The Great American Giveaway - Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

The Great American Giveaway - Ideas & Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "The 32-year-old former newspaper photographer is on a cross-country road trip this summer to visit thrift stores in 32 states. Her goal? “To show people that thrift stores are not just places you go and donate stuff,” she says. “You’re saving money, you’re helping people, you’re helping your community, but you’re also saving things from your landfill.”"

4 Easy Email Tests to Start Today | NetWitsThinkTank.com

4 Easy Email Tests to Start Today | NetWitsThinkTank.com: "Are you testing your email messages (i.e. subject lines, time of the day, etc)? If not, you’re missing an opportunity to improve your results."

Live from #BlogHer: PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi on the leadership principles that guide her | SmartBlog on Leadership

Live from #BlogHer: PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi on the leadership principles that guide her | SmartBlog on Leadership: "emale business leaders hold an advantage over their their male counterparts because they nurture and add humanity to the position, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi said during her keynote address at BlogHer last week. “Women globally represent 70% of the buying decisions around the world,” Nooyi said. ”There’s a shift happening among women in the world.”"

How to Write a Great Direct Mail Fundraising Letter

How to Write a Great Direct Mail Fundraising Letter: "It is very problematic to provide examples of fundraising letters. They vary tremendously, depending on the nature of the charity, the resources that charity has to apply toward direct mail fundraising, and the creativity of the person who writes that letter."

The Trivialities and Transcendence of Kickstarter - NYTimes.com

The Trivialities and Transcendence of Kickstarter - NYTimes.com: "But this time something occurred to me: What about that Kickstarter thing? Kickstarter has been around online for just over two years, and various artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and designers have used the site to raise more than $75 million for 10,626 “creative projects,” to use Kickstarter’s preferred term."

Fund Raisers Mull Effects of a Double-Dip Recession - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Fund Raisers Mull Effects of a Double-Dip Recession - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Fund Raisers Mull Effects of a Double-Dip Recession

August 8, 2011, 10:37 am

By Holly Hall

With the drumbeat of bad economic news in the United States and around the world threatening the nation’s fragile recovery, fund raisers are wearily bracing themselves for a possible double-dip recession and the likelihood of a slowdown in giving in coming months."

Don’t Measure Fundraising Costs, But Cost-Effectiveness. | Sharpe Tips

AFP has a Hot Topic on Fundraising Costs which is available to Members
http://www.afpnet.org/HotTopic/FundraisingCosts

Some related links on Fundraising Costs

Don’t Measure Fundraising Costs, But Cost-Effectiveness. | Sharpe Tips: "Don’t Measure Fundraising Costs, But Cost-Effectiveness.
Posted on July 29, 2011 by Alan Sharpe

The only number in fundraising that matters is net revenue.

Net revenue is the money you have left over after you subtract your fundraising expenses from your fundraising income. Net revenue is the only money you can do mission with. The more net revenue you have, the more good you can do in the world."

Thank-You Note Prompts Unexpected Foundation Gift - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Some additional coverage

Thank-You Note Prompts Unexpected Foundation Gift - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Thank-You Note Prompts Unexpected Foundation Gift

August 3, 2011, 9:39 am

By Raymund Flandez

Many foundations don’t accept unsolicited proposals, but sometimes a heart-felt “thank you” can lead them to break that rule."

Two of the county's largest nonprofits to merge | Portland Daily Sun

Two of the county's largest nonprofits to merge | Portland Daily Sun: to combine the two nonprofits, beginning Oct. 1. It will start the at least year-long process of bringing the two together, the providers announced Thursday. Both have a combined total of nearly 500 employees, operate tens of millions of dollars in annual budgets and together serve about 24,000 people."

Nonprofits awarded grants for community building | Sun Journal

This week I"m posting from Maine so here are some Maine stories.

Nonprofits awarded grants for community building | Sun Journal: "ELLSWORTH — The Maine Community Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program recently awarded $58,054 to 12 nonprofits in Franklin and Somerset counties."

After a Look Back, Where Does Rural Philanthropy Go From Here? - RE:Philanthropy

After a Look Back, Where Does Rural Philanthropy Go From Here? - RE:Philanthropy: "RE:Philanthropy - What Matters Now?
Rick CohenAfter a Look Back, Where Does Rural Philanthropy Go From Here?

By: Rick Cohen In: 2011 Rural Conference| Partnerships and Collaborations| Public Policy| Rural Philanthropy| Social Innovation Fund
28 Jul 2011"

External Accountability in Philanthropy | Tactical Philanthropy

External Accountability in Philanthropy | Tactical Philanthropy: "Deciding to post Grantee Perception Reports from the Center for Effective Philanthropy is one way that foundations are already doing this. It seems to me that another way they could utilize external accountability would be to announce at the beginning of a new program what their metrics for success are and then commit to a schedule of progress reports."

Hollywood's Major Players in Philanthropy and Advocacy Get the Spotlight - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Hollywood's Major Players in Philanthropy and Advocacy Get the Spotlight - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Hollywood’s Major Players in Philanthropy and Advocacy Get the Spotlight

July 29, 2011, 9:35 am

In its annual philanthropy issue, The Hollywood Reporter profiles figures from across the film, television, and music industries who are active as donors and advocates in education, the arts, youth programs, and the environment."

Turning philanthropy on its head | Latest from Alliance

Turning philanthropy on its head | Latest from Alliance: "Our founder, Chet Tchozewski, submitted the blog’s very first installment on Steve Gunderson’s departure from the Council on Foundations. More recently, our former program director, Chris Allan, reflected on his experience at June’s Grantmakers Without Borders conference. Drawing inspiration from each of their blogs, we are struck by how long-divergent tracks of international funding from the US now seem to be drawing closer together."

Where private foundations award education cash - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Where private foundations award education cash - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: "The analysis, the first comprehensive examination of philanthropy activity in this area, showed that the biggest chunk of the money — 38 percent — went to teacher recruitment, while 22 percent was spent on professional development, 14 percent on teacher preparation and less than 10 percent for everything else."

Marc Benioff, CEO, makes philanthropy a priority

Marc Benioff, CEO, makes philanthropy a priority: "Benioff, a consummate salesman since his days under Larry Ellison at Oracle, traveled to the Rosewood Hotel in Menlo Park to sell not his product but an idea: that his counterpart, a retired entrepreneur who had billions of dollars at his disposal, should make a major donation to UCSF."

Role of philanthropy in rural economy is focus of Kansas City conference | The Republic

Role of philanthropy in rural economy is focus of Kansas City conference | The Republic: "KANSAS CITY, Mo. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the head of the U.S. Census bureau are among the speakers at a Kansas City conference this week on the role of philanthropy in rural economies."

Jazz impresario building legacy for Newport fests - Forbes.com

Jazz impresario building legacy for Newport fests - Forbes.com: "New York jazz impresario George Wein, who started the festivals more than 50 years ago, took them nonprofit earlier this year to shield them from the financial ups and downs of corporate funding."

Tax and Financial Factors Put Charitable Lead Trusts Back in Favor - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Tax and Financial Factors Put Charitable Lead Trusts Back in Favor - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Tax and Financial Factors Put Charitable Lead Trusts Back in Favor

July 25, 2011, 9:55 am

Charitable lead trusts, which allow wealthy donors to make annual gifts to charity, are also gaining favor as a way to minimize taxes on money left to heirs, The New York Times writes."

Majority of 50 Wealthiest Foundations Pay Their Trustees - Boards - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Majority of 50 Wealthiest Foundations Pay Their Trustees - Boards - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Duke is hardly alone. A Chronicle analysis finds that 38 of the nation’s 50 wealthiest foundations compensate board members, awarding a total of more than $11-million to their trustees, according to the latest available informational tax returns. But in some corners, the practice is drawing scrutiny."

Philanthropic culture key for fundraising | Philanthropy Journal

Philanthropic culture key for fundraising | Philanthropy Journal: "Culture of philanthropy

Fundraising begins with understanding what philanthropy is all about, says Williams, who is principal of The Williams Group, a key adviser to United Way of Central Carolinas on transforming its organizational culture, and director of the Leadership Gift School at the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership, a local effort to strengthen the work of local nonprofit leaders and fundraisers."

Crowds: What Are They Good For?

Crowds: What Are They Good For?: "Crowdsourcing, a term coined by Jeff Howe in Wired Magazine in 2006, is defined as the outsourcing of tasks by way of a general call-out to a large, undefined group of people. There's also crowdfunding, which relies on the power of crowds to fund projects. No matter its iteration, the idea of crowds and the power they potentially hold for nonprofits is gaining much attention these days.

But while leveraging technology and the power of the group seems a good idea on its surface, how effective are crowds in helping organizations reach fundraising goals?"

UNITED WAY: Preserve tax deduction for donations - The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT

UNITED WAY: Preserve tax deduction for donations - The Middletown Press : Serving Middletown, CT: "The ability of donors to deduct contributions to charity from their taxes is part of the success of America’s charitable tradition. One of United Way Worldwide’s top public policy priorities is to preserve the deduction so we can continue to fund and provide services for families and individuals in need.

The current deep economic recession is already causing reductions in giving to many United Ways and agencies that rely on United Way support. According to the Independent Sector, there has been an overall decline in charitable giving to nonprofit organizations by $25 billion a year. Limitations on charitable giving tax incentives would further reduce charitable contributions."

In for-profit, nonprofit hospital models, differences might be subtle - News - The Times-Tribune

In for-profit, nonprofit hospital models, differences might be subtle - News - The Times-Tribune: "Don't expect many obvious differences between a for-profit hospital and a nonprofit hospital. Any distinctions may be subtle.

For-profit Community Health Systems Inc. will acquire Moses Taylor Hospital on the heels of its Mercy Hospital buy. Community Medical Center will be acquired by nonprofit Geisinger Health System.

Both have pledged to renovate the hospitals, to clamp the flow of red ink and improve the level of care."

In for-profit, nonprofit hospital models, differences might be subtle - News - The Times-Tribune

In for-profit, nonprofit hospital models, differences might be subtle - News - The Times-Tribune: "Don't expect many obvious differences between a for-profit hospital and a nonprofit hospital. Any distinctions may be subtle.

For-profit Community Health Systems Inc. will acquire Moses Taylor Hospital on the heels of its Mercy Hospital buy. Community Medical Center will be acquired by nonprofit Geisinger Health System.

Both have pledged to renovate the hospitals, to clamp the flow of red ink and improve the level of care."

Keep the charitable deduction | HeraldTribune.com

Keep the charitable deduction | HeraldTribune.com: "Some lawmakers have suggested reducing the value of the tax deduction for charitable contributions. We strongly believe that the tax-exempt status of all charitable contributions must be protected. It is an efficient, fair and powerful incentive for citizens to give back to their communities, with a proven return."

Elements of a Donor Acknowledgement Letter

Elements of a Donor Acknowledgement Letter: "Question: What is a donor acknowledgement letter?
Answer: Donors to your nonprofit should receive 1) a warm and fuzzy thank you letter and 2) a receipt for their tax-deductible donation."

Multi-Channel Thank You Letters: The Secret Sauce for Fundraising Success?

Multi-Channel Thank You Letters: The Secret Sauce for Fundraising Success?: "Do you send a thank you letter by mail after receiving a donation online?

Of course, the donor who gives online (and there are more of them all the time), does receive an immediate emailed thank you. That is built into the online giving system, whichever one you use."

Big Businesses Won’t Increase Giving in 2011 - Corporate Giving - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Big Businesses Won’t Increase Giving in 2011 - Corporate Giving - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Charitable giving by the America’s biggest companies will probably be flat in 2011, after a sharp rebound in 2010, according to a Chronicle survey of 180 of businesses.

Cash giving rose by 13 percent, a relief to charities after the recession caused a decline of 7.5 percent by companies in 2009."

[Individual Income Tax ZIP Code Data]

A related link is our Hot Topic on Tax Issues (This requires Member login)

[Individual Income Tax ZIP Code Data]: "1. Individual Income Tax ZIP Code Data for Tax Year 2008 is now available to download from the TaxStats website.

The Statistics of Income Division is currently reviewing the methodology used to produce its annual ZIP code file in order to safeguard the confidentiality of individual taxpayer information. I"