massnonprofit.org ::: In many ways the sector has made immeasurable gains by adopting many of the best qualities of the private sector, but the nonprofit sector has a unique quality that is better suited for the landscape – its willingness and ability to collaborate,” said Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), the state’s nonprofit trade association, told a crowd of nearly 600 who gathered for MNN’s annual conference in Marlborough.
“Collaboration is the tide that will either lift us all or leave us beached,”he said, adding, “It’s really up to us here to decide, as we go back to our various corners of the Commonwealth to our different organizations, whether we are going to take responsibility for improving and advancing collaboration within the sector.”
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Philanthrop Sector on the Mend when Sandy Hit - Penta - Barrons.com
Philanthrop Sector on the Mend when Sandy Hit - Penta - Barrons.com: Sandy’s aftermath will certainly challenge the resources of the public and non-profit sectors, but, for what’s it’s worth, the philanthropic industry was well on the mend before the hurricane hit, despite the nation’s continued economic weakness. That at least is the underlying message of the latest relevant study.
The 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, in partnership with the Center Philanthropy, questioned 700 rich folk with liquid assets of $1 million or more. The results released in this biennial study this week reflect philanthropic behavior among the wealthy in 2011.
The 2012 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, in partnership with the Center Philanthropy, questioned 700 rich folk with liquid assets of $1 million or more. The results released in this biennial study this week reflect philanthropic behavior among the wealthy in 2011.
Is Tax Incentive for College Football Season Ticket Holders Fair? - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.
Is Tax Incentive for College Football Season Ticket Holders Fair? - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.: f this nation is going to assess the progressiveness—or lack of progressiveness—of charitable tax deductions, or any tax breaks for that matter, we should be looking at questions of who benefits, by how much, and for what reasons. Writing for Bloomberg News, Curtis Eichelberger and Charles Babcock describe a relatively little-publicized tax incentive: according to the highly regarded sports economist Andrew Zimbalist, many colleges require charitable donations to the school in return for the privilege of buying tickets at face value. The Bloomberg writers state that the ticket purchasers can then write off 80 percent of the value of the mandatory donations against their taxes, which costs the federal treasury $100 million a year.
Bill Clinton: Man of the moment - CBS News
Bill Clinton: Man of the moment - CBS News: I think a lot of it is, when you're out of office, when you're out of the line of fire, you become less of a target," Clinton replied. "So people ask me all the time, 'Well, do you think you're doing more good now then when you were president?' And I say 'No, but I understand why you think that.'"
In fact, the good will that Clinton now engenders is inextricably tied to his good works.
In fact, the good will that Clinton now engenders is inextricably tied to his good works.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
More Americans to increase donations, and not for the tax deduction - latimes.com
More Americans to increase donations, and not for the tax deduction - latimes.com: The do-gooding spirit is thriving in the U.S., with 81% of Americans planning to maintain or boost their donations this year, according to a new report.
That’s nine percentage points higher than 2011 and 18 points above 2010, according to Fidelity Charitable, which offers programs to boost altruism. The average American plans to give $2,400, up from $2,100 last year.
That’s nine percentage points higher than 2011 and 18 points above 2010, according to Fidelity Charitable, which offers programs to boost altruism. The average American plans to give $2,400, up from $2,100 last year.
Contest Seeks Ideas From Charities for Creating Jobs - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas
Contest Seeks Ideas From Charities for Creating Jobs - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Contest Seeks Ideas From Charities for Creating Jobs
October 24, 2012, 1:58 pm
By Caroline Preston
A new competition unveiled by the Huffington Post, Skoll Foundation, and Crowdrise seeks to reward nonprofits with ideas for how to put Americans back to work.
The “JobRaising” challenge is open to all types of nonprofits–not just job-training groups–so long as they have a plan for fighting America’s high unemployment, organizers said. Nonprofits that make it through an initial stage of vetting will have a chance to compete for donations from the public. Groups that raise the most cash will also win prize money totaling $250,000 from the Skoll Foundation.
October 24, 2012, 1:58 pm
By Caroline Preston
A new competition unveiled by the Huffington Post, Skoll Foundation, and Crowdrise seeks to reward nonprofits with ideas for how to put Americans back to work.
The “JobRaising” challenge is open to all types of nonprofits–not just job-training groups–so long as they have a plan for fighting America’s high unemployment, organizers said. Nonprofits that make it through an initial stage of vetting will have a chance to compete for donations from the public. Groups that raise the most cash will also win prize money totaling $250,000 from the Skoll Foundation.
Data Will Always Give You the Wrong Answer (When You Ask the Wrong Question) | NTEN
Data Will Always Give You the Wrong Answer (When You Ask the Wrong Question) | NTEN: "How many hours did we get from volunteers?" is the wrong question, but sadly, it's the one on which the sector is currently focused. The right question is "What is the relationship between the number of hours of volunteer time that we consumed related to the value of what we accomplished?".
Consider the information below about a hypothetical nonprofit.
Consider the information below about a hypothetical nonprofit.
In Detroit, MRIs and PRIs Come with Some Risk But High Reward - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.
In Detroit, MRIs and PRIs Come with Some Risk But High Reward - NPQ – Nonprofit Quarterly - Promoting an active and engaged democracy.: The Kresge Foundation’s Rip Rapson is leading the charge for foundations to put more of their non-grant capital to work for social good. In addition to making grants, foundations can make program related investments (PRIs) which can take the form of below-market rate or even zero-interest loans, loan guarantees, or even equity investments. Some foundations, such as the Kellogg Foundation, are even using their investments for what they call “mission-related investments,” or MRIs, putting some portion of their corpus into investments that earn a market return but also further the foundation’s mission. MRIs are a strategy that has been modeled by the F.B. Heron Foundation and is slowly making its way into foundation practice.
Rapson says that foundations “are motivated to extract the highest possible value from the resources at their disposal. It’s a moral issue, and it’s a question of efficacy.” We take this to mean that foundations should be—but unfortunately, too few are—motivated in this way. In Detroit, however, where investment capital is needed to help move a broken economy in new directions, foundation PRIs and MRIs make immediate sense.
Rapson says that foundations “are motivated to extract the highest possible value from the resources at their disposal. It’s a moral issue, and it’s a question of efficacy.” We take this to mean that foundations should be—but unfortunately, too few are—motivated in this way. In Detroit, however, where investment capital is needed to help move a broken economy in new directions, foundation PRIs and MRIs make immediate sense.
Neidorffs, Pruellage gifts make Million Dollar list - St. Louis Business Journal
Neidorffs, Pruellage gifts make Million Dollar list - St. Louis Business Journal: The Million Dollar list compiles publicly announced gifts of $1 million or more. In Missouri, the largest gift making the list thus far in 2012 is a $30 million donation from the Kansas City Sports Trust to the University of Missouri. Local philanthropists Michael and Noemi Neidorff’s $5 million gift to Trinity University was the state’s second largest.
The IRS And Permissible Activity - TheNonProfitTimes
The IRS And Permissible Activity - TheNonProfitTimes: The presidential election is just a couple of weeks away and people sometimes get desperate as the days get closer. Federal tax law strictly prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from engaging in activities to support or oppose candidates for public office.
However, there are still a number of ways that 501(c)(3)s can be involved in the political process without running afoul of the law.
Unfortunately, the line between prohibited and permissible activities is murky and can be easily crossed if proper managers of the 501(c)(3) are not careful in how they plan and execute the activities. Now might be a good time to review the rules that will help you stay on the right side of the line while involved in the process.
However, there are still a number of ways that 501(c)(3)s can be involved in the political process without running afoul of the law.
Unfortunately, the line between prohibited and permissible activities is murky and can be easily crossed if proper managers of the 501(c)(3) are not careful in how they plan and execute the activities. Now might be a good time to review the rules that will help you stay on the right side of the line while involved in the process.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas
Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Ask an Expert: How to Expand Fundraising Skills
October 23, 2012, 9:48 am
By Holly Hall
Pamela Loos, director of foundation and government relations at Philadelphia’s Woodmere Art Museum, wants to learn how she can branch out into other fundraising roles.
She writes:
What books and other recommendations would you give to someone with a background in raising money from foundations who wants to learn about raising money from individuals and corporations?
Our expert:
Ronald Schiller, senior vice president for business development at Lois L. Lindauer Searches, a national executive recruiting firm that places fundraisers in senior-level jobs.
October 23, 2012, 9:48 am
By Holly Hall
Pamela Loos, director of foundation and government relations at Philadelphia’s Woodmere Art Museum, wants to learn how she can branch out into other fundraising roles.
She writes:
What books and other recommendations would you give to someone with a background in raising money from foundations who wants to learn about raising money from individuals and corporations?
Our expert:
Ronald Schiller, senior vice president for business development at Lois L. Lindauer Searches, a national executive recruiting firm that places fundraisers in senior-level jobs.
The AFP Blog: What (and Who) We’re Fighting For
The AFP Blog: What (and Who) We’re Fighting For It’s easy to forget just connected we are as a profession and as a sector, and how what happens in one country can affect others.
For example, I was in Mexico a couple of months ago talking with some nonprofits about fundraising. I started to talk about the different proposals in the U.S. to limit the value of the charitable deduction.
For example, I was in Mexico a couple of months ago talking with some nonprofits about fundraising. I started to talk about the different proposals in the U.S. to limit the value of the charitable deduction.
Donor retention: Dance with the one who brung ya
Donor retention: Dance with the one who brung ya: Indiana University’s Adrian Sargeant, author of great books like “Building Donor Loyalty [Amazon affiliate link], has done statistical research proving this. But even ordinary, non-academicians know this to be true. Every year, a handful of my fundraising colleagues give year-end gifts to 10-12 nonprofits. Constantly, only 7 out of 10 even acknowledge the gift. I’m not talking about a personal note or call. They don’t even send an fill-in-the-blank letter!
A sure way to go out of business
Businesses don’t survive if they lose 70% of their customers each year. Neither do nonprofits. While successful donor acquisition is necessary, so is effective donor retention.
A sure way to go out of business
Businesses don’t survive if they lose 70% of their customers each year. Neither do nonprofits. While successful donor acquisition is necessary, so is effective donor retention.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
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.
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.”
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.”
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.)
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.
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.
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.
Monday, October 22, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
Friday, October 19, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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