Grants Available for Nonprofits Helping in Tornadoes’ Aftermath

We have many additional Disaster Relief articles on our Disaster Relief Blog

massnonprofit.org ::: "Grants Available for Nonprofits Helping in Tornadoes’ Aftermath

July 18, 2011 — The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts announced that it is accepting applications from nonprofit organizations assisting Hampden County residents affected by the June 1 tornadoes, as well as from nonprofits directly impacted by the tornadoes."

United Way giving priority to agencies that work together | Statesman Journal | statesmanjournal.com

United Way giving priority to agencies that work together | Statesman Journal | statesmanjournal.com: "But the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley, a major funding source for local nonprofits, had placed a new priority on collaborative programs for this funding cycle, which began this month.

'To be really honest, it was kind of scary for me,' said Jayne Downing. 'I thought, 'How is that going to work?' '"

New MSU record: $80 million in private gifts (Mississippi State University)

New MSU record: $80 million in private gifts (Mississippi State University): "STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State is announcing a new milestone of $80.3 million in outright private gifts and pledges of future support during the just-ended fiscal year.

A 23 percent increase from FY 10, the record number represents the highest single-year giving total in the university's 133-year history."

New MSU record: $80 million in private gifts (Mississippi State University)

New MSU record: $80 million in private gifts (Mississippi State University): "STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State is announcing a new milestone of $80.3 million in outright private gifts and pledges of future support during the just-ended fiscal year.

A 23 percent increase from FY 10, the record number represents the highest single-year giving total in the university's 133-year history."

Ads Celebrate the Age of Aquarium — Campaign Spotlight - NYTimes.com

Ads Celebrate the Age of Aquarium — Campaign Spotlight - NYTimes.com: "In addition to conventional elements like commercials on television and radio and advertisements in print and online, the campaign also includes several nontraditional aspects that are meant to help draw attention to — and stir conversation about — the aquarium.

Among them are events, a presence in social media like Facebook and Twitter and what is known as experiential marketing, which seeks to give consumers a tangible way to experience whatever is being advertised."

Could philanthropy offset school costs? - Roanoke.com

Could philanthropy offset school costs? - Roanoke.com: "hilanthropy to the government's general fund could be earmarked for special projects, such as school construction, county officials say. The donations also would be tax deductible.

Elizabeth Boris, the director of the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., has seen many people nationwide donate to support public education.

Those moneys usually pay for programs, such as class projects or technology purchases, or specific needs that districts can't afford, such as lights for a new football field.

Donations to build a school 'might be a newer phenomenon,' she said."

Hamady N’Diaye, budding philanthropist | New Jersey Hoops Haven

Hamady N’Diaye, budding philanthropist | New Jersey Hoops Haven: "N’Diaye is vice president of “Giving Back,” a coalition of African basketball players who have succeeded in the United States on either the college or professional level. Along with other members of the organization he visited an orphanage near his hometown of Dakar, bringing groceries and other needed items."

Personal connections impact philanthropy | The Daily Texan

Personal connections impact philanthropy | The Daily Texan: "Personal connections with a charity are important to people who offer philanthropy, new research from UT and other universities confirms."

Funders Aren’t Investors, They’re Purchasers (July 18, 2011) | Opinion Blog | Stanford Social Innovation Review

Funders Aren’t Investors, They’re Purchasers (July 18, 2011) | Opinion Blog | Stanford Social Innovation Review: "Over the last two decades, nonprofit funders have increasingly come to view themselves as “investors” or “venture funders” of the nonprofit organizations they fund. A recent article found that, “Among the Web sites of the 100 largest U.S. foundations, for example, 77 tout that they are involved in some type of ‘investment,’ ‘leverage,’ or ‘venture activity.’” But is it accurate or even appropriate for funders to think of themselves as, and act like, investors?

Ownership of assets and taking on management and ownership roles are the hallmark characteristics of for-profit investors. Yet by law, nonprofit funders are prohibited from taking financial stakes in the assets or revenues of the nonprofits they fund. Additionally, funders rarely demand board seats or voting rights in exchange for funding."

Nonprofit gets unexpected donation | CJOnline.com

Nonprofit gets unexpected donation | CJOnline.com: "Martha Hagedorn-Krass never expected an answer to the letter she wrote thanking former President Bill Clinton for speaking at a conference she attended in March.

And she certainly never expected to receive a $5,000 check for the Topeka Ronald McDonald House from the Clinton Family Foundation in Saturday's mail."

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (in HSUS Fundraising Appeals) | HumaneWatch

It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (in HSUS Fundraising Appeals) | HumaneWatch: "According to polling we commissioned from Opinion Research Corporation, most Americans think the Humane Society of the United States is a pet shelter umbrella group. If you've spent much time on this website, you already know it isn't. And most Americans think the Humane Society of the United States gives most of its money to pet shelters. Also not true. The Humane Society of the United States is not affiliated with local humane societies; again, this flies in the face of popular belief."

Proposal Takes Aim at Charities That Evade Taxes Offshore - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Proposal Takes Aim at Charities That Evade Taxes Offshore - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Proposal Takes Aim at Charities That Evade Taxes Offshore

July 18, 2011, 5:58 pm

By Suzanne Perry

Sen. Charles E. Grassley, senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has introduced legislation that would deny some federal money to charities that put money in offshore accounts to avoid paying income taxes."

Nonprofits Pay for Big Ad to Influence Lawmakers - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Nonprofits Pay for Big Ad to Influence Lawmakers - Government & Politics Watch - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Independent Sector, the coalition of charities and foundations, took out a full-page paid advertisement today in the political newspaper Politico, urging government leaders to avoid cuts to programs that work with nonprofits and objecting to President Obama’s proposal to limit the value of the charitable deduction."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Motown Blues: Foundations and Government Struggle for Solutions and with Each Other

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Motown Blues: Foundations and Government Struggle for Solutions and with Each Other: "The mantra of philanthropy now more than ever is: create public-private partnerships between foundations and government agencies. Nationally, big foundations have ensconced themselves in the Obama administration, promoting concepts of entrepreneurialism and innovation in such high visibility, high glitz programs as Promise Neighborhoods. Modeled on the “whatever it takes” Harlem Children’s Zone initiative and the Social Innovation Fund, such programs aim to capture and replicate “proven successes.”"

The Association Cycle | C. David Gammel, CAE

The Association Cycle | C. David Gammel, CAE: "The Association Cycle
Posted on June 29, 2011 by David

Associations, more than any other type of organization I’ve seen, are defined by their annual cycle.

Volunteers and board members turn over every year. Many organizations have a new president or chairman every year. Annual meetings happen, well, annually! Membership renewal is typically on an annual basis. Awards"

Bobby Sager: the not-so-secret millionaire - Telegraph

Bobby Sager: the not-so-secret millionaire - Telegraph: "Among his first schemes to get a better return on his money was the endowment of an annual scholarship at his alma mater, Brandeis University in Boston, which sponsored groups of students from countries in conflict – India and Pakistan, China and Tibet, members of the Hutu and Tutsi tribes in Rwanda – to come to Massachusetts and study together for a year. “The idea was that these students would meet each other, develop friendships, and that down the road that would pay a really big dividend.” When he decided to devote himself to full-time philanthropy, he felt he needed to spend his money on projects in the Third World, in what he calls “really messed-up places” – but if he simply donated to a charitable cause or tried to fund foreign initiatives from an office in the United States, it would do little to help those who needed it. Instead, he believed it would be better if he took himself – and his business acumen – directly to the source of the problems."

A day of caring: Volunteers help on area projects | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com

A day of caring: Volunteers help on area projects | Sheboygan Press | sheboyganpress.com: "he volunteers were there lending a hand as part of the Day of Caring, where about 100 people from eight area businesses and professional organizations spent the day performing service projects at area nonprofits."

Obama to Meet With Gates, Buffett Today to Discuss Philanthropy - Bloomberg

Obama to Meet With Gates, Buffett Today to Discuss Philanthropy - Bloomberg: "President Barack Obama will meet with Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s Warren Buffett and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates at the White House today to discuss how private philanthropy can be channeled toward national challenges."

Do We Expect Too Much From Boards? - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Do We Expect Too Much From Boards? - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Nonprofit board members did not get very high marks from their executive directors in the recently released “Daring to Lead 2011” report.

The report, produced by the Meyer Foundation and CompassPoint, is based on a national survey of more than 3,000 executive directors of small to midsize nonprofit organizations. (I’m a vice president at Meyer and a co-author of the report.)"

Fundraising On the Rise for 10th Consecutive Month

BLACKBAUD: Press Releases: "Fundraising On the Rise for 10th Consecutive Month
Blackbaud debuts new specialty index focused on international affairs organizations

Charleston, S.C. (July 15, 2011) – Blackbaud, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLKB) today announced the release of a report focused on fundraising trends based on monthly findings from The Blackbaud Index and featuring commentary from Drakes Bay Fundraising and CARE USA. Additionally, Blackbaud announced the release of a new specialty index focused on international affairs organizations."

Back to school | Good Will-Hinckley undertakes a painful rebirth to become Maine’s only agricultural academy | Mainebiz

Back to school | Good Will-Hinckley undertakes a painful rebirth to become Maine’s only agricultural academy | Mainebiz: "Good Will has come a long way, and managed to sustain one day program through the turbulence, but at least one major hurdle remains. The school tapped its $12 million endowment to the tune of $2.4 million, triggering an agreement with the Maine Attorney General’s Office that mandated a new plan for the school. Paying back those funds depends on the expected sale of 680 acres of Good Will’s 2,450-acre campus to Kennebec Valley Community College, which needs the land to expand and pursue a plan to offer the state’s first associate’s degree in agriculture. “If they had an extra six acres, none of this would be happening,” Cummings says. The sale is expected to close this month."

Local governments scramble to replace lost federal funds for nonprofits | Liz Essley | Virginia | Washington Examiner

Local governments scramble to replace lost federal funds for nonprofits | Liz Essley | Virginia | Washington Examiner: "Arlington County stepped in on Saturday to fill a gap left by the federal government when it cut funding to some local nonprofits.

The County Board offered $221,088 in emergency funds to help make up for severe cuts in federal grant money for fiscal 2012 to nonprofits serving low-income residents.

The one-time payment is just a temporary solution, however, as county officials worry about what will happen in fiscal 2013."

MyCareer@PND -- How Can I Become a Nonprofit Fund-Raising Consultant? | PND | Foundation Center

MyCareer@PND -- How Can I Become a Nonprofit Fund-Raising Consultant? | PND | Foundation Center: "How Can I Become a Nonprofit Fund-Raising Consultant?
by Tony Poderis

Are you a nonprofit development professional thinking about striking out into the world of fundraising consulting? Think before you leap: although the consulting profession may seem attractive, you'll need to do a serious and honest assessment of your knowledge, temperament, and motivation for this work. Here are my suggestions, based on hard-earned experience."

Growing our ethical skills | Philanthropy Journal

Growing our ethical skills | Philanthropy Journal: "As chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Ethics Committee, I work with a lot of fundraisers concerning ethical dilemmas.

A typical part of the conversation, after we've delved into the major issues, often involves the idea of how to get 'better' at ethics."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Voices from the Field: Nonprofit Workplace Culture – Why it Matters so Much to Us

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Voices from the Field: Nonprofit Workplace Culture – Why it Matters so Much to Us: "Throughout my nearly 15 years of working as a nonprofit employee and as a consultant for nonprofits, I have landed upon a basic fact: All nonprofits are dysfunctional in some way or another and figuring out where to hang your hat requires one to assess whether the level and type of dysfunction is personally tolerable. Like most of us working in the nonprofit sector, I am motivated by a desire to have an impact, create change and help others. Somewhat surprisingly I have worked in several organizations where the management staff has exhibited behaviors in direct contradiction to the stated mission."

How to Manage Feelings of Burnout - Career Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

How to Manage Feelings of Burnout - Career Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Many nonprofit employees do a poor job of managing stress related to work, says Nathan Hand, vice president for development at the School on Wheels in Indianapolis and a nonprofit blogger."

Can Matt Damon Bring Clean Water To Africa? | Fast Company

Can Matt Damon Bring Clean Water To Africa? | Fast Company: "The walk came toward the end of a 10-day African journey, a systematic primer on the complexities of the continent's extreme poverty that had been organized for Damon by staffers from his friend Bono's ONE campaign. Damon was on a quest to understand what it meant to be really, really poor. 'It was like a mini course in college,' he says. Every day brought a different subject: urban AIDS, microfinance, education, and, finally, water. While walking with the young teen on her hour-long trudge to collect water for her family, something clicked. 'We talked the whole time [through a translator]. When I asked her what she wanted to do when she grew up -- 'Do you want to stay here?' ' he says, pointing to the memory of the dusty village -- 'she got shy all of a sudden.' As they returned, both toting 5-gallon jugs of water filled at the well, she finally confessed her dream: to go to the big city, Lusaka, and become a nurse. Damon recalled his dreams at the same age, when he and best friend Ben Affleck were plotting their way from Boston to casting agents in New York. That connection opened the door for Damon. 'I remembered so well the feeling of being young, when that whole world of possibility was open to you.'"

Nonprofit Healthcare Organizations Report Average Investment Returns of 10.9 Percent in FY2010 | PND | Foundation Center

Nonprofit Healthcare Organizations Report Average Investment Returns of 10.9 Percent in FY2010 | PND | Foundation Center: "Nonprofit Healthcare Organizations Report Average Investment Returns of 10.9 Percent in FY2010

U.S. nonprofit healthcare organizations reported an average return on investible assets of 10.9 percent for fiscal year 2010, a decline from the average return of 18.8 percent registered in FY2009 but a significant improvement over the average of -21.2 percent recorded in 2008, the Commonfund Institute reports."

60 seconds with....Mary Anne Graf | Richmond Times-Dispatch

60 seconds with....Mary Anne Graf | Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Women control $5 trillion in U.S. business and consumer spending and influence or make 80 percent of all spending nationally.

'They make the majority of decisions regarding major purchases, from homes to retirement planning, vacations and charitable giving."

United Way seeks donations from large companies to offset loss in giving - wdbj7.com

United Way seeks donations from large companies to offset loss in giving - wdbj7.com: "as the economy continues its slow recovery, non-profits are leaning on large companies to stay afloat.

The United Way of Central Virginia is making its annual appeal for donations. The organization and its partners are paying personal visits to companies like Areva, asking employees to keep giving."