Help on the Hard Court - WSJ.com

Help on the Hard Court - WSJ.com: "On Thursday night, some of the city's biggest players on Wall Street will meet on the basketball court for an event to raise money for Youth, I.N.C., an organization that provides training and mentorship to nonprofits serving New York City children."

Nonprofit Sector Continues to Grow, Despite Recession -- BALTIMORE, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Nonprofit Sector Continues to Grow, Despite Recession -- BALTIMORE, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --: "BALTIMORE, March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2010 Nonprofits by the Numbers report by Maryland Nonprofits shows that nonprofit organizations in Maryland continued to add jobs in 2009, despite the recession. Nonprofit employment grew 2% in 2009, compared to a statewide drop in total employment of 3.2%. Nonprofits sustained the growth trend throughout the last five years delivering a robust 9.5% nonprofit employment growth, or 22,205 new jobs in Maryland from 2004-2009, while total employment contracted from 2004-2009 by 2.1% in the same period. Nonprofits in Maryland employ 255,408 people or 10.6% of the state's workforce, and account for 10% of all wages paid statewide. This is up from 9.5% of the workforce and 8.6% of wages in 2004. An early look at the first six months of 2010 employment data indicates that the growth trend continued and accelerated last year, as well."

No two charities alike

No two charities alike: "After holiday food drives become a faint memory, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, for example, bets on a bump in contributions around tax time.

But with 304 nonprofits in Flagstaff (counting schools, churches and all others), how does one choose?"

Fundamentals of Donor Retention : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success

Fundamentals of Donor Retention : Page 1 of 2 : FundRaising Success: "Donor-retention programs are designed to keep supporters engaged annually, and they can be one of the most effective strategies to improve donor lifetime value. The better you can retain donors, the more you can cultivate them and develop deep, meaningful relationships with them. The ultimate goal is to grow the donor file with the most loyal and long-term donors."

New bill drafted to simplify charity law - Third Sector

New bill drafted to simplify charity law - Third Sector: "Charities Bill brings together existing statutes but leaves out unused legislation that would make the Charity Commission the lead regulator for street and door-to-door fundraising

A new Charities Bill, aimed at consolidating existing areas of charity law, has been put before parliament.

The bill will include law from the Recreational Charities Act 1958, the Charities Act 1993 and the Charities Act 2006.

It brings together existing charity law with the exception of part 3 of the 2006 act, which would make the Charity Commission the lead regulator of public charitable collections but has never been activated."

70 flights of stairs climbed for charity in Mich. - chicagotribune.com

70 flights of stairs climbed for charity in Mich. - chicagotribune.com: "DETROIT —
About 700 people climbed 70 flights of stairs inside Detroit's Renaissance Center to raise money for the American Lung Association.

Organizers say more than $140,000 was raised at the fifth annual Fight For Air Climb on Sunday."

Why ABC's 'Secret Millionaire' sends the wrong message - CNN.com

Why ABC's 'Secret Millionaire' sends the wrong message - CNN.com: "Needless to say, I have mixed feelings about the show, which formerly aired on Fox in 2008. While it's admirable that ABC is giving deserving non-profit organizations much-needed publicity that they wouldn't receive otherwise, the narrative impulse of the series -- based largely around rich folks encountering the less fortunate -- reveals much about how lacking our national dialogue on poverty remains."

For Love or Lucre (March 1, 2011) | Stanford Social Innovation Review

For Love or Lucre (March 1, 2011) | Stanford Social Innovation Review: "Social entrepreneurs who want to start a new venture quickly confront an important question: What type of legal structure should I create? Should I start a traditional nonprofit, a for-profit, or something in between? This is not a simple question to answer, and it is in some ways becoming more difficult with the proliferation of new legal structures like the B corporation that are intended to allow entrepreneurs to meet financial, social, and environmental bottom lines."

American Red Cross to celebrate 130 years of service | Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.

American Red Cross to celebrate 130 years of service | Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.: "As a fundraising campaign with a goal of collecting $125 million, the original Red Cross Month received an overwhelming response as the goal was reached in less than six weeks.

Further proving that the public did not recognize Red Cross Month as a drive with an expiration date, funds continued to be donated to the organization. By June 1943, the drive had resulted in donations totaling about $146 million."

How to Get the Grant

How to Get the Grant: "s your organization struggling to secure a grant? Ever wonder why your numerous attempts have proven futile? Well, join the club. And by club I mean an ever-growing group of frustrated folks searching for financial assistance to bolster their programming efforts, yet falling short of their goals. For many, the application experience is akin to banging one's head against the wall, with the economy often at blame for the continuous bad luck.

Experts say that may be an overly simplistic assumption. Apparently there's a number of ways to put one's best applicant foot forward — and plenty of ways you'd better not. Knowing the difference can prove invaluable."

CharityVillage� Research: Deal with Performance Issues Using the CALM Approach

CharityVillage� Research: Deal with Performance Issues Using the CALM Approach: "Deal with Performance Issues Using the CALM Approach
Kathline Holmes By Kathline Holmes, CHRP, founder of Gailforce Resources
March 1, 2011



Confronting performance issues is an area of responsibility that makes many managers uncomfortable. A common theme in leadership development programs and in assessments, it frequently comes up as one of the top areas needing enhancement.

Having a strong foundation in place is a starting point for effective performance management. This includes well documented job descriptions, policy/procedures and expected outcomes of roles. It is equally important, however, to have sound soft skills and supporting coaching for anyone having to manage performance issues on a daily basis."

Virtual Ping Pong Tournament Pits Media Giants Against Each Other for Charity

Virtual Ping Pong Tournament Pits Media Giants Against Each Other for Charity: "The tournament, BackSpin 2011, was a way to bring together the NY tech community and raise money for Child’s Play, a non-profit that provides books, games and consoles to hospitals across North America. The model — a little bit of fun with a whole lot of good — was cooked up by TechiesGiveBack, a New York-based non-profit aimed at getting the local tech community away from their desks and giving back. Part charity event, part networking opportunity, TechiesGiveBack is cutting out a niche of social good aimed at also having fun."

AND THE CEO POSITION GOES TO… - Association Bisnow - Washington

AND THE CEO POSITION GOES TO… - Association Bisnow - Washington: "Colin Firth isn't the only Brit accepting a top honor. Yesterday, the Association of Fundraising Professionals named Andrew Watt its new CEO. Andrew is currently AFP's chief program officer and previously worked at the Institute of Fundraising in the UK. If this story goes too long, play some music and we'll wrap it up."

CTK Foundation Launches the Heart and Soul 2011 Grant Award | Breaking news | Community Techknowledge

Here is an interesting grant competition from CTK.

Applicants are asked to submit an original four-to-eight-line poem that reflects the work and/or mission of the applicant nonprofit organization. This poem may be written by staff members, clients and/or volunteers of the submitting nonprofit, and must be wholly original.

CTK Foundation Launches the Heart and Soul 2011 Grant Award | Breaking news | Community Techknowledge

Libraries: The Oldest New Frontier for Innovation Keynote at Electronic Resources and Libraries Conference 2011

Libraries: The Oldest New Frontier for Innovation Keynote at Electronic Resources and Libraries Conference 2011: "Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak at the Minnesota Council for Nonprofits annual conference; and after my presentation, I spent a couple hours speaking with folks from various nonprofits, vendors and service organizations. I told one woman that I’d be headed here next, and she said, “Oh, I used to do the library makeovers for Target – I love libraries!”"

Non-profits to gather in Jaffa to examine their future

Non-profits to gather in Jaffa to examine their future: "jaffa coastline 248.88
Non-profits to gather in Jaffa to examine their future
By RUTH EGLASH
02/27/2011 01:47

Charities, social action groups from Jewish world to hear from professionals who will guide them on improving their services.

A host of charities and social action organizations from across the Jewish world will gather in Jaffa Monday to discuss the future of their field and hear from a wide range of professionals who will guide them on improving their services."

Fund-Raising Group Appoints New CEO - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Fund-Raising Group Appoints New CEO - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Andrew Watt Named Chief Executive of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Press - AFP

Andrew Watt Named Chief Executive of the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Press - AFP: "ARLINGTON, VA. -- The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the world's leading association for individuals and organizations that support charitable institutions, today announced that it has named Andrew Watt as its president and chief executive officer, effective March 23."

ICPD

ICPD: "Each year on the fourth Monday in February, which is February 28, 2011, the corporate giving community, led by CECP, observes International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD), an international advocacy day intended to build awareness of corporate-community partnerships and to inspire businesses around the world to engage further in philanthropy."

YOU'RE FIRED! - Association Bisnow - Washington

YOU'RE FIRED! - Association Bisnow - Washington: "Sometimes boards have to pull a Donald Trump and fire their executive directors. Non-profit consultant and Blue Avocado director and editor-in-chief Jan Masaoka has advised organizations on the issue and also served on boards that fired their executive directors. She tells us how to approach this uncomfortable situation."

Current Edition of Exempt Organizations Update

Current Edition of Exempt Organizations Update: "Current Edition of Exempt Organizations Update


EO Update is a periodic newsletter with information for tax-exempt organizations and tax practitioners - attorneys, accountants, and others - who represent them, from Exempt Organizations (Tax-Exempt and Government Entities) at the IRS."

Could IBM’s Watson Computer Aid the Work of Nonprofits? - Corporations - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Could IBM’s Watson Computer Aid the Work of Nonprofits? - Corporations - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "This week, roughly 100 government officials, medical researchers, nonprofit leaders, and others gathered at IBM’s research center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., to discuss the possibilities. After the event, Stanley S. Litow, president of the IBM International Foundation, spoke with The Chronicle about his plan for how Watson might be able to improve how governments and nonprofits provide services."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | No Surprises, Rural Philanthropy Still Lags Behind

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | No Surprises, Rural Philanthropy Still Lags Behind: "The failure of foundations to put much grant money into rural nonprofits is historic and persistent. Despite frequent promises to the contrary, foundations haven’t done much to narrow the disproportional gap between urban and rural groups’ access to foundation dollars. The toll is increasingly evident in the rural nonprofits across the country that struggle to stay afloat every day."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | No Surprises, Rural Philanthropy Still Lags Behind

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | No Surprises, Rural Philanthropy Still Lags Behind: "The failure of foundations to put much grant money into rural nonprofits is historic and persistent. Despite frequent promises to the contrary, foundations haven’t done much to narrow the disproportional gap between urban and rural groups’ access to foundation dollars. The toll is increasingly evident in the rural nonprofits across the country that struggle to stay afloat every day."

Charles Feeney, a Onetime Billionaire, Takes the Giving Pledge - NYTimes.com

Charles Feeney, a Onetime Billionaire, Takes the Giving Pledge - NYTimes.com: "The Shy Philanthropist is most decidedly going public.

Charles F. Feeney, who made a fortune as co-founder of Duty Free Stores, has become the 59th signatory to the Giving Pledge, the project created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren E. Buffett to encourage the mega-rich to commit at least half their wealth to philanthropy."

Religious Groups Fight for Tax Deductions - News

Religious Groups Fight for Tax Deductions - News: "Many religious nonprofits, which supplement their budgets heavily with donations from wealthy donors, are concerned that reducing the tax write-offs for charitable donations will cause a decrease in giving, said Diana Aviv, the president and CEO of Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofit organizations.

'The question is, 'Do tax incentives work, do they stimulate more money than they cost?'' Aviv said, 'Experts estimate that this proposal could reduce charitable giving by $7 billion dollars.'"

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Op-Ed: The Meaning of Wisconsin for Nonprofits

OP/ED
The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Op-Ed: The Meaning of Wisconsin for Nonprofits: "Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s power play is bad news for the nonprofit sector, not just unions and the middle class.

That’s because more than anything else it is a power play. Walker’s rhetoric is that it’s all about balancing a budget, but that’s a ploy. To understand the impact on Wisconsin’s nonprofit community, one has to look longer term at the consequences of the governor’s power move."

Foundation Keeps Up With Times - News, Sports, Jobs - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

Foundation Keeps Up With Times - News, Sports, Jobs - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register: "Although the foundation has given more than $5 million to groups working to improve the area since it was founded in 1972, these two grants are the largest awards the foundation has made through its discretionary funds in its entire history."

Paulette's Point of View

Paulette's Point of View: "The AFP International Conference is the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world, and has to represent the full spectrum of the profession while still being all about you and your particular needs. To that end, we’ve made a lot of changes this year to the conference—and all of them based on your feedback and comments.

We’ve created a more compact conference, with no more sessions on Wednesday and much more programming throughout the day on Sunday. Our general sessions are shorter and streamlined, focusing on broad themes and featuring multi-media presentations throughout, culminating with our big speakers such as President Clinton, Queen Latifah and Blake Mycoskie. Our educational sessions have been themed and refocused to emphasize the changes in the profession while still acknowledging time-tested and proven techniques."

What Mark Zuckerberg's Money Is Doing in Newark | Fast Company

What Mark Zuckerberg's Money Is Doing in Newark | Fast Company: "Fast Company wrote about what we (and many innovative thinkers) would do to fix public schools with $100 million (post your ideas below!). Now Newark's public schools, the recipients of that sum from Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, are rolling out their true plan. 'We want to make Newark the centerpoint of education reform in the nation,' David Nachtweih, spokesperson for the Partnership for Education In Newark, tells Fast Company. Here's how they plan to do it."