Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?
The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?: "Face-to-face solicitation is the cheapest and most effective way to raise money. Face-to-face solicitation is also a marvelous cultivation strategy"
The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building
The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building: "November 28, 2010; Source: Crain's Detroit Business | While many talk about or play at collaboration, small arts groups in Michigan are making it happen. Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings is at the center of it all because since 1992 it has used collaboration to expand its own capacity—along with the capacity of its partners. It has operational collaborations with six other nonprofits now and expects to add an additional two at the first of the year. You name it, these guys think its fodder for collaboration;"
Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg
Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg: "Whatever the reason (and perhaps the economy even had something to do with it), all 1,400 tickets to the annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation gala on Nov. 18 were sold in advance, mostly to bankers from the likes of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co."
Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com
Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com: "The results are encouraging as Americans seem to put aside the economic challenges to support the nonprofit sector and the good work charities do in our society,' said Paulette Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the largest association of philanthropic fundraisers in the world. 'With the nonprofit sector representing more than 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) and employing about 10 percent of the American workforce
, the year-end giving season is critical to the success of the many organizations that have a significant impact on our culture and communities.'"
, the year-end giving season is critical to the success of the many organizations that have a significant impact on our culture and communities.'"
Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29
Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29: "A day prior to World AIDS Day (WAD), amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research-one of the leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research-visits the NYSE to raise awareness for World AIDS Day, December 1. In honor of the occasion, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole and amfAR Ambassadors Liza Minnelli and Cheyenne Jackson ring The Opening BellSM.
Watch a live webcast of The Opening Bell at 9:29 a.m. ET on November 30, 2010. The archive will be available shortly after the event."
Watch a live webcast of The Opening Bell at 9:29 a.m. ET on November 30, 2010. The archive will be available shortly after the event."
Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for
Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for: "Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for
Monday November 29, 2010
I decided to keep up the Thanksgiving theme today with a cluster of articles about writing thank you letters."
Monday November 29, 2010
I decided to keep up the Thanksgiving theme today with a cluster of articles about writing thank you letters."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News
Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News: "n a special Thanksgiving edition of 'This Week,' some of the world's richest people sat down with Christiane Amanpour to talk about their extraordinary Giving Pledge -- a commitment to give the majority of their wealth away through philanthropy. Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, Ted Turner and others delved into the meaning of philanthropy, their moral obligation to give back and the future of the country in which each of them reached the heights of prosperity."
Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news
Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news: "This was no ordinary afternoon run in the park for Rusty Tolliver and Rhys Jenkins. It was the completion of a 2,000 mile run from Boston to Austin.
'My girlfriend Laura lives in Boston. I'm from Austin, they rhyme,' said Rusty Tolliver, who completed the 2,000 mile run.
But there was rhyme and reason behind the run that began on September 15. Tolliver and Jenkins were running for three charities: the troops, heart disease and cancer research."
'My girlfriend Laura lives in Boston. I'm from Austin, they rhyme,' said Rusty Tolliver, who completed the 2,000 mile run.
But there was rhyme and reason behind the run that began on September 15. Tolliver and Jenkins were running for three charities: the troops, heart disease and cancer research."
Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010
Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010: "In October 2010, GuideStar joined forces with the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Blackbaud, and the Foundation Center to create the National Research Collaborative and conduct an end-of-year fundraising survey. Representatives of 2,356 public charities and 163 private foundations took the survey online between October 19 and November 3, 2010.
The results are encouraging: The proportion of participants reporting decreased contributions dropped 14 percent, from 51 percent in October 2009 to 37 percent in October 2010. The percentage who said contributions had increased grew 13 percent, from 23 percent in October 2009 to 36 percent in October 2010. These figures may herald the beginning of an economic recovery in the nonprofit sector, although only time will tell if the trend will continue. For the first time in two years, however, there's cause for cautious optimism about the sector and the economy."
The results are encouraging: The proportion of participants reporting decreased contributions dropped 14 percent, from 51 percent in October 2009 to 37 percent in October 2010. The percentage who said contributions had increased grew 13 percent, from 23 percent in October 2009 to 36 percent in October 2010. These figures may herald the beginning of an economic recovery in the nonprofit sector, although only time will tell if the trend will continue. For the first time in two years, however, there's cause for cautious optimism about the sector and the economy."
All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession
All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession: "'I’m hungry.'
This is how the first call to my cellphone began. Until that point, the human toll of the Great Recession was much less immediate.
Two years ago, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region established the Neighbors in Need Fund to help nonprofits meet the growing demand for services in the wake of the economic meltdown. Working with the foundation, I have written about many individuals and corporations that have supported the fund, which makes grants to groups that provide food, shelter and clothing to the region’s most vulnerable. But until that call, the story had not hit home."
This is how the first call to my cellphone began. Until that point, the human toll of the Great Recession was much less immediate.
Two years ago, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region established the Neighbors in Need Fund to help nonprofits meet the growing demand for services in the wake of the economic meltdown. Working with the foundation, I have written about many individuals and corporations that have supported the fund, which makes grants to groups that provide food, shelter and clothing to the region’s most vulnerable. But until that call, the story had not hit home."
Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship
Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship: "Micro . . . what?! Sure, the term microfinance may sound complicated, but its message is simple: giving loans to budding entrepreneurs in another part of the world who need a little leg up to get out of poverty. If you're familiar with the microfinance world, the name Kiva will often pop up, and if you were watching Oprah last Friday, you'd know it was one of her favorite things. Kiva is a nonprofit that provides an Internet platform for lenders to connect with microfinance institutions around the globe. But don't worry, you don't need match up to an Oprah Winfrey-like donation -- even a $25 loan can make a difference. We talked to Kiva's CEO Matt Flannery, who told us more about the feel-good nonprofit."
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 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."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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"
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"
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."
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:"
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:"
Monday, November 22, 2010
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."
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.”"
“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."
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."
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.”"
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."
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."
Friday, November 19, 2010
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"
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"
With arts organisations struggling financially, corporate sponsors have a vital role to play – and that includes alcohol distributors"
Thursday, November 18, 2010
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."
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."
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