Friday, May 20, 2011

The World’s Biggest Givers - Luisa Kroll - Bounty Hunter - Forbes

The World’s Biggest Givers - Luisa Kroll - Bounty Hunter - Forbes: "At Forbes we spend a lot of time calculating the billions that people have amassed. We also track what they give away. Based on our recent analysis, we have identified what looks like a pretty elite club: 19 people who have already donated at least $1 billion each to charities or foundations. That is five more than we found two years ago. More than two-thirds of these philanthropists (13 to be exact) are from the U.S. and all but one is a self-made entrepreneur."

PRC Approves Mobile Barcode Promo | Going Postal

PRC Approves Mobile Barcode Promo | Going Postal: "The Postal Regulatory Commission has officially approved the USPS Mobile Barcode Promotion and they have determined that Nonprofits can play too! All of the other regulations have remained the same. If you have already planned on some great campaigns this summer that incorporate QR Codes then you’ll be all set to save 3% on postage. If you have not planned on using this 2D barcode technology into your next campaign, then get started, the promotion starts July1st!"

Supporters of Charting Impact

Supporters of Charting Impact


Nearly 200 nonprofit and philanthropic leaders have participated in the development of Charting Impact. Their support in this process to create a common framework for the nonprofit and philanthropic community has been essential to the success of Charting Impact so far. This effort has also been generously supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Here are examples of what these leaders are saying about Charting Impact:

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"Donors don’t support a cause because of its efficiency; they support a cause for the impact that it secures for society – for all of us. Charting Impact will help to focus nonprofits – and their boards – on how to communicate who they are, what they achieve and how they achieve it, skills that all of us need to develop.

-- Andrew Watt, President and CEO, Association of Fundraising Professionals"

Pittsburghers step up, exceeding national trends in charitable giving

Pittsburghers step up, exceeding national trends in charitable giving: "This year, 725 Pittsburgh companies ran fund-raising campaigns, with 27 companies running campaigns for the first time. Funds raised through these campaigns are used to address 'critical human needs in the community by helping children and youth succeed; strengthening and supporting families; providing access to information and referral sources; and helping seniors stay healthy and safe in their homes' the United Way said in announcing the totals."

Opportunities for Better Philanthropy - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy

Opportunities for Better Philanthropy - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy: "Washington, D.C. (5/19/11) – The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy released today the spring issue of 'Responsive Philanthropy'. This issue of the quarterly journal looks at four concrete ways that philanthropy can improve: effectively supporting the disability rights movement, working with unions, increasing transparency and providing multi-year and general operating support grants."

Shrinking budgets forcing teams to be creative with postseason trips | Varsity Extra: High School Sports | Idaho Statesman

Shrinking budgets forcing teams to be creative with postseason trips | Varsity Extra: High School Sports | Idaho Statesman: "But as Idaho’s school districts deal with budget cuts from the state legislature and mixed results in local levy elections, it’s possible for some officials to see a time when a qualifying team wouldn’t participate at state championship events.

“I could foresee a team at some point saying we’re not going to state because we can’t afford it,” Capital athletic director Steve Sosnowski said."

Tacoma Art Museum wears its 75 years well | Editorials - The News Tribune

Tacoma Art Museum wears its 75 years well | Editorials - The News Tribune: "But TAM is about more than exhibits. It has an important education component, drawing students and teachers from all over the Puget Sound region. Its Art Resource Center offers valuable research opportunities, and visitors can even try their hand at making art in the Open Art Studio.

It’s an active community player, too. It puts on six free community festivals each year that bring in visitors who might otherwise not come to an art museum. And it offers free admission every Third Thursday."

Elevator Speeches

Elevator Speeches: "I overheard someone talking about looking for a job and preparing their 'elevator speech' (yes, I was in an elevator). What exactly is an elevator speech, and do I need one?
Going up?

It is quite an irony that you heard about elevator speeches in an elevator. Just think about the time you spent in that elevator: probably less than two minutes until the doors to your floor opened and you left. Now think about trying to pitch your employment skills and abilities to a prospective employer if that was all the time you had in which to do it. Often when job searching, you can be put on the spot and need to present yourself to people who can help you — all in a similarly short period of time. So the term 'elevator speech' itself actually refers to a very important job search tool that all job seekers need in order to be most successful."

HIV-AIDS groups merging services | The Columbus Dispatch

HIV-AIDS groups merging services | The Columbus Dispatch: "Leaders of the agencies say they hope that a united front also will bring in more money as they apply for grants, including those offered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many AIDS organizations have been struggling financially. Last year was the first in seven that the Columbus AIDS Task Force ended the year in the black, said CEO Peggy Anderson, who will oversee programming after the merger."

Area teacher is big fan of online charity - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Area teacher is big fan of online charity - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee: "With school budgets tight, Rancho Cordova kindergarten teacher Yoly Stroeve is a big DonorsChoose fan.

The Cordova Gardens Elementary School teacher has used the online charity to fund two teaching needs for her classroom, one of them a $179 listening center. The listening center allows a small group of earphone-wearing children to hear a recorded story while Stroeve teaches other students."

Rollin’ for a cause: an alum’s fight for charities started with a fundraiser on the U

Rollin’ for a cause: an alum’s fight for charities started with a fundraiser on the U: "Inspired by his older brother Ben’s autism, Dan Tartar ‘05 decided that he wanted to make a difference his senior year. With the idea for an autism fundraiser where the participants rollerblade to raise awareness as a driving force, Rolling for Autism was created. Rolling for Autism was rooted at Union, but its message went viral well beyond Schenectady."

Designing Campaigns for�Impact - Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media - frogloop

Designing Campaigns for�Impact - Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media - frogloop: "Whether it's political or personal, global or local, funded or a grassroots effort, organizations and communities are campaigning for change in many ways, all of the time. Unfortunately, there are times when we lose focus on our ultimate goals for change and instead fixate on the campaign itself or let a concept for engagement overshadow our real calls to action. When we do that, we can compromise the relationship we have with our supporters and donors, and limit our capacity for building momentum towards action and a movement for our cause. But, it doesn't"

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Stopwatch philanthropy: $1.3 million in 1 hour | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

Stopwatch philanthropy: $1.3 million in 1 hour | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper: "Charlotte attorney John Fennebresque says he came up with the idea two minutes before blurting it out onstage Tuesday at the uptown Westin.

The goal for this year's annual Thompson Child & Family Focus fundraiser would be a record $1 million.

Raised in one hour."

Israeli Philanthropists Launch Nation’s First American-Style Jewish Federation – Forward.com

Israeli Philanthropists Launch Nation’s First American-Style Jewish Federation – Forward.com: "Ramat HaSharon, Israel — A brand new American import has arrived in Israel, but it isn’t the usual fast-food chain or a television sitcom. Rather, it’s that staple of U.S. Jewish life, the community federation.

For the first time, a group of philanthropists in the leafy city of Ramat HaSharon near Tel Aviv have created an Israeli charity — Takdim-The Ramat HaSharon Community Foundation — based almost entirely on the federation model. They are in talks with several American federations that are considering mentoring the organization."

The AFP Blog: Congress and the Charitable Deduction

From the AFP Blog


The AFP Blog: Congress and the Charitable Deduction: "Monday, May 16, 2011
Congress and the Charitable Deduction
I received another call from a reporter yesterday about whether or not Congress is going to change the charitable deduction.

We’ve heard this before but this time the threat is very real. In previous go-rounds the proposal was attached to polarizing legislation that wasn’t likely to pass—first a healthcare reform package and then an ambiguous deficit reduction plan. This year, the cap has been applied to legislation regarding the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Fixing the AMT is a very popular idea in Congress, so it’s a potential runner."

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Symphony Forced out of Civic Center by Rate Increase

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Symphony Forced out of Civic Center by Rate Increase: "May 17, 2011; Source: Rapid City Journal | The simultaneous squeeze on municipal governments and nonprofits certainly is having its effects. In Rapid City, S.D., the Civic Center has increased the rates for its use by nonprofits by 60 percent this year, making it impossible for the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra to continue to use the space. This has forced the symphony into the local middle school."

Northwest Herald | Oliver: Nonprofits tap into professional services

Northwest Herald | Oliver: Nonprofits tap into professional services: "The foundation matches nonprofits with professionals who offer their expertise on a pro bono basis.

“It allows nonprofits to have access to some of the same resources that large corporations have access to,” said Suzanne Hoban, Family Health Partnership Clinic executive director.

Taproot, which operates in five metro areas including Chicago, focuses on design, consulting, management, marketing, human resources and IT."

Education Reform Philanthropy Has Changed Radically Over the Past Decade - Dana Goldstein

Education Reform Philanthropy Has Changed Radically Over the Past Decade - Dana Goldstein: "Education Reform Philanthropy Has Changed Radically Over the Past Decade

With the NewSchools Venture Fund Summit kicking off this evening, I thought I'd do an overview of the state of K-12 education philanthropy. I'm warning you now, friends: This is gonna get wonky! But stick with me and I promise you'll learn at least three interesting facts that will make you sound smart when discusing education reform at parties. (Those are the kinds of parties you go to, right?)"

UK charity giving on the rise | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

UK charity giving on the rise | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: "The charity sector's annual benchmarking report for charity direct debit donations, released this week by Rapidata, presents positive growth in charitable regular giving for the third consecutive year.

Although the UK has avoided 'double dip' recession the latest economic reports have shown smaller growth than hoped. Despite this, charitable giving is proving robust with growth that demonstrates the generosity of the British people and the resilience of the charity sector that can only encourage fundraising confidence."

Our CI Report

Our CI Report: "Our CI Report

A Charting Impact Report is designed to be completed by a nonprofit or foundation at the overall organizational level. The following Charting Impact responses are for Charting Impact itself, a joint initiative of three organizations. They are shared for illustrative and transparency purposes.

1. What are we aiming to accomplish?

Charting Impact’s (CI) ultimate goal for impact is to change the dynamics of the nonprofit information and funding marketplace so resources—funding, volunteer time, and more—flow to effective organizations."

Charting Impact Launches May 17

Charting Impact Launches May 17: "BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE, GUIDESTAR USA AND INDEPENDENT SECTOR LAUNCH CHARTING IMPACT
Charting Impact Reports Enable Nonprofits and Foundations to Communicate Mission Objectives and Impact

Washington, DC—May 17, 2011—Today the strategic alliance of BBB Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar USA and Independent Sector announce the launch of “Charting Impact,” a standard framework for creating reports that enable stakeholders to easily and clearly understand the objectives, benchmarks for progress, and impact of nonprofits and foundations. This sector-wide initiative was developed by nearly 200 leaders to help organizations of all types, sizes, and missions convey their efforts to advance the common good, establishing an industry standard for reporting in-depth mission objectives and results. Charting Impact Reports will be made available for public view through ChartingImpact.org"

Sector Vendors’ Stocks Beat Broader Market

Sector Vendors’ Stocks Beat Broader Market: "Sector Vendors’ Stocks Beat Broader Market

By Mark Hrywna

The stocks of public companies that serve nonprofits enjoyed a healthy year in 2010, gaining more than the broader markets, and some continued to climb into"

Penn medical school gets school record $225M gift � Ventura County Star

Penn medical school gets school record $225M gift � Ventura County Star: "Last year yielded the lowest total for charitable giving by the nation's biggest donors in at least a decade, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The top 50 philanthropists collectively gave $3.3 billion in 2010, compared with $15.5 billion in 2008 before the economy went south.

It's too early to tell how 2011 might compare, said Maria Di Mento, an editor at the publication."

Dating your donors, Part 1: The 1st Meeting � Nonprofit Nate

Dating your donors, Part 1: The 1st Meeting � Nonprofit Nate: "Dating your donors, Part 1: The 1st Meeting

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Nathan



Fundraising is based on relationships – those you have and those you create. Thus, we can learn a lot from the dating world. In the following series we’ll look at the initial meeting, making a match, courting, defining the relationship and keeping the love alive. First up – the 1st meeting. Comb your hair and grab the breath mints. Let’s go."

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

HOUSTON FUNDRAISER ANGELA SEAWORTH EARNS HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL FROM AFP - TheCypressTimes

HOUSTON FUNDRAISER ANGELA SEAWORTH EARNS HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL FROM AFP - TheCypressTimes
HOUSTON FUNDRAISER ANGELA SEAWORTH EARNS HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIAL FROM AFP - TheCypressTimes: "ARLINGTON, VA – The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the largest community of professional fundraisers in the world, has awarded its highest professional certification, the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), to Angela Seaworth of Houston, Texas.

Available only to senior-level fundraisers who have worked in the profession for 10 or more years, the ACFRE is a distinguished achievement earned by only 91 professionals since the inception of the program in 1992."
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On a related note you can read more about the ACFRE program on the AFP website http://www.afpnet.org/Professional/ProgramDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=4054

CharityVillage� Research: Mergers: Not a Four-Letter Word

CharityVillage� Research: Mergers: Not a Four-Letter Word: "Mergers: Not a Four-Letter Word
By Viola Dessanti and Jenn Miller, Ontario Trillium Foundation
May 17, 2011

Mergers have long occupied a complicated place within the not-for-profit sector. On one hand, not-for-profit organizations may pursue them to increase impact and improve service while increasing efficiencies over the long term. On the other hand, mergers have often been perceived as funder driven and emblematic of a loss of identity and autonomy — even a sense of failure.

In the face of increased competition for resources, however, and particularly since the recession, more nonprofits are seeing mergers as necessary and even valuable.

Through the Ontario Trillium Foundation�s (OTF) Challenging Times research, community roundtables, collaboration symposium, and research project, we�ve engaged the sector in a dialogue around its response to the economic downturn and the future of the sector."

Lending For The Greater Good - The CSR Blog - corporate social responsibility - Forbes

Lending For The Greater Good - The CSR Blog - corporate social responsibility - Forbes: "What began in part as a humble attempt to manage financial investments for nuns’ retirement funds , became the foundation for what is today the largest sector of the financial market aimed at providing credit access to those who have limited access to banks. CDFIs lend to micro enterprises, small businesses and affordable housing groups and invest in charter school, and community health care facilities."

Record-breaking strut � Blount Today

Record-breaking strut � Blount Today: "The Parent Teacher Organization at Sam Houston Elementary will be fulfilling a lot of teachers’ wishes after students raised a record amount of more than $30,000 at the annual Smokies Strut."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Voices from the Field: The Inescapable Importance of Culture, Part I

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Voices from the Field: The Inescapable Importance of Culture, Part I: "Over the course of the past two years, I’ve used the Venture Philanthropy website to focus attention on organizational imperatives from mission effectiveness to managing to outcomes to values-based transparency. Recently, a good friend pushed me to go further. He said, “You need to tie all this together…Take it further to stress what folks can to do change their organizational culture.” His advice resonated strongly, because I believe an organization’s culture makes or breaks its ability to deliver on all of the organizational imperatives I’ve previously covered."

Competition Retools Professional Development

Competition Retools Professional Development: "At North Park University in Chicago, the program gets a complete evaluation every five years, said Wesley Lindahl, dean of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management. The primary class that was added the last time, about two years ago, focused on outcomes assessment. 'We realized that was a missing part of our nonprofit program, so all students have to take that class,' he said. 'Accountability is now a big buzz word in nonprofits, tracking success and outcomes, it's a whole class that keys on that.'"

Panera Founder Says Restaurant Chain's Charity Cafes a Success - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Panera Founder Says Restaurant Chain's Charity Cafes a Success - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "anera Founder Says Restaurant Chain’s Charity Cafes a Success

May 17, 2011, 10:19 am

A year into the cafe chain Panera’s experiment in establishing pay-as-you-go outlets whose proceeds benefit charity, the company’s founder is pronouncing the effort a success, with most patrons paying more than the retail value of their meals, writes the Associated Press."

Panera Founder Says Restaurant Chain's Charity Cafes a Success - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Panera Founder Says Restaurant Chain's Charity Cafes a Success - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "anera Founder Says Restaurant Chain’s Charity Cafes a Success

May 17, 2011, 10:19 am

A year into the cafe chain Panera’s experiment in establishing pay-as-you-go outlets whose proceeds benefit charity, the company’s founder is pronouncing the effort a success, with most patrons paying more than the retail value of their meals, writes the Associated Press."

Quad teeter-totter raises funds for Japan and Argentina - The State Hornet: News: teeter-totter-a-thon, japan, tsunami, argentine, rotary international

Quad teeter-totter raises funds for Japan and Argentina - The State Hornet: News: teeter-totter-a-thon, japan, tsunami, argentine, rotary international: "Rotaract at Sacramento State hosted its second annual 24-hour Teeter-Totter-A-Thon to raise funds for Japanese tsunami survivors and an Argentine high school.

Rotaract at Sac State is a student philanthropy organization sponsored by Rotary International that helps out both locally and globally, said sophomore public relations major Christie Pierce, president of Rotaract at Sac State."

Monday, May 16, 2011

A yearning to give back: More college grads turn to public-service jobs � Knoxville News Sentinel

A yearning to give back: More college grads turn to public-service jobs � Knoxville News Sentinel: "When 22-year-old Courtney Washburn graduated from Maryville College in 2010, she possessed something many of her classmates coveted: a job.

But it wasn't the poor economy or a lack of opportunity elsewhere that led Washburn to environmental nonprofit work with Keep Blount Beautiful."

Donors Need a Better Way to Rate Charities - World View - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Donors Need a Better Way to Rate Charities - World View - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "The Three Cups of Tea scandal has highlighted many of the problems that face the nonprofit world. More than 160 posts and articles have been written about the scandal.

Even so, one topic has received far too little attention: the wildly different scores that the Central Asia Institute, the nonprofit founded by the book’s author, Greg Mortenson, received from charity rating sites. Those big swings suggest that the rating systems we have in place today are much too weak to protect donors"