Friday, October 31, 2008

A Tale of Two Cities - The Jay Love Blog

A Tale of Two Cities - The Jay Love Blog: "A Tale of Two Cities

The special world of the nonprofit sector came to life again last week, in the form a visit to two distinctly different venues. First, I was off to Nashville, TN, and the gathering of all of the Association of Fundraising Professionals chapter presidents at the Opryland Hotel. This group, representing the finest of mid- to larger-size charities from across North America, was drawn together for intense leadership training and of course the ultimate networking to which only fundraising professionals can aspire. We all know they are some of the best in the world at that art."

The Best Investment a Company Can Make

The Best Investment a Company Can Make: "t's easy to blame corporate America for all of the economic difficulties the country's going through. But for all of the flak that businesses take for their pursuit of profits, many companies voluntarily give back huge amounts of money to the communities they rely on around the country."

The Best Investment a Company Can Make

The Best Investment a Company Can Make: "t's easy to blame corporate America for all of the economic difficulties the country's going through. But for all of the flak that businesses take for their pursuit of profits, many companies voluntarily give back huge amounts of money to the communities they rely on around the country."

Nonprofits batten down hatches - Entertainment News, Legit News, Media - Variety

Nonprofits batten down hatches - Entertainment News, Legit News, Media - Variety: "WASHINGTON -- Bill O'Brien, director of theater and musical theater for the National Endowment for the Arts, agrees that nonprofit theaters in the U.S. are 'extremely nervous' about the economic climate. But he says their ability to maintain audiences and funding while other retailers sustain declining revenues is 'a testament to the committed relationships theaters have de"

Two Arts Nonprofits Plan Big Merger - ARTINFO.com

Two Arts Nonprofits Plan Big Merger - ARTINFO.com: "NEW YORK—Two nonprofit arts advocacy organizations, Americans for the Arts and Business Committee for the Arts, are merging to create the largest group of its kind in the private sector, reports Crain’s New York Business. The partnership is expected to strengthen the overall ability of the groups to generate increased support for the arts and arts education from the private sector."

The Muttart Foundation - Publications | Surveys

The Muttart Foundation - Publications | Surveys: talking About Charities 2008

The Muttart Foundation has released “Talking About Charities 2008,” a public opinion poll to survey Canadians on their views about charities and issues affecting charities.

The 2008 study is the fourth wave of a research initiative. Previous surveys were conducted in 2000, 2004 and 2006."

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : T. Boone Pickens: 'Honey, I Shrunk the Charity'

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : T. Boone Pickens: 'Honey, I Shrunk the Charity': "It was a historic pledge. In 2006, oilman T. Boone Pickens donated $165 million to Oklahoma State for its sports program. It was the largest gift of its kind ever to a U.S. university.
pickens1029_art_400_20081029012001.jpg
Associated Press

But it came with a catch: the money had to be invested in Pickens’ hedge fund, BP Capital.

Initially, the requirement seemed a stroke of genius. The money swelled to more than $300 million, at which time some university officials urged the school (unsuccessfully) to take money off the table. The money stayed in. And when oil prices plunged, so did Mr. Pickens’ fund. It was down $1 billion as of late September."

Older Workers May Find Open Arms at Nonprofits - The Inside Job (usnews.com)

Older Workers May Find Open Arms at Nonprofits - The Inside Job (usnews.com): "Older Workers May Find Open Arms at Nonprofits
October 29, 2008 01:13 PM ET | Liz Wolgemuth | Permanent Link | Print

A recent survey from MetLife and Civic Ventures suggests the nonprofit world offers some hope for older workers with corporate experience.

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy's Philanthropy.com:

Half of nonprofit employers say people who decide they want to work for charities late in their careers or after they have retired are highly appealing job candidates, while 39 percent say they are somewhat appealing, according to a new survey."

Seventh Annual GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey Reveals Significant Challenges for Charities - International Business Times -

Seventh Annual GuideStar Nonprofit Economic Survey Reveals Significant Challenges for Charities - International Business Times -: "Press Release


WILLIAMSBURG, VA and WASHINGTON, DC -- (Marketwire) -- 10/29/08 -- A new GuideStar survey shows that the proportion of charity representatives reporting decreased contributions nearly doubled between 2007 and 2008, and that almost half ofparticipants from nonprofits that rely on end-of-year gifts expect donations to decline during the last quarter of 2008 compared to the last quarter of 2007."

Town, county unite in bin battle

Town, county unite in bin battle: "Town, county unite in bin battle

Brookhaven outlaws for-profit drop-offs; Levy eyes regulation
By Karen Forman

October 29, 2008 | 03:33 PM
Times are tough, and they're about to get tougher for for-profit businesses running clothing donation bins.

Drop-off boxes might appear to benefit only charitable nonprofits, but a number benefit for-profit enterprises — and to that end, both Brookhaven Councilwoman Kathy Walsh (R-Centereach) and Democratic Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy have introduced legislation to regulate clothing bins."

Learning Communities: The best investment we can make

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Learning Communities: The best investment we can make
Louise Chatterton LuchukBy Louise Chatterton Luchuk
October 27, 2008

Economic and political uncertainty top global news headlines these days. Yet, in the midst of the turbulence, David Holtzman, senior knowledge exchange specialist at the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), reminds us that “learning is the most important investment we can make for ourselves, and certainly living in a community that is a learning community is the best investment any community can make. Learning is the only sustainable thing we have. When times are hard, as they seem to be right now, we can’t know what the future holds so it is important to know how to learn and know how to find information.”"

The Daily News Record: Local News

The Daily News Record: Local News: "Christal Yowell, director of development for the local Salvation Army, said she found out about the provision this year through the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

She said she hasn't sent out any mailings to notify donors, but hopes that the timing of the incentive is right, since the end of the year is one of the most popular times to donate."

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

How the Downturn Affects Giving by Retirement-Account Holders - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle Prospecting Blog How the Downturn Affects Giving by Retirement-Account Holders - Philanthropy.com: "How the Downturn Affects Giving by Retirement-Account Holders

Fund raisers have spent months pushing Congress to extend a tax break that allows older donors to channel money from their individual retirement accounts to charity."

Louisiana Nonprofits Blog: LANO Conference in Full Swing

Louisiana Nonprofits Blog: LANO Conference in Full Swing: "LANO Conference in Full Swing
LANO's Annual Conference started off with a great plenary this morning featuring Paulette Maehara, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Paulette discussed the important role nonprofits play in society, as well as the vital need for fundraising in these difficult economic times."

WTHR - Indianapolis News Weather -Indiana University's intramural complex name a source of controversy

WTHR - Indianapolis News Weather -Indiana University's intramural complex name a source of controversy: "Bloomington - For the first time in its history, Indiana University is giving consideration to removing a name from a building complex.

This history of Indiana University goes back to 1820 when the legislature decided to establish a 'state seminary.' The name was changed to Indiana College in 1828. In 1838 the name became Indiana University."

Monday, October 27, 2008

70% of Americans Plan to Give During the Holidays, Survey Finds - Philanthropy.com

70% of Americans Plan to Give During the Holidays, Survey Finds - Philanthropy.com: "70% of Americans Plan to Give During the Holidays, Survey Finds

By Cassie J. Moore

Despite the bad economy, almost seven out of 10 adults plan to donate the same amount online as they did in the 2007 holiday season, according to a study released today."

Relationship Examiner: Healthy greed and philanthropy

Relationship Examiner: Healthy greed and philanthropy

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Tips on Wise Giving: Ensuring Your Contribution Is Used Appropriately :: PNNOnline ::

Via PNN online

Tips on Wise Giving: Ensuring Your Contribution Is Used Appropriately :: PNNOnline ::: "Tips on Wise Giving: Ensuring Your Contribution Is Used Appropriately
Posted by: philcrosby on Thursday, October 23, 2008
Topic Special Features


Donors can help ensure that their charitable gift will be used ethically and effectively by following some easy and common-sense tips and guidelines.


'The last quarter of the year is extremely important for charities. Our studies show that the typical charity receives from one-third to one-half, or more, of their total annual contributions during this time,' said Paulette V. Maheara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). 'At the same time, people are especially mindful of their money in this tough economy, and donors need to feel confident about the charities they support.'"

Bloomberg.com: Arts and Culture

Bloomberg.com: Arts and Culture: "Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- The Metropolitan Opera led all U.S. arts organizations in fundraising from private sources with $128.1 million in 2007, according to a survey of 400 nonprofits by the Chronicle of Philanthropy."

It's a hard time to be a charity - USATODAY.com

It's a hard time to be a charity - USATODAY.com: "But this year's $350,000 request went to the foundation in early September — days before the federal government took over Freddie Mac and mortgage sibling Fannie Mae amid rising losses. Now, both firms' charitable grants, questioned by some as politically motivated, are on hold pending a Federal Housin"