The Secret to More Effective Philanthropy: Funding the Unknown - Forbes

The Secret to More Effective Philanthropy: Funding the Unknown - Forbes: What’s often forgotten in discussions of social investments, and measurements of their success, is that the first step in innovation is a step into the unknown. It requires curiosity and courage, leaps of faith for both the innovators and those who support them. When you trace the development of big new ideas, you often find that those first steps weren’t taken in isolation—they arose from the simple act of people talking and imagining potential solutions together.

Nonprofit career transitions bring meaning - Global Business Hub - Boston.com

Nonprofit career transitions bring meaning - Global Business Hub - Boston.com: Climbing the corporate ladder is no longer the vision of ultimate success for many individuals today across all demographics. Baby boomers are looking to give back to their communities and professions. Gen Xers desire balance and autonomy in their work. Gen Yers and Millennials have a strong sense of civic responsibility and community. These are just a few motivations that have caused many professionals to intentionally seek work in the non-profit sector and transition to work that is more meaningful and contributes to achieving a very specific cause that betters our health, families, children, women, communities, lives, environment, etc. This has been an on-going trend that has grown considerably over the last decade and continues to at a fast pace.

Wheaton Golfer Continues 'Hundred Hole Hike' for Charity - Wheaton, IL Patch

Wheaton Golfer Continues 'Hundred Hole Hike' for Charity - Wheaton, IL Patch: undred-hole hikers—who raise money hiking courses all over the world—choose their own causes to support as they pledge to raise money on www.hundredholehike.com.

Fine Arts Museums hire Frick curator - SFGate

Fine Arts Museums hire Frick curator - SFGate

A New Trend in Design Can Help Charities Do Better Work - Redesigning Good - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

A New Trend in Design Can Help Charities Do Better Work - Redesigning Good - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: These same principles can be applied across a wide array of nonprofit challenges: a family that recently lost its home and is looking for a shelter, a first-time volunteer looking to help out at a soup kitchen but uncertain where to go, or a scared parent without health insurance looking for a free clinic. Think about those you serve, where they look for information, how they found out about your organization, and the steps they took to receive your services. What are the points in these processes that are scary, confusing, frustrating, or degrading? Service design can provide the framework to make these interactions much better.

Service design will almost certainly continue to grow in the years to come.

Charity Founded By Sandusky Gets OK To Sell Headquarters � CBS Philly

Charity Founded By Sandusky Gets OK To Sell Headquarters � CBS Philly: STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — A charity for children founded by Jerry Sandusky is getting a judge’s permission to sell its headquarters building in State College.

Judge William Morgan signed an order Tuesday that allows The Second Mile to sell the property for $650,000.

Top 5 Fundraising Legal Tips - Nonprofit Law Blog

Top 5 Fundraising Legal Tips - Nonprofit Law Blog: Law-related programs at fundraising conferences tend to be some of the least popular. What accounts for this? I'm guessing that the general lack of popularity results in part from fear that the presenter will add to the already heavy burdens and challenges faced by the fundraiser rather than provide solutions to help make the fundraiser's job easier or more effective.

The failure to be informed is no excuse for the failure to comply with the law and protect the organization and its donors.

The List: Boston's 25 Most Powerful People in Boston Philanthropy 2013

The List: Boston's 25 Most Powerful People in Boston Philanthropy 2013: The Power List: The 25 Most Influential People in Boston Philanthropy
They came. They gave. They conquered.
Boston Magazine | April 2013
25



Nonprofits and the philanthropists behind them do an enormous amount of important work in Boston. They feed the hungry, educate children, take care of the sick, and sponsor a thriving arts and culture community. But at the upper echelons of the city, philanthropy is about something else, too. It’s about writing $10 million checks, leading $1 billion capital campaigns, getting your name stamped on college buildings, and fighting for coveted seats on prestigious boards. In other words, it’s about power—the money, influence, and ideas that make things happen. And no one in town has more of it than the leaders listed here, the 25 most powerful people in Boston philanthropy.

Boards Are Not Ready for the Next Generation of Trustees - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Boards Are Not Ready for the Next Generation of Trustees - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Boards Are Not Ready for the Next Generation of Trustees

March 26, 2013, 4:30 pm

By Rick Moyers

A rising generation of younger donors and philanthropic leaders could bring new money to nonprofits and fresh energy to their boardrooms—if boards can overcome their current dysfunction enough to engage them.

It’s here: The 2013 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study

It’s here: The 2013 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013                                  

NONPROFITS RAISING MORE MONEY, REACHING LARGER AUDIENCE IN MAJOR ANNUAL ONLINE FUNDRAISING AND ADVOCACY REPORT

M+R Strategic Services & NTEN’s eNonprofit Benchmarks Study of 55 Nonprofits Sets Annual Industry Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Online nonprofit fundraising is on the rise, with explosive growth in sustaining gifts and a larger audience of supporters reached through social media networks like Facebook, according to a new comprehensive analysis released today of 55 of the country’s leading nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, Sierra Club, American Lung Association, AARP and Human Rights Campaign. While the growth of online fundraising is expected to remain robust, the report also cites the long-term decline of response rates as a top priority for nonprofits evaluating their email performance in an increasingly crowded inbox.

Key findings of the nonprofits surveyed, include:

●     A 21 percent increase in online revenue overall from 2011, with only International groups seeing a decline in online giving.

A Dumpster-Based Salon as Innovation - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

A Dumpster-Based Salon as Innovation - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: The real beauty of old ideas is that they never really die. They just weave themselves through history in odd ways like a bright thread in tweed. In this case, a student at Tufts University, Maximus Thaler, is using Kickstarter to raise $1,500 to capitalize a 24-hour caf�that will serve free food and other useful stuff like poetry, crafts, workshops, and lectures. The food will come from dumpster diving. The business plan involves asking those who show up to support the place. With 21 days remaining, he has raised more than half of the $1,500 goal so far.

Nonprofits Need a Content Calendar - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Nonprofits Need a Content Calendar - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Over the past year, Now & Next has covered communications topics such as social media, e-mail campaign management, and annual reports. Technology supports these efforts, but it can only work well with an integrated strategy. Nonprofits need a content calendar, the right staffing support (paid or volunteer), and the right tools to make it all sing.

ASAE Launching Breakthrough Diversity Tool

ASAE Launching Breakthrough Diversity Tool: Share

March 2013
ASAE Launching Breakthrough Diversity Tool

WASHINGTON, D.C.

ASAE is launching the first Diversity Inclusion (D I) tool for associations, called the Association Inclusion Index, in late April. The index is an online, interactive, multiple choice survey about D I policies, philosophies, and practices that offers associations strategies and solutions (not scores) for inclusive excellence. It will focus on five key D I domains in associations, which are: Mission and Focus, Roles and Leadership Accountability, Resources, Operations, and Communication and Culture.

The Association Inclusion Index will launch on April 22.

Turning Board Members into Development Leaders in 5 Easy Steps

massnonprofit.org ::: When’s the last time a board member said to you, “So, when can I start raising money? That’s the reason I joined the board!” If you’re like most nonprofits, your board members are less than enthusiastic about fulfilling their duties to raise money.

One of the most important things you can do is get your board members excited about helping to make sure your nonprofit is financially stable. Offered below is a five-step plan to help convert your board members into willing and able development leaders.

Hostile Takeover at the Staid Corcoran? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Hostile Takeover at the Staid Corcoran? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: While we in this sector are used to all manner of internal conflicts on our boards, it is seldom that we see an outside party attempt an aggressive coup to take over a board’s leadership. The Washington Post’s recent article about the storied Corcoran discusses such an attempted coup and is also a twist on that ugly moment that some institutions face when a donor starts trying to take more of a directive role than anyone agreed to – except in this case, Wayne Reynolds is not a donor but a moneyed and connected activist with a great deal of self-confidence. He may have some grounds for self-confidence; as chair of the board of Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C., Wayne Reynolds led the charge to raise $54 million, far outstripping anyone’s expectations.

Now he’d like to repeat the performance for the famed Corcoran Gallery of Art

Models strut stuff for charity | The Des Moines Register | desmoinesregister.com

Models strut stuff for charity | The Des Moines Register | desmoinesregister.com: Simpson College students took inspiration from the racks of the Indianola Goodwill Store to assemble unique outfits for a charity fashion show last week.

Report: Value Of Volunteer Time Up | The NonProfit Times

Report: Value Of Volunteer Time Up | The NonProfit Times: The estimated average value of a volunteer hour was $22.14 in 2012, an increase of 35 cents, according to a new report from Independent Sector (IS).

Report: Value Of Volunteer Time Up | The NonProfit Times

Report: Value Of Volunteer Time Up | The NonProfit Times: The estimated average value of a volunteer hour was $22.14 in 2012, an increase of 35 cents, according to a new report from Independent Sector (IS).

Planned Giving Is Part Of Your Fundraising Team - Tony Martignetti

Planned Giving Is Part Of Your Fundraising Team - Tony Martignetti: Fundraising is a team sport and Planned Giving should be a team player.

Whether you’re a devoted Planned Giving officer or a solo fundraiser occasionally talking to a PG prospect, you can support the bigger effort in several ways.

New Big Society Network campaign aims to be 'biggest fundraising event in history'

New Big Society Network campaign aims to be 'biggest fundraising event in history': Big Society Network is preparing to launch a major Olympic legacy campaign called Britain’s Personal Best, which aims to become the “largest mass participation event in Britain, the biggest fundraising event in history and the most successful human development event in history”.

It will encourage people to set themselves challenges over the weekend of 4, 5 and 6 October 2013 and raise money for charities.

Why Association Management Should Offer Member Benefits A La Carte

Why Association Management Should Offer Member Benefits A La Carte: Associations should consider offering benefits to members a la carte rather than making them pay for services they don’t want. Great association management is all about giving members exactly what they need without overcharging.

Italian-Style Coffee Philanthropy Takes Hold in Bulgaria — Naharnet

Italian-Style Coffee Philanthropy Takes Hold in Bulgaria — Naharnet: More than 150 cafes across Bulgaria have joined a goodwill initiative modeled on the Italian "caffe sospeso" tradition, which literally means "suspended coffee", according to a Facebook page devoted to the movement.

The tradition -- born in the cafes of Italy's southern city of Naples -- sees people pay in advance for one or several coffees without drinking them.

Nell Edgington: The Nonprofit Sector Needs to Get Over the Fear Thing

Nell Edgington: The Nonprofit Sector Needs to Get Over the Fear Thing: It needs to be said, and I'm going to say it. The nonprofit sector must get over the fear thing. The sector is known for being risk-averse, and that comes from a lack of resources. I get it.

But it's time to move beyond that. There are many different forms of Nonprofit Fear:

Derrick Feldmann: Building a New Nonprofit Workforce With Millennial Leaders

Derrick Feldmann: Building a New Nonprofit Workforce With Millennial Leaders: The accelerated speed of change is today's reality. For Millennials this reality has created a new call to serve nonprofit organizations. It's a call to be a risk-taker in a time when others think risk should be avoided because of economic or other uncertainties. It's a call to lead a team while others seek to maintain operations at the status quo. It's a call to change the work environment not because someone's boss or board has told them to do so, but because their gut says that change is necessary and needs to happen now.

Utah nonprofits feelin’ the love after day of fundraising | The Salt Lake Tribune

Utah nonprofits feelin’ the love after day of fundraising | The Salt Lake Tribune: Thousands of Utahns invested in the state’s nonprofit sector in a 24-hour span last week, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in an organized effort.

According to the Community Foundation of Utah, which coordinated the event Friday, the first-ever statewide online fundraiser for nonprofits and schools raised $633,533 from 6,521 donors. But with business matches and challenge grants, executive director Fraser Nelson said the total raised probably will be closer to $800,000.

Major Philadelphia Philanthropist Steps Down From Foundation - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Major Philadelphia Philanthropist Steps Down From Foundation - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, a key Philadelphia donor to education, the arts, and programs for disadvantaged youths, has resigned as chairman of his family foundation, setting in motion a series of steps toward winding down the organization, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

‘Tis the Season: Checking a Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

‘Tis the Season: Checking a Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Tis the Season: Checking a Charity’s Tax-Exempt Status

Bele Chere changes could hurt Asheville nonprofits | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com

Bele Chere changes could hurt Asheville nonprofits | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com: But City Council recently reached an informal decision to stop funding Bele Chere after this year. That leaves the future of a summer festival in doubt and nonprofits thinking about new revenue streams.

8-step workforce plan checklist | The NonProfit Times

8-step workforce plan checklist | The NonProfit Times: 8-step workforce plan checklist
by The NonProfit Times - March 21, 2013

With all of the good feeling of bringing help to someone in need, with all the sense of accomplishment from meeting fundraising goals, a nonprofits is still an employer, with employees doing their jobs day in and day out.

In “The Big Book of HR,” authors Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem emphasize the need for a workforce plan, a process that an organization uses to analyze its current workforce in light of what is projected over the length of the strategic plan.

7.4% Of World Workforce In Nonprofits | The NonProfit Times

7.4% Of World Workforce In Nonprofits | The NonProfit Times: The nonprofit workforce makes up on average 7.4 percent of the total workforce in some parts of the world — more than 10 percent in at least six countries. And, the sector has outpaced the overall economy in eight countries, including the United States, according to a new report.