Before You Hit Send: Your End of Year Fundraising Appeal Checklist | npENGAGE

Before You Hit Send: Your End of Year Fundraising Appeal Checklist | npENGAGE: With the season of giving just around the corner, it’s crucial that your organization is prepared to capitalize on the generosity of your donors and potential donors. A well-crafted fundraising appeal is the integral piece to your year-end ask. With this in mind, Lindsey Salmony has outlined the strategy and steps to crafting an ask that brings in more money to your organization. [And if you want to really step-up your game, take a look at the new eBook about writing and designing fundraising appeals that work!]

U.S. Diplomats and Soldiers Warned Off ‘Ice-Bucket Challenge’ – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

U.S. Diplomats and Soldiers Warned Off ‘Ice-Bucket Challenge’ – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The State and Defense departments and the House of Representatives have barred diplomats, the armed forces, and lawmakers, respectively, from participating in the “ice-bucket challenge” to raise money to combat the neural disease ALS, The Washington Post writes, citing reporting by the Associated Press, Military Times, and Politico.

Philanthropy in a Time of Polarization | Grantmakers in the Arts

Philanthropy in a Time of Polarization | Grantmakers in the Arts: nstitutional philanthropy, by law and by tradition, has had an indirect and often awkward connection to the policy process. For the most part, foundations don’t lobby directly for legislation, and they are prohibited from engaging in the kind of political activity — such as campaign spending — that gives other players leverage in policy making. Instead, leaders in philanthropy have pursued a vision of social change that rests on a set of long-held assumptions: that strong ideas and persuasive research, coupled with broad public support and validation by elites, will motivate elected officials; that policy proposals designed to reflect the ideological preferences of both major parties, or the poll-tested preferences of centrist voters, can provide a basis for insider bargaining; and that policy entrepreneurs who operate both inside and outside legislative bodies can act as advocates, sources of ideas and information, and mediators.

Let’s go global…there’s gold in them hills - 101fundraising

Let’s go global…there’s gold in them hills - 101fundraising: Whilst there is undoubtedly enormous opportunity to organisations to expand their fundraising internationally and certainly most of our clients have done so with great success over the last decade or so, in most cases non-profits would be far better if they focused their fundraising efforts in their home market. Those of you that know me as an obsessive on the theme and practice of globalising fundraising and as someone that has spent the last 30 years working in fundraising in over 50 countries, this may appear to heretical.

It’s going to take a lot more ice buckets to fill the NIH funding gap - The Washington Post

It’s going to take a lot more ice buckets to fill the NIH funding gap - The Washington Post: In the weeks since Facebook has been filled with ice bucket challenge videos, there's been a robust public debate over what it means that people are suddenly donating to ALS research at record rates. But this latest viral sensation is also highlighting how much philanthropy is having to step in to make up for the declining public investment in research to cure some terrible diseases.

Vexed in the city: Benioff says it's time to listen to the dissenters (Q&A) - CNET

Vexed in the city: Benioff says it's time to listen to the dissenters (Q&A) - CNET: As tech reshapes San Francisco, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff argues for a broader civic dialogue and says philanthropy offers a way to unite a city riven by increasing social discord.

Ice Bucket Challenge Goes Awry, Firefighters Hurt - ABC News

Ice Bucket Challenge Goes Awry, Firefighters Hurt - ABC News: A charity stunt that has grown into a social media phenomenon went terribly wrong for four Kentucky firefighters when a fire truck's ladder got too close to a power line after they dumped water on college students who were taking part in an "ice bucket challenge."

Three new studies explore celebrity engagement with charities | UK Fundraising

Three new studies explore celebrity engagement with charities | UK Fundraising: Three recent academic studies have explored charities’ use of celebrities to promote their causes.

Personalized Philanthropy and the Four Donors - Part 1 of 6 | Planned Giving Design Center

New series of articles from PGDC

Personalized Philanthropy and the Four Donors - Part 1 of 6 | Planned Giving Design Center: We are pleased to introduce this series of six articles as a companion to the book by Steven L Meyers, Personalized Philanthropy: Crash the Fundraising Matrix and Make the Real Shift to Donor-Focused Giving. While that book was written primarily for gift officers and professional advisors, these articles are written for advisors to share with donors – hopefully to begin a new conversation about philanthropy with clients/donors who ardently wish to support their most treasured charities. The articles aim to introduce some of the basic concepts of Personalized Philanthropy, a powerful new and tested model for charitable planning which challenges conventional fundraising practices in bridging current and future giving so that donor impact and recognition may begin immediately and scale up over time.

Generosity Continues with Ice Bucket Donations Reaching $41.8 Million - The ALS Association

Generosity Continues with Ice Bucket Donations Reaching $41.8 Million - The ALS Association: Generosity Continues with Ice Bucket
Donations Reaching $41.8 Million

Washington, D.C. (August 21, 2014) — As of Thursday, August 21, The ALS Association has received $41.8 million in donations compared to $2.1 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 21). These donations have come from existing donors and 739,275 new donors to The Association.

Speaking the Language of Nonprofit Donation Appeals

Speaking the Language of Nonprofit Donation Appeals: Nonprofits can’t indefinitely rely on the same fundraising appeal any more than for-profit businesses can use the same advertisement over and over again. In either case, the language and imagery of the marketing becomes predictable, boring, even invisible. Nonprofit professionals are constantly working on new appeals and marketing campaigns to catch the public’s attention. Development departments must be diligent, clever, and inventive to convince donors to take action.

Four Lessons Brands Can Learn From the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Four Lessons Brands Can Learn From the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: But, there are four characteristics of this trend that put it above the rest. In fact, this ice bucket challenge has four important lessons for brands. So, marketeers, take note:

Library of Online Resources Relating to Foundation Spend-Down | Philanthropy Central

Library of Online Resources Relating to Foundation Spend-Down | Philanthropy Central: Library of Online Resources Relating to Foundation Spend-Down

As part of the Center's ongoing project on spend-down, we are assembling a library of online reports, case studies, and other resources. Included in the library are documents produced by the Center and by other institutions, including foundations. If you are aware of any resources that should be included in the library but are not listed below, please bring them to the attention of Mary Grimm at mary.grimm@duke.edu.

Steps to a Successful Spend Down: Strategic Priorities | GrantCraft

Steps to a Successful Spend Down: Strategic Priorities | GrantCraft: At the Andrea & Charles Bronfman Philanthropies (ACBP), we have continuously researched spend down organizations since the decision was made to sunset ACBP by 2016.

We have been surprised by the limited content available on the process of how foundations spend down, rather than the more broadly discussed topic of why foundations spend down. (We’re glad to see this starting to change, with resources like Duke University’s online spend down research library).

Guest Post: The Language of Crowdfunding, Philanthropy and Impact Investing | Social Velocity

Guest Post: The Language of Crowdfunding, Philanthropy and Impact Investing | Social Velocity: One of those non-work related blogs that I read is Popville, which chronicles activities in Washington, DC neighborhoods. This July and last, two local businesses sought financing through crowdfunding platforms, and reached out to Popville readers for support. Both cited the community focus of their enterprises as reasons to financially support their efforts. What ensued in the comment thread of both posts provides a snapshot into how those outside of the philanthropy and impact investing field understand and discuss crowdfunding, charitable giving, and investing with the intention to generate social and financial returns.

#IceBucketChallenge Wisdom From 'Jackass' Steve-O - The Daily Beast

#IceBucketChallenge Wisdom From 'Jackass' Steve-O - The Daily Beast: But when the end result is tens of millions raised, do the shades of vanity or petty grudges truly matter? Not really, according to Andrew Watt, the president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

“Yes, a celebrity is getting favorable coverage out of it—but in doing that, they’re also pushing considerable revenue in the direction of the ALS foundation,” Watt tells The Daily Beast. “And they’re raising awareness of Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is not something people are particularly familiar with.”

Ebola Crisis Raises Profile of Faith Group Samaritan’s Purse – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Ebola Crisis Raises Profile of Faith Group Samaritan’s Purse – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: he Ebola outbreak in West Africa has brought greater attention to Samaritan’s Purse, the well-funded but relatively low-profile Christian relief charity led by Franklin Graham, the Rev. Billy Graham’s son, writes The Washington Post.

Bain Capital Buys 50% Stake in Toms Shoes – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Bain Capital Buys 50% Stake in Toms Shoes – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Private-equity firm Bain Capital has purchased half of Toms Shoes in a move aimed at speeding growth of the social enterprise that pioneered a model of for-profit philanthropy with its giveaway of a pair of shoes to a needy child for each pair sold, Bloomberg and The New York Times write.

Ice-Bucket Torrent Reaches $8.6-Million in a Day and Douses Ex-President – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Ice-Bucket Torrent Reaches $8.6-Million in a Day and Douses Ex-President – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Ice-Bucket Torrent Reaches $8.6-Million in a Day and Douses Ex-President

The flood of “ice-bucket challenge” donations to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease reached a new crest Wednesday as the ALS Association reported taking in $8.6-million over a 24-hour period, Time writes.

Get to know news people � Philanthropy North Carolina

Get to know news people � Philanthropy North Carolina: If you want the news media to cover your nonprofit, you need to work for it.

Just as you likely would not ask for a big gift when contacting a donor for the first time, don’t expect to get a front-page story the first time you contact a reporter.

So cultivate relationships with reporters, editors and news producers at your local news outlets, just as you would with prospective donors.

Anyone Can Be A Philanthropist! | Bissell Centre - Where Hope Finds Help

Anyone Can Be A Philanthropist! | Bissell Centre - Where Hope Finds Help: Most often when the media mention a philanthropist, they are referencing a person or a family of considerable wealth who are using their good fortune to help address social problems. While it is true that a billionaire can have more impact than I can, I believ

Ice Bucket Challenge Still Going Strong: $31.5 Million in Donations to The ALS Association - The ALS Association

Ice Bucket Challenge Still Going Strong: $31.5 Million in Donations to The ALS Association - The ALS Association: Ice Bucket Challenge Still Going Strong: $31.5 Million in Donations to The ALS Association

Washington, D.C. (August 20, 2014) — As of Wednesday, August 20, The ALS Association has received $31.5 million in donations compared to $1.9 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 20). These donations have come from existing donors and 637,527 new donors to The Association.

Mid-Level Donors Getting A Cold Shoulder | The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

Mid-Level Donors Getting A Cold Shoulder | The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: Mid-level donors might live in a strange place in your development department. They’re not serviced with the same automation that your direct mail file is, but they also most likely don’t warrant the personal touch of the major giving department.

“In spite of the fact that they’re producing revenue, they’re neglected,” said Cathy Finney, deputy vice president of strategic services at The Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C. “We’re not paying a lot of attention,” she said.

Low Donor Retention Takes More Than A Board Meeting To Solve | GuideStar Blog

Low Donor Retention Takes More Than A Board Meeting To Solve | GuideStar Blog: How involved is your board in the fight against low donor retention?

Business owners, executives and other for-profit professionals are used to customer renewal rates of 90% or more. That’s why most board members are shocked when they learn that the charity they serve has a low donor retention rate.

Arts groups still struggle to survive - Connecticut Post

Arts groups still struggle to survive - Connecticut Post: he Ailey concert was free, but donations were accepted, and many tied to Neighborhood Studios hoped those in attendance would be generous. "Fundraising is a major issue -- more this year than other years," said Frank Derico, executive director of the 37-year-old organization.

Though charitable giving rebounded both nationally and in Connecticut since the 2008 recession, many small nonprofits are still struggling. That's particularly true of organizations connected to the arts that don't have endowments, such as Neighborhood Studios.

The AFP Blog: The #IceBucketChallenge

The AFP Blog: The #IceBucketChallenge: The #IceBucketChallenge
Chances are, you’ve heard about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. At this point, how could you not?

The challenge involves people getting doused with buckets of ice water on video, posting the video to social media and then nominating others to do the same. If you refuse to take the challenge, then you’re asked to make a donation to the ALS charity of your choice.

Both Sides Make Fiscal Concessions in Metropolitan Opera Labor Deal – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Both Sides Make Fiscal Concessions in Metropolitan Opera Labor Deal – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Metropolitan Opera musicians and singers accepted two pay cuts in the coming year while management agreed to trim millions of dollars in expenses under tentative labor agreements between the company and its two biggest unions, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal report.

Livestrong Donates $50-Million to U. of Texas Medical School – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Livestrong Donates $50-Million to U. of Texas Medical School – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: he Livestrong Foundation announced a 10-year, $50-million gift Tuesday to establish a cancer-care project at the University of Texas’s Dell Medical School, The Texas Tribune reports.

The Livestrong Cancer Institutes will be a collaboration between the Austin-based cancer charity and the medical school, which is set to open in 2016,

Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Summer Benefit Returns to the Hamptons | Haiti EarthQuake

Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund Summer Benefit Returns to the Hamptons | Haiti EarthQuake: The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund is holding a Summer Benefit on August 22nd in Sagaponack, New York, hosted by the Co-Founders of the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and BGC Partners, Howard Lutnick, along with his wife Allison and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund President, Edie Lutnick. They will welcome guests to a fundraiser on the beach to benefit victims of terrorism, natural disasters and emergencies, as well as over 200 direct

D.C. Judge OKs Corcoran Merger – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

D.C. Judge OKs Corcoran Merger – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: A judge has approved a merger of the Corcoran Gallery of Art with the National Gallery of Art and George Washington University, the Associated Press and the Washington Business Journal report.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert Okun’s ruling on Monday will effectively mean the dissolution of one of Washington’s oldest arts institutions, which has an estimated $2-billion in assets.

A well prepared survey can bring great value to a nonprofit | Miratel Solutions

A well prepared survey can bring great value to a nonprofit | Miratel Solutions: Providing you have a reasonably broad sample population of supporters to work with, a survey can provide invaluable information about your next best steps plus it’s not expensive to conduct in the online era

First major study of charity mergers is published

From the UK.



First major study of charity mergers is published: Some 4 per cent of people working in the charity sector were involved in a merger last year, suggests a comprehensive new study of mergers in the sector.

The research, by Eastside Primetimers, aimed to collect data on mergers that occurred in England and Wales between January 2013 and April 2014, where the transferring organisation was a registered charity.

The researchers identified 189 organisations that undertook 90 deals, affecting more than 32,000 employees or 4 per cent of the charity sector workforce.

Philanthropy, entrepreneurship flavor 2014’s 40 - Business Examiner - August 2014 - Tacoma, WA

Philanthropy, entrepreneurship flavor 2014’s 40 - Business Examiner - August 2014 - Tacoma, WA: And perhaps most indicative of the South Sound’s continuing dedication to the betterment of the lives of its residents, this year’s class is peppered with honorees working for nonprofit groups and business incubators, from organizations dedicated to the mentorship of local youth to groups focused on keeping the South Sound’s work force employed. And many honorees who aren’t directly involved sit on various boards and contribute their time to myriad local causes, not just to network, but because of a genuine desire to make their community a better place.

Should Mature Nonprofits Allow Board Micromanagement? | Nonprofit Management

Should Mature Nonprofits Allow Board Micromanagement? | Nonprofit Management: Accepted View of Micromanagement: “…Directors spend more time with the details of the operations instead of planning its short-term and long-term growth strategies. …
(http://linkd.in/1q84pMm)

The Need for a Micromanaging Board
Board micromanagement is an appropriate approach when a nonprofit is in a start-up stage. Financial and human resources are modest, and the volunteer directors must assume some responsibilities normally executed by compensated staff. The chief executive often has managerial responsibilities as well as a list of clients to service. It is not unusual to promote a person who is only familiar with direct service to become the first chief executive of the organization. In turn , this neophyte manager has to depend on board members for managerial counsel and direction. A culture of board dependency is created out of necessity.

College Fund-Raising Rises 5.2 Percent – The Ticker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education

College Fund-Raising Rises 5.2 Percent – The Ticker - Blogs - The Chronicle of Higher Education: College Fund-Raising Rises 5.2 Percent

Fund-raising in higher education grew by an estimated 5.2 percent in the 2014 fiscal year, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education reported on Tuesday. That was a full percentage point below the 6.2-percent increase that was predict

The Guy Who Kickstarted Potato Salad Wasn’t Just Trolling Us All | TechCrunch

The Guy Who Kickstarted Potato Salad Wasn’t Just Trolling Us All | TechCrunch: It’s come to our attention that PotatoStock is a go. Zack “Danger” Brown, a Columbus, Ohio native, previously confirmed that he will put the proceeds raised from his potato salad Kickstarter to good use, namely founding PotatoStock, a philanthropic music festival featuring “gallons” of potato salad.