Read to Feed Online Workshops for Educators | Heifer International | Charity Ending Hunger And Poverty

Read to Feed Online Workshops for Educators | Heifer International | Charity Ending Hunger And Poverty: Have you implemented Read to Feed in your school, or maybe you are thinking about it? Educators and teachers can go online to learn how to effecitively implement Heifer International's Read to Feed program and connect with other teachers engage in the program though new online workshops.

The workshops will be interactive and informative, using Blackboard Collaborate to provide a classroom-style online learning environment.

$60-Million Gift Pays for Financial Aid for Juilliard Students - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

$60-Million Gift Pays for Financial Aid for Juilliard Students - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The chairman of the Juilliard School’s board has donated $60-million to the New York conservatory to help a select group of students cover the cost of study and avoid heavy loan repayments after they graduate and enter the musical work force, writes The New York Times.

friends.amergent.com | Use all of your resources - Year-End Tips Part 1 of 3

friends.amergent.com | Use all of your resources - Year-End Tips Part 1 of 3: The End is Nigh

It’s that time of year again! As we once again ready ourselves for year-end fundraising, we asked our Account Managers to pass along their best advice. The ideas were diverse, but one thing they all agreed on: this is the time of year to pull out every bell and whistle.

Charities Demonstrate Impact of Shutdown - Government - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Charities Demonstrate Impact of Shutdown - Government - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Standing in a chilly wind swirling around the Capitol and Congressional offices, nearly 50 United Way leaders then spent the day meeting with elected officials to urge them to end the nine-day government shutdown that this week will begin to cut off food to low-income mothers and their babies when the federal Women, Infants and Children food program runs out of money.

Other groups such as the Coalition on Human Needs are also working to alert Congress to the impact the shutdown will have on nonprofits that receive federal dollars to deliver social services.

Top Tips for Engaging Donors During #GivingTuesday

Top Tips for Engaging Donors During #GivingTuesday: A recent check of the organizations seeing the value of the national effort reflects only 10 religious nonprofits listed on the initiative’s website, and of those, only one appears to be Jewish (JChoice.org)! Clearly, there is an opportunity for the Jewish community to take on a much larger role within the #GivingTuesday movement, especially since it is coinciding with Chanukah this year.

To help Jewish nonprofits make the most of this event, we offer the following tips:

Ancient mastodon teeth found in donation box of Michigan charity - NY Daily News

Ancient mastodon teeth found in donation box of Michigan charity - NY Daily News: Ancient mastodon teeth found in donation box of Michigan charity
The ‘In The Image’ charity discovered one tooth and one tusk in their collection boxes. The Christian organization decided to donate the unusual gift to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Shutdown Blues | The Jewish Week

Shutdown Blues | The Jewish Week: While national Jewish organizations are sorting through the essential services that the impasse may cut, regional Jewish service providers in the Washington area are dealing with the tens of thousands of furloughed workers in their midst.
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, in Rockville, Md., is adding exercise and yoga classes for furloughed government workers, its director, Michael Feinstein, told JTA.

Hand Up Gala provides gourmet meals for homeless in Cleveland | cleveland.com

Hand Up Gala provides gourmet meals for homeless in Cleveland | cleveland.com: But the Hand Up Gala, happening on Friday, Oct. 18, takes a different twist. This event not only benefits programs for the homeless, it's the homeless who will get to sit and be served meals on tables swathed in table cloths and accented with centerpieces.

YPO to Celebrate 58th Annual Gala VEGAS LIVE, 11/2

YPO to Celebrate 58th Annual Gala VEGAS LIVE, 11/2: Every year, the YPO Gala is a must-attend social event which benefits an exceptional arts organization, and our 2013 Gala will truly be a night to remember," said Patricia Mederos, President of YPO. "We are so grateful to this year's gala sponsors without whom YPO would not be able to further its mission of opera education."

Founded in l955, YPO is supported by a group of women who work without staff to advocate educational music programs and the Florida Grand Opera,

4 Interview Questions For Future Leaders | The NonProfit Times

4 Interview Questions For Future Leaders | The NonProfit Times: Leadership is a revolving door at nonprofits. While it might be nice to have one voice at the helm of your organization for many years, the reality is that your leader will leave that position at some point, whether by choice or circumstance. When that day comes, will you have a successor-in-waiting or will you be scrambling for a replacement? The answer to this question can depend on how you handle your employee interviews.

Nonprofit Urban Conservation Corps to close its doors because of government shutdown

Nonprofit Urban Conservation Corps to close its doors because of government shutdown: The nonprofit Urban Conservation Corps, which for several years has worked to give at-risk San Bernardino young people options other than crime, was shuttered this week along with its umbrella group, the Southern California Mountains Foundation.

Blame for the closures has been laid squarely at the feet of the federal government — the shutdown and lack of government funding.

Hot young Dallas philanthropists go Gatsby glam for Affair of the Art - CultureMap Dallas

Hot young Dallas philanthropists go Gatsby glam for Affair of the Art - CultureMap Dallas: A fire-breathing entertainer greeted more than 500 posh arts patrons at the 20th annual Affair of the Art. Held at the sculpture garden at the Dallas Museum of Art, it was sure to be a hot evening of fun and philanthropy with the theme "Great Gatsby meets New York World's Fair."

Charities furlough employees, brace for the worst - The Washington Post

Charities furlough employees, brace for the worst - The Washington Post: Several Washington area charities are furloughing employees, scaling back services and, in some cases, preparing for employee layoffs and possible closings as the federal government’s shutdown drags on.

Eleven charities have status revoked | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News

Eleven charities have status revoked | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda News: The Island’s non-profit community is boosting its standards, with the Bermuda chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) to be up and running by March.

The “love” pyramid | Agents of Good

The “love” pyramid | Agents of Good: The traditional donor pyramid. We find it presented at sessions and read about it on blogs.

And it’s broken.

It doesn’t work anymore.

It forces organizations to focus on one thing.

Money.

SPECIAL REPORT: U.S. Trust Study Reveals Disconnects in Philanthropic Conversations Between HNW Individuals and Professional Advisors | Planned Giving Design Center

SPECIAL REPORT: U.S. Trust Study Reveals Disconnects in Philanthropic Conversations Between HNW Individuals and Professional Advisors | Planned Giving Design Center: This is a must-read for advisors currently working with or wanting to work with HNW families, couples or individuals. Advisors are missing the boat according to the new study just released by The Philanthropic Initiative and commissioned by U.S. Trust. Learn when clients want you to start the philanthropic conversation, what they want to discuss, and what percentage of HNW individuals indicate they would be more likely to choose an advisor who is knowledgeable about charitable giving!

Bunch Ball Fundraising | The Pursuant Blog

Bunch Ball Fundraising | The Pursuant Blog: ve found myself reflecting on bunch ball through the lens of organizational theory and nonprofit fundraising. And I realize that the symptoms of bunch ball bear a great deal of resemblance to the symptoms of a similar malady afflicting many nonprofit fundraising programs:

Pamela Barden-Stand Proud and Don't Let the Naysayers Get You Down : FundRaising Success

Pamela Barden-Stand Proud and Don't Let the Naysayers Get You Down : FundRaising Success: As someone who has worked with direct mail for my entire career, I cringe when I hear "junk mail," roll my eyes when I hear the claim that rigor mortis has set in, and continue to urge anyone who will listen to invest in direct mail — but do it right.

Why?

Simply put, because direct mail works. Randy Brewer of Brewer Direct  recently said, "Let's not trade dollars for dimes," reflecting the reality that direct mail is still outraising newer forms of fundraising. Bottom line: It should never be "either/or" — smart fundraisers know they need to be digital-savvy, but they also need to be direct-mail-savvy.

An Executive Director’s Guide to Financial Leadership - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

An Executive Director’s Guide to Financial Leadership - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: There is an important distinction between financial management and financial leadership. Financial management is the collecting of financial data, production of financial reports, and solution of near-term financial issues. Financial leadership, on the other hand, is guiding a nonprofit organization to sustainability. This is the job of an executive director. He or she is responsible for developing and maintaining a business model that produces exceptional mission impact and sustained financial health. To do that successfully, the executive director has to be ever mindful of essential nonprofit business concepts and realities. The following is a guide to this way of thinking for an executive—a summary of what we see as the eight key business principles that should guide financial leadership practice.

Smokies hit by vandals during federal shutdown | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com

Smokies hit by vandals during federal shutdown | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com: But on Saturday night, someone blow-torched a locked gate at the junction of Newfound Gap Road and Clingmans Dome Road, broke through the gate, then proceeded up the road to the Clingmans Dome parking lot. They then used the torch on a Great Smoky Mountains Association donation box, in an attempt to gain access to the money inside, Jordan said. They caused significant damage to the box, but they were unsuccessful in stealing the money inside.

Not that they would have gotten much. “Anyone breaking into a donation box that no one can get to is not going to be the sharpest tool in the shed,” said Terry L. Maddox, executive director of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, which maintained the box.

Defense Department to Borrow Money From Nonprofit to Pay Benefits for Fallen Service Members During Shutdown | TheBlaze.com

Defense Department to Borrow Money From Nonprofit to Pay Benefits for Fallen Service Members During Shutdown | TheBlaze.com: The Defense Department has entered into an agreement with the Fisher House Foundation allowing the federal government to provide the family members of fallen service members with the full set of benefits they have been promised, including a $100,000 death gratuity payment, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced Wednesday.

Nonprofit status still is unclear: Hospital ruling delayed by federal shutdown - journalpatriot: News

Nonprofit status still is unclear: Hospital ruling delayed by federal shutdown - journalpatriot: News: The status was revoked in late spring by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) when a form 990 requested by the IRS was not received before the deadline set by the IRS.

The 501(c)(3) status allows donors to make tax-deductible donations to the hospital to the extent allowed by law. Also, non-profits do not have to pay federal income tax.

The decision now is being delayed by the government shutdown as over 90 percent of the IRS workforce has been furloughed.

Some DC charities reduce services, furlough workers as funding runs out due to shutdown

Some DC charities reduce services, furlough workers as funding runs out due to shutdown: WASHINGTON — Some Washington nonprofits are scaling back services and furloughing workers due to contracts and Medicaid reimbursements that aren't being paid during the government shutdown.

Government Shutdown Hurting Nonprofits | GuideStar Blog

Government Shutdown Hurting Nonprofits | GuideStar Blog: The House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of paying all furloughed government workers back pay when the shutdown ends. Congressman Michael Turner, R-Ohio, told the Christian Science Monitor that federal workers shouldn’t suffer consequences due to the government stalemate. While the weekend legislation was great news for 800,000 federal workers, it didn’t extend to the 1.4 million tax-exempt charities and nonprofits that also rely on government funding.

Impact of the federal shutdown on nonprofits | ACTion Alexandria

Impact of the federal shutdown on nonprofits | ACTion Alexandria: Thank you to Nonprofit Virginia for this informative article on how the federal shutdown will impact the nonprofit sector:

We’re now at day 4 of the Congressional shutdown – while the impasse may be resolved at any time, we’ve compiled a list to clarify the impacts as we know them on Virginia and some relevant federal programs. Thanks to our allies and partners (see links) for some data included below:

The AFP Blog: Help Us End the Shutdown

The AFP Blog: Help Us End the Shutdown: We in the charitable sector spend a lifetime in service to our causes, our donors and those who rely on our services. Congress is elected to serve the people it represents.

But only one of us is doing its job. Only one of us seems to understand the concept of service.
We need to let Congress know how their lack of dedication and service is hurting us and the people we serve. This isn’t about partisan politics—it’s about ensuring that we have the resources to do our jobs and continue our service to the people who depend on us.

Shutdown Watch: 'Dark Money' Nonprofits Take Sides in Budget Fight - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Shutdown Watch: 'Dark Money' Nonprofits Take Sides in Budget Fight - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The federal government shutdown has had a deep impact on nonprofits across the country. It was only a matter of time before nonprofits started trying to have an impact on the shutdown—specifically, the “dark money” groups that have become major vehicles for political advocacy.

Many, Many Post-mortems for the New York City Opera - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Many, Many Post-mortems for the New York City Opera - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Angie Moore-Why Do We Have to Keep Writing About Donor Retention? : FundRaising Success

Angie Moore-Why Do We Have to Keep Writing About Donor Retention? : FundRaising Success: It's almost like "retention" is in my inbox as much as "weight loss solutions" — and, similar to losing weight, I ask, why is this so hard? In my opinion, there are three reasons this seems to be such a problem for the nonprofit industry:

Focusing on growth as the priority vs. renewal
Not running the numbers
Inability to make changes in strategy

Is There Anything Jewish About Giving to Charity? – Forward.com

Is There Anything Jewish About Giving to Charity? – Forward.com: hese questions, which arise while reading “Charity: The Place of the Poor in the Biblical Tradition,” by Gary Anderson, a Catholic scholar who teaches at Notre Dame, may seem crude: Isn’t charity supposed to be its own reward? Not in Jewish tradition, which wrestles with the question of whether and how we will be compensated for sustaining the widow and the orphan and for being kind to the stranger.

Guest column: Corporate sponsorship changes philanthropy | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com

Guest column: Corporate sponsorship changes philanthropy | The Asheville Citizen-Times | citizen-times.com: This new and innovative approach to philanthropy — for-profit sponsors underwriting nonprofit outreach at entertainment events — could prove essential as traditional resources for those in need rapidly diminish.

Charity calendar celebrates the work of retired dogs - Lancashire Evening Post

Charity calendar celebrates the work of retired dogs - Lancashire Evening Post: The charity calendar, celebrating the work of retired Lancashire Police Dogs, is now on sale and will raise vital funds for the police charity.

New Jersey charities still can't sell raffle tickets online - pressofAtlanticCity.com: Breaking News

New Jersey charities still can't sell raffle tickets online - pressofAtlanticCity.com: Breaking News: New Jersey residents could begin gambling on the Internet this year. But they still won't be able to buy a raffle ticket online to support a local charity.

Nonprofit groups hoping to boost their fundraising dollars by adding an online component to annual raffles are being told by the state commission that regulates charity gambling that online ticket sales are illegal.

Class-action suit filed against charity ranked among nation’s worst | The Center for Investigative Reporting

Class-action suit filed against charity ranked among nation’s worst | The Center for Investigative Reporting: A donor has filed a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that he was duped into giving money to one of the worst charities in the country.

Children’s Wish Foundation International, based in Georgia, is No. 3 on a list of the nation’s 50 worst charities created by the Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting. The rankings are based on the amount of money charities spend on outside fundraisers.

Philanthropists donate $10 million to keep Head Start Programs open | 11alive.com

Philanthropists donate $10 million to keep Head Start Programs open | 11alive.com: ATLANTA -- Philanthropists Laura and John Arnold have donated $10 million in emergency funding to the National Head Start Association.

This donation makes it possible for "more than 7,000 at-risk children" to return to their Head Start programs.

Another Casualty of Federal Shutdown: Yellowstone Association - Yellowstone Insider

Another Casualty of Federal Shutdown: Yellowstone Association - Yellowstone Insider: More sad news to pass along regarding the ripple effects of the federal government shutdown: the nonprofit Yellowstone Association is furloughing employees and scaling back on its planned contribution to Yellowstone operations.

Bill and Melinda Gates foster philanthropy down under | Campden FB

Bill and Melinda Gates foster philanthropy down under | Campden FB: Bill and Melinda Gates met with some of Australia's wealthiest next gens last week as part of a programme to promote philanthropy among the nation's younger high net worth individuals.

Entrepreneurship Run Amok: Seattle’s $2,000 Homelessness Tour - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Entrepreneurship Run Amok: Seattle’s $2,000 Homelessness Tour - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Entrepreneurship Run Amok: Seattle’s $2,000 Homelessness Tour

Shut Down, Not Shut Off: What Can Nonprofits Learn From the Government Impasse? | Adnan Mahmud

Shut Down, Not Shut Off: What Can Nonprofits Learn From the Government Impasse? | Adnan Mahmud: The silver lining is that this conflict provides an opportunity for us to take stock of our work and make sure we focus on what's important. Three things that nonprofit leaders should consider, at this time and for future reference:

The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Editorial | Dude, where's my philanthropy

The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Editorial | Dude, where's my philanthropy: ut it’s better to inspire us because of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it than because of who you are. It might not be easy for the average student to relate to big-shot careers or people who have millions to pump into new organizations, but it’s relatively easy to connect to why someone’s passionate about what they’re doing to give back.

In this sense, we’d like to see not only big names at these events, but people whose lives have been defined more by their work on the ground than by what they did before giving back.

STERN: Rethinking Johnson’s gift | Yale Daily News

STERN: Rethinking Johnson’s gift | Yale Daily News: Unqualified praise further obscures the fact that this donation was also part of a larger, and potentially disturbing, trend. In the last couple decades, the largest donators to education went from nonprofit institutions to privately funded foundations. Education, public and private, is increasingly funded by billionaire philanthropists such as the Gates and Walton families.

While few are denying the generosity of these individuals, their influence is extremely troubling. The rise of private philanthropy in education is the rise of very few people having an inordinately loud voice in setting policy. The Gates Foundation, for instance, has no public accountability at all and has a specific political agenda; the Foundation opposes teacher tenure and strongly supports charter schools. Because of the massive amounts of money given, these positions tend to become increasingly adopted by both the public and policymakers, including by the Obama administration. Thus, a very few well-heeled individuals steer national policy. And as the gap between the poor and the uber-wealthy gets larger and larger, fewer and fewer people will have a say.

Metrics That Matter: The Links Between Advisors, Donors and Nonprofits

The Stelter Company :: Research/White Papers: Metrics That Matter: The Links Between Advisors, Donors and Nonprofits
Stelter's 2013 Insight Report examines the behaviors, attitudes and characteristics of professional advisors who interact with individuals and nonprofits on the topics of estate planning and planned giving. Our goal was to uncover intelligence to help guide nonprofits in their interactions with advisors and to position their organizations for greater fundraising success. Key insights include:

Advisors' attitudes surrounding ethics in introducing planned giving;
Who advisors trust for technical information on planned gifts;
Characteristics of advisors deemed "high producers";
Opportunities for greater synergy between advisors and nonprofits.