AFP Blog: Recent News of Note

This blog contains assorted news and commentary on the fundraising profession and philanthropy gathered by the AFP Fundraising Resource Center. Other Sites of Interest Section Disclaimer: AFP provides the following listing of hyperlinks to other Internet pages as a privilege to the user. AFP does not necessarily endorse, support or attest to the accuracy of information posted on those Internet pages. Some links may require registration to view and/or may only be available for a limited time.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Freshman ethics lesson - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Freshman ethics lesson - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The new school year also brings another ritual: renewed appeals from colleges and universities for financial support.

Millions of Americans will respond. Last year, corporations, foundations and individuals donated $25.6 billion to U.S. colleges and universities, the Council for Aid to Education reported recently -- a nearly 5 percent increase from the year before. Gifts from alumni -- nearly 28 percent of the total -- increased 6 percent. Non-alumni individuals donated an additional 20 percent, CAE reported.

According to Slate, the online magazine, last year's largest gifts to higher education included Mesa Petroleum founder Boone Pickens' $165 million gift to Oklahoma State University, his alma mater; eBay founder and Chairman Pierre Omidyar's $103 million gift to his alma mater, Tufts University; and the late Ford Motor Co. heiress Josephine Ford's $50 million bequest to the College for Creative Studies in Detroit."

Philanthropy: Who Gave What for Katrina Relief

Philanthropy: Who Gave What for Katrina Relief: "Philanthropy: Who Gave What for Katrina Relief
A survey of donors in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes finds corporate foundations were the leaders in funding recovery efforts

Foundation Center released a report on Aug. 9 titled 'Giving in the Aftermath of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Report on the Foundation and Corporate Response,' the second of a series of three reports on the subject. The first was released earlier as a summary of immediate findings"

Gates’s Charity Races to Spend Buffett Billions - New York Times

Gates’s Charity Races to Spend Buffett Billions - New York Times: "Although it has long been the largest grant-making foundation in the nation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is facing an unparalleled challenge: how to give away more money — and do it much faster — than it ever has before.

Largely lost in the June announcement of Warren E. Buffett’s gift of $31 billion to the foundation were its terms. Mr. Buffet will make the contribution in annual increments. For tax reasons, starting in 2009, the foundation must give away every nickel that he contributed in the previous year."

Billy Joel a surprise at classical show - Yahoo! News

Billy Joel a surprise at classical show - Yahoo! News: "oel strolled on to the stage during the second half of the concert, sat down at an electronic keyboard and joined Joo for a duet.

The piano man also promised to buy a piano for the Huntington Arts Council, which co-sponsors the summer concert series."

Friday, August 11, 2006

Aspen Times News for Aspen Colorado - News Taking a gander at 'Sticky Butt Night'(Rotary's 15th annual Ducky Derby.)

This site is a news site that requires free registration.

Aspen Times News for Aspen Colorado - News: "Justin Dahlberg, 10 and Ty Sharp, 11, turned to the Henry Ford playbook Thursday night, with a mini-production line to stick microchips on ducks in preparation for Rotary's 15th annual Ducky Derby.

Justin grabbed the duck, Ty applied the sticker, and Justin tossed the duck in the bucket - repeat 30,000 times.

Some 50 people showed up to 'Sticky Butt Night' to affix stickers to the bottoms of the 30,000 plastic ducks that will pour out of a dump truck and race down the Roaring Fork River on Saturday."

Fuel for Thought

Fuel for Thought: "And now that he has shown just how efficient that incentive can be, Diamandis wants to do the same in other fields, from nanotech to education. 'I'm trying to rework philanthropy,' he says, 'and make it about not just giving money aimlessly, but using money as a very high-leverage mechanism.'"

Scones And Social Responsibility

Scones And Social Responsibility: "Scones And Social Responsibility
Dancing Deer Baking's Karter has a recipe for creating a brand with values

Patricia Karter, CEO of Dancing Deer Baking, is used to hearing people rave about her company's all-natural sweets, such as its Cherry Almond Ginger Chew cookies. She also often hears praise for the $8 million company's philanthropy, green packaging, and commitment to its 65 employees and inner-city Boston. All of which makes Karter a bit chagrined. Great-tasting baked goods aside, she thinks every company could be doing what she's doing.

'We've created a brand with important values,' says the 49-year-old Karter. 'But Dancing Deer is not big enough to make an impact, to be a social or economic force. If I hit $50 million in sales, it can be.'Karter is determined to expand the company she co-founded in 1994 and to hang on to her principles while doing so. She's already turned Dancing Deer from a startup selling homemade scones into a profitable wholesale, mail-order, and online business. Its cookies, brownies, cakes, and mixes, all packaged in recycled fiber and whimsically illustrated with stick-figure bakers and dancing deer, are found in Whole Foods Market (WFMI ), Williams-Sonoma (WSM ), and Wild Oats Markets (OATS ).

dBusinessNews :: Austin's "Fit" Meet Austin's "Art-Minded" in the Arts Run 2006

dBusinessNews :: Daily Business News Delivered to Your Desktop: "Austin -The State and Paramount Theatres present the first ever Arts Run, September 9, 2006. The Arts Run, a benefit for the State and Paramount Theatres, consists of two races, a 5K Run/Walk and a Kids Fun Run. Runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers are encouraged to run or walk dressed as their favorite stage or film star and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. In addition, the fastest chip times will also be rewarded. All monies raised September 9th will go directly to the nonprofit State and Paramount Theatres."

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Reporter-Times.com | Council recognizes foundation for compliance with standards

Reporter-Times.com | Council recognizes foundation for compliance with standards: "Council recognizes foundation for compliance with standards

Submitted article
Thursday August 10, 2006

The Community Foundation of Morgan County Inc. has been been recognized for its organizational and financial practices as being in accordance with the national standards for U.S. Community Foundations."

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: Prove Yourself Beyond all Obstacles: Grantmaking

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: Prove Yourself Beyond all Obstacles: Grantmaking: "Prove Yourself Beyond all Obstacles: Grantmaking

For many of us, it might not have been so long ago that we wrote that first big check, when the excitement of our first apartment was slightly tarnished by the reality of first-month-plus-security-deposit, prompting a tremble as we signed away a large portion of our new income. Now, the young grantmakers among us may be asked to give input into grants far larger, perhaps more than we’ve yet earned since that day. It can feel incongruous to have that kind of influence in our work lives, when the stakes are so much higher than in the financial decisions we make in our everyday lives."

AdelaideNow... Streisand $1.3m for Clinton charity

AdelaideNow... Streisand $1.3m for Clinton charity: "Streisand $1.3m for Clinton charity

From correspondents in Los Angeles

August 10, 2006 10:16am
Article from: Reuters

WHEN Barbra Streisand sings, the cash register rings at Bill Clinton's favourite charity.

With a gift of $US1 million ($1.3 million), Streisand has selected the former president's Climate Change Initiative as the first recipient to benefit from the millions she has pledged to charitable causes generated by her upcoming national concert tour."

Changing the World, One Tiny Loan at a Time - August 10, 2006 - The New York Sun

Changing the World, One Tiny Loan at a Time - August 10, 2006 - The New York Sun: "Changing the World, One Tiny Loan at a Time

By LIZ PEEK
August 10, 2006

Why has microfinance become the hot topic of the philanthropy set? A conversation with two successful veterans of the rough-and-tumble hedge fund industry, Leslie Rahl and Leslie Lake, sheds some ligh"

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Charity Watchdogs

Charity Watchdogs: "Charity Watchdogs

With so many charities needing money, it's difficult to target the worthy ones.

Your best bet for gathering information is Form 990. That's the tax form nonprofits have to submit annually to the Internal Revenue Service. It gives information on their finances, expenses and programs. If an organization won't give you one, don't give to their cause; it's that simple.

Unfortunately, there isn't much official regulation of nonprofit organizations. The IRS is overwhelmed to the point that only a small percentage of Form 990s are scrutinized, and their information isn't always upfront."

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

CharityVillage® Research: E-mail fundraising serves four strategic functions

CharityVillage® Research: E-mail fundraising serves four strategic functions: "E-mail is cheaper than direct mail but that's not why you should embrace it. Your nonprofit organization should be communicating with donors and members by e-mail for four strategic reasons.
1. Involve
E-mail, by its very nature, is interactive. Your readers expect to see links in your e-mail messages, links that they can click. Your readers expect to be able to hit Reply and answer a question you've posed, or share their opinion. E-mail is attractive to donors and members, and your organization, because it helps them get involved."

Monday, August 07, 2006

The Chronicle, 8/2/2006: Charities Find That Joining Forces With Touring Musical Acts Can Help Spread Their Messages to New Audiences

The Chronicle, 8/2/2006: Charities Find That Joining Forces With Touring Musical Acts Can Help Spread Their Messages to New Audiences: "Charities Find That Joining Forces With Touring Musical Acts Can Help Spread Their Messages to New Audiences
By Jennifer C. Berkshire

When People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sought to develop a youth division four years ago, organizers

of the animal-rights group in Norfolk, Va., knew they wanted music to be a key component of their efforts to reach young people.

'Our goal was to focus on things that kids care about,' says Caleb Wheeldon, senior outreach coordinator at PETA2, the charity's youth-oriented counterpart. 'Our audience is heavily into music, so we needed to be right there with them.'"

DailyBulletin.com - Youth charity helps rebuild after Katrina

DailyBulletin.com - Youth charity helps rebuild after Katrina: "Youth charity helps rebuild after Katrina
By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer

The proverbial lemonade stand that children set up in the summer rarely brings in more than a few bucks for a new bike. But last September, two Upland brothers brought in not only $5,200 with their cool drinks but something even more valuable -- a promising idea.

Tyler Useda, 9, and his little brother Cameron, 4, stood on the corner of Mountain Avenue and 21st Street in Upland last year and raised money for Hurricane Katrina victims after Tyler saw the horrific images on television. The success of that effort made their mother, Julie Hartz, realize that while children may not have the income for philanthropy, they certainly have the heart and will.

'Kids have such a fresh perspective on life,' Hartz said. 'And when adults see the younger generation truly act and do something for their country that moves the older generation, who has more money, to give.'"

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online-RM68,000 for a piece of charcoal?

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online: "It’s the time of the year where the big banquet is held during the Hungry Ghost Festival in the Hokkien belt in the country. If you have the cash you can bid for some ‘lucky’ items at the auction that follows.

JOHOR BARU: Would you pay RM68,000 for a piece of charcoal ('black gold' in Chinese), only to burn it to ashes later?

A businessman was willing to pay this sum in return for showers of divine blessings and the promise of prosperity throughout the year.

Some may dismiss this as foolish superstition. But for the adherents of the Po Doh (salvation) banquet, they are prepared to swear by it.

This is a traditional ritual during the Hungry Ghost Festival when the people are invited to bid for auspicious items at a grand auction, with proceeds going to charity."

The Herald News - Duck Derby makes a splash

The Herald News - Duck Derby makes a splash: "WESTPORT - Thousands of bright-yellow rubber ducks spotted Buzzards Bay Inlet as they rode the incoming tide into Allens Pond.

The invasion of rubber ducks was the culmination of a day-long event held to help financially support the Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Third Annual Duck Derby occurred Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people enjoyed the sunshine, water and competitive race. The winner, as in past years, was awarded a dinner for two anywhere in the world."

uticaOD.com - The Observer-Dispatch - From factory town to nonprofit center, local economy changes

uticaOD.com - The Observer-Dispatch - From factory town to nonprofit center, local economy changes: "From factory town to nonprofit center, local economy changes
Sunday, Aug 6, 2006

By NICK BOLLIER
Syracuse University Capstone Program

If the Mohawk Valley was once at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, today its economy reflects a transition to an economy where nonprofit agencies make up a significant portion of job creation.

The entire nonprofit sector accounted for 18,500 full- and part-time jobs in Oneida and Herkimer counties last year, 80 percent of which were health care and social services jobs, said Mark Barbano of the state Labor Department. That's compared to barely 13,500 workers still employed in manufacturing, figures show. "

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 08/07/2006 | Run was fun, but did the charity get anything?

St. Paul Pioneer Press | 08/07/2006 | Run was fun, but did the charity get anything?: "Run was fun, but did the charity get anything?
Finding out how much popular fundraisers spend on those who need it can be difficult
BY DEBRA O'CONNOR
Pioneer Press

Last year, Minnesotans ran, walked, bowled, swam, fished and skied for charity. They played golf, billiards and hockey, drove cars, rode motorcycles and danced to rock music.

In hundreds of sporting events, they donated tens of millions of dollars of their own money and pledges they raised from family, friends and co-workers. How much of the money actually went to charitable programs, and how much got burned up by fundraising and administrative costs? Which events funnel the largest percentage of pledges into their causes?"

Private sector and public service

Private sector and public service: "Private sector and public service

Sunday, August 06, 2006

By DANIE HARRELSON

The Daily Sentinel

If you think the neighborhood kids hit you up way too much with their bike-a-thons, magazine subscriptions and candy bars, try running a business.

Hardly a day goes by that companies in the Grand Valley aren’t asked to donate to this or that trip, help send some teenybopper to cheerleading camp or underwrite a nonprofit organization’s annual fundraiser.

Local business owners say it comes with the territory. They try to cut a check when the price is right and the request merits their financial support.

And they’re doing it more lately, according to a recent survey that indicates some area entrepreneurs are digging deeper to aid charities and other organizations."

TimesDispatch.com | Philanthropy in good health

TimesDispatch.com | Philanthropy in good health: "The Community Foundation, a philanthropy that serves the Richmond region and central Virginia, can light the cigars and pour the champagne - symbolically, at least. It has had another very good year."

Friday, August 04, 2006

Kobe Bryant offers 8 college students free trip to Italy

Kobe Bryant offers 8 college students free trip to Italy: "Kobe Bryant is going into philanthropy.

The Los Angeles Lakers' All-Star guard announced Thursday he has offered eight college students a chance to go to Italy and discover the country where he spent part of his childhood."

New Wealth, and Worries, for the Salvation Army - New York Times

New Wealth, and Worries, for the Salvation Army - New York Times: "Published: August 4, 2006

SAN DIEGO — A Salvation Army center is an unlikely home for a $2.5 million Henry Moore sculpture, but here it stood, all but buried under summer campers using it as a jungle gym.

The sculpture and the center, an $87 million complex featuring three swimming pools, indoor ice skating and skateboarding, playing fields and a 600-seat theater, were gifts from Joan Kroc, wife of the McDonald’s Corporation founder, Ray Kroc."

A Cause That Scares Business

A Cause That Scares Business: "A Cause That Scares Business
The ugliness recalled by a National Slavery Museum gives corporate donors the jitters

The idea first came to then-Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder in 1992 as he stood before the Door of No Return on Gorée Island, off the coast of Senegal, from which countless Africans were sent in shackles for enslavement in America. A year later, during a conference in Gabon, Wilder publicly disclosed his private obsession: creating a national museum of slavery. For the past 13 years he has been trying to transform his $200 million dream into a concrete-and-glass reality."

GuideStar - News - Articles - CLEAR Circles: Supporting Nonprofit Leaders in a New Way

GuideStar - News - Articles - CLEAR Circles: Supporting Nonprofit Leaders in a New Way: "CLEAR Circles: Supporting Nonprofit Leaders in a New Way

Being a nonprofit executive director can be isolating. Trying to create an environment that attracts and maintains committed and talented people on shoestring budgets can be exhausting. Working with boards of directors who may be dedicated to the organization's mission but don't understand their true roles and responsibilities is frustrating. Confronting daunting social issues on a daily basis can be painful. Facing an increasingly competitive environment from a perspective that has not traditionally been competition oriented is daunting. With weighty issues like these bearing down on them daily, where can nonprofit leaders turn for support and problem solving?"

Thursday, August 03, 2006

NP Times / NPT’s Power and Influence Top 50 2006

NP Times / Special Report: 2006 Salary Survey:

NPT’s Power and Influence Top 50 2006

snip snip>>

"Paulette V. Maehara
President & CEO
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Alexandria, Va.

Maehara doesn’t just lead the largest and growing organization of fundraisers on the planet (yes, AFP is international), she is also sought after for the sector’s most influential boards, such as American Society of Association Executives and the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector."

St. Helena Star .::. CommunityFeatures-Inspired by families

St. Helena Star .::. CommunityFeatures: "Inspired by families

'As long as I can remember my mother has been involved in the Red Cross in the valley,' Dixon said. 'I remember waking up at 2 in the morning when I was younger to help people who might have been in a fire or a flood or whatever. She was always available. I went at times.'

Their parents' examples of community service has been inspirational, the two men agreed. And it was time to step up their own involvement.

Last month they donated a percentage of their real estate commissions -- they are associates with Up Valley Real Estate -- to St. Helena High School science teacher Chris O'Connor's biodiesel project. Toller and Dixon, not only intrigued with the concept of creating fuel from cooking oil, are tickled by the thought that there may be a hint of French fries in the air once the project gets underway."

Non-profits operating like a business

Non-profits operating like a business: "Non-profits operating like a business

Kristin Park
Special for The ABG
Aug. 3, 2006 12:00 AM

Arizona's non-profits have a history of being grass-roots organizations that stem from heartfelt motivation and passionate missions. But strong emotional ties to a particular mission can push finances to the background.

That's changing.

As non-profits become more affected by business trends, from a falling stock market to inconsistent government funding, some are pursuing outside business planning services to help them increase their financial sustainability. "

Jewish Charities Seek $300 Million for Israel

Jewish Charities Seek $300 Million for Israel: "Jewish Charities Seek $300 Million for Israel
Activist Rabbi Criticizes Fund Drive, Says U.S. Jews Should Help Lebanon, Too

By Alan Cooperman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 3, 2006; Page A23

An umbrella organization of North American Jewish charities said yesterday that it will seek to raise a minimum of $300 million in emergency humanitarian funds for Israel this year, one of the largest short-term goals in its history.

The fund drive drew immediate criticism from at least one prominent rabbi who called on American Jews to raise money for the reconstruction of Lebanon, not just Israel. But experts on Jewish philanthropy predicted that the campaign would receive broad support, following a well-established pattern of giving by U.S. Jews in times of crisis for the Jewish state."