Less wealthy dig a fraction deeper to help

Less wealthy dig a fraction deeper to help: FAMILIES in Sydney's wealthiest suburbs give away much less of their income than those with much lower incomes in towns and suburbs elsewhere.

The National Australia Bank Charitable Giving Index has revealed that Australians are giving more to charity - in the seven months to July 2012 donations increased 4.7 per cent to an average of $292 per donor.

Billionaire Donor Tom Steyer Quits Finance for Philanthropy - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Billionaire Donor Tom Steyer Quits Finance for Philanthropy - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Billionaire Donor Tom Steyer Quits Finance for Philanthropy

October 23, 2012, 10:07 am

California hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer is leaving his $20-billion financial firm to devote himself to philanthropy and politics, according to Reuters.

Mr. Steyer announced his long-rumored decision in a letter to clients of Farallon Capital, the San Francisco-based investment house he founded in 1986 and built into one of the world’s largest hedge funds, saying, “Now it’s time to focus full-time on giving back.”

Benchmarking Foundation Administrative Expenses: Update on How Operating Characteristics Affect Spending

Benchmarking Foundation Administrative Expenses: Update on How Operating Characteristics Affect Spending

Foundation Center - Press Release - New Reports Shed Light on Payout Practices and Expense Patterns of U.S. Foundations

Foundation Center - Press Release - New Reports Shed Light on Payout Practices and Expense Patterns of U.S. Foundations: New York, NY — October 23, 2012. The Foundation Center, the nation's leading authority on philanthropy, has released new reports that examine the payout practices and spending patterns of more than 1,000 larger U.S. independent foundations. These reports provide an authoritative, unbiased source of knowledge to help the public and policymakers better understand foundation practice and to help foundations benchmark their own activities.

Understanding and Benchmarking Foundation Payout explains the concept of payout, which refers to the total amount that a foundation reports as its charitable distribution. (The law requires the vast majority of private U.S. grantmaking foundations to distribute at least 5 percent of their net investment assets for charitable purposes each year.)

Watchdog Barks Louder On Cost Allocation Issues - TheNonProfitTimes

Watchdog Barks Louder On Cost Allocation Issues - TheNonProfitTimes: Charity Navigator, in Glen Rock, N.J., decided to tweak its rating system and consider joint allocation costs entirely as fundraising expenses. Joint allocation costs, under certain guidelines and criteria in accounting standards, allow a portion of certain materials to be split between program expenses and fundraising expenses.

In cases where joint costs are extreme, Charity Navigator President & CEO Ken Berger said it would affect the rating of a charity, but probably fewer than a dozen organizations. “It’s the extreme outlier cases, where you have 30, 50 -- sometimes 80 percent -- in joint allocation. Unless the charity can show us something that really justifies this, many times it’s smoke and mirrors. It really is many times fundraising expense under the guise of education. It doesn’t really pass the smell test,” said Berger.

Incentives with meaning - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

Incentives with meaning - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: Front-ended premiums are gifts sent with the appeal. Ideally they support what's being discussed in the campaign itself. These incentives rock at generating large numbers of new and repeat supporters.

Then there are back-ended incentives. Donate now, sign this, provide your phone number and we'll send you a key ring/bookmark/tote bag as a badge of honor, to show people how much you care about us. These also work really well at getting people to do what you want them to do.

Charity notebook: Jowonio wins $8,500 grant to buy technology that will help special needs children communicate | syracuse.com

Charity notebook: Jowonio wins $8,500 grant to buy technology that will help special needs children communicate | syracuse.com: The CNY85 Giving Project was created to engage the public in the foundation's 85-year anniversary celebration and draw attention to the many nonprofits that benefit Central New York. The online campaign invites visitors to its websiteto vote for a project once a day during the designated month.

The grant to Jowonio was the third awarded this year as part of CNY85. Previous winners have included Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center and the Madison County Office for the Aging.

Marc Benioff: Billionaires Should Act Charitably Now, Not Later - Forbes

Marc Benioff: Billionaires Should Act Charitably Now, Not Later - Forbes: I have been on hundreds of panels. I left my vacation in Hawaii to do this one. I knew it was important. I didn’t know it would change how I view my life.

This particular panel, at the Forbes 400 Summit On Philanthropy last June, included two Silicon Valley venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Jim Breyer, along with Dr. Cheryl Dorsey, a Harvard-trained pediatrician, former White House fellow, and now the president of Echoing Green, a pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement.

Health charities compete for donations � Philanthropy North Carolina

Health charities compete for donations � Philanthropy North Carolina: Market share

The chase for charitable donations pits all charities against one another. “We compete with all charities for the charitable dollar, especially since the downturn in the economy,” Omiros explained. “Since 2008, there’s been virtually no growth in the philanthropic sector. There’s been decline.”

With all charities competing for funds, and with even closer combat among health charities that focus on the same disease, the struggle is to “steal market share from other organizations in order to continue to grow,” Omiros said.

YouTube reaches out to nonprofits with Campaigns tracking tool | ZDNet

YouTube reaches out to nonprofits with Campaigns tracking tool | ZDNet: YouTube continues to beef up analytics support on the front and back ends of the video sharing platform with the introduction of Campaigns.

Described as a "digital thermometer," essentially this tool can be used to set goals for the number of desired views with real-time tracking for pinpointing progress.

American Companies That Give Back The Most, 2012 - Forbes

American Companies That Give Back The Most, 2012 - Forbes: Which of America’s big companies are the most philanthropic? Each year The Chronicle of Philanthropy does a major project on corporate giving, and compiles two lists, one that tallies philanthropy in terms of raw dollars and another that looks at giving as a share of pre-tax profits. The magazine’s 2012 lists look at 2011 giving as a share of 2010 profits.

Look to nonprofit sector to create jobs - CNN.com

Look to nonprofit sector to create jobs - CNN.com: The size and scope of the nonprofit sector may come as a surprise. There are almost 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the country, including well-known brands like the Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and the YMCA, as well as many smaller and more community-based service organizations, schools, congregations, sports leagues and hospitals.

Taken all together, the sector generates almost $1.5 trillion in spending per year and employs about one in 10 American workers, or 13.5 million people. It is the third largest labor force behind retail trade and manufacturing.

Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation Will Survive, Experts Say

Some related stories 

Lance Armstrong Livestrong Foundation Will Survive, Experts Say: Philanthropy experts say the charity has a strong future -- that Armstrong's resignation is a blessing of sorts. "People remain aligned to the cause and the mission without being solely aligned to Lance Armstrong," Marian Stern, a philanthropy consultant and head of Projects in Philanthropy, told the Daily Beast.

Cancer groups to improve disclosures on pink wares

Cancer groups to improve disclosures on pink wares: The nation's two largest breast cancer charities have adopted guidelines for fuller disclosure by those selling pink products and services in their names, New York's attorney general said Thursday.

The so-called best practices, adopted by Susan G. Komen For The Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, include having companies disclose the specific amount that will be donated from each purchase. Companies using pink ribbons and similar symbols on products also are expected to state if a purchase triggers a donation or merely calls attention to the cause.

After a celebrity scandal like Armstrong's, sponsors like Nike weigh their options

After a celebrity scandal like Armstrong's, sponsors like Nike weigh their options: What's the difference? A marketer's prerogative.

The world's largest clothing and footwear maker has stood by athletes through a number of scandals over the years, but this week it became the first company to sever ties with Armstrong in the wake of allegations that he used illegal drugs to boost his performance during his 20-plus year racing career.

At least five other companies followed Nike's lead, highlighting the tricky relationship that evolves when marketers sign multimillion-dollar deals with celebrities and athletes to endorse their products. Everything a celebrity endorser says and does could negatively impact the company he or she represents.

Gates, Ballmer cheer employees' $1 billion charity mark | Brier Dudley's Blog | The Seattle Times

Gates, Ballmer cheer employees' $1 billion charity mark | Brier Dudley's Blog | The Seattle Times: Microsoft announced that giving through the program has reached $1 billion in cumulative donations to more than 31,000 non-profit groups. Earlier this month, when the company issued its annual citizenship report, the company said it expected to reach that level by the end of 2012.

Ballmer called it a "mind numbing" milestone and thanked the nonprofit "partners" who leveraged the donations and provided an outlet for "our folks' incredible desire to change the world."

Museum 2.0: Voting on Art and its Surprising Consequences

Museum 2.0: Voting on Art and its Surprising Consequences: What happens when you let visitors vote on art?

Let's look at the statistics from three big participatory projects that wrapped up recently. Each of these invited members of the public to vote on art in a way that had substantive consequences--big cash prizes awarded, prestige granted, exhibitions offered.

In this United Way initiative, charity begins at work | CharlotteObserver.com

In this United Way initiative, charity begins at work | CharlotteObserver.com: Fortunately, it was something he and 35 co-workers could do as a team, as part of a United Way promotion that gives companies the option of doing volunteer charity work in the office.

YMCA philanthropy kicks off Christmas early - Seminole Chronicle

YMCA philanthropy kicks off Christmas early - Seminole Chronicle: Christmas is coming a little bit early for Central Florida YMCAs, and with it comes a shoe box full of giving.

Launching its Operation Christmas Child campaign, the Oviedo YMCA is already off to a running start. From now until Nov. 9, YMCA locations across Central Florida will be collecting donations for their long-running philanthropy.

Philanthropy for the famous: Benefits can exceed the benevolence at celebrity charity galas - The Washington Post

Philanthropy for the famous: Benefits can exceed the benevolence at celebrity charity galas - The Washington Post: Such balls have helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofit agencies around the world. But they’re much more than philanthropy for the rich and famous. Valuable business opportunities flow right along with the vintage Champagne, including networking, deal-making, image enhancement and, of course, tax deductions.

What Now for Livestrong, Now That Lance Armstrong Has Resigned? - The Daily Beast

What Now for Livestrong, Now That Lance Armstrong Has Resigned? - The Daily Beast: The cancer charity’s reputation has been tarnished by the scandal surrounding founder Lance Armstrong, who stepped down as chairman Wednesday. As Livestrong gears up for its 15th anniversary, can it rebound—and separate itself from the cyclist? Eliza Shapiro reports.

'The Changers': Philanthropist Beverly Adams Aims for True Transformation on Television - Kate O'Hare's Hot Cuppa TV

'The Changers': Philanthropist Beverly Adams Aims for True Transformation on Television - Kate O'Hare's Hot Cuppa TV: Tonight -- Wednesday, Oct. 17 -- GMC TV (formerly known as Gospel Music Channel) premieres "The Changers," a reality series that aims to make dreams come true and transform lives while also promoting a different worthy charity in each episode.

Billionaire Magazine to Cover “Pitfalls of Inherited Wealth” - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.

Billionaire Magazine to Cover “Pitfalls of Inherited Wealth” - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.: October 17, 2012; Source: Adweek

There’s a new publication on the philanthropy beat. Billionaire magazine, and its corresponding Billionaire.com website, reportedly dedicates approximately one-third of its content focus to philanthropy, and the publication recently pledged to donate $1 million—or, as its desired readership would call it, “chump change”—to charity.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Criticized for “Little Pink Lies” - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Criticized for “Little Pink Lies” - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.: As NPQ readers know, this kind of critique has long been made in regards to some cause-related marketing campaigns where it is unclear whether the nonprofits or the corporate sponsors are benefitting more (for more, see this article on the business rationale of cause-related marketing and bottom-line benefits from Triple Pundit, this British report on brand benefits, and this report on cause-related public relations). Over the years, state attorneys general have gingerly criticized some cause-related marketing, including a now dated but still powerful report on nonprofit product marketing, “What’s in a Nonprofit’s Name: Public Trust, Profit, and the Potential for Public Deception,” and more recently, the 2011 investigation of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman into charities taking advantage of the pink ribbon campaign month.

Philippe Santerre: The New Philanthropy Requires Imagination

Philippe Santerre: The New Philanthropy Requires Imagination: For many, the word itself is precious, off-putting, out-of-date. "Philanthropy." What is it about? It conjures up the image of an old aristocrat, living amongst dusty paintings, classic sculptures and Louis XIV-period furniture. These days however, across the world, philanthropy finds itself at the heart of a young, technological and urban revolution.

Heirs to the Rich Learn How to Manage Their Wealth - NYTimes.com

Heirs to the Rich Learn How to Manage Their Wealth - NYTimes.com: Programs for the next generation of wealth holders have exploded in popularity. Covering topics as various as financial literacy, prenuptial agreements and managing family dynamics, the programs are offered by large financial institutions like Citi Private Bank, business schools and organizations for wealthy families like the Family Office Exchange and the Institute for Private Investors. Family offices, the professional organizations that manage the financial and personal affairs of wealthy families, are also sponsors.

Three All-Important Tricks of Capital Campaign Success

Three All-Important Tricks of Capital Campaign Success: Three All-Important Tricks of Capital Campaign Success

October 2012

Engage your major donors when a campaign is just a gleam in your eye.

Tell them what you have in mind. Ask their opinions and listen to what they say. Recruit them to be part of your planning committee or your campaign steering committee. Make sure they are interviewed in a feasibility study. There's no better way to draw someone in than to involve them in key strategic decisions along the way.

Pastafarians rejoice: Houston restaurant giving free pastas to diners & helping the hungry too - 2012-Oct-17 - CultureMap Houston

Pastafarians rejoice: Houston restaurant giving free pastas to diners & helping the hungry too - 2012-Oct-17 - CultureMap Houston: For the month of October, Maggiano's is extending that promotion to help the hungry. This month every time a customer orders from the Classic Pasta menu, not only will they receive a second portion to take home, but Maggiano's will also donate another meal to Feeding America, the country's largest hunger-relief charity.

A gradual impact: Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders through higher education

A gradual impact: Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders through higher education: As the mission-driven sector in Canada continues to grow, so does the need for young innovators and leaders who can confidently carry it forward. Stepping up to fill what has become a prominent educational gap in a country that prides itself on philanthropic values, Carleton University is launching a new Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership degree and graduate diploma in the summer of 2013.

Gates Reorganizes Global Staff and Listens to School Critics - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Gates Reorganizes Global Staff and Listens to School Critics - News - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: In an interview, Jeff Raikes said the reorganization of the staff involved in grant making overseas, which employees dubbed a “global redesign,” will ensure greater collaboration among its employees and projects.

Staff members who make grants to groups that focus on advocacy and shaping public policies will now report to a single leader, as will employees in Africa, China, and India. The foundation’s global-health and global-development grant programs will work more closely together, he said