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.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Local giving circle blends philanthropy, social time | www.azstarnet.com ®

Local giving circle blends philanthropy, social time | www.azstarnet.com ®:

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"The trend in grass-roots efforts to form giving circles has popped up nationally and is picking up in the Phoenix area and could catch on in Tucson, said Rick Wilson, president of the Southern Arizona chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
'We get to know our own community more. It's like a survey course on local charities,' said Ellie Bublick, a 41-year-old University of Arizona law professor."

LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | As Shriners membership dwindles, so does funding

LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas:

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It’s a fraternity-turned-philanthropy organization that began more than 100 years ago.

“It’s a labor of love for them, and it’s all volunteer,” Gantt said. “Not only do they donate the time, but they donate the money.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars, actually, to treat children in their hospitals from coast to coast.

But the Shriners are dying.

The membership exploded after World War II, but like many of the soldiers of that era, the Shiners are fading into history.

The membership that exploded after World War II is like many soldiers of that era, slowly fading into history."

Babson College - Women, Philanthropy and Advancement

Babson College - Women, Philanthropy and Advancement: "Women, Philanthropy and Advancement

It's that time of year, when many of us are thinking of the things we have to be grateful for and are turning to end-of-year giving. In recent research from the Center for Women's Leadership on woman-led businesses in Massachusetts, one of the findings that struck me was the link between the employment of women and the philanthropic activity of the firm."

Monday, December 11, 2006

End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act

End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act: "End of Year Donations May Be Affected by Pension Protection Act
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 has several provisions that could affect your end-of-year charitable donations. For instance, you can make contributions from an IRA account but you must be 70 1/2 years of age."

The Calgary Sun - Charity given precious coin

The Calgary Sun - Charity given precious coin: "BARRE, Vt. -- With the drop of a single coin into a Salvation Army holiday collection kettle, the group may have been enriched by as much as $14,000."

ContraCostaTimes.com | 12/10/2006 | Community college foundations have common aims

ContraCostaTimes.com | 12/10/2006 | Community college foundations have common aims: "Community college foundations have common aims
By Linda Cherry

DR. BILL VAN DYK is straightforward about why he serves on the Contra Costa College Foundation board of directors and is now in his second term as its president.

He supports CCC because his San Pablo dental practice is dependent upon graduates from the college's dental assisting program. His personal donations to the CCC Foundation are designated for the dental assisting program, and he urges other West County dentists to follow his lead.

Many foundation board members at Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College are in the same situation. Whether they are in business, government or the nonprofit sector, their organizations benefit from well-trained and educated community college students."

The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa - New York Times

The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa - New York Times: "The Lord Giveth, and Now He Takes Visa
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 10, 2006

MARTINEZ, Ga., Dec. 9 (AP) — At the evangelical Stevens Creek Community Church, God takes credit cards.

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

Kiosks at the Stevens Creek Community Church in Martinez, Ga., accept donations via credit or debit card.

Debit cards, too.

Two “giving kiosks” sit outside the church’s chapel in East Georgia, high-tech collection plates that allow people to swipe their credit or debit cards and instantly send donations. Marty Baker, the church’s pastor, likes to call the terminals A.T.M.’s: “automatic tithe machines.”"

Professional coaches offer new management skills to nonprofits - Examiner.com

Professional coaches offer new management skills to nonprofits - Examiner.com: "Professional coaches offer new management skills to nonprofits
Frank Sietzen, The Examiner
Read more by Frank Sietzen
Dec 11, 2006 3:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 551 of 10,328 articles
WASHINGTON - At this time of the year, the coaches that get the most attention are in front of a football team. But there’s a new breed of coach — largely hidden from view — that’s helping to transform non-profits. With real world experience and day-to-day advice, professional business coaches help nonprofit leaders improve their on-the-job performance."

How you can deduct now, give later | csmonitor.com

How you can deduct now, give later | csmonitor.com: "How you can deduct now, give later
Want to share the wealth, but don't know where? Financial experts point to donor-advised funds as a good choice.
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
Establishing an endowment for charitable distributions is no longer the exclusive province of the wealthy, thanks in large measure to intensifying competition in the financial services industry.

In October, the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund cut the minimum amount required to open a donor-advised fund in half. Donors may now establish a fund, which is an investment account earmarked for charitable distribution, with as little as $5,000."

New Line on Credit - washingtonpost.com

New Line on Credit - washingtonpost.com: "New Line on Credit
Popularized in the Developing World, Microloans Help Finance Budding Businesses

By Krissah Williams
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 11, 2006; Page D01

Awoman in a rural South Asian village receives a loan of about $250 to buy a dairy cow. She milks the cow, sells the milk and improves her standard of living while repaying the loan. In much of the world, this is microfinance.

In the United States, microfinance is an entirely different animal. An aspiring entrepreneur typically needs thousands, not hundreds, of dollars to build a business that has a chance of turning a profit."

TimesDispatch.com | Carter's Grove plantation will be sold

TimesDispatch.com | Carter's Grove plantation will be sold: "Carter's Grove plantation will be sold

BY ANDREW PETKOFSKY
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Dec 9, 2006

WILLIAMSBURG -- Carter's Grove, the historic 400-acre James River plantation that for years was a tourist attraction operated by Colonial Williamsburg, is for sale.

Four years after closing it, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation announced yesterday that it will sell the plantation on a 'fully protected basis' with restrictions to preserve its views, architecture, archaeology and environment."

MySA.com: Business-2nd-richest man pays call on S.A.

MySA.com: Business: "2nd-richest man pays call on S.A.

Web Posted: 12/09/2006 12:17 AM CST

David Hendricks
Express-News business writer

Warren Buffett may be widely known for the wealth he's accumulated, but he's no Ebenezer Scrooge.

The world's second-richest businessman, who was in San Antonio on Friday, announced this year he would give at least $37 billion of his wealth to charity.

But that has always been the plan of the man whose sage investment advice has earned him the moniker 'Oracle of Omaha.' Buffett, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said Friday that ever since his 20s, he intended to commit all of his stock to charity."

Thursday, December 07, 2006

onPhilanthropy: Social Responsibility: Whose Business Is It?

onPhilanthropy: Social Responsibility: Whose Business Is It?: "Social Responsibility: Whose Business Is It?
By: Carolyn Cavicchio, 12/7/06

Are corporate citizenship and sustainability important to business? Yes, say a majority of leaders of global businesses who were recently polled by The Conference Board. But these same companies also lack an active strategy to develop new business opportunities arising from meeting citizenship and sustainability needs.

This divide between attitude and actual business practice was one of the topics of a
Reuters panel debate, co-hosted by The Conference Board and the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at Harvard University. In a fairly lively debate, business and media leaders staked out their positions."

The Sun Herald | 12/07/2006 | Nonprofits given office space for $1

The Sun Herald | 12/07/2006 | Nonprofits given office space for $1: "Nonprofits given office space for $1
By LEIGH COLEMAN
SUN HERALD

GULFPORT - Harrah's Entertainment has given office space to six South Mississippi nonprofits for $1 a year rent, allowing the agencies to move out of their temporary trailers.

Board members of the agencies gathered Wednesday at Harrah's operations building on Seaway Road in Gulfport for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to thank the leaders of Harrah's Entertainment for their generosity.

'There is no way to measure what Harrah's has done for us. They were proactive about helping these agencies, they came to us and offered their office space,' said John M. Walton, regional president of Whitney Bank and an agency board member."

Playbill News: Arena Stage Gets a Record Gift to a U.S. Theatre — Nearly $35 Million

Playbill News: Arena Stage Gets a Record Gift to a U.S. Theatre — Nearly $35 Million: "Arena Stage in Washington, DC, announced Dec. 6 that it has received donations totaling more than $100 million — including a record $35 million single gift — for the renovation of its facilities and the creation of a modern theatre campus.

This historic milestone was made possible by local philanthropists Gilbert and Jaylee Mead, who donated close to $35 million toward the project, prompting Arena to honor their exceptional generosity by naming the new complex Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater."

The metrics of giving

The metrics of giving: "The metrics of giving
Thursday, December 7, 2006
By Mark Fellows
mfellows@mbusinessreview.com

Every three hospital jobs in Michigan generate two more in the community, state economic multipliers indicate. Each dollar of hospital wages generates another 58.83 cents of economic activity.

Analysis and research are part and parcel of effective philanthropy, but private giving remains more focused on ensuring grants are effective and not on broad economic metrics."

This summit seeks balance for givers

This summit seeks balance for givers: "This summit seeks balance for givers
Women of African descent learn to keep a personal touch in philanthropy while growing ties to foundations and nonprofits.
Robert Franklin, Star Tribune

Last update: December 06, 2006 – 10:11 PM

Julie Green started a nonprofit to give surplus goods to needy people in Liberia and Monrovia as well as the Twin Cities. Betty Emarita's relatives built a family compound and school in Nigeria. Brikti Hiwet is helping to market purses made by young women for a charity in her native Ethiopia."

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Washington Square News - Pledge policy to see minor changes

Washington Square News - Pledge policy to see minor changes: "Pledge policy to see minor changes

by Ali Weinberg
Staff Writer

December 06, 2006
NYU will now require donors who pledge large sums of money to pay some cash upfront as the university examines its fundraising policy in the wake of several donations that backfired.

The university will not change its pledge policy outright, but it is considering creating a stipulation that pledges must give NYU part of their pledge before the university starts outlining how it plans to use the funds, said Debra LaMorte, NYU’s senior vice president for development and alumni relations. Donors often make requests about how their pledges and donations are to be used; now, the university will not allow projects to go forward without the money promised for those projects has been paid."

Survey: Charitable Giving Remains Steady - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick

Press Release

Survey: Charitable Giving Remains Steady - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick: "INDIANAPOLIS—Nonprofit fundraisers are reporting a fairly stable fundraising climate that is slightly less positive than six months ago, but slightly more positive than one year ago, according to the Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI) released today by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Fundraisers’ overall optimism about the climate for giving in the United States increased 1.6 percent over this time last year, but was down 1.4 percent from the Summer of 2006. Fundraisers for public benefit, environmental and international nonprofits and those working in human services organizations reported slightly less optimism than those from other types of organizations."

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PGI survey participants are chosen to represent a cross-section of nonprofits nationwide in terms of geographic region, annual revenue size and type of organization. The survey was mailed to 403 nonprofit development executives and fundraising consultants. Of those, 168 fundraisers and consultants responded, for an overall response rate of 42 percent. The survey was sponsored in part by the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy.

Standards For Excellence Institute Adds Three States :: PNNOnline ::

Standards For Excellence Institute Adds Three States :: PNNOnline ::: "Standards For Excellence Institute Adds Three States
Posted by: laurakujawski on Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Topic Special Features

The Standards for Excellence Institute, the first program in the United States to promote and provide a code for self-regulation for the nonprofit sector, announced that three additional organizations in West Palm Beach, Florida, Oklahoma and West Virginia now offer the rigorous Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector to nonprofits across their regions. The Standards for Excellence Institute (Institute) works nationwide, to help nonprofits meet the highest standards of nonprofit governance, management and operations.

Joining groups in Maryland, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Idaho; are the three new groups, which recently were approved to offer the Standards program: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, a program of the Executive Service Corps of Southeast Florida, The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, and The Community Development Partnership of West Virginia.

The Standards for Excellence™ program has been cited as exemplary at hearings and roundtables before the US Senate Committee on Finance."

How they did it - The Boston Globe

How they did it - The Boston Globe: "How they did it
They had to get the land. They had to get the money. And they had to stay true to their risky vision -- even if it meant building on an undeveloped waterfront site.
Chief curator Nicholas Baume helps install artworks in the ICA's new gallery spaces.
Chief curator Nicholas Baume helps install artworks in the ICA's new gallery spaces.

December 6, 2006

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE a get-to-know-you breakfast, a chance for the new director of the Institute of Contemporary Art to sit down with a powerful trustee. Before the coffee had even cooled at the Charles Hotel restaurant, Paul Buttenwieser stunned ICA head Jill Medvedow with his news."

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Mellon pledges that deal will bring increased charitable giving

Mellon pledges that deal will bring increased charitable giving: "Mellon pledges that deal will bring increased charitable giving

Tuesday, December 05, 2006
By Anya Sostek, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On a day when Mellon Financial Corp. announced it was changing its name and its headquarters address, it also sought to reassure the Pittsburgh community that its charitable works would stay put. And to win over skeptics -- history is riddled with promises that weren't kept -- it even said it will up the ante."

Monday, December 04, 2006

Disabled ready to overcome another barrier - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Disabled ready to overcome another barrier - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Disabled ready to overcome another barrier

By Craig Smith
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, December 2, 2006

Chaz Kellem arrived ready to serve.

'I've got an interest in the community and am ready to give a helping hand,' he said, before filling out an application for a Duquesne University program that will place people with disabilities on nonprofit boards and committees."

New Guidelines for Payroll Deduction Contributions to Charities

New Guidelines for Payroll Deduction Contributions to Charities: "IR-2006-186, December 1, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today new guidelines for taxpayers to follow to substantiate donations to charities that were made by payroll deductions.

'This makes it easier for businesses and individuals to support worthwhile charities without fear of losing the deduction,' said IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson."

Union Leader - Dueling for donors: NH charities compete - Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006

Union Leader - Dueling for donors: NH charities compete - Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006: "*
Dueling for donors: NH charities compete

By MICHAEL COUSINEAU
Union Leader Staff
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006

Dawne and Bob Litterst were looking to make a meaningful donation to a local charity.

The Bedford couple attended a few fund-raising events for Easter Seals, growing more comfortable about how the organization helped people and spent its money.

In their mid-40s, the Littersts set up a $50,000 endowment in the family's name that they hope their three sons will add to in the coming decades."

Will Your Biz Profit as a Nonprofit?

Will Your Biz Profit as a Nonprofit?: "Will Your Biz Profit as a Nonprofit?
When structuring a company, there are a number of distinctions to keep in mind, including the fact that 'nonprofit' does not mean 'nontaxable'

by Karen E. Klein
Small Biz
We are starting a small entertainment company. Our aim is to produce family television programming and musical entertainment that would be suitable for Christian television or family networks. Should our company be structured as a for-profit or a nonprofit entity? How does a business owner decide?—A.A., Independence, Kan."

[Editorial] Giving to others should not be seasonal act : Editorial & Opinion : Home

[Editorial] Giving to others should not be seasonal act : Editorial & Opinion : Home: "The winter freeze has begun in earnest, which means it is the season of worries for the common people and the poor. This year, without fail, Salvation Army donation buckets have appeared across the country and the Community Chest of Korea has raised a 'Thermometer of Love' to track donations. You see reports of how businesses and volunteer groups are delivering heating briquettes and kimchi to poor neighborhoods."

Connecticut Business - State, National, World News from The Hartford Courant - BUSINESS

Connecticut Business - State, National, World News from The Hartford Courant - BUSINESS: "Finding Careers At Nonprofits, Not By Accident, But By Design
December 4, 2006

Question: What employment sector has a do-good mission, rising salaries, expanding opportunities and an appetite for seasoned workers?

If you were to ask the 700 or so attendees of 'Philanthropy Day' in Uniondale, N.Y., the consensus would most likely be: the not-for-profit industry, which encompasses organizations ranging from Canine Companions for Independence to the National Organization for Women."

newsobserver.com | Know where donations go

newsobserver.com | Know where donations go: "Know where donations go
Retailers' holiday charity efforts may have loopholes

Sue Stock, Staff Writer
Give $1 to St. Jude, buy a plush Grinch to help children, or consider a camera to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Holiday shoppers are encountering almost as many donation requests as they are discounts.

The appeals are fast becoming a yuletide tradition as merchants respond to competition as well as shoppers and employees who want to deal with socially responsible companies.

But there's quite a bit in it for businesses: good will, publicity, added sales and a tax write-off."

Gates Foundation to close -- in several years

Gates Foundation to close -- in several years: "Gates Foundation to close -- in several years
Decision emphasizes issues are solvable

By TOM PAULSON
P-I REPORTER

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, intending to underscore its belief that the mission is more important than the institution, plans to close its doors a half-century or so after the philanthropy's primary benefactors -- Bill, Melinda and Warren Buffett -- have died.

'Of course, that could easily be another 100 years,' said Patty Stonesifer, chief executive officer at the Gates Foundation. But planning an eventual closure, she said, emphasizes the Gateses' desire that many of the problems of poverty, inequity and disease they have targeted be regarded as both urgent and resolvable."