Friday, March 02, 2012

SOI Tax Stats - SOI Bulletin: Winter 2012

SOI Tax Stats - SOI Bulletin: Winter 2012: Statistics of Income (SOI) Bulletin - Winter 2012
(entire publication in PDF)

Vikram Akula, Founder of SKS Microfinance, Says Publicly His Biggest Critic, Grameen Bank Founder Muhummad Yunus, Was Right - NYTimes.com

Vikram Akula, Founder of SKS Microfinance, Says Publicly His Biggest Critic, Grameen Bank Founder Muhummad Yunus, Was Right - NYTimes.com: Vikram Akula, the founder of SKS Microfinance, the for-profit company that is accused of aggressive collection tactics, made an unexpected observation Sunday night at the Social Enterprise Conference at Harvard University.

“Professor Yunus was right,” Mr. Akula said, referring to Muhammad Yunus, the Grameen Bank founder, economist and a frequent critic of Mr. Akula and others who tried to turn microfinance into a for-profit industry. “Bringing private capital into social enterprise was much harder

First Tuesday events will feature businesses and nonprofits � Recent Local News � News and Tribune

First Tuesday events will feature businesses and nonprofits � Recent Local News � News and Tribune: Beginning with its March event, Develop New Albany’s First Tuesday meetings will pair businesses with nonprofits as a way to showcase commerce and culture.

“The purpose of the events will be, outside of social networking and business networking, to raise awareness,” said Courtney Lewis, who is heading the Develop New Albany First Tuesday committee.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Giving Days vs. Giving Daze: Looking for Engagement - Forbes: Giving contests have been a trend in philanthropy for years now, so much so that a kind of fatigue has settled over the idea of nonprofits competing for prizes – aka, large donations. The nonprofits must activate their followers within the guidelines of the effort, often in conjunction with a company that sees the added value of marketing stapled to its philanthropy. It takes time, and serious commitment. And sometimes the “engagement” comes in the form of the lowest common digital denominator – a “vote” in the form of a click or two. Not for nothing did Networked Nonprofit co-author Beth Kanter ask in 2010: “Should We Just Blow Up Nonprofit “Vote for Me” Social Good Contests?”

Three Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards

Three Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards: Three Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards

March 2012

Excerpted from The Fundraising Habits of Supremely Successful Boards, rev. ed.

In my work with nearly two thousand organizations, I've found that board members will stand on tiptoes to reach high standards if they know what's expected of them. They'll perform extraordinary feats, give unlimited time, combine all their talents for a common and great cause.

But if trustees don't understand their role, this enormous potential is reduced to a trickle, forced through a narrow institutional funnel.

In Environment, Biggest Groups Get... - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy

In Environment, Biggest Groups Get... - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy: Report: In Environment, Biggest Groups Get Biggest Bucks
By Chris Thomas
Public News Service Washington
February 27, 2012

The biggest national environmental groups get the most charitable dollars, while important conservation projects taken on by smaller groups often are overlooked. This finding is one of several in a new report from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).

NCoC: Community Attachment, Engagement, and Economic Prosperity

NCoC: Community Attachment, Engagement, and Economic Prosperity: NCoC is honored to work with Knight Foundation to explore the connections between community attachment, civic engagement, and economic prosperity. This partnership will expand existing research initiatives conducted by the two organizations. Knight Foundation, in partnership with Gallup, produced the Soul of the Community Project which explored what drives an individual’s “attachment” to their community.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Many Managers of Nonprofit Finances Suffer Knowledge Gaps, Study Finds - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Many Managers of Nonprofit Finances Suffer Knowledge Gaps, Study Finds - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Many Managers of Nonprofit Finances Suffer Knowledge Gaps, Study Finds

By Eric Frazier

Top officials at midsize nonprofits lack basic financial knowledge, according to a study released today.

The study, conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, also found that midsize organizations are lifting their focus from just breaking even to long-term planning.

JUF News : Alternative Student Breaks: Traveling with purpose

JUF News : Alternative Student Breaks: Traveling with purpose: As college students look forward to the end of a semester or a Spring break escape from classes, Hillel students are trading Cancun getaways for something more meaningful: Alternative Student Breaks.

Communities of Color Find More Prominent Role within Philanthropy Sector - W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Communities of Color Find More Prominent Role within Philanthropy Sector - W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Communities of color find more prominent role within philanthropy sector

Jan 9, 2012

As the U.S. population shifts, with ethnic and racial groups growing faster than the overall American population, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has found the face of philanthropy is rapidly changing to become as diverse as the country’s population. The new report, “Cultures of Giving: Energizing and Expanding Philanthropy by and for Communities of Color” commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, with major funding by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, shows how philanthropy is evolving, with some of the most significant growth stemming from identity-based philanthropy — a growing movement to spark philanthropic giving from a community on behalf of a community, where “community” is defined by race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.

The Street Value of Outcomes Measurement and Best Practices for Nonprofits by Kathryn Engelhardt-Cronk of CTK | Community Techknowledge

From the CTK guest blog
The Street Value of Outcomes Measurement and Best Practices for Nonprofits by Kathryn Engelhardt-Cronk of CTK | Community Techknowledge: Fast forward 30 years, and nonprofits are awash in a vast new lexicon representing the advent of technology as a business requirement. Outcome modeling, asset mapping, and impact measurement are at the forefront of our new nonprofit thinking. Gone are the days of counting outputs, telling an inspiring story to open checkbooks, and mission passion as the be-all and end-all of nonprofit motivation.

Portland introduces new diversity goals for local arts and culture groups seeking public funds | OregonLive.com

Portland introduces new diversity goals for local arts and culture groups seeking public funds | OregonLive.com: Specifically, arts groups will be asked to increase the ethnic makeup of their staff, boards and contractors. Their audiences, too, may become more diverse through marketing and outreach. Organizations will also be expected to spend more of their budget -- 30 percent being the ideal -- on communities of color. The figure is based on the percentage of city of Portland residents who are not white, taken from studies of Multnomah County done by the Coalition of Communities of Color.

Burnout in the non-profit sector � Minding the Workplace

Burnout in the non-profit sector � Minding the Workplace: Non-profits generally

It strikes me that Bader’s excellent commentary applies to the non-profit sector generally. I don’t necessarily equate “non-profit” with progressive political leanings, but I definitely see the connections between non-profits and dedication to cause-oriented work.

Software to Support Program Evaluation by Laura Quinn of Idealware | Community Techknowledge

Software to Support Program Evaluation by Laura Quinn of Idealware | Community Techknowledge: Defining Your Evaluation Process

Program evaluation is not primarily a technology issue. Software can help you track and analyze the data you’ll need, but in order to make any meaningful conclusions, you need to first carefully identify certain things. What are you trying to accomplish? How can it be effectively measured? Which data points will you actually use, and what will be most helpful in truly understanding what’s working? No matter how powerful it is, software can’t help with evaluation until you’ve defined the process that will be most effective for your organization.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Cargill Heiress Leaves $6 Billion to Support Art, Animal Rights - Businessweek

Cargill Heiress Leaves $6 Billion to Support Art, Animal Rights - Businessweek: Cargill Heiress Leaves $6 Billion to Support Art, Animal Rights

New Report on California Foundations | The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy

New Report on California Foundations | The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy: New Report on California Foundations

A new report conducted by The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy shows philanthropic giving by California's foundations jumped from $2.8 billion to $6 billion over the past decade despite two economic recessions during that period. California's growth in the foundation sector continues to outpace the nation in all areas studied - the total number of foundations, their assets and total giving.

Charities Aid Foundation of America Press Release.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Press Release
Ted Hart appointed New CEO of Charities Aid Foundation of America
Aims to Make Unique Organization US Leader in International Philanthropy
Today, Charities Aid Foundation of America announced that Ted Hart will join as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) starting March 1, 2012. Charities Aid Foundation of America is a leader in global philanthropy, connecting a multitude of American donors to overseas humanitarian and charitable causes, so that anyone can make a significant difference internationally.
Charities Aid Foundation of America Press Release.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Philabundance Takes on “Food Desert” in Chester, Penn. - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Philabundance Takes on “Food Desert” in Chester, Penn. - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: n Chester, the plan to establish a new grocery is nonprofit from start to finish. The nonprofit emergency food aid group Philabundance has purchased a vacant building that hosted the last supermarket in the city before it closed in 2001. Philabundance plans to open a 13,000 square foot “Fare and Square” grocery there in about a year’s time.

Q&A: Maxim Thorne ’89 LAW ’92 | Cross Campus | Yale Daily News

Q&A: Maxim Thorne ’89 LAW ’92 | Cross Campus | Yale Daily News: Maxim Thorne ’89 LAW ’92, teaches the Yale College seminar “Philanthropy In Action.” The buzz behind the class began when those who chose it learned they’d have the chance to donate $100,000, a grant from the Once Upon A Time Foundation. Thorne is a senior vice president of the NAACP, worked extensively on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, and has written for the Huffington Post.

The Benefits of Converting Donors to Monthly Giving

The Benefits of Converting Donors to Monthly Giving: What are the benefits of converting donors to monthly giving?
Cynthia's response:

Donors who opt for monthly giving demonstrate a strong commitment to their favourite causes. Not only do they provide regular, predictable income, they are the most likely constituents to leave a legacy to their charities of choice.

Sometimes referred to as "sustainers" or "recurring donors" this method of fundraising got its start in child sponsorship programs. I still remember writing to my "foster siblings" in faraway lands almost fifty years ago, generously supported by my caring parents. Monthly giving programs have come a long way since those early days and yet the principles remain the same. What kept our family engaged in the Foster Parents Plan? It was the translated, handwritten notes on onionskin accompanied by photographs that marked the healthy growth of our chosen sponsor children.

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: In last month’s blog I wrote about my new focus on developing our charity’s organisational capacity and the varied work this is entailing. Since then, I’ve been working on the one thing that ties all of this wide-ranging work together: creating our business plan.

Although I was familiar with the term “business plan” before we started the process, this is the first time I’ve ever been involved in creating one.

The business plan encapsulates pretty much everything about our charity. From articulating what we do and how we manage ourselves, to describing how we plan to build upon identified opportunities and tackle weaknesses - the business plan covers it all.

Our IRS Is Helping You - Tony Martignetti

Our IRS Is Helping You - Tony Martignetti

The #1 Reason You Need a Recurring Giving Program and 3 Expert Examples | NetWitsThinkTank.com

The #1 Reason You Need a Recurring Giving Program and 3 Expert Examples | NetWitsThinkTank.com: What’s the #1 Reason you need a recurring giving program, you ask? Let’s take a look.

The lifetime value of an online acquired donor is roughly $128 dollars to your organization.

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal

Press Release

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal: TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - A new survey commissioned by CanadaHelps.org and Capital One Canada, as part of Fraud Awareness Month, found that 45% of millennials (aged 18-34 years) are taking no steps to ensure a charity is legitimate before making a donation, and more than half (52%) are spontaneous, "on the fly" donors. This kind of behaviour puts millenials at risk for fraud because they are casually handing over their hard-earned money and personal information with little to no planning or due diligence.

Government Grants for Nonprofit Organizations - 8 Ways to Compete

Government Grants for Nonprofit Organizations - 8 Ways to Compete: Competition for all grants has intensified significantly since the recession began in 2009. And by the time government grant competitions are announced, deadlines are generally just four to eight weeks away. That doesn't give you the time you need to develop a competitive grant proposal. So before you spend 80 to 100 hours of your precious time writing a grant application for government funding, consider if your nonprofit is positioned for success.

Tips For Winning Back Your Lapsed Donors - TheNonProfitTimes

Tips For Winning Back Your Lapsed Donors - TheNonProfitTimes: Winning back lapsed donors is critical to an organization's growth. The long-term value of a recaptured donor is usually better than that of a new donor. In addition, the cost to recapture a lapsed donor is less than the cost to acquire a new donor.

Prior to lapsing, these individuals were committed donors and might have supported your organization for an extended period. Circumstances that caused a change in their behavior could no longer be an issue, and therefore, understanding why they lapsed will help you develop a strong program focused on recapturing their loyalty.
Nonprofit Finance Fund Awarded Tax Credit Allocation - TheNonProfitTimes: The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) announced today that it was awarded a $40 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation (NMTC) to support community development projects in low-income areas across the country.

NMTC programs, established by Congress in 2000, provide incentives for investments in traditionally hard-to-finance projects, mostly in low-income areas.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Komen Fund's Attempt to Reassure Donors Stumbles, Experts Say - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Komen Fund's Attempt to Reassure Donors Stumbles, Experts Say - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Komen Fund’s Attempt to Reassure Donors Stumbles, Experts Say

February 24, 2012, 6:10 pm

By Holly Hall

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is conducting a poll to learn more about the best ways to apologize for the furor it aroused a few weeks ago when it cut off support for Planned Parenthood, then reinstated it after sustaining days of protest from angry donors and others.

Nonprofit experts say the poll may well do the opposite of what Komen wants to do—soothe donor anger—and offers a lesson to other nonprofits on what not to do when it comes to managing an image problem.

Brenda Hunt: Philanthropic groups vital to economic health | The Enquirer | battlecreekenquirer.com

Brenda Hunt: Philanthropic groups vital to economic health | The Enquirer | battlecreekenquirer.com: Does the philanthropic community have a role to play in economic development? It would be impossible to have economic development without philanthropy. One ignites the other, in an ever-expanding cycle. Philanthropy is what helps make our community a desirable place to live and, like a magnet, draws development. People loving where they live is the greatest impact we can have as a philanthropic institution.