Friday, May 04, 2007

Delta Democrat Times Online: Local News-Red Cross dinner theatre worthwhile

Delta Democrat Times Online: Local News: "On May 4 and 5 the West Delta Chapter of the American Red Cross will present its 23rd annual dinner theater, “Movie Magic,” using local talent to perform songs made popular in movies from the past fifty-odd years. When a regional vice president for the national office of Red Cross saw the production two years ago, he was very impressed with the talent and with the uniqueness of the fundraising effort by the local chapter. He stated this was the only chapter in the United States to use this method for its fundraising campaign."

Rush Harding to receive UCA Distinguished Alumnus Award - UCA Today

Rush Harding to receive UCA Distinguished Alumnus Award - UCA Today: "In 2006, Harding and his wife were named Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The couple is also co-chairing UCA's first major, comprehensive fundraising campaign, which coincides with the university's centennial anniversary."

Henry Daily Herald, McDonough, GA - Fund-raiser eyes record funds for programs

This story is no longer available.

Henry Daily Herald, McDonough, GA - Fund-raiser eyes record funds for programs: "Fund-raiser eyes record funds for programs

By Johnny Jackson

jjackson@henryherald.com



Organizers of the 15th Annual Miles-for-Meals Walk fund-raiser are hoping to receive a record $100,000 in donations to go toward Henry County’s senior services.

“We are expecting a big turnout in maybe our best year ever,” said Sandy Craig, fundraiser coordinator."

Editorials & Opinion | SAM propels Seattle | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials & Opinion | SAM propels Seattle | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Editorial
SAM propels Seattle


ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

'
In all the episodes of Seattle's still-young history, the latest, the Philanthropy Age, is perhaps the most enjoyable and rewarding.

Three months ago, Seattle Art Museum launched its dazzling Olympic Sculpture Park, an innovative outdoor showcase of sculpture and scenery. Here comes SAM again, unveiling another big addition to the cultural landscape, a major expansion of its downtown building."

U. of. C. gets $35 million gift for art center | Chicago Tribune

U. of. C. gets $35 million gift for art center | Chicago Tribune: "U. of. C. gets $35 million gift for art center

By Charles Storch
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 3, 2007, 11:17 PM CDT

A Chicago investment banker and his family are giving $35 million to the University of Chicago for a planned $100 million arts center that is to serve the campus and its South Side neighbors.

The gift by David and Reva Logan and their family is one of the larger single donations made to the U. of C. and is the biggest earmarked for the arts there, the university said Thursday."

Salt Lake Tribune - Nonprofits get an online boost

Salt Lake Tribune - Nonprofits get an online boost: "Nonprofits get an online boost
By Paul Beebe
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 05/03/2007 11:43:02 PM MDT

In a new step, the state of Utah is offering online business registration for nonprofit groups and limited liability companies"

New York Dinner Benefits Britain's Tate Museum - May 4, 2007 - The New York Sun

New York Dinner Benefits Britain's Tate Museum - May 4, 2007 - The New York Sun: "On Tuesday evening, while part of the New York art world is uptown bidding at Sotheby's, another part will be gathered at the Riverfront Pavilion Midtown on the West Side, spending their money on a more charitable cause. The event is a $50,000-a-table gala honoring contemporary American artists, and the guests will include many major New York arts patrons, including the chairman of the Whitney Museum of American Art and several prominent board members of the Museum of Modern Art.

But the beneficiary of Tuesday night's high-rolling event isn't a New York institution. It's Britain's Tate museum."

Thursday, May 03, 2007

The Art Newspaper -- News

The Art Newspaper -- News: "$1bn donations put Seattle on the map

The gift to the Seattle Art Museum from 53 collectors is one of the largest in the history of institutional donations

By Jason Edward Kaufman | Posted 03 May 2007

NEW YORK. The Seattle Art Museum has received more than 1,000 works of art from 53 donors as part of an acquisition campaign to celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. The donations represent one of the largest gifts to a museum in the history of US philanthropy."

NewsAdvance.com | Nonprofits get word out about themselves

NewsAdvance.com | Nonprofits get word out about themselves: "he National D-Day Memorial, known for remembering the men who invaded Normandy, was one of 18 nonprofits who swarmed Central Virginia College’s Bedford campus on Wednesday for a philanthropy forum.

The forum, a first time event, gave nonprofits a chance to raise public awareness about what they are and how they serve the community.

Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., organized it."

It Sure Beats the NEA - Creative Capital - National Endowment for the Arts

It Sure Beats the NEA - Creative Capital - National Endowment for the Arts: "No one misses the controversies that beset the National Endowment for the Arts in the 1990s. Its funding of cutting-edge, but controversial, art exposed how outmoded the New Deal--era approach to promoting culture truly was.

Creative Capital is a private-sector response to such messiness. Bringing venture philanthropy to the arts, it has funded 242 projects with grants of up to $50,000 since 1999. But its approach is about more than money. 'We look for people open to changing how they market themselves,' says executive director Ruby Lerner."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Capacity BuildingBuzzword or Byword?

An article on Capacity Bldg from OnPhilanthropy by Lilya Wagner

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Capacity BuildingBuzzword or Byword?: "Capacity BuildingBuzzword or Byword?
By: Lilya Wagner, Ed.D., CFRE, 5/2/07

Capacity building seemed to be the “buzzword” of the early 21st century. Books and book chapters were written about this concept, workshops were requested and conducted, articles were published, and foundations were openly urged to do more for nonprofit capacity building."

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Questions Linger for Beard Foundation - New York Times

Questions Linger for Beard Foundation - New York Times: "The foundation needed to take its rightful place as a place of excitement, and a place of intelligent planning,” Ms. Ungaro said, “after a few years of hard knocks.”

But the hard knocks continue more than two years after the former president, Leonard F. Pickell Jr., and later the entire board of directors, resigned. While it is being run more professionally and openly, the organization is in worse shape financially. And questions about its mission that were raised by the scandal have not all been resolved."

ChangingThePresent

Thanks for the Heads up from DeborahFinn re one example of Creative Gifts for Mother's Day via Changing the Present
ChangingThePresent: "A Few of Our Special Gifts for Mother's Day

Philanthropy On The Rise - News - CNBC.com

Philanthropy On The Rise - News - CNBC.com: "A golden age of philanthropy is dawning.

With the stock market booming an the super-rich getting even richer, charitable organizations are already seeing a wave of new money. The trend was already apparent before Warren Buffet pledged 85% of his $44 billion fortune to charitable foundations - the bulk of it to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

While it is difficult to capture a completely accurate picture of charitable giving in the U.S., some of the segments commonly used by the wealthiest individuals such as donor-advised funds and private foundations are seeing an influx of new contributors.."

FOXNews.com - President Bush Thanks 'Idol' Viewers for Their Charity - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment

FOXNews.com - President Bush Thanks 'Idol' Viewers for Their Charity - Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment: "President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, thanked 'American Idol' viewers for helping raise $70 million during last week's charity special, 'Idol Gives Back.'

The money will help impoverished children living in the United States and Africa."

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Millionaires Increased Charitable Donations in 2006, but Interest Appears Waning, Says Northern Trust

Millionaires Increased Charitable Donations in 2006, but Interest Appears Waning, Says Northern Trust: "CHICAGO, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Millionaire households increased their charitable donations by more than 20 percent in 2006 over the previous year, but donations in 2007 are expected to be lower. Due in part to current charitable giving levels, the uncertainty regarding estate tax laws, and family care obligations, affluent families attach less importance to making charitable donations, fewer say they want to be personally involved in their charities and fewer plan to increase their contributions this year, according to Wealth in America 2007,"

News onPhilanthropy: Philanthropic Leadership Honored in Seattle

News onPhilanthropy: Philanthropic Leadership Honored in Seattle: "Philanthropic Leadership Honored in Seattle

Tonight in Seattle, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will recognize five nonprofits for their innovation and leadership in promoting social change. These five organizations, awarded the Foundation’s prestigious National Leadership in Action Award, are being honored for their work in communities of color."

Getting your Board on Board

Getting your Board on Board: "Getting your Board on Board
Introducing a secure online area for board collaboration

By: Leanne Bergey

April 30, 2007

Everyone benefits when board members begin connecting online.

New members can quickly get up to speed with organizational planning and strategies. Members can access critical resources at any time of day or night, or discuss topics together online without regard to location or time zones. Having a password-protected and secure area set aside specifically for your board can overcome many of the operational challenges inherent to nonprofit management."

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : Britain's Foreign Rich

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : Britain's Foreign Rich: "Two months ago, I did some reporting on the wealth boom in Britain for the U.K. version of Richistan. (The difference between the two covers amuses me — look here for the U.S. version and here for the U.K. version. No, I didn’t get to sail on the yacht.)

British flagWhat I found most interesting about the U.K. wealth boom was it’s “foreign-ness.” While the newly minted millionaires and billionaires in the U.S. are largely homegrown — meaning most made their fortunes in the U.S. — many of the big rich in Britain are from other countries and made their money elsewhere. They are Russian oligarchs, Indian industrialists and Saudi sheikhs."

Give and Take: How Blog Writers Cover a Meeting of Foundation Officials

Via Give and Take
Give and Take: How Blog Writers Cover a Meeting of Foundation Officials: "How Blog Writers Cover a Meeting of Foundation Officials

Several authors of blogs about philanthropy have been given credentials to cover this week’s Council on Foundations conference in Seattle, marking the first time the council has opened its doors to blog writers.

And many of the the bloggers at the meeting have been diligent about offering regular reports on conference sessions."

200 Arizona nonprofits unite | www.tucsoncitizen.com ®

200 Arizona nonprofits unite | www.tucsoncitizen.com ®: "200 Arizona nonprofits unite
Alliance provides members with training, advocacy
The Arizona Republic
Nearly 200 organizations have joined forces to boost the state's growing nonprofit sector.
The organizations are looking to the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, a statewide advocacy group based in Phoenix, to strengthen their own operations, raise the profile of the work they do in communities and get a seat at the table with influential decision-makers."

University of Arkansas - Daily Headlines

University of Arkansas - Daily Headlines: "The University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle voted to award $69,575 in grants to support five new initiatives that will focus on important issues on and off campus. The awards were presented April 13."

Walton fortune headed for charity? - May 14, 2007

Walton fortune headed for charity? - May 14, 2007: "- The death of Helen Robson Walton at 87 last month - and a will that provides for philanthropy - may finally turn America's richest family into one of its most charitable.

Helen and her late husband, Wal-Mart founder Sam, always appeared to be heading toward large-scale donations. But when Sam died in 1992, most of his money passed to Helen. And though she increased her giving to an extent, the Waltons remained - as critics have noted - a relatively small force in philanthropy."

Monday, April 30, 2007

Business in MaineToday.com | Winners of First-Ever Maine Awards for Nonprofit Excellence Announced

Business in MaineToday.com | Winners of First-Ever Maine Awards for Nonprofit Excellence Announced: "Winners of First-Ever Maine Awards for Nonprofit Excellence Announced

Friends of Casco Bay, Coastal Enterprises Inc. and Schoodic Arts for All
Take First, Second and Third Place

Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP), a statewide membership organization committed to strengthening the capacity of Maine’s nonprofit sector, announced the winners of the first-ever Maine Awards for Nonprofit Excellence at its annual meeting in Portland on April 27.
Portland-based Friends of Casco Bay, Wiscasset-based Coastal Enterprises Inc., and Winter Harbor-based Schoodic Arts for All were recipients of the first, second and third cash awards of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. Bangor-based Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Portland based Winter Kids and the Portland Symphony received Honorable Mentions. In addition to cash awards, the winners received hand-carved awards created by Burnham woodworker James Macdonald of the nonprofit Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport."

For arts groups, doing the math becomes increasingly important | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

For arts groups, doing the math becomes increasingly important | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "That's a skill arts groups increasingly must demonstrate to win funding from foundations, corporations and individuals.

The arts portion of the overall philanthropy pot has been eroding for 15 years, although the actual dollar amounts of giving to the arts sector has not dropped in that period, says Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts in Washington."

The Shreveport Times-Photo captures unusual groundbreaking

The Shreveport Times: "In honor of the ground breaking of the Dr. Lacy and Edie Williams Circle of Excellence Plaza on the LSUS campus, attendees took part in a unique photo opportunity to display the 245-foot perimeter of the plaza site.

The ground breaking was April 12 on the campus mall between the Administration building and the Noel Memorial Library.

A painted white circle on the LSUS grounds marks where the plaza will be constructed this summer. In a symbol of unity, donors, faculty, students and friends stood on the painted circle for a photo taken from above."

UK's first billion

UK's first billion: "UK's first billion

Why has the University of Louisville had a bigger endowment than the state's flagship institution, the University of Kentucky?

In part, it's been a matter of accounting. But another part of the answer is UK's failure, over many years, to think really big about anything except basketball."

Editorials & Opinion | Philanthropic tests of our time | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials & Opinion | Philanthropic tests of our time | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Editorial
Philanthropic tests of our time

Good intentions never fed anyone, provided a mosquito net, brought water to a village or fought a disease. Doing good in the world is a purposeful enterprise requiring skills, leadership and lots of money.

All will be celebrated and nurtured as the Council on Foundations holds its 58th annual conference today through Tuesday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The event is co-sponsored by Philanthropy Northwest. Seattle is proud to welcome more than 2,000 representatives from philanthropic organizations around the world, the people who raise and distribute billions of dollars."

Lance Armstrong Charity Party Raises $1 Million - Starpulse News Blog

Lance Armstrong Charity Party Raises $1 Million - Starpulse News Blog: "Lance Armstrong Charity Party Raises $1 Million

Lance ArmstrongCycling star Lance Armstrong, celebrated the 10th anniversary of his charity The Lance Armstrong Foundation on Friday with a fundraising barbecue at his Austin, Texas home. Cancer survivor Armstrong was joined by friends including Lyle Lovett and actor Matthew McConaughey at the event, which raised around $1 million for the charity.

The sportsman joined Lovett, who performed at the party, onstage for two songs."

Winona Daily News - 6.0

Winona Daily News - 6.0: "Donor-advised funds are an important service provided by a community foundation as they allow donors to make their charitable gifts into a named fund with the foundation. Over time, they make grant recommendations from the fund to qualified nonprofit organizations that are then approved by the foundation’s board.

In fact, 34 members of Congress, recognizing the importance of donor-advised funds in community foundations, have already signed on to legislation that could extend the IRA rollover to include donor-advised funds. Simply put, donor-advised funds remain one of the most popular, effective and democratic charitable giving vehicles donors can offer their communities."

The Columbus Dispatch : The name game

The Columbus Dispatch : The name game: "When retail magnate Jay Schottenstein pledged $12.5 million in 1995 to help Ohio State University finance its new arena, it seemed like an awful lot of money.

But today, the agreement that included naming rights to the facility looks like a bargain for the Schottenstein family and its Value City chains of furniture and discount stores."

· IN-FORUM -The Nonprofit Leadership Conference, “Creating Common Ground for Growth,” is scheduled for June 3-5 in Fargo.

· IN-FORUM ·: "The Nonprofit Leadership Conference, “Creating Common Ground for Growth,” is scheduled for June 3-5 in Fargo.

The conference is a joint effort of the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations and the North Dakota Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Golf events are huge sources of charitable funds on The Murfreesboro Post

Golf events are huge sources of charitable funds on The Murfreesboro Post: "Golf events are huge sources of charitable funds
By Michelle Willard Post staff writer

Golf tournaments — mainly scrambles — are a huge source of charitable fundraising in Rutherford County.

In fact, more than 100 charitable golf events will be held this year, running roughly from March to October.

Possibly the most successful is the John Floyd and Ole South Properties Invitational Golf Tournament, which in the last eight years had netted its beneficiary, the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County, a whopping $800,000."

Local News | Haas Foundation | Using small gifts to make big difference for students | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Haas Foundation | Using small gifts to make big difference for students | Seattle Times Newspaper: "A second pair of shoes for two brothers who took turns wearing their one pair to school. A root canal for an A-student in such pain that she got her first D. A stipend for students who were failing woodshop because they didn't have $3.80 to buy the required piece of wood.

The trend in philanthropy these days is to make 'strategic' gifts aimed at changing 'systems.'

For the last 44 years, the low-profile Saul & Dayee G. Haas Foundation has followed a more old-fashioned strategy of giving directly to individuals."

Bloggers Cast Doubt on Fox’s Generosity - New York Times

Bloggers Cast Doubt on Fox’s Generosity - New York Times: "Todd Cohen, the editor of the Philanthropy Journal, a Web publication based in Raleigh, N.C., was critical on his blog. “I was basically calling them to task over their challenge system to point out that they could do more,” he said in a telephone interview.

Several bloggers who follow “American Idol” echoed his view, complaining, among other things, that the show did not provide much detail upfront about how much the corporate sponsors were donating."

Local News | Potlatch Fund | Helping Native Americans get — and give — their share | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Potlatch Fund | Helping Native Americans get — and give — their share | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Native Americans have long practiced the art of giving through potlatches. But they've had little connection to modern philanthropy.

The Potlatch Fund is out to change that."

Religious Institutions Closer To Getting Security Funds - April 30, 2007 - The New York Sun

Religious Institutions Closer To Getting Security Funds - April 30, 2007 - The New York Sun: "Synagogues, mosques, and other institutions in New York are a step closer to seeing long-delayed federal grant money aimed at boosting security against terrorist attacks."

The Chronicle, 4/30/2007: Foundations Urged to Do Better Job of Collaborating

The Chronicle, 4/30/2007: Foundations Urged to Do Better Job of Collaborating: "Foundations Urged to Do Better Job of Collaborating

By Suzanne Perry

Seattle

Mark Warner, the former governor of Virginia, on Sunday criticized foundations for their reluctance to collaborate on projects so they can have a national impact and urged them to drop their sometimes 'holier than thou' attitude toward working with politicians."

Weinberg Foundation COO feels lucky in life - Examiner.com

Weinberg Foundation COO feels lucky in life - Examiner.com: "Recently, she created the Employee Giving Program, where employees recommend nonprofits of their choice to receive an unsolicited $10,000 grant, within the foundation’s guidelines and as approved by the trustees."

PoughkeepsieJournal.com - Mergers can help streamline nonprofits' work, boost resources

PoughkeepsieJournal.com - Mergers can help streamline nonprofits' work, boost resources: "Mergers can help streamline nonprofits' work, boost resources

By Sarah Bradshaw
Poughkeepsie Journal


I don't have the time and the money to do something if someone else is doing it already. This is the philosophy of the nonprofit sector, said Stacey Rein, president of United Way of Ulster County. In her 13 years working with the agency, avoiding duplication of nonprofit services has always been important."

Arts-center money drive outpaces expectations - Orlando Sentinel : News Arts-center money drive outpaces expectations - Orlando Sentinel : News

Arts-center money drive outpaces expectations - Orlando Sentinel : News Arts-center money drive outpaces expectations - Orlando Sentinel : News: "Months ahead of schedule, fundraisers for the Orlando Performing Arts Center project have passed the halfway point toward their $100 million goal, prompting praise and raising expectations for contributions still to come."

cantonrep.com

cantonrep.com: "NEW YORK (AP) — Workers in tax-exempt sectors such as government and education aren’t saving enough for a comfortable retirement, according to a study released Thursday by Fidelity Investments.

The study said more than 55 percent of the workers in these sectors have traditional pensions, or defined benefit plans. But more than half of participants in these plans worry that the benefits could be reduced or discontinued, the study said."

Jobs, News and Views for All of Higher Education - Inside Higher Ed :: Coke and the Spellings Commission

Jobs, News and Views for All of Higher Education - Inside Higher Ed :: Coke and the Spellings Commission: "Coke and the Spellings Commission

Corporate sponsorship is pretty common these days — walk around campus, tour an art museum, listen to NPR, and you’ll quickly encounter the name of some benefactor. But should Education Department meetings about the future of higher education have corporate sponsors"

Editorials & Opinion | Philanthropic tests of our time | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials & Opinion | Philanthropic tests of our time | Seattle Times Newspaper: "ditorial
Philanthropic tests of our time

Good intentions never fed anyone, provided a mosquito net, brought water to a village or fought a disease. Doing good in the world is a purposeful enterprise requiring skills, leadership and lots of money.

All will be celebrated and nurtured as the Council on Foundations holds its 58th annual conference today through Tuesday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The event is co-sponsored by Philanthropy Northwest. Seattle is proud to welcome more than 2,000 representatives from philanthropic organizations around the world, the people who raise and distribute billions of dollars."