Crowdfunding is the New Donation . . . editor notes issue #89 | Blue Avocado

Crowdfunding is the New Donation . . . editor notes issue #89 | Blue Avocado: One of the benefits of being a nonprofit, muses Jon Pratt, is that we have an unlimited supply of free advice from people in business, government, and philanthropy. Recently that advice has included many exhortations to raise money via Twitter and through crowdfunding.

Here's the amazing thing: we nonprofits are already experts at crowdsourcing! We've been doing it for decades! The sobering thing: we've been calling it fundraising.

donors | NGO Pulse

donors | NGO Pulse: The Nonprofit Salary Bill Comes under Scrutiny

IRS Kills Tax Exemption Of Foundation Pushing Eternal Life - Forbes

IRS Kills Tax Exemption Of Foundation Pushing Eternal Life - Forbes: Benjamin Franklin famously wrote that nothing is certain except death and taxes. These days, it seems, maybe not even those. In a previously unreported action, on May 10th, the Internal Revenue Service revoked the long-held charitable tax exemption of the Life Extension Foundation Inc., an organization dedicated to denying the certainty of death. The Foundation is contesting the revocation in a lawsuit filed on August 7, 2013 in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia. (The revocation is available in redacted form here as PLR 201331008. )

September 7520 Rate Unchanged at 2.0% | Planned Giving Design Center

September 7520 Rate Unchanged at 2.0% | Planned Giving Design Center: For purposes of determining the present value of an annuity, an interest for life or a term of years, or a remainder or a reversionary interest, Revenue Ruling 2013-18 indicates the applicable federal rate under section 7520 for September 2013 is 2.0%; unchanged from the August rate of 2.0% and up 0.6% from the July rate of 1.4%.

Boomers at top in charitable giving � Philanthropy North Carolina

Boomers at top in charitable giving � Philanthropy North Carolina: eventy-two percent of Boomers, or 51 million donors ages 49 to 67 in 2013, give to charity, supporting 4.5 charities on average and making an annual gift that averages $1,212, says the study, Next Generation of American Giving.

The study, commissioned by Blackbaud and based on an online survey of 1,014 U.S. donors conducted by Edge Research, also found that while most Americans give, overall giving remains flat.

Charity bounce 'sets world record' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

Charity bounce 'sets world record' - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk: A group of friends believe they have broken a world record after completing a 36-hour bouncy castle charity marathon.

PPP Blog: Shake Up at the Epicenter of Philanthropy

PPP Blog: Shake Up at the Epicenter of Philanthropy: Shake Up at the Epicenter of Philanthropy
“Silicon Valley has become the epicenter of philanthropy in the U.S., if not the world. Along the span of entrepreneurs’ lives, my guess is we’ll look back at this period and see a lot of them did a lot of philanthropy over a long period of time.” Bradford K. Smith, President, The Foundation Center (quoted in the New York Times)

Profiles in Excellence: Trista Harris – a career of giving

Profiles in Excellence: Trista Harris – a career of giving: In 2008, nonprofits pulled together in an amazing way," said Harris. "That habit of collaboration has continued and I was proud to see that happen."

One of those coming together instances Harris pointed to is the formation of Generation Next, a broad-based effort of several organizations working to close the achievement gap in Minnesota schools.

"Since the formation of Generation Next, there's been a much more open conversation around the issue," said Harris. "These are some of the transformative efforts we'll look back on 10 to 15 years from now and say that's where we were able to close the achievement gap and that's why Minnesota schools are some of the best in the nation."

Top 10 nonprofit risks | The NonProfit Times

Top 10 nonprofit risks | The NonProfit Times: Top 10 nonprofit risks
by The NonProfit Times - August 19, 2013

Speaking of known knowns and unknown knowns and all the possible combinations thereof, it is also worth considering the risks nonprofits face.

In some cases the risks are known, but in many cases they are not. Either way, they pose a danger.

L.A. Museum Criticized for Car Sales Unveils Renovation Plan - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

L.A. Museum Criticized for Car Sales Unveils Renovation Plan - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The Petersen Automotive Museum, which has drawn fire for auctioning off vintage cars in its collection to help pay for remodeling its Los Angeles building, will spend as much as $20-million on the renovation project, writes the Los Angeles Times.

Altruists with a taste for adventure

Altruists with a taste for adventure: Charity walks and marathons became popular in the 1990s, but today, fundraising campaigns are increasingly venturing into the unusual, said Michael Nilsen of the Association of Professional Fundraisers,

Is Community Involvement Important for Big Businesses? | VisualNews.com

Is Community Involvement Important for Big Businesses? | VisualNews.com: A marketplace for expert business advice, Clarity, recently gathered data and produced the following infographic that illustrates not only how consumers regard corporate social responsibility, but also the extent to which corporations should react to consumers' social interests by creating relevant products and services. Take a look below:

The AFP Blog Different Issue, Same Theme: Communication

The AFP Blog: That’s a critical change in approach from these organizations, and a very welcome one. But as I said then, it’s up to us to communicate with donors, media, government and the public about why we have fundraising costs. And if we DON’T pro-actively have these conversations, then other people and ideas will fill in the void.

An executive decision; three things the charity CEO salary maelstrom taught us and what to do about it | nfpSynergy

An executive decision; three things the charity CEO salary maelstrom taught us and what to do about it | nfpSynergy: n our research with the public through our awareness monitor CAM, we see that how charities spend their money really matters. Of course, there are those who say the public shouldn’t care about overheads and should focus on impact. Well you live in your ivory towers and we will keep trying in the real world that the public inhabit. Again and again and again, the public tell us that the size of CEO salaries, the level of ‘admin’ costs and how their money is used really matters to them.

Three Donors Tell Why They Set Up CRUTs - Forbes

Three Donors Tell Why They Set Up CRUTs - Forbes: Here are three stories from donors; if one of them strikes a chord, ask your favorite charity about establishing a CRUT.

Dr. Streamline’s Reading List: Donors Forum and NCRP Focus on Core Support | Project Streamline Blog

Dr. Streamline’s Reading List: Donors Forum and NCRP Focus on Core Support | Project Streamline Blog: Two efficient and effective arguments for unrestricted support – also called core support, general operating support, or covering real costs – came to Dr. Streamline’s attention recently.

The first, a neat little movie called “If We Want Our Funding to Change the World” from the Donors Forum and their work on Real Talk About Real Costs. At only a minute and forty seconds, this video is an efficient and effective introduction to why it’s critical for funders to support nonprofits beyond the “frame of the program” with what they really need to succeed

Finding Hope in a Cause | Achieve Guidance Blog

Finding Hope in a Cause | Achieve Guidance Blog: Five years ago I joined with a few others to start Achieve. During the formation process, I looked into obtaining “key man” insurance, which provides financial relief to a company if something unexpected happens to one of its key leaders.

As with any life insurance policy, I had to pass a physical exam and submit to a battery of blood tests. A week after the exam, my insurance agent called to discuss an “odd reading” from one of the tests that pointed to an anomaly in my liver function. He then told me it could have been caused by me having a drink or two the night before. When I assured him I hadn’t, we agreed it was a fluke.

Watchdog Admits It Costs Money To Raise Money | The NonProfit Times

Watchdog Admits It Costs Money To Raise Money | The NonProfit Times: Watchdog Admits It Costs Money To Raise Money
By The NonProfit Times - August 6, 2013

“You’re here to accomplish a goal, and all sorts of expenses make that happen.” Those were the words of Art Taylor, president of Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (WGA). “There is a preoccupation in the public domain about these ratios. We’ve always tried to point out that there are a variety of things donors should be concerned about. An organization’s financials are just one part.”

DETROIT: Diaper charity helps struggling Detroit families | Health | The Sun Herald

DETROIT: Diaper charity helps struggling Detroit families | Health | The Sun Herald: For many low-income families, the struggle to afford diapers — both for children and adults — can be stressful and often humiliating, says Marybeth Levine, founder of the Detroit Area Diaper Bank, which supplies more than 50 Metro Detroit assistance groups with donated diapers.

NCVO and Charity Commission to draw up guidelines on executive pay

NCVO and Charity Commission to draw up guidelines on executive pay: The proposal by Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the NCVO, follows media criticism of senior pay in the big aid charities

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the Charity Commission have agreed to draw up joint guidelines to help charity trustees to decide on pay levels for senior staff.

Lessons From Lance Armstrong Fallout With Livestrong - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Lessons From Lance Armstrong Fallout With Livestrong - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Livestrong, founded by now disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, has faced its founder’s doping scandal with a candid approach to the media, unlike some other charities whose celebrity founders have received negative publicity, writes The Washington Post.

Let's not be pious about do-gooders' handsome salaries | Catherine Bennett | Comment is free | The Observer

Let's not be pious about do-gooders' handsome salaries | Catherine Bennett | Comment is free | The Observer: Let's not be pious about do-gooders' handsome salaries

Donors may feel uneasy that charity bosses earn a lot. But well-meaning volunteers simply couldn't do the job

Reviving Detroit: 4 Arenas Where Nonprofits Can Act to Design a New Future - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Reviving Detroit: 4 Arenas Where Nonprofits Can Act to Design a New Future - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: nstead of addressing what might be involved in Detroit’s potential protection under Chapter 9, we’d like to raise issues for nonprofits and foundations concerned about Detroit and other cities like it. Although Detroit’s large foundation community, led by the likes of the Kresge Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the McGregor Foundation, and the Hudson-Webber Foundation, has been actively engaged and putting big dollars into Detroit initiatives, traction and results have been hard to come by. Many longstanding Detroit nonprofits have not fared well in recent years, some with organizational finances following Detroit’s trajectory. Where do foundations and nonprofits go from here? How can they participate in and help shape the necessary fixes for the Motor City?

Boston Foundation to Give $10M to Nonprofits Over Four Years

massnonprofit.org :::

July 23, 2013 — Reflecting its community developer role, the Boston Foundation last week announced that over the next four years it will grant $10 million to nonprofits located along the Fairmount Corridor, a nine-mile stretch of neighborhoods along the MBTA’s Fairmount rail line, to support housing, jobs, and cultural organizations.

How To Talk About Fundraising Costs | The Agitator - Fundraising, Direct Marketing and Advocacy Strategies for Nonprofits

How To Talk About Fundraising Costs | The Agitator - Fundraising, Direct Marketing and Advocacy Strategies for Nonprofits: ike it or not, far too many folks judge a charity by its cost of fundraising and ‘overhead’.

From regulators to the media, from charity watchdogs to far too many nonprofit boards — and even some fundraisers themselves — the false metric of ‘cost of fundraising’ has created a big mess of misunderstanding.

Fortunately, the industry is waking up and finally seems motivated to deal with the issue.

Firings At 92nd Street Y Include CEO | The NonProfit Times

Firings At 92nd Street Y Include CEO | The NonProfit Times: our employees are out at the 92nd Street Y – including Executive Director Sol Adler – after an internal investigation revealed an alleged kickback scheme as well as an undisclosed personal relationship by its longtime chief executive.

The organization is not affiliated with the YMCA but rather the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association (YM-YWHA). It’s a member of the Jewish Community Centers Association of North America and an agency of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation.

Charities Struggle to Fill Teams for Returning N.Y. Marathon - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Charities Struggle to Fill Teams for Returning N.Y. Marathon - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Nonprofit groups that use the New York City Marathon to raise money are finding themselves critically short of runners as the October event approaches, in part because of last year’s Hurricane Sandy-related cancellation of the race, according to The Wall Street Journal.

University of Colorado reports record $258.8 million in private donations in past fiscal year

University of Colorado reports record $258.8 million in private donations in past fiscal year: BOULDER, Colorado — The University of Colorado says it raised a record $258.8 million during the past fiscal year, which is up 13 percent from the previous record set a year ago.

Presidents point the light on volunteerism - The Washington Post

Presidents point the light on volunteerism - The Washington Post: There are many causes that can unify even the deepest philosophical and political divides. Last week, at the White House, it was the spirit of community service. President Obama, former President George H. W. Bush and their families held a ceremony to award a couple from Iowa with the 5,000th Daily Points of Light Award for their efforts to combat world hunger.

Nantucket nonprofits try to make the most in short fundraising season | CapeCodOnline.com

Nantucket nonprofits try to make the most in short fundraising season | CapeCodOnline.com: For Nantucket's small army of nonprofit organizations, the annual fundraising season is short, the competition is intense, and the ability to stand out from the crowd is increasingly difficult.

There are now more than 100 nonprofit organizations based on Nantucket or actively fundraising on the island. The list of important institutions with worthy missions is long, and when summer arrives, their fundraising efforts kick into high gear.