Nonprofit leaders say financial checks and balances are crucial | Local | Wichita Eagle

Nonprofit leaders say financial checks and balances are crucial | Local | Wichita Eagle: "In the nonprofit world, the system of checks and balances is crucial when it comes to financial oversight, several local nonprofit leaders said.

That issue was heightened last week when Rainbows United, a nonprofit that serves children with special needs and their families, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy late Thursday."

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | 6,000 Runners Have 6,000 Different Motivations

WCSH6.com | Portland, ME | 6,000 Runners Have 6,000 Different Motivations: "Many runners run for charity. While the race will benefit Maine Handicap Skiing this year, many runners run the race to raise funds or awareness for their own personal causes."

Catholic officials: tough times boost fundraising -- chicagotribune.com

Catholic officials: tough times boost fundraising -- chicagotribune.com: "Many factors, including diocese size and location, the ways appeals are presented and the strength of parishioner support can affect church fundraising, but Roman Catholic leaders believe the tough economy is helping their annual fund drives this year as hard times hit people closer to home. Fundraising or the size of gifts is up in Cincinnati and some other cities."

Tulsa World: Volunteers in Tulsa top U.S. average

Tulsa World: Volunteers in Tulsa top U.S. average: "Even with lower rankings in this year's Volunteering in America Report, Tulsa still beats the national average in the percentage of residents who volunteer and in the number of volunteer hours."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer

onPhilanthropy: Articles: State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer: "State Charity Registration Laws: You Can't Ignore Them Any Longer
Friday, July 31, 2009
By: Tony Martignetti, Esq.

State charity registration laws have been ignored for decades. Until earlier this year, I wouldn't have been given space to write about them. There is no penalty for breaking most of them and the few states that have penalties rarely enforce them, so there's been no incentive to comply. Until the IRS stepped in."

The NonProfit Times - NPT Study: Creative Ways of Luring Conference-Goers

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "NPT Study: Creative Ways of Luring Conference-Goers

By Michele Donohue

Carol Lewis, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, said she worried people wouldn’t be able to afford the organization’s annual conference next month. So, the Seattle-based organization decided to tweak the conference to make it more financially accessible.

The organization kept prices at last year’s levels and moved it to a less expensive venue. It was originally scheduled for Alaska. But with the high cost of airfare, Philanthropy Northwest moved the conference to Stevenson, Wash., just outside of Portland, Ore."

Kids charity hopes to set 'back pack toss' world record

Kids charity hopes to set 'back pack toss' world record: "The Back Pack Toss is a safety mechanism for kids. It's an indicator that something bad has taken place and that the police needs to be notified immediately.

Every kid that goes to school has a back pack. While walking, if a vehicle pulls up beside them that they are unsure of, they should step away from the vehicle and each time they take a step, they should undo the zipper of their back pack. If the vehicle's door opens, they should toss the back pack as hard as they can, ran away as fast as they can and yell for help. A dropped back pack, and the debris scattered all over the place - books, papers, lunch containers, pencils - will serve as a warning signal that adults will recognize."

The NonProfit Times - Donor Scales Back Major Gift To University

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Two and a half years after announcing the largest gift in school history, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) will have to settle for less than a third of the donation.

Citing the economic downturn, life insurance mogul Barry Kaye informed FAU officials on Monday that he would be unable to fulfill the $16-million pledge he made in January 2007, and instead will make a $5-million gift. The university renamed its College of Business for Barry and Carol Kaye after the $16-million pledge, which also was to establish an endowment to support academic programs, faculty and students."

Ken-Ducky Derby Kicks Off - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville

Ken-Ducky Derby Kicks Off - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville: "The Kentucky Derby is billed as the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” but the Ken-Ducky Derby could make you a millionaire.

The Harbor House is hosting the sixth-annual Ken-Ducky Derby Kick Off event at the Frazier Historical Museum on Aug. 5. People can adopt rubber ducks to compete in the Derby beginning at the kickoff event."

Troubled times for Utah arts - Salt Lake Tribune

We also post Studies on our Nonprofit Studies We've Seen Blog take a look.

Troubled times for Utah arts - Salt Lake Tribune: "The term 'struggling artist' has taken on new meaning in today's economy.

An overwhelming majority -- 71 percent -- of Utah arts organizations and museums report being concerned about their financial health, a small Utah Arts Council survey shows."

Some groups see school supply donations wane - Local - The Sun News

Some groups see school supply donations wane - Local - The Sun News: "With weeks to go until the first day of classes at area schools, some charitable groups are seeing donations of supplies slow.

Demand for such donations is rising at the same time that sources for the supplies are faltering, according to at least one area nonprofit and church group that traditionally provide help around the start of the school year."

The Santa Barbara Independent Cancer Fundraiser Delayed Due to Recession

The Santa Barbara Independent Cancer Fundraiser Delayed Due to Recession: "To better serve the increasing demand for free American Cancer Society services and programs, the event has been rescheduled to summer 2010, when we can more effectively raise funds needed to sustain our local services for cancer patients, their families and caregivers."

CSU president sets out new path for university - The Denver Post

CSU president sets out new path for university - The Denver Post: "Frank said he also wants to step up the university's fundraising. 'I think it is important for us to make a statement that we can raise money from philanthropy, and we are going to use the philanthropic giving to partner with public funds to make sure we have a great institution,' he said in a telephone interview.

Penley focused his fundraising efforts on well-heeled investors and corporate heavyweights. He worked hard to convince investors that their cash would draw dividends if they poured it into CSU research projects."

Philanthropy Australia launches Projects Pool — Third Sector — The magazine for Australia’s non-profit and not-for-profit sector

Philanthropy Australia launches Projects Pool — Third Sector — The magazine for Australia’s non-profit and not-for-profit sector: "Philanthropy Australia has launched a new knowledge-sharing tool to help source funding for projects proposed by non-profits."

Sam Williams Farm Africa bike ride to Kenya

Sam Williams Farm Africa bike ride to Kenya: "Ambitious Sam Williams had raised £20,000 for the charity FARM Africa in 2007 by rowing single-handedly across the Atlantic, despite having sailed in nothing more than a rowing boat before.

So when he wanted to see for himself how that money had been spent, the 25-year-old from Box decided he would do it the hard way, and pedal every single one of the 6,000 miles to the village in Kenya which received his money."

Pope to Cut Album for Charity - CBS News

Pope to Cut Album for Charity - CBS News: "(AP) A new album coming out of Abbey Road studios may be a first: it features the pope praying as well as singing."

Choosing A Charity - Forbes.com

Choosing A Charity - Forbes.com: "You don't need to be rich to give to charity. You don't even need to be middle class. In fact, in the United States today it's the poor, not the wealthy, who give the highest percentage of their income to those in need."

IRS Releases Final Regulations for Returns of Small Groups - Philanthropy.com

IRS Releases Final Regulations for Returns of Small Groups - Philanthropy.com: "IRS Releases Final Regulations for Returns of Small Groups

The Internal Revenue Service has issued final regulations that explain how organizations must file tax returns if their annual gross receipts are usually $25,000 or less."

California seeks sponsors for state parks - Los Angeles Times

California seeks sponsors for state parks - Los Angeles Times: "State parks officials and nonprofit organizations scrambled Wednesday to find funding and possibly new corporate sponsors to keep as many as 100 parks and beaches open after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed an additional $6.2 million out of the state parks system."

Bradley Center's Payne steps down - JSOnline

Bradley Center's Payne steps down - JSOnline: "But the building, believed to be the only major public facility in the country built through the philanthropy of a single family, is aging. In the recent state budget, $5 million was set aside to help the Bradley Center, which has no public tax support, for maintenance purposes"

Students offered scholarships from fictional crimefighter, Jack Reacher | Books | guardian.co.uk

Students offered scholarships from fictional crimefighter, Jack Reacher | Books | guardian.co.uk: "Jack Reacher, the hardass former military policeman created by crime writer Lee Child, turns out to have an unlikely penchant for philanthropy, after Child launched a series of scholarships for Sheffield University students in his fictional investigator's name."

idealist.org - Who’s Got This Year’s Bragging Rights for Volunteering in the U.S.?

idealist.org - Who’s Got This Year’s Bragging Rights for Volunteering in the U.S.?: "Last year, Utah and Minneapolis-St Paul came out on top as the state and large city with the highest average percentage of volunteers, according to research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). As CNCS releases civic engagement stats for 2008 today, anticipation is high to see who will take these titles away from the Twin Cities and the Beehive State. So, without further ado, this year’s city and state with the highest percentage of volunteers…Minneapolis-St Paul and Utah!"

Study: 1 in 3 U.S. Volunteers Serve through Religious Groups | Christianpost.com

Study: 1 in 3 U.S. Volunteers Serve through Religious Groups | Christianpost.com: "The Volunteering in America 2009 report, the most comprehensive data ever assembled on volunteer trends and demographics, found that 22.2 million volunteers, or 35.9 percent of the total 61.8 million volunteers in the United States, served with or through a religious organization in 2008."

morrisdailyherald.com | Who wants to be a grantmaker?

morrisdailyherald.com | Who wants to be a grantmaker?: "In July, our anniversary month, we launched a great new program — “Who Wants to be a Grantmaker?” In partnership with the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this program will be featured at the Chamber’s monthly Business After Hours (BAH).

At the BAH, the Community Foundation will draw a business card and that winner gets to select a charity. The Foundation will then mail a donation of $100 to that charity in the winner’s name. How cool is that?"

The Columbus Dispatch : United Way charts course

The Columbus Dispatch : United Way charts course: "With a unanimous vote yesterday, the United Way of Central Ohio cemented its transformation from a fundraising club for charities to an agenda setter in regional philanthropy.

Nine goals will guide fundraising and grant dollars at the United Way for the next decade: reducing crime in five neighborhoods; cutting abandoned housing by a third in those neighborhoods; raising kindergartners' passing rate on literacy tests to 85 percent; boosting the county's high-school graduation rate to 95 percent; cutting by 20 percent the number of households below 250 percent of the federal poverty line; halving the number of residents without regular health care; training one in three residents for disaster response; boosting the number of residents at a healthy weight; and providing emergency help to everyone in need."

Senior officials praise federal employees for local philanthropy (7/28/09) -- www.GovernmentExecutive.com

Senior officials praise federal employees for local philanthropy (7/28/09) -- www.GovernmentExecutive.com: "Senior officials praise federal employees for local philanthropy
By Alyssa Rosenberg arosenberg@govexec.com July 28, 2009

Cabinet secretaries commended federal employees for their commitment to service as they delivered food donated by agency workers to the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington on Tuesday."

Does the Nonprofit World Need a 'Reboot'? - Philanthropy.com

Does the Nonprofit World Need a 'Reboot'? - Philanthropy.com: "Does the Nonprofit World Need a 'Reboot'?

Will the recession force the nonprofit world to work together better and be more focused? Or will the continuing economic losses simply hobble charities and foundations?"

Cleveland Leader | Cleveland News & More!

Cleveland Leader | Cleveland News & More!: "Donations will also be accepted at the event to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. Donations will allow the Taussig Cancer Institute to continue offering world-class care, treatment, and clinical trial research in cancer awareness, diagnosis and management."

Six Key Attributes of Sticky Messages : By Abny Santicola : FundRaising Success

Six Key Attributes of Sticky Messages : By Abny Santicola : FundRaising Success: "Fundraisers spend time and resources creating messages for cases, proposals and campaigns. But how many of them actually stick?

In his session 'Sticky Ideas: How to Make Your Fundraising Messages Powerful and Persuasive' at the 2009 Bridge Conference held last week near Washington, D.C., consultant Bernard Ross defined what makes ideas stick, why sticky ideas work and why they're essential to fundraising, and how they can be applied by fundraisers in their work with donors, board members and others."

Press Release: In Tough Times, Volunteering In America Remains Strong

Press Release: In Tough Times, Volunteering In America Remains Strong: "New Federal Report Ranks 50 States and 200 Cities, Shows Young Adults & “Do-It-Yourself” Volunteers Leading Compassion Boom

Washington, DC – A new report released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service finds that even during a time of prolonged economic recession, volunteering has remained steady, fueled by a compassion boom led by young adults and a wave of do-it-yourself volunteers working with their neighbors to fix problems."