Fundraisers tweak their approach for tough times - USATODAY.com

Fundraisers tweak their approach for tough times - USATODAY.com: "cross the country, fundraisers are intensifying efforts to make solicitations more personal and fruitful.

Such a back-to-basics approach may help many charities navigate through uncertain economic times, says Michael Nilsen, a spokesman for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, which represents more than 30,000 fundraisers.

'That means ensuring that donors who are the most loyal continue to give, because this generates the most revenue with the least cost,' he says."

J. Paul Getty Museum Announces Record Year for Photograph Donations

J. Paul Getty Museum Announces Record Year for Photograph Donations: "LOS ANGELES, CA.- The J. Paul Getty Museum announced today that calendar year 2009 yielded the largest number of donated works to the photographs collection in the Museum’s history. Last year, more than 1,000 photographs were donated to the Museum by 41 individuals, the largest number of donors in a single year to date. Many of these gifts were inspired by a special initiative commemorating the Department of Photographs 25th anniversary led by Dan Solomon, a member of the Getty Museum’s Photographs Council."

Vail Valley: Eagle home to be given away in charity raffle | VailDaily.com

Vail Valley: Eagle home to be given away in charity raffle | VailDaily.com: "Raffle will give away home in Eagle

A charity raffle will give away a home in Eagle and hopes to raise $1 million for charities in the Vail Valley and elsewhere.

The “Eagle Nest Raffle” started April 10 and runs through Dec. 15 of this year. Tickets are $100 each and no more than 10,000 tickets will be sold. The winner — to be picked Dec. 31 — will receive clear title to a home on a corner lot in the Bluffs neighborhood in Eagle."

What Nonprofits Should Do the Next Time There Is an Economic Crisis - Financial Crisis Lessons for Nonprofits

What Nonprofits Should Do the Next Time There Is an Economic Crisis - Financial Crisis Lessons for Nonprofits: "Now that there are signs that we may be pulling out of our economic slump, it pays to remember what we did right and what we need to remember to do next time, and more quickly.

Susan U. Raymond, in her wonderful book, Nonprofit Finance for Hard Times, Wiley 2010, offers the following steps toward avoiding crisis the next time the financial markets swoon:

* React Fast"

AFP 2009 State of Fundraising Survey: Charitable Fundraising Takes Another Hit - Press - AFP

AFP 2009 State of Fundraising Survey: Charitable Fundraising Takes Another Hit - Press - AFP: "AFP 2009 State of Fundraising Survey: Charitable Fundraising Takes Another Hit

(Baltimore, Md.) Just 43 percent of charities raised more money in 2009 than in 2008, marking it the worst year for charitable fundraising in a decade, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2009 State of Fundraising Survey, released at AFP's 47th International Conference on Fundraising in Baltimore, Md."

Tips for training your short-term volunteers

Tips for training your short-term volunteers: "Tips for training your short-term volunteers
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
April 12, 2010

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So you need volunteers badly for your next big campaign or event. And as volunteer manager - or executive director, or whatever position in your organization manages your volunteers - you want to make sure it's an experience the volunteers remember, cherish, and work at effectively without ruining your reputation.

Some of the best ways to maximize the effectiveness of your volunteers are all about how you present your mission to them."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Nonprofit Newswire | On the Job Training for Tomorrow's Givers

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Nonprofit Newswire | On the Job Training for Tomorrow's Givers: "According to the Wall Street Journal, setting up mini foundations for their children, like the one Rafferty is running, is one way the next generation is being groomed to someday head their family's philanthropies. Other ways children are learning the ropes of their family's philanthropy include forming special boards of directors or foundations committees that give them responsibility for specific duties, such as developing a Web site."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Nonprofit Newswire | USC Cancels Bids on Building—Gives Control of Design to Donor

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Nonprofit Newswire | USC Cancels Bids on Building—Gives Control of Design to Donor: "April 11, 2010; The State | In a situation that has been called “unprecedented” Darla Moore, a financier who has given about $60 million—two-thirds of what it will cost University of South Carolina to build a new business school—has been granted control over choosing the architect for the $90 million building despite the fact that bids were already in. The four firms who bid were estimated to spend months and upwards of $100,000 each to prepare the bids."

North Texans 'Unlace" & A Go Day Without Shoes - cbs11tv.com

North Texans 'Unlace" & A Go Day Without Shoes - cbs11tv.com: "Today is One Day Without Shoes Day and barefoot events around the world, from Dallas to Dubai, are taking place. The annual event is meant to inform people that one pair of shoes can have a huge impact on a child's life"

Cutten parents resurrect fundraising foundation - SGVTribune.com

Cutten parents resurrect fundraising foundation - SGVTribune.com: "A parent-based foundation that once supported Cutten School District was recently resurrected as that campus faces another year of budget cuts.

The Cutten Ridgewood Student Foundation currently involves about 50 parents along with some school staff, and was released from its 15-year dormancy a few weeks ago to help fill the district's budget gap of $150,000. Consistent state budget cuts and the recent downturn in the economy has left schools across the state scrambling to rearrange their finances and make cuts."

New Research Says: 1 in 3 DC Area Nonprofit Managers is Black | Black Philanthropic Alliance

New Research Says: 1 in 3 DC Area Nonprofit Managers is Black | Black Philanthropic Alliance: "New Research Says: 1 in 3 DC Area Nonprofit Managers is Black
Written on April 8, 2010 by BPA in Diversity, Research
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Last week, 100 local nonprofit leaders met in Columbia, Maryland to hear the exclusive findings of the first major study of nonprofit leadership diversity in the Baltimore-Washington region. Hosted by the Racial Diversity Collaborative, speakers at the event revealed data on the challenges and opportunities as seen by nonprofit leaders. Keynote speaker Ralph Smith, Executive Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and a panel of nonprofit executives shared their reflections, inspirations and ideas for action. Carol DeVita of the Urban Institute presented the highlights of the study. The study found that:"

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Unraveling Development: What Gets Measured Gets Done

The Nonprofit Quarterly | Unraveling Development: What Gets Measured Gets Done: "Unraveling Development: What Gets Measured Gets Done
E-mail Print PDF

Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE, Joyaux Associates

So many things to measure, so little time.

Pick the right stuff, the important stuff.

Collect the information. Then analyze the information so you can talk about the trends and implications. Information is useless until we can answer the “so what?” question. What are the trends in this information? Why does this information matter? What are the short- and long-term implications for our organization?"

Tighter budgets: Nonprofits are scaling back their fundraising events | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal

Tighter budgets: Nonprofits are scaling back their fundraising events | statesmanjournal.com | Statesman Journal: "In trim economic times, the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is not the only Mid-Valley nonprofit organization scaling back or adjusting event-planning. The local Red Cross chapter stepped down its black-tie gala to a murder-mystery dinner. Instead of hiring for services, more nonprofit volunteers are adding 'sweat equity,' contributing anything from bartending credentials to photography skills."

Academic cuts could cost millions in gifts – The Maine Campus

Academic cuts could cost millions in gifts – The Maine Campus: "At least a half-dozen significant donors have voiced concern about proposed cuts to university academic programs. The cuts could result in the loss of as much as $3 million in charitable gifts, according to University of Maine Foundation President and CEO Amos Orcutt."

Ducking, diving, dodging balls for charity - News

Ducking, diving, dodging balls for charity - News: "Sophomore Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, philanthropy chair of Delta Zeta, said this was the first time Delta Zeta sponsored a dodgeball tournament at OWU.

'We looked at a list of philanthropy events that worked well for other chapters,' she said. 'We chose dodgeball, and it turned out to be a success.'"

Corporate HQs carry tremendous weight in civic causes - KansasCity.com

Corporate HQs carry tremendous weight in civic causes - KansasCity.com: "Fortunately, we’re still home to corporations — both public and private — that have economic heft. That includes:

Sprint Nextel, YRC Worldwide, Seaboard, H&R Block, Ferrellgas Partners, AMC Entertainment, Great Plains Energy, DST Systems, Inergy Holdings, Kansas City Southern, Cerner, Garmin, Hallmark Cards, Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Associated Wholesale Grocers and J.E. Dunn Construction.

How important is a list like that? Very.

As Sprint CEO Dan Hesse emphasized Wednesday at a chamber of commerce event, those companies either employ thousands of local workers — who buy housing, food and other goods and services here and contribute volunteer time and money — or they sell millions of dollars in goods or services — the profits on which return here for reinvestment."

Hospital has plans to honor its core donors : Martha's Vineyard Hospital : Martha's Vineyard Times : April 8, 2010

Hospital has plans to honor its core donors : Martha's Vineyard Hospital : Martha's Vineyard Times : April 8, 2010: "This strategy acknowledged that in most fundraising campaigns, the diagram of contributions resembles a pyramid. A small number of people give significant sums that energize the campaign, and the base of contributions broadens out beneath."

Philantropist Doris Buffett Revels in "Giving it All Away"

Philantropist Doris Buffett Revels in "Giving it All Away": "This fall, an innovative early childhood education program and center will open in Waterville to try to help boost school readiness for at-risk kids from birth to five. Known as Central Maine Educare, the program has received a $3 million commitment from philanthropist and part-time Rockport resident Doris Buffett, sister of billionaire Warren Buffett. Recently Doris Buffett sat down with Susan Sharon at a Waterville hotel to discuss her interest in Educare and her personal brand of philanthropy."

Sacramento Business Journal: Philanthropy, West Coast style

Sacramento Business Journal: Philanthropy, West Coast style: "However, Sacramentans are a bit more tightfisted when it comes to philanthropy, donating 6.85 percent of their discretionary income in 2004, or $2,431."

D.C. Sports Bog - Redskins sell off scoreboard chunks for charity

D.C. Sports Bog - Redskins sell off scoreboard chunks for charity: "The individual JumboTron components, each affixed with an official label confirming their authenticity, will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis during the annual Draft Day Party at FedExField on Saturday, April 24. All the proceeds will benefit the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation....."

Eight Strategic Mistakes with Memberships | Blue Avocado

Eight Strategic Mistakes with Memberships | Blue Avocado: "f you have members (whether those members fit the legal definition of member or not), chances are you're making at least one of these strategic mistakes identified by Ellis Robinson. With striking clarity she points the way not only to building your membership rolls, but to understanding your membership as your constituency:"

Daughters of Charity plans 'Visioning for the Mission' - The Frederick News-Post Online

Daughters of Charity plans 'Visioning for the Mission' - The Frederick News-Post Online: "Over the next year, the Daughters in Emmitsburg will combine with provinces in Albany, N.Y., Evansville, Ind., and St. Louis, Mo., to form one province with headquarters in St. Louis."

United Way's dropped nonprofits scramble to keep programs going - The Denver Post

United Way's dropped nonprofits scramble to keep programs going - The Denver Post: "Some of the 29 nonprofits that were dropped last week from Mile High United Way's direct investment program are struggling to find ways to backfill their budgets.

Some are going after individual donations, and others are signing up with other workplace-giving organizations.

Some programs may have to close down, while others say they expect to make administrative cutbacks.

They all face the big challenge of emergency fundraising in a tough economy."

Houston looks for new generation of top givers | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston looks for new generation of top givers | Chronicle | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "The new era will offer not just opportunities for new givers but challenges for institutions that rely on fund-raising, suddenly obliged to identify new sources of wealth and to adapt to a new generation's likely differing interests and styles. Institutions are already preparing for the change."

Cancer society's Daffodil Days loses its bloom • Local (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

Cancer society's Daffodil Days loses its bloom • Local (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital): "That's because the American Cancer Society has closed the door on its Daffodil Days fundraiser for economic reasons, ending a 31-year county tradition that involved hundreds of volunteers and thousands of flowers."

Helping volunteers exit gracefully

Helping volunteers exit gracefully: "Most of our organizations are highly dependent on the contributions of skilled and passionate individuals, and our lives would be much poorer without this. The surveys of giving and volunteering show that a high percentage of volunteer hours is contributed by a relatively small percentage of Canadians. Also, these people are often among the best donors. Making it easy for them to change how they volunteer, to take time outs, and to maintain good relationships with their organizations, should just be common sense."

University Of Central Florida Students Run In Underwear For Charity

University Of Central Florida Students Run In Underwear For Charity: "Students at the University of Central Florida will participate in the first-ever Undie Classic on Friday to support local charities. The event is organized by the Mu Psi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity."

Anonymous Donor Gives St. Francis $2.5 Million | NBC Connecticut

Anonymous Donor Gives St. Francis $2.5 Million | NBC Connecticut: "A grateful St. Francis Hospital patient has given the hospital $2.5 million and wants his or her identity to remain a secret.

The patient placed no restrictions on the gift."

Inside Philanthropy: Before merging, look at big picture

Inside Philanthropy: Before merging, look at big picture: "Nonprofit mergers, a strategy funders have been pushing, can backfire and should be pursued only after weighing their likely benefits and risks, as well as alternative options.

That is the message of an article, Merging Wisely, published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review and reported today by the Philanthropy Journal."

salina.com - an online service of the Salina Journal

salina.com - an online service of the Salina Journal: "The 18-year-old has had a relationship with a sewing machine for nearly half her life and, in the past few years, has turned her expertise into projects that comfort sick and abused children, sons and daughters of overseas-bound soldiers and inmates at the Salina Animal Shelter.

'I enjoy it,' Baumberger said. 'It's relaxing. I have a fun time doing it.'"