Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Counting on Charity: The Fundamental Issue in the Wounded Warrior Project Inquiry

Counting on Charity: The Fundamental Issue in the Wounded Warrior Project Inquiry: "The Fundamental Issue in the Wounded Warrior Project Inquiry
The recent letter released by Senator Chuck Grassley in his examination of the Wounded Warrior Project delves into, and seeks additional clarity on, the organization’s accounting practices, in particular those that give rise to its reported 80.6% program expense ratio.  As an accountant, I am tempted to delve into the details (Jim Ulvog does so deftly here).  However, I will instead focus on what I believe is the fundamental question being asked of the organization."



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2016 Charitable Giving Outlook Weakens Amid Market Volatility, Lowered GDP

Press Release from Atlas of Giving



2016 Charitable Giving Outlook Weakens Amid Market Volatility, Lowered GDP: "DALLAS, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Charitable giving will fall well short of the gains experienced in 2015 as wild market swings and economic uncertainty challenge fundraising results for many U.S. charities, according to a new forecast.

In its latest report, the Atlas of Giving estimates that charities nationwide in 2016 are unlikely to get anywhere near the solid 4.6 percent increase in giving recorded in 2015.

Rather, the forecast projects charities will likely see total 2016 charitable giving range from a decline of 0.9 percent to a modest 1.4 percent increase. Nonprofits are already feeling the pain — through the first quarter of 2016, giving has remained flat compared to first quarter 2015."



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Sen. Grassley and Senate Judiciary Committee Unpersuaded by Wounded Warrior Answers | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Sen. Grassley and Senate Judiciary Committee Unpersuaded by Wounded Warrior Answers | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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The Plan Requires Leaders, Team, Organizational Approach - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

The Plan Requires Leaders, Team, Organizational Approach - The NonProfit Times: "Looking at the program as a series of steps can make it appear, and be, much less intimidating. Those steps must be taken by both leaders and team members.

During the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Fundraising Conference, Kerry-Ann Powell of The Harvest Group offered the necessary steps for plan implementation, using as an example the fundraising effort by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation to build a monument to the slain civil rights hero. Powell offered the following steps:"



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Monday, May 16, 2016

Governance and Accountability: A Different Choice for Nonprofits | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Governance and Accountability: A Different Choice for Nonprofits | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Governance is of central concern to nonprofits, yet theories of nonprofit governance are underdeveloped in comparison with corporate governance; and, specifically, it appears that knowledge of governance practices to achieve broadened accountability to multiple and diverse stakeholder groups has lagged. This article aims to expose and question the assumptions and asymmetrical power relations that are often taken for granted in the most normative of the governance theories used by nonprofits. In doing so, I challenge the notion of accountability as a somewhat benign and straightforward governance function, and recast it as a challenging, complex choice."



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Runners race up One World Trade for charity | New York Post

Runners race up One World Trade for charity | New York Post: "They took the long way up — for a good cause.

About 1,000 people raced to the top of the World Trade Center on Sunday morning to pay tribute to the first responders who put their lives on the line Sept. 11, 2001."



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Friday, May 13, 2016

Are you too proud to be a toilet roll philanthropist? - FT.com

Are you too proud to be a toilet roll philanthropist? - FT.com: "T
Toilet roll seems an unlikely metaphor for effective philanthropy. Yet I’ve heard of a donor who specifically funds loo rolls in London museums and galleries on the simple grounds that this kind of donation is both necessary and tough to fund.
Many donors want to fund the glamorous stuff: front-line programmes, identifiable projects and new buildings being prime examples. To do so, many “restrict” their gifts to those items. The main problem with this approach is that donors generally all want to fund the same things — none of which include loos, core staff or rent."



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How impact investing is changing philanthropy - Technical.ly Baltimore

How impact investing is changing philanthropy - Technical.ly Baltimore: "Impact investing can lead to new strategies for entrepreneurs and mission-driven businesses. That means room for new people to receive investment.

“It cannot just be about the elites. It really has to include everyone,” said Case Foundation President Jean Case, echoing a core belief that’s reflected both in the foundation’s work and the message of her husband, AOL cofounder Steve Case. She made the remarks during a panel of foundation presidents at the Mission Investors Exchange conference this week in Baltimore."



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Clinton Foundation takes steps to be rated by charity watchdog | GantNews.com

Clinton Foundation takes steps to be rated by charity watchdog | GantNews.com: "The Clinton Foundation’s critics may soon have less ammunition to suggest the organization lacks transparency.

The charity has taken initial steps toward regaining a rating by Charity Navigator, a major charity watchdog that assesses over 8,000 organizations on a scale of zero to four stars.

The Clinton Foundation, headed by former President Bill Clinton, indicated on May 10 that it is interested in receiving a rating and is looking into whether it can provide the needed financial information, CNNMoney has learned."



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San Francisco to host new urban innovation lab

San Francisco to host new urban innovation lab: "With access to a variety public, private, academic and nonprofit entities — two of the world's largest and most influential digital companies, Twitter and Uber, are located across the street from the new Superpublic space — Hirshberg and the team behind the project saw "there was an opportunity to do serious work ... across government agencies.""



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Thursday, May 12, 2016

How Many Foundations Require Matching Funds, and Why?

How Many Foundations Require Matching Funds, and Why?: "How many foundations require "matching funds" as a contingency for making a grant? What is the philosophy behind matching funds for grants?

When a reader posed this question, I turned to the Foundation Center for answers. It turns out that the Center does not track the number of foundations that require matching funds to receive a grant. But its online database shows more than 2,500 grantmakers that may provide (but do not require) matching/challenge support. "



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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Kimbia CEO to Forfeit Salary in Plan to Address Give Local America Debacle - NonProfit PRO

Kimbia CEO to Forfeit Salary in Plan to Address Give Local America Debacle - NonProfit PRO:



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Corporate Branding of National Parks: The Disturbing Link between Philanthropy and Privatization | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Corporate Branding of National Parks: The Disturbing Link between Philanthropy and Privatization | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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Entrepreneurial Nonprofits: Van Gogh Museum’s Ambitious Consulting Program | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Entrepreneurial Nonprofits: Van Gogh Museum’s Ambitious Consulting Program | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "In every part of the world, elite museums are feeling the pinch. No matter how revered their collections or how august their history, no institution of fine art is without its challenges when it comes to the day-to-day costs associated with managing a major collection. But some museums are apparently more entrepreneurial at finding sources of funds than others. Faced with reduced government subsidies and increased taxes on commercial enterprises like gift shops, the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands has recently announced it will begin offering its professional services to private collectors, corporations, and other fine art institutions."



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GuideStar Introduces Program Metrics Section for Nonprofit Profiles | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

GuideStar Introduces Program Metrics Section for Nonprofit Profiles | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "GuideStar, the nonprofit repository of information on 2.4 million U.S. nonprofits visited by 7 million people annually, is adding a new way for organizations to report quantifiable data in support of their program achievements. GuideStar Platinum was developed as a way for nonprofits to provide non-financial data to demonstrate effectiveness, thereby addressing the pitfalls of the “overhead myth,” which gauges an organization’s worthiness of support by measuring its effectiveness in terms of its expenditures on program services versus management and fundraising."



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Overlooked in the Wounded Warrior Project scandal: families who rely on its handouts

Overlooked in the Wounded Warrior Project scandal: families who rely on its handouts: "As Wounded Warrior Project battles allegations its former executives violated public trust, they face the real fear that donations will start to dry up.

Tracy Keil worries that will leave her family with more than $50,000 a month in healthcare expenses."



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Mass. Nonprofit Employment Outpaces Overall Job Growth

massnonprofit news ::: "Mass. Nonprofit Employment Outpaces Overall Job Growth"



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The AFP Blog: Coming Together for the Profession, the Community

The AFP Blog: Coming Together for the Profession, the Community: "The AFP Edmonton & Area Chapter, along with AFP Canada leaders, have provided a list of services of services and resources for AFP members and others affected by the fires. I’m pleased to pass the information they collected along—you can find the list here."



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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Former Head of Charity Navigator Takes Over at Troubled NY Arts Charity | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Former Head of Charity Navigator Takes Over at Troubled NY Arts Charity | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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13 Steps To Building Rapport With For-Profit Partners - The NonProfit Times

13 Steps To Building Rapport With For-Profit Partners - The NonProfit Times"Enlisting the cooperation of businesses to start a cause marketing campaign is a lot like fundraising in general: building rapport with the targeted company is essential even before the partnership begins.

A cause marketing arrangement, or commercial co-venture, is more than just a business partnership. Both the nonprofit and the for-profit hope to gain from the relationship, in both dollars raised and image heightened. A nonprofit that hopes to swoop in, use a corporate sponsor to make fast cash and then run off into the sunset is a nonprofit that will almost certainly fall flat. Trust and mutual respect are extremely important."



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ICYMI: Last One Picked - Millennials Fear Being Left Out - The NonProfit Times

ICYMI: Last One Picked - Millennials Fear Being Left Out - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: "ou’re in the process of organizing a fundraising event. Do you have your venue and entertainment booked? Check. Is your fundraising team hard at work engaging donors and driving up attendance? Check. Are you taking advantage of FOMO?

FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is a colloquialism among Millennials, according to author Darian Rodriguez-Heyman and KC Fox, senior marketing manager at Eventbrite. It might also be used as a means of driving youth toward your next event, the duo said during a session at the recent Association of Fundraising Professionals’ international conference in Boston."



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9 Elements of Necessary Infrastructure Development - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

9 Elements of Necessary Infrastructure Development - The NonProfit Times "Plenty of hard work goes into planning a fundraising campaign, but the hard work doesn’t stop with the idea or the planning. It is necessary to stay on top of things all along the way.

Speaking at the Association of Fundraising Professionals International Fundraising Conference, Kerry-Ann Powell of The Harvest Group discussed parts of the work that went into making the effort by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation a success in its fundraising project to build a monument to the slain civil rights leader."



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7 hopeful trends in philanthropy / Nonprofit With Balls

7 hopeful trends in philanthropy / Nonprofit With Balls:
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5 Ways We Can Do Philanthropy Better

5 Ways We Can Do Philanthropy Better: "One of the biggest fallacies of philanthropy is the expectation that money will solve everything and that more money equals greater results. Trillions of dollars are spent globally on social and environmental issues, and very few problems have been solved. Why is that?"



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One Lesson from the #iGiveLocal “Give Local America” Fiasco | Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

One Lesson from the #iGiveLocal “Give Local America” Fiasco | Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog: "Instead, this post is about lessons learned for communications pros. And there will be many that come out of this.
One big obvious one is that you need the ability to redirect quickly all the traffic your campaigns have generated elsewhere when your primary page or even your whole site goes down.
Many — probably most? — of the thousands of nonprofits participating in Give Local campaigns across America were sending donors directly to donation pages on Kimbia’s platform.  When the platform failed, they had no easy way to send the traffic elsewhere."



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Why Can’t the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector Scale Generosity? #givedaylessons | Beth’s Blog

Why Can’t the Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector Scale Generosity? #givedaylessons | Beth’s Blog: "Experiencing a cascading technology failure in real time for just one community is painful enough.  But it was heart wrenching to watch, in real time, community after community experience this fiasco.  Instead of scaling community giving and philanthropy and empowering their local nonprofits to use crowd funding, Give Local America Day amplified frustration, panic, hopelessness, and anger. "



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Monday, May 09, 2016

Dave Matthews Band: 25 years of music — and charitable giving - Roanoke Times: Virginia

Dave Matthews Band: 25 years of music — and charitable giving - Roanoke Times: Virginia: "Tinsley, Beauford and the late Moore grew up in the same Charlottesville neighborhood. Beauford and Moore were accomplished jazz musicians when Matthews approached them, and Tinsley had learned violin through classical music.
Lessard was playing both jazz and classical music on the bass.
They got together, recorded some demos, started getting regular gigs and soon became a popular regional draw.
The band began putting money into the community shortly after it became a regular on the summer tour circuit in the U.S. and internationally. After signing a recording contract with RCA Records, the band completed its big-label debut, “Under the Table and Dreaming,” in 1994, kicking off its first international tour with a concert in Charlottesville."



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Charity organizers struggle in crowded field of events | TribLIVE

Charity organizers struggle in crowded field of events | TribLIVE: "After a two-year hiatus, Best Buddies Pennsylvania and supporters decided to resuscitate their 5K fundraiser last fall.

They knew the competition was steep.

Like places nationwide, greater Pittsburgh has observed an inundation of charity walks packing the calendar most weekends from late spring through early fall."



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Facebook, Twitter play different roles in connecting mobile readers to news | Pew Research Center

Facebook, Twitter play different roles in connecting mobile readers to news | Pew Research Center:



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'Star Wars' Charity Event Forced to Change Theme After Lucasfilm Cease-and-Desist Order - NonProfit PRO

'Star Wars' Charity Event Forced to Change Theme After Lucasfilm Cease-and-Desist Order - NonProfit PRO: "Hard to see, the Dark Side is—especially when you can’t use your lightsaber to light the way.
Newmindspace, a Toronto-based nonprofit, has rebranded its popular charity lightsaber battles as the “Cats in Space Tour” after it received a cease-and-desist letter from Lucasfilm’s lawyers for using trademarked terms, the Toronto Star reported."



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Does your nonprofit really need a celebrity spokesperson?

Does your nonprofit really need a celebrity spokesperson?: "According to the article Signifying the Public: Celebrity Advocacy and Post-Democratic Politics published in the International Journal of Cultural Studies, celebrity spokespeople can help nonprofits achieve social and political goals but their ability to influence donors is limited. The researchers found that “people support charities because of personal connections in their lives and families which made these causes important, not because of the celebrities.”

There was a similar finding in the article Analysis of the Value of Celebrity Affiliation to Nonprofit Contributions published in the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. This study found that “the effect of celebrity affiliation on donations is relatively small and likely secondary to prospective donors’ primary focus on the charity’s core mission, beneficiaries, and activities.”"



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Friday, May 06, 2016

Star Wars: Force For Change charity campaign raises $2 million

Star Wars: Force For Change charity campaign raises $2 million: "The Star Wars: Force For Change charity campaign is over. Yesterday, Daisy Ridley urged fans to donate one last time!

Yesterday was May the 4th, the previously low-key and now very much mainstream “Star Wars Day.”"



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The Power of One and the Power of Community: Part 3 | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

The Power of One and the Power of Community: Part 3 | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "How does this relate to NPQ readers?

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with my column at NPQ. And you’re also probably wondering what this has to do with your nonprofits and your board members, your fundraisers and your fundraising.

A whole lot, as far as I’m concerned. Just read the articles in NPQ. Share them with your boss and boards. What are the implications and applications for your NGO?

Just look at the reviews of nonprofits and their boards and their staff. NPQ reminds us to read these."



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14 Observations for the next Executive Director | Intermountain Impact Investments

14 Observations for the next Executive Director | Intermountain Impact Investments: "We had been discussing this move for nearly a decade, so it wasn’t a big surprise for us.  In our final days, however, my successor as Executive Director asked if I might jot down some recommendations and observations.  Then, he could totally ignore them at his own discretion.  If they are words worth his lack of attention, I bet you might benefit by ignoring them too."



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Thursday, May 05, 2016

Where’s the Community Accountability in Impact Investing? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Where’s the Community Accountability in Impact Investing? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "The concept of impact investment, which has the explicit purpose of supporting economic and community development, is receiving a growing amount of attention from an increasingly diverse set of financial players. This emerging trend is one of the most exciting, and at the same time potentially problematic, trends I’ve seen over the last decade. As with any new field, impact investing raises consequential questions and issues, with the answers and intended results remaining up for grabs.

Let’s consider the following questions to start:"



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Glitch Torpedoes Give Local AmericaThe NonProfit Times

Glitch Torpedoes Give Local AmericaThe NonProfit Times: "Technical difficulties brought Give Local America to a screeching halt yesterday, forcing some communities to extend the 24-hour crowdfunding event for at least another day."



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How to discourage donors from making a difference - Future Fundraising Now

How to discourage donors from making a difference - Future Fundraising Now: "Fundcrushing is a form of anti-fundraising that works on the mistaken assumption that people will want to respond to a situation if they understand how huge it is."



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Wednesday, May 04, 2016

After naming controversy, alumni call for organization-specific donations

After naming controversy, alumni call for organization-specific donations: "In light of the University’s recent, controversial naming decisions — which many members of the Yale community argue were motivated by the preferences of wealthy donors — two Yale College alumni are asking their peers to donate to Yale organizations that promote diversity and inclusion rather than to the University generally."



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Philanthropy Can Help Save Rust Belt Cities, If Labor Helps Too - Forbes

Philanthropy Can Help Save Rust Belt Cities, If Labor Helps Too - Forbes: "But theirs is a story with a lesson that goes beyond Detroit—and could, if rightly understood, be extended to include—and give new life to—other Rust Belt cities. Like Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, St. Louis and especially Chicago are straining under the burden of “legacy costs” and a paralyzed politics that’s been unable to deal with them, even as city services erode. (So, too, does recently-notorious Flint, Michigan.) In a new paper for the Manhattan Institute, I run some numbers and find that a Detroit-style “grand bargain” approach could—with the same level of financial contributions from both big philanthropy and organized labor"



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Tuesday, May 03, 2016

California Charities Pan Philanthropic ‘Warning Label’ - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

California Charities Pan Philanthropic ‘Warning Label’ - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: "Nonprofits in California are rising up in opposition against a proposed bill that would serve as a “warning label” to charitable solicitation in the state. About 800 state charities have come out in opposition."



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Monday, May 02, 2016

Press Releases |The Blackbaud Index: Overall Charitable Giving to Nonprofits Down

Press Releases | BlackbaudNews.com: "The Blackbaud Index: Overall Charitable Giving to Nonprofits Down

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Nicole McGougan
The Blackbaud Index reported that overall charitable giving to nonprofits decreased 0.1% while online giving increased 6.5% for the three months ending March 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.
As reported in the recently released Charitable Giving Report, overall giving in the United States increased 1.6% while online giving grew 9.2% for the full year 2015 as compared to the full year 2014. To learn more about how nonprofit fundraising performed in 2015, download the full report at www.blackbaud.com/charitablegiving."



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Keeping It in Reserve: Grantmaking for a Rainy Day | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Keeping It in Reserve: Grantmaking for a Rainy Day | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "So, having only just gained some collective traction around the value of grants for general operations, it may seem premature to make a case for a type of grantmaking that, if anything, departs even further from the traditional program-focused model. Nonetheless, that is the case we will be making in this article: to highlight another potential item in the philanthropic tool kit for supporting and strengthening grantees. This is grantmaking that bypasses operations altogether and instead looks to strengthen the financial position of grantees by providing funding for financial reserves and liquidity."



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Friday, April 29, 2016

Study identifies challenges facing Black-led nonprofits - The Philadelphia Tribune: News

Study identifies challenges facing Black-led nonprofits - The Philadelphia Tribune: News: "The Philadelphia African American Leadership Forum released a new report Thursday titled “How African American-Led Organizations Differ From White-Led Organizations.”
The study was designed to articulate the unique and critical value of African-American-led nonprofits, as well as the challenges these organizations face."



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LACMA receives a historic $75-million windfall, creating an energetic and hope-filled momentum - LA Times

LACMA receives a historic $75-million windfall, creating an energetic and hope-filled momentum - LA Times: "Elaine Wynn, who is one of the world's top art collectors and became a museum co-chair last year, has pledged $50 million to the project. At the same time, former Univision chairman A. Jerrold Perenchio has promised $25 million. Combined, it amounts to the largest monetary donation in the museum's history."



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A Major $100 Million Infusion of Social Benefit Investing for Chicago Area | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

A Major $100 Million Infusion of Social Benefit Investing for Chicago Area | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Charities need to be honest about running costs | Voluntary Sector Network | The Guardian

Charities need to be honest about running costs | Voluntary Sector Network | The Guardian: "The reality is that any organisation, including a commercial company, needs to spend money on running its operations. This means that a charity really does need a head office to control the organisation, as well as ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. Even volunteers cost money: they need to be trained, coordinated and supported, and that all requires resources. The myth that charities can operate with zero overheads is utterly misleading and creates the illusion in the public’s mind – and it damages the rest of the charity "



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Giving Workers Paid Time Off to Volunteer Will Help Your Company Succeed

"Research into the newly released 50 Best Workplaces for Giving Back—a list produced by our organization Great Place to Work and published by Fortune—reveals that employee empowerment is key to getting a full “return” on community involvement. By letting employees guide charitable efforts, the winning companies create high levels of commitment and pride among their teams."



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In Chicago: Impact Investing for the People, Not Just the Privileged - Inside Philanthropy - Inside Philanthropy

In Chicago: Impact Investing for the People, Not Just the Privileged - Inside Philanthropy - Inside Philanthropy: "Who said that big legacy foundations can't do cool stuff?

While conventional wisdom holds that it's do-gooders from the tech world who are disrupting yesterday's philanthropic models, making traditional grantmaking look quaint, you'll also find some legacy foundations operating on the new frontiers of philanthropy. Indeed, some of these funders were exploring different ways to deploy capital to improve society long before the recent social investing craze got underway. "



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Time Runs Out on $5M Fundraising Goal for Colorado Ute Museum | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Time Runs Out on $5M Fundraising Goal for Colorado Ute Museum | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Showing off a new tribal-funded, beautifully appointed place to call home, the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum’s relaunch in 2011 was not only off to a great start, the nonprofit was the belle of the ball in the West. The facility, which housed rich historical permanent exhibits on the history of the Ute people, including oral narratives, important flora and fauna, and scholarly archives, was declared by True West Magazine in 2012 as the “top history museum of the year.” It looked like the Colorado sky was the limit.

Sadly, the promising start devolved into missed fundraising goals, loss of support, and nonprofit staff having their paychecks held while refusing to reveal dwindling program numbers to tribal funders. The Durango Herald reports:"



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Nonprofit Sues Bankrupt Corporate Donor to Obtain Pledged Donation | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly

Nonprofit Sues Bankrupt Corporate Donor to Obtain Pledged Donation | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives’ CEO, says that the SunEdison Foundation made a two-year pledge totaling $5 million in February 2015 of cash and in-kind solar module donations, that GRID Alternatives has only received around $3 million, and SunEdison did not meet its two most recent donation deadlines.

“GRID is filing this claim to request that the remainder of the commitment is fulfilled, so that we can continue to serve our communities with these important initiatives,” says Mackie, who is nonetheless also quick to express gratitude to the company:"



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The State Of Impact Investing: Is It A Houseboat Or Is It Brunch? - Forbes

The State Of Impact Investing: Is It A Houseboat Or Is It Brunch? - Forbes: "ince first getting engaged in the impact investing movement several years ago, I’ve participated in hundreds of dialogues ranging from one-on-one conversations, to college and business school classes, to large, institutional and conference gatherings in the thousands. From these experiences, two moments stand out in my mind with clarity, and both gave me pause. The first, at a conference of high net worth and philanthropically-minded individuals, I heard a humorous but cynical comment from a celebrated venture capitalist—it went something like this: “Impact investing is like a houseboat; it’s not a good house and it’s not a good boat.” Ouch… Do we ever have our work cut out for us if we are going to broaden this tent, I thought."



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Three questions to ask someone to get a great story

Three questions to ask someone to get a great story:



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Tension Between Boston’s Charity Runners and Qualifiers Disappears by Race Day | Runner's World

Tension Between Boston’s Charity Runners and Qualifiers Disappears by Race Day | Runner's World: "
Lisa Miele, 45, of Lincroft, New Jersey, will run her second Boston Marathon on Monday to raise money for One Mission, an organization that helps children with cancer. While almost everyone she has encountered has been positive about her decision to run for charity in Boston, one former coworker took issue with it."



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Achieving Diversity in the Nonprofit Workplace: A Step-by-Step Guide | Third Sector New England

Achieving Diversity in the Nonprofit Workplace: A Step-by-Step Guide | Third Sector New England: "A Step-by-Step Guide to Diversity and Inclusion

“Achieving diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace is implicit in the values ascribed to fulfilling the mission of your nonprofit.”"


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The Voice of Nonprofit Talent: Diversity in the Workplace › Articles › Knowledge Center › Commongood Careers

The Voice of Nonprofit Talent: Diversity in the Workplace › Articles › Knowledge Center › Commongood Careers: "Across the nonprofit sector, most employers share the belief that racial diversity is a key component of organizational health, performance, and outcomes. Yet, according to today’s nonprofit talent, few organizations are doing enough to attract and retain professionals of color. There is a perceived gap between the intentions and actions of nonprofit organizations when it comes to promoting staff diversity."



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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Pre-Award Risk Assessment Under the Super Circular - The NonProfit Times

Pre-Award Risk Assessment Under the Super Circular - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: "Federal agencies have always had the authority to evaluate the level of risk a grantee represents before making a grant award. But with the advent of the Super Circular, pre-award risk-assessment requirements are more detailed and explicit.



In keeping with 2 CFR 200.205, federal granting agencies will now routinely evaluate your organization’s past performance, audits, and integrity prior to making an award."



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A History of Modern Philanthropy

A History of Modern Philanthropy: "A History of Modern Philanthropy"



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25 Shakespeare quotations for fundraisers

25 Shakespeare quotations for fundraisers: On today’s 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, UK Fundraising brings you some selected lines from his works that can inspire fundraisers and remind us of how we can achieve even more for our causes.   1. “How far that little candle throws his beams!”   Every little fundraising action counts. All fundraising campaigns, large and small, start with …

Monday, April 25, 2016

Charity To Amp Up Direct Aid Mission In Impoverished East Africa : NPR

Charity To Amp Up Direct Aid Mission In Impoverished East Africa : NPR: "The charity GiveDirectly announced plans to give 6000 people living in extreme poverty a guaranteed income for a decade. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with co-founder Michael Faye about the project."



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​When disaster relief brings anything but relief - CBS News

​When disaster relief brings anything but relief - CBS News: "Many of the well-meaning articles we Americans donate in times of disaster turn out to be of no use to those in need. Sometimes, they even get in the way. That's a message relief organizations very much want us to heed. Our Cover Story is reported now by Scott Simon of NPR:

When Nature grows savage and angry, Americans get generous and kind. That's admirable. It might also be a problem.

"Generally after a disaster, people with loving intentions donate things that cannot be used in a disaster response, and in fact may actually be harmful," said Juanita Rilling, director of the Center for International Disaster Information in Washington, D.C. "And they have no idea that they're doing it.""



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Friday, April 22, 2016

Phil Knight plans to give most of his fortune to charity | OregonLive.com

Phil Knight plans to give most of his fortune to charity | OregonLive.com: "Nike founder Phil Knight is worth an estimated $25 billion, and plans to give most of it away to charity, he told CBS in an interview to be aired Sunday, April 24."



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Thursday, April 21, 2016

Does the Boston Marathon Have a Charity Problem? - NonProfit PRO

Does the Boston Marathon Have a Charity Problem? - NonProfit PRO: "If it were included in Peer to Peer Professional Forum’s “P2P Fundraising 30,” last year’s Boston Marathon would have ranked 17th among all P2P programs in 2015 gross total and second among single events. In other words, the race raises an enormous amount of money.
That should be cause for universal celebration. But not everyone is thrilled with the idea of Boston Marathon as charity run."



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Undergraduates Want Proof That UConn Foundation’s Not Invested in Private Prisons | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Undergraduates Want Proof That UConn Foundation’s Not Invested in Private Prisons | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "NPQ has written before about the movement to end university investments in the private prison industry. Now, the UConn Undergraduate Student Government is asking the UConn Foundation, which manages a $383 million endowment, to submit a statement showing any holdings it might have in private prisons."



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Judge approves $380 million change to landmark 2010 Native American farm suit - The Washington Post

Judge approves $380 million change to landmark 2010 Native American farm suit - The Washington Post:



'via Blog this'

Laramie Board Learning Project: One board thing: Clear space in meetings by adopti...

Laramie Board Learning Project: One board thing: Clear space in meetings by adopti...: If I could change just one thing to increase the effectiveness of my nonprofit board, I'd Adopt a consent agenda "But...

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Catholic U. Reaps $47 Million in Gifts for Academic Programs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Catholic U. Reaps $47 Million in Gifts for Academic Programs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Catholic U. Reaps $47 Million in Gifts for Academic Programs
Six donors, including the Busch Family Foundation and the Charles Koch Foundation, have pledged a combined $47 million to Catholic University to support its business school and other campus programs, The Washington Post writes."



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Mass. Nonprofits Raise Millions Pledged via Boston Marathon

massnonprofit news ::: "April 19, 2016 — Massachusetts nonprofits collectively expected to raise millions of dollars through pledges secured by runners representing their organizations, backed by a wide range of fundraising efforts, in yesterday's 120th running of the Boston Marathon that started in Hopkinton and ended 26.2 miles later at the Boston Public Library.

Massachusetts nonprofits were projected to raised more than $16 million, according to the Associated Press."



'via Blog this'

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

You Say You Want a Revolution? | Impact Communications, Inc.

You Say You Want a Revolution? | Impact Communications, Inc.: "And, keep in mind, as Simone Joyeaux pointed out: “When you start talking about justice, some people will not like it.”

I personally believe it’s worth it, and that part of what makes fundraising and nonprofit marketing such an exciting area in which to work are the brave people who we get to do it with.

So, as Andrew Watt said, “Let’s develop a sense of collective, shared identity and push beyond our comfort zones to transform lives.”"



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4 Ways Your Employees’ Cell Phones Help Them Volunteer

4 Ways Your Employees’ Cell Phones Help Them Volunteer: "Mobile technology is the ideal tool to facilitate Story Capture, which is why my company, Causecast, is further incorporating mobility into our volunteer and giving platform in 2016. As we see how companies are using the Causecast platform in the field, we’ve recognized the increasing importance of mobile volunteering features for employees.

Why? Here are just a few conclusions we’ve come to about how corporate volunteering is eased through modern mobile features:"



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Monday, April 18, 2016

400 Top Wage Earners Gave an Average of $33 Million Each to Charity, IRS Says - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

400 Top Wage Earners Gave an Average of $33 Million Each to Charity, IRS Says - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "The 400 taxpayers with the highest incomes in 2013 reported giving an average of $32.8 million to charity. That’s the second highest average in two decades of data provided by the IRS, behind only 2012.

Together, that group of taxpayers donated more than $12 billion to charity, or about 6 percent of the charitable-contribution deductions claimed by all taxpayers who filed itemized returns that year. Twenty years ago, the top 400 were only responsible for a little more than 1 percent of all charitable deductions."



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A Make-a-Wish kid from Idaho gave Bryce Harper back his 100th home run ball - The Washington Post

A Make-a-Wish kid from Idaho gave Bryce Harper back his 100th home run ball - The Washington Post:



'via Blog this'

Who Knew? Resentment of Charity Runners at Boston Marathon Simmers | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Who Knew? Resentment of Charity Runners at Boston Marathon Simmers | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Apparently, as the prospect of attaining a qualifying time gets more competitive, some who do not end up qualifying (estimated at 4,562) harbor resentment against those who run for charity. Charity runners must raise at least $5,000 to compete. Those who ran last year for charity raised $28.3 million.

“For many runners, qualifying and participating in the Boston Marathon is the highlight of their running careers,” a Boston Athletic Association spokesperson wrote in an email to Runner’s World. “While it is extraordinarily difficult to inform those who have qualified that there is not enough space for everyone, we also recognize that this is an eagerly-anticipated event for many charitable organizations and nonprofits in our community.”"



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Apple to Donate Proceeds from 27 Apps to World Wildlife Fund | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Apple to Donate Proceeds from 27 Apps to World Wildlife Fund | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Apple said on Thursday, April 14th, that it would donate its proceeds from 27 apps and games, including some of its most popular downloads, until April 24th to the WWF. Those proceeds include profits from Trivia Crack, the second edition of Angry Birds, Recolor, and two dozen other apps.

Apple hasn’t said how much it hopes to donate through the program, called Apps for Earth. However, Apple typically nets about 30 percent of revenue of its apps’ sales and in-app downloads—which means that WWF could receive a good chunk of change."



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Community colleges aim to spur better health « Philanthropy North Carolina

Community colleges aim to spur better health « Philanthropy North Carolina: "s part of the school’s effort to stimulate healthier living in the rural community, a culinary teaching chef showed the group how a few simple substitutions in ingredients could turn an ordinary loaf into something much healthier and tastier.

“People couldn’t believe all the nutritious goodness that was packed in,” says Trent Mohrbutter, vice president of instruction and chief academic officer at the school.

Sometimes, he says, it takes small steps — especially when shared by a group or community — for individuals to make big changes."



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Friday, April 15, 2016

Soccer Superstar Lionel Messi Donates Shoes, Enrages Entire Country - NonProfit PRO

Soccer Superstar Lionel Messi Donates Shoes, Enrages Entire Country - NonProfit PRO:



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The Power of an Authentic Fundraiser: Reflections on a Distinguished Career As Told by John Scales - Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Houston Chapter

The Power of an Authentic Fundraiser: Reflections on a Distinguished Career As Told by John Scales - Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Houston Chapter



Throughout the different campaigns and shops where John has worked, he credits the Association of Fundraising Professionals with providing the advancement opportunities and networks that ultimately helped him get there. As John explained:

I think I was one of the early members of the National Society for Fundraising Executives. That was the society which preceded AFP. In my first role, I was fortunate that Byron Welch worked with us as a consultant. He encouraged me to join and I still have my membership card. It only has 3 numbers and was within the first 1,000 people! I have to give Byron the credit because he helped me understand the value of this group. It gave me leadership opportunities and a vast network for support

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Value of Volunteer Time | Independent Sector

Value of Volunteer Time | Independent Sector:



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Corporate Philanthropy: Ally or Competitor? - NonProfit PRO

Corporate Philanthropy: Ally or Competitor? - NonProfit PRO: "In other words, corporations have figured out that they don’t necessarily need to partner with nonprofits to meet social responsibility goals. The stats bear this out. According to Giving in Numbers 2014, the number of companies providing pro bono service programs increased from 40 percent in 2012 to 51 percent in 2014. Ellinger cited AT&T’s “It Can Wait” distracted-driving campaign as an example. “They are doing many things a nonprofit would normally do—collecting petition signatures and pledges, distributing awareness materials, and providing programmatic tool-kits—without the nonprofit,” he explained."



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$1M Livestrong Donation Largest Since Armstrong Left | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

$1M Livestrong Donation Largest Since Armstrong Left | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Livestrong, the Austin-based cancer nonprofit founded by Lance Armstrong, has experienced a decline in its fundraising receipts since 2010, when the athlete admitted to doping during competitions and stepped down from the organization. It has suffered through some instability in its leadership, and its future has been periodically in question, but can it turn a corner? Some supporters clearly have faith that it can; this week, the organization announced its acceptance of its largest single donation since 2010."



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Atlas of Giving Forecast: Charitable Giving Decline in 2016 - Top Nonprofits

Atlas of Giving Forecast: Charitable Giving Decline in 2016 - Top Nonprofits: "For fundraisers, it always helps to start a new year at full speed.



Instead, donors have moved into 2016 by hitting the brakes.



Our just-released Atlas of Giving forecast predicts a charitable giving decline in 2016. The downturn is already underway, with giving through February down 1.4% compared to the same period in 2015.



These early results were driven in large part by January giving numbers, which recorded the first monthly decline since the nation’s deep recession ended in June 2009. January’s decrease of 0.6% from December snapped a 63-month streak during which giving consistently rose on a monthly basis as the country experienced economic recovery."



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Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Am I Invited? Fundraising in the Indigenous Community - Resource Center - AFP

Am I Invited? Fundraising in the Indigenous Community - Resource Center - AFP: "When I sat down to write about fundraising within the Indigenous community, I realized that it’s a challenging topic to discuss. I could give a few recommendations for best practices (be culturally aware and respectful; share success stories; and make "the ask") or share success stories of projects I’ve been involved in, but there really isn’t any proven model of success. There isn’t a long relationship and established practice of fundraising within or for the Indigenous community, and to this day there are still aren’t many organizations doing it."



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Show volunteers your appreciation | News-Gazette.com

Show volunteers your appreciation | News-Gazette.com: "The East Central Illinois Chapter is pleased to welcome a first time visit from the president and CEO of AFP International on April 15. Andrew Watt, Fellow of the Institute of Fundraising, will meet with area nonprofit leaders to evaluate key community issues that nonprofits are uniquely positioned to address.

Mr. Watt will also meet with local AFP members to share trends taking shape in the nonprofit arena and offer solutions to help fund-development professionals meet the changes in order to provide funds for their respective organizations."



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Monday, April 11, 2016

Why Your Board Cares About Fundraising Compliance and You Should, Too - Top Nonprofits

Why Your Board Cares About Fundraising Compliance and You Should, Too - Top Nonprofits: "Your nonprofit’s Board of Directors sets the direction of the entire organization. While the board’s primary duties include ensuring that the nonprofit’s funds actually further its charitable purpose, it also makes financial decisions on new programs, technology, and fundraising expenses. At the same time, your nonprofit’s employees and volunteers look to the board for the materials, technology, and approval to conduct their solicitation activities. Any real or perceived disconnect between board and staff can affect your whole nonprofit’s fundraising success!"



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Ousted Wounded Warrior Project Leaders Start Blog Blasting Media Coverage - NonProfit PRO

Ousted Wounded Warrior Project Leaders Start Blog Blasting Media Coverage - NonProfit PRO: "Steven Nardizzi, former Wounded Warrior Project CEO, and Al Giordano, former WWP chief operating officer, created The Wounded Truth blog, to defend themselves and critique the media."



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Friday, April 08, 2016

9/11 Charity's Stair Climb Will Return To 1 World Trade Center, Finishing At Observatory: Gothamist

9/11 Charity's Stair Climb Will Return To 1 World Trade Center, Finishing At Observatory: Gothamist: "Following a very public dispute, a 9/11 charity has announced that its annual stair climb will be at 1 World Trade Center. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced the climb will take place on the morning of Sunday, May 15th—with a new finish line.
The group said, "While last year's climb went to the 90th floor of One World Trade Center, which was still under construction, this year the climb will finish at One World Observatory, with its breathtaking views of New York, on the 102nd floor. One World Observatory is located at One World Trade Center.""



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New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP

New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP: "New Charity Package Introduced in Senate
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)  have introduced a series of charity provisions called The CHARITY (Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year) Act, which calls on the Senate to  ensure that the “value and scope of the deduction for charitable contributions is not diminished during a comprehensive rewrite of the tax code.”

The CHARITY Act, S. 2750, builds on several significant charitable tax provisions that were signed into law late last year, including one that makes permanent a law allowing taxpayers at least 70 ½  to make charitable contributions directly from their IRAs."



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In our opinion: Utah continues its tradition of charitable giving | Deseret News

In our opinion: Utah continues its tradition of charitable giving | Deseret News: "The propensity of Utahns to be generous with their money was reinforced again this year as thousands of people donated a total of nearly $1.3 million to various charitable causes as part of the annual “Love Utah Give Utah” campaign. Interestingly, the donations were made only days after news broke of a settlement in one of the largest fraud cases involving charitable contributions in U.S. history."



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How to Calculate A Fundraising Event's Opportunity Cost

How to Calculate A Fundraising Event's Opportunity Cost: "Large fundraising events can be fabulous ways to celebrate your cause and your mission. Too often, however, they are used as a main fundraising vehicle in an organization’s fundraising plan. While they can certainly bring in large amounts of money on one night, they come with steep opportunity costs that must be weighed to understand the true return on the event’s fundraising.

Let’s look at an example of understanding the impact of a big fundraising gala and the opportunity costs associated with it."



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Thursday, April 07, 2016

The One-Size-Fits-All Donor Model Is So Last Century | NpENGAGE

The One-Size-Fits-All Donor Model Is So Last Century | NpENGAGE: "As the United States population becomes even more diverse, fundraisers have an unparalleled opportunity to employ strategies that engage new audiences, bring new voices to the table, and enrich the nonprofit sector with new talent and leadership.  Embracing the growing importance of diversity—as well as the role of women as donors is essential in the 21st century for philanthropy to reflect the values of a pluralistic society."



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Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Who Watches the Charity Watchdogs? - NonProfit PRO

Who Watches the Charity Watchdogs? - NonProfit PRO:



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Parishioners and the Closing of Churches: Who Owns the Church…and Who Owns Nonprofits? | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Parishioners and the Closing of Churches: Who Owns the Church…and Who Owns Nonprofits? | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Closures of Catholic churches have grown commonplace in the Northeast and Midwest but the closures do not always go unprotested. Parishioners who have been baptized and confirmed and married in a parish, who have raised sometimes massive amounts of money to maintain and improve buildings and help manage the operations as an important part of their community life, understandably feel a sense of ownership and violation when the church decides to eliminate a parish. NPQ has been following for more than a decade the parishioners’ occupation of St. Frances X. Cabrini church in the small New England town of Scituate as they argued with the Boston Archdiocese about the fate of their parish which sits on a valuable piece of land."



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Monday, April 04, 2016

I’m Not a Philanthropist, But I Play One on a Reality Show! | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

I’m Not a Philanthropist, But I Play One on a Reality Show! | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "A few days ago, in the latest exposé of such stuff, the Washington Post took up the question of the Rost Foundation, constantly referred to by Katie Rost of The Real Housewives of Potomac as her philanthropic calling. Its mission is big and bold:

The mission of The Ronald F. Rost Charitable Foundation is to help children in maximizing their life potential and realizing their highest dream of themselves through recreational, enrichment and leadership activities.

But it turns out there is really no “there” there. Its latest report on GuideStar boasts assets of $0, having run a 2014 deficit of almost $2000. In fact, the foundation’s revenue apparently comes directly from Rost’s mother, who is an executive at GEICO. They have totaled somewhere in the neighborhood of $32,000 over the last five years, and of that only $3000 has gone out in donations, with the rest spent on administration."



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Is Donor Recognition Really That Useful? - Good Works

Is Donor Recognition Really That Useful? - Good Works: "S DONOR RECOGNITION REALLY THAT USEFUL?

MARCH 30, 2016

Why do we things the way we do? It’s a question we sometimes forget to ask ourselves, but it’s an important one.  In this series, we’ll be asking a fundraising question that might seem simple, and looking to a Good Worker and a guest for their thoughts. There are no right answers here, but we hope we get your fundraising gears turning!"



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Friday, April 01, 2016

Entrepreneurial fundraising - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

Entrepreneurial fundraising - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: "We live in a time of almost unlimited fundraising opportunities.  This exists alongside a race-against-the-clock urgency that these opportunities be pursued with full entrepreneurial fervour.

Yet, however much it is that we currently raise, the status quo still finds the world troubled by poverty, violence, sickness, oppression and environmental degradation.  We need to raise more. We need to harness entrepreneurial thinking to catapult our fundraising efforts.

Entrepreneurship: “the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.” [1] "



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How Baby Boomers Will Change Philanthropy - The Experts - WSJ

How Baby Boomers Will Change Philanthropy - The Experts - WSJ: "Billion-dollar charitable donations and pledges from the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and now Mark Zuckerberg have been big news in recent years.  But under the radar lie millions more–over five million, according to Nielsen–retired and soon-to-retire “affluent” households with net worth of $1 million and above. 

More important than their current count is this group’s growth: faster than any other wealth cohort."



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8 Nonprofit Blogs We Love (And You Will, Too) - NonProfit PRO

8 Nonprofit Blogs We Love (And You Will, Too) - NonProfit PRO:



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Thursday, March 31, 2016

New York Archdiocese Auctioning Papal Hatchback for Charity - ABC News

New York Archdiocese Auctioning Papal Hatchback for Charity - ABC News: "The Archdiocese of New York is auctioning off one of two vehicles Pope Francis used during his trip to New York City in September.

The New York Times reports ( http://nyti.ms/1olDJMR ) the auction on CharityBuzz.com began March 17 when the Fiat 500 Lounge hatchback appeared in the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York. It ends Thursday afternoon."



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The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project | Washington Examiner

The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project | Washington Examiner: "The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project

By STEVEN NARDIZZI & AL GIORDANO • 3/30/16 12:02 AM"



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The Role of the Nonprofit Board in Hiring an Executive Director

The Role of the Nonprofit Board in Hiring an Executive Director: "We all know the importance of a strong Executive Director/CEO for a nonprofit. A good Executive Director will make all the difference in how well a nonprofit performs in fulfilling its mission. For better or worse, leadership trumps all else, except for the nature of the cause itself.
What is the proper role of the Board in hiring nonprofit leadership? The simple answer is that it has the top role. The Board, as the governing body of the nonprofit, has the responsibility and opportunity to hire the Executive Director. This is the most important decision that Board members will make during their tenure."



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A giving strategy that passes to the next generation - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

A giving strategy that passes to the next generation - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: "A giving strategy that passes to the next generation
by The NonProfit Times - March 21, 2016
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the country. One reason they’ve grown so much, so fast is their accessibility. You don’t have to be ultra-wealthy to have a philanthropic strategy and an organized giving vehicle to execute it."



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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The AFP Blog: The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising

The AFP Blog: The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising: "The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising
Some great new research came out last week from Blackbaud about how political giving impacts nonprofit support.

I was pleased to be able to write the forward for the report, which you can find here, but the findings bear repeating.

Using data from the 2012 presidential campaigns, the research found that political donors tracked by the Federal Election Commission gave more to charities in 2012 than they did in 2011."



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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Delaware groups hope donors ‘Do More’ in June - The Journal | The Journal

Delaware groups hope donors ‘Do More’ in June - The Journal | The Journal: "he fundraising campaign new to the state will help Delaware organizations move along with the changing philanthropic landscape, according to Debbie Armstrong of United Way.

“And the exciting thing is that this is not just United Way fundraiser,” she said of the collaborative effort with the Delaware Community Foundation, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Brandywine Chapter and Delaware Grantmakers Association.

The goal, she continued, is to engage at least 250 not-for-profit organizations in the attempt at raising a collective $500,000 on June 2 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m."



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Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts
Town & Country magazine looks at social and psychological dimensions of megadonations that have sparked controversies over the donors' naming demands.

The article considers prominent recent cases — such as Lincoln Center's main concert hall being renamed for David Geffen after a $100 million contribution and an abortive $20 million gift to Paul Smith's College that hinged on donor Joan Weill being added to the institution's name — that fueled criticism that the philanthropists' primary interest was egotistical rather than altruistic."



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Why Do the Ultra Wealthy Give? | Wealth-X

Why Do the Ultra Wealthy Give? | Wealth-X: "What motivates the ultra wealthy to give?
 
Wealth-X conducted an Attitudes Survey in conjunction with Knight Frank to gain insights into the perspectives and behaviors of the ultra wealthy around wealth management, philanthropy, wealth transfer and more. The survey was based on the views of around 400 of the world’s leading private bankers and wealth advisors who, between them, manage assets for about 45,000 ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals with a combined wealth of over US$500 billion."



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Is Each Site in Your Nonprofit Network Raising as Much Revenue as It Can? | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports

Is Each Site in Your Nonprofit Network Raising as Much Revenue as It Can? | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports: "o date, only a few nonprofit networks have experience with share of wallet.2 The United Way, for example, which has a strong analytical tradition and something of a private sector mindset, already uses a form of share of wallet to analyze fundraising performance across its affiliates. But the concept appears to be catching on. The Bridgespan Group, for instance, recently worked with several nonprofit networks to adapt the tool, and many others are thinking about how to incorporate it into their fundraising efforts. Sondra Madison, national vice president for operations and collaborative strategy at Boys and Girls Clubs of America, noted, “This kind of analysis has come up in our conversations with clubs. We love the idea of this, and it wouldn’t be too laborious to implement.”"



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As Wounded Warrior Appoints Interim COO, Whistleblower Wonders If Insider Can Address Culture | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports

As Wounded Warrior Appoints Interim COO, Whistleblower Wonders If Insider Can Address Culture | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports: "WWP Board Chair Anthony Odierno’s announcement to employees reads, in part, “[Fletcher’s] impressive background and experience in both the military and private sector makes him uniquely well positioned to lead our organization while the board continues its comprehensive search for a permanent CEO.”

But whistleblower Erick Millette worries about Fletcher’s insider status. “I think it’s great they recognize they need senior military leadership within the executive level at Wounded Warrior Project,” Millette said. “However, bringing someone on from the advisory board concerns me because that person may have biased views.”"



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Think Of Your Nonprofit As A Magazine - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

Think Of Your Nonprofit As A Magazine - The NonProfit Times: "The difference is that magazines, and other for-profits, are boasting sizable leads compared to nonprofits in such metrics. Magazines beat nonprofits in average direct-mail response rate (4% to 1.5%), according to Anne and Josef Kottler of Sage Communications in Framingham, Mass., and hold a 70% to 40% advantage in average retention rate. The Kottlers, citing an Association of Fundraising Professionals survey, stated that less than 3% of organizations claim a retention rate of 70% or better.

The Kottlers took aim at narrowing the gap between for-profit institutions such as magazines and nonprofits during their program “What Nonprofits Can Learn from For-Profits” during the recent DMA 2016 Washington Nonprofit Conference. Key takeaways from the session included:"



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Three WSSU alumni to particpate in rickshaw charity event in India - Winston-Salem Journal: Local News

Three WSSU alumni to particpate in rickshaw charity event in India - Winston-Salem Journal: Local News: "Three alumni of Winston-Salem State University say they will tap into their adventurous spirit next month in India.
They will drive across that country in a motorized rickshaw to raise money in a charitable event."



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Monday, March 28, 2016

Activists and Philanthropists Make Fortune Leadership List - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Activists and Philanthropists Make Fortune Leadership List - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Among those recognized in the magazine's third annual leadership list were David Miliband, chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, which works on behalf of refugees; Rosie Batty, an Australian woman who launched a campaign against domestic violence after her 11-year-old son was killed by his father; and Mina Guli, another Australian activist who founded an organization to promote water conservation."



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Funding Freeze Hits Natural History Museum Collections - The Atlantic

Funding Freeze Hits Natural History Museum Collections - The Atlantic: "On March 16, the U.S. National Science Foundation indefinitely pressed the pause button on the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) Program—a scheme that funds the care, organization, maintenance, and cataloguing of biological collections. That includes everything from museum specimens to tissue banks to stocks of laboratory flies or fungi."



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The AFP Blog-Hope in Dark Times

The AFP Blog: "
These are dark times. We felt battered by the news from Brussels yesterday morning. Everywhere  we look we see evidence of man's inhumanity to man, the apparent crumbling of the sense of responsibility to work for a common good, towards shared objectives.

I know that, personally, I have struggled to make sense of this over the last few years, especially at times like this. It seems as if the values that I believe in have become irrelevant.

Yet I left Boston after this year's conference with a sense of renewed optimism, of hope and with a belief in the future. Why?

It was not just one thing. There was the commitment, passion and experience we heard and felt in the sessions. There was the reaching out and sharing with one another."



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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

What Happens When 69 Children Curate a Fine Art Exhibit? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations

What Happens When 69 Children Curate a Fine Art Exhibit? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations: "At the National Museum in Warsaw, which is known for its ancient and modern art, the staff recently turned over curation of an exhibit, called “Anything Goes,” to 69 kids between the ages of six and 14. The selection of the children was simple—first come, first served—and after that, the staff had only to implement their decisions, as the children chose the pieces and developed audio guides and materials."



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Storymakers Resources"

"Storymakers Resources"



'via Blog this'

The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times

The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times: "They were there to build a school alongside a Methodist church. Muscular Haitian masons stood by watching, perplexed and a bit amused at the sight of men and women who had come all the way from the United States to do a mundane construction job.

Such people were a familiar sight: They were voluntourists. They would come for a week or two for a “project” — a temporary medical clinic, an orphanage visit or a school construction. A 2008 study surveyed 300 organizations that market to would-be voluntourists and estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer on vacation, spending around $2 billion annually. "



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Development questions for nonprofits

Development questions for nonprofits: "In his excellent presentation on digital donor retention at the International Association of Fundraising Professionals conference in March 2016, Steven Shattuck offered up practical ways you can help inspire those first-time donors to give again. Here’s the data that informed his suggestions:

First-time donors who get a personal thank you wi"



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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Teach for America to Shed 15% of National Staff - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Teach for America to Shed 15% of National Staff - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Teach for America is reducing its national work force by a net 150 jobs in a move the teacher-training nonprofit's leaders say will give its more than 50 regional offices greater independence, The Washington Post reports. The organization, which places new college graduates in poor school districts for two-year classroom stints, will shed 250 office positions while adding 100 new ones."



'via Blog this'

The Wounded Warrior Project's Problem Is Not Solved

The Wounded Warrior Project's Problem Is Not Solved: "In case you haven't seen it, the Wounded Warrior Project (a national charity supporting veterans) has been in the spotlight in the last few months, and not in a good way. The New York Times reported in January that they were spending too much money on lavish staff retreats and first-class airline tickets. There were also some shady comments from recent employees about the culture there (more on that in a minute). The Board saw that article, did some investigating, and then a few weeks ago fired the CEO and COO. Now Senator Charles Grassley is asking for some answers. Ugh. Not a good time for this group. And this is a huge charity. They raised $325 million in 2015, and they have 22 locations around the country providing assistance to veterans. "



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Monday, March 21, 2016

Editorial: Mismanaged veterans group doesn't taint others - Fredericksburg.com: Editorials

Editorial: Mismanaged veterans group doesn't taint others - Fredericksburg.com: Editorials: "Perhaps the worst fallout from this scandal is the ripple effect it could have on charitable giving in general, and on giving to veterans assistance organizations in particular. And that would be heartbreaking because of the incredible work so many of these groups do—including efforts right here in the Fredericksburg area.
The Free Lance–Star recently checked back in with retired Marine Sgt. John Peck, a quadruple amputee injured by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010. He’s pursuing the possibility of a double arm transplant that could help put his life back on track.
In November 2012, Peck moved into a new house in Spotsylvania County built especially for him by the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation and the Gary Sinise (R.I.S.E.) Foundation. The VA also provided funding for the house, which was built at cost by American Heritage Homes of Spotsylvania."



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Senator Wants Data on Wounded Warrior Project, a Charity Under Fire - The New York Times

Senator Wants Data on Wounded Warrior Project, a Charity Under Fire - The New York Times: "A week after the top executives of the Wounded Warrior Project were fired amid accusations of lavish spending, an influential senator on a committee that oversees nonprofit organizations is asking for a detailed accounting by the country’s largest veterans’ charity.

In a letter Friday to the Wounded Warrior Project, Senator Charles E. Grassley, an Iowa Republican who sits on the Finance Committee, said that recent news media reports had raised questions about the charity’s treatment of employees and its spending."



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The Power of One and the Power of Community: Part 2 | Nonprofit Quarterly

The Power of One and the Power of Community: Part 2 | Nonprofit Quarterly:



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Friday, March 18, 2016

The Charity Defense Council & Wounded Warrior Project Connection: Follow the Money | Nonprofit Quarterly

The Charity Defense Council ; Wounded Warrior Project Connection: Follow the Money | Nonprofit Quarterly: "But today, NPQ did receive some kind of defense—not from the organization, but from the nonprofit Charity Defense Council (CDC), which distributed an 11-page “preliminary media advisory” defending the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and its terminated leadership from what CDC calls “material errors and omissions uncovered in media reporting” about WWP. The advisory specifically criticizes CBS’s and the New York Times’ reporting, which questioned WWP’s spending on fundraising and overhead costs as opposed to dedicating more of its budget to the wounded veterans for which the charity was formed. We should say that we are not addressing the points made in that missive here, but rather raising questions about the relationship between the two organizations that caused the Wounded Warrior Project to make a sizable grant to the Charity Resource Council in 2013–2014 when apparently no one else was doing the same. This was first reported by the New York Times in January, but as the situation has evolved it becomes an ever more important question. The advisory did contain a disclosure of significant support in 2014."



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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Michelle Obama, Zendaya, Missy Elliott drop charity single - NY Daily News

Michelle Obama, Zendaya, Missy Elliott drop charity single - NY Daily News: "This song’s for the girls.

First Lady Michelle Obama revealed Wednesday that she’s enlisted Zendaya, Missy Elliott, Kelly Clarkson, Lea Michelle and Janelle Monae to record a charity single to educate girls globally.

The empowering anthem “This Is For My Girls” dropped on iTunes on Wednesday for $1.29. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Peace Corps Let Girls Learn Fund as part of FLOTUS’s #62MillionGirls campaign to benefit the young women around the world without access to education."



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More European Museums Turning to U.S.-Style Fundraising - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

More European Museums Turning to U.S.-Style Fundraising - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "With European governments' austerity measures cutting into cultural budgets, major art museums abroad are increasingly seeking to tap private philanthropy along the American model writes, The New York Times as part of a package of articles on trends in the museum world."



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A Guide to Getting a Job in Fundraising or Development

A Guide to Getting a Job in Fundraising or Development: "On the other hand, Amy Eisenstein was graduating from a public administration and nonprofit management program and thought she wanted to be an executive director of a nonprofit eventually. She "hated" fundraising but knew that it was a necessary skill for nonprofit CEOs.

So, Amy got a job as a fundraiser in a small nonprofit where she had to do everything herself. She fell in love with it, to her surprise, and stuck with it. Today she is a respected consultant to nonprofits large and small and a highly sought speaker and author.

Today, you'll find many graduate programs that feed nonprofits with professionals. You can get a Master's of Public Administration, Master's of Public Policy or Master's of Urban Planning. And some universities, such as the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, now have degrees in philanthropy, "



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