Companies with a mission mix profits, charity - KansasCity.com

Companies with a mission mix profits, charity - KansasCity.com: We know there’s a market (for business-linked philanthropy) out there, but we don’t really know how big it might be,” said Michael Nilsen, public affairs vice president at the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a 30,000 member professional association based in Arlington, Va. “People sort of want to have a philanthropic life.”

Rosenblum: Why do I feel bad saying no to giving a buck here and there? | StarTribune.com

Rosenblum: Why do I feel bad saying no to giving a buck here and there? | StarTribune.com: So we want to explain that our giving tends to be, well, more strategic. We support organizations that we feel passionate about, after we've vetted them. We join friends at galas that are important to them. We support our professional organizations. And periodically, we reassess and shift our donor dollars.

But there are 12 people now behind us in the coffee line.

"You are not alone," assured Michael Nilsen, spokesman for the Virginia-based Association of Fundraising Professionals. This type of at-the-counter pitch has "exploded" over the past five or 10 years, he said, for a compelling reason. It raises lots of money for nonprofits trying to break out of the pack.

Sports scandal blemish could hamper University of Miami fundraising

Sports scandal blemish could hamper University of Miami fundraising: "As it stands now, the scandal should hurt Miami's fundraising ability to some extent, but there could be a bigger impact if more damaging information comes out, said Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
"I could see this having an impact for a couple of years, but I don't see it having a major impact," Mr. Nilsen said. "But if it gets bigger, and becomes an institutional thing, or if it involves (Univer"

The Faces Behind the New $100 Million Standard in Philanthropic Donations -- New York Magazine

The Faces Behind the New $100 Million Standard in Philanthropic Donations -- New York Magazine: "As the very rich get incomprehensibly richer, there’s been a race to the top for reputation-polishing noblesse oblige. Gone are the days when glass heiress Alice Tully could be remembered for her $4.5 million gift to a chamber-music hall—the new threshold for making a mark is $100 million. George Soros recently gave $100 million to both Human Rights Watch and the Climate Policy Initiative. And in the last few weeks, Henry Kravis and Mark Zuckerberg each announced $100 million gifts. Paulette Maehara, of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, notes that while the recession has affected most giving, “the people with extraordinary wealth don’t have that problem.”"

Ethical Dilemmas Relatively Rare in Fund Raising, Says New Poll - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Ethical Dilemmas Relatively Rare in Fund Raising, Says New Poll - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Ethical Dilemmas Relatively Rare in Fund Raising, Says New Poll

By Nicole Wallace

The lion's share of fund raisers — 82 percent — face ethical dilemmas once a month or less, according to a new poll.

The informal online survey, conducted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals on its Web site from from late July to late August, garnered 493 responses. Fifty-eight percent of participants said that they encountered ethical challenges less than one a month, while 24 percent said once a month."

Thrift stores fall on hard times | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Thrift stores fall on hard times | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun: "“There are definitely some organizations that rely on (thrift shops) quite a bit,” said Michael Nilsen, senior director of public affairs for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va. “Having a thrift shop is part of your income, but it's not your typical fundraising.”"

How Much Must Charities Disclose? - Corporations - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

How Much Must Charities Disclose? - Corporations - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "“You have to preserve the confidentiality of donors and respect donors’ rights,” says Paulette V. Maehara, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. “Donors do have rights regardless of what Senator Grassley might think.”"

Tough Choices for Givers - WSJ.com

Tough Choices for Givers - WSJ.com: "When you sit down to consider your charitable contributions this year, you may want to bring your heart along with your budget.

Many of us, facing pay cuts, job worries and uncertainty about what's ahead, may not feel able to give as much this year as we have in the past, forcing us to make difficult decisions beyond dollars and cents. A recent American Red Cross poll found that 20% of givers planned to reduce their contributions this year, though 62% were hoping to give about the same amount."

Communication key to recession fundraising | Philanthropy Journal

Communication key to recession fundraising | Philanthropy Journal: "This is the time to invest an even greater amount of time, energy and resources in continuing to cultivate relationships with donors and prospective donors,' says Robbe Healey, senior member of Farr Healey Consulting in West Chester, Pa., and chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

That focus on donors should be part of a larger effort that integrates philanthropy into an organization's business plan, connecting giving to the specific programs it supports and to their outcomes, Healey says.

news: Nonprofit projects face funding crunch

news: Nonprofit projects face funding crunch: "A diversified strategy like the children's museum's is a key to success, but all potential sources are feeling the pinch, said Michael Nilsen, senior director of public affairs for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

'It's the most challenging environment most people have seen in their lifetimes,' he said."

Training to Lead Nonprofits - NYTimes.com

Training to Lead Nonprofits - NYTimes.com: "There are people like myself who will be retiring in the near future,” said Paulette Maehara, the chief executive of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals, who started her career in 1977 as a fund-raiser for the March of Dimes. “It is a serious concern because we can’t keep up with the demand. Getting more people in the pipeline is one of our top priorities.”"

Academics thrive because of generosity | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Academics thrive because of generosity | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal: "On a larger picture, this donation is consistent with the giving nature of Americans. We often overlook the phenomenal amounts that are being contributed every year to organizations ranging from the United Way to churches to universities and hospitals. Charitable contributions made in 2007 amounted to a record high of $306.39 billion, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals — a huge sum, indeed."

STLtoday - A-B much more than beer to St. Louis

STLtoday - A-B much more than beer to St. Louis: "Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, said filling the void left behind by a large philanthropist can take years, but it can be done. Other companies take a larger role, and nonprofits cast a wider net, including tapping individual contributors."

USATODAY.com

USATODAY.com: "Some philanthropic organizations go even further. Paulette Maehara, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, says that 'if donors cannot trust charities to respect their wishes, then philanthropy simply cannot happen.'"

Deseret Morning News | Utahns helping — and need help

Deseret Morning News | Utahns helping — and need help: "The need is being mirrored nationwide. Emergency shelters, food assistance programs and charitable organizations of all types are expecting holiday giving to be lower than expected. Plus, fund-raising arms for charities are worried that the wave of transitioning families will deepen as the full effects of the subprime mortgage market collapse become reality. 'There is some growing concern' about the effect of the housing slowdown on charitable donations, said Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fund-raising Professionals."