Governments Finding Creative Ways to Chip away at Tax Exemptions - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Governments Finding Creative Ways to Chip away at Tax Exemptions - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: “Where will it end?” asks Jon Pratt in relation to the proliferating practice of municipalities coming up with all kinds of devices to tax nonprofits (full disclosure: although he had no involvement in this newswire whatsoever, Jon Pratt is an editorial advisor for Nonprofit Quarterly). Pratt, the executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, lists only some of the various instruments local governments have come up with as mandatory taxes on nonprofit property owners that are, under the law, exempt from property taxes: “Snow removal fees? Street maintenance fees? Lighting fees? You could take the entire municipal budget and divide it into a thousand pieces. Then the whole concept of tax exempt is gone.”

Charitable Giving--Talkin' 'Bout the Generations | Millionaire Corner

Charitable Giving--Talkin' 'Bout the Generations | Millionaire Corner: When it comes to charitable giving, who is the most generous generation?

Not so fast, baby boomers. The so-called “matures” have you beat. Turns out they are the “Greatest” at charitable giving, according to a report by Convio, Edge Research and Sea Change Strategies.

Corporate Giving Programs Still Going Strong

Corporate Giving Programs Still Going Strong: Corporate Giving Programs Still Going Strong
By Leon Kaye | January 29th, 2013 0 Comments
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Bill Gates Steve Ballmer mark 30 years of corporate giving programs

Corporate giving programs are still a large component of many company’s social responsibility strategies. The roots go back to corporate philanthropy dating back to the era of the Rockefellers, Morgans and Carnegies. The practice of giving has its share of critics, including here on TriplePundit. And while writing checks does not substitute for actually “doing good” on social, environmental and corporate governance issues, watch the practice to continue. And it should: at least here in the United States, many institutions, from leading cultural centers to public libraries, have their roots in the Gilded Age of the late 19th century.

GVSU report provides insight into next-gen philanthropists - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

GVSU report provides insight into next-gen philanthropists - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel: Allendale —

A new report from Grand Valley State University’s Johnson Center for Philanthropy and 21/64, a non-profit consulting practice, provides a first-of-a-kind study on the habits of next-generation donors, who will inherit an unprecedented $40 trillion and are poised to be the most significant philanthropists in history.

The report, called Next Gen Donors looks at how the major donors of the future are approaching their giving and how it differs — and remains the same — from their parents and grandparents.

Service 2.0: The New Giving Will Transform Philanthropy | Service on GOOD

Service 2.0: The New Giving Will Transform Philanthropy | Service on GOOD: Charitable giving is a part of life for most Americans. 65 percent of households with incomes less than $100,000 donate, and 98 percent of high net worth households donate. I predict that the future of giving is getting even brighter. I think that more Americans will give, and I think that more Americans will give more and smarter.

Nonprofit Startups Are Just Like Their Counterparts - WSJ.com

Nonprofit Startups Are Just Like Their Counterparts - WSJ.com: What's different about building a successful for-profit and nonprofit startup?

Not much, according to Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, an elite accelerator program in Mountain View, Calif., that accepted a nonprofit for the first time this month, Watsi.org. "You could never tell there was a nonprofit mixed in," he said in a phone interview on Friday

1 | Sandy's Driftwood Becomes Color-Blocked Art For Charity | Co.Design: business innovation design

1 | Sandy's Driftwood Becomes Color-Blocked Art For Charity | Co.Design: business innovation design: Two New York art directors collected, dried, and painted wood they found on the Jersey Shore after the hurricane. Now, the pieces are being sold to benefit local reconstruction efforts.

To Sue or Not to Sue Over Unpaid Pledges? | Michael Rosen Says…

Check out additional Pledge articles 

To Sue or Not to Sue Over Unpaid Pledges? | Michael Rosen Says…: To Sue or Not to Sue Over Unpaid Pledges?

Sometimes, nonprofit organizations sue philanthropists over unpaid pledges. This was recently the case with the Kansas City Art Institute. When a charity pursues this type of legal action, it sends shockwaves throughout the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.

I do believe there are times when a nonprofit can and should sue a donor. However, this should only be done as an absolute last resort. The three instances when a lawsuit might be acceptable are:

Entrepreneurial Philanthropy | Stanford Social Innovation Review

Entrepreneurial Philanthropy | Stanford Social Innovation Review: Andrew Carnegie once said, “It is more difficult to give money away intelligently than to earn it in the first place.” This statement still holds true today—it can seem like a daunting task.

For many of us, it’s simply a matter of giving to charities from which we feel the most “tug.” But ad hoc philanthropic actions, however well intended, are often not enough to make a real difference. Worse, they can have negative unintended consequences on the social issues they aim to fix. In Africa, for example, funders distributed mosquito nets for free to reduce the incidence of malaria but found that they were in

Bigger is Always Better (Except When it’s Not!) How Big Should Your Nonprofit Board Be?The Fundraising Resource Group | The Fundraising Resource Group

Bigger is Always Better (Except When it’s Not!) How Big Should Your Nonprofit Board Be?The Fundraising Resource Group | The Fundraising Resource Group: Bigger is Always Better (Except When it’s Not!) How Big Should Your Nonprofit Board Be?

Philanthropy, Not Fundraising: I Have a Dream - Clairification

Philanthropy, Not Fundraising: I Have a Dream - Clairification: I have a dream for 2013 – and beyond. I have a dream this is the year your organization will move beyond defining yourself by what you’re not (nonprofit) and will begin to define yourself by what you are (social benefit). I have a dream this is the year your people will move from an attitude of taking and hitting people up (aka “fundraising”) to a mindset of giving and lifting people up (aka “philanthropy”). I have a dream this is the year your staff and volunteers will move from enacting transactions to enabling transformation.

Armstrong-Affiliated Sports Nonprofit Cuts Ties to Cyclist - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Armstrong-Affiliated Sports Nonprofit Cuts Ties to Cyclist - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Armstrong-Affiliated Sports Nonprofit Cuts Ties to Cyclist

January 28, 2013, 10:53 am

A charity co-founded by Lance Armstrong to help high-profile athletes channel their philanthropy has severed ties with the former cycling champion following his public confession of doping, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Wealthy Young Donors Push Charities to Show Results - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Wealthy Young Donors Push Charities to Show Results - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Affluent young donors say they are more focused than their parents and grandparents on producing a measurable impact with their giving, according to study released today.

What’s more, some of them say they care more about advancing a cause than helping an institution, the reverse of how they see the philanthropy of their elders.

Notes on the Limitations of Strategic Philanthropy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Notes on the Limitations of Strategic Philanthropy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Reclaiming Opportunistic Grantmaking as a Critical Part of Our Portfolio

Five years ago, the foundation made numerous changes in its governance and grantmaking that undercut many of the traditional qualities and values that have characterized PWF since its founding in 1947. These qualities had gained for PWF a reputation as an innovator, open to opportunities, and supportive of new ideas and fledgling organizations that went on to play important roles in our society and the world.

But in 2007 we wiped the slate clean of many of the foundation’s traditions, values and culture in a

Giving Will Barely Rise in 2013, Forecast Predicts - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Giving Will Barely Rise in 2013, Forecast Predicts - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Giving in 2013 is expected to rise only 1.6 percent from last year, according to a new report, making it one of the worst fundraising years in five decades, projects the Atlas for Giving, an independent forecasting service.

Fundraising's freshest thinkers take on the sector's toughest topics : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success

Fundraising's freshest thinkers take on the sector's toughest topics : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success: Back in October, FundRaising Success hosted its third annual virtual conference and trade show, a full day of online sessions moderated by some of the most creative and passionate folks in the sector. Our lively closing session brought together a handful of the members of the FS Editorial Advisory Board to talk about the issues they see as the most pressing for fundraisers in the new year.

Fundraising's freshest thinkers take on the sector's toughest topics : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success

Fundraising's freshest thinkers take on the sector's toughest topics : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success: Back in October, FundRaising Success hosted its third annual virtual conference and trade show, a full day of online sessions moderated by some of the most creative and passionate folks in the sector. Our lively closing session brought together a handful of the members of the FS Editorial Advisory Board to talk about the issues they see as the most pressing for fundraisers in the new year.

Mashable's Sharon Feder and the Story of�#GivingTuesday - Blog - Social Nerdia: Tech Marketing Social Media

Mashable's Sharon Feder and the Story of�#GivingTuesday - Blog - Social Nerdia: Tech Marketing Social Media

Latest News | LowcountryBizSC

Latest News | LowcountryBizSC: Blackbaud is a community of people who care, who seek to help nonprofits drive positive change in the world. Through its corporate citizenship, it strives to make a difference both through what it does as a company and how it serves as individual people, personally and professionally.

Its commitment:

Deliver solutions that help do good
Govern our business ethically
Be a caring employer
Steward the environment
Serve others through good business, volunteerism and philanthropy

Blackbaud CEO Chardon Stepping Down - TheNonProfitTimes

Blackbaud CEO Chardon Stepping Down - TheNonProfitTimes: One year and one week after announcing it would acquire its biggest rival and barely a week after cutting 5 percent of its workforce, Blackbaud announced President and Chief Executive Officer Marc Chardon will step down by the end of 2013.

What Nonprofits Can Learn from Public Radio about Storytelling | NTEN

What Nonprofits Can Learn from Public Radio about Storytelling | NTEN: f nonprofits want to learn how to create content that both engages audiences and creates devoted supporters, we need look no further than the gold standard offered each day by public radio. Think about it: Radio producers can create stories that keep us in the car for "driveway moments" even when we've reached home, just so we can hear the ending.

Public radio has created legions of devotees who give money for something they can already get for free. At the same time, we're in the middle of a renaissance of digital audio online and via mobile technology

Pay rises for all Pittsburgh-area nonprofit leaders, but men earn more - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pay rises for all Pittsburgh-area nonprofit leaders, but men earn more - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: According to a survey conducted by the Bayer Center for Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University and the United Way of Allegheny County, the average salary for male executive directors at nonprofits last year was $126,690 while female executive directors earned $94,232.

With Lessons for U.S., U.K. Report Eyes Nonprofit Sector Autonomy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

With Lessons for U.S., U.K. Report Eyes Nonprofit Sector Autonomy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Does government or corporate money make charities reluctant to speak out and advocate? That’s the concern in the U.K. Charities reportedly fear that the Tory government’s “Big Society” program of running more public services through charities will make groups wary of speaking out. The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector laid out its concerns in the second of four annual reports examining the ability of British nonprofits to advocate on public policies. The Panel, chaired by Sir Roger Singleton, the former head of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, sees the U.K.’s charitable sector as “at risk because its necessary independence is under threat, and that that threat is greatest for organisations working with disadvantaged people.”

5 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Nonprofit Job - Forbes

5 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Nonprofit Job - Forbes: 5 Mistakes to Avoid if You Want a Nonprofit Job

Donor-Advised Funds Soared at 2012’s Close - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Donor-Advised Funds Soared at 2012’s Close - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Amidst all the uncertainty around the fate of the charitable deduction, marginal tax rates, and capital gains taxes, something happened with the major national donor-advised fund (DAF) managers. Schwab Charitable, for example, reported a tripling of contributions and a doubling of new donor-advised fund accounts in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the same period of 2011. Distributions from the new accounts weren’t quite as robust, but still surpassed the fourth quarter in 2011 by 70 percent. Schwab Charitable President Kim Laughton added that the new accounts created in 2012 would probably lead to a higher level of distributions in 2013.

OPM plans to shake up charity program raises concerns about reduced donations - The Washington Post

OPM plans to shake up charity program raises concerns about reduced donations - The Washington Post: The Office of Personnel Management wants to shake up the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the charitable-giving system for federal employees, but in the process the agency could risk losing donors and reducing contributions.

One rule under review by the Obama administration would “eliminate the use of cash, check and money order contributions. Instead, all donations will be required to be made through electronic means.”

Contributions To Schwab Charitable Fund Triple

Contributions To Schwab Charitable Fund Triple: Contributions to Schwab Charitable donor-advised funds more than tripled during the second half of 2012 and Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund is expecting similar increases, say spokespersons for both funds.

3 ways CEOs and fundraisers can slow the revolving door

3 ways CEOs and fundraisers can slow the revolving door: Here are three suggestions for CEOs, Executive Directors, and boards. Next week, I will share three suggestions for development professionals.
3 Ways CEOs and Boards Can Hire Fundraising Professionals Worth Keeping

Look at how many jobs you really need

Packable philanthropy: Donate a TEDx in a Box

Packable philanthropy: Donate a TEDx in a Box: What is a TEDx in a Box, you ask? It’s a suitcase stuffed with everything an economically marginalized community needs to host their very own TEDx event — a projector, an iPod preloaded with subtitled TED Talks, a sound system, camcorders to capture fresh talks, and a how-to guide. TEDx in a Box was an idea that originated at TEDxKibera, a vibrant event held in the slums of Nairobi. With TEDx in a Box, individuals in the developing world and other underserved areas are delivered all the resources they need for an event, packaged into a portable box designed by IDEO. So far, boxes have been shipped to organizers in Ecuador, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, India and Pakistan — and counting.

Kenneth Service / Think before you tax: A city payroll tax on nonprofits would hit higher education - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kenneth Service / Think before you tax: A city payroll tax on nonprofits would hit higher education - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: While the question of addressing Pittsburgh's revenue needs is certainly a valid subject for investigation, early comments regarding both approaches seem to indicate a predetermined outlook that ignores the reason why nonprofit organizations are exempt, by law, from the payment of some taxes; namely that they provide benefits to the public that municipal governments are not equipped to provide or could not afford to provide.