows for their extraordinary contributions in an encore career. All of them are using their talents and experience to come up with new and creative ways to help solve pressing issues in education, the environment, health care, poverty and more.

* Meet the 2010 Prize winners >
* Meet the 2010 Prize fellows >
* See a list of all winners and fellows sortable by name, year, issue and location."

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding Contest

Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding Contest

Author Q&A: Jocelyne Daw, Lead Author of Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding - AFP Marketplace & Bookstore - AFP

Author Q&A: Jocelyne Daw, Lead Author of Breakthrough Nonprofit Branding - AFP Marketplace & Bookstore - AFP

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Announces Its First Live Symphony Performance Series in More Than 450 Movie Theatres Featuring Internationally-Acclaimed Music Director Gustavo Dudamel

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Announces Its First Live Symphony Performance Series in More Than 450 Movie Theatres Featuring Internationally-Acclaimed Music Director Gustavo Dudamel: "OS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - (Marketwire - Nov. 9, 2010) - The LA Phil and NCM Fathom, the entertainment division of National CineMedia, and Cineplex Entertainment (TSX:CGX.UN) announced today an agreement to present a series of three programs exclusively in select movie theatres across the U.S. and Canada, beginning in January and continuing into June of 2011. LA Phil LIVE with Gustavo Dudamel from Walt Disney Concert Hall complements Fathom and Cineplex Entertainment's existing arts and cultural programming, offering many communities the opportunity to experience the finest in orchestral performances from the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the first time."

Is Your Charitable Giving Getting Results? - Kiplinger

Is Your Charitable Giving Getting Results? - Kiplinger: "Weigh the results. Expect the annual report to lay out how the charity met its mission, including the challenges it faced and the milestones it met. Be sure the goals and results were measurable -- say, number of meals served -- and not just general statements, such as 'fed the hungry.' For instance, SOME (So Others May Eat), in Washington, D.C., reports that it served 288,390 meals in its dining rooms in 2009, an increase of 17,000 meals over the previous year. Those numbers demonstrate impact, says Michael Nilsen, of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 'People want a sense of the concrete.' If you can't get a handle on the reported results, talk to staff members to get the insiders' take."

Maximizing matching gifts | Philanthropy Journal

Maximizing matching gifts | Philanthropy Journal: "PJ's Ret Boney talked to Carl Pitruzzello, director of advancement services at the University of New Haven, about how nonprofits can maximize the corporate matching gifts their donors are eligible for but may not be taking advantage of."

Charitable giving by wealthy households falls 35% in 2009 - Nov. 9, 2010

Charitable giving by wealthy households falls 35% in 2009 - Nov. 9, 2010: "NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- As the recession whacked the economy, charitable giving by even the wealthiest Americans took a substantial hit, according to a study released Tuesday.

Although 98.2% of high net worth households donated to charity in 2009, they gave substantially less than in the years before, according to a survey for Bank of America Merrill Lynch by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University."

Larkspur philanthropist gives millions for scholarships that honor young lives cut short - Marin Independent Journal

Larkspur philanthropist gives millions for scholarships that honor young lives cut short - Marin Independent Journal: "At the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Mahoney is responsible for a remarkable 24 scholarships collectively valued at more than $9 million.

'Typically, they have been in memory of a young person who has been the victim of violence of some sort,' said Assistant Dean Patricia Hosel. 'We do have students who look at the issue of violence as a public health issue, and how to create interventions to prevent these kinds of things from happening, particularly among young people. Through the students who receive the scholarships and work on these issues, it expands the benefit from just one person to all the people they then serve in their careers and their professions.'"

Art therapy a confidence-booster for AIDS orphans - China.org.cn

Art therapy a confidence-booster for AIDS orphans - China.org.cn: "Hong Kong charity the Chi Heng Foundation is hosting an art exhibition in Beijing to raise public awareness of the problems facing children impacted by HIV/AIDS. The exhibition opened at the Yang Gallery on November 8."

Wade Phillips Attends Charity Event | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

Wade Phillips Attends Charity Event | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth: "Hours after the nation found out the Dallas Cowboys had fired Wade Phillips as head coach, Phillips put on a suit and tie and a smile for a charity event.

Phillips and his wife Lori attended the kickoff party for One Heart Project at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Monday night."

Greatest Person Of The Day: Jessica Carso, Who Turned Theatre Dreams Into A Career In Giving

Greatest Person Of The Day: Jessica Carso, Who Turned Theatre Dreams Into A Career In Giving: "Although my work in the arts took a bit of a different turn, I credit my passion for and the study of theatre with leading me to the work I am involved in today. Currently, I serve as the Managing Director of Wesleyan University's Green Street Arts Center. My work at Green Street has taught me many things, one of the most important is being an advocate: an advocate for the arts, arts education, community collaboration, partnership and access to all. Through this discovery, I have had the great honor of extending my work, joining other incredibly important organizations such as The Fund for Women and Girls of the Middlesex County Community Foundation and A Hand Up, Inc. In addition, I serve on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), CT Chapter, as scholarship-chair."

ASU receives grant to fund nonprofit apprenticeships | ASU News

ASU receives grant to fund nonprofit apprenticeships | ASU News: "The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation has received $580,449 to fund 47 nonprofit apprenticeships, comprising the 2010-2011 class of Public Allies Arizona.

Public Allies is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that places service-minded young people in apprenticeships in nonprofit organizations throughout the community."

Giving by rich Americans fell during recession-study | Reuters

Giving by rich Americans fell during recession-study | Reuters: "Wealthy Americans donated average $54,016 in 2009

* Only 2.5 percent made donations of more than $500,000

By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Charitable giving by wealthy Americans dropped by more than a third between 2007 and 2009 as the worst U.S. recession in decades put pressure on the nonprofit sector, according to a study released on Tuesday.

While almost all rich Americans -- more than 98 percent -- donated to nonprofit groups last year, the average amount fell to $54,016 in 2009 from $83,034 in 2007 and $91,928 in 2005, the third biennial Bank of America Merrill Lynch study found."

Study Questions Efficiency of Charity Business Activities - Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Study Questions Efficiency of Charity Business Activities - Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Study Questions Efficiency of Charity Business Activities

By Nicole Wallace

As nonprofit organizations earn more unrelated business income—through such activities as merchandise sales or renting their donor lists—the proportion of their budgets that they spend on programs goes down, according to a new report.

The study analyzed 700 informational tax returns filed by 150 social-service organizations in Manhattan for the years 2000 to 2005. It was conducted by Rebecca Tekula, executive director of the Helene and Grant Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Pace University, in New York."

Latest Ideas About Philanthropy Communication | Philanthropy411 Blog

Latest Ideas About Philanthropy Communication | Philanthropy411 Blog: "Latest Ideas About Philanthropy Communication
Posted on November 8, 2010 by philanthropy411| Leave a comment

Philanthropy411 recently covered the Communications Network 2010 Fall Conference with the help of a blog team. Altogether there were 41 conference attendees who tweeted, blogged and conducted on the spot video interviews about the latest developments and challenges in effective foundation communications. Below is a list of all blog posts published for this event, and you can check out highlights from the video interviews here. A great is example is this video of Daniel Silverman, Director of Communications at one of our favorite clients, The James Irvine Foundation, discussing what he learned about “crowdsourcing” at the conference."

Monday, November 08, 2010

ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTHCARE PHILANTHROPY | With Charitable Pledges Down, and the Expense of Raising Donations on the Rise, Nonprofit Hospitals Strive to Keep Giving Levels Steady During the Recession

ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTHCARE PHILANTHROPY | With Charitable Pledges Down, and the Expense of Raising Donations on the Rise, Nonprofit Hospitals Strive to Keep Giving Levels Steady During the Recession: "With Charitable Pledges Down, and the Expense of Raising Donations on the Rise, Nonprofit Hospitals Strive to Keep Giving Levels Steady During the Recession

Doctors, Hospital Employees Take Up Some Slack by Donating More Money

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With charitable pledges - especially in the Western United States - declining due to the deepening recession, fundraisers were forced to spend significantly more money in fiscal year 2009 than in past years to secure gifts and grants for nonprofit hospitals and health care systems in the United States and Canada, according to benchmarking data released today by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).

'The recession's impact and duration were felt more strongly in the U.S. than in Canada, where health care philanthropy tended to advance slightly or at least hold its own despite lower levels of government support,' said William C. McGinly, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of AHP. 'U.S. nonprofit hospitals, however, often struggled just to keep giving levels steady, and some saw declines.'"

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofit Ice Age: Struggle for Survival

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofit Ice Age: Struggle for Survival: "November 8, 2010; Source: Washington Post | How are nonprofits adjusting to the prolonged impacts of the recession? In the metro D.C. area, the Nonprofit Roundtable's Chuck Bean reports that organizations are making 'lasting changes such as shedding nonessential duties, sharing back-office functions, reducing staff size and in some cases merging with other groups.'"

10 Things to Know About Applying for a Nonprofit Job - On Careers (usnews.com)

10 Things to Know About Applying for a Nonprofit Job - On Careers (usnews.com): "Is getting paid to make the world a better place your dream job? Here are 10 things you should know about making the transition to a nonprofit:

1. Nonprofits have all the same types of jobs as the for-profit sector—and then some. Just like businesses, nonprofits need accountants, web designers, managers, editors, and I.T. specialists, so there’s a good chance that whatever you do now has a counterpart in the nonprofit sector. On top of that, nonprofits have additional roles too, like volunteer organizers, fundraisers, and grant writers."

Paulette's Point of View: The Importance of Benchmarking

Paulette's Point of View: The Importance of Benchmarking: "Monday, November 1, 2010
The Importance of Benchmarking
When I’m out visiting chapters, one of the most popular questions I get is, “how is my organization’s fundraising doing compared to the rest of [insert region, state, province, country, world?]”

It’s a natural and logical inquiry. We all want to see how we’re doing compared to others and determine if we need to be doing better, and if so, in what areas. But to be able to tell you how your organization is faring, fundraisers and nonprofits need as accurate and as precise data as possible—as soon as possible."

Tough holiday season has Jacksonville-area charities bracing, but optimistic | jacksonville.com

Tough holiday season has Jacksonville-area charities bracing, but optimistic | jacksonville.com: "Charities around Northeast Florida are preparing for what could be one of the toughest holiday seasons in recent years.

With high unemployment lingering - and the unemployed going jobless for ever-longer stretches - many nonprofit agencies are concerned about donations or changing the way they respond to a growing need."

College leaders work to increase interest in humanities - The Boston Globe

College leaders work to increase interest in humanities - The Boston Globe: "WALTHAM — At college campuses around the world, the humanities are hurting. Students are flocking to majors more closely linked to their career ambitions. Grant money and philanthropy are flowing to the sciences. And university presidents are worried about the future of subjects once at the heart of a liberal arts education."

Opinion: 'Angel Lanes' Could Drive More Donations to Charity

Opinion: 'Angel Lanes' Could Drive More Donations to Charity: "The idea is simple: Commuters who ride the subway or travel along toll roads with electronic payment systems (like the East Coast EZ Pass) would be given the opportunity to have a donation to a designated charity automatically added to the commuting charge. Commuters passing through a subway terminal would be able to donate, say, 5 cents at the same time as they pay the normal fare. The subway authority would merely have to tally the number of swipes and adjust the total charge up by a nickel. Drivers could have a set amount added to their trip and donated to the American Red Cross, for instance, as they whiz through the toll booth."

Good Giving | The Harvard Crimson

Good Giving | The Harvard Crimson: "Senior-gift programs in which soon-to-be alumni are encouraged to give back to their school are quite common. Often, however, these programs rely on peer-pressure tactics and stigmas to solicit further donations from students who have not yet donated—in addition to Dartmouth, Cornell earned well-deserved criticism for the extreme pressure placed on students to give a gift. Indeed, a forced gift at the end of one’s college career is not a constructive way to generate philanthropic trends in alumni. Students should give to their universities because they believe in supporting the causes their money will help, not because their names will otherwise be published on a blog and they will be harassed by their peers."

What are the benefits of nonprofits working collaboratively? � TSNE – Strategic Communications Blog

What are the benefits of nonprofits working collaboratively? � TSNE – Strategic Communications Blog: "What are the benefits of nonprofits working collaboratively?"

Friday, November 05, 2010

A Growing Number Americans Don't Give to Charity, Poll Finds - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

A Growing Number Americans Don't Give to Charity, Poll Finds - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "More and more Americans have stopped donating to charities because of the bad economy, and many do not feel any personal responsibility to be involved with efforts to make the world a better place, a new survey has found.

The percentage of people who said they are not making any charitable donations doubled to 12 percent this year, up from 6 percent in 2009, according to an online survey by Harris Interactive of 2,620 adults conducted in September."

Help Is On The Way | The AFP GLBT Community Blog

Help Is On The Way | The AFP GLBT Community Blog

The Gift Acceptance Policy: What Is It, and Why Does Your Organization Need It?

Some related material is collected on our FAQ Blog

http://afprc23.blogspot.com/search/label/NPGiftAcceptancePolicies



The Gift Acceptance Policy: What Is It, and Why Does Your Organization Need It?: "November 2010

Adopting, implementing, and monitoring sound governance policies to accomplish an organization's mission continue to be at the forefront of issues of concern to the nonprofit community. Even implementing the most basic policies encourages operational and managerial efficiency.

By now, most organizations have completed the inaugural filing cycle of the new Form 990 and are familiar with the 'Governance, Management and Disclosure' section, which addresses the existence—or lack thereof—of policies, including conflicts of interest, whistleblower, document retention and destruction, joint ventures, review of the 990, and executive compensation."