Fla. Passes Bill to Limit Solicitations by Nonprofits and Telemarketers – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Fla. Passes Bill to Limit Solicitations by Nonprofits and Telemarketers – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Fla. Passes Bill to Limit Solicitations by Nonprofits and Telemarketers

A year after the illegal-gambling scandal involving the lieutenant governor and a purported veterans charity, the Florida legislature has passed a bill to expand oversight of charities and telemarketers soliciting donations in the state, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Orchestras in Upstate N.Y. Stay Active Despite Challenges – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Orchestras in Upstate N.Y. Stay Active Despite Challenges – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: A case study of orchestras in upstate New York illustrates the challenges and newfound possibilities facing symphonies across the country, writes The New York Times.

Even though the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra filed for bankruptcy before the end of its 2010-11 season, orchestras in Albany, Buffalo, and Rochester continue to feature impressive ensembles despite economic un

What I Learned About Crowdfunding From Peruvian Chicken | Idea Lab | PBS

What I Learned About Crowdfunding From Peruvian Chicken | Idea Lab | PBS: Just like web-based crowdfunding, the pollada is a clever framing of the process of bringing people together to collaborate on a project. Just like a public crowdfunding campaign, the high level of mutual visibility at a pollada — we’re contributing (and partying) side by side with each other — is critical to its success. That mutual visibility breaks down “pluralistic ignorance”, the anxiety that we’re acting alone. It reinforces our sense of membership and produces the social benefits associated with belonging. One of the best explanations of these benefits is provided by Benkler and Nissenbaum’s work on commons-based peer production. Crowdfunding and the pollada most clearly convey what they call Cluster III benefits (benevolence, charity, generosity, altruism) and Cluster IV benefits (sociability, camaraderie, friendship, cooperation, civic virtue).

The Making of a Prospect - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

The Making of a Prospect - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Consider the term “prospect”: A fundraiser’s understanding of this word’s meaning can have a tangible impact on the accuracy of his or her financial projections and even on an organization’s bottom line. Most fundraisers classify the people from whom they hope to raise money into two categories: potential donors and donors. Traditionally, potential donors are known as prospects. However, Joyaux provides us with a predicate stage that exists in the field of development—“suspect.” Suspects are people “whose interests and actions suggest a possible inclination…toward your organization’s cause.”

Black, White, or Gray: How are Your Fundraising Ethics? | GuideStar Blog

Black, White, or Gray: How are Your Fundraising Ethics? | GuideStar Blog: Black, White, or Gray: How are Your Fundraising Ethics?

Scout's membership grows by one fifth in 10 years

Scout's membership grows by one fifth in 10 years: The Scout Association's annual census shows it has increased its members by 22 per cent to 550,000 in the last ten years.

The charity today announced plans to recruit an extra 58,000 young people with the aim of reaching 500,000 Scouts by 2018.

As well as more young people, the movement is looking to recruit 18,000 new adult volunteers by 2018 as the organisation steps up its work in deprived communities.

Employee or Volunteer: What’s the Difference?

Employee or Volunteer: What’s the Difference?: Nonprofit organizations frequently depend on the service and commitment of volunteers as well as the labor of employees. The skills and talents of both types of workers bring nonprofit missions to life. At first glance, the simple difference between these two types of workers is that employees get paid and volunteers don’t. Yet many nonprofit leaders have discovered that there is more to distinguishing between employees and volunteers than whether an individual receives a regular paycheck. This article explores two subtopics under the umbrella issue of employee versus volunteer status: whether employees may also volunteer, and the consequences of compensating volunteers.

Navigating a Nonprofit Corporation through Bankruptcy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Navigating a Nonprofit Corporation through Bankruptcy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: The nonprofit sector is an enormous contributor to the American economy, providing 5.5 percent of the nation’s GDP and employing 13.7 million people. Just like for-profit corporations, nonprofits can be susceptible to financial problems and insolvency, and may ultimately seek protection under the Bankruptcy Code (although, unlike for-profit corporations, nonprofits cannot be forced into bankruptcy involuntarily). While there is ample guidance for nonprofit directors regarding their fiduciary duties gen

Fundraising Silent Auctions: It's the Items, Stupid - Clairification

Fundraising Silent Auctions: It's the Items, Stupid - Clairification: Today I want to talk about the big kahuna: The Items

If you’ve got the right items, the auction is a winner for all concerned: the bidders, the donors, the item solicitors and your organization. If you’ve got th

The AFP Blog: The Key to Giving

The AFP Blog: The Key to Giving: hese trends are good for philanthropy. We need new ideas to keep philanthropy strong and vibrant and force fundraisers and charities to rethink strategy and tactics.

So I’m always taken aback by quotes like this from a recent Fast Company article about the rise of socially conscious buying: “Americans have done about what they are capable of or willing to do as far as donations go.”

Need for Global Philanthropy Extremely Urgent - Report | Pro Bono Australia

Need for Global Philanthropy Extremely Urgent - Report | Pro Bono Australia: Many global high net worth individuals describe the worldwide need for more philanthropic giving as ‘urgent’, according to the Individual Philanthropy Index from BNP Paribas Wealth Management.

More than 400 High Net Worth Individuals, with assets above $US5 million, replied to a survey conducted by Forbes Insight. The answers were analysed using three main criteria: giving, innovat

Fraudster gets new, longer prison term | New York Post

Fraudster gets new, longer prison term | New York Post: Opera-loving fraudster Alberto Vilar was re-sentenced Thursday to 10 years behind bars — a year longer than he originally received – for his 2008 fraud and money laundering conviction.

Manhattan federal Judge Richard Sullivan said a longer term was necessary since Vilar, 73, went out of his way to prevent victims from being repaid — and two died waiting to get their money back.

NBA Slams Donald Sterling; Will the NFL Do the Same to Dan Snyder? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

NBA Slams Donald Sterling; Will the NFL Do the Same to Dan Snyder? - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: here but for the grace of God go I. How many other billionaire owners of sports teams listened to the live press conference of NBA commissioner Adam Silver as he announced his decisions about Donald Sterling, owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, in the wake of Sterling’s recorded racist rant? A lifetime ban for Sterling from any participation in the NBA including the team he owns; a $2.5 million fine, the largest possible under league rules, for the billionaire owner; and Silver’s recommendation to the other owners of NBA teams that they force Silver to sell, which requires the assent of three-fourths of the owners.

We can think of one: Dan Snyder, whose ownership of the NFL franchis

Giving Tuesday Founder to Lead New York’s 92nd Street Y – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Giving Tuesday Founder to Lead New York’s 92nd Street Y – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Henry Timms, who spearheaded the launch of post-Thanksgiving philanthropic holiday Giving Tuesday, has been appointed to head Jewish cultural and community center the 92nd Street Y, The Wall Street Journal writes.

UCLA Cancels $3-Million Pledge from Donald Sterling Charity – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

UCLA Cancels $3-Million Pledge from Donald Sterling Charity – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The University of California at Los Angeles said Tuesday that it is terminating an agreement that would have brought the institution $3-million in research funds from the Donald T. Sterling Charitable Foundation, the Los Angeles Times writes.

United Way Hires Top Marketer for Brand Makeover – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

United Way Hires Top Marketer for Brand Makeover – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: United Way Worldwide, the country’s biggest nonprofit organization, has hired a veteran telecommunications and advertising executive to help energize its brand, reports the Associated Press.

San Diego Opera Crowdfunding Bid Raises $300,000 in 3 Days – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

San Diego Opera Crowdfunding Bid Raises $300,000 in 3 Days – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Turning to the crowd for financing to put on its next season, the embattled San Diego Opera took in more than $300,000 in the opening days of a $1-million online campaign, arts-news site Classicalite writes.

The campaign, launched Friday and running through May 19, is the latest move in efforts by the opera’s reconfigured board to save the 49-year-old company, which had been slated to shut down this month.

Study: Donors Want Workplace Giving Accountability | The NonProfit Times

Study: Donors Want Workplace Giving Accountability | The NonProfit Times: As workplace giving campaigns in the United States continue to grow more sophisticated, a new study by America’s Charities showed that many nonprofits are feeling pressure from their corporate partners to show more accountability when it comes to results measurement.

“Snapshot 2014: A Rising Tide of Expectations” surveyed people at 240 organizations across the country and asked questions about their partnerships and employee giving campaigns at major corporations. While the study found many alignments betw

Idaho Nonprofit Center helps nonprofits succeed - Idaho Press-Tribune: Local

Idaho Nonprofit Center helps nonprofits succeed - Idaho Press-Tribune: Local: BOISE — The Idaho Nonprofit Center works to help nonprofits succeed through training, research, providing resources and more. The Idaho Press-Tribune talked with the center to find out more about the organization.

How to Predict the Success of a Nonprofit Program Before It Starts – Measuring Up - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

How to Predict the Success of a Nonprofit Program Before It Starts – Measuring Up - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Measuring how much it costs to produce a single “unit” of impact, called “cost per outcome,” can tell with a high probability whether a nonprofit program will work. This method can save charities time and money and can make it easier for foundations to choose which programs to support.

4 Elements of Successful Crowdfunding Drawn from Digital Marketing - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

4 Elements of Successful Crowdfunding Drawn from Digital Marketing - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Rob Wu of CauseVox has written a simple yet brilliant post about what crowdfunding can learn from digital marketing. He believes that crowdfunding “is disrupting how donors want to give and shifting their preferences fundamentally. As a nonprofit, you have to change your approach to online fundraising just to keep up.”

He thinks that some of the necessary ingredients for digital marketing also apply to crowdfunding. Those ingredients include:

Some Unanswered Questions About Benefit Corporations, L3Cs, and Social Enterprise More Generally - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Some Unanswered Questions About Benefit Corporations, L3Cs, and Social Enterprise More Generally - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: At a conference co-sponsored by Georgetown University Law School and Independent Sector last week, the text and subtext about the forms of social enterprise revealed challenging issues that for-profit social entrepreneurs and, more importantly, nonprofits should ponder. Without providing a comprehensive pro or con on social enterprises, we offer here the most interesting issues that surfaced at this conference, which included speakers such as Jonathan Greenblatt from the White House, Phil Buchanan of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Rich Leimsider from Echoing Green, Anthony Bugg-Levine who heads the Nonprofit Finance fund, Elizabeth Grant from the Oregon Attorney General’s office, Erik Trojian from B Lab, and attorneys Matthew Elkin and Robert Wexler, just to name a few of the very knowledgeable experts gathered by Georgetown Law.

Seth's Blog: Deconstructing generosity

Seth's Blog: Deconstructing generosity: Deconstructing generosity

The connection economy is based on generosity. After all, why would someone want to connect to a selfish organization? But the critical need for generosity as an element of our new economy is easy to get lost because it leads to the question, “what is generosity?”

The obvious answer, I think, is the wrong one. Generosity is not merely giving a discount, or giving what you make away or creating a race to the bottom. It’s far more complex than that. Some thoughts:

Charities working to make collective impact � Philanthropy North Carolina

Charities working to make collective impact � Philanthropy North Carolina: ALEIGH, N.C. — Facing increasingly complex social and environmental problems, a growing number of nonprofits and donors are finding they can make a greater impact by working together than on their own.