Giving Choices: "Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The latest data
So this morning, I wrote 350 engaging words about research into WHY people give. If you want to read that, stay tuned for another day, because in the process of preparing that post, I discovered that last week the IRS released final data about charitable giving in 2009.
SO.....ta da. A quick look at what changed between 2008 and 2009 in the world of individual, itemized charitable contributions."
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Just Give ’Em the Money: The Power and Pleasure of Unrestricted Funding (August 3, 2011) | Opinion Blog | Stanford Social Innovation Review
Just Give ’Em the Money: The Power and Pleasure of Unrestricted Funding (August 3, 2011) | Opinion Blog | Stanford Social Innovation Review: "When I stumbled into philanthropy, seven years out of medical school, I had no idea that there was an accepted set of practices to follow. Through a combination of cluelessness, hubris, and too much time in remote field sites I remained blissfully unaware of the mores and norms of the grant-making world. In my ignorance, I figured that the best thing for the Mulago Foundation to do was to find high-impact organizations focused on the things we cared about most—and give them a bunch of money.
That’s worked out pretty well for us, and unrestricted funding remains a cornerstone of our funding strategy."
That’s worked out pretty well for us, and unrestricted funding remains a cornerstone of our funding strategy."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
How the Downturn Changes Strategy Work - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas
How the Downturn Changes Strategy Work - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Over the past three years, my thinking, like that of many of my colleagues, has changed radically.
First, strategy now seems to be as much about good decision making as good planning. Rather than thinking of myself as the expert architect of a process that will eventually yield strategy, I now work with executives to make good decisions in real time.
In arriving at those decisions, we draw on some of the tools in a typical strategic-planning process, but a decision-making orientation changes the consulting arrangement—for the better."
First, strategy now seems to be as much about good decision making as good planning. Rather than thinking of myself as the expert architect of a process that will eventually yield strategy, I now work with executives to make good decisions in real time.
In arriving at those decisions, we draw on some of the tools in a typical strategic-planning process, but a decision-making orientation changes the consulting arrangement—for the better."
HKS Executive Education
HKS Executive Education: "Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government introduces a series of ONLINE Executive Education programs designed to reach an audience of nonprofit and NGO managers"
The Need for Good Advice - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas
New Blog from Chronicle of Philanthropy
The Need for Good Advice - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "So today we start this blog to fill the void by offering advice from consultants to consultants.
We’ve enlisted a team of respected consultants as authors, and we’ll also invite nonprofit leaders to share their experiences working with consultants. And we hope you’ll help us shape the conversation by letting us know what you’d like to see explored here."
The Need for Good Advice - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "So today we start this blog to fill the void by offering advice from consultants to consultants.
We’ve enlisted a team of respected consultants as authors, and we’ll also invite nonprofit leaders to share their experiences working with consultants. And we hope you’ll help us shape the conversation by letting us know what you’d like to see explored here."
Four Fundraisers Earn Highest Credential From AFP - Member News - Member - AFP
Four Fundraisers Earn Highest Credential From AFP - Member News - Member - AFP: "Four fundraisers have earned the highest professional certification, the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE), from AFP.
The newest ACFRE recipients are Sharon Gleason of Washington, D.C., director of development for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, R. Scott Fortnum of Newmarket, Ontario, chief development officer for Saint Elizabeth Foundation, James K. Phelps of Vancouver, Wash., development director at the ACLU of Oregon, and Cecilia N. Soriano of Mission Viejo, Calif., who was most recently executive director of gift planning for University of California, Riverside."
The newest ACFRE recipients are Sharon Gleason of Washington, D.C., director of development for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital, R. Scott Fortnum of Newmarket, Ontario, chief development officer for Saint Elizabeth Foundation, James K. Phelps of Vancouver, Wash., development director at the ACLU of Oregon, and Cecilia N. Soriano of Mission Viejo, Calif., who was most recently executive director of gift planning for University of California, Riverside."
EO Update August 8, 2011
EO Update August 8, 2011: "1. New Form for Miscellaneous Determination Requests
The IRS has released a new form that tax-exempt organizations will use to request certain determinations about their tax-exempt status. In addition to foundation status issues, organizations will use Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination, to obtain advance approval of certain activities and exemption from Form 990 filing requirements. Organizations applying for recognition of exemption and at the same time requesting advance approval of scholarship procedures or exception from filing Form 990 should include their request with their Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3), rather than file Form 8940."
The IRS has released a new form that tax-exempt organizations will use to request certain determinations about their tax-exempt status. In addition to foundation status issues, organizations will use Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination, to obtain advance approval of certain activities and exemption from Form 990 filing requirements. Organizations applying for recognition of exemption and at the same time requesting advance approval of scholarship procedures or exception from filing Form 990 should include their request with their Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3), rather than file Form 8940."
If donors knew what others gave, would they give more? � The Butterfly Effect (Blog) � Cause & Effect
If donors knew what others gave, would they give more? � The Butterfly Effect (Blog) � Cause & Effect: "the Summer 2011 issue of The Nonprofit Quarterly, you’ll find an intriguing article, “Fundraising Education: A Fork in the Road?”.
The authors, both professors at Indiana University, home of The Center on Philanthropy, lament the depressingly statistic that giving in the US has been static for decades at just 2% of GDP. They suggest that more robust interaction between academic research and practice — and more academically educated fundraisers – is a potential solution to lifting us out of this giving doldrums."
The authors, both professors at Indiana University, home of The Center on Philanthropy, lament the depressingly statistic that giving in the US has been static for decades at just 2% of GDP. They suggest that more robust interaction between academic research and practice — and more academically educated fundraisers – is a potential solution to lifting us out of this giving doldrums."
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Volunteerism Holds Steady in America - Volunteers - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas
Volunteerism Holds Steady in America - Volunteers - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "The number of Americans who volunteer dropped slightly in 2010, according to a federal report released today."
The Rise of the Hybrid: Legal Headaches and Multibillion Bonanzas
The Rise of the Hybrid: Legal Headaches and Multibillion Bonanzas: "The term 'hybrid' describes an organization that mixes the characteristics of different sectors. The boundaries between the private, public and third sector have of course always been malleable. Thrift stores sell clothes and CBC sells advertising. The Canadian public health service uses private enterprises that need to make a profit, and holds lotteries to raise funds.
But blurring doesn't adequately describe or explain what is happening today. The terms of debate have shifted. They are about the need for new legal structures, in part driven by the need to increase private sector funding for public good."
But blurring doesn't adequately describe or explain what is happening today. The terms of debate have shifted. They are about the need for new legal structures, in part driven by the need to increase private sector funding for public good."
Mortgages and Conservation Easements: Not a Good Mix | Planned Giving Design Center
Mortgages and Conservation Easements: Not a Good Mix | Planned Giving Design Center: "In this article, University of Baltimore law professor Wendy Gerzog reviews Kaufman and the Tax Court's reconsideration of its summary judgment decision that rejected the taxpayers' deduction for a facade easement charitable deduction. The issues newly considered are the deductibility of the taxpayers' required cash payments to the charity in connection with obtaining a facade easement charitable deduction and the application of various penalties."
"Managing Many Generations in the Nonprofit Workplace
massnonprofit.org ::: "Managing Many Generations in the Nonprofit Workplace
By Jackie Shannon
With more people of all ages working in the nonprofit sector than ever before, each age group brings its own strengths, but generational differences can pose management challenges for nonprofit organizations.
Many organizations today find that four generations of employees are now working together: Traditionalists, age 66 and up; Baby Boomers, 47 – 65; Generation X, 31 – 46; and Generation Y/Millennials, 30 and younge"
By Jackie Shannon
With more people of all ages working in the nonprofit sector than ever before, each age group brings its own strengths, but generational differences can pose management challenges for nonprofit organizations.
Many organizations today find that four generations of employees are now working together: Traditionalists, age 66 and up; Baby Boomers, 47 – 65; Generation X, 31 – 46; and Generation Y/Millennials, 30 and younge"
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."
Monday, August 08, 2011
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."
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."
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."
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."
Friday, July 29, 2011
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."
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"
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."
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."
Monday, July 25, 2011
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."
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