Donors coming back – with thinner wallets - Business Courier: t’s a good news/bad news story for nonprofit groups in their efforts to raise money.
First, the good: Giving appears to be ticking up. It rose nationally 7.5 percent last year, according to Dallas-based philanthropic research firm Atlas of Giving . But it expects growth in giving this year to slow to just a 3.9 percent increase.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Red Cross reorganizes - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports
Red Cross reorganizes - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports: Amarillo, Texas - From a nationwide reorganization, to a whole new staff at the Amarillo chapter, the Red Cross is making major changes in an effort to bring more transparency to their operations.
After last year's February wildfire donation debacle, some people remain skeptical about contributing to the organization.
But a new system will provide more clarity to donors on where exactly their money is going and will be more helpful to those in need.
After last year's February wildfire donation debacle, some people remain skeptical about contributing to the organization.
But a new system will provide more clarity to donors on where exactly their money is going and will be more helpful to those in need.
William Daroff: Now Is Not the Time to Discourage Charitable Giving
William Daroff: Now Is Not the Time to Discourage Charitable Giving: I was hopeful that the new White House budget released last week would be more friendly to charities and charitable tax deductions than the proposed budgets in past years. Yet I was once again disappointed. Fortunately, thanks to the overwhelming number of Members of Congress from both parties who understand the critical importance the tax code plays in incentivizing charitable contributions, it is unlikely that the proposal will become law.
Multiplication Philanthropy - Dan Pallotta - Harvard Business Review
Multiplication Philanthropy - Dan Pallotta - Harvard Business Review: The cutting edge is investment in fundraising. Yet everyone tries to suppress it, invoking a flawed theory of social change that says the less you spend on fundraising, the more you have for programs. That's true if it's a zero sum game. But it's not. Imagine a $10 million pie with $8 million going to programs and with the 20% fundraising slice taking $2 million away from programs. The last thing we want to do is make that a $3 million slice, leaving only $7 million for programs. But that's not how it works. If done correctly, the extra million enlarges the pie — substantially. A $10 million pie becomes a $15 million pie, and the $7 million available for programs grows to $12 million.
keeping a close eye... by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: Where Do Environmental Grant Dollars Go?
keeping a close eye... by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: Where Do Environmental Grant Dollars Go?: In NCRP’s latest report Cultivating the Grassroots: A Winning Approach for Environment and Climate Funders, author Sarah Hansen contends that environment and climate funders can be more effective and secure more policy wins by investing heavily in grassroots communities that are disproportionately impacted by environment and climate harms.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Sharing Nonprofit Collaboration Knowledge and Experience | Stanford Social Innovation Review
Sharing Nonprofit Collaboration Knowledge and Experience | Stanford Social Innovation Review: One of the best outcomes of the Lodestar Foundation’s Collaboration Prize (a competition to identify the best nonprofit collaboration) is the Nonprofit Collaboration Database, a searchable database of nonprofit collaboration models in the US that were submitted through the competition. There are currently 670 collaboration examples in the database, which was recently upgraded and is now housed on the Foundation Center’s website. I spoke with Cynthia Bailie, director of the Foundation Center’s Cleveland office and of Special Information Initiatives, about the improvements to the database. Cynthia explained that the Foundation Center had two goals for the upgrade: 1) to encourage community dialogue and share knowledge around nonprofit collaboration; and 2) to allow nonprofits from anywhere in the world to submit their collaboration stories to a growing collection of models.
How Government Should Help Philanthropy: The Council on Foundations Perspective - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.
How Government Should Help Philanthropy: The Council on Foundations Perspective - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: In any case, realizing that this lack of knowledge and some skepticism about philanthropy exists among legislators, Schulz has begun to shift the Council’s approach to Congress, from presenting one-sided issue papers to position papers that show not only the council’s position but also what “detractors” say in opposition.
And unsurprisingly, COF is largely focused on tax proposals this year. The proposal to flatten the private foundation excise tax, currently a confusing two-tiered tax that most foundation and nonprofit policy people think should be simplified to something in the one percent range, not only gets endorsed broadly within the nonprofit sector, but usually in the federal budget proposals of successive presidents.
And unsurprisingly, COF is largely focused on tax proposals this year. The proposal to flatten the private foundation excise tax, currently a confusing two-tiered tax that most foundation and nonprofit policy people think should be simplified to something in the one percent range, not only gets endorsed broadly within the nonprofit sector, but usually in the federal budget proposals of successive presidents.
Local News | Elks lodges are hot again in Seattle | Seattle Times Newspaper
raLocal News | Elks lodges are hot again in Seattle | Seattle Times Newspaper: Just a year ago, the sight of 20- and 30-somethings inside Seattle's Elks lodges — places long known for secret meetings, bingo games and square dancing — was fairly uncommon. Membership in fraternal clubs across the nation has been plummeting for decades.
Top 20 fundraising universities - CBS News
Top 20 fundraising universities - CBS News: The 20 schools that enjoyed the largest charitable windfalls received 27.2 percent of all of the contributions people made to colleges and universities in 2011. That's mind boggling considering that these schools represent only 2 percent of the 1,009 institutions surveyed. Here is another fact that illustrates just how lopsided higher-ed giving is: 25 percent of the institutions attracted 86 percent of the donations.
In contrast, the bottom half of institutions, in terms of donations, attracted a mere 4.5 percent of charitable contributions.
In contrast, the bottom half of institutions, in terms of donations, attracted a mere 4.5 percent of charitable contributions.
Charity Donates $1.5M to Philly Schools | NBC 10 Philadelphia
Charity Donates $1.5M to Philly Schools | NBC 10 Philadelphia: The William Penn Foundation has promised $1.5 million to the city's deficit-ridden schools and its president says he'll help the district solicit money from other private donors.
The AFP Blog: Add it all together with the newer generations’ interest in engagement and philanthropy, and I think we’ll see a lot of young people join the profession over the coming years. That’s why we created the Young Professional category, and the influx will help keep the profession vibrant with new energy and perspective.
Small Foundations Ratcheted Up Giving in 2011 - TheNonProfitTimes
Small Foundations Ratcheted Up Giving in 2011 - TheNonProfitTimes: Small to mid-size private foundations in general gave more than twice the 5 percent minimum distribution requirement, with the smallest foundations giving away significantly more during 2011.
Private foundations with less than $10 million in assets increased giving by 20.6 percent compared to 2010, whereas foundations with assets between $10 million and $50 million scaled back their giving by 7.8 percent from 2010.
The nation’s smallest foundations disbursed 58.4 percent of assets during 2011.
Private foundations with less than $10 million in assets increased giving by 20.6 percent compared to 2010, whereas foundations with assets between $10 million and $50 million scaled back their giving by 7.8 percent from 2010.
The nation’s smallest foundations disbursed 58.4 percent of assets during 2011.
U.S. National Slavery Museum loses its tax-exempt status - The Washington Post
U.S. National Slavery Museum loses its tax-exempt status - The Washington Post: The national slavery museum former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder hopes to create can no longer receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
On Wednesday, the IRS added the U.S. National Slavery Museum to the list of organizations that have had their federal tax-exempt status revoked.
On Wednesday, the IRS added the U.S. National Slavery Museum to the list of organizations that have had their federal tax-exempt status revoked.
Whatcom charity helps people give: Pass the Hat asks for $2 - no more, no less | Bellingham Herald - The News Tribune
Whatcom charity helps people give: Pass the Hat asks for $2 - no more, no less | Bellingham Herald - The News Tribune: Those who click to contribute on pass-the-hat.org pay $2 a month to help people in Whatcom County who have experienced a tragedy, such as a fire or a car crash, that creates a significant financial burden.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
9 questions to ask about insurance arrangements - TheNonProfitTimes
9 questions to ask about insurance arrangements - TheNonProfitTimes: Nonprofits carry insurance as part of a risk management strategy. These plans help spread risk and protect balance sheets against large losses.
Before you sign your nonprofit up for an insurance plan, there are some questions to be answered. In her book “Good Counsel,” Lesley Rosenthal presents nine questions your legal counsel should ask about your nonprofit’s insurance arrangements:
Before you sign your nonprofit up for an insurance plan, there are some questions to be answered. In her book “Good Counsel,” Lesley Rosenthal presents nine questions your legal counsel should ask about your nonprofit’s insurance arrangements:
Do We Really “Know” Our Corporate Donors And Prospects? | Fundraising for Nonprofits
Do We Really “Know” Our Corporate Donors And Prospects? | Fundraising for Nonprofits: Do We Really “Know” Our Corporate Donors And Prospects?
By Tony Poderis on February 7, 2012
We should (and usually do) work hard to make our best possible case for support to corporations … wanting them to know as much as possible about us. But an equally important issue is, “What do we know about them?”
By Tony Poderis on February 7, 2012
We should (and usually do) work hard to make our best possible case for support to corporations … wanting them to know as much as possible about us. But an equally important issue is, “What do we know about them?”
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
PhilanTopic: NPO Job Openings (January 2012)
PhilanTopic: NPO Job Openings (January 2012): NPO Job Openings (January 2012)
The January job numbers seem to confirm the view of many that the U.S. economy, while still battling headwinds, is picking up steam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 243,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were created in January, with large gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.
The January job numbers seem to confirm the view of many that the U.S. economy, while still battling headwinds, is picking up steam. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 243,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were created in January, with large gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing.
Irwin Jacobs strives to make lives better | UTSanDiego.com
Irwin Jacobs strives to make lives better | UTSanDiego.com: He and his wife, Joan, graciously accepted the billionaire challenge from Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to pledge at least half of their considerable fortune to philanthropic causes. Well known are the La Jolla couple’s generous pledges to medical care, research, education and the arts. These include $120 million to the San Diego Symphony, a similar amount to UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering, $75 million to a specialty UCSD hospital, $30 million to the Salk Institute of Biological Studies. The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked them as the 22nd most generous U.S. donors in 2011, with gifts totaling $64.9 million last year alone.
Johns Hopkins lawsuit highlights questions about schools’ obligations to donors - The Washington Post
Johns Hopkins lawsuit highlights questions about schools’ obligations to donors - The Washington Post: It took two years to negotiate the deal. But in the end, her family says, Elizabeth Beall Banks, well known in Montgomery County for her opposition to development, sold the 138-acre parcel where she raised Black Angus cattle to Johns Hopkins University for one simple reason: She believed that officials shared her vision for what would become of her beloved farm.
Now, seven years after Banks’s death, her heirs have taken Hopkins to court, alleging that the university has violated the terms of the deal it made with Banks 23 years ago. University officials maintain that they are abiding by Banks’s wishes as outlined in the two-page agreement.
Now, seven years after Banks’s death, her heirs have taken Hopkins to court, alleging that the university has violated the terms of the deal it made with Banks 23 years ago. University officials maintain that they are abiding by Banks’s wishes as outlined in the two-page agreement.
Johns Hopkins lawsuit highlights questions about schools’ obligations to donors - The Washington Post
Johns Hopkins lawsuit highlights questions about schools’ obligations to donors - The Washington Post: It took two years to negotiate the deal. But in the end, her family says, Elizabeth Beall Banks, well known in Montgomery County for her opposition to development, sold the 138-acre parcel where she raised Black Angus cattle to Johns Hopkins University for one simple reason: She believed that officials shared her vision for what would become of her beloved farm.
Now, seven years after Banks’s death, her heirs have taken Hopkins to court, alleging that the university has violated the terms of the deal it made with Banks 23 years ago. University officials maintain that they are abiding by Banks’s wishes as outlined in the two-page agreement.
Now, seven years after Banks’s death, her heirs have taken Hopkins to court, alleging that the university has violated the terms of the deal it made with Banks 23 years ago. University officials maintain that they are abiding by Banks’s wishes as outlined in the two-page agreement.
Undetermined charity to receive $100,000 from TCU class | TCU 360 - with news and sports from the TCU Daily Skiff, TCU News Now and Image magazine
Undetermined charity to receive $100,000 from TCU class | TCU 360 - with news and sports from the TCU Daily Skiff, TCU News Now and Image magazine: A hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money. There are many charities around Tarrant county in need of that money, and TCU students are in the process of deciding which one will receive it.
This is the second semester Ron Pitcock’s Nature of Giving class has been offered money to donate to charities. There are 25 students in his class who have the task of deciding how to divide up the money.
This is the second semester Ron Pitcock’s Nature of Giving class has been offered money to donate to charities. There are 25 students in his class who have the task of deciding how to divide up the money.
Calls swamp Bridgeport nonprofit after '60 Minutes' - NewsTimes
Calls swamp Bridgeport nonprofit after '60 Minutes' - NewsTimes: More than 350 calls had come in to The WorkPlace Inc., Monday morning after "60 Minutes" profiled the nonprofit's approach to helping the long-term unemployed find work again.
Product giving seen as good business | Philanthropy Journal
Product giving seen as good business | Philanthropy Journal: Companies can get a better return on investment by donating merchandise instead of liquidating or destroying it, a new study says.
Giving products to charities boosts corporate bottom lines, reduces waste in landfills, and provides relief for people in need, say The Business Case for Product Philanthropy by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.
Giving products to charities boosts corporate bottom lines, reduces waste in landfills, and provides relief for people in need, say The Business Case for Product Philanthropy by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.
Top endowments in state now exceed pre-recession levels | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Top endowments in state now exceed pre-recession levels | Richmond Times-Dispatch: Three Virginia universities with elite endowments have recovered from the recession, and Virginia Commonwealth University wants to join their billion-dollar ranks.
The public University of Virginia and the private University of Richmond and Washington and Lee University say their endowments exceed where they were before investments took a hit four years ago.
The market value of the University of Virginia's total investment pool rose from $4.4 billion to end fiscal 2011 at $5.34 billion, according to the University of Virginia Investment Management Co.
The public University of Virginia and the private University of Richmond and Washington and Lee University say their endowments exceed where they were before investments took a hit four years ago.
The market value of the University of Virginia's total investment pool rose from $4.4 billion to end fiscal 2011 at $5.34 billion, according to the University of Virginia Investment Management Co.
It's not what you tell them it's the way that you tell them... | Philanthropy UK
It's not what you tell them it's the way that you tell them... | Philanthropy UK: According to a leading economist, donors bombarded with fact and figures about impact may actually be less inclined to give.
Sir Howard Davies, former director of the London School of Economics and patron of Pro Bono Economics, made the claim to an audience of economists and charities in his lecture entitled ‘Why do people give their money away and how can we stop them acting so irrationally?’ at PricewaterhouseCooper’s London Bridge offices on February 7th.
Sir Howard Davies, former director of the London School of Economics and patron of Pro Bono Economics, made the claim to an audience of economists and charities in his lecture entitled ‘Why do people give their money away and how can we stop them acting so irrationally?’ at PricewaterhouseCooper’s London Bridge offices on February 7th.
A Receipt Is Not a Thank You: Online Donors vs Online Buyers
A Receipt Is Not a Thank You: Online Donors vs Online Buyers: So, why do nonprofits not worry about their online thank yous as much as their mailed thank yous? Why do thank you letters seem to warrant time and attention while the attitude toward online thank yous seems so nonchalant? This seems especially odd given that we also know that attrition for first time donors, especially online, is extremely high. Those donors are worth a lot, but only if we keep them.
Welcome | many helping hands 365
Welcome | many helping hands 365: We Are Many Helping Hands 365!
Welcome! This website is designed to make it easy for you to find ways to lend a hand and make a difference in the Cambridge (MA) community, and to help local nonprofit organizations make their volunteer needs known.
We encourage you to subscribe, so that you will know when new volunteer opportunities are posted.
You may also like us on Facebook and follow Many Helping Hands on Twitter (@MLKDayCambridge)
Welcome! This website is designed to make it easy for you to find ways to lend a hand and make a difference in the Cambridge (MA) community, and to help local nonprofit organizations make their volunteer needs known.
We encourage you to subscribe, so that you will know when new volunteer opportunities are posted.
You may also like us on Facebook and follow Many Helping Hands on Twitter (@MLKDayCambridge)
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