Give Millions While You’re Young: a Plea to the Wealthy - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Give Millions While You’re Young: a Plea to the Wealthy - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Wealthy people often wait until middle age or even retirement to begin thinking in earnest about giving. Of course, this is sometimes necessary—it often takes time to earn wealth before one can consider investing it in worthy causes. But age should not be the determining factor, and philanthropy, no matter when one starts, will yield successes and failures that offer lessons for one’s future giving. Effective philanthropy is not an easy undertaking, and postponing one’s engagement can mean postponing effective giving.

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

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

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

Our View: Nonprofits need support of city, county and public | The Jackson Sun | jacksonsun.com

Our View: Nonprofits need support of city, county and public | The Jackson Sun | jacksonsun.com: We appreciate the efforts of our nonprofit organizations, they add immeasurably to community quality of life. They also are an important factor in economic development. Newcomers to the community often look to these organizations to help them get involved and to become part of the fabric of life in our community. For these organizations to thrive, it takes not only commitment from local government, but also from the larger community and from special efforts within each organizatio

Pat Cuneo: Nonprofits unfairly labeled boogeyman | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News

Pat Cuneo: Nonprofits unfairly labeled boogeyman | GoErie.com/Erie Times-News: As a matter of fact, these nonprofits are paying the wages of workers, who pay the taxes, who make the system work, however fouled up it is. Yes, it needs to be fairer, but labeling nonprofits deadbeats because they have some tax-exempt status (as some people have been doing more and more), is quite the inaccurate reach. The more taxable these agencies become, the more consequences to the economy could result, especially in hiring fewer people.

Is it any wonder that Mercyhurst University officials generated a report that shows its impact on the local economy is $101 million? I'm glad they did. And that's just in dollars and cents.

Administrative costs: The worst way to judge a charity - latimes.com

Administrative costs: The worst way to judge a charity - latimes.com: Op-Ed
The worst way to judge a charity
Although low administrative costs could indicate prudence and sound judgment at a charity, but it could just as easily indicate inadequate staffing, insufficient salaries or, shall we say, fudging.

Editorial: Protecting charitable giving | Deseret News

Editorial: Protecting charitable giving | Deseret News: "The associational freedom, volunteerism and charity that help to address social needs precede, both historically and conceptually, a tax-funded administrative state attempting to do similar things. While we generally support tax reforms that scrape away many of the encrusted exceptions that have attached themselves to our tax code over the years, the charitable tax deduction is not one of them. The exceptional habit of the American heart to voluntarily pool resources to solve problems deserves renewed attention and care, not an unprecedented tax."

The future of Jewish philanthropy - JPost - Opinion - Op-Eds

The future of Jewish philanthropy - JPost - Opinion - Op-Eds: "Jews are still among the world’s most generous givers. But they are not giving to Israel or Jewish causes.

When we inquire about the future of Jewish philanthropy, we’re really asking about the future of the Jewish people. This is due to the fact that since biblical times, the two have been immutably interrelated. Then as now, philanthropy played an integral part in shaping Jewish life, values and society; it was never merely a question of helping the poor."

The Weirdness of Walking to Raise Money - NYTimes.com

The Weirdness of Walking to Raise Money - NYTimes.com: "Why are benefactors moved by the sight of urban hordes headed for the suburbs and back? Why do such exertions trigger the charitable impulse?

What I saw that morning in Boston was a resource diverted from its true purpose. Imagine those 210,000 man-hours (42,000 times a five-hour walk) put into direct service to benefit the poor. Think of the houses that might be built, roofs repaired, gardens planted and harvested, public spaces improved, and meals delivered to shut-ins. (And add in the efforts of the 2,000 volunteers that day and the contributions of 50,000 donors.) Now multiply that by the millions of man-hours that are represented by such events in cities across the nation, from Los Angeles to"

Our view: Keep on giving, but be careful

Our view: Keep on giving, but be careful: "Generous giving is part of our region's culture as well. Whether it's agencies such as the Great Rivers United Way, The Salvation Army, La Crosse Community Foundation, La Crosse Area Boys & Girls Club or the dozens of other worthy charities, groups or foundations in the area, we dig deep when it comes to supporting worthy causes. It's that benevolent spirit that is a cornerstone to building our high quality of life."

Our opinion: Recession hits United Way, other nonprofits» Times Record News

Our opinion: Recession hits United Way, other nonprofits» Times Record News: "Nonprofit organizations, especially those with “lifeline” missions, charities that provide basics such as food and shelter, face a double-edged sword during a recession.

The whole world realizes the critical need of their mission, and yet more of the world knocks on their doors during tough economic times than when finances aren’t so tight.

Their value is never more apparent, and their services never more necessary."

EDITORIAL: Charitable giving more important now than ever | SCNow

EDITORIAL: Charitable giving more important now than ever | SCNow: "nowBuzz up!

With the holiday season fast approaching, one can expect to hear the usual calls from charities and non-profit organization commonly associated with this time of the year. These calls for giving might be seasonal, but the work done is often a year round affair. During this past year, organizations of giving have been hit extraordinarily hard by the sagging economic. Groups that survive off donations are finding it more and more difficult to attract donors of all kinds to benefit those in need."

Eating From the Hand That Bites You - WSJ.com

Eating From the Hand That Bites You - WSJ.com: "This week, the president signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which authorizes a huge expansion of the Americorps program, potentially tripling the number of its government-paid 'volunteers.' The legislation -- which also promises federal funds for 'effective solutions developed by social entrepreneurs' -- was heralded as a victory for patriotism and public service. It was enough to draw Jimmy Carter to share the podium with Ted Kennedy -- both on hand for the signing ceremony at a charter school in a poor section of Washington, D.C. But is it truly good news? Those who cherish the independence of American philanthropy and the nonprofits it supports actually have reason for worry."

When Charity Isn’t Charitable – Forward.com

When Charity Isn’t Charitable – Forward.com: "President Obama’s proposal to reduce the tax deductions enjoyed by wealthy individuals who give to charity has led to a predictable wave of protest from the philanthropic sector. I’ve just published a book arguing that people who are financially comfortable ought to increase their donations to help those in great need. So I too must be opposed to the proposed changes, right?"

montgomeryadvertiser.com :: Despite economy, Relay For Life needs our help

montgomeryadvertiser.com :: Despite economy, Relay For Life needs our help: "Relay For Life, the annual fundraiser for cancer research, involves numerous commu­nity volunteers in all our local cities and towns and is a cause many people hold near to their hearts. The reason is clear: Cancer has touched most every American family at some point, sometimes multiple times and of­ten with disastrous results.

Therefore, if you have time to spare, con­sider volunteering for Relay For Life this year. If you have money still allocated to charitable giving, Relay is a good place for that money to go."

First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then Get Wired - Philanthropy.com

First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then Get Wired - Philanthropy.com: "First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then

By Tom Watson

The comedian Steve Martin used to do an amusing routine in the 1970s that ran something like this:

You can be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes! Yes, you can be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes! You say: 'Steve ... how can I be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes?'"

To survive, non-profits must manage governance -- themorningcall.com

To survive, non-profits must manage governance -- themorningcall.com:

"We could dwell on the rancor and recriminations that accompany this tragic loss, which will remain a painful wound for years to come. But, more productively, we can analyze this sad episode as a case study and identify lessons that can be applied in the future not only to other local arts organizations, some of which are clearly struggling with similar issues, but to any non-profit board, as well. Term limits, term limits, term limits. I cannot stress it enough. Even the most devoted, well-meaning board members get tired or run out of ideas. Reasonable term limits require the organization to find new board members with fresh ideas, people not tied to the ''same old-same old.'' No board member is indispensable. If he or she is, then the board is dysfunctional. If it can't attract new board members, then it had better go back and check whether the organization is viable."