Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Seattle Times: Opinion: Judge Gates Foundation by what it spends, not how it invests

The Seattle Times: Opinion: Judge Gates Foundation by what it spends, not how it invests: "Judge Gates Foundation by what it spends, not how it invests

By Bruce Ramsey

Seattle Times editorial columnist

The recent Los Angeles Times 'investigation' of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation begins with a toddler in Nigeria. Thanks to Bill and Melinda, the boy has been immunized against polio. But the boy lives near a stinky oil-and-gas complex, and has a chronic cough on account of the pollution. The complex is owned by Eni, an Italian oil company in which the Gates Foundation owns stock.

The story, published Jan. 7, goes on to discuss an AIDS drug that poor Nigerians can't afford, and that the Gates Foundation owns stock in the drug company, Abbott Laboratories."

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: FLiP Meets: Leslie Lenkowsky

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: FLiP Meets: Leslie Lenkowsky: "FLiP Meets: Leslie Lenkowsky

Over the past few months, I have been thrilled to have had the opportunity to talk with Professor Lenkowsky a number of times. FLiP asked Professor Lenkowsky to answer a few of our more burning questions about his experiences in philanthropy, which he did (as you can read below) in fine style. For more information, please take a look also at the previous post, which has a short summary of Indiana's University's academic programs."

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

· Pierce County Herald ·

· Pierce County Herald ·: "Wisconsin deer hunters were more generous than ever last fall in donating their animals to feed those in need."

Tufts, MIT funds soared in 2006 - The Boston Globe

Tufts, MIT funds soared in 2006 - The Boston Globe: "Tufts, MIT funds soared in 2006
Schools rank 1st, 3d for growth among largest endowments

By Kimberly Blanton, Globe Staff | January 23, 2007

Tufts University's endowment fund, boosted by record gifts from two wealthy alumni, grew more than any other major US college and university endowment last year."

Monday, January 22, 2007

Study: Indiana Could Experience Major Transfer of Wealth - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

Study: Indiana Could Experience Major Transfer of Wealth - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick: "Study: Indiana Could Experience Major Transfer of Wealth

InsideIndianaBusiness.com Report

1/22/2007 2:35:07 PM
A new study commissioned by the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance projects that $412 billion will be transferred among Indiana generations by 2055. The study shows that with $66 billion expected to change hands by 2015, just five percent represents $3.3 billion that could be captured in community endowments for Indiana. Transfer of wealth opportunities were found to be the greatest in the larger and more urban counties, including Marion, Lake and Allen, but smaller and more rural counties still have viable opportunities."

Salvation Army: Multi-Million-Dollar Kroc Centers Plans Underway | Christianpost.com- Christian News Online , Christian World News

Salvation Army: Multi-Million-Dollar Kroc Centers Plans Underway | Christianpost.com- Christian News Online , Christian World News: "Salvation Army USA announced the winning cities for its multi-million-dollar, state-of the art Kroc Community Centers in the eastern territory last week."

Democrat & Chronicle: Local News

Democrat & Chronicle: Local News:
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"'Donors are going to be outraged by the percentage that may be going to the organization,' said Michael Nilsen, public affairs director of the Association of Professional Fundraisers, a Virginia-based trade group that bars members from charging huge commissions.

The president of Marketing Squad Inc., a Gates fundraiser that has been the Jaycees' telemarketing company, said even large commissions don't guarantee the company big profits."

Separation of church and plate - Roanoke.com

Separation of church and plate - Roanoke.com: "What's in your wallet?

That's something churches are pondering when it comes to passing the offering plate. As parishioners carry less cash, some churches are adapting by allowing electronic giving.

Churches, which rely on their members to keep the doors open, are experimenting with alternatives such as credit cards and automatic bank withdrawals from parishioners' accounts.

An impetus is a new federal law that requires paper records for any charitable deduction congregants claim on their federal tax returns. As of Jan. 1, greenbacks dropped in the collection plate aren't deductible, and that could result in fewer donations to churches."

Wells Fargo to allow charitable donations via ATMs - San Francisco Business Times:

Wells Fargo to allow charitable donations via ATMs - San Francisco Business Times:: "Wells Fargo to allow charitable donations via ATMs
San Francisco Business Times - January 19, 2007
by Sarah Duxbury


Wells Fargo is piloting a program to help clients get and give money at the same time.

A new donation service at more than 350 Bay Area ATMs will allow users to donate up to $250 to one of six nonprofits -- the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial campaign, Glide Memorial Church, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, City College of San Francisco, Self-Help for the Elderly and Headlands Institute. It is one of the first programs of its kind in the country."

CNN Hummer brings $1.25 million for charity - CNN.com

CNN Hummer brings $1.25 million for charity - CNN.com: "A Hummer used by CNN to cover the war in Iraq and then renovated on The Learning Channel netted $1.25 million for charity on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of Warrior One, which toured military bases and medical centers nationwide before the auction, will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation. The organization temporarily houses families of patients receiving major medical care in military hospitals and Veterans Affairs facilities."

In wake of recent scandals local nonprofits brushing up on legal and financial issues

In wake of recent scandals local nonprofits brushing up on legal and financial issues: "In wake of recent scandals local nonprofits brushing up on legal and financial issues



Monday, January 22, 2007

By Cindy V. Culp

Tribune-Herald staff writer

The leaders of local nonprofit organizations are making good on a promise to better educate themselves on oversight issues in the wake of several financial scandals last year.

More than 75 people have signed up for a seminar that will address the legal and fiscal responsibilities of nonprofit organizations, and more registrations are expected before the event next week, said Harry Harelik, membership chairman for the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

University News: University of Oregon

University News: University of Oregon: "Philanthropy class to award grants

Wells Fargo and Weyerhaeuser to fund $10,000 in gifts to nonprofit organizations

EUGENE, Ore.—(Jan. 19, 2007)—University of Oregon students enrolled in a Freshman Seminar in American Philanthropy are looking for local nonprofit organizations to apply for $10,000 in grants.

Wells Fargo and Weyerhaeuser Company are providing funding for the program. The students will evaluate all applications, make site visits, and then award the grants to one or more of the organizations which apply. Senior officers from Wells Fargo and Weyerhaeuser will also address the class about their companies' community support practices."

Star-Gazette.COM - Local News

Star-Gazette.COM - Local News: "Telemarketer talks about fundraising efforts
January 21, 2007
StoryChat Post Comment

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Peter Wallace is vice president of marketing and sales for Aria Communications Corp. of Saint Cloud, Minn., that conducted fundraising in 2005 for Farm Sanctuary Inc. in Watkins Glen. The firm's efforts were focused on lapsed members of the animal rescue and protection organization. He wrote in response to questions from the Star-Gazette.

Telemarketing is usually used to try to bring back past donors who have failed to respond to many mail solicitations. They are, by definition, low probability responders."

Hamilton Spectator - News

Hamilton Spectator - News: "Boomers serve up adventure with donations

Last year, five Hamilton business people trekked to the North Pole, raising nearly $500,000 for education.
Click here to find out more!
It's highly personal fundraising that goes above and beyond
By Wade Hemsworth
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jan 20, 2007)

Call it adventure fundraising, extreme fundraising or whatever you like.

There's no universal name for it yet, but the idea of going out and doing something you'd never do otherwise as a way of raising money for charity is big and growing bigger."

TimesDispatch.com | A check on charitable gifts

TimesDispatch.com | A check on charitable gifts:
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"It's not clear what the impact of the new rules is going to be,' said Walter Sczudlo, executive vice president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Alexandria.

While the changes shouldn't faze people who donate by check or credit card, they could make things harder for anyone used to giving with cash.

'Those individuals are either going to have to ask for a receipt, which is a cumbersome process when you pass a plate, or forgo the deductibility of their contribution,' Sczudlo said."

Outside Oprah's school, a growing frustration - The Boston Globe

Outside Oprah's school, a growing frustration - The Boston Globe: "By John Donnelly, Globe Staff | January 20, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Oprah Winfrey's unveiling of a luxurious $40 million boarding school for 152 girls in South Africa earlier this month, coming in the midst of burgeoning interest in Africa's orphans from churches, philanthropists, and celebrities, has sparked frustration among African charities over the failure of some donors to spread their money more widely to achieve a greater impact."

Class Divide in Chinese-Americans’ Charity - New York Times

Class Divide in Chinese-Americans’ Charity - New York Times: "s a schoolteacher in New York’s Chinatown in the 1960s, when the government’s war on poverty seemed focused on blacks and Latinos, Virginia Kee noticed that many of her Asian pupils were too poor to pay $2 for a class trip. To connect community needs with public money, Ms. Kee helped found what is now the Chinese-American Planning Council, one of the largest social service agencies for Asians in the country."

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "When bad press happens to good people
Tips for survival and recovery
Andy Levy-AjzenkopfBy Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
January 22, 2007

The press (that’s us!) covers every subject under the sun, from America to zebras. They publish stories intended to illuminate, educate, enlighten and entertain. And perhaps most importantly, they shine a light on mishaps and scandals, bringing to public attention misdeeds that would otherwise go on unnoticed and unchecked.

That’s all well and good for the public’s edification, but what about the subjects who get 'exposed'? How do businesses and organizations that come under intense press scrutiny, from the smallest organizational gaffes to full-blown Enron-esque disasters, deal with a tarnished reputation and negative public opinion? According to the experts below, it’s all about proactive communication plans."

New York Daily News - Business - 'We can't all be Oprah...'

New York Daily News - Business - 'We can't all be Oprah...': "A charitable gift annuity allows those whose hearts are bigger than their bank accounts to help a favorite cause.

It's philanthropy for the little guy:"

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!

North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!: "U.S. millionaires think making a global difference is 'cool'
e-mail print

Monday, January 22, 2007

By JANE LAMPMAN
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR



These are exciting times in the traditionally quiet world of philanthropy, as a growing cadre of the newly wealthy promises to change the world -- as well as the face of charitable giving. Among the recent developments:

# The pool of potential wealthy donors has mushroomed in the past two decades, and includes more than 8 million U.S. millionaires. The number of family foundations has risen 60 percent in six years."

AFP Conference

AFP Conference: "Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
U.S./Canada: 800-666-3863 x457
Mexico: 001-866-837-1948
jobrien@afpnet.org or visit www.afpnet.org

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 44th International Conference on fundraising to be held in Dallas

Largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world to feature Mary Tyler Moore, Rudolph W. Giuliani, Craig Kielburger and Maria Echaveste"