idealist.org - A Little Bit More: Donate Your Birthday

idealist.org - A Little Bit More: Donate Your Birthday: "So, why not? When your next birthday rolls around, consider asking your friends and family to make a donation to your favorite organization instead of presents. It's great for kids' birthday parties, too. Check out these resources for turning a child's birthday into a learning experience from Children for Children and ECHOage."

Solving a Social Problem, Without Going the Nonprofit Route - NYTimes.com

Solving a Social Problem, Without Going the Nonprofit Route - NYTimes.com: "It used to be that people who wanted to solve a social problem — like lack of access to clean water or inadequate housing for the poor — created a charity. Today, many start a company instead."

For Friends of Madoff, the Pain Was Personal - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com

For Friends of Madoff, the Pain Was Personal - DealBook Blog - NYTimes.com: "In a long article in Vanity Fair, Mark Seal examines Mr. Madoff’s world and tells the stories of some of these burned investors, including the late real estate mogul Norman Levy, who was said to consider Mr. Madoff as a kind of surrogate son, and the philanthropist Carl Shapiro."

Academic Endowments: The Curse of Hoarded Treasure - BusinessWeek

Academic Endowments: The Curse of Hoarded Treasure - BusinessWeek: "Something seems wrong with the way elite U.S. universities finance themselves. The problem: They're addicted to multibillion-dollar endowments. When the endowments suddenly shrink, they can seem more like curses than blessings. Harvard University, the richest institution of higher education on the planet, gets about one-third of operating funds from its endowment."

The NonProfit Times -After Madoff: Charities Still Picking Up The Pieces

From Nonprofit Times

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "March 4, 2009

After Madoff: Charities Still Picking Up The Pieces

As the initial shock and awe subsides, the huge dollar figures swirling around Bernard Madoff’s alleged Ponzi scheme have become clearer, and while they might be a bit smaller than originally feared, they’re still big."

Bloomberg.com: U.S.-Rich Donors May Be Undeterred by Tax Caps on Charitable Gifts

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "Not necessarily, say tax and philanthropy experts. They say altruistic or religious motives outweigh tax-shelter considerations among such donors, and cite previous limitations placed on deductions for high earners that they say haven’t hurt donations."

Food Bank of the Southern Tier to participate in challenge | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette

Food Bank of the Southern Tier to participate in challenge | stargazette.com | Star-Gazette: "Again in 2009, if more than $1 million is raised in response to the challenge, the Feinstein Foundation will divide its own $1 million proportionately between all nonprofit anti-hunger groups that report the funds that they raise from March 1 to April 30 during the challenge."

National Endowment for the Arts Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

National Endowment for the Arts Information Related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ('Recovery Act') recognizes that the non-profit arts industry is an important sector of the economy. The National Endowment for the Arts is uniquely positioned to fund arts projects and activities that preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. As part of this important investment, the Arts Endowment is developing a plan to expedite distribution of critical funds at the national, regional, state, and local levels for projects that focus on the preservation of jobs in the arts."

Soaking the rich may hurt the poor | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Soaking the rich may hurt the poor | detnews.com | The Detroit News: "President Barack Obama hopes to build support for his spending programs by promising to fund them with tax increases on the wealthy, since wealth is so out of fashion in post-Wall Street America. One of his proposals is to reduce the amount those earning more than $250,000 a year can deduct from their taxes for their charitable contributions. The deduction would decrease to 28 percent from 35 percent.

Nonprofits nationwide are protesting the change, fearing it will reduce incentives for giving at a time when donations are already falling because of the sagging economy."

KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Colorado nonprofits huddle over economy

KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Colorado nonprofits huddle over economy: "Colorado charities are hurting as much as any business in the deepening recession, and they're meeting Monday to talk about strategies for survival.

A group of nonprofits has convened a 2-day summit in Denver to talk about surviving as cash-strapped donors snap their wallets shut."

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- Stanford University raised $785 million in fiscal 2008, receiving the most money in U.S. higher education for the fourth year in a row and surpassing the $650.6 million donated to Harvard University."

Charities Chafe as State Laws Keep Endowments Off-Limits - Philanthropy.com

Via Chronicle of Philanthropy
Charities Chafe as State Laws Keep Endowments Off-Limits - Philanthropy.com: "Charities Chafe as State Laws Keep Endowments Off-Limits

Cash-strapped nonprofit groups in many states face a frustrating quandary as local laws prevent them from tapping endowments hit by the Wall Street slump, the Associated Press reports."

The Daily Bruin - Senior donations only at 9 percent

The Daily Bruin - Senior donations only at 9 percent: "Senior donations only at 9 percent
Committee reports that it has not yet reached its goal of receiving contributions from half of class

* Jigar Vakil (Contact)
* Published: Thursday, February 26, 2009

The Senior Class Giving Committee is short of its 2009 class goal of attaining 50 percent senior class participation in terms of monetary donations.

Karen Paulson, the committee’s vice chair of marketing, said that the organization fears that the state of the economy is causing several seniors to pass on donations that would increase the totals for more than 65 funds to benefit UCLA, including student scholarships and educational research. Paulson added that the committee thinks prospective donating seniors are unaware of the donating efforts."

Economic philanthropy offers $300,000 in grants for government cost-saving projects - Cleveland.com

Economic philanthropy offers $300,000 in grants for government cost-saving projects - Cleveland.com: "Those cost-saving alliances are the kinds that the region's leading economic development philanthropy wants to encourage.

So, the Fund for Our Economic Future is offering $300,000 in grants for multi- government collaborations, with this twist: Northeast Ohio residents will decide which projects get the money."

Fund-Raisers and Foundations No Solution to Schools’ Money Problems, Officials Say - NYTimes.com

Fund-Raisers and Foundations No Solution to Schools’ Money Problems, Officials Say - NYTimes.com: "But some education officials say they are concerned that more districts are being forced to rely on outside sources to pay for programs and services.

Over the last three years, efforts led by parents and community activists in three Long Island school districts, Wantagh, Plainedge and Patchogue-Medford, raised more than half a million dollars each to restore some or all of the programs cut after the districts were forced to adopt contingency budgets. Wantagh’s efforts came after the district’s budget was defeated twice last year."

Scholarship Awarded for the Largest Fundraising Conference in the World - Quad Cities Online

Scholarship Awarded for the Largest Fundraising Conference in the World - Quad Cities Online: "Meredith Hancks, Director of Prospect Research and Management for Western Illinois University, has been named a Chamberlain Scholar by the Illinois Quad Cities Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy and will attend the 2009 International Conference on Fundraising in New Orleans, LA."

The Philanthropic Pitch - Forbes.com

The Philanthropic Pitch - Forbes.com: "I

t's give-back time. We, the staff of Forbes magazine and Forbes.com, have collectively decided to use our media juice for some great people and causes. Specifically, we're tapping the shoulders of extremely busy people we admire, and offering them the chance to make a multimedia pitch directly to you, our audience, in their own voice and on behalf of the philanthropic cause closest to their heart. We have promised, in return for their time and effort, to promote their cause on Forbes.com."

Court Rules Helmsley Trustees Can Depart From Donor's Instructions - Philanthropy.com

Court Rules Helmsley Trustees Can Depart From Donor's Instructions - Philanthropy.com: "Court Rules Helmsley Trustees Can Depart From Donor's Instructions

By Maria Di Mento

A Judge with the Surrogate’s Court, in New York, has ruled that the trustees of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust do not have to limit the distribution of money to charities focused on the care and welfare of dogs."

Raffle of last Janesville-built Tahoe pushes United Way past goal -- GazetteXtra

Raffle of last Janesville-built Tahoe pushes United Way past goal -- GazetteXtra: "The goal was $1.35 million, but $1,306,720 in campaign pledges plus $200,460 raised by a raffle featuring the last Tahoe built at the Janesville GM plant pushed the total to $1,507,180."

Obama Plans to Reduce Charitable Deduction for Wealthy Donors - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy

Obama Plans to Reduce Charitable Deduction for Wealthy Donors - Philanthropy.com: "Obama Plans to Reduce Charitable Deduction for Wealthy Donors

President Obama’s plan to revamp the health-care system could come at a significant cost to charities that rely on wealthy individuals for donations."

The Ellsworth American - Maine Community Foundation Has an Optimistic New CEO

The Ellsworth American - Maine Community Foundation Has an Optimistic New CEO: "Maine Community Foundation Has an Optimistic New CEO Print E-mail
Written by James Straub
Thursday, February 26, 2009

ELLSWORTH — After two months on the job as president and chief executive officer of the Maine Community Foundation, Meredith Jones is optimistic about the future of Maine’s economy.

“This is a state that has such promise because, unlike a lot of states, the people here care deeply,” she said. “We’re proud of our heritage, our abundant natural resources and our strong philanthropic giving.

“It’s a message of optimism. We’ve all seen the ups and the downs, but I think our future and our promise is bright.”"

Bill Would Allow Secretary to Set Charitable Mileage Rate | Planned Giving Design Center

Bill Would Allow Secretary to Set Charitable Mileage Rate | Planned Giving Design Center: "H.R. 524, introduced by John Lewis, D-Ga., would allow the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the standard mileage rate for use of a passenger automobile for purposes of the charitable contributions deduction and to exclude charitable mileage reimbursements from gross income."

Public to decide who gets grants to encourage multi-government collaborations - Business – cleveland.com

Public to decide who gets grants to encourage multi-government collaborations - Business – cleveland.com: "So the Fund for Our Economic Future is offering $300,000 in grants for multi-government collaborations, with this twist: Northeast Ohio residents will decide which projects get the money.

'We want to get enough 'oomph' behin"

The NonProfit Times - Texting To Give

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Texting To Give
Mobile fundraising not ringing off the hook

By Katrin Verclas

Mobile fundraising is taking off -- or so hopes the nonprofits looking for a new channel for people to give on the spot with a quick text message.

According to CTIA, the international association for wireless telecommunications, there are 270 million mobile subscribers in the United States, most with the ability to send text messages. Once considered a purview of the young, mobile subscribers between 35 and 54 are increasing their text messaging, according to ratings firm Nielsen. In 2007, just 37 percent regularly sent text-messages. It was up to 59 percent in 2008."

CharityVillage ® Research: Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t

CharityVillage ® Research: Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t: "Balancing act: How to keep costs steady when funding isn’t
Bob McMahon By Bob McMahon, CA
February 23, 2009

The world certainly feels topsy-turvy right now. Each day seems to bring new challenges to the economy...and new financial challenges for nonprofits. Your donations may be diminishing. Government funding may be declining. Membership may be falling. Sales may be receding. Any of these developments can challenge the financial stability of a nonprofit. Even organizations with healthy reserves are likely impacted by the turmoil in the financial markets, with investments taking a punch."

montgomeryadvertiser.com :: Despite economy, Relay For Life needs our help

montgomeryadvertiser.com :: Despite economy, Relay For Life needs our help: "Relay For Life, the annual fundraiser for cancer research, involves numerous commu­nity volunteers in all our local cities and towns and is a cause many people hold near to their hearts. The reason is clear: Cancer has touched most every American family at some point, sometimes multiple times and of­ten with disastrous results.

Therefore, if you have time to spare, con­sider volunteering for Relay For Life this year. If you have money still allocated to charitable giving, Relay is a good place for that money to go."

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Wii bowl for kids' sake :: Geneva Sun :: Lifestyles

Big Brothers Big Sisters: Wii bowl for kids' sake :: Geneva Sun :: Lifestyles: "The lingering snow on Saturday did not stop Big Brothers Big Sisters, along with their Little Brothers Little Sisters, from going to the Alden of Waterford assisted-living community and joining its residents in a Nintendo Wii bowling fundraiser."

IHOP's biggest day helps raise money for kids' charity | APP.com | Asbury Park Press

IHOP's biggest day helps raise money for kids' charity | APP.com | Asbury Park Press: "The second-grade student at Ridgeway Elementary School in Manchester was one of the featured visitors at the Brick IHOP restaurant.

Kaitlin, who is this year's New Jersey representative for the Children's Miracle Network charity, was joined by hundreds of other IHOP patrons taking advantage of free flapjacks as the part of the restaurant chain's National Pancake Day promotion."

The Business of Giving | When hard times demand generosity, some companies step up | Seattle Times Newspaper Blog

The Business of Giving | When hard times demand generosity, some companies step up | Seattle Times Newspaper Blog: "Corporate grants (a separate category from employee giving) total more than $100 million dollars a year in the Northwest, Lewis said. The top donors include Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Safeco Insurance Foundation, Weyerhaeuser and Regence. (Comparing figures, it's interesting to see that Microsoft employees donate more money than many large corporations.)"

First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then Get Wired - Philanthropy.com

First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then Get Wired - Philanthropy.com: "First, Get a Worthwhile Cause; Then

By Tom Watson

The comedian Steve Martin used to do an amusing routine in the 1970s that ran something like this:

You can be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes! Yes, you can be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes! You say: 'Steve ... how can I be a millionaire ... and never pay taxes?'"