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.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

BostonHerald.com - Lifestyle: Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity

BostonHerald.com - Lifestyle: Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity: "Bid-hearted: BiddingForGood.com auctions one-of-a-kind gifts for charity
By Jed Gottlieb
Thursday, December 21, 2006

What would you give for a date with “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo? It’s not a trick question. If your wallet and heart were in the right place on Sunday, you could have made the winning bid - which incidentally was $16,900 - on BiddingForGood.com for lunch with the Everett native.
Run by Cambridge-based cMarket, the BiddingForGood Web site lets scores of nonprofits auction off everything from iPods to Uggs to weekend getaways to lunch with a celebrity. Maybe you want to help raise money for Boston’s Home for Little Wanderers? Maybe you just want to quiz Pompeo about what “Dr. McDreamy” Patrick Dempsey is really like? Either way, it’s a win-win situation, said cMarket CEO John Carson."

Couple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two - washingtonpost.com

Couple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two - washingtonpost.com: "ouple's Record Gift: What HCC Asked for, Times Two

By Susan DeFord
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 21, 2006; Page HO03

Howard Community College President Mary Ellen Duncan recently asked two of the college's longtime benefactors, Patrick and Jill McCuan, to donate as much as half a million dollars as part of the college's private fundraising campaign.

The McCuans thought it over, consulting with board members of their family trust, and then decided to donate more than double Duncan's request. At $1.2 million, it is the Columbia college's largest cash gift."

DenverPost.com - Liberals confused over charity

DenverPost.com - Liberals confused over charity: "Liberals confused over charity
By David Harsanyi
Denver Post Staff Columnist
Article Last Updated: 12/21/2006 02:21:02 AM MST

Anyone can be compassionate with other people's money.

So for the purposes of this column, 'giving' to charity will not mean voting for a ballot initiative that forces others to pay for free universal preschool. It will mean digging into your very own pockets.

And in general, Americans are exceptionally generous. Nearly 75 percent of families donate to charity at some point during the year, and they do so at an average of $1,800 per family.

In total, Americans gave around $260 billion to charity in 2004. That was $15 billion more than they had given in 2003. Two billion was raised for the Asian tsunami relief alone."

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - WEDNESDAY: Indians make $22B on casinos nationwide in 2006 (10:30 a.m.)

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal Online - WEDNESDAY: Indians make $22B on casinos nationwide in 2006 (10:30 a.m.): "The Morongos’ charitable giving this year included a recent visit by a “tribal” Santa and two dozen helpers to Cabazon Elementary School in Cabazon, Calif., where children were treated to a holiday party and Christmas stockings stuffed with fresh fruit, trail mix and $100 gift cards from Wal-Mart.

“Morongo tribal members know what hard times are all about,” said the tribe’s spokeswoman, Waltona Manion. “They see their outreach as an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Giving has historically been a major part of native cultures. But the economic prosperity casinos have brought to dozens of American Indian tribes has dramatically altered the philanthropic landscape across Indian country."

Giving Is Good Business [Fool.com] December 20, 2006

Giving Is Good Business [Fool.com] December 20, 2006: "Giving Is Good Business
By Dan Caplinger
December 20, 2006

When you look at the charitable gifts that make headlines, individual philanthropists seem to dominate the list. High-profile donations and volunteer work from successful business leaders have become increasingly popular. For instance, David Rockefeller, former chairman of the Chase division of JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), made nine-figure gifts to his family's namesake university and to New York's Museum of Modern Art earlier this year."

‘Survivor’ winner turns to charity - Examiner.com

‘Survivor’ winner turns to charity - Examiner.com:
snip snip>>

"But unlike previous winners, who have hosted television shows, starred in movies or been arrested for tax evasion, Kwon said he wants to focus his new fame on charity work, including advocacy for bone marrow donor registration.

The choice of cause is a personal one for Kwon, who helped organize a bone-marrow-donor registration drive at Stanford University 10 years ago to help his best friend, who later died of leukemia."

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid | IndyStar.com

Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid | IndyStar.com: "December 19, 2006
Study: U.S. gave $3B for '04 tsunami aid

If you find this story interesting we have two related blogs.
AFP Blog Tsunami Relief
and
the AFP Disaster Relief Blog
Feedback is always welcome.
We also maintain tags for
Tags: NPDisasterRelief, NPTsunamiRelief

Star report
A new study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University nearing the second anniversary of the December 2004 Asian tsunami finds that individuals, corporations, and foundations in the United States donated a total of $3.16 billion toward relief efforts.

The overwhelming majority of disaster relief giving came from the combined gifts of individuals nationwide -- not million dollar corporate or foundation gifts.

The 25 percent of American households that donated for tsunami relief gave a combined total of $2.78 billion. Another $340 million came from corporations and $40 million came from foundations."

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas-Voluntary philanthropy shows free market in its purest form

The Monitor - McAllen, Texas: "Voluntary philanthropy shows free market in its purest form
December 19,2006
The Freedom View
The Lima News

Everywhere you look right now, you can find some organization asking for your assistance to help someone in need. Perhaps you start to feel overwhelmed by all the requests, but consider looking at it this way: It’s a good thing private organizations are addressing community needs through private donations. That is one of the tenets of the American ideal.

The examples appear without end:"

Kansas City Star | 12/19/2006 | Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story

Kansas City Star | 12/19/2006 | Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story: "HELPING THE NEEDY | KC area programs
Nonprofits’ budgets only part of story
By ROBERT COLE
The Kansas City Star

* KC STARS | Nonprofits

Several of Kansas City’s largest nonprofits operate with multimillion-dollar budgets, but dollars alone seldom tell their story.

There are too many mouths to feed, too many kids that need a ride to Head Start, too many homeless wanderers that may need a warm coat to help them get through another winter.

Agencies depend on thousands of local volunteers to help offer counseling, provide legal assistance and aid disaster victims. They also mentor high-risk children, work to suppress domestic violence and physical abuse, and tend to patients with autism.

Karen Haren, executive director of Harvesters-The Community Food Network in Kansas City, said that 2,000 volunteers come every month to sort, repackage and box food that is distributed to more than 550 area nonprofits."

Foundations R Us - Philanthropy - Charity - Social Entrepreneur

Foundations R Us - Philanthropy - Charity - Social Entrepreneur: "You can give it away as smartly as you made it.

When the subject is philanthropy, it's natural to think of such heavyweights as Gates, Buffett, and Soros. Even Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has started a foundation. And then of course there's Fung.

That would be Coleman Fung. He came to this country from Hong Kong when he was 16, got degrees from Berkeley and Stanford, and eventually started Openlink Financial, a Long Island software firm whose annual sales now exceed $90 million. Says Fung: 'I am your classic poster child for the American dream.' Recently, Fung decided it was time to 'give something back,' so he plowed $18 million into the new Coleman Fung Foundation, which he'll use to support education and environmental causes. He hopes to get his kids involved when they're older, and to challenge--by his example--other well-to-do Asian Americans to step up their philanthropy. As the end of the year approaches, you may be scrambling to get your charitable donations done in time for your 2006 tax return. Go ahead and give generously. But then sit down and think about whether something grander might be in order. Think about making like Coleman Fung."

Boston - As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In

Boston - As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In: "As Wall Street Bonuses Set Record, N.Y. Federation Hopes to Cash In

By Jacob Berkman

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (JTA) -- While most Jewish federations struggle to pool $10 million per year, the UJA-Federation of New York took in some $21.5 million in a single night.

Far from the world of Super Sunday phone-athons, with volunteers cold-calling strangers for small donations, the New York federation pulled out the stops at the New York Hilton on Dec. 6 as some 1,200 bankers met for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and a night of card playing.

On the dais for an hourlong presentation between drinks and cards were the power brokers of Wall Street, including the president of Goldman Sachs, the chairmen of Bear Stearns and Offit Hall Capital, and the managing director of Lehman Brothers."

Marin Independent Journal - Leslie Harlib's Social Scene: A doggone great fundraiser

Marin Independent Journal - Leslie Harlib's Social Scene: A doggone great fundraiser:
snip snip>>

"Guide Dogs for the Blind, the nationally famous nonprofit that raises guide dogs and teaches the blind to work and live with them, knows this better than anyone. The San Rafael-based organization's 30th anniversary and benefit luncheon, held Wednesday at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, was rife with baby dogs: 8-week-old Labradors, golden retrievers and German shepherds.

Just about every one of the 930 guests who packed the hotel's Grand Ballroom took time to meet and pet a pup. There's no other event that makes otherwise perfectly lacquered and tailored men and women lose their cool to become cooing googly-eyed melty hearts in the presence of the puppies. Especially since stroking one of those downy heads and floppy ears earns you a few licks for your promise to give time and/or money to the organization.

'It takes approximately $30 million a year to run Guide Dogs,' said president and CEO Bob Phillips in a moving speech. 'A guide dog is about relationships, trust, and it's a liberating life choice.'"

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com-"State drops the ball with botched arts awards

Opinion - StatesmanJournal.com: "State drops the ball with botched arts awards

There's no excuse for failing to honor dedicated people

December 19, 2006

Ladies and gentlemen, let us turn the spotlight on those citizens who have enriched this state through their contributions to the arts because without the arts, Oregon would be -- would be --

Oh, forget it. You won't hear any speech like that because Oregon isn't going to hold the Governor's Arts Awards this year after all. The state's premier event to recognize groups and people in the arts community won't take place; organizers say they just didn't have time to pull it off.

The folks responsible for the snafu -- the Oregon Arts Commission and the governor's office -- say they really do value the arts. But this was a busy year, what with the governor's election and getting the budget ready. So they'll double up and give two years' worth of awards in 2007."

Monday, December 18, 2006

Smithsonian Deal With Showtime Passes Muster - washingtonpost.com

Smithsonian Deal With Showtime Passes Muster - washingtonpost.com: "The Smithsonian Institution's controversial partnership with Showtime Networks has not hampered researchers' access to Smithsonian materials, the Government Accountability Office said yesterday.

The GAO said its review of the contract also found the Smithsonian conducted a thorough and competitive process before closing the Showtime deal."

Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays

PRESS RELEASE

Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays: "Volunteers of America Survey Finds That 9 Out of 10 Will Be at Home for the Holidays

18 December 2006, 05:20am ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec 18, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ --

A survey released by the national nonprofit organization Volunteers of America finds that 9 out of 10 respondents say they will be home for the upcoming holiday season. However, for many homeless Americans, 40% of whom are families with children, going home for the holidays isn't possible. Fortunately, the survey also found that our desire to be at home with family is matched by our intent to give during the holiday season."

KRT Wire | 12/18/2006 | Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving

KRT Wire | 12/18/2006 | Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving: "Red Cross' go-to men combine business, giving

By Jerry Large

The Seattle Times

(MCT)

Business and charity can mix and often do, but it's rare for the balance to tilt so far to the service side of things as it does at American Preparedness.

But the company's president, Jeff Guite, thinks it's business, and especially big business, that ought to take responsibility for the community. Charity isn't about leftovers.

'You have to be hardworking and smart to help other people,' Guite said. 'You can't do it if you're lazy and dumb.'

American Preparedness is run by Guite and Sherman Fantroy, a couple of disabled Army veterans who after years in other businesses decided they wanted to leave a different kind of legacy."

Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?

Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?: "Charities: Who's Naughty and Who's Nice?
E-mail scams from fake charities abound at this time of year. Here's how to avoid giving to the wrong folks

by Paula Lehman

* save to del.icio.us

So far this holiday season I've received 38 e-mails from Santa Claus. Apparently the tables have turned because through his various correspondences Santa has asked for a lot this year. He wants money for sick kids, generosity for those less fortunate than I, money to send care packages to soldiers in Iraq. But most of all Santa wants my credit card number and/or bank account information."

BillingsGazette.com :: Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy

BillingsGazette.com :: Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy: "Guest Opinion: Passionate people prioritize philanthropy

By CINDY BUTLER
Philanthropy is a necessary component of our society.

Donors and their dollars make a difference every day.

Nonprofit organizations cannot survive without individual donors.

Government and private grants often do not provide enough funding and are unpredictable."

San Diego Business Journal Online - "Irwin Jacobs Believes There’s Still Plenty to Give in San Diego

San Diego Business Journal Online - San Diego California business news": "rwin Jacobs Believes There’s Still Plenty to Give in San Diego

Qualcomm Leader Is Committed to Fostering Educational Endeavors

BY RICK BELL

Though Qualcomm Inc. co-founder Irwin Jacobs donated an astounding $60 million this year to an overseas university and an Ivy League school in New York, he still believes there’s plenty of opportunity for philanthropic endeavors in San Diego.

“The causes grow faster than contributors,” said Jacobs, 73, who retired as the Fortune 500 company’s chief executive officer in July 2005, handing the reins to his son, Paul. “We’re all aware of the needs in San Diego"

San Diego Business Journal Online -San Diego’s Wealthiest Run the Gamut of Elusive to Prominent

San Diego Business Journal Online - San Diego California business news": "Primarily, the list relies on public information obtained through news releases and holdings of public record, such as stocks and large amounts of property. Major acts of philanthropy provide easy jumping off points for wealth as well. For example: If Ernest Rady, No. 1 on the list with an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion, gave $60 million to Rady Children’s Hospital on June 29 (which he did), it’s safe to say he is worth at least, if not much more than, $60 million."

Table of Contents - IJNL Vol. 9 Iss. 1

Table of Contents - IJNL Vol. 9 Iss. 1: "Table of Contents

IJNL has a special section on Philanthropy

Special Section: Philanthropy

A New Take on Tithing
Claude Rosenberg & Tim Stone

The Great Divide in American Giving"

Lisa de Moraes - Oprah's Reality Check - washingtonpost.com

Lisa de Moraes - Oprah's Reality Check - washingtonpost.com: "Here's a great TV story for the holiday season:

Oprah Winfrey, the post-Ghost-Chats Ebenezer Scrooge of daytime TV, is taking her money-spewing ways to ABC's prime-time schedule.

. (Dima Gavrysh - AP)

First, the network has ordered eight episodes of a reality series called 'Oprah Winfrey's The Big Give,' in which 10 people will be challenged to take Oprah-dispensed money and resources and come up with 'the most powerful, sensational, emotional and dramatic ways to give to others,' ABC announced."

Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy

Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy: "Study ranks Austin second for number of arts festivals, 51st in arts philanthropy
Austin digs the arts, but doesn't dig into its pockets for them — at least, not yet

By Jeanne Claire van Ryzin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN ARTS WRITER
Saturday, December 16, 2006

We love an arty party in Austin.

But we're not too keen on anteing up for the arts."

More turn to gifts that give to charity - The Boston Globe

More turn to gifts that give to charity - The Boston Globe: "Kelly Hodoval's best-ever Christmas gift was a manatee.
Article Tools

Not an actual 1,000-pound sea cow, of course. Rather, when Kelly was about 10 years old and mad about manatees, her mother made a donation in her name to the Save the Manatee Club."

What Should a Billionaire Give – and What Should You? - New York Times

What Should a Billionaire Give – and What Should You? - New York Times: "By PETER SINGER
Published: December 17, 2006

What is a human life worth? You may not want to put a price tag on a it. But if we really had to, most of us would agree that the value of a human life would be in the millions. Consistent with the foundations of our democracy and our frequently professed belief in the inherent dignity of human beings, we would also agree that all humans are created equal, at least to the extent of denying that differences of sex, ethnicity, nationality and place of residence change the value of a human life."

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story-Quest for Success: Cause-related marketing and the desire to do good

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Quest for Success: Cause-related marketing and the desire to do good
Elisa Birnbaum By Elisa Birnbaum
December 18, 2006

When Joanna Broadhurst and her partner Odette McCarthy invented EVE’s Quest - an innovative new board game - in the fall of 2005, they definitely had their work cut out for them. Designed to give women a voice the creators felt was lacking in other games in the marketplace, EVE’s Quest involves charades, drawing, singing, intuition challenges and trivia questions, all the while making women’s issues and accomplishments its central focus. And despite their fair share of challenges, the dynamic duo never wavered from one overriding commitment: to run their business with a social conscience."

The Resource Alliance -"What makes a great fundraiser?

The Resource Alliance (formerly known as The International Fund Raising Group): "What makes a great fundraiser?

At the 26th International Fundraising Congress held in October 2006, four leaders in our field shared their thoughts on what constitutes a great attitude as a fundraiser. They started by defining what we mean and described how it affects the way great fundraisers go about their important work. The panel consisted of Judy Beard, Jon Duschinsky, Karen Osborne and Ruth Ruderham, hosted by Tony Elischer. Following are some of the ideas they shared.

What do we mean by attitude, and how does it affect the way people fundraise? We could define attitude very generally as a way of thinking or a kind of behaviour, but is that all there is to it? Our attitudes play a huge role in the way we approach and tackle various situations, so what can we do to achieve the “right” attitidue?

But before we delve into this, let’s take a moment to imagine what the fundraising environment could be like in ten years time if we don’t try and develop our fundraising attitude for the better…

Fundraising 2016"

Friday, December 15, 2006

The Times and Democrat - Generosity comes with age

The Times and Democrat - Generosity comes with age: "Generosity comes with age

By T&D Staff
Friday, December 15, 2006

Older Americans are leaders when it comes to giving, the American Association of Retired Persons wants us to know.

One in 10 adults age 65 or older donated $5,000 or more to charities last year, according to an AARP Bulletin poll of 930 people 18 and older.

Those ages 35 to 49 were next, with 9 percent giving that much, and next were those 50 to 64, 7 percent of whom were as generous."

News onPhilanthropy: Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia

News onPhilanthropy: Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia: "Blog of the Week: Philanthromedia

Relatively new to philanthropy blogging - and out of beta this week after several months of blogging - is the wide-ranging and sharp-eyed Philanthromedia.

A joint project of Community Foundations of America and some veteran consultants (you may find my voice there from time to time), Philanthromedia bills itself as 'dialogue for the discerning donor' and it delivers on that premise with lively first-person reports from conferneces and seminars, analysis of major news stories, links to other blogs, and a point of view that is donor-specific, but of tremendous value to the whole nonprofit sector."

Charlotte Observer | 12/15/2006 | Giving is less about means, more about will

Charlotte Observer | 12/15/2006 | Giving is less about means, more about will: "Giving is less about means, more about will
`Working poor' provide instruction, inspiration about helping others
FANNIE FLONO

I've struggled to find 'Peace on Earth' and 'Joy to the World' this Christmas season. The world is in such chaos, and so many people seem self-absorbed and just downright mean.

Then I heard a story about the working poor on National Public Radio and thought of Alma. I haven't talked to her in a while but I smile just thinking of her.

Alma is not a woman of means. But she's managed to provide for her children, and to have something left to give to somebody else."