Friday, January 14, 2005

Colorado Daily-- Foundation bill hits floor

Colorado Daily: "Foundation bill hits floor
By ERIN WIGGINS Colorado Daily Staff Writer


Despite the CU Foundation's voluntary release of 3,500 paper records to media outlets in December, state lawmakers proposed legislation this week to make the university's private fundraising arm subject to the open records laws.

HB 1041, proposed on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives Wednesday, specifies that financial records of a non-profit entity that is organized 'for the benefit of one or more state institutions of higher education are public records.'"

BostonHerald.com - Inside Track: Heinz may not relish another Kerry run

BostonHerald.com - Inside Track: Heinz may not relish another Kerry run: "Heinz may not relish another Kerry run
By Gayle Fee and Laura Raposa
Friday, January 14, 2005
Sen. John Kerry may be making noise about running for president again in 2008, but the Track is given to understand that the little woman, Teresa Heinz Kerry, has made it clear to her hubby that she won't sit still for another campaign. Ever.

``It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing,'' said a FOT. ``She's 66 now, though God bless her, you'd never know it, and you know as you get older, your priorities change. Teresa will never do it again.''

But Teresa's spokesman, Jeff Lewis, was quick to deny the report.

``Teresa Heinz is too smart to say that,'' he said. ``She campaigned her heart out, as did her husband. The people loved her and she loved the people. It was hard work and a great experience and we'll just go from there.'' "

DMNews.com | News | Article

DMNews.com | News | Article: "The CAN-SPAM Act, One Year Later

Jan. 14, 2005

By: Judith Scolnick, Beckwith
Scolnick & Wolf
js@beckscowolf.com

Reviews are mixed regarding the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, known commonly as the CAN-SPAM Act, one year after it took effect Jan. 1, 2004.
Most people agree that the amount of spam in in-boxes nationwide has not decreased. Some say the act just creates obstacles for legitimate e-mail marketers but is ineffective at stopping real spammers, who prove difficult to track. However, the act has given responsible businesses a way to distinguish themselves from spammers, letting them expand their databases legally, avoid lawsuits and target messages to interested customers. An overview of the first year follows. "

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Inman Real Estate News - FTC postpones effective date of Can-Spam Rule

Inman Real Estate News - FTC postpones effective date of Can-Spam Rule: "FTC postpones effective date of Can-Spam Rule
60 days required for congressional review
Thursday, January 13, 2005

Inman News

The Federal Trade Commission has postponed the effective date of rule provisions it adopted Dec. 16, 2004, establishing criteria for determining whether the primary purpose of an e-mail message is commercial. The Commission adopted these regulations in accordance with a specific requirement of the CAN-SPAM Act. "

PCWorld.com - Has Spam Growth Stabilized?

PCWorld.com - Has Spam Growth Stabilized?: "Has Spam Growth Stabilized?

While the amount of unwanted e-mail hasn't decreased, there is some good news.
John E. Dunn, Techworld.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
The volume of e-mail made up of spam has stabilized, according to figures from Symantec's Brightmail unit.


December's figures, culled from traffic traveling through its servers, showed that 67 percent of e-mail is now spam, identical to the previous month. That was after three months when spam volumes were "

SOI Bulletin - Fall 2004

SOI Bulletin - Fall 2004: "SOI Bulletin - Fall 2004

Charities and Other Tax-Exempt Organizations, 2001 (PDF)
Article by Paul Arnsberger, SOI
Nonprofit charitable organizations held over $1.6 trillion in assets and filed over 240,000 information returns for Tax Year 2001."

CBS News | Beatrice's Goat Fed A Dream | January 12, 2005�22:00:11

CBS News Beatrice's Goat Fed A Dream January 12, 2005�22:00:11
(CBS) When we stop and think about the forces that have helped shape our lives, many of us can recall a loving parent or a caring teacher, or someone else who encouraged and inspired us and made us what we are today. But how many of us can look back and say, "I owe it all to a goat?"

Lockyer Takes Sides in 'Pork' Beef

Lockyer Takes Sides in 'Pork' Beef: "Lockyer Takes Sides in 'Pork' Beef
Attorney general says nonprofits have five years, not three, to use $15.5million in grants.
By Dan Morain, Times Staff Writer
SACRAMENTO Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer has disputed a contention by Controller Steve Westly that could have forced several nonprofit groups to return $15.5 million earmarked for parks and other local projects in 2000 and 2001.

In a report issued in September, Westly pointed to a state law suggesting that the Legislature appropriates money for three-year periods, and that the cash must be returned to the state if it's not spent within that period. Westly's report said the Legislature had given $15.5 million to an array of pet projects in 2001-02 that was not spent in time."

onPhilanthropy - Getting Relief to Tsunami Victims

onPhilanthropy - Getting Relief to Tsunami Victims: "With the inevitable concerns and reports about funds reaching their intended purposed and being spent legitimately, The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has provided resources to help donors give wisely and avoid fraud.

�After this unprecedented tragedy, donations of money and supplies are greatly needed,� said AFP President and CEO Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE. �Americans are a very generous people and always respond positively to these types of crises, but they should also be vigilant and informed in their giving.�

Maehara stressed that potential donors should know two things before they give to any organization:

Is the organization they�re supporting legitimate; and,
Will the funds they�re giving be used in an appropriate way, consistent with their intent?
Regarding the latter point, some organizations might be concentrating on relief efforts only in certain countries, or emphasizing certain aspects of the relief efforts. In some cases, charities may have already received enough funding for their relief projects and may encourage giving to a general fund, where the money might be used for future disaster relief.

There's nothing wrong with that as long as the charity tells you upfront how your money will be used, said Maehara. If you want your money to go to a certain country or particular effort, make sure you know exactly what the organization is doing and who or how it is helping.
For more information, visit the AFP website at the link below:
http://www.afpnet.org/tier3_cd.cfm?folder_id=887&content_item_id=19208"

FTC Postpones "Primary Purpose" Effectiveness for Email

FTC Postpones "Primary Purpose" Effectiveness
FTC Postpones "Primary Purpose" Effectiveness › › › ClickZ News
By Rob McGann January 12, 2005
The Federal Trade Commission has postponed the date by which e-mailers must comply with CAN-SPAM rules it issued on December 16. Those rules outlined new criteria for determining the primary purpose of commercial e-mail.
When the commission adopted the new regulations in December, it announced they would become effective on February 18. The revised effective date is March 28, 2005

The New York Times > National > The Donations: U.S. Charity Overwhelmed by Disaster Aid

This NY times article may require registration

The New York Times > National > The Donations: U.S. Charity Overwhelmed by Disaster Aid: "U.S. Charity Overwhelmed by Disaster Aid
By STEPHANIE STROM

Published: January 13, 2005


ESTPORT, Conn. - Save the Children knows just what to do in case of an earthquake, a typhoon or an outbreak of cholera. But it never thought to prepare for the truly unexpected: an onslaught of money.
More than $10 million has poured into the charity over the Internet alone since the earthquake-induced tsunami wrecked millions of lives from Indonesia to eastern Africa, dwarfing the $30,000 to $50,000 a month that usually comes through Save the Children's Web site."

Cornelius sees issues in glut of nonprofits

Cornelius sees issues in glut of nonprofits: "Cornelius sees issues in glut of nonprofits
The abundant service agencies offer aid but give the city a reduced tax base and other concerns
Thursday, January 13, 2005
ESMERALDA BERMUDEZ
CORNELIUS -- A recent push by Centro Cultural to persuade the city to waive $15,000 in building fees highlights questions about how the city can balance its numerous nonprofits and its tax base. "

Web site guides potential gift givers

Web site guides potential gift givers: "Web site guides potential gift givers


By BARBARA LIVINGSTON NACKMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: January 13, 2005)

With hundreds of thousands of dollars heading to charities this month, a Garrison resident's Web site to help inform potential gift givers about organizations is becoming even more valuable than when it launched three years ago.
John Dugan founded Charity Navigator in 2001 with a Web page reviewing and analyzing nonprofit charities that seek donations.
'We are a resource for the individual donor � and they are a big piece of the pie,' Dugan said. 'We shine the light on charities not well-known, spotlight lousy ones and remind people of tried-and-true favorites.' "

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Charity Boosts Tsunami Appeal

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Charity Boosts Tsunami Appeal: "Charity Boosts Tsunami Appeal

By Dan Webber, Community Newswire

The In Kind Direct charity has today responded to the Asian tsunami disaster by providing a link between companies and charities working in the region"

Group Ends Pitches for Home Easements (washingtonpost.com)

Group Ends Pitches for Home Easements (washingtonpost.com): "Group Ends Pitches for Home Easements
Criticism of Tax Deductions Leads National Architectural Trust to Halt Practice
By Joe Stephens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 12, 2005; Page A08
The National Architectural Trust, the country's fastest-growing historic preservation organization, has stopped soliciting facade easement donations after complaints that homeowners have used the donations to claim millions of dollars in excessive income tax deductions. "

Harvard Stunned By the Defection Of Fund Manager - January 12, 2005 - The New York Sun

Harvard Stunned By the Defection Of Fund Manager - January 12, 2005 - The New York Sun: "Harvard Stunned By the Defection Of Fund Manager
BY RODERICK BOYD - Staff Reporter of the Sun
January 12, 2005
Harvard University's immense endowment took a body blow yesterday when its longtime president, Jack Meyer, announced that he is starting his own money-management firm and taking his top four managers with him. In his nearly 15-year run as head of Harvard Management Company, Mr. Meyer helped the endowment earn large returns and explode in size, to $22.6 billion from $4.7 billion.
He became famous for his iconoclastic investing style, putting $2 billion of the endowment's cash to work in timber assets, for example, while other university endowments rotated into hedge funds. He plans to stay at the management company until June 30."

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

IRS to require big businesses, charities to e-file

IRS to require big businesses, charities to e-file
IRS to require big businesses, charities to e-file

By Mary Mosquera
GCN Staff

The IRS will require that the country’s largest companies and tax-exempt organizations electronically file their annual returns beginning next year.

The tax regulations announced today require that any business with assets of $50 million or more submit forms 1120 and 1120S, corporate returns, electronically, beginning with returns for tax year 2005. Any tax-exempt organization with assets of $100 million or more must file its Form 990, an annual information return, electronically.

EUROPA - Rapid - Press Releases Commission President pledges swift delivery of EU Tsunami aid

EUROPA - Rapid - Press Releases: "Commission President pledges swift delivery of EU Tsunami aid
Speaking as governments and aid agencies from around the world meet at the UN donor conference to plan the use of aid, European Commission President Barroso pledged that the EU would deliver its promised aid (up to �450 million and an EIB lending facility of up to �1 billion) on time. The Commission met in Strasbourg this afternoon to review the EU response to the tsunami disaster and examine possible further actions - on food aid, trade, fisheries, civil protection, research and health - which might be taken to assist the relief effort.
Speaking after the meeting President Barroso said: 'The challenge for the EU and for donors across the world is to turn our tsunami pledges into hard cash. The European Union already exceeds any other single donor in terms of total aid pledged.

New York Post Online Edition: business

New York Post Online Edition: business
Lay, the poster child for corporate fraud, is paying search engines like Google and Yahoo! to get his informational Web site — complete with a sappy record of his philanthropy and good deeds — to be the top sponsored link whenever a person enters search terms like "Ken Lay" or "Enron Fraud."

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Charities fear drop in lottery grants to 'unpopular' causes

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Charities fear drop in lottery grants to 'unpopular' causes: "Charities fear drop in lottery grants to 'unpopular' causes

Alison Benjamin
Tuesday January 11, 2005

Voluntary sector leaders today warned that charities working with asylum seekers and refugees will stop receiving lottery cash after the new lottery distributor announced a change in the way it awards grants.
The Big Lottery Fund said it will phase out the open grants programme for voluntary and community groups programme after May. A range of new programmes to replace it will be decided later in the year following consultation, but its funding themes have already been prescribed by government."

OMB Watch - Administration Will Step Up Faith-Based Efforts

OMB Watch - Administration Will Step Up Faith-Based Efforts: "
Published: 01/10/2005
Administration Will Step Up Faith-Based Efforts
Despite budget cuts for social service programs, Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives told a recent Pew Charitable Trusts conference on religion and social policy that the administration will push its faith-based agenda in the 109th Congress"

BAY AREA / Charities riding out tsunami / Contributions to nonprofits haven't slowed

BAY AREA / Charities riding out tsunami / Contributions to nonprofits haven't slowed: "Charities riding out tsunami
Contributions to nonprofits haven't slowed
Todd Wallack, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 11, 2005


Despite concerns that the rush of donations to relief efforts in southern Asia would reduce money available for other needy causes, several Bay Area charities say their own fund-raising efforts have remained unaffected so far. "

The Daily Northwestern - DM dances to Lance's trendy wristband tune

The Daily Northwestern - DM dances to Lance's trendy wristband tune: "DM dances to Lance's trendy wristband tune
By Evan Hill
January 11, 2005
After rapidly selling out of their first order of 500 DanceStrong wristbands, Dance Marathon officials are hoping for similar results with their next shipment, expected to arrive within two weeks"

Monday, January 10, 2005

PND News - Harvard Campaign Coaxes Aging Baby Boomers to Volunteer

PND News - Harvard Campaign Coaxes Aging Baby Boomers to Volunteer

PND News - People in the News (1/09/05): Appointments and Promotions

PND News - People in the News (1/09/05): Appointments and Promotions: "People in the News (1/09/05): Appointments and Promotions
The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers in Washington, D.C., has named ELLEN BARCLAY as president. Barclay, previously deputy executive director of the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (which administers the Fulbright Scholar program), has also served as executive "

The Chronicle, 1/6/2005: Fund-Raising Association Clarifies Stand on Fees

This article requires a Chronicle Subscription to view.
The Chronicle, 1/6/2005: Fund-Raising Association Clarifies Stand on Fees: "Fund-Raising Association Clarifies Stand on Fees
By Holly Hall

The Association of Fundraising Professionals has revised its ethics code in an attempt to eliminate confusion over how fund raisers should be paid for attracting sponsorships, advertising, and similar types of support. The changes, which take effect this month, make it unethical for the association's members to accept compensation based on a percentage of such revenue. "

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Tsunami Pledges Must Have 'New Cash Guarantee' - Oxfam

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Tsunami Pledges Must Have 'New Cash Guarantee' - Oxfam: "Tsunami Pledges Must Have 'New Cash Guarantee' - Oxfam

By Rachel Williams, PA

Governments must guarantee that donations to help rebuild countries devastated by the Asian tsunami are made up of new money, Oxfam said today"

The Chronicle: 1/6/2005: Charities Outdo Businesses on Worker Benefits

The Chronicle: 1/6/2005: Charities Outdo Businesses on Worker Benefits: "Charities Outdo Businesses on Worker Benefits
By Sharnell Bryan

Employees of religious, charitable, and nonprofit professional organizations receive more-generous benefits than do those in other industries, according to a survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, in New York.

The report drew information from more than 1,700 for-profit and nonprofit employers across the country. The survey has been conducted every year since 1995, but only included data from nonprofit employers this year. "

Philanthropy Journal-Online tool launched to help nonprofit professionals boost skills.

Philanthropy Journal-Your online source for news about nonprofits, social issues, and policy change - newsarticle: "Leadership development


Online tool launched to help nonprofit professionals boost skills.
01.06.2005 -

By Todd Cohen
A new online tool aims to help nonprofit professionals assess and improve their leadership skills.
Developed by Centerpoint for Leaders and focusing on the skills of individuals working for nonprofits, the new tool builds on other online resources the Washington, D.C., nonprofit has developed to improve organizational effectiveness and performance.
'If we can enhance the capacity of the individuals within organizations and build their leadership strengths, we can increase the capacity of the organization and the capacity of the nonprofit sector,' says Sandra Trice Gray, Centerpoint's president and CEO.
Centerpoint was formed in 2000 as a spinoff of Independent Sector, a nonprofit trade group in Washington, D.C., that had decided to focus more attention on advocacy."

The Harvard Crimson Online: Endowment Returns Spike

The Harvard Crimson Online :: News: "Endowment Returns Spike
National average return of 21.5 percent exceeds Harvard's 21.1 percent

By NICHOLAS M. CIARELLI
Crimson Staff Writer

Educational endowments saw their largest returns in four years, with top performers diversifying their alternative investments, a study reported.
For its 2005 Benchmarks Study, Commonfund�an organization that manages funds for nonprofits�surveyed the investments of 707 endowments held by colleges, universities"

mcall.com - Got a cause? Get a bracelet

mcall.com - Got a cause? Get a bracelet: "Got a cause? Get a bracelet

By Katharine Goodloe
Of The Dallas Morning News


The rubber is hitting the wrist. Hard.

Modeled after the ubiquitous yellow Lance Armstrong ''LIVESTRONG'' rubber wristband that supports cancer research, charities across the country are selling spinoff bracelets. And many can't keep up with demand:

Two teens selling $5 blue bracelets to aid the New York hospital that treats their juvenile diabetes sold 10,000 in four weeks."

Earnings gap persists in generous state - 2005-01-10 - The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Earnings gap persists in generous state - 2005-01-10 - The Business Journal of Milwaukee: "Earnings gap persists in generous state
Elaine Maly
Even as Wisconsin women earn less, they give more.

In December, The Wall Street Journal cited the Women's Fund of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation as a powerful example of a newly documented phenomenon: the growing generosity and influence of women philanthropists, as compared to their male counterparts. "

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Ministers launch volunteering drive

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Ministers launch volunteering drive: "Ministers launch volunteering drive

Press Association
Monday January 10, 2005

The home secretary, Charles Clarke, and the chancellor, Gordon Brown, today urged more people to carry out voluntary work as they launched of the Year of the Volunteer.
Mr Clarke and Mr Brown unveiled the new initiative at the Home Office's Local Heroes awards ceremony, which recognises people who have made a difference to their community."

Brand as personality: The implications for nonprofit fundraising



Brand as personality: The implications for nonprofit fundraising
January 10, 2005
By Louise Chatterton Luchuk

If you think of branding as building your organization's "personality" - the face that interacts with the public - then an organization's brand identity is more than just the look of a logo, more than just a marketing function. Brand identity encompasses everything...and that includes fundraising.

This is the experience of Owen Charters, national director of marketing and development for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. It became clear about three or four years ago that Charters' organization needed to take a good look at their brand identity. As Charters explains, the problem stemmed from the fact that in North America the organization was fairly synonymous with the Jerry Lewis telethon. In fact, in the United States the organization considers the telethon to be their brand and it has made them one of the most successful charities in that country.

Philanthropy Journal-Your online source for news about nonprofits, social issues, and policy change - newsarticle

Philanthropy Journal-Your online source for news about nonprofits, social issues, and policy change - newsarticle: "Funding women


New trends mean new tactics for philanthropy aimed a women and girls.
01.07.2005 -

Given global reality and emerging trends, philanthropy focused on women and girls should be driven by fairness, effectiveness and human rights, a new report says.
'The Case for Better Philanthropy: The Future of Funding for Women and Girls,' released by Women & Philanthropy in Washington, D.C, examines interconnected trends affecting women and girls and philanthropic giving aimed at helping them.
Those trends include increasing globalization, the acceleration of technology, discrimination in health care and the widening wealth gap.
In light of those trends, the report recommends funders use three frameworks when considering gifts that can affect the lives of women and girls."

The gentle art of giving

STUFF : BUSINESS - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website: "The gentle art of giving
08 January 2005

Companies and celebrities have rushed to help those trying to pick up the pieces after the Indian Ocean tsunamis. But there's a fine line between being a good corporate citizen and cashing in on your generosity. David King reports.

Michael Schumacher and Sandra Bullock have done it and told everyone about it.
In Australia, electronics entrepreneur Dick Smith has dug deep to give to the tsunami victims and then ripped into the corporate world for not doing enough.
In New Zealand, Telecom was quick off the mark, publicising its move to waive toll charges for families trying to contact loved ones. And House of Travel's press office was quick to report how staff were working 'proactively' to help with the task of finding travellers caught up in the disaster. "

WTNH.com - The father of the gambling charity billboard

WTNH.com - The father of the gambling charity billboard: "The father of the gambling charity billboard

The father of the gambling charity billboard - by Chris Velardi

(Meriden-WTNH, Jan. 7, 2005 5:45 PM) _ Every once in awhile a billboard gets your attention because it stands out from the rest. Have you seen the one that's not trying to sell anything but charity?
by News Channel 8's Chris Velardi
Perhaps you've seen the billboards. There's one in Waterbury, one in Branford and a few other spots around the state. They're urging gamblers to donate money to charity instead of casinos.
So who put them up? An anti-gambling group?
Nope.
Father Ed Nadolny did.
'You put the Lotto and the casinos together -- that's 150-Million dollars a year Catholics are spending on gambling,' he says"

"Tsunami pledges keep coming, but will rest of world pay up?

Quad-City Times Newspaper Online - the Quad-Cities Home Page: "Tsunami pledges keep coming, but will rest of world pay up?
By Associated Press

.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) � The outpouring of pledges for victims of the Asian tsunami has been huge. But some donors have failed to make good on their promises after past disasters, and aid groups say they will keep the pressure on to make sure the help recently announced with great fanfare doesn�t evaporate.
.
World leaders who gathered in the Indonesian capital this week vowed they�d stand by survivors for the long haul. Nearly $4 billion has been promised so far.
.
It�s reminiscent, on a larger scale, of donors� promises of more than $1 billion after an earthquake killed 26,000 people in Bam, Iran, in December 2003. A year later now, Iran says it�s gotten only $17.5 million."

ctnow.com: Charitable Giving Deserves A Test

ctnow.com: Charitable Giving Deserves A Test: "Charitable Giving Deserves A Test

January 9 2005

With the season of outstretched hands behind us, it would be easy to pack up our philanthropic notions with the holiday decor and forget them until the next tax season looms.

But just as tax and investment planning go much better with a little forethought at the beginning of the year, so does charitable giving.

Wait until the solicitations start flying in November and your gifts may not do the good you hope they will, say philanthropy experts."

The New Zealand Herald Making it Giving it away

The New Zealand Herald: "10.01.05
by Liam Dann
He gave away $3 million worth of shares last year but Tony Falkenstein describes himself as 'a bit selfish'.

The 57-year-old founder and chief executive of listed water cooler company Just Water is sincere in that unflattering assessment of his philanthropic efforts. "