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.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Jacksonville.com: Mark Woods: Story: 'Big Dance' takes new meaning 03/30/07

Jacksonville.com: Mark Woods: Story: 'Big Dance' takes new meaning 03/30/07: "Nothing against what the sportscasters like to call The Big Dance, but if you're a fan of college students pushing their bodies to the limit, tear-jerking moments and a basketball gym full of Cinderella stories, then you should check out what will be going on at the Gators' home court this weekend.

When the UF men's basketball team tips off its game Saturday night in Atlanta, back in Gainesville more than 600 students will have been standing for nearly 11 hours. And they will remain standing for another 21 hours until their version of a final buzzer sounds at 6 p.m. Sunday."

Northoftampa: Children find the gift in giving

Northoftampa: Children find the gift in giving: "Children find the gift in giving

By THERESA WILLINGHAM
Published March 30, 2007
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If it's true that charity begins at home, the Walls and Manfrey families have taken giving to a whole new level.

Inspired by an Oprah Winfrey talk show episode called 'Pay It Forward,' 8-year-old Austin Walls collected more than 300 toys for the Hope Children's Home in Carrollwood."

Philanthropy and pink pants

Philanthropy and pink pants: "Rush Philanthropic Foundation's Art for Life — held this year on St. Paddy's Day at the home of Robert and Linnette Miller — drew hip-hop superstars, pro athletes and socialites galore.

A quarter of the profits from the evening benefit Palm Beach County urban youth, including students at Bak Middle School of the Arts and participants at New Hope Charities and Street Beat."

STLtoday - News - St. Louis City / County

STLtoday - News - St. Louis City / County: "Founder of charity indicted in fraud
By Bill Smith
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/30/2007

ST. LOUIS — Gateway to a Cure founder Lou Sengheiser used more than $300,000 of the charity's money to pay off personal credit cards, make home mortgage payments and write checks to himself, according to a federal fraud indictment made public Thursday by U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway."

Thursday, March 29, 2007

OpinionJournal - Leisure & Arts-Small Departure, Large Problem

OpinionJournal - Leisure & Arts: "Small Departure, Large Problem
The Smithsonian Institution needs an entirely new modus operandi.

BY ERIC GIBSON
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT

The only surprise in Monday's news that Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lawrence M. Small had resigned is that it hadn't happened sooner.

The reason for Mr. Small's departure was the fallout on Capitol Hill from an inspector general's report that showed him billing the Smithsonian for such lavish expenses as first-class air travel and home maintenance costs--albeit with the approval of the Board of Regents, the Smithsonian's governing body. Mr. Small might have weathered this storm as he had others during his seven-year tenure were it not for threats by Sen. Charles Grassley (R., Iowa) and others on the Hill to freeze a $17 million increase in the Smithsonian's 2008 budget unless Mr. Small's office changed its ways."

In New Orleans, a lesson in business and hope - Los Angeles Times

In New Orleans, a lesson in business and hope - Los Angeles Times: "Help arrived this week in the form of a group of Stanford University MBA students, and their ideas have given her hope.

With the assistance of the Idea Village, a nonprofit that has provided scores of local businesses with technical support, contacts and capital, the students — 15 in all — have adopted several enterprises, among them the Community Book Center. Their mission is to show the businesses ways to grow and sustain in post-Katrina New Orleans."

San Luis Obispo Tribune | 03/29/2007 | CEO in Training: Paso Girl Scout is a budding businesswoman

San Luis Obispo Tribune | 03/29/2007 | CEO in Training: Paso Girl Scout is a budding businesswoman: "Bean participated in the organization’s CEO in Training program this year, which allows girls to act as the boss of their own cookie business and to create innovative ways to sell more cookies.

This year, the Paso Robles High School sophomore sold an impressive 1,538 boxes of cookies. At $4 a box, that’s $6,152 in revenue for the national nonprofit organization"

Philanthropy Today: Council on Foundations Names Award Winners

Via Philanthropy Today
Philanthropy Today: Council on Foundations Names Award Winners: "Council on Foundations Names Award Winners

The Council on Foundations has announced the names of its 2007 award winners for innovative and effective philanthropy."

Philanthropy center gets $1.5M gift | IndyStar.com

Philanthropy center gets $1.5M gift | IndyStar.com: "Philanthropy center gets $1.5M gift

Associated Press
A $1.5 million gift to the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy will provide seed money that could establish self-sustaining courses and other new offerings at the school.

The gift, from the Atlanta-based Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, will be combined with matching money to create a fund that produces an income stream of $180,000 annually, said Eugene R. Tempel, the center's executive director."

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

On the Bowery, a New Home for New Art - New York Times

On the Bowery, a New Home for New Art - New York Times: "On the Bowery, a New Home for New Art

By CAROL VOGEL
Published: March 28, 2007

NAMING rights for a museum’s grand spaces are part of the deal for valued donors these days. But when the New Museum of Contemporary Art began its capital campaign for a $50 million building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the bathrooms were the first places to be christened."

No Shortage Of Names for Smithsonian Successor - washingtonpost.com

No Shortage Of Names for Smithsonian Successor - washingtonpost.com: "No Shortage Of Names for Smithsonian Successor
Before Search Committee Even Forms, Candidates Emerge for Secretary

By Jacqueline Trescott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 28, 2007; Page C01

A day after Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small's resignation, the names of possible successors began to circulate"

Inside Collin County Business: "Charity enhances revenue, UTD study shows

Inside Collin County Business: News serving Collin County Business Owners: "Charity enhances revenue, UTD study shows
March 28, 2007 -

When a corporation contributes to charity – such as donating money for medical research, education, housing the needy, feeding the poor – does it help the company’s financial picture? New research conducted by professors at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) School of Management and New York University says it does."

$1.27 billion in donations: the thought that counts - 28 Mar 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

You can see additional International News on our AFP Blog International News

$1.27 billion in donations: the thought that counts - 28 Mar 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news: "New Zealanders give slightly more of their incomes to charity than Australians do, but much less than Americans.

The first comprehensive study of giving in this country, prepared by Berl economists for Philanthropy New Zealand, has found that New Zealanders gave 0.81 per cent of their national income to charitable causes in 2005-06.

Australians gave 0.68 per cent, but Americans gave 2.2 per cent."

GilroyDispatch.com of Gilroy California

GilroyDispatch.com of Gilroy California: "Woman of the year gives back

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

By Emily Alpert

Gilroy - Angie Aguirre knows that Latinos give, and give big. Bowls of soup show up on hungry families' doorsteps; neighbors quickly give cash or clothing. But those donations don't always show up at the well-known nonprofits, the foundations and campaigns."

Pine Bluff Commercial Online Edition-Ex-president says philanthropy not just for the rich

Pine Bluff Commercial Online Edition: "Ex-president says philanthropy not just for the rich

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:44 PM CDT

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Private citizens have more power to do public good than ever before, former President Bill Clinton said Tuesday.

Clinton delivered a lecture at Ouachita Baptist University as part of this week's inaugural activities as Rex M. Horne Jr., Clinton's former paster at Little Rock, becomes OBUs 15th president."

News onPhilanthropy: Skoll: 'Changing Time for Philanthropy'

From onPhilanthropy

News onPhilanthropy: Skoll: 'Changing Time for Philanthropy': "n his opening remarks at the conference that bears his name, Jeff Skoll returned to what many attendees and observers often focus on - what is a social entrepreneur. But he didn't provide a straight-on definition; rather, he focused on the growing public role for social entrepreneurs in society."

Sharing the Wealth: Female Philanthropists Open Up

Sharing the Wealth: Female Philanthropists Open Up: "Sharing the Wealth: Female Philanthropists Open Up
Run Date: 03/28/07
By Helen LaKelly Hunt
WeNews commentator

Helen Hunt was saddened to learn that the women's suffrage movement was largely funded by men. Today, however, more women are learning to give to causes aimed at women and girls. Twelve will tell their stories here in the months ahead."

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts - Former Fed Chief Commands A Pretty Penny for a Good Cause - washingtonpost.com

Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts - Former Fed Chief Commands A Pretty Penny for a Good Cause - washingtonpost.com: "Former Fed Chief Commands A Pretty Penny for a Good Cause

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Sunday, March 25, 2007; Page D03

With all the celebrity auctions out there, it takes something special to get our attention. How about breakfast with Alan Greenspan? For the first time, the Maestro is auctioning a few minutes of his time to support the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, a human rights charity."

The Hartford Reports $7 Million in Philanthropy

The Hartford Reports $7 Million in Philanthropy: "The Hartford Reports $7 Million in Philanthropy

March 27, 2007

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. reportted that it has awarded more than $7 million in community support to nonprofit organizations across the country in 2006. In Connecticut, where The Hartford's headquarters has stood since 1810, the company provided $4.6 million in support. Nationally and internationally, the company donated an additional $2.7 million to philanthropic programs"

ABC News: Wal-Mart Increases Charitable Donations

ABC News: Wal-Mart Increases Charitable Donations: "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. increased its U.S. charitable giving 10 percent last year to $272.9 million, the world's largest retailer said Tuesday, likely defending its position as the country's largest corporate donor of cash."

Monday, March 26, 2007

Pantagraph.com | Life | The shifting tithe

Pantagraph.com | Life | The shifting tithe: "n a trickle that could become a tide, church people are redirecting their tithes and offerings from the collection plate to direct transfers from their banks and credit unions.

The number of people doing so grows person by person, church by church, with some resistance in cases -- and a lot of resistance in others. Such resistance, and reasons behind it, keep churches from pushing too hard when it comes to signing up their supporters for automatic bank transfers."

The State | 03/24/2007 | Nonprofits should adopt guidelines, best practices

The State | 03/24/2007 | Nonprofits should adopt guidelines, best practices: "That’s why the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations, called SCANPO, is asking all nonprofits to improve the way they do business. The trade group has published a pamphlet, “Guiding Principles & Best Practices,” aimed at helping nonprofits operate more efficiently, professionally and responsibly.

The seven guiding principles, which collectively offer 67 best practices, are: mission and planning; governance; human resources; financial management and stewardship; accountability, transparency and legal compliance; fundraising; and information management."

Mutombo's gifts will keep on giving

Mutombo's gifts will keep on giving: "Artest crazy.

What if sports fans disregarded news about steroids, arrests and steroid arrests, and instead yearned for news about dedication and community service? What if we celebrated role models like we do models?

Then Dikembe Mutombo would be the biggest star in sports.

'He's one of the most giving people you'll ever meet,' Hornets Coach Byron Scott said of the Houston Rockets' center. 'I respect him so much more as a person than I do as a basketball player -- and I respect the hell out of him as a basketball player. He is truly one in a billion.'

Some athletes make hospital visits. Mutombo built a hospital."

Bridging businesses, nonprofits -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY

Bridging businesses, nonprofits -- Page 1 -- Times Union - Albany NY: "Part of our overall intention is to create stronger bridges and connections between our nonprofit and for-profit sectors,' she said, adding that both sectors are represented among the council's 400 members.

'We are also trying to raise awareness in the community of the importance the nonprofit sector plays not just in our quality of life, but in the economy,' she said."

Welcome to www.dailyrecord.com - Editorial - Nonprofits: Collaborate

Welcome to www.dailyrecord.com - Editorial - Nonprofits: Collaborate: "Nonprofits: Collaborate

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Post Comment
Morris County nonprofit agencies were told this week they should consider joining forces -- even merging -- to address reduced fundraising and increasing client needs.

At a time when New Jersey is looking at ways to spend less on the public services of government, it would make sense for charities and social service agencies fighting for dollars to set an example that politicians can follow."

SDSUniverse | SDSU Campaign Update: Navigating the Language of Fund Raising

SDSUniverse | SDSU Campaign Update: Navigating the Language of Fund Raising: "SDSU Campaign Update: Navigating the Language of Fund Raising
By Stephanie Casenza

Mrs. Smith is coded as a LYBUNT for 2007, but she is a MIP for CBA, PSFA and CAL. She needs further cultivation, for she has significant capacity and is both a planned giving and major gift prospect.

The above statements might make perfect sense to those who are members of San Diego State's fund raising team but the jargon is sure to leave the average person baffled.

Here is how the conversation might read in plain English:"

Celebrity Endorsed Website Turns Phone Bill Excise Tax Refund into Peace Movement Dividend

PRESS RELEASE

Celebrity Endorsed Website Turns Phone Bill Excise Tax Refund into Peace Movement Dividend: "Celebrity Endorsed Website Turns Phone Bill Excise Tax Refund into Peace Movement Dividend

Download this press release as an Adobe PDF document.

U.S. taxpayers looking for ways to help end the war in Iraq can now go directly to RefundsForGood.org. This new celebrity endorsed web site shows both the average taxpayer and corporations how to easily redirect their one time phone tax refund to a non-profit working to foster peace in the world.

(PRWeb) March 26, 2007 -- On the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq, two social entrepreneurs, Jon Gorham and Michael Swartz from Connecticut, have launched an E philanthropy web site to help create peace in the world: refundsforgood.org."

'Gun for hire' aids nonprofits | Inquirer | 03/26/2007

'Gun for hire' aids nonprofits | Inquirer | 03/26/2007: "Board members were exhausted and in despair, laying off workers and sweating out each week's payroll, board chairwoman Kristy Buzard said. Funders began to lose confidence.

So Howley, 47, pulled on his hip boots and waded in.

'They thought they were dead, and they were close to being right,' he said.

Howley is an interim director - or, as he says, a 'gun for hire' - who comes in after an executive director has left, and cleans up the mess or stabilizes the organization while the board takes a deep breath and figures out what to do next."

Study: Fundraising on rise | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | News: Local News

Study: Fundraising on rise | Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | News: Local News: "Study: Fundraising on rise

U.S. groups earning more; report to be released at Dallas conference

12:00 AM CDT on Monday, March 26, 2007

By TY A. ALLISON / The Dallas Morning News

Almost 70 percent of charities saw increases in fundraising over the past year, according to early results of a national study to be released today in Dallas.

The survey by the Association of Fundraising Professionals is now in its sixth year. The group is gathering at the Dallas Convention Center through Wednesday for its 44th International Conference on Fundraising."

Inside Bay Area - Kiva does well, with help from friends

Inside Bay Area - Kiva does well, with help from friends: "Kiva does well, with help from friends
By Constance Loizos, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 03/26/2007 05:20:32 AM PDT

IF YOU HAVEN'T yet heard of Kiva.org, a San Francisco nonprofitthat at just 18 months old is already the leading online microcredit site, you're about to. Its friends in Silicon Valley will make sure of that.

Here's how Kiva — which means 'unity' in Swahili — works: Lenders visit Kiva's Web site to find entrepreneurs from developing countries looking for a small loan. Kiva posts the entrepreneurs' funding needs and pictures online with the help of 38 local microfinance institutions around the world."