AFP Blog: Recent News of Note

This blog contains assorted news and commentary on the fundraising profession and philanthropy gathered by the AFP Fundraising Resource Center. Other Sites of Interest Section Disclaimer: AFP provides the following listing of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a privilege to the user. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages. Some links may require registration to view and/or may only be available for a limited time.

Monday, August 28, 2006

School Fundraising? Phooey!

School Fundraising? Phooey!: "School Fundraising? Phooey!

By Michelle Singletary
Sunday, August 27, 2006; Page F01

The shopping spree for school supplies I had to go on recently reminded me of something else I don't like about this time of year -- the deluge of school fundraising notices.

The notices come in the packets of information my children receive along with the usual emergency and medical forms, PTA announcements and school supply lists.

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story-Charitable gaming ethics and issues

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Charitable gaming ethics and issues
Andy Levy-AjzenkopfBy Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
August 28, 2006

Gambling has been a part of human society for centuries. Whether one is motivated by the search for quick riches or the adrenaline rush that comes with teetering on the edge of success (or defeat) at the betting table, people enjoy the thrills associated with games of chance. While most people can enjoy gaming responsibly, there is mounting evidence and concern that the activity is impacting Canadian society in harmful ways. Ironic then that many charitable organizations rely on gambling revenue for their causes.

Though small-scale bingos, lotteries and raffles -- a mainstay of small-charity fundraising strategy for years -- are typically considered harmless to participants, since the opening of Canada’s first charity casino in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1999, the stakes (pardon the pun) have risen significantly. And some are suggesting it may be time to re-evaluate the tactic for the greater good."

The News Star - www.thenewsstar.com - Monroe, LA-Once-overwhelmed nonprofits now have new procedures in place

The News Star - www.thenewsstar.com - Monroe, LA: "Once-overwhelmed nonprofits now have new procedures in place
By Robbie Evans
revans@thenewsstar.com

Some local nonprofit organizations pressed into hurricane disaster assistance last year feel the challenge has improved their response capabilities a year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast.

The thousands of evacuees who came to Ouachita Parish last August and September overwhelmed the ability of local agencies like the American Red Cross and United Way of Northeast Louisiana. In the year that has followed, leaders of the organizations believe the hurricanes forced needed reassessments of how to handle a large-scale disaster."

College fundraiser looks past money - Business - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

College fundraiser looks past money - Business - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: "College fundraiser looks past money

August 28, 2006

Stacey Sickels Heckel may be a fundraiser, but money is the last thing she talks about when chatting with potential donors.
'I never feel like I'm raising money, because it's not about money,' said Mrs. Heckel, the new director of development and executive director of the Anne Arundel Community College Foundation Inc. 'It's about sharing with someone what the opportunities are for supporting an institution.' "

The Charity Sweepstakes

The Charity Sweepstakes: "The Charity Sweepstakes
A battle is raging between three forms of planned giving: private foundations, community foundations, and commercial donor-advised funds

It is a strange thing, really, that in the nonprofit sector, which is defined by giving, generosity, and selfless devotion to others, that there should exist an undercurrent of competition, and intense competition at that. Few people would equate the notion of charity with the very fundamentals of direct competition, yet charities do compete, much like any for-profit business."

Struggling New Orleans musicians look ahead

Struggling New Orleans musicians look ahead: "Struggling New Orleans musicians look ahead

By Chris Walsh
Reuters
Sunday, August 27, 2006; 7:28 AM

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Before Hurricane Katrina hit, Tanio Hingle lived in a house in the Treme section of New Orleans with his wife and three kids, gigging around town with the New Birth Brass Band. The eight-piece played four or five times a week in places like Joe's Cozy Corner, Donna's Bar & Grill, Tipitina's and House of Blues.

Since Katrina, Hingle and his family have been living in an apartment in Houston; he drives back to New Orleans to repair the house when he's not playing shows. 'We're still not back to normal. We're trying to get there,' he says. 'The insurance money wasn't enough to cover house repairs.'"

islandpacket.com | Nonprofit rules discussed Wednesday

islandpacket.com | Nonprofit rules discussed Wednesday: "The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations will conduct a 'regional listening session' to discuss a proposed set of governance principles and best practices for nonprofits that will be issues this year.

The session will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Palmetto Electric Cooperative building in Hardeeville. Nonprofit board and staff members as well as donors are encouraged to attend."

A long road to the top - The Boston Globe

A long road to the top - The Boston Globe:
snip snip>>

"Today, Wilson presides over a staff of 150 in Maynard's landmark Clock Tower Place. The 19th-century wool mill is now a clearing house for environmental research projects conducted worldwide. Earthwatch receives some 300 applications from scientists looking for research fund s and volunteers. The organization recruits people willing to pay for the privilege of working as a research assistant in the field. Their payments -- about $2,000 for an average two-week trip -- help cover the costs of the research.

Through its offices in the United States, England, Japan, and Australia, Earthwatch annually recruits 4,000 volunteers to take part in 140 projects in 55 countries. They include opportunities to study global warming at such farflung locations as the Arctic and Australia's rain forest."

Mailers Council Wants At Least 90 Days Before Rate Increases

Mailers Council Wants At Least 90 Days Before Rate Increases: "Mailers Council Wants At Least 90 Days Before Rate Increases
E-Mail to a friend
Print this article
Reprints
By Melissa Campanelli
August 28th, 2006

The Mailers Council is asking the U.S. Postal Service to implement a standard rate implementation period of at least 90 days when the agency raises postage rates.

Alexandria, VA-based The Mailers Council, a coalition of corporations, nonprofit organizations and major mailing associations that collectively accounts for 70 percent of the nation's mail volume laid out its position in a research paper, released Aug. 24."

Nonprofits: how much is too much?

Nonprofits: how much is too much?: "Nonprofits: how much is too much?
UPMC results raise questions

Sunday, August 27, 2006
By Christopher Snowbeck, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The record $523 million profit reported this fiscal year at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has raised questions of how a nonprofit organization can be such a money machine."

MiamiHerald.com | 08/27/2006 | Final curtain? New season, future of historic playhouse in jeopardy

MiamiHerald.com | 08/27/2006 | Final curtain? New season, future of historic playhouse in jeopardy: "This fall should have ushered in the 51st season of the Coconut Grove Playhouse. But four months after Miami's biggest and longest-running regional theater shut down more than $4 million in debt, there's doubt about when -- or even if -- the historic theater will reopen."

The Enquirer - Wizards of the arts

The Enquirer - Wizards of the arts: "Wizards of the arts
Great executives perform magic, but the real trick is finding them
BY PAMELA FISHER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Wizards. Rainmakers. Pied pipers. A top arts executive is a dash of each.

With the flick of a baton or a pencil, they can cast vision for generations and conjure millions of endowment dollars. The best talent in the country lines up to follow them.

Often paid as well as corporate counterparts, they have the finely honed skills to negotiate contracts with international opera divas and art stars. The best are blessed with perfect intuition, drafting the architecture of an institution to secure its legacy and national reputation.
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Headhunters stalk them for years before their contracts come up. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a professional journal for nonprofit executives, advertised vacancies for 114 arts executive positions at press time. Media outlets have noted an 'overfished pool of talent' for top arts execs."

Friday, August 25, 2006

Volunteers labor during Day of Caring - Hendersonville Times-News

Volunteers labor during Day of Caring - Hendersonville Times-News: "Volunteers labor during Day of Caring
Jennie Jones Giles
Times-News Staff Writer
jennie.giles@hendersonvillenews.com

Holes in the hose were patched with Duct tape, but that didn't hinder four employees from the Eaton Corp. as they washed trailers, a truck and cars for the Henderson County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

One member of the car wash crew climbed a ladder to reach the top of the truck, as others scrubbed the vehicles with soapy brushe"

FOXNews.com - Charity: authors auction Character Names - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment

FOXNews.com - Charity: authors auction Character Names - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment: "Charity: authors auction Character Names
Friday, August 25, 2006
By KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — Buoyed by last year's success, the First Amendment Project will again auction off character-naming rights in new books by prominent authors including Carl Hiaasen, Lorrie Moore and Pulitzer Prize winner Edward P. Jones.

The 2005 online auction raised $150,000 for the nonprofit organization devoted to protecting freedom of information, expression and petition, and thrilled nearly two dozen fans who paid to see their names in print, according to David Greene, executive director.

Linda-gail Case, 52, a self-proclaimed'tried and true'Nora Roberts fan, spent $6,800 last year to see her name in Roberts'latest novel,'Angels Fall.'"

Buffett makes $1.6 bln gift to Gates Foundation

Buffett makes $1.6 bln gift to Gates Foundation: "Buffett makes $1.6 bln gift to Gates Foundation

Reuters
Thursday, August 24, 2006; 6:50 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Thursday donated $1.6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. stock to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the first major installment in Buffett's plan to give away much of his fortune.

According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Buffett donated 500,000 Berkshire Class B shares, valued at $3,208 each based on Thursday's closing price. The shares rose $35 on Thursday."

SFGate: Daily Dish : McCartney Pays Millions for Charity No-Show

SFGate: Daily Dish : McCartney Pays Millions for Charity No-Show: "McCartney Pays Millions for Charity No-Show

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has paid $2.8 million to a landmine charity after pulling out of its fundraising concert causing the event's subsequent cancellation.

McCartney was supposed to attend October's Los Angeles gig for landmine charity Adopt-A-Landmine with wife Heather Mills McCartney.

But due to their current estrangement and ongoing divorce proceedings, McCartney decided not to go through with his appearance, even though he was scheduled to be the biggest attraction at the fundraiser."

The Sun News | 08/25/2006 | Nonprofit leaders: Boards oft out of sync

The Sun News | 08/25/2006 | Nonprofit leaders: Boards oft out of sync: "Nonprofit leaders: Boards oft out of sync
By David Wren
The Sun News

FLORENCE - People who serve on the boards of nonprofit agencies often don't realize the financial responsibility and legal liability that goes with their positions, according to agency executives who met here Wednesday to talk about restoring the public's trust in nonprofits."

Grand Haven Tribune - Michigan Newspapers News for West Michigan, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Holland, Ferrysburg

Grand Haven Tribune - Michigan Newspapers News for West Michigan, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Holland, Ferrysburg: "The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University will honor two distinguished philanthropy leaders with the Henry A. Rosso Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Ethical Fundraising, the Center's most prestigious award, at a dinner ceremony tonight in Indianapolis.

Click to enlarge

Dorothy A. 'Dottie' Johnson, of Grand Haven, president emeritus of Council of Michigan Foundations, and Dr. J. David Smith, retired associate dean for development at the Indiana University School of Medicine, are the honorees."

New Chief Oversees a Less Visible Faith Office

New Chief Oversees a Less Visible Faith Office: "The White House announced Jay F. Hein's appointment at 6:30 p.m. on a Thursday three weeks ago, the kind of timing usually reserved for news the administration wants to bury.

Hein is the new director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the third person since 2000 who has headed President Bush's effort to help religious groups win public funding to counsel addicts, mentor prisoners' children and provide other social services. Before he took up his duties this week, the position had been vacant for more than two months."

Thursday, August 24, 2006

McCartney Pulls Out of Charity Gala Over Divorce

McCartney Pulls Out of Charity Gala Over Divorce: "McCartney Pulls Out of Charity Gala Over Divorce

Reuters
Thursday, August 24, 2006; 12:55 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - Former Beatle Paul McCartney has pulled out of a charity gala in October because of his impending divorce from Heather Mills, the charity said on Thursday.

Adopt-A-Minefield (UK), the British branch of the land-mine charity which has both McCartney and Mills as patrons, said the annual fundraising event, due to have been held in Los Angeles on October 11, had been canceled."

Meet, Beat Challenges to List Growth

Meet, Beat Challenges to List Growth: "E-mail is a critical tool for nonprofits to expand constituent participation in public policy, recruit volunteers and boost online fundraising. Organizations use several tactics to increase their lists, including sending personalized HTML informational newsletters, action alerts, petitions, fundraising appeals and thank-you messages."

E-Mail Energizes Nonprofit Efforts

E-Mail Energizes Nonprofit Efforts: "E-mail marketing has virtually no production, materials or postage expenses, unlike direct mail. It can cost as little as fractions of a penny per e-mail. The following examples illustrate e-mail marketing’s benefits for nonprofit communications:"

Indiana judge rips Chicago's Poetry Foundation

Indiana judge rips Chicago's Poetry Foundation: "Indiana judge rips Chicago's Poetry Foundation

August 24, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two charities fighting over the trust money of 91-year-old heiress Ruth Lilly were scolded by an appeals court judge for their lawsuit claiming a bank reduced the value of their donations because of delayed stock transactions."

Fond du Lac Reporter - Leadership qualities, enthusiasm set new Marian College President Baltodano apart

Fond du Lac Reporter - Leadership qualities, enthusiasm set new Marian College President Baltodano apart: "Leadership qualities, enthusiasm set new Marian College President Baltodano apart

By Sharon Roznik
The Reporter sroznik@fdlreporter.com

On July 1, Josefina Castillo Baltodano became Marian College's first woman lay president in 34 years.

She is one of a handful of female Hispanic college presidents in the United States, and proud of it.

'Leadership is all about building relationships,' she said."

PNNOnline-The International ePhilanthropy Awards, with Nominees from All Seven Continents

PNNOnline: "The International ePhilanthropy Awards, with Nominees from All Seven Continents
Date Thursday, August 24 @ 05:00:52
Topic Conferences and Events

The ePhilanthropy Foundation, a Washington D.C.-based educational nonprofit organization, announced this week its 2006 ePhilanthropy Awards drew a record 68 nominations, representing nonprofits from various fields on all seven continents. The Foundation reported the milestone in its latest eZine, reaching over 22,000 subscribers internationally.

The annual International ePhilanthropy Awards honor individuals, organizations and companies working in the ephilanthropy field who have demonstrated extraordinary talent, creativity and insight in drawing the public’s attention to the use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes and/or have created services or strategies that support those efforts.

"

Survey: Indianapolis Congregations Participated in Disaster Relief in 2005 - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

PRESS RELEASE

Survey: Indianapolis Congregations Participated in Disaster Relief in 2005 - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick: "Survey: Indianapolis Congregations Participated in Disaster Relief in 2005

InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report

8/24/2006 8:38:00 AM
More than 95 percent of central Indiana religious congregations helped in disaster relief efforts in 2005, according to the Lake Family Institute on Faith & Giving at the IU Center on Philanthropy."

Ventura County Star: Community-Focus on philanthropy

Ventura County Star: Community: "The goal of the trip, Carper said, was to create a greater awareness about charitable fundraising to improve the quality of life in China.

The delegation was led by Alphonce J. Brown Jr., advanced certified fundraising executive, chairman of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and vice president of development for the National Academy of Public Administration, Washington, D.C."

An Honor and a Boon for Nine Nonprofits

An Honor and a Boon for Nine Nonprofits: "An Honor and a Boon for Nine Nonprofits

By Judy Sarasohn
Thursday, August 24, 2006; Page A19

Genius awards for nonprofits?

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation , known for the fellowship program in which it gives $500,000 to individuals in many fields, has created a similar prize for nonprofit organizations. The prizes for nonprofits were given today to nine groups, including a reconstituted D.C. organization now known as Knowledge Ecology International ."

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Incharacter.org-The Many Faces of Celebrity Philanthropy

Incharacter.org: "The Many Faces of Celebrity Philanthropy

An old joke – you will see how old by the names it invokes – has a young Hollywood star, seeking to ornament and thereby solidify his rising fame, instruct his agent to find a charity for him to associate his name with. “Morty,” he says to the agent, “you gotta get me my own charity. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby have their charity golf tournaments. Doris Day works for protecting animals. Danny Thomas has St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Jerry Lewis has Muscular Dystrophy. It works for them, Morty, it’ll work for me. Get on it right away.” A week later the agent calls back. “You’ve found my charity?” the young star asks. “It wasn’t easy, Rick,” the agent replies, “just about everything was taken.” “What was left for me?” the star asks, hope in his voice. A brief silence, a clearing of the throat, finally the agent says, “Acne.” "

Reports criticize Katrina relief efforts - Nation

We have addditional material on Disaster Relief on our Disaster Relief News Blog

Reports criticize Katrina relief efforts - Nation: "Reports criticize Katrina relief efforts
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 8/23/06 Section: Nation

Page 1 of 1

NEW ORLEANS - No less than a half-dozen reports on the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort are being released to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the storm - and nearly all criticize the sluggish pace of the response.

The reports document a host of problems, from the still-unfinished levees to the plight of small businesses and the continuing racial divide.

'It's a pretty bleak picture,' said Minor Sinclair, who heads the U.S. regional office of Oxfam America, a charitable organization."