Yale's Levin on the Age of Diminishing Endowments - WSJ.com

Yale's Levin on the Age of Diminishing Endowments - WSJ.com: "Then came the Great Recession. What went up so fast for elite universities -- Yale's endowment grew to $23 billion last summer from $3.1 billion in 1993, Mr. Levin's first year -- dropped like a stone. The impact was immediate: Mr. Levin announced a 5% spending cut in December (later adjusted to 7.5%), then froze faculty pay and most large capital projects. By the end of this month he says the endowment will be marked down by a quarter to around $17 billion. Harvard, the only university with a larger endowment, got caught out on arcane fare like interest rate swaps and now projects a 30% decline, to about $24 billion."

Healthy nonprofits get money as grants for poor cut | CharlotteObserver.com

Healthy nonprofits get money as grants for poor cut | CharlotteObserver.com: "The United Way of Central Carolinas will send tens of thousands of dollars to local private schools and other well-heeled nonprofits, even as it slashes grants to agencies serving the poor and disabled."

Asian American Giving: New philanthropy resources (06/07/09)

Asian American Giving: New philanthropy resources (06/07/09): "The philanthropy field is now so popular that new studies are coming out almost every week. Three studies were released in the past several weeks that I think are worthwhile to take a look at. First, corporate foundation giving will decline in 2009 so nonprofits that are working on their 2009 budgets now should take this reduction of revenue stream into consideration. Second, a study of giving circles and how it impacts giving and civic engagement was released. Since giving circles are social vehicles, it was not suprising that those that participate in giving circles have a higher engagement with their communities. However, more research on giving circles and how they impact communities like the Asian American community is still needed. Third, women play a prominent role in philanthropic decisions and not surprisngly - are much more open to receiving advice on their giving. As I come across more philanthropic research that affects our community in the future, I will be sure to share it with you."

Nonprofits focus on long-term investments : Opinion : Ventura County Star

Nonprofits focus on long-term investments : Opinion : Ventura County Star: "Tangible reminders of the volatility in the investment markets are the statements that arrive regularly in our mailboxes. Across the country, trillions in wealth have been wiped out, and sails are being trimmed for less-forgiving times — in business, government and at our own kitchen tables.

Nonprofits are far from immune, and many of their budgets — including ours at the Ventura County Community Foundation — are being cut, and cut deeply"

PAN-ning for philanthropists' gold - Investment News

PAN-ning for philanthropists' gold - Investment News: "Financial advisers across the country are creating networking organizations dubbed philanthropic advisers networks, or PANs, with the mission of helping advisers collaborate locally and also interact with philanthropists."

Local News | Race for the Cure becomes personal campaign against breast cancer | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Race for the Cure becomes personal campaign against breast cancer | Seattle Times Newspaper: "When Adam Westerman's mom was sick with breast cancer, the two of them would sit in the hot tub and he'd ask her the hard questions.

What if the chemotherapy doesn't work?

What if I need advice about how to raise my own kids and you're not around?

He walked the 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with her while she was bald from chemotherapy and facing a year of chaos and uncertainty."

Obama Makes Promising Statement on Charitable Giving | OMB Watch

Obama Makes Promising Statement on Charitable Giving | OMB Watch: "President Obama made some welcoming comments in regards to charitable giving during his speech at Cairo University. Obama pledged to help American Muslims give to charity. 'Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.'"

The News and Tribune - JOHNSON: For richer or poorer

The News and Tribune - JOHNSON: For richer or poorer: "Recent studies tell us that poor people are far more generous than the rich, giving a much larger percentage of their incomes to charity than the wealthy. While this may seem counterintuitive to most people, it does not surprise this former cab driver in the least. As a Boston cabbie back in the mid-1970s, I quickly discovered that rich people were terrible tippers. But working people appreciated good service and rewarded it generously."

Giving for Good: Challenging times: Basic human needs guide for donors • Local (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

Giving for Good: Challenging times: Basic human needs guide for donors • Local (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital): "To inform donors about the scale and scope of need among Central Marylanders, the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) produced the 'Guide for Funding Basic Human Needs in a Challenging Economy,' which focuses on eight areas critical to maintaining self-sufficiency that suffer during an economic downturn. This column will address the ABAG guide, which I think is an excellent road map for all of us involved in philanthropy, at any level."

More firms seek public's help in deciding where to donate - USATODAY.com

More firms seek public's help in deciding where to donate - USATODAY.com: "'Philanthropic decisions are no longer being made in the boardroom to give so and so's brother-in-law a donation,' says Sam Davidson, co-founder of Cool People Care, a company that sends out a daily e-mail blast telling people how and where they can volunteer.

Other companies are turning to their customers or the public to distribute donations."

More wealthy Americans donating through foundations - Business - Bradenton.com

More wealthy Americans donating through foundations - Business - Bradenton.com: "Instead of leaving behind large estates that are taxed heavily before distributed, the wealthy can give through charitable organizations and protect their portfolios from government taxes.

The current estate tax, often known as the death tax, charges all estates worth $3.5 million or more at a 45 percent rate."

Local fund raisers earn 10-star honors

Local fund raisers earn 10-star honors: "Every year, AFP, reportedly the largest association of professional fund raisers in the world, honors chapters for achieving goals that align with key objectives in its long-range strategic plan. Chapters receive the Ten Star Award for performing specific activities designed to increase professionalism within fund-raising and public awareness of the importance of philanthropy."

Do-good travel

Do-good travel: "The era of 'voluntourism'

Clarke and Browne make up the spate of do-gooders who are searching for a sense of purpose during their travels. As Brian Mullis of Sustainable Travel International says, we're moving from 'the age of chequebook philanthropy into participatory philanthropy.'"

Docuticker » Blog Archive » Association CEOs Pessimistic About Impact of Economy on Their Organizations New ASAE & The Center Study Shows

Docuticker » Blog Archive » Association CEOs Pessimistic About Impact of Economy on Their Organizations New ASAE & The Center Study Shows: "Association CEOs Pessimistic About Impact of Economy on Their Organizations New ASAE & The Center Study Shows

Association CEOs Pessimistic About Impact of Economy on Their Organizations New ASAE & The Center Study Shows
Source: ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership"

Feeling pinched, donors give less | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune

Feeling pinched, donors give less | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune: "Some Great Falls businesses have had to cut back substantially on contributions because of the economy."

Asking for donations is new to arts groups - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee

Asking for donations is new to arts groups - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee: "In Sacramento, where asking individuals for funds is not a deeply entrenched tradition, many of those donors will have to be first-time givers.

Lial Jones, executive director of the Crocker Art Museum, said it has not been common practice for Sacramento arts nonprofits to ask patrons to become donors."

Public-Private-NGO Conservation Alliance Invests $100 Million in Mexico

Public-Private-NGO Conservation Alliance Invests $100 Million in Mexico: "QUINTANA ROO, Mexico, June 4, 2009 – To establish Mexico as a global model for conservation, a new alliance today announced an initial investment of US$100 million for the promotion of sustainable development and protection of biodiversity in six priority regions."

A Global Look at Charitable Giving

A Global Look at Charitable Giving: "Global Look at Charitable Giving

Thursday, 04 June 2009 12:20

Also, the facts relating to time volunteered to charities across the world are also quite interesting. Only Canadians give more of their personal time to help charities. In the United States only 20 percent of us volunteer to help not-for-profit organizations. Some 25 percent of Canadians volunteer their time to help. And they donate over five hours per month with U.S. residents only giving some 2.2 hours each month."

Editorial: Support nonprofits, but look for efficiencies | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC

Editorial: Support nonprofits, but look for efficiencies | StarNewsOnline.com | Star-News | Wilmington, NC: "The news for charitable nonprofits – and the people who depend on their services – couldn’t be much worse. A sagging economy is putting more people out of work, some of whom may eventually need what these nonprofits can provide."

BCNG Portals Page (R)

BCNG Portals Page (R): "Economic slump outpaces demand for Goodwill services

Jun 04 2009

Citing the challenging economy, Tacoma Goodwill CEO Terry A. Hayes today announced an urgent need for donations, especially of gently used clothes and household items.

'Donations have slowed as a result of these tough times,' Hayes said. 'Even one box of donated goods helps support Goodwill’s job training and placement services, which are seeing record public need.'"

Voice of Dance - Ten Strategies for Arts Groups to Outlast the Recession

Voice of Dance - Ten Strategies for Arts Groups to Outlast the Recession: "The arts, like every other nonprofit sub-sector, are being challenged by significant contribution losses from government, corporations, foundations, and private donors. Box office and gallery admissions are also eroding as discretionary dollars evaporate. Almost everyone agrees funding problems will become more acute in the upcoming three to five years. Adaptability is replacing growth as a barometer of success."

The bare truth: charity foolish to reject donation :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mary Mitchell

The bare truth: charity foolish to reject donation :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Mary Mitchell

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When the going gets tough, Coloradans keep giving - The Denver Post

When the going gets tough, Coloradans keep giving - The Denver Post: "Don't let the downward-pointing arrows on the financial-page graphics fool you: Retail sales, the housing market and the Dow Jones continue to circle the drain, but charitable giving shows definite signs of life.

At least in Colorado. Here are some recent examples of gifts from individuals and groups alike:"

ESCONDIDO: Leaders discuss nonprofits' roles, survival in recession : North County Times - Californian 06-03-2009

ESCONDIDO: Leaders discuss nonprofits' roles, survival in recession : North County Times - Californian 06-03-2009: "ESCONDIDO ---- Some 100 Escondido leaders exchanged ideas at a Wednesday morning forum for keeping local nonprofit groups open and serving the community during the current recession.

With nearly 400 charities registered as 501(c)(3) organizations in the city, everyone from Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler to a panel of seven nonprofit experts weighed in on strategies to weather the economic storm and improve how charitable groups that serve Escondido's residents."

Opinion: In a bad economy, arts are still important - San Jose Mercury News

Opinion: In a bad economy, arts are still important - San Jose Mercury News: "ReprintPrint Email Font Resize
Opinion: In a bad economy, arts are still important

By Marcela Davison Aviles and Tom McEnery

Special to the Mercury News
Posted: 06/03/2009 08:00:00 PM PDT
Updated: 06/03/2009 08:18:19 PM PDT

Michelle Obama said recently that our nation's creative spirit is critical to its ideals and identity, and the arts need to be nurtured even during difficult economic times. 'The arts are not just a nice thing to have,' she said, but 'they define who we are as a people.'"

The Journal Record - Article

The Journal Record - Article: "ENID – In 2006, the Community Development Support Association of Enid completed a study to assess the needs for services and improved collaboration among area nonprofit agencies."

Nature Conservancy News Room - The Nature Conservancy Welcomes New Chief Philanthropy Officer

Nature Conservancy News Room - The Nature Conservancy Welcomes New Chief Philanthropy Officer: "The Nature Conservancy Welcomes New Chief Philanthropy Officer
Former Director of Principal and Major Gifts Rebecca Girvin-Argon Brings 25 Years of Fundraising Experience to the Executive Team

ARLINGTON, VA - June 3, 2009 - Today, The Nature Conservancy announced that veteran Conservancy fundraiser Rebecca Girvin-Argon has joined the organization’s executive team as Chief Philanthropy Officer, effective immediately."

Dartmouth Joins Harvard, Princeton in Tapping Credit Markets - Bloomberg.com

Dartmouth Joins Harvard, Princeton in Tapping Credit Markets - Bloomberg.com: "Dartmouth, located in Hanover, New Hampshire, joins Ivy League institutions including Princeton University and Harvard University in selling bonds to raise funds after investment losses cut into their endowments, said Rich Lee, managing director of fixed income at Wall Street Access, a broker-dealer firm in New York."

Gates stumps for charity while Ballmer threatens Obama | Money & Company | Los Angeles Times

Gates stumps for charity while Ballmer threatens Obama | Money & Company | Los Angeles Times: "Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates today renewed his appeal to the world's billionaires to give up their fortunes to charitable causes."

Community Foundation celebrates 25 years with 25 grants for nonprofits | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Community Foundation celebrates 25 years with 25 grants for nonprofits | detnews.com | The Detroit News: "Detroit -- The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is celebrating its 25th anniversary by awarding $25,000 grants to 25 nonprofits that have worked closely with the foundation and embody the foundation's mission to improve the area, its leaders say."