Telemarketers Take Hefty Share of Charity Dollars, Study Finds - NYTimes.com

Telemarketers Take Hefty Share of Charity Dollars, Study Finds - NYTimes.com: "On average, just 39 cents of every dollar raised by commercial telemarketing companies for charities in New York State actually go to charity, the state attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, concluded in a report issued on Tuesday. The balance, he found, is used to pay fees and expenses associated with professional fund-raising."

Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News

Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme | The Fundermentalist | JTA - Jewish & Israel News: "Comparing Jewish losses to non-Jewish losses in the Madoff scheme

By Jacob Berkman · December 30, 2008

Sometimes its good to put things into perspective.

The Jewish nonprofit world certainly lost money in the Madoff scheme, but we were not the only losers, and perhaps not even the biggest.

Bloomberg News put together a list of grants given out in 2007 by 10 foundations that lost significant assets in the Madoff scandal, nine of which are Jewish."

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News: "(CBS) Because of Bernie Madoff, Deborah Coltin is out of a job and a 401k retirement account, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor. But for her, even more devastating is the impact on others.

'It is extremely tough for me to believe it and for the community to believe it,' Coltin said. 'We've been in a state of disbelief.'"

Fund set up to replenish nonprofits | Jacksonville.com

Fund set up to replenish nonprofits | Jacksonville.com: "Local philanthropies, led by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, announced Tuesday they have raised $1.3 million behind the scenes this month to launch the Community Safety Net Fund. It will allow nonprofit agencies to replenish their resources and provide emergency assistance to residents in need."

Anger replaces shock as Madoff scam puts spotlight | U.S. | Jewish Journal

Anger replaces shock as Madoff scam puts spotlight | U.S. | Jewish Journal: "Anger has begun to supplant shock as those who contribute to prominent Jewish charities or work on their behalf gasp for comprehension of the unprecedented percussion that the Bernard L. Madoff investment fraud is having on their favorite causes."

KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Nonprofits angle for pieces of a nearly $20 million pie

KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source | Nonprofits angle for pieces of a nearly $20 million pie: "ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Local nonprofit groups are hoping to get a share of nearly $20 million, part of a federal plan to help states recover from foreclosure problems."

Martha's Vineyard Times : For Island nonprofits, challenges mean redoubling their heroic efforts

Martha's Vineyard Times : For Island nonprofits, challenges mean redoubling their heroic efforts: "To say that the past year presented unique challenges for the Vineyard’s more than 100 nonprofit organizations is certainly an understatement. It was a year of reasonably good results for most Island charities, and very good results for several, with a sudden international financial meltdown dominating the final months and, most probably, many months ahead."

Local charitable giving down this year | GJFreePress.com

Local charitable giving down this year | GJFreePress.com: "GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Charitable giving to local chapters of the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross was down this year, said representatives of those nonprofits.

Giving to the trademark red kettles for the Salvation Army was down $9,862, or about 5.5 percent, this year. Last year, bell ringers collected $179,593.62, and this year the amount was $169,731.54, said Cora Gress, Christmas assistant."

Even as resources dwindle, more are calling for nonprofits' help | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal

Even as resources dwindle, more are calling for nonprofits' help | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal: "ob layoffs and the collapse of the housing market have kicked up waves of people who now must lean on nonprofits that are themselves pinched by the economy.

Maintaining morale among volunteers and paid staffers can be difficult, and while Castillo hasn't had anyone quit yet, he said he can see the pressure getting to workers in the future."

Economic downturn continues to affect families in Tulare County | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register

Economic downturn continues to affect families in Tulare County | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register: "Local charitable organizations have seen an influx of families seeking help. Visalia Salvation Army representatives reported serving more than 700 families, a record, for this month's holiday distribution of toys, food and clothing.

'We are seeing more men in line [for assistance], where before it was mostly women,' Capt. Ezekiel Guevara said. 'Many said they were laid off, and that was a sad thing for me to see.'"

IRS Releases Final Form 990 and Instructions - 30 Dec 2008

IRS Releases Final Form 990 and Instructions - 30 Dec 2008: "The Internal Revenue Service announced on December 24 that it has released the final versions of the 2008 Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax, Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return, schedules and instructions effective for 2008 tax year.

The new form consists of an 11-page, 11-part core form that is required to be completed by all organizations that file the Form 990, and Schedules to be completed by those organizations that satisfy the applicable requirements for each Schedule."

Cultural Trail seeks donations online | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Cultural Trail seeks donations online | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "In an appeal to public donors, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is launching a portal to allow people to give money online.

The push to raise funds online for the trail, an eight-mile bike and pedestrian path connecting the city's Downtown districts and Fountain Square, was inspired partly by a season of political campaigning that proved the Internet a powerful fundraising tool, said Gail Payne, the trail's public outreach and fundraising manager."

Loose Change: Giving to charity on a tight budget | Business | Star-Telegram.com

Loose Change: Giving to charity on a tight budget | Business | Star-Telegram.com: "This year’s tight budgets may make it hard for you to spread your generosity among charities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still give to your favorite cause. You just have to give strategically to ensure that your hard-earned dollars help as much as possible. Here’s how to donate without busting your budget."

Childhood inspires Crystal Lake Salvation Army major's 'toy store' -- chicagotribune.com

Childhood inspires Crystal Lake Salvation Army major's 'toy store' -- chicagotribune.com: "Now a corps commanding officer in Crystal Lake, Maj. Price and his volunteers this holiday season organized the Army's first toy store for needy families. An empty fabric store, located in a strip mall in Crystal Lake, was filled with hundreds of donated new toys, such as Polly Pockets, Barbie dolls, Little Pony figures and Hot Wheels. There were racks of winter coats and pants, and boxes of T-shirts, sweat shirts and household items."

SunJournal.com - Dempsey plans charity bike trek

SunJournal.com - Dempsey plans charity bike trek: "LEWISTON - Patrick Dempsey hopes to draw thousands of people onto bicycles with an annual 100-mile trek though Androscoggin and Cumberland counties, beginning and ending here in Lewiston."

Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index

Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index: "Generosity in Canada and the United States: The 2008 Generosity Index
Date Published: December 8, 2008"

In difficult times, give freely to assist others | ajc.com

In difficult times, give freely to assist others | ajc.com: "“Do not separate yourself from the community.”

Written 2,000 years ago by Rabbi Hillel, these words ring true in today’s difficult times.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, thousands of Atlantans stepped forward to open our homes and our wallets to help.

After the tsunami of 2006, the entire world responded, sending money, food and supplies to the victims of perhaps the world’s most massive natural disaster.

Today, Americans of all walks of life and income levels are facing a major economic disaster. As both unemployment and home foreclosure rates soar, more of our neighbors than ever are turning to local charities for help."

NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source

NWAnews.com :: Northwest Arkansas' News Source: "That business includes making last-minute donations to various nonprofit organizations - not just for the sake of holiday charity, but because of the possibility of a tax deduction. No matter what the reason, nonprofit organizations appreciate end-of-the-year donations."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "New Nonprofit Investment Rules About To Hit

Nonprofit organizations with donor-restricted endowment funds and board-designated endowment funds are facing changes in financial statement reporting and disclosure requirements in the immediate future. Now is the time to ensure that your organization will be ready for these changes.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) this past August issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 117-1, “Endowments of Not-for-Profit Organizations: Net Asset Classifications of Funds Subject to an Enacted Version of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), and Enhanced Disclosures for All Endowment Funds.” The FSP’s objective is two-fold:"

Top 25 Foundations: Charity funders feeling pinched

Top 25 Foundations: Charity funders feeling pinched: "Minnesota foundation executives are sweating the hits to their endowments caused by the 40 percent decline in the value of the U.S. stock market this year.

Some are flexing grant-making guidelines and otherwise scrambling to make good on 2009 commitments to hard-hit charities that are experiencing unprecedented demand amid a recession that reaches from the heart of the city to the shores of Lake Minnetonka."

Lexington News - Kentucky News | Lexington Herald-Leader

Lexington News - Kentucky News | Lexington Herald-Leader: "When a certain type of fund-raiser is successful, it's only natural that others will imitate it. For example, the 1990s saw an explosion of fund-raiser walkathons, bicycle rides and running events.

But such events typically have a life cycle of waxing and waning, said Michael Nilsen, spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

'At some point, they might reach the oversaturation stage,' Nilsen said."

DeCrescenzo: Where are the bailouts for nonprofits?

DeCrescenzo: Where are the bailouts for nonprofits?: "COMMENTARY
DeCrescenzo: Where are the bailouts for nonprofits?
Teresa DeCrescenzo, SPECIAL TO LOS ANGELES TIMES
Thursday, December 04, 2008

I am a social worker, not an economist, and what I know is this: The stock market is in free fall, financial organizations are being bailed out and the Detroit automakers might yet get financial help from Washington, D.C. But what about those of us in the nonprofit world? Where's our bailout?"

Jet Li Reveals Philanthropic Vision

Jet Li Reveals Philanthropic Vision: "Action star Jet Li has revealed his ideas about philanthropy to INSEAD Knowledge, a business research website.

“In 1997 I started thinking about the meaning of life,“ he told INSEAD during the recent Global Social Innovators Forum in Singapore, where he received the SIP Distinguished Fellow Award. “Why do we live? What do people hope to gain from living? Regardless of whether you’re Chinese, European or Asian … I think every living thing desires happiness. People feel anxious and insecure because they lack happiness.”

The star founded the One Foundation to help victims of natural disasters after almost drowning on the Maldives during the 2004 Asian tsunami."

News-Talk 1110 WBT | News Story: Charlotte Charity Bombarded With Requests For Help

News-Talk 1110 WBT | News Story: Charlotte Charity Bombarded With Requests For Help: "Charlotte Charity Bombarded With Requests For Help
Charlotte, 12.23.2008
WBT NEWS

Plenty of long lines this week at Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte.

'We had 30 people in line at 8 o'clock yesterday who faced eviction. The sheriff was coming by 5 to padlock their homes,' said Doug Hartjes with the charity. 'We intervened, paid the past-due rent, and made sure they had a roof over their head through the holidays.'"

Seacoastonline.com: Nonprofits must band together, too

Seacoastonline.com: Nonprofits must band together, too: "These are tough times, and they are particularly tough for nonprofits.

Complicating the matter is the fact that many nonprofits, created initially to serve particular segments of our society, turn into bureaucracies. As with almost all bureaucracies, the primary goal then becomes to keep themselves in business.

When grant money and donations get tight, nonprofits involved in serving the same populations often spend entirely too much time and energy trying to prove they are the best at what they do in an effort to secure whatever funding is available."

Let's keep giving in their time of need | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Let's keep giving in their time of need | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star: "Bill Stanczykiewicz, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, says nonprofit organizations around the state have been forced to freeze salaries and consider layoffs as donations dry up. Although hard economic times can serve to squeeze out inefficiency and overlap in the nonprofit sector, many worthwhile organizations are likely to disappear in the year ahead. Nationally, some analysts forecast that up to one-third of nonprofit agencies will cease operations as a result of the recession."

Charities' dilemma: More need while fewer give

Charities' dilemma: More need while fewer give: "With Christmas just days away, charities that donate gifts and food for needy families are struggling to keep pace with a record demand for holiday assistance."

Donations up despite hard times | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

Donations up despite hard times | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser: "Camilla Prince of Volunteer Information Center in Montgomery has seen families who are probably in need of charity themselves come in to make donations.

'It's been the most amazing year I've experienced in my entire life,' Prince said.

After 23 years with VIC, Price said she's seen enough to know this year trumps them all."

telegraphjournal.com - The Giving Season Takes on Greater Meaning in 2008 - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

telegraphjournal.com - The Giving Season Takes on Greater Meaning in 2008 - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada: "It's been three years this month since I began my volunteer writing career with Community Profile. At the time, I wondered how long it might be before I ran out of community charities about which to write. I don't see the end in sight. We know first hand, because so many charitable causes come to the attention of our community foundation, and we are able to help, thanks to our generous donors. The goal of Community Profile is to reflect on the generosity of those around us and the good works of unsung heroes who lend a hand with the literally hundreds of local charitable causes that deserve our support. Many don't have the resources to 'toot their own horn' so I try to do it for them. We have so much for which to be thankful and lots to learn from the good works of others. It can be a formidable challenge to decide which causes to support at this festive and giving time of year but I will highlight a few I have been privileged to visit in the last week or so."

Corporate philanthropic partners still needed - Fort Worth Business Press

Corporate philanthropic partners still needed - Fort Worth Business Press: "Corporate America has long supported American philanthropy. Touchstone dates range from 1936, when corporations contributed $30 million (before taxes) to charitable organizations; through World War II ($266 million in 1945); through the recession of the 1970s ($1.25 billion in 1974); and eight up to last year’s $15.69 billion (5.1 percent of total giving in the United States).

Now it’s crunch time in the business world for philanthropy"