How Nonprofits Can Measure Outcomes and Why They Should

How Nonprofits Can Measure Outcomes and Why They Should: "Demand is growing for nonprofits to provide proof that what they are doing actually accomplishes something. That demand is coming particularly from donors and grantors, such as foundations. Unfortunately, many nonprofits do not have objective data showing that their outcomes are worth supporting."

The Blurred Lines of Integrated Cross-Media Marketing for Nonprofits

The Blurred Lines of Integrated Cross-Media Marketing for Nonprofits

The AFP Blog: Rankled Over Rankings

The AFP Blog: Rankled Over Rankings: "Rankled Over Rankings
Another charity ranking system is out, this time in Canada: the MoneySense Charity 100 (not currently available online but the 2010 version is here).

It takes a very small sample of 100 out of the more than 85,000 charities in Canada and attempts to take the dozens of factors that affect fundraising costs and compact them down into one all-encompassing, objective letter grade."

News: Themselves to Blame? - Inside Higher Ed

News: Themselves to Blame? - Inside Higher Ed: "Themselves to Blame?
July 12, 2011

CHICAGO -- The ever-so-modest increase in contributions to colleges (0.5 percent) from 2009 to 2010 was cheered by many fund-raisers, since it represented much better news than the 11.9 percent decline from the year before. But at a presentation here at the annual gathering of senior fund-raising officials of the Council for Advancement and Support for Education, speakers suggested that alumni giving rates are not going to rebound -- and that a big reason why can be found in young alumni, and in the strategies colleges use to woo them."

Alternatives to Strategic Planning, by Jan Masaoka

Alternatives to Strategic Planning, by Jan Masaoka

Why Give to the Arts When People Are Starving in the Gutter? | Fundraising Non-Profit Fund-raising Resource – Tony Poderis

Why Give to the Arts When People Are Starving in the Gutter? | Fundraising Non-Profit Fund-raising Resource – Tony Poderis: "actually read that riveting question in the marginal notes of a proposal for funding an orchestra. The notes were penned by a trustee of a grant-making foundation during a meeting to review the proposal. Another trustee of the foundation, the one who presented the proposal on behalf of the orchestra, later showed them to m"

30 Charities Take Ads in Final 'News of the World' - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

30 Charities Take Ads in Final 'News of the World' - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Profits from sales of the last issue of what was Britain’s best-selling Sunday paper will be split equally among three organizations–the children’s charity Barnardo’s, the Forces Children’s Trust, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.

Many U.K. charities turned down the weekly’s offer of free ads, made after Rupert Murdoch’s News International abruptly decided to close the 168-year-old newspaper amid revelations that its reporters hacked the cellphones of celebrities, politicians, crime victims, and military families."

White House Plan to Limit Charitable Deduction Would Take Toll on Charities, Fundraisers Say | PNNOnline.org

White House Plan to Limit Charitable Deduction Would Take Toll on Charities, Fundraisers Say | PNNOnline.org: "Over half predicted a drop of at least 10 percent to their contributions, with just over one in four respondents fearing a sizeable drop in contributions (at least 25 percent or more).

Only one in ten fundraisers (9 percent) said that there would be no effect on the donations their organization receives. Fourteen percent said that they were not sure the effect it would have.

“The White House and Congress must understand that limiting the value of itemized deductions for charitable contributions will dramatically affect the charitable sector and those it serves,” said Andrew Watt, FInstF, president and CEO of AFP."

White House Plan to Limit Charitable Deduction Would Take Toll on Charities, Fundraisers Say | PNNOnline.org

White House Plan to Limit Charitable Deduction Would Take Toll on Charities, Fundraisers Say | PNNOnline.org: "Three out of four fundraisers predict that donations to their organizations will drop if the White House’s FY2012 budget proposal to limit the charitable deduction is enacted into law, according to an online poll by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). More than half said that the proposal would have a significant impact on giving.

AFP asked visitors of its website what impact they envision the White House’s proposal would have on their charity. Three-quarters (77 percent) said that donations would drop at least slightly as a result of limiting the U.S. charitable deduction, in response to an informal “Quick Poll” conducted from mid-April to mid-June of this year on AFP’s website."

Britain's Royal Couple Visits Los Angeles Urban Arts Charity | USA | English

Britain's Royal Couple Visits Los Angeles Urban Arts Charity | USA | English: "Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, finished up their North American tour by visiting a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that teaches art to needy children."

Donations to mid-Missouri charities above national average in 2010 - Columbia Missourian

Donations to mid-Missouri charities above national average in 2010 - Columbia Missourian: "COLUMBIA — Key nonprofit organizations in mid-Missouri have bucked national trends recently in charitable donations.

Nationally, charitable donations declined in 2008 and 2009, then rose an estimated 3.8 percent across the board in 2010, according to the recently released Giving USA report. Locally, however, many nonprofits brought in percentage increases higher than the national average."

Texas man completes 1,500-mile horseback charity ride Sunday by crossing George Washington Bridge | NJ.com

Texas man completes 1,500-mile horseback charity ride Sunday by crossing George Washington Bridge | NJ.com: "Blethen's trot across the bridge was the final leg in a 1,500-mile, cross-country trip that began four months ago in Dallas. The trek raised money for Heroes for Children, a Texas childhood cancer foundation. Blethen, a short, fit man with a goatee and good Texas manners, encouraged everyone he met along the way to donate by visiting the website the foundation created for his ride. Blethen, who hoped to raise $3,000, believes he has surpassed his goal, but won't know exactly how much he has raised for a few weeks."

New IRS rule aims to keep better track of Montana nonprofits

New IRS rule aims to keep better track of Montana nonprofits: "Be careful when you donate to your favorite charity.

The Internal Revenue Service has revoked the tax-exempt status of 1,240 organizations in Montana, including 720 charitable nonprofits, according to the Montana Nonprofit Association. Most are considered defunct, but those that are still running may face hurdles with the IRS."

Cohen covers the nonprofits - Business - NewsObserver.com

Cohen covers the nonprofits - Business - NewsObserver.com: "As editor and publisher of philanthropyjournal.org, Cohen is arguably the foremost authority on philanthropy and nonprofits in North Carolina. His verdict on the sector: 'It is stronger, more diverse, more innovative and more at risk than it's ever been.'"

Food for poor overcomes shutdown | StarTribune.com

Food for poor overcomes shutdown | StarTribune.com: "A program supplying tons of food to food shelves around Minnesota, suspended by the state government shutdown, was quickly restored after a hunger organization filed a plea with the state."

Meet Masood Razaq a Pioneer in Digital Philanthropy | elan

Meet Masood Razaq a Pioneer in Digital Philanthropy | elan: "Masood Razaq, founder and executive director of Goodgate.org, is spearheading an initiative to provide a global platform for Muslim charities. This unique resource presents various credible charities by country, themes or tags allowing the visitor to choose what initiative they’d like to invest in. With a global upbringing and a corporate background, Razaq’s creative solution to transform the concept of charity to strategic philanthropy within the Muslim community is a noble endeavor."

Charities Use Amazon's Wish List for Needed Goods - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Charities Use Amazon's Wish List for Needed Goods - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Her friend had helped Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by buying $25 worth of flea medicine on an Amazon Wish List the animal-welfare organization had created.

The online wish list enables people to make a donation that pays for one or more products listed, including shipping and handling."

Institute of Fundraising to launch long-awaited research portal - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Institute of Fundraising to launch long-awaited research portal - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: "The Institute of Fundraising plans to secure funding for and launch its fundraising research portal for members this year, it was outlined in the organisation's annual general meeting yesterday.

After first mooting the establishment of an independent research capacity early last year, the Institute plans to step up progress."

MinnPost - Minnesota's nonprofits feel the pain of government shutdown

MinnPost - Minnesota's nonprofits feel the pain of government shutdown: "On day six and counting of the partial state government shutdown, nonprofit organizations all over Minnesota are feeling the pain. That's because state dollars help fund their budgets."

Daily Journal - APNewsBreak: New UConn president donates $100,000 to launch student scholarship fund

Daily Journal - APNewsBreak: New UConn president donates $100,000 to launch student scholarship fund: "HARTFORD, Conn. — The University of Connecticut's new president and her husband are donating $100,000 of their own money to launch a scholarship program, saying they want to help needy UConn students and hope to highlight how important philanthropy is to the school's future."

Mentor Express is a success � TCPalm.com (User story from CYNTHIA FALARDEAU)

Mentor Express is a success � TCPalm.com (User story from CYNTHIA FALARDEAU): "VERO BEACH — The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Indian River Chapter held its third annual Mentoring Express event on June 8, 2011 at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach."

Mentor Express is a success � TCPalm.com (User story from CYNTHIA FALARDEAU)

Mentor Express is a success � TCPalm.com (User story from CYNTHIA FALARDEAU): "VERO BEACH — The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Indian River Chapter held its third annual Mentoring Express event on June 8, 2011 at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach."

Kansas governor donates $150,000 from inauguration fund to nonprofits - KansasCity.com

Kansas governor donates $150,000 from inauguration fund to nonprofits - KansasCity.com: "TOPEKA, Kan. | Eight Kansas nonprofit groups are sharing more than $150,000 left over from Gov. Sam Brownback’s inaugural festivities."

Yale Fundraising: $3.881 Billion - Courant.com

Yale Fundraising: $3.881 Billion - Courant.com: "At a time when states are struggling to get out of the red, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and money is scarce, Yale University just concluded its largest fundraising campaign ever on June 30 with $3.881 billion raised over seven years.

Thomas Conroy, Yale spokesman, said it is particularly remarkable that the campaign exceeded its goal — $3.5 billion — during a time that 'coincided with a difficult economic downturn.'"

Ethics Office Moves to Let Federal Employees Serve on Nonprofit Boards - NYTimes.com

Ethics Office Moves to Let Federal Employees Serve on Nonprofit Boards - NYTimes.com: "The Office of Government Ethics has taken the first step toward allowing federal employees to serve on the boards of nonprofit organizations, potentially ending a 15-year ban that advocacy groups say was misguided."

The NonProfit Times: Management Tip: 7 Essentials to Attracting Great Employees

The NonProfit Times: Management Tip: 7 Essentials to Attracting Great Employees: "Management Tip: 7 Essentials to Attracting Great Employees
Here is a recent management tip direct from The NonProfit Times website. Check the management tips page often, as new ones are added every week.

***

Wondering why your organization has trouble attracting good employees?"

Movie Mondays: Creating a Successful Fun-Run Event

Movie Mondays: Creating a Successful Fun-Run Event: "Whether you're putting on a 5K race or some other kind of event, you'll find today's movie useful.

Michelle Coleman, from the Hearing Speech and Deafness Center, talks about what they have done to make their 'Fun-Run' a success, despite the fact that other 5K races were held by other nonprofit organizations on the same weekend."

Feds to have freedom for nonprofit service -- GovExec.com

Feds to have freedom for nonprofit service -- GovExec.com: "Federal employees soon will be allowed to serve in their official capacities in nonprofit organizations.

Tuesday marked the end of a comment period on a proposed rule from the Office of Government Ethics that would lift a 15-year prohibition on federal workers acting as officers or directors in the nonprofit sector. Previously, unless granted a special waiver, government employees were barred from officially serving in any capacity involving fiduciary responsibilities that could conflict with their obligation to their agency."

Stamford's Juanita James Named Fairfield County Foundation's New President - Stamford, CT Patch

Stamford's Juanita James Named Fairfield County Foundation's New President - Stamford, CT Patch: "The Fairfield County Community Foundation has selected Juanita James, 58, of Stamford as the organization's next president and chief executive officer, replacing Susan M. Ross, who is retiring."

Five Ways to Improve Internal Communications at Your Nonprofit

Five Ways to Improve Internal Communications at Your Nonprofit: "Nonprofit organizations spend a lot of time and energy communicating with external audiences, which include donors, volunteers, board members, reporters, politicians and policymakers.

But are you neglecting to communicate with one of the most crucial target audiences of all — your own staff?

With so much on your plate, deliberate efforts at internal communication tend to fall by the wayside. And yet, employees are the lifeblood of any nonprofit and staff engagement, knowledge and passion are critical to achieving success."