OPINION: The hurricane of coverage is no more, but New Orleans remains - Opinions

OPINION: The hurricane of coverage is no more, but New Orleans remains - Opinions: "Maybe it's because the average American has an attention span of eight seconds.

Whatever the reason, 'out of sight, out of mind' is probably a fair assessment of the state of New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Katrina.

While media coverage and promises to rebuild were rampant in the first months following the storm, nearly three years later, those promises are still unfulfilled and we've all but forgotten - we being America at large."

Johns Hopkins Gazette | April 7, 2008

Johns Hopkins Gazette | April 7, 2008: "Supporting Johns Hopkins' Work From Within

By Greg Rienzi
The Gazette

It's been said that true greatness comes from within. The Office of Annual Giving couldn't agree more, and hopes employees feel the same.

On Thursday, the office will launch the 2008 faculty, staff and retiree annual giving campaign."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

From the Nonprofit Times

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Fewer Donors, Flat Or Declining Giving Marked 2007

Revenue for the 70 large nonprofit organizations tracked in the Index of National Fundraising Performance by Target Analysis grew a median 1.5% from calendar year 2006 to calendar year 2007, with 61% of the organizations in the index having positive revenue growth. Meanwhile, the number of actual donors dropped again.

The report comes after revenue growth of 2.8% the previous year and is below historical average rates of roughly 4% annual growth. When dollar amounts are adjusted for inflation, real index revenue declined a median -2.8% from 2006 to 2007, according to the Target Analysis index."

And the winner of the bid is -- St. Michael North Andover school hopes online auction will bring in more cash - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

And the winner of the bid is -- St. Michael North Andover school hopes online auction will bring in more cash - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA: "tion for St. Michael where her grandchildren go to school — books for the classroom, a school uniform for one of her grandchildren, maybe a fishing trip for her husband and son.

The catch?

Turk lives outside of Chicago and her grandchildren's school is in North Andover.

The school's Parent-Teacher Organization is making it easier for faraway relatives like the Turks to participate in fundraisers by moving their annual auction online. Anyone with a computer can bid on Red Sox tickets, autographed Bruins pictures and dining room furniture."

The Westmount Examiner > Sports > Kurling for Kids 10th Annual Tournament Sets Fundraising Record

The Westmount Examiner > Sports > Kurling for Kids 10th Annual Tournament Sets Fundraising Record: "Over 528 curlers and countless supporters of Kurling for Kids enjoyed a day of curling on March 29 - and all in the name of fundraising. Kurling for Kids held their annual fundraiser this past weekend and had a record-setting year as $132,000 was raised for the Montreal Children's and Sainte Justine's Hospital Foundations. The fundraiser has now raised over a ½ million dollars by holding an annual curling tournament in Montreal area curling clubs"

10 great jobs in nonprofits - CNN.com

10 great jobs in nonprofits - CNN.com: "If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, it might be time to reassess your career and find something a bit more fulfilling. A career in nonprofits might be your answer."

Consultation on proposed policy on fundraising by Registered Charities

Consultation on proposed policy on fundraising by Registered Charities: "The material posted below relates to the proposed guidelines of the Charities Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) concerning the fundraising activities of registered charities. The posting includes:"

Hawaii charities feel squeeze | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Hawaii charities feel squeeze | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser: "An economic downturn is looming large over Hawai'i nonprofits, whose three major sources of funding — public donations, government appropriations and grants from foundations — are all expected to shrink this year even as the number of people who need help is predicted to grow."

montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser: "Some charitable groups are concerned that the eco­nomic slump hitting busi­nesses may create a similar slump for non-profit agen­cies."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > State -- Charities press for electronic-bingo fund influx

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > State -- Charities press for electronic-bingo fund influx: "SACRAMENTO – To counter withering competition from Indian casinos and elsewhere, the Catholic Church and other charitable groups want to revolutionize conventional bingo with interconnected games that could offer six-figure prizes."

Better to give than to receive?

Better to give than to receive?: "The question is whether that wealth will be shared across society, or if today's baby boomers and their children have mortgaged away the money with highly leveraged lifestyles that are characterized by lower savings and a higher debt load than those of their parents and grandparents."

Kane County Chronicle - Local News and Video for Kane County, Illinois - Donation Doldrums?

Kane County Chronicle - Local News and Video for Kane County, Illinois - Donation Doldrums?: "Judy Jacobson had no trouble throwing her gala party.

But Jacobson, development director of Mutual Ground, an Aurora shelter for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, said that finding enough people to invite to the next one could prove to be a little more difficult.

Last month, Mutual Ground recorded a take of more than $65,000 from its Little Bit O’Heaven gala fundraiser.

“It was our most successful event like it ever,” Jacobson said."

Heinz Endowments boss sets new tone

Heinz Endowments boss sets new tone: "The defining moment of Robert Vagt's first months at The Heinz Endowments came on a Friday evening in late February, during a going-away party for longtime Heinz employee Grant Oliphant. The new boss of Pittsburgh's second-largest philanthropy left the 30th-floor conference room, changed out of coat and tie, shed his shoes and slipped on a get-up of denim overalls and straw hat."

Your True Calling Could Suit a Nonprofit - New York Times

Your True Calling Could Suit a Nonprofit - New York Times: "Q. You’ve spent your career in a profit-making business but want your work to be more in line with your personal values. The idea of working for a nonprofit is appealing, but is this the right reason to make a switch?"

The Citizens Voice - The Citizens’ Voice launches ‘Pay It Forward’ campaign

The Citizens Voice - The Citizens’ Voice launches ‘Pay It Forward’ campaign: "The “Pay It Forward” campaign is just one of the ventures planned as part of the 30th anniversary of the newspaper.

The Citizens’ Voice is one of 69 newspapers in Pennsylvania participating in the contest, which offers cash awards to a person, group or organization that presents the best plan for taking the cash prize and “paying it forward” as an act of philanthropy.

Readers are encouraged to submit entries that detail how they intend to use the prize money to benefit another person, place, group or organization."

JFN announces plan to open Israel office - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews

JFN announces plan to open Israel office - Israel Jewish Scene, Ynetnews: "JFN announces plan to open Israel office

Philanthropy Jewish Funders Network expands its location to Jerusalem following request made by Israel-based funders

Ynetnews
Published: 04.07.08, 07:27 / Israel Jewish Scene

The Jewish Funders Network (JFN) announced Sunday its plan to open an Israel branch of its office. The decision, made as a result of a request made by a group of Israel-based funders, will allow JFN to better meet the needs of its growing membership in Israel, the organization said in a statement."

The MONEY of sports: VAF contributions far outpace academic donations | Charlottesville Daily Progress

The MONEY of sports: VAF contributions far outpace academic donations | Charlottesville Daily Progress: "In the University of Virginia’s marathon race to raise $3 billion in private contributions, an indefatigable frontrunner is UVa’s athletics department.
The Virginia Athletics Foundation, the department’s fundraising arm, had collected $234.2 million by the end of February, representing more than 78 percent of its $300 million goal. UVa’s five-year campaign to raise $3 billion will conclude Dec. 31, 2011, and is just over halfway finished."

Most of Clintons' Charitable Donations Went to Family Foundation - washingtonpost.com

Most of Clintons' Charitable Donations Went to Family Foundation - washingtonpost.com: "The Clintons' giving as a percentage of their income was comparable to President Bush's in 2006; both gave away about 10 percent of what they earned. Hillary Clinton's rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), and his wife, Michelle, earned $991,296 that year and gave away $60,307, or about 6 percent. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, has not released his tax returns."

The Buffalo News: City & Region: Charities feel the pinch when donors move away

The Buffalo News: City & Region: Charities feel the pinch when donors move away: "Kadow, 61, doesn’t hear much from the Buffalo groups he used to support, and even if he did, he doubts he would send money back North.

“You have an obligation to the community you live in,” said Kadow, a retired administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Besides, he added, “I think the need is much greater where I am.”"

Dwindling donations, rising costs hurt food banks - mlive.com

Dwindling donations, rising costs hurt food banks - mlive.com: "We are turning away approximately 10 to 15 families per day,' the Rev. Chico Daniels, president of Mel Trotter, said at a Thursday press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department. The ministry launched an impromptu food drive to restock shelves for food donations.

'It's scaring me,' said Linda Quist, associate director of Senior Meals. 'What do you do? Do you keep cutting? Then, are you even fulfilling your mission?'

Her fears are understandable.

A steady loss in manufacturing jobs in recent years has put one in eight Michigan residents on food stamps, double the caseload in 2000 and a record high. In Kent County, it jumped from 25,770 recipients in 2000 to nearly 70,000 in February."

Walkers prepare to step out for charity - icWales

Walkers prepare to step out for charity - icWales: "THE ninth annual Avril’s Walk will set off from New Tredegar later this month.

Fundraisers from all over the Rhymney Valley will turn out to show their support on Sunday, April 20 for Velindre Hospital and to remember walk founder Avril Williams."

Students use consulting skills for a good cause - News

Students use consulting skills for a good cause - News: "Penn International Business Volunteers is one of Penn's few undergraduate organizations that combines economic consulting with philanthropy. The group promotes international development by creating business solutions for new non-governmental organizations"

JewishJournal.com

JewishJournal.com: "And the philanthropic world is becoming increasingly fearful about what seems to be a perfect storm brewing against the financial world.

While most philanthropy professionals feel some anxiety now, they are bracing for what could be a calamity in the world of charitable giving.

At its worst, they say, the stock and real estate markets could continue to slide and large foundations could be forced to cut their allocations significantly, smaller donations from the middle class could dry up and what has been a renaissance in Jewish programming over the past several years could come to a screeching halt. Also, the dollar's decline could continue to stretch the budgets of Israeli nonprofits.

At its best, the economy could stabilize and there could simply be a short-term slowing of philanthropic dollars -- a slowing that already has started."

JewishJournal.com

JewishJournal.com: "Ramah's solar energy installation was made possible by a donor who wanted to make an environmental and educational impact, as well as generate good financial return for camp. Ramah alumnus and parent David Braun donated $500,000 toward the project. Here's how he views his gift:

'The donation is a gift that keeps on giving as savings continue to be generated for decades, greatly increasing the ultimate size of the donation,' Braun said. 'By lowering Ramah's long-term overhead it will effectively increase the monies available for other functions of camp.'"

The story behind the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle

The story behind the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle: "nspired by the address, Kranzler met with the Dalai Lama's emissary, Lama Tenzin Dhonden, and began sharing his vision for putting compassion into action, starting with children and those who influence them.

Now, 2 1/2 years later, the ambitious dream has sprouted into a five-day event starting April 11 that seeks to touch everyone -- not only youths and educators, but philanthropists, politicians, businesspeople and clergy of different faiths -- with the message that kindness and compassion form the critical bedrock for a better"

Brad Pitt's Philanthropy Runs in the Family - Good Deeds, Brad Pitt : People.com

Brad Pitt's Philanthropy Runs in the Family - Good Deeds, Brad Pitt : People.com: "or years, friends in Springfield, Missouri, have remarked on the physical resemblance between Brad Pitt and his only brother, Doug. But the two share a deeper similarity: their commitment to charitable causes.

On Wednesday, Doug announced the creation of the Care to Learn Fund, a program designed to meet the immediate health, hunger, and hygiene needs of students enrolled in Springfield Public Schools, where both Brad and Doug spent their early years."

Scene: Rockets raise bar for fundraising | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Scene: Rockets raise bar for fundraising | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander raised the bar on personal philanthropy Thursday night at the team's Tux & Tennies Charity Gala.

He announced to the gathering on the floor of Toyota Center that he was upping his original gift of $500,000 for Dikembe Mutombo's hospital in Congo by $250,000."

USATODAY.com

USATODAY.com: "Some philanthropic organizations go even further. Paulette Maehara, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, says that 'if donors cannot trust charities to respect their wishes, then philanthropy simply cannot happen.'"

CG auctions lighthouses to citizens, nonprofits - Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times

CG auctions lighthouses to citizens, nonprofits - Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times: "As part of the amendment, lighthouses are first made available free to state and local governments or nonprofit organizations.

A would-be owner must submit an application to the National Park Service detailing a plan to repair and use the building in accord with historic preservation laws. If the park service can’t find a suitable government or nonprofit candidate, the lighthouse goes up for auction."

A.C.L.U. and State Branch Spar - New York Times

A.C.L.U. and State Branch Spar - New York Times: "Facing the threat of a takeover by the national organization, the South Carolina affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is embroiled in a fight over access to tapes of a board committee meeting.

The A.C.L.U. has accused the affiliate of mismanagement and not spending enough money on efforts to defend civil liberties. But affiliate leaders contend their group is being punished for raising questions about the direction and leadership of the national organization."