Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "an. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The Bernard Madoff scandal has intensified efforts to hold investment advisers more accountable for their clients’ interests, as the Obama administration considers an overhaul of financial regulation."

The stage is reset in New Orleans - Los Angeles Times

The stage is reset in New Orleans - Los Angeles Times: "New Orleans, hammered by Hurricane Katrina 3 1/2 years ago and still lurching toward a full recovery, received a helping hand -- and voice -- Saturday.

Superstar tenor Plácido Domingo culminated a 10-day grand reopening of the city-owned Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, which has undergone $22 million in renovations after being severely damaged by the hurricane flood waters. The arts center had been closed since it took on 14 feet of water in the 2005 storm and left the New Orleans Opera, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and New Orleans Ballet Assn. without a home."

BillingsGazette.com :: Montanans answer call to service

BillingsGazette.com :: Montanans answer call to service: "Across Montana, people are honoring the president-elect's call to service on Martin Luther King Day with nearly 60 events in 30 cities and towns. In Sidney, they're writing letters to Montana soldiers. In Circle, they're building a wheelchair ramp for a man injured in a car accident. In Fishtail, they're compiling a list of volunteer opportunities in Stillwater County and contacting volunteers to get the work done."

Avon nonprofit collects keys for scrap-metal donations - The Boston Globe

Avon nonprofit collects keys for scrap-metal donations - The Boston Globe: "'I saw the paper clip story and it hit me: What about starting with keys?' said Greenberg, referring to children in Whitwell, Tenn., who collected millions of paper clips to commemorate each person killed in the Holocaust.

Greenberg's Key for Hope, incorporated in 2006 in Avon, now administers key drives, much like book drives. So far the nonprofit has set up about 30 sites around the South Shore where people can take their keys.

The campaign reached a high point last month when the founda tion's Keys in the Classroom program collected 31,000 keys from the Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, and Stoughton school systems - enough to donate 5,000 pounds of food to food pantries in those towns."

Aid organisations hit by fall in value of the pound - Third Sector

Aid organisations hit by fall in value of the pound - Third Sector: "Aid organisations hit by fall in value of the pound

By David Ainsworth, Third Sector, 20 January 2009

Higher inflation in the developing world contributing to loss of NGO spending power, say finance directors

International aid organisations are facing a steep drop in their overseas spending power because of the falling international value of the pound."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Obama vs. Madoff: Charity, Change and Crisis at the Dawn of a New Era

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Obama vs. Madoff: Charity, Change and Crisis at the Dawn of a New Era: "Obama vs. Madoff: Charity, Change and Crisis at the Dawn of a New Era
Friday, January 16, 2009
By: Tom Watson

We do not have an advance copy of President--Elect Barack Obama's inauguration address just at hand, but it's no particular leap of faith to predict that a national call to public service will be issued from the west front of the Capitol on Tuesday afternoon."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Postal Hike Capped At 3.8% Average

By Mark Hrywna

Plummeting energy prices during the last quarter of 2008 could very well have saved nonprofits untold thousands in future postal increases.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) determined a cap of 3.8 percent on the average postal class after new economic data were released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Postal reform legislation approved by Congress in December 2006 allows the United States Postal Service (USPS) to adjust rates annually by no more than the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the preceding 12 months. The PRC’s rate cap is determined by incorporating the December CPI-U figure and a percentage change between years."

Around Annapolis: Womenade's charitable efforts gain attention - Annapolis - (HometownAnnapolis.com)

Around Annapolis: Womenade's charitable efforts gain attention - Annapolis - (HometownAnnapolis.com): "Launched in Sept. 2002, Annapolis Womenade is modeled after Washington Womenade, a giving group that sprang up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., the previous year. The group's slogan is, 'With lemons, make lemonade. With women, make Womenade."

Education Week: Rolling Up Their Sleeves

Education Week: Rolling Up Their Sleeves: "Chicago has become a hotbed of 'venture philanthropy' in education, as two local foundations contribute not only money, but also the hands-on work of some of the city's wealthiest and most influential residents, to help improve the schools in the nation's third-largest district."

Colleges Hurt in Madoff Scandal Receive Subpoenas for Information - Chronicle.com

Colleges Hurt in Madoff Scandal Receive Subpoenas for Information - Chronicle.com: "Colleges Hurt in Madoff Scandal Receive Subpoenas for Information

The New York attorney general has issued subpoenas to colleges that lost money they had invested with Bernard L. Madoff, including New York University and Yeshiva University, The New York Times reported today."

Best Careers 2009: Fundraiser - US News and World Report

Best Careers 2009: Fundraiser - US News and World Report: "Best Careers 2009: Fundraiser
By Marty Nemko
Posted December 11, 2008

Overview. Whether it's for a political party or the Little League, many people like the idea of being a fundraiser, except for one thing: 'I could never ask for money.' Fact is, only a small percentage of a development (fundraising) professional's time is spent on 'the ask.'"

Economic-Stimulus Package to Help Nonprofit Groups Meet Social Needs - Philanthropy.com

Economic-Stimulus Package to Help Nonprofit Groups Meet Social Needs - Philanthropy.com: "Economic-Stimulus Package to Help Nonprofit Groups Meet Social Needs

By Suzanne Perry

Washington

House Democrats unveiled an economic-stimulus package today that proposes billions of dollars in spending on Medicaid and other federal programs that will help nonprofit groups in cash-strapped states meet spiking demand for social services."

The Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting Spirited Nonprofit Management - Four Futures

The Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting Spirited Nonprofit Management - Four Futures: "Four Futures E-mail
Written by Paul Light

During these troubled times, what lies in store for the nonprofit sector, and what do we need to do about it? Along with every family in America, the nonprofit sector is wondering about its future. Will we miraculously survive as we largely do today? Will we starve our organizations to the core or emerge from the current economic calamity mostly intact? Will we fight the prevailing downturn on behalf of our individual institutions and leave others to defend themselves, or instead will we join forces to shore up the sector as a whole? In the aftermath of this financial crisis, will we have real options and choices?"

Inquiry Started of Financier Who Invested With Madoff - NYTimes.com

Inquiry Started of Financier Who Invested With Madoff - NYTimes.com: "But not everyone sees him as a victim. The New York attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, has issued subpoenas in an effort to determine whether Mr. Merkin had defrauded universities and charities when he invested their money with Mr. Madoff, a person with knowledge of the case said Thursday."

Senate to probe Madoff scandal January 27 | Politics | Reuters

Senate to probe Madoff scandal January 27 | Politics | Reuters: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will hold a January 27 hearing to examine Wall Street financier Bernard Madoff's alleged $50 billion fraud, a committee aide said on Thursday."

Phoenix Travel Examiner: Vehicle donations for charity set record for Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Phoenix Travel Examiner: Vehicle donations for charity set record for Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale: "number of cars are being auctioned off to benefit charities during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale this week. Fourteen cars, twelve existing and two yet to roll off the manufacturing line will be auctioned between January 11 -18, 2009. Among the generous donors are General Motors and Ford Motor Company as well as NASCAR icons Tony Stewart and Rick Hendrick. Charities benefiting from the auctions include the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Carroll Shelby Children's Foundation, MLB Charities and the Hendrick Marrow Program."

Semester of Service

Semester of Service: "About the Semester of Service
Semester of Service encourages students, ages 5-25, to develop a semester-long service-learning project that launches on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 19, 2009) and culminates on Global Youth Service Day (April 24-26, 2009). Projects take place in classrooms as part of the academic curriculum; in schools as part of the extra-curricular activities; in congregations of faith; and in youth development groups in neighborhoods across the United States. During these 12 weeks, young people from elementary schools to graduate universities will identify a problem or unmet need that affects their community, the nation, or the world. They will prepare a plan, take action to implement their solution, reflect deeply on their progress and next steps, and celebrate their success."

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tayside and Central | Team plan 2,000-mile charity ride

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tayside and Central | Team plan 2,000-mile charity ride: "A Perthshire man is preparing to embark on a 2,000 mile journey through South America on horseback for charity."

CatholicCourier - Top Stories

CatholicCourier - Top Stories: "'It'll be a tight year for (funding agencies,)' said Frank J. Butler, president of the Washington-based Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, or FADICA, an association of 50 private foundations and charitable agencies. 'They're all trying to live up to the commitments they've made. They're struggling like the average person would.'

Butler said local nonprofit agencies will face more competition from each other for funding and that they will be required more than ever to demonstrate they 'have the very best practices in the way they operate.'

'If you have a good charity and it's run well, you shouldn't be that worried,' he said. 'Your donors are going to stick with you.'"

Anchorage Press > News > Alaska's philanthropy enigma

Anchorage Press > News > Alaska's philanthropy enigma: "In its inaugural year, a program that allows Alaska residents to donate a portion of their Permanent Fund Dividend to a charitable cause is including 338 different nonprofits.

They range from Little League baseball organizations, to soup kitchens, to the University of Alaska and community health clinics. The program—hosted at the web site pickclickgive.org—is meant to make donating cash easier for Alaskans.



It’s also a bit of a social experiment, because giving cash isn’t something that comes naturally to Alaskans, according to experts who study philanthropy."

Madoff ally under scrutiny as probe deepens | Reuters

Related stories on Madoff

Madoff ally under scrutiny as probe deepens | Reuters: "But the debonair 64-year-old philanthropist is now under mounting scrutiny over his friendship and business relationship with Bernard Madoff, the suspected mastermind behind an alleged $50 billion fraud.

Jaffe, chairman of the multimillion-dollar Palm HealthCare Foundation, was sought out in Palm Beach high society because he could deliver what seemed like the safest bet around -- access to Madoff's legendary fund and a relationship with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC."

Donor fatigue setting in for some Obama supporters -- chicagotribune.com

Donor fatigue setting in for some Obama supporters -- chicagotribune.com: "Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size
Donor fatigue setting in for some Obama supporters
Some supporters weary of continuing barrage of e-mails seeking donations on president-elect's behalf

By John McCormick | Tribune reporter
January 15, 2009

Barack Obama supporter Ellyn Nugent says she feels like she is stuck in some kind of endless public broadcasting fundraising pitch.

'Frankly, I am tired of David Plouffe . . . continuing to appeal for my money,' the Chicago resident said of the stream of fundraising e-mails she continues to receive from Obama's campaign manager and others."

Groups seek new ways to spread the health | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/15/2009

Groups seek new ways to spread the health | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/15/2009: "You've got to be able to write food on a prescription pad, and we did,' Farmer told the members of globalislocal at Gladwyne's Philadelphia Country Club. The fund is innovative in how its members, called partners, give money to social entrepreneurs."

Downtown, Pew Opens its Doors to Nonprofits - CoStar Group

Downtown, Pew Opens its Doors to Nonprofits - CoStar Group: "With support from the District of Columbia, The Pew Charitable Trusts is planning to turn its Washington headquarters building at 901 E Street NW into a downtown haven for nonprofits."

Reform on United Way board agenda | CharlotteObserver.com

Reform on United Way board agenda | CharlotteObserver.com: "A new course for Charlotte's besieged United Way will be set today, when its board gathers in a closed session to hammer out a series of reforms that could include cutting its own membership by as much as half, and shutting down an in-house program that costs million"

Lawmakers want details on Clinton charity plan - National wire news 24/7 from The Plain Dealer & Associated Press - cleveland.com

Lawmakers want details on Clinton charity plan - National wire news 24/7 from The Plain Dealer & Associated Press - cleveland.com: "WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers want more details on an agreement between Hillary Clinton and President-elect Barack Obama intended to ensure that her husband's charitable work would not pose a conflict of interest if she is confirmed as secretary of state.

In a plan made public last year and outlined in a Jan. 5 letter by former President Bill Clinton's lawyer, ethics officials at the State Department will be allowed to review overseas contributions made to Bill Clinton's charity. The State Department also will be able to assess in advance the former president's consulting work and speaking engagements."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "The Cost Of Unpaid Interns
How to navigate the wage and hour law maze

By Michael J. Volpe, Kristine A. Sova, and Megan H. Mann

An overwhelming number of nonprofit organizations offer unpaid internships to students seeking entry into the workforce and nonprofit sector. Often overlooked, however, is the fact that interns come with legislative strings attached, including federal and state wage and hour laws.

These laws require, among other things, payment of a minimum wage for work performed by an individual. Moreover, under federal wage and hour law, there is no blanket provision exempting all interns or nonprofits from the law’s grasp, yet unpaid interns abound. This begs the question: Should unpaid interns really be paid? The answer in some instances is, yes."

New site aims to increase transparency of Texas nonprofits - Austin Business Journal:

New site aims to increase transparency of Texas nonprofits - Austin Business Journal:: "The Texas Attorney General’s office has launched a new online resource that allows users to search Texas nonprofit’s tax filings with the goal of providing greater transparency of charities.

The newly created database , dubbed Charity Search,"

Weak stock market affects UTPA endowments | university, texas, endowments - Local - Brownsville Herald

Weak stock market affects UTPA endowments | university, texas, endowments - Local - Brownsville Herald: "EDINBURG - The University of Texas-Pan American's endowments are not immune to the effects of the stock market crash.

The university hasn't seen the huge value plunges of other institutions - especially private ones.

But funds managed for it by the University of Texas Investment Management Corporation and its own separate endowment each have seen value decreases of about 22 percent over the last fiscal year."

Inland charities' share of proceeds from fundraising firms bigger | San Bernardino County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Inland charities' share of proceeds from fundraising firms bigger | San Bernardino County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California: "Inland charities that hired fundraising businesses to raise money in 2007 got a higher return than the state average, according to California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

Nine organizations with outreach in San Bernardino and Riverside counties held 11 fundraisers and got an average of about 59 percent of the money that for-profit firms generated for them. The state average was close to 44 percent."