TheDartmouth.com: New contest promotes philanthropy

TheDartmouth.com: New contest promotes philanthropy: The competition, which begins today, seeks to promote philanthropy within the College’s Greek community and serves as an opportunity for new members to assume leadership of an “exciting and fulfilling experience,” Lu said.

New members will engage in fundraising activities that they will organize on behalf of their Greek organizations through Nov. 29, PAAR director of communications Julia Harvey ’13 said. At the competition’s end, the organizations and individuals that raise the most money or demonstrate the most creativity will win prizes including cash awards and roundtrip airplane tickets from Boston to Miami during spring break, she said.

Nonprofits show optimism despite serious concerns, United Way survey finds | Hartford Business

Nonprofits show optimism despite serious concerns, United Way survey finds | Hartford Business: Even as the economy continues its slow recovery, many Hartford-area non-profit organizations have a renewed sense of optimism, according to the United Way’s eighth annual Non-Profit Pulse Survey.

Alfred Mann, entrepreneur and philanthropist: Career path - latimes.com

Alfred Mann, entrepreneur and philanthropist: Career path - latimes.com: Mr. Philanthropy: Mann says he has given away about $500 million primarily to support research causes. Among his beneficiaries is the Alfred Mann Foundation, a nonprofit organization based on the sprawling grounds of the Mann Biomedical Park in Santa Clarita . It develops medical devices — such as the cochlear implant and an artificial pancreas — with the aim of bringing inventions to the marketplace.

Yes, research microvolunteering, however... - Jayne Cravens / Coyote Communications blog

Yes, research microvolunteering, however... - Jayne Cravens / Coyote Communications blog: October 10, 2011
Yes, research microvolunteering, however...

I was oh-so-excited when I read that the Institute for Volunteering Research in the UK is going to be undertaking a project to research microvolunteering, a form of online volunteering/virtual volunteering that's been around for many, many years - long before there were smart phones.

Metropolitan Opera’s Donations Hit a Record $182 Million - NYTimes.com

Metropolitan Opera’s Donations Hit a Record $182 Million - NYTimes.com: In the warren of Met administrative offices, the people who run one of the world’s busiest opera houses had something else to applaud: a record amount of contributions for the fiscal year that ended in July. According to preliminary figures released for the first time, the Met hauled in $182 million, an astonishing amount in a tough economic climate and 50 percent more than it raised just the year before.

Tiny grants keep ‘awesome’ ideas coming - The Boston Globe

Tiny grants keep ‘awesome’ ideas coming - The Boston Globe: They were both awesome ideas, the trustees agreed, but only one of them could win money that month. And so they had to ask the ultimate question: Which idea was more awesome?

This is the basic premise behind the Awesome Foundation, which is not an actual foundation. It is more like a support group for good ideas. It began in Cambridge in 2009 when a group of tech-savvy twentysomethings frustrated by the bureaucracy of traditional funding got together and, in essence, said: “You know what would be awesome? If there were an organization that gave you money if you had an awesome idea.’’ Then they became that organization, loosely.

Volunteers, What Do They Want? - 10 Ways to Make Volunteers Happy

Volunteers, What Do They Want? - 10 Ways to Make Volunteers Happy: s now the golden age of volunteerism? More people than ever want to find ways to give back to their communities, and volunteer work is encouraged, from the halls of congress to the words and images in the media. Now could be the very best time to take a look at your volunteer program and spiff it up so that your volunteers will want to come and stay.

Volunteers are not that hard to please. Here are a few things they have a right to expect from you - master these and you should be able to recruit and keep your volunteers.

MCF | Charitable Giving in Minnesota Drops as Recession Continues

MCF | Charitable Giving in Minnesota Drops as Recession Continues: Charitable Giving in Minnesota Drops as Recession Continues
Source: Minnesota Council on Foundations 10/10/2011

(Oct. 10, 2011) ― The Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) today released its Giving in Minnesota, 2011 Edition research report, the most comprehensive analysis of charitable giving in the state. The report shows giving by individuals, foundations and corporate giving programs totaled $4.9 billion for the 2009 research year, a decrease of 9.3 percent from 2008.

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Million Dollar Donors: A Free Searchable Data Base Thanks to IUPUI

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Million Dollar Donors: A Free Searchable Data Base Thanks to IUPUI: he Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University maintains a free searchable data base on gifts of more than $1 million made since 2000 and it is great reading for those obsessed with such stuff. It can be sorted by giver and recipient. Warren Buffett tops the list of 6,780 gifts from individuals as might have been expected but this Forbes article reports a few other interesting factoids:

Timber Point purchase secured | SeacoastOnline.com

Timber Point purchase secured | SeacoastOnline.com: More than 600 donors including individuals, families, companies, foundations, and two additional neighboring land trusts have helped make the goal a reality, Tone said. A total of $2 million was secured through private donations, while $3 million was secured from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and an additional $200,000 was received from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Families and the Transformative Power of Philanthropy Part III: Inviting the Next Generation | Planned Giving Design Center

Families and the Transformative Power of Philanthropy Part III: Inviting the Next Generation | Planned Giving Design Center: amilies and the Transformative Power of Philanthropy Part III: Inviting the Next Generation
Series Mission: To Bring Awareness to Professionals and Families about the Transformational Effect of Philanthropy on the Family Unit

IRS Issues Tax Stats on Split-Interest Trusts | Planned Giving Design Center

IRS Issues Tax Stats on Split-Interest Trusts | Planned Giving Design Center: RS Issues Tax Stats on Split-Interest Trusts
News story posted in Treasury by Jason Fisher on 5 October 2011|
last updated: 6 October 2011

How to Seek Volunteers Using Social Networks - Social Good - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

How to Seek Volunteers Using Social Networks - Social Good - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Social networks give nonprofits new opportunities to connect with volunteers. And a recent change by one of the world's largest social networks is making it even easier for charities to identify potential volunteers.

Philanthropy Front and Center - Washington, DC: What to Do Now to Improve Year-End Results!

Philanthropy Front and Center - Washington, DC: What to Do Now to Improve Year-End Results!: What to Do Now to Improve Year-End Results!

Barbara L. Ciconte, CFRE, co-author of Fundraising Basics: A Complete Guide recommended the following 12 action steps for improving fundraising year-end results to attendees at a program at the Foundation Center in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2011:

Who's Really in Charge of Board Performance? - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Who's Really in Charge of Board Performance? - Against the Grain - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Ask people in the nonprofit world who is to blame for poor board performance, and you won’t get agreement. Some people say it’s the board’s fault. Others say it’s the CEO’s.

Rarely do these conflicting ideas get argued in public. But at the annual meeting of BoardSource, I had the opportunity to debate the point in front of an audience. Two-person teams argued opposing points of view on that and other controversial topics. At the conclusion of our comments, the audience voted.

Volunteerism instills passion in daily life | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

Volunteerism instills passion in daily life | The Tennessean | tennessean.com: As board chairman of the Young Leaders Council, I am particularly intrigued by the research showing that the national volunteer rate tends to increase with age until mid-life. I have seen this trend firsthand in the young professionals establishing themselves in their careers who have expressed a desire to take their volunteerism to the next level by applying to the Young Leaders Council board training program.

Sorority sisters ‘rock’ | The Northerner

Sorority sisters ‘rock’ | The Northerner: On somewhat of a chilly day under gray skies, the sisters of Phi Sigma Sigma dressed for the occasion — donning jackets and blankets — and rocked in rocking chairs to support their philanthropic cause, the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation.

Day of Giving surpasses $4 million - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Day of Giving surpasses $4 million - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Despite an ailing economy, the third annual Day of Giving in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties set a fundraising record.

Hours before Tuesday's midnight deadline to make a contribution, more than $4.05 million was donated.

Selecting the proper nonprofit structure

Selecting the proper nonprofit structure: There are three primary structures for nonprofits in California (although many other forms exist): unincorporated associations, trusts, and corporations. Some nonprofits also use the limited liability company structure.

The AFP Blog: Fundraising in South Africa

The AFP Blog: Fundraising in South Africa: For many years, South African charities have relied on the government for a significant amount of funding. It’s a different picture today – fundraising has become an important social force in the country. AFP has worked with the South African Institute of Fundraising (SAIF) over the last few years – we’ve learnt a lot about the challenges they’ve faced.

Third Sector New England Cuts Staff by 30%, Pares Back Agenda

massnonprofit.org ::: October 4, 2011 — Third Sector New England, a Boston-based nonprofit that provides management resources to other nonprofits and a lynchpin of the Massachusetts nonprofit sector, today announced that it has cut its staff by 30% and will overhaul a number of programs following loss of funding.

8 Grant Writing Myths Busted

8 Grant Writing Myths Busted: o one ever said that rolling out a grant writing program is easy.

Unfortunately, many smaller nonprofits think that it is impossible and thereby pass up an inviting source of funding for their causes. I asked Pamela Grow, of Pamela's Grantwriting Blog, to debunk the myths surrounding grant writing and provide her expert advice about setting up a grant writing program.

Why I'm Not Going to Volunteer with Your Nonprofit | Engaging Volunteers

Why I'm Not Going to Volunteer with Your Nonprofit | Engaging Volunteers: Last week I was catching up on the many blogs I follow, and I came across a great post on Jocelyn Harmon’s “Marketing for Nonprofits” blog. The article was titled “7 Reasons I’m Not Going to Donate to Your Nonprofit.” It was short and straightforward, providing 7 bulleted reasons why many donors say “no,” and some tips for how to turn that “no” into a “yes.”

Geoff Livingston: Classic DC Nonprofit Strength Meets Social in Mega Giving Day

Geoff Livingston: Classic DC Nonprofit Strength Meets Social in Mega Giving Day: Geoff Livingston
Geoff Livingston


Classic DC Nonprofit Strength Meets Social in Mega Giving Day
Posted: 9/20/11 12:53 PM ET

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What happens when you take classic nonprofit strengths and match them with the nimbleness of social technology, all to benefit a city's nonprofits? You get Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, a giving day for the metropolitan DC region on November 9. The event hopes to raise millions of dollars in donations and create new relationships between digitally savvy donors and nonprofits.

Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington was announced last week.

Gifts to Nonprofits Go Further on Oct. 4 - Dormont-Brookline, PA Patch

Gifts to Nonprofits Go Further on Oct. 4 - Dormont-Brookline, PA Patch: On Pittsburgh Gives' Day of Giving, donations to eligible nonprofits in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties receive a matching gift through the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Giving a car to charity comes with strings attached | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com

Giving a car to charity comes with strings attached | The Coloradoan | coloradoan.com: Answer: Rather than go through the hassle of selling an old car, you may get a tax deduction for donating the vehicle to a charity. An increasing number of charities have turned to car-donation programs. You may have seen ads from some of these organizations in your local newspaper urging individuals to donate their old cars. The donation approach saves you the trouble of trying to sell the car.

Nonprofits Seeking Hedge Against Investment Volatility - TheNonProfitTimes

Nonprofits Seeking Hedge Against Investment Volatility - TheNonProfitTimes: Nonprofits are continuing to add new asset classes to portfolios in an effort to decrease ongoing investment volatility. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) responded during an SEI Quick Poll that this was the risk management measure they have already taken.

The polls also showed 40 percent have increased allocations to inflation protection strategies, such as Treasury Inflation Protection Strategies (TIPS) and commodities.

Charitable giving has yet to go out of style in Coachella Valley | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com

Charitable giving has yet to go out of style in Coachella Valley | The Desert Sun | MyDesert.com: Houston, who earned the first local Association of Professional Fundraisers' Outstanding Philanthropist award in 2007 with her husband, Jim, is irreplaceable, say local philanthropists.

“The old line had it right,” said Jim Casey, co-host of the annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards for the Desert AIDS Project. “It takes a village. Everybody who loves her is going to have to step up to the plate and continue her legacy.”

But the Coachella Valley is uniquely prepared to sustain charitable giving with a decades-old system to develop and nurture philanthropists. With three local chapters of the National Charity League to prepare seventh through 12th grade girls for lives of charity

Boosting the Economy Through Charitable Tax Deduction Innovation | Tactical Philanthropy

Boosting the Economy Through Charitable Tax Deduction Innovation | Tactical Philanthropy: For other members of our team, being able to speak to the First Lady about our school food program, which provides locally sourced, cook from scratch meals for students at DC public schools was an unbelievable opportunity to offer practical, ground-level advice about turning school cafeterias into learning labs for math, science and nutrition.

But for me, it was a bittersweet visit. Why? Because it took place just two days after the President spoke to Congress and the country about the national imperative to create jobs, and in the last 5 months, the Kitchen’s social enterprise businesses have created 50 new jobs, with great starting pay and full benefits.

Leadership training caters to nonprofits - Doing Better at Doing Good - NewsObserver.com

Leadership training caters to nonprofits - Doing Better at Doing Good - NewsObserver.com: Burned out from years of number-crunching as a corporate accountant, Gina Rieves went looking for a change. She soon landed an executive role with a nonprofit - and quickly found that making the most of the job called for sharpening her leadership skills. That's when she encountered a startling truth: Leadership training is a luxury for many of the nonprofits that need it most.

"In the corporate world, you take things like training for granted," says Rieves, chief financial officer for Pace of the Triad, which provides alternatives for older adults in the Piedmont who do not want to live in nursing homes. "That is not the case in the not-for-profit world."