Yes, Kickstarter raises more money for artists than the NEA. Here’s why that’s not really surprising

Yes, Kickstarter raises more money for artists than the NEA. Here’s why that’s not really surprising: During a session at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Aspen Institute president Walter Isaacson asked Perry Chen, founder of Kickstarter, whether it was true that Kickstarter now funds more arts-related projects than the National Endowment for the Arts.

The crowdfunding site has, Chen told Isaacson, funded over $600 million in arts projects. “And,” said Isaacson, “that might be now more than the federal government spent on the arts in a given year?” adding a bit later that “in some ways… you’ve invented something that does what the NEA used to do and can’t quite do now.

Fundraisers 'should measure long-term impact of campaigns on donors'

Fundraisers 'should measure long-term impact of campaigns on donors': The consultant Roger Lawson tells the Institute of Fundraising's national convention that charities should focus on cost per acquisition and lifetime value

Fundraisers should be "measuring the donor" in addition to the basic details of campaigns, according to Roger Lawson, a fundraising consultant.

Lawson told delegates at the Institute of Fundraising’s national convention on Wednesday that the sector needed to move away from analysing campaigns and look at the effect that campaigns have on donors’ behaviour in the longer term.

College students learn how to optimize resources in philanthropy course | UChicago News

College students learn how to optimize resources in philanthropy course | UChicago News: When a dozen students enrolled last spring in a UChicago College class on philanthropy began talking about how they would spend $50,000, it quickly became clear to them that disadvantaged people in Chicago were in need of some help.

“The students thought that dealing with inequality in Chicago was a persistent problem that needed to be addressed,” said Elisabeth Clemens, the William Rainey Harper Professor of Sociology and the College and Chair of Sociology, who taught the new class for the first time

Using Outcomes to Measure Nonprofit Success - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Using Outcomes to Measure Nonprofit Success - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: Those who donate to nonprofit organizations naturally want to feel their gifts will be used successfully in a way that will improve society or some part of it, like children, the sick, students, etc. But how can donors evaluate whether or not a charity will ultimately deliver on their promise or mission?

Success in the business world is generally measured by the amount of profit—the bottom line—that is reported in the business’s financial statements. There are other aspects that can mark a successful business: Does it treat its workers fairly? Does it protect the environment? Is its advertising truthful, and are its products or services of good quality? But failure in these aspects eventually leads to diminished profits, as workers, customers, and investors desert that business for more socially responsible companies whose products or services are of better quality.

Largest to Smallest, Businesses Around the Globe Are Giving Back - Forbes

Largest to Smallest, Businesses Around the Globe Are Giving Back - Forbes: The more research I do into corporate social responsibility, the more I find that corporate giving is almost ubiquitous. Everywhere I turn, I find increasing evidence of corporate generosity coming from the largest to the smallest organizations.

The 8 Basics of Donor Retention : FundRaising Success

The 8 Basics of Donor Retention : FundRaising Success: There was an interesting stat that caught my eye from the Association of Fundraising Professionals about growth and retention. Its research states that "every $100 gained in 2011 was offset by $100 in losses through attrition." In Haguewood's article, he reminds the industry that sometimes we just need to get back to the basics. I'll let you read it for the detail, but his basics are centered around customer service being the foundation for achieving good retention across your constituent base.

Think Carefully and Ask Questions Before Hosting an Event

massnonprofit.org ::: Determining the appropriateness of hosting an event is the most important step a nonprofit can take—before forging ahead—as events can provide a tremendous return on your investment or strain your resources by costing more than they gain.

Rediagnosing “Founder’s Syndrome”: Moving Beyond Stereotypes to Improve Nonprofit Performance - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Rediagnosing “Founder’s Syndrome”: Moving Beyond Stereotypes to Improve Nonprofit Performance - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: This is because it has become fashionable in governance literature to assume that a disease called “founder’s syndrome” can explain every challenge that nonprofits face once their founders have done the heavy lifting. This literature diagnoses founder’s syndrome in four different situations, which I have dubbed the “four symptoms” of founder’s syndrome. This article will begin by examining these so-called symptoms and explaining why they lead to a harmful misdiagnosis. It will then suggest that, instead of pointing fingers, a board should address each of these symptoms, if they exist, from a mission-centric point of view. This approach will lead to a better result for all involved.

A Blank Slate is a Full Opportunity

The AFP Blog: A Blank Slate is a Full Opportunity
The debate over tax reform and the charitable deduction has taken another surprising twist.

Half of people give up when trying to donate by mobile

Half of people give up when trying to donate by mobile: It takes givers too long to navigate the donation process, delegates heard

More than half of people who try to donate to charity online by using a mobile device never get as far as making the donation, delegates at the convention heard yesterday.

Understanding Nonprofit Overhead Costs - Memphis Daily News

Understanding Nonprofit Overhead Costs - Memphis Daily News: A public discussion is stirring on the topic of nonprofit overhead and the extent to which overhead costs should influence giving. The three leading sources of information about nonprofits recently issued a call to action asking individual and institutional donors to stop using “overhead” as the measure of a nonprofit’s success. GuideStar, Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance have issued a call to donors to move beyond the “Overhead Myth.”

Veteran Fundraiser Jerold Panas on the Subject of Asking

Veteran Fundraiser Jerold Panas on the Subject of Asking: Jerold Panas has helped a diverse range of organizations raise an estimated $11 billion. He recently spoke with his publisher about asking for major gifts. GuideStar has published excerpts from Mr. Panas's books (see the links on the right), and we're pleased to be able to share his additional thoughts with you.

The Blackbaud Index: Overall Charitable Giving Grew 1.1% in May, Online Giving Was Up 15.2% | Blackbaud News

The Blackbaud Index: Overall Charitable Giving Grew 1.1% in May, Online Giving Was Up 15.2% | Blackbaud News: The Blackbaud Index today reported that overall charitable giving increased 1.1% and online giving increased 15.2% for the three months ending May 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012. As reported in the recently released Charitable Giving Report, overall giving grew approximately 2% for the full year 2012 and online giving grew by about 11% in 2012 compared to 2011.

Continuing Education: Advantages of Attending Professional Conferences | Fundraising Views You Can Actually Use

Continuing Education: Advantages of Attending Professional Conferences | Fundraising Views You Can Actually Use: And yes, I speak from experience. Having been a frequent speaker and presenter at numerous professional conferences and seminars throughout the region, I remember only too well when I served in similar high-level positions. At the time, I thought I was doin

Building Leadership

Building Leadership: Leadership is most powerful when it is personal,” he said.

That ethic led him to chairing Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County’s inaugural CEO Home Build this year. The concept for the CEO Build was simple – take some of Greenville’s most influential business leaders and have them build a house together for a family that otherwise might not be able to afford to own a home.

In a world where corporate giving is usually by check and volunteers from lower ranks of employees, the CEO Build put leadership front and center. Each participant was required to put in four hours of hammering, sawing, painting and the like on-site and donate $5,000.

Boosting Philanthropic Impact Through Mission Investments - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy

Boosting Philanthropic Impact Through Mission Investments - National Committee For Responsive Philanthropy: Boosting Philanthropic Impact Through Mission Investments

By Tracy Kartye



For more than 60 years, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has worked to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and their families. Our objective to see low-income families achieve financial stability and raise healthy, well-educated children in stable permanent families in supportive communities requires a tremendous amount of resources.

Fundraising Takeaways and Quotables From Giving USA 2013 : FundRaising Success

Fundraising Takeaways and Quotables From Giving USA 2013 : FundRaising Success: here have been countless articles and blog posts on the Giving USA 2013 reportOpens in a new window … and here is another one. Last week, I was honored to attend the Philadelphia unveiling of the report held at the Union League of PhiladelphiaOpens in a new window, where Patrick M. RooneyOpens in a new window, associate dean for academic affairs and research at the Indiana UniversityOpens in a new window Lilly Family School of PhilanthropyOpens in a new window, presented some key findings from the report.

South Florida cities create nonprofit foundations to collect charity money - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

South Florida cities create nonprofit foundations to collect charity money - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com: Cities throughout South Florida are turning to another way to make money — asking for your charitable donations.

Margate is joining the growing list of Broward cities that are creating — or re-starting — nonprofit "foundations" to raise money to supplement the city coffers.

NONPROFITS CAREERS NEED TO BALANCE FINANCE AND MISSION | UTSanDiego.com

NONPROFITS CAREERS NEED TO BALANCE FINANCE AND MISSION | UTSanDiego.com: n the nonprofit world, “finance” is a tricky subject. Most managers of nonprofit organizations would prefer to think about mission rather than the bottom line. No wonder a study of financial managers at mid-size nonprofit organizations revealed gaps in their finan

BERNAMA - CIMB Bank Brings "Color Run" To Singapore

BERNAMA - CIMB Bank Brings "Color Run" To Singapore: Since its January 2012 launch, it has become the single largest event series in the United States and is gaining attraction around the world.

For 2013, there are more than one million entries registered for over 100 international events and The Netherlands edition of The Color Run sold out within 18 minutes of the tickets going on sale.

Former Dallas mayors speak about city’s philanthropy through the years at foundation event | The Scoop Blog

Former Dallas mayors speak about city’s philanthropy through the years at foundation event | The Scoop Blog: Mayor Mike Rawlings and three former mayors said Dallas’ unique entrepreneurial spirit has led the city to be one of the most generous and philanthropic areas in the country.

“Dallas is the one city out there that has no reason for existing,” said former mayor Tom Leppert. “It’s not a port city, there are no rivers or lakes or mountains near by. But it bred this entrepreneurial spirit.”

The AFP Blog: Good Signs for the Deduction...For Now...

The AFP Blog: Good Signs for the Deduction...For Now...: "Good Signs for the Deduction...For Now...
AFP has been a champion for the charitable deduction for some time now, and we’ll continue to be so.

Part of that is because Congress, despite all of our assumptions to the contrary, can move very quickly when it wants. An amendment can be added at the last minute that changes everything. We believe that, given our contacts on Capitol Hill, AFP would know of a situation ahead of time. But back-room deals and sudden amendments are still the norm."

'via Blog this'

Employee engagement - lessons on loyalty from the non-profit sector | Toronto Star

Employee engagement - lessons on loyalty from the non-profit sector

Last week, Dr. Harvey Schipper spoke with me about managing volunteer workforces in the non-profit world. A Director on and advisor to many non-profit boards, Dr. Schipper was highlighting one of the most significant differences between these particular organizations and corporate, for-profit businesses.

Employee engagement - lessons on loyalty from the non-profit sector | Toronto Star:

National Aquarium Elects Bob Carter as Chair of Board of Directors | Baltimore Citybizlist

National Aquarium Elects Bob Carter as Chair of Board of Directors | Baltimore Citybizlist: "Carter is also Chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals' (AFP) International Board of Directors. He is a current Board member of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, is Board Chair-Emeritus at Mote Marine Laboratory and is a past Board Chair of the Gateway Rehabilitation Center, the e-Philanthropy Foundation and the Boys' Latin School of Maryland. He is also a member of the USA Advisory Board of PlaNet Finance, a multi-national microfinance organization headquartered in Paris, France."

Employees Aren’t Grabbing Access To Retirement Plans | The NonProfit Times

Employees Aren’t Grabbing Access To Retirement Plans | The NonProfit Times: ven as more nonprofits are offering retirement plans to their employees, participation rates remain relatively low. But at the same time, studies show nonprofit employees are worried about their retirement nest egg.

According to three-year trending data from The NonProfit Times and Bluewater Nonprofit Solution’s annual Nonprofit Organizations Salary and Benefits Reports,

Proposed San Francisco Bar Pairs Drinking with Philanthropy | TIME.com

Proposed San Francisco Bar Pairs Drinking with Philanthropy | TIME.com: t a bar slated to pop up in San Francisco, the drunkest patron might actually be the most altruistic.

A group called United Libations is raising money to open a bar of the same name with an unorthodox business model. United Libations is a non-profit organization, and it plans to give every dollar of profit to selected charities. The first two projects on the non-profit’s list are to fund English classes for Haitian orphans and a rainwater collection system in Uganda, according to the group’s Indiegogo page.

Reports raise issue of nonprofits' effectiveness | Tallahassee Democrat | tallahassee.com

Reports raise issue of nonprofits' effectiveness | Tallahassee Democrat | tallahassee.com: The Association of Fundraising Professionals responded to the story by saying, “The examples and stories cited in the article are far removed from the reality of the vast majority of charities and do not reflect how they function every day as they work to advance their mission and serve our communities.” You’ll hear more about this report in next week’s column.

City Bills Shakespeare in the Parking Lot for Summer Use - NYTimes.com

City Bills Shakespeare in the Parking Lot for Summer Use - NYTimes.com: But this spring the city’s Department of Transportation sent a surprising e-mail: Because of a change in rules for the agency’s 33 municipal lots, the troupe would have to start reimbursing the city for using empty spaces at the lot on the corner of Broome and Ludlow Streets.

The cost is relatively modest — eight spaces at $8 a day each, or $64 a performance, that is, $1,152 for 18 total performances. But leaders of the Drilling Company, which produces the plays, were taken aback. They view the performances as public art and a community service — shows typically draw 150 to 200 people apiece — and their budget for the Shakespeare plays, financed by grants, fund-raising and donations, is only $15,750.

National Service Movement Inspired by Veterans Gains Traction - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

National Service Movement Inspired by Veterans Gains Traction - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Many returned veterans have found renewed focus and drive through community service, inspiring a national movement toward increased service opportunities for people age 30 and under, writes Time magazine.

Justice Department Freezes Funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Justice Department Freezes Funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: government audit has found that Big Brothers Big Sisters co-mingled $19.4-million in tax dollars from the Justice Department with general funds, reports CBS News.

Because of the co-mingling of funds, the organization can’t show whether the money provided by the Justice Department was spent on the intended programs, according to the department’s inspector general. The Justice Department has frozen all funds to Big Brothers Big Sisters as result.