Wine Swigging For Charity - Forbes

Wine Swigging For Charity - Forbes: he nation’s largest charity wine auction cherishes its reputation for fiscal rectitude. “Overhead is covered by ticket sales or private donations, and every nickel raised under the tent goes to the kids,” Clifford says. Early-childhood education; medical, behavioral, and oral health; and out-of-school and hunger-prevention programs are the primary grantees, and each must reapply annually. In 2012, NCEF will pass out 25 checks totaling more than $8 million—proceeds from the auction and other events. (Remaining funds go toward long-term initiatives.) The foundation estimates it has helped improve the lives of more than 150,000 children. Worth toasting, indeed.

Boston Mayor (Finally) Discloses Charity’s Donors - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Boston Mayor (Finally) Discloses Charity’s Donors - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: Menino plans to “overhaul” and limit the fund, disclose all donors online, and will no longer collect contributions for events held at City Hall Plaza or other public lands. Nice—but late, especially since it seems (to us) to have been prompted by a Globe report last fall on donations to the fund by Richard Fields, the owner of Suffolk Downs. Fields donated $47,500 to neighborhood arts programs and holiday toy drives and Fields has been pushing for a casino in East Boston, where Suffolk Downs is located. After the Globe article, the fund returned a $5,000 donation from the racetrack. What made that donation from Suffolk Downs and Fields bad enough to return and previous donations okay to keep? Disclosure, transparency and sunlight—no more, no less.

The Importance of Professional Development in Fundraising | The Good Steward

The Importance of Professional Development in Fundraising | The Good Steward: There are many reasons that professional development is critical for fundraisers, but here are my top three reasons:

Time to recharge — We all can benefit from some time away from the office, which allows us to see the bigger picture and return to our work refocused.
Source of new ideas and inspiration — Conferences and workshops are always full of the latest and greatest ideas and strategies. As Lynne Wester reminded us at the ADRP Regional Workshop, we can all learn from each other and borrow ideas that will help our fundraising efforts.
Expand your network — Being able to pick up the phone or send a quick e-mail to a few fellow fundraisers with a question or issue is absolutely priceless. Professional development events are the best place to make these connections and you should capitalize upon these opportunities to meet and get to know your colleagues.

Measuring What Counts: How Nonprofits Can Attract Social Investment

Measuring What Counts: How Nonprofits Can Attract Social Investment: Having worked 22 years in the for-profit world, and having founded two nonprofits, I've come to realize that metrics have a way of focusing our attention. Whether we're measuring return on investment or the S.A.T. scores, it's human nature to spend our time, energy and material resources to improve that which is being measured - which means that in a world of limited resources, it's critical to measure what counts. Organizations get what they measure.

Nude charity golfers set record

National News & World News Headlines | Latest UK News Stories & International News | Nude charity golfers set record: Nude charity golfers set record

A world record has been set by 30 people who played miniature golf naked to raise money for charity.

The event, held at Adventure Island on Southend seafront, Essex, set the new world record of the most naked people to play miniature golf in one hour.

A look back at CowParade Austin

A look back at CowParade Austin: Last summer, Austin's sidewalks, plazas and parks were being besieged by bovines.

More than 70 fiberglass art cows — adorned with everything from painted bluebonnets to thousands of shiny pennies — populated public spaces as part of a fundraiser for the Superhero Kids at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. In November, the cows were auctioned off for about $1.5 million.

A few weeks ago, an editor asked me: Is it true that the hospital got $900,000 of that money and the rest went to overhead? Is that bad?

Yes, it's true. Whether it's bad depends on your perspective.

Catholic schools need to use a business approach | Courier-Post | courierpostonline.com

Catholic schools need to use a business approach | Courier-Post | courierpostonline.com: Implements mission-based fundraising, including annual appeals and major gift programs. The “candy bar culture” is replaced by a “culture of philanthropy.”

Manages its own finances separate from the parish.

Charity turns theft into opportunity | The Post and Courier - Charleston, South Carolina

Charity turns theft into opportunity | The Post and Courier - Charleston, South Carolina: That's nearly enough to cover daily maintenance costs of the fresh-water system. Now Water Missions International is piloting cellphone-charging side businesses in Honduras and Uganda, Armstrong said.

A prototype of the charging system was on display Saturday during the event, which was held at Cannon Park in downtown Charleston and attracted several thousand people.

– Record number of donors raise more than $1 million to annual University Campaign | Central Michigan Life

– Record number of donors raise more than $1 million to annual University Campaign | Central Michigan Life: 0


Donations made to the ninth annual University Campaign have been counted and although the money raised didn’t set a record, the number of donors involved did.

A total of 1,033 donors raised $1,008,498 during the campaign, which began the first week of November and ended Feb. 24. Donors included faculty members, staff and retired employees of Central Michigan University. The previous record for donors was set in 2011 when 1,030 people gave and raised $1,233,927.

Canadians Agree That Charities are Important to Society - Press - AFP

Canadians Agree That Charities are Important to Society - Press - AFP: Canadians Agree That Charities are Important to Society

(Mar. 20, 2012) In November, 2011, Ipsos Reid, on behalf of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) conducted a Canadian survey on “What Donors Want.” The good news for the sector is that most Canadians consider charities to be important in filling a gap of needs not being addressed by the public and private sector. However, a challenge remains in communicating and educating donors about fund allocation. Many donors fail to make the connection between investing in administration and effective operations, despite having high standards for how charities operate.

Give It Up: Thoughts on Philanthropy and Fundraising: Should Charities Operate Like Businesses?

Give It Up: Thoughts on Philanthropy and Fundraising: Should Charities Operate Like Businesses?: Last week, I went to a forum sponsored by the DC Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-DC), that explored this question. The panelists were: Mike King, President and CEO, Volunteers of America; Catherine Meloy, President and CEO, Goodwill of Greater Washington; and, Pat Nicklin, EVP/COO, Partnership for Public Service. The panel was moderated by Paul Berry, Founder, Paul Berry & Associates (and a former newscaster in the DC area).

Attendees at Austin's SXSW Interactive give big - Austin Business Journal

Attendees at Austin's SXSW Interactive give big - Austin Business Journal: Convio Inc. (Nasdaq: CNVO), an Austin-based fundraising technology company, conducted a survey of SXSW Interactive participants and found more than 87 percent of attendees donate to charity. The top giving categories for the interactive crowd includes children, disaster relief, faith-based and human and social services.

Foundation Portrait: Demographics and Compensation - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Foundation Portrait: Demographics and Compensation - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: The release of the 2011 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Report by the Council on Foundations is an occasion for the world of operating charities to see how they stack up to grantmakers in terms of staffing and compensation. Since the failed passage of the Charitable Giving Act of 2003, which would have established some parameters on private foundations’ administrative expenditures and compensation of foundation trustees, foundation compensation practices haven’t gotten much attention in the mainstream press.

Google, Pepsi, And The New Generation Of Philanthropists | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation

Google, Pepsi, And The New Generation Of Philanthropists | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation: The world of philanthropy has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. No one knows this better than Jane Wales, founding president of the Global Philanthropy Forum, a project of the World Affairs Council of Northern California that puts on a series of events aiming to build a globally-minded community of social investors and donors. We spoke to Wales about her thoughts on the past, present, and future of philanthropy in advance of GPF’s annual conference.

Calls Grow for Leader of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to Resign - NYTimes.com

Calls Grow for Leader of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to Resign - NYTimes.com: Calls for the resignation of Nancy G. Brinker, the founder and chief executive of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the breast cancer charity, grew Wednesday amid news that a second high-profile executive was leaving the group.

Indian American Giving in Silicon Valley

Indian American Giving in Silicon Valley: Indian American Giving in Silicon Valley
03/20/2012 By AsianPhilanthropy.org 1 Comment

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation recently published a research paper on the philanthropy within the Indian American community of Silicon Valley. The report looks at the roots of giving in India, a history of the Indian American community in the U.S. and then describes the vision and values of Indian American philanthropists in Silicon Valley.

Institute begins closer relationship with philanthropists - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Institute begins closer relationship with philanthropists - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Institute of Fundraising has begun to work more closely with philanthropists and called for "more and better asking" by fundraisers.

The Institute, working with the Philanthropy Review, hosted a "high level" meeting yesterday bringing together major donors and charity directors of fundraising with the aim of identifying and breaking down barriers between the two groups.

How to communicate charity mergers | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

How to communicate charity mergers | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: How to communicate charity mergers

Kirsty Kitchen explains how to use communications to prepare for, implement and cement a charity merger

Building Board Buy-In for Fundraising - Resource Center - AFP

Building Board Buy-In for Fundraising - Resource Center - AFP: (March 20, 2011) The first rule of board leadership in fundraising is to make sure that all board members understand and accept the concept that resource development is the responsibility of each and every member of the board, says Julia Ingraham Walker in the new book from AFP/Wiley, Nonprofit Essentials: A Fundraising Guide for Nonprofit Board Members.

massnonprofit.org ::

massnonprofit.org ::: March 15, 2012 — A philanthropist in western Massachusetts is leveraging his philanthropy through an unusual estate legacy giving program that, over five years, has generated nearly $60 million in pledges based on incentives valued at $765,000.

The Grinspoon Institute for Jewish Philanthropy has awarded incentives totaling $765,000 to 41 Jewish camps, which together have secured 2,278 letters of intent worth nearly $60 million in pledges.

Komen, Catholic Groups Have Complicated Relationship - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Komen, Catholic Groups Have Complicated Relationship - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: It should come as no surprise that the Catholic Church takes issue with Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s funding of Planned Parenthood. What is perhaps more surprising is the continuing symbiotic fiscal relationship between Komen and Catholic institutions, which has largely escaped the public view. In 2011, Komen granted $7.4 million to Catholic organizations such as universities, hospitals and charities.

Australian School Suspends Boy Who Shaved Head For Charity | Fox News

Australian School Suspends Boy Who Shaved Head For Charity | Fox News: MORNINGTON, Australia – An Australian schoolboy was suspended after he shaved his head to raise funds for a cancer charity and support a friend who is battling leukemia.

Going beyond a "number two" haircut was against the school's uniform and grooming policy, said school principal Christopher Houlihan of Padua College in Mornington, about 25 miles southeast of Melbourne.

CEO Patrick Franklin steers Urban League through times of turmoil

CEO Patrick Franklin steers Urban League through times of turmoil: The storied Urban League had been rudderless for years and needed a strong hand to right the ship. And Franklin, at the time, figured that he could help guide the community nonprofit organization and help develop its mission - for a short period.

Endowment Fundraising - How and Why to Make It a Priority

Endowment Fundraising - How and Why to Make It a Priority: Yet, during these challenging economic times, charities that placed a premium on raising endowment gifts are now benefiting from the fund’s existence. The annual interest from their endowment is helping them to survive, even prosper, during lean times.

Venture philanthropy risky but rewarding - The Denver Post

Venture philanthropy risky but rewarding - The Denver Post: Venture philanthropy, on the other hand, is more like investing in hedge funds: The risks are greater and the potential for outsized social returns and impact from the donation is enormous. As a philanthropist, you can evaluate your risk tolerance and determine which types of philanthropy work best for you.

Nonprofits get creative to spur donations for match | HeraldTribune.com

Nonprofits get creative to spur donations for match | HeraldTribune.com: Those are just a few of the ways the 106 organizations participating in an online giving marathon March 27 and 28 are hoping to capitalize on the unique fundraising opportunity offered by The Giving Partner Challenge.

Who Writes a Better Fundraising Letter, the Doctor or the Patient? – Expert Fundraiser

Who Writes a Better Fundraising Letter, the Doctor or the Patient? – Expert Fundraiser: Who Writes a Better Fundraising Letter, the Doctor or the Patient?
March 16, 2012 By Publisher Leave a Comment

You have a dramatic, interesting, compelling story to tell about someone who has been helped by your non-profit organization. You are sure that this story will stir your donors’ emotions and boost your response rates and revenue.

Hope from a Home for Women in D.C. - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.

Hope from a Home for Women in D.C. - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active an engaged democracy.: Just last fall, N Street Village, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit that provides services to homeless and low-income women, was in the news for incorporating Miriam’s House, a nonprofit serving women living with HIV and AIDS. Now the organization is back in the news, this time for developing a response to longer term homelessness among women in collaboration with a city agency.

Many Brits feel they give as much as they can - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Many Brits feel they give as much as they can - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: More than two out of five Brits believe there is nothing that would encourage them to give more to charity because they are already giving as much as they can, according to new res

The Viral Kony 2012 Video | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project

The Viral Kony 2012 Video | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project: Overview

The 30-minute video released last week by the San Diego-based group Invisible Children calling for action against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony provided striking evidence that young adults and their elders at times have different news agendas and learn about news in different ways. Those ages 18-29 were much more likely than older adults to have heard a lot about the “Kony 2012” video and to have learned about it through social media than traditional news sources. Indeed, a special analysis of posts in Twitter showed that it was by far the top story on the platform.