Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com: "Charity Navigator, perhaps the largest online source for evaluating nonprofit groups, recently embarked on an overhaul to offer a wider, more nuanced array of information to donors who are deciding which organizations they might help."

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch: "This fundraiser doesn’t want you to wonder where the money went.

The Columbus Foundation is telling donors upfront, and in detail, about plans for the $1.5 million that officials hope to provide for seven area charities hit hard by demand because of the recession."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | The Philanthrobabble Generator

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | The Philanthrobabble Generator: "Thanks to the Philanthrobabble Generator (PBG), an innovative and impactful component of NPQ’s capacity building toolbox, you will never again have to actually think for yourself when crafting a grant proposal. This is your handy dandy one-stop shop for pre-fab phrases of sectoral jargon in current use. And they sure seem like they should mean something!"

Microsoft Pri0 | Microsoft helping nonprofits solve technology problems with Imagine Cup | Seattle Times Newspaper

Microsoft Pri0 | Microsoft helping nonprofits solve technology problems with Imagine Cup | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Microsoft launched Imagine Cup Solve This on Monday. The Imagine Cup competition brings together student teams from around the world who build software. In the past few years, Microsoft has asked students to build software that helps advance the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

The company called Solve This a crowdsourcing solution for technology challenges faced by nonprofits and NGOs, or non-government organizations.

'We often hear from all the NGOs and nonprofits that they would love to have our help in thinking through the application of technology to some of the very challenging issues they’re working on,' said Pamela Passman, corporate vice president for Microsoft corporate affairs. 'What we’ve done with Imagine Cup Solve This is provide a platform for our NGOs and U.N. organizations so they can submit applicat"

Link Charitable Passion & Polished Skills

Link Charitable Passion & Polished Skills

Salvation Army Red Kettle and Toys for Tots Are Consumers' Favorite Causes for the Holidays

Salvation Army Red Kettle and Toys for Tots Are Consumers' Favorite Causes for the Holidays: "The 2010 Cone Holiday Trend Tracker reveals that persistence and longevity pay off for nonprofits when it comes to their holiday campaigns.

There is also plenty of support for cause marketing as consumers continue to meld giving and shopping, especially during the holidays. Nevertheless, long standing nonprofit campaigns with top of the mind recognition by consumers even beat out cause-related marketing by leading brands."

The Urban Institute | Outcome Indicators Project

The Urban Institute | Outcome Indicators Project: "Outcome Indicators Project
A joint project of the Urban Institute and The Center for What Works

The Outcome Indicators Project provides a framework for tracking nonprofit performance. It suggests candidate outcomes and outcome indicators to assist nonprofit organizations that seek to develop new outcome monitoring processes or improve their existing systems.

This website contains three primary elements:"

How Useful Are 'Do-It-Yourself' Charity Evaluations? - Give and Take - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

How Useful Are 'Do-It-Yourself' Charity Evaluations? - Give and Take - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "How Useful Are ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Charity Evaluations?

November 21, 2010, 11:48 pm

By Caroline Preston

It’s one big challenge everyone in the nonprofit world wants to crack: finding a simple way that ordinary donors can evaluate charity effectiveness.

In a recent issue of The Chronicle, Sean Stannard-Stockton, an adviser to donors, listed five questions that people can ask all types of charities to determine if they’re worth supporting."

Donations, deductions and the deficit

Donations, deductions and the deficit: "But maybe the not-so-altruistic truth is that many people do give to charity because they get something in return. Since 1917, our tax code has allowed individuals who donate to charitable and certain other nonprofit organizations to receive a tax deduction for their gifts. The deduction, for those who itemize, can be a great incentive for donations. However, it comes with a cost to the federal bottom line."

A Frozen Plunge For Charity - Port Jefferson, NY Patch

A Frozen Plunge For Charity - Port Jefferson, NY Patch: "On Saturday hundreds of people came out to brave the cold weather and the even colder water to take part in the first ever Polar Bear Plunge at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to raise money for Special Olympics. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko and Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner were there and both took the plunge for charity along with hundreds of other plungers and spectators."

Give even in hard times, says Carnegie heir - Herald Scotland | Business | Corporate & SME

Give even in hard times, says Carnegie heir - Herald Scotland | Business | Corporate & SME: "Thomson told the Sunday Herald: “My great grandfather would have been pleased at the increase in corporate social responsibility, but he believed that people should give because they have a passion for an area – in his case, education, science and peace – and to provide benefits to other people, not necessarily for their own corporate satisfaction.

“People have been tightening their belts in the current climate, and the returns on investments are less than they were, but I’m sure that things will return in better times.”"

MAINE COMPASS: Charitable appeal highlights generosity of state employees | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

MAINE COMPASS: Charitable appeal highlights generosity of state employees | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME: "or state workers, the opportunity to support charities through the Maine State Employees Combined Charitable Appeal is a familiar tradition this time of year.

Those who are not employed by a state agency may be surprised to learn that during difficult economic times, as well as periods of greater prosperity, thousands of state employees have consistently reached deep into their pockets to donate millions of dollars to charities."

Religious Donations Going Awry - NYTimes.com

Religious Donations Going Awry - NYTimes.com: "Religious Donations Going Awry
By NICHOLAS KRISTOF

My Sunday column is about charitable contributions, particularly by Christians, Jews and Muslims, that are well-intentioned but poorly thought out — and thus not nearly as effective as they might be. This is of course also a problem with secular contributions, but we’re entering a season for religious giving and I think this is a particular problem for religious charities because of a false assumption that a charity that shares one’s faith also shares one’s values and bona fides."

Charity amazed by run results | The Selma Times‑Journal

Charity amazed by run results | The Selma Times‑Journal: "Alan Hicks Jr. really didn’t know what to expect with the first one. He and others had hoped to break even.

Now a few weeks removed from the first Integrity Worldwide 5K, Hicks, the executive director of Integrity Worldwide, still can’t believe just how successful it was.

“We had really hoped to break even on the first one and build something for down the road,” Hicks said. “But we brought in right at $10,000 that will go to continue our work in Kenya.”"

Anonymous donor gives 1,000 turkeys to North Jersey food pantry | NJ.com

Anonymous donor gives 1,000 turkeys to North Jersey food pantry | NJ.com: "An anonymous donor has saved Thanksgiving at a northern New Jersey food pantry.

The person donated 1,000 turkeys, allowing the Center for Food Action to provide Thanksgiving dinner baskets to most, if not all, of the 3,800 families in Bergen and Passaic counties who requested them."

Jewish fundraising these days requires creativity and a Jewish community connection | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California

Jewish fundraising these days requires creativity and a Jewish community connection | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California: "Examining fundraising trends anywhere in North America should begin with two assumptions: fundraising is more successful in a strong economy, and committed, accountable fundraising professionals can be effective in good times as well as bad.

CG cook, phyllisHowever, Jewish life in the West is often considered to be worthy of observation as a “canary in the coal mine,” portending significant changes that might not be widely evident. The Bay Area Jewish population is largely composed of people who were born elsewhere or whose immediate families hail from elsewhere. Individuals who reside in the area in which they were born have been more likely to maintain formal contacts within the Jewish community, including belonging to the synagogue in which they were raised and donating to Jewish charities"

Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance | Chris Wilkinson | Stage | guardian.co.uk

Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance | Chris Wilkinson | Stage | guardian.co.uk: "Noises off: make no mistake, beer can promote good performance

With arts organisations struggling financially, corporate sponsors have a vital role to play – and that includes alcohol distributors"

UMass claims largest fall fundraising take - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News

UMass claims largest fall fundraising take - Framingham, MA - The MetroWest Daily News: "Boston —

The University of Massachusetts has posted its largest fall fundraising haul ever, though Boston campus numbers are lagging, and its endowment has grown to nearly half a billion dollars.

An ebullient Jack Wilson, the system’s president, made the fundraising announcement Wednesday at a meeting of the school’s Advancement Committee at the Alumni Club on Franklin Street.

With the goal for this school year set at $100.3 million, donations so far total $33.5 million, Wilson said."

Americans plan to maintain their level of charitable giving - USATODAY.com

Americans plan to maintain their level of charitable giving - USATODAY.com: "Americans who donate to charity intend to keep their level of giving about the same this holiday season despite the lagging economy, a national survey released today shows.

The Best Holiday Fundraising Appeal You've Never Tried

The Best Holiday Fundraising Appeal You've Never Tried: "This past summer the Society of Singers, a nonprofit that provides financial support to professional singers dealing with career-threatening illnesses or other emergencies, found itself face to face with numerous challenges. In addition to having to adjust its budget and relocate to a staff member's home, its CEO/president retired, and the organization's new leadership was confronted with the challenge of raising $110,000 in a very short amount of time."

Hudson Institute Panel Debates Philanthropy as a Profession | Case Foundation

Hudson Institute Panel Debates Philanthropy as a Profession | Case Foundation: "Does a career in philanthropy constitute a profession? Does it need to? And if so, by what measurements and standards?

These questions were tackled by a panel at the Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal last Thursday. Panelists Karl Stauber, Susan Ditkoff, Teri Behrens and Joseph Palus debated Stauber’s most recent essay, “Is Philanthropy a Profession? Should it Be?” which appeared in The Foundation Review. The panel focused on the role of philanthropy in the professional industry and how to best measure the field."

Stars turn to experts for philanthropy guidance - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com

Stars turn to experts for philanthropy guidance - Wire - Lifestyle - bellinghamherald.com: "egend is among an increasing number of celebrities, including Rachael Ray, Yao Ming, Ben Stiller, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher who have paid experts to strategize their goodwill. Such philanthropic advising has existed in Hollywood for decades - Barbra Streisand has had an adviser for 24 years - but the number of consultants working with celebrities is rising as younger and less established figures, such as television personality Nicole Richie and pop singer Avril Lavigne, call upon their services."

How the Omidyar Network Pumps Up Nonprofits | Fast Company

How the Omidyar Network Pumps Up Nonprofits | Fast Company: "Fast Company spoke to ON managing partner Matt Bannick, Omidyar's right hand man, about the link between technology and philanthropy, the classifieds market in rural India, and why some successes can't be measured with metrics.

How did you and Pierre's working relationship evolve from technology to philanthropy?

Pierre and I met in 1999, when I joined eBay. We developed a strong, trusting relationship while working together at the executive level. Even when I was running eBay International and was post-acquisition CEO at PayPal, we used to talk about ways in which we can bring some of the underlying promise of eBay—the creation of a platform that presents people with community and livelihood and creates opportunities for them to do fabulous things--to the developing world."

Pat Faubion: United Way's new strategy to bolster donors | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints

Pat Faubion: United Way's new strategy to bolster donors | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Opinion: Viewpoints: "All too often, the scattershot approach to philanthropy overtakes the more strategic concept of 'catalytic philanthropy,' which is investing enough resources to impact problems that have become societal issues. Sustaining 15,000 local charities is watering down our ability to put enough resources into the fight against these key community-level problems. We have not only sustained organizations, but have grown more, even in tough economic times. We have small victories, but pulling all of those small victories into one major solution has been a challenge."

Honouring those who help others

Honouring those who help others: "Williams was one of six winners of the 16th Annual Ottawa Philanthropy Awards. He received the Outstanding Youth Award and was recognized with other recipients at a gala Monday evening.

'It's really about watching out and helping other people, connecting with those who could use a helping hand,' said Leah Eustace, president of the Ottawa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the group giving out the awards."

Courting District for charity dollars

Courting District for charity dollars: "World TeamTennis Smash Hits, the annual charitable exhibition staged by longtime friends Billie Jean King and Elton John, was billed as 'tennis that serves a cause' - that cause being the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Its 18th edition (and first in Washington) delivered handsomely, with the roughly $500,000 that was raised tipping the total funneled to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local charities since 1993 to more than $10 million."

Brooklyn Eagle, Bay Ridge Eagle Brooklyn, NY :: daily paper in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Eagle, Bay Ridge Eagle Brooklyn, NY :: daily paper in Brooklyn: "A group of Brooklyn Law School students are growing mustaches this month, in the name of men’s health.

They are participating in “Movember” — when mustaches take over November to raise awareness and money for cancers that affect men."

Volunteer ennui — SocialFish

Volunteer ennui — SocialFish: "Same goes with engaging volunteers and building a community around them. If the project gets stuck, it dies. If the group gets stuck, it dies. (Only, we don’t always let the project or the group die…which is a whole different problem!) I just LOVE the Truths about volunteering posts that Peggy Hoffman has been blogging for nearly two years. She’s up to 18 sage (and tweetable!) volunteer maxims. All seem so simple, but in action, they’re quite tricky."

Faith & Organizations Project :: Policy Statement

Faith & Organizations Project :: Policy Statement: "Thinking about Partnerships among Faith Communities, Faith-Based Organizations and Government in a New Way: Observations from the Faith and Organizations Project"

National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever - Press - AFP

National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever - Press - AFP: "National Philanthropy Day� More Important Than Ever

November 16, 2010

More than 50,000 people will celebrate National Philanthropy Day� (NPD) this year. Officially celebrated on Nov. 15, people around the globe are coming together to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments that philanthropy--and those involved in the philanthropic process--have made to the world."