Friday, December 09, 2011

Volunteers of America-Minnesota to Take Part in Cutting-Edge Project to Elevate Role of Strategy in Nonprofits - MarketWatch

PRESS Release


Volunteers of America-Minnesota to Take Part in Cutting-Edge Project to Elevate Role of Strategy in Nonprofits - MarketWatch: Volunteers of America-Minnesota (VOA-MN), a nonprofit human service organization headquartered in Edina, recently won a three-year, $215,748 grant from The Alliance for Children and Families to participate in an innovative project to learn how to elevate strategy in nonprofit human service agencies.

Holiday Drive Honors Good Deeds, With a Social-Media Twist - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Holiday Drive Honors Good Deeds, With a Social-Media Twist - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The Case Foundation is asking people who witness random acts of kindness this holiday season to capture those moments in photos and post them on their favorite social network. They may get a nice reward for that good deed: up to $500 for themselves and up to $5,000 for their favorite charity.

Unlikely friendship brings $10 million donation to Cleveland Clinic | cleveland.com

Unlikely friendship brings $10 million donation to Cleveland Clinic | cleveland.com: Cleveland Clinic Innovations Chairman Thomas Graham, a world-renowned hand surgeon and close friend of Justice's, said he is so inspired by Justice's gift that he is adding his own $1 million to fund patent applications. Graham will serve as the inaugural endowed innovation chair, though he won't receive any compensation from the Justice donation.

The story of how the combined $11 million gift came to be is one of serendipity and good fortune.

Charities Lobby Shoppers to Spend on Good Deeds - NYTimes.com

Charities Lobby Shoppers to Spend on Good Deeds - NYTimes.com: AS end-of-the year giving gets under way, some charities like the American Red Cross are skipping disaster pictures and switching to gentler imagery to urge people to forgo extraneous holiday gifts and, instead, give “something that means something.”


Fred, a claymation character, is intended to represent the quandary that consumers have in trying to give a meaningful gift during the holiday season.

To deliver its message, the American Red Cross has a new animated character in its multimedia campaign highlighting the sea

A Nobel Victory for No-Strings-Attached Grants - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

A Nobel Victory for No-Strings-Attached Grants - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: This week’s awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize is a notable victory for three courageous women who have worked to overturn repression in the Arab and African worlds. But what won’t get any headlines is another victory: The prizes demonstrate why it’s so important to give general operating support to outstanding nonprofit leaders and not to tie their hands with too many strings.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Deadline extended for Colorado Gives after nonprofit donors overload computer | The Republic

Deadline extended for Colorado Gives after nonprofit donors overload computer | The Republic: Colorado Gives Day began Tuesday beginning at 12 a.m. Organizers decided to extend the one-day promotion because high demand on the website led to delays and computer problems.

The charitable face of data use | Data Strategy | Marketing Week

The charitable face of data use | Data Strategy | Marketing Week: But it is not just the UN that is relying on data processing and telecoms companies to help make a difference. Innovative information systems are revolutionising how many non-profit organisations, from Refugees United to Kenyan disaster-response system Ushahidi, are operating and marketing themselves.

With as much as 90% of the world’s population within the coverage of wireless technology, according to an International Telecommunication Union report, more people than ever can benefit from data fuelled by telecoms brands.

Great expectations: What the Donor and Nonprofit can expect � Nonprofit Nate

Great expectations: What the Donor and Nonprofit can expect � Nonprofit Nate

Parking Violators Pay Fines With Toys for Charity Drive - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Parking Violators Pay Fines With Toys for Charity Drive - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Pay a parking ticket or give a toy?

This week, the city of Boston is excusing parking violators from cash fines if they donate a toy of equal or greater value to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

As it has done for 18 holiday seaso

It's Never Too Early to Think About Next Year's Holiday Giving Campaign : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success

It's Never Too Early to Think About Next Year's Holiday Giving Campaign : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success: This year there seems to be more digital holiday fundraising programs than ever. It’s no secret that December is a great month for giving. Traditional increased giving around the holidays combined with greater access to digital, mobile and social fundraising tools have allowed nonprofit organizations to develop creative online holiday campaigns and programs centered around holiday giving.

Many U.S. Charities Facing Increased Demand, Signs of Fiscal Stress - Press - AFP

Many U.S. Charities Facing Increased Demand, Signs of Fiscal Stress - Press - AFP: Many U.S. Charities Facing Increased Demand, Signs of Fiscal Stress

Organizations below $3 million in expenditures experiencing greatest challenges

(Dec. 5, 2011) Sixty-five percent of charities surveyed report increased demand for their services in 2011, but just 41 percent saw increased fundraising results in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Late Fall 2011 Nonprofit Fundraising Study, conducted by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC).

New York State News on the Net!

New York State News on the Net!: Program to link needy nonprofits with volunteer legal counsel

NEW YORK –A joint initiative to match volunteer attorneys with nonprofit organizations in need of legal counsel was announced Thursday by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III. The innovative partnership called “Charity Corps” will help improve governance and legal compliance by assisting nonprofits that cannot afford legal counsel.

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Reading to Kids in Need – First Book Blog

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Reading to Kids in Need – First Book Blog: If you’re like many of us, you grew up in a home filled with books, and so you understand how important it is for children to get excited about books and become enthusiastic, capable readers.

More Canadians giving – and giving more – to charity: Statscan � Nonprofit Newswire from Imagine Canada

More Canadians giving – and giving more – to charity: Statscan � Nonprofit Newswire from Imagine Canada: December 5 2011 – Canadians gave more to charity in 2010, showing signs that philanthropic giving is rebounding after the last two years of recession.

Statistics Canada data released Monday show that tax filers claimed just under $8.3-billion in 2010, up 6.5 per cent from 2009. At the same time, the number of donors increased 2.2 per cent to just over 5.7 million Canadians. (read more from the Globe & Mail)

Colorado Gives Day an intersection of charity, competition - The Denver Post

Colorado Gives Day an intersection of charity, competition - The Denver Post: Tuesday's Colorado Gives Day might be considered the blitzkrieg of do-good, online giving.

Designed to make philanthropy competitive and to make charitable donations skyrocket, the event harnesses grassroots efforts, a sense of urgency and social-media marketing.

Beginning at midnight tonight, people are encouraged visit GivingFirst .org and donate money to Colorado nonprofits before the clock strikes midnight Tuesday.

US and UK donors 'plan to give the same or less' to charities in 2012

US and UK donors 'plan to give the same or less' to charities in 2012 | UK Fundraising: Most donors in the USA and UK plan to give at the same level or to give less in 2012 compared to 2011, according to research in both countries by US communications agency Fenton and public opinion research organisation GlobeScan.

I Don't Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore - Dan Pallotta - Harvard Business Review

I Don't Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore - Dan Pallotta - Harvard Business Review

ACGA Releases Suggested Charitable Gift Annuity Rates Effective January 1, 2012 | Planned Giving Design Center

ACGA Releases Suggested Charitable Gift Annuity Rates Effective January 1, 2012 | Planned Giving Design Center: The American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) board of directors held its semi-annual meeting on November 7, 2011. As part of a continual monitoring process, the board reviewed the current assumptions that underlie the rates schedules. Given the significant changes in the economic environment, the board approved a new schedule of suggested maximum gift annuity rates which will become effective January 1, 2012. At ages older than 60, when the majority of gift annuities are issued, one-life rates will decline by 0.5% to 0.8%.

UPMIFA and Real Life: A Case Example | Planned Giving Design Center

UPMIFA and Real Life: A Case Example | Planned Giving Design Center: The Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), now enacted in all but two states, has created a new landscape for the administration of charitable endowments. In this article North Carolina CPA Dennis Walsh discusses how planned giving professionals and those advising them should be familiar with UPMIFA provisions and consider its implications when designing new gift agreements.

Monday, December 05, 2011

Hospitals turning to foundation system for raising funds - Post-Tribune

Hospitals turning to foundation system for raising funds - Post-Tribune: Northwest Indiana not-for-profit hospitals are changing their approach to fundraising, forming philanthropic foundations to focus their charitable giving efforts.

Ms. Cheap: Winners exemplify values of season | The Daily News Journal | dnj.com

Ms. Cheap: Winners exemplify values of season | The Daily News Journal | dnj.com: n a way, I wish I had never conjured up this little contest where I asked people what they would do if someone gave them $500 for the holidays.

The stories that came to me were beyond sad, each one more poignant than the one before. If I had hundreds of $500 prizes, it would not be enough to help all of these folks with situations I cannot even imagine.

Rockland nonprofits gather to offer information, recruit volunteers and donors | The Journal News | LoHud.com | LoHud.com

Rockland nonprofits gather to offer information, recruit volunteers and donors | The Journal News | LoHud.com | LoHud.com: All Marc Silverstein wants to do Tuesday afternoon is unite a Rockland nonprofit organization with a single donor or volunteer.

Of course, he'd be happy to bring about many such marriages when he orchestrates JCC Cares, a showcase for a broad selection of the organizations that make such a difference in the quality of life in Rockland.

Financially Speaking: Wise charitable giving tips | SeacoastOnline.com

Financially Speaking: Wise charitable giving tips | SeacoastOnline.com: Despite the economic downturn, charitable giving has remained strong in the United States. The Nonprofit Research Collaborative reported earlier this year that two-thirds of respondents to a nonprofit fund-raising survey reported steady or improved donations in 2010 compared with 2009.

Dozens take the plunge for Westborough charity - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

Dozens take the plunge for Westborough charity - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News: WESTBOROUGH —

Batman, Robin and a college kid wearing a Charlie Sheen T-shirt were among the brave souls who jumped into the chilly waters of Lake Chauncy yesterday for In Your Shoes' third annual Polar Plunge.

M.B.A.s Choosing Nonprofits Over For-Profits - WSJ.com

M.B.A.s Choosing Nonprofits Over For-Profits - WSJ.com: At first blush, it looks as though M.B.A.s aren't doing much "good" upon graduation.

Despite the fact that students sign up en masse for social-entrepreneurship classes, intern at nonprofits and participate in charitable extracurricular activities, fewer than 5% of graduates from many top business schools take jobs in nonprofit organizations right out of school, with some institutions placing just 1% or 2% in the field. Even the Yale School of Management, which has built a reputation for creating nonprofit managers, sent just 9% of its class into that sector this year.

The 200 Largest U.S. Charities for 2011 - Forbes

The 200 Largest U.S. Charities for 2011 - Forbes

College Students, Graduates Giving More Hours to Volunteer Work | PND | Foundation Center

College Students, Graduates Giving More Hours to Volunteer Work | PND | Foundation Center: College Students, Graduates Giving More Hours to Volunteer Work

Although the number of college students who volunteered fell between 2009 and 2010, the overall number of volunteer-hours contributed by that demographic rose, as college-age volunteers on average spent more time volunteering, USA Today reports.

Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog

Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog: This week, Hope Consulting and GuideStar released the second part of the Money for Good research.

In their research, they have identified six common types of donor motivation: