Friday, December 10, 2004

Youth on Board puts kids to work with nonprofits

Youth on Board puts kids to work with nonprofits: "Youth on Board puts kids to work with nonprofits

Sunday, November 28, 2004


By ANN WINTERHOLTER
The Daily Sentinel
In the boardroom where businesslike ties and collared shirts are the norm for many, Kellen Grode�s red and gray Central High School letter jacket stands out.
Grode�s Jansport pack is the only one in the room and his 17 years are about 30 younger than the average age of a Partners board member.
Nonetheless, Grode is a voting, participating member of the Partners board of directors.
He is one of many teens serving on nonprofit agencies� boards through Youth on Board. An offshoot of the international program was begun in the Grand Valley about six years ago, coordinated by United Way of Mesa County and School District 51�s service-learning program."

TownOnline.com - Westford Eagle - Local News

TownOnline.com - Westford Eagle - Local News: "Several area Boy Scouts groups sever ties with United Way
By Franklin B. Tucker/ Staff Writer
Thursday, December 9, 2004
This Sunday at 1 p.m., Rick McLay and Mark Callahan will be leading a pack of about two dozen elementary school-aged boys to the Carriage House at the senior housing complex off Boston Road.

Cub Scout Pack 51 from Billerica is coming to town

The boys, ranging in age from 6 to 11 will be bringing ginger bread, lunch and decorations for the Christmas tree in the lobby. And most of all, they are bringing themselves, to entertain the seniors during the holidays.

'It's something that we have been doing for eight to 10 years,' said McLay, assistant cub master and a father of a pack member. They serve lunch, hang the ornaments on the tree and sing carols."

O'Neill's exit stirs criticism of UPMC

O'Neill's exit stirs criticism of UPMC: "The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's unwillingness to identify members of its board of trustees -- and the fact that almost all its board changes occur without public announcement -- drew criticism yesterday from corporate governance specialists and even some of its own trustees.
The issue arose with the revelation this week that former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill had resigned from the board nearly three months ago. Many in the region's tight-knit health-care community were unaware of his departure."

New Fed rule cup limit exec compensation at nonprofit companies like ORC

La Crosse Tribune - News: "Federal officials want new rules limiting executive compensation at nonprofit companies like ORC Industries Inc. of La Crosse.
ORC employs about 750 people -many with disabilities - making garments and other items for the military and other customers at plants in Wisconsin and Texas.

ORC president Barbara Barnard received $683,054 in salary and benefits in 2003, nearly $300,000 of which is in deferred compensation, according to ORC's federal tax returns.

But under the proposed rule, nonprofits like ORC that benefit from federal set-aside programs for disabled and blind workers would have to limit total executive compensation to approximately $207,000 � or justify why it should be higher."

Nonprofits Offer the Best Benefits | workforce.com

Nonprofits Offer the Best Benefits | workforce.com: "Nonprofits Offer the Best Benefits
Nonprofits come in at 128 percent of median. Among for-profit companies, utilities offer the best benefits, averaging 117 percent of the market median.


December 10, 2004
Nonprofits Offer the Best Benefits
There may be some truth to the notion that a nonprofit job is low in pay but comes with good benefits, according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Mercer analyzed the benefits programs at more than 1,000 large employers�both for-profit and nonprofit--in the United States. "

Yahoo! News - Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Names Citizens Advisory Group; Nine American Leaders to Help Nonprofits Remain Vital Part of Society

Yahoo! News - Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Names Citizens Advisory Group; Nine American Leaders to Help Nonprofits Remain Vital Part of Society: "Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Names Citizens Advisory Group; Nine American Leaders to Help Nonprofits Remain Vital Part of Society

Thu Dec 9, 6:51 PM ET


To: National Desk
Contact: Jeanne Ellinport of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, 202-467-6163 or jeanne@nonprofitpanel.org WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In another of its steps to help charities and foundations ensure that they remain a vibrant, responsive, and effective force in American society, the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector today announced the creation of a Citizens Advisory Group. The nine members of this new group are leaders of America's business, educational, media, political, and religious institutions, and they will advise the Panel as it develops recommendations to Congress to improve the oversight and governance of nonprofit organizations.
The nine members of the Citizens Advisory Group to the Panel, which was formed in October at the encouragement of the Senate Finance Committee, will provide broad perspectives on how to strengthen governance, transparency, and accountability within the sector as the Panel prepares its recommendations for Congress next year"

BostonHerald.com - Real Estate: Charities lose 71% of donations: Fund-raising companies get it, AG says

BostonHerald.com - Real Estate: Charities lose 71% of donations: Fund-raising companies get it, AG says: "Charities lose 71% of donations: Fund-raising companies get it, AG says
By Jay Fitzgerald
Friday, December 10, 2004
The profitable business of raising money for charities keeps getting more profitable.

Only 29 cents of every dollar raised by telemarketers during average charitable campaigns last year actually went to their intended causes, from defending human rights to helping police associations to making sure government doesn't waste money, according to a report released yesterday by Attorney General Tom Reilly. "

HealthLeaders - HealthLeaders

HealthLeaders - HealthLeaders: "HealthLeaders Magazine
December Cover Story: Do Nonprofit Hospitals Deserve Tax-Exempt Status?
By Philip Betbeze, for HealthLeaders News, December 10, 2004

When for-profit hospitals first appeared in numbers on the healthcare landscape, more than a few nonprofit advocates worried out loud that a for-profit mentality would ruin healthcare.
It was the 1970s, and the fear was that for-profits, by injecting a capitalistic model into the business of healthcare, would squeeze out the nonprofits. That didn't happen, as nonprofits still make up about 85 percent of the nation's hospitals. In fact, nonprofits have weathered a challenging operating environment by increasingly adopting the more aggressive business practices pioneered by for-profit hospitals. But in their efforts to turn a profit or at the very least to stem losses, nonprofit hospitals have raised the ire of more than a few legislators and patient advocate lawyers, as well as the IRS."

What I like about Scrooge

snip snip

Saving is philanthropy, and—because this is both the Christmas season and the season of tax reform—it's worth mentioning that the tax system should recognize as much. If there's a tax deduction for charitable giving, there should be a tax deduction for saving. What you earn and don't spend is your contribution to the world, and it's equally a contribution whether you give it away or squirrel it away.

United Way goes digital - The Washington Times: Technology - November 16, 2004

United Way goes digital - The Washington Times: Technology - November 16, 2004: "So, what's a charity to do? Change with the times. United Way has come up with 'UnitedeWay,' which lets people sign up online to make donations, direct them to a favorite agency, as well as explore volunteer opportunities. It's gone from zero to more than $400 millionworth of giving in about two years, says Michael Schreiber, executive vice president for enterprise services at United Way.
Listening to Mr. Schreiber describe the changing nature of the workplace � and of giving � and it makes sense that United Way is looking to technology as a way to boost revenue, money that goes to those in need. "

Yahoo! News - Bogus E-Mail Worries Users Of Cell Phones

Yahoo! News - Bogus E-Mail Worries Users Of Cell Phones: "Bogus E-Mail Worries Users Of Cell Phones

2 hours, 44 minutes ago Technology - washingtonpost.com


By Caroline E. Mayer, Washington Post Staff Writer
The e-mails, often forwarded by friends, vary in wording, but the underlying message is always ominous: Soon, all cell phone numbers will be made public to telemarketing firms. That means, according to one version, that 'your cell phone may start ringing off the hook with telemarketers' and your precious, limited cell phone minutes will be eaten up with calls you don't want."

StartupJournal | New Venture Adventures

StartupJournal | New Venture Adventures: "Some Online Marketing
Annoys Your Customers
By BOB ROSNER
One of my favorite events in Seattle was the annual Spam-carving contest. You wouldn't believe the creativity -- I saw Spam soldiers, Spam boats, Spam landscapes, Spam cars, Spam everything.
There was only one problem: It's still made out of Spam. And it's no different with its electronic cousin. The key to not adding to the problem is to only mail to people who have given their permission. I've included a series of steps below to allow you to effectively market on the Web while not putting a bunch of innocent victims knee-deep in spam. For more advice, check out 'Effective"

The Salvation Army's Leaky Kettle

The Salvation Army's Leaky Kettle: "The Salvation Army's Leaky Kettle
Just when the agency needs more cash, retailers are foiling its fund-raising strategy

These are tough times for the Salvation Army's bell-ringers. On Nov. 25, giant discounter Target Corp. (TGT ) began enforcing a longstanding ban that prevents charities from collecting donations outside its stores. Making an exception for the Salvation Army might force the chain to welcome other charities that don't sit well with customers. The move was a big blow to the nation's largest charity: Last year kettle-ringers outside Target stores collected $9 million, about 10% of the Salvation Army's holiday take. "

WEEK.com: Donation Causes Bad Feelings

WEEK.com: Donation Causes Bad Feelings: "Donation Causes Bad Feelings
Posted December 9, 2004 6:59pm


This week Caterpillar digs into one of its biggest charitable endeavors ever. But, the announcement of a multi-million dollar donation by the Caterpillar Foundation to the regional museum project rubs some union retirees the wrong way."

Bielfeldt suit largest in recent state history

PJStar.com - Journal Star News: "Bielfeldt suit largest in recent state history
Advertisement

Friday, December 10, 2004
By Dori Meinert
of Copley News Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's lawsuit against Peorian Gary Bielfeldt and his family marks only the fifth time in seven years the office has taken legal action against a not-for-profit organization in the state.
But the case against the Bielfeldt Foundation's former board members - Bielfeldt, his wife Carlotta, and three children, David, Linda Bielfeldt Greene and Karen Bielfeldt-Wales - involves far more money than any of the other lawsuits."

Welcome to the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations

Welcome to the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations: "09 Dec 2005 Stay close to government and speak truth to power, third sector leaders are told

Stay close to government and speak truth to power, third sector leaders are told


Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of acevo, will robustly defend the third sector�s growing closeness to government at acevo�s annual conference on Thursday 9th December. Over 600 delegates are expected to attend, making acevo�s conference the biggest gathering of chief executives and board members within the third sector.


Stephen Bubb will say:
�Working with government has brought real benefits to the sector. It is crucial to the core mission of many acevo members, enabling them to shape policy and improve service delivery. The gains for our clients have been striking. Protests and marches were more appropriate 20 years ago than they are now that government is listening. "

�Not all red tape is bad� claims new report on voluntary sector regulation

�Not all red tape is bad� claims new report on voluntary sector regulation: "Wednesday 8 December 2004
Voluntary sector providers of public services welcome regulation, if it is effective, flexible and not overly bureaucratic, a new report commissioned by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) suggests.
In areas like supported housing, day care for children and residential care, charities interviewed or participating in discussion groups said that regulation promotes public confidence, protects service users and can help organisations to secure funding and raise staff moral. The report concludes that voluntary organisations consider regulation a good thing in principle but often flawed "

Tony Stewart Recognized for his philanthropy

WhoWon.com ... The Internet Source for Motorsports News and Information: "DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Tony Stewart was recognized for his philanthropy by being named NASCAR�s 2004 USG Person of the Year.

The award, presented to Stewart Dec. 3 at the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Breakfast in New York City, is designed to honor NASCAR drivers for their community service contributions and charitable efforts.

The annual award carried a $100,000 payment, which was to be split between the winning driver and his charity of choice. However, Stewart once again showcased his charitable compassion by donating the entire amount to Kyle and Pattie Petty�s Victory Junction Gang Camp, a facility for chronically ill children located in Randleman, N.C. "

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Keeping faith

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Keeping faith: "Keeping faith

Hilary Blume, the brains behind good cause gifts and greetings cards, has raised millions of pounds for charity. So why does she care so little for charities? Alison Benjamin finds out

Wednesday December 8, 2004
The Guardian

You may never have heard of the Charities Advisory Trust, but if you have ever bought a charity Christmas card from one of those shops that sells nothing else, or a present from the Good Gifts "

Thursday, December 09, 2004

The Council on Foundations - Newsletter

The Council on Foundations - Newsletter: "Washington, DC (December 03, 2004) � President and CEO Dorothy S. Ridings announced today her plans to retire from the Council on Foundations in 2005. She will continue to lead the Council until her successor has been named.
�My nine years at the Council have been enormously rewarding. Organized philanthropy is truly a success story, both in America and worldwide,� said Ridings. �It has been a pleasure to have helped it grow and flourish.�
Ridings, who is 65, came to the Council in 1996 from The Bradenton (Florida) Herald, where she had been publisher for eight years. She also held reporting and editing positions at newspapers in Charlotte, NC; Louisville, KY and Washington, DC. She is a member of the Commission on Presidential Debates, chair of the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary board and a past president of the League of Women Voters of the United States."

Foundation will disclose some donors

Foundation will disclose some donors: "Foundation will disclose some donors
UofL arm won't appeal order on corporate giving
By Mark Pitsch
mpitsch@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal
The University of Louisville Foundation agreed yesterday to follow a judge's order and make public which corporations and foundations have donated to the university and the amounts.
The decision not to appeal leaves one issue remaining in the ongoing legal battle between the foundation and The Courier-Journal � whether the organization must disclose the names of individual donors.
The identities of corporate and foundation donors and the amounts of their gifts could be released by the end of the week or early next week, lawyers in the case said. "

Boston.com / Business / Group: Most charities sell donor lists

Boston.com / Business / Group: Most charities sell donor lists: "Group: Most charities sell donor lists
Nonprofits also swap names in an attempt to raise more funds
By Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff December 2, 2004
Most of the nation's charities are attempting to raise additional funds by selling the names of donors to marketing organizations or swapping mailing lists with other nonprofits, a charity watchdog group said yesterday.
Charity Navigator said a survey it conducted of nearly 3,300 charities found that only 18 percent have a donor privacy policy in place, 7 percent reserved the right to sell or swap donor names, and 75 percent did not respond to the survey.
Trent Stamp, the executive director of Charity Navigator, said it is logical to assume that a majority of the 75 percent that failed to respond to the survey did not want the public to know they sell or swap personal information about their donors to other groups."

Towson Times

Towson Times: "Grant guidelines

12/08/04
Email this story to a friend

* About $1 million in federal grant money is available to private nonprofits in the Baltimore region that can show they are at risk of being attacked by terrorists.
* Nonprofits must provide a match of 25 percent of the grant.
* Nonprofits that apply for the grants must undergo an independent threat assessment.
* Applications can be obtained from the county Office of Emergency Preparedness by calling 410-887-5996 or online at www.baltometro.org/criticalinfrastructure.html.
* Deadline for applications is Jan. 4, 2005.
- Bryan Sears "

United Way of America - State of Caring Index

United Way of America - State of Caring Index: "


Despite the economic recovery, the United Way State of Caring Index shows that a growing number of Americans face increased risks. The emerging cracks in American society are found in increased costs of renting, declines in income, difficulties in securing steady employment with benefits, and continued lack of health care coverage, as well as an increase in the percentage of families with children living with a single parent, who have less time and resources to weather difficulties. The United Way State of Caring Index is down 4.8 percent from its high point in 2000, and down 1.3 percent from last year's result. Nevertheless, the United Way State of Caring Index reveals some gains in homeownership, maternal and infant health, and public safety.
The United Way State of Caring Index incorporates 36 indicators covering 1992-2002 in the following areas:
Economic and Financial Well Being
Education
Health
Voluntarism/Charity/Civic Engagement
Safety
Natural Environment and Other Factors "

KPMG Offers Last Minute Year-End Tips to Help Taxpayers Reduce Their 2004 Tax Bill

KPMG Offers Last Minute Year-End Tips to Help Taxpayers Reduce Their 2004 Tax Bill:

Press ReleaseSource: KPMG LLP
KPMG Offers Last Minute Year-End Tips to Help Taxpayers Reduce Their 2004 Tax Bill
Thursday December 9, 10:01 am ET
Benefits From American Jobs Creation Act Offer New Tax-Saving Opportunities
NEW YORK, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Time is running out, but taxpayers can still take action to help reduce their 2004 tax bill, according to KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm. This includes timing 'big ticket' purchases, reexamining charitable contributions, and increasing college and retirement savings plan contributions."

Unselfish 7-year-old sets example for all

Unselfish 7-year-old sets example for all: "
7 daysArchive
By Cathy Kightlinger
cathy.kightlinger@indystar.com
December 9, 2004
Noblesville first-grader Grace Bocko knows a lot about paying good fortune forward.
For her last four birthdays, the 7-year-old has asked those attending her birthday parties for charitable donations in lieu of gifts.
'We started doing this in 2001. That was just a few weeks after the terrorist attacks,' said Grace's mother, Krista Bocko. 'We just felt like we wanted to do something. We feel so blessed in that we have so much, and so many people lost everything.'"

Charities work for donors

Charities work for donors: "Charities work for donors
By WHITNEY ROYSTER
Star-Tribune correspondent
JACKSON -- 'I feel like I'm getting hit up all the time.'
That's what one donor said when asked if there is 'donor fatigue' in Jackson Hole.

In a community with 164 non-profits and scores of wealthy philanthropists, there may be growing frustration by both donors and non-profits that the benefits of community organizations are being lost to the constant beating of the fund-raising drum.

Of course, fund-raising is a necessary tool to provide non-profit services. But when every non-profit develops a potential donor list, several names are likely to appear on those lists. Is it frustrating for those donors? And, is it frustrating for non-profits that know they are one of 164 voices looking to sustain?"

Fool.com: Spitzer for Governor? [Motley Fool Take] December 8, 2004

Fool.com: Spitzer for Governor? [Motley Fool Take] December 8, 2004: "Spitzer for Governor?


By Rich Smith
December 8, 2004
In a development that should surprise absolutely no one -- honestly, Elwood Blues could see this one coming, in the dark and wearing sunglasses -- New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has marshaled his troops and declared his intent to capture the New York State governor's mansion in 2006.
Mr. Spitzer gained fame, as well as no small amount of criticism, for his crusading attacks on corporate wrongdoers, both perceived and actual -- Janus (NYSE: JNS), Bank One, and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) last year; Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC), American International Group (NYSE: AIG), and Aon (NYSE: AOC) more recently -- large and small (Jos. A. Bank (Nasdaq: JOSB)). Now he aims to use his fame (or notoriety -- which term you use depends in large part on how many zeros make up your net worth and whether you arrive at work by subway or chauffeured car) to campaign for higher office."

Atlanta Daily World

Atlanta Daily World: "Dennis Hayes, an Indianapolis native appointed acting president of the NAACP, begins his second tenure as acting chief facing a critical legal challenge.
Hayes, after working with the Indianapolis branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, left the state in 1985 to work in the national organization's legal department in New York. He's now its general counsel based in Baltimore, overseeing its legal challenges against racial "

DMNews.com | News | Article

DMNews.com | News | Article: "Is CAN-SPAM Helping E-Mail Marketers?
Dec. 09, 2004

By: Sean O�Neal
Datran Media
sean@datranmedia.com
Many marketers were concerned about what the effects of the CAN-SPAM Act would be, and numerous companies left the e-mail marketing space entirely. It was reported in the spring that CAN-SPAM compliance was confounding many e-mail marketers. Meanwhile, the Pew Charitable Trust issued a report that e-mail users were more fed up than ever and that they trusted e-mail even less than before CAN-SPAM took effect.
Without consumer trust in e-mail, how possibly can CAN-SPAM be benefiting e-mail marketers?
Yet some e-mail companies have seen their fortunes rise since CAN-SPAM took effect. The law separated the wheat from the chaff in e-mail. Sure, there are still plenty of offshore spammers who can�t be touched by U.S. legislation. But the number of domestic spammers fell immediately, and so did spam � perhaps by 10 percent, right off the bat. "