Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Donors who won’t fund salaries - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

Donors who won’t fund salaries - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders:



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Billionaire Warren Buffett's Cadillac up for auction to help charity - Business News | The Star Online

Billionaire Warren Buffett's Cadillac up for auction to help charity - Business News | The Star Online: "Warren Buffett has put his 2006 Cadillac on the auction block to raise money to benefit a children's charity he has long supported.

His DTS sedan will be auctioned online starting on Wednesday and ending on Feb. 19 at Proxibid's website, (https://www.proxibid.com/asp/Catalog.asp?aid=89707). Buffett last year replaced the DTS with a Cadillac XTS.
"



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Monday, February 09, 2015

The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

The Chronicle of Philanthropy - Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "America’s biggest donors gave $9.8-billion to nonprofits in 2014, with foundations and higher education receiving the most money. A number of donors are focused on scientific research, and some tech entrepreneurs are giving while they’re still building their businesses."



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Watchdog vs. Self-Promotion: Why Donor Lists Matter - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Watchdog vs. Self-Promotion: Why Donor Lists Matter - Opinion - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "The release of The Chronicle’s annual "Philanthropy 50," an index of the previous year’s most generous donors, marks the culmination of one of the season’s defining rites: the compiling of the end-of-year list. At the calendar’s summit, we’ve gained a vista that invites this sort of reflection. So we look back and note favorites, tally the most and the least, rank the best and worst. What sort of perspective on the philanthropic sector does this particular list signify?"



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The Allure of Proactive Research | Fundraising Compass

The Allure of Proactive Research | Fundraising Compass: "Why didn’t you do my research first?, said my irritated colleague. I had an appointment!

If you’re a prospect researcher and you’ve ever heard these words, then you may have fallen into a common occupational trap. My intention in today’s post is to caution novice prospect researchers who tend to wander from their assigned duties of reactive research to the promised land of proactive research."



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Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Cut down on these buzzwords

Cut down on these buzzwords: "With a new year comes renewed determination to communicate clearly and effectively with your donors, participants, and others. What better way to do this than with your word choices? Let’s avoid some of that overused jargon we so often see in the nonprofit world.

Here are a few terms we’ve seen over the past year that should be called out and questioned whenever possible:"



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Blackbaud’s Charitable Giving Report Shows Online Giving Continues to Outpace Traditional Giving as Donors Shift Channels | Blackbaud News

Blackbaud’s Charitable Giving Report Shows Online Giving Continues to Outpace Traditional Giving as Donors Shift Channels | Blackbaud News: "Charleston, S.C. (February 3, 2014) — Leveraging findings from The Blackbaud Index, Blackbaud, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLKB) today released its Charitable Giving Report, providing the nonprofit sector with the latest data on overall and online charitable giving in 2014, as well insight from industry experts and case studies. The Report includes overall giving data from nearly 5,000 nonprofit organizations representing $16.2 billion in total fundraising and online giving data from nearly 4,000 nonprofits representing $2 billion in online fundraising from 2014."



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Managing Knowledge Enables Nonprofits to Fulfill Their Mission

massnonprofit news ::: "Knowledge management—also called KM—is the process of choosing and using tools and systems to effectively gather, organize, share, and use information, of any topic and type, within and between individuals, organizations, and groups.

Signs that lack of knowledge management is undermining your organization’s effectiveness include the following:"



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Charitable Giving in Bay State Grew by 7.7% in 2014

massnonprofit news ::: "January 30, 2015 — Charitable giving in Massachusetts in 2014 rose 7.7% over 2013 levels, lagging national giving, which increased 9.3% last year, both down from the year before, a trend that is expected to continue through 2015, according to a newly released report.

The Atlas of Giving, a Dallas-based organization that tracks charitable giving, said growth last year was driven by “favorable economic factors that drive giving, an increasing number of nonprofits, the impact of donor advised funds and new and more effective fundraising technologies and techniques.”"



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Webcast: Using Census Data to Tell Your Story 1/23 | Common Good Vermont Blog

Webcast: Using Census Data to Tell Your Story 1/23 | Common Good Vermont Blog: "Free On-Demand Training!
Learn how use the Census Bureau’s online tools to access a variety of datasets available for the local level, including:

American Community Survey (demographic, socioeconomic, and housing data)
2010 Census (demographic data)
Population Estimates and the Economic Census
The data can be useful for grant applications, planning and business development, fundraising, analyzing potential barriers in implementing programs, research, and marketing strategies.

All sessions are conducted by Alexandra Barker, Data Dissemination and Media Relations Specialist from the U.S. Census Bureau."



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Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Nonprofit Aids Resource Center Ohio raises $1 million locally - Dayton Business Journal

Nonprofit Aids Resource Center Ohio raises $1 million locally - Dayton Business Journal: "Aids Resource Center Ohio has raised all of the $1 million needed for its capital campaign to support its new Dayton medical center and pharmacy."



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Is the Humans of New York Community Every Nonprofit's Dream? - Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media -

Is the Humans of New York Community Every Nonprofit's Dream? - Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media -: "Good fundraising can make or break any nonprofit, but what makes truly good fundraising? One of the most important factors for success is a highly engaged community who is extremely passionate about your mission. Humans of New York (HONY) is an amazing example of how building an engaged community inspires people to rally together and raise money for an issue they are moved by."



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Monday, February 02, 2015

Nonprofits worry about impact of Norfolk Southern job losses - Roanoke Times: Roanoke

Nonprofits worry about impact of Norfolk Southern job losses - Roanoke Times: Roanoke: "hock, sorrow and apprehension rippled through the region on Tuesday after Norfolk Southern Corp. announced plans to eliminate roughly 500 jobs in Roanoke and to close the office building downtown that houses them.
The Norfolk-based railroad said the employees will be offered jobs at corporate offices in Norfolk or Atlanta. Those who do not opt to relocate will lose their jobs.

Among those reacting with sadness and angst in the wake of Tuesday’s announcement were regional nonprofit organizations."



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Collaboration: The Nonprofit Trend - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

Collaboration: The Nonprofit Trend - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: "Organizations of all kinds use networks to get things done. Whether those relationships are more formal, as in supply chains and subcontracted services, or less so, as in some other cases, the lack of network optimization is very “last century” and very wasteful.

In that vein, the CenDel Foundation held a meeting this week with the goal of initiating a conversation among nonprofits who provide services around homelessness, crisis funding, medical care, and food access to low-income residents in Kent County, Delaware. The hope of bringing organizations together is to “understand what services each nonprofit is providing, identify potential gaps in service, and consider potential areas of collaboration.”"



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Big 2014 Losses Spell End for $250-Million N.Y. Nonprofit – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Big 2014 Losses Spell End for $250-Million N.Y. Nonprofit – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "One of the country’s largest social-service charities and a major provider of New York City programs for vulnerable populations said Friday that it is shutting down after losing $19.4-million last year, Crain’s New York Business writes. The announcement left city and state officials scrambling to find groups to take over more than two dozen contracts with the Federation Employment and Guidance Service.

The $250-million nonprofit reli"



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Charities Rethinking Donor’s Ties Amid Sex Scandal – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Charities Rethinking Donor’s Ties Amid Sex Scandal – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Some past beneficiaries of Jeffrey Epstein’s philanthropy say they would decline future gifts from the financier in the wake of allegations that he trafficked an underage girl for sex with Britain’s Prince Andrew and other prominent figures, according to Reuters. The prince has strongly denied the accusation, leveled in a December 30 court filing related to Mr. Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea on a procurement charge, for which he served a year in prison."



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Boston College Center on Wealth and Giving to Wind Down – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Boston College Center on Wealth and Giving to Wind Down – Philanthropy Today - Blogs - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, which has provided in-depth data and analysis on the charitable behavior of the very rich for 45 years, will close by the end of the year, The Boston Globe reports. The move is triggered by the impending retirement of longtime center director Paul Schervish and associate director John Havens, who plan to depart once they complete their current research."



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Why Fundraising Newsletters Don't Work Anymore

Why Fundraising Newsletters Don't Work Anymore: "Yep, without even seeing it, I can tell you that there are very likely some things you need to change with your print or email newsletter.

I've heard from many donors that they don't even look at newsletters anymore, even if it comes from their favorite nonprofit.

You know why? They're boring and self-serving."



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The fundraising leadership crisis – is it real? - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

The fundraising leadership crisis – is it real? - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: "Think about your fundraising career.

Have you ever had a bad boss? Unrealistic goals? 

A board that doesn’t understand or appreciate fundraising?

Have you ever stayed at a job for less than two years?

Have you ever really hated a fundraising job?

Well, you aren’t alone. There is a global conversation happening and it is one I think Canadian fundraisers are an important part of. A conversation about a leadership crisis in fundraising."



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How Average Americans Can Give to Charity Like Billionaires | Money.com

How Average Americans Can Give to Charity Like Billionaires | Money.com: "Forty-four donors gave gifts of $50 million or more to charity last year. The top 10 alone totaled $3.3 billion. But if you really want to know how America gives, look at the explosive growth of donor-advised funds, which have become a kind of personal foundation for Everyman."



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Confessions from a (Less) Anxious Donor Relations Coordinator | AFP Greater Toronto Chapter Blog - Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter

Confessions from a (Less) Anxious Donor Relations Coordinator | AFP Greater Toronto Chapter Blog - Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter: "Laura Champion, Donor Relations Coordinator – Direct Response

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada

I am bad with confrontation. My face turns red, I stare at my feet and my first instinct is to run and hide in the corner. It’s a good thing I’m on the phone!

But as fundraisers, we have all been there. The phone rings and on the other side is a very displeased donor. Someone has issued the wrong receipt, sent too much mail or not enough mail. Perhaps they were excluded from a guest list. The donor is unhappy and they want you to know it."



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Friday, January 30, 2015

Are you a good or rubbish donor communicator? | Fundraising & Philanthropy Australasia Magazine

Are you a good or rubbish donor communicator? | Fundraising & Philanthropy Australasia Magazine: "om Ahern suggests six questions fundraisers should ask themselves to audit the star power - or mediocrity - of their donor communications."



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White Marsh-based nonprofit delivers free pet food to elderly and homeless - Baltimore Sun

White Marsh-based nonprofit delivers free pet food to elderly and homeless - Baltimore Sun: "nn Molnar doesn't want anyone — especially the elderly and homeless — to give up his or her pet because they cannot afford pet food. Their dog or cat is often a link to their humanity, she said.

That's why the White Marsh resident started the nonprofit Thankful Paws Inc., which delivers free pet food to those who need it."



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Princeton University - 'Social Psychology' course helps students tackle questions from nonprofits

Princeton University - 'Social Psychology' course helps students tackle questions from nonprofits: "n a collaboration facilitated by the University's Community-Based Learning Initiative, the undergraduates combined concepts from the course about the way people think about, feel and behave in social situations with their own research to offer the nonprofit groups a wide range of ideas and insights. 

"In class, we cover topics such as persuasion, social influence and social norms," said Nicole Shelton, a professor of psychology who leads the class. "These are principles in social psychology that people can use to intervene in social situations and social problems. The students have the principles and the knowledge to address the community partners' questions." "



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BBC News - Sir Winston Churchill 'selfies' offered in charity bid

BBC News - Sir Winston Churchill 'selfies' offered in charity bid:



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Gala fundraiser for Wilkes-Barre-based agency replaces state Attorney General Kathleen Kane as guest speaker - Times Leader - timesleader.com

Gala fundraiser for Wilkes-Barre-based agency replaces state Attorney General Kathleen Kane as guest speaker - Times Leader - timesleader.com: "But state Attorney General Kathleen Kane will not, as previously planned, be the guest speaker at the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center’s first ever Gala.


“We have a different speaker, an actual victim of child abuse,” Center Executive Director Shannon Peduto said of the decision to replace Kane, who has been increasingly embroiled in controversy about her job performance. “With everything going on, we felt it was more appropriate to have someone speak who actually endured abuse as a child.”"



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Princeton nonprofit sells stuffed marathon service dogs - Business - The Boston Globe

Princeton nonprofit sells stuffed marathon service dogs - Business - The Boston Globe: "Think museum gift shops or online stores selling coffee mugs and note cards. Now NEADS, a Princeton, Mass., nonprofit that trains service dogs, wants to bolster its fledgling retail operation — and, if history repeats itself, the item it’s selling won’t stay in stock for long.


Beginning today, NEADS is offering a stuffed animal version of Rescue, a black lab named by the Worcester Fire Department in honor of firefighter Jon Davies, who rode on a truck called Rescue 1 and died in a 2011 building collapse."



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Ebola Outbreak a New Case Study for Global Disaster Fundraising - Year-End Fundraising - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Ebola Outbreak a New Case Study for Global Disaster Fundraising - Year-End Fundraising - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "he world has turned a corner on the epidemic: The World Health Organization said Thursday there have been fewer than 100 new cases in a week in the three most affected countries. But the fight isn’t over. And among the 8,810 people killed by the disease were nearly 500 health-care workers.

Many organizations working on the front lines included special messages about their response efforts in their year-end appeals."



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Man v dog: which charity campaign would you donate to? | Voluntary Sector Network | The Guardian

Man v dog: which charity campaign would you donate to? | Voluntary Sector Network | The Guardian: "The details: It is a online advertising campaign for Harrison’s Fund – a small charity that is raising money to fund research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The online version consists of two adverts – one of a child and one of a dog, both with the text “Would you give £5 to save Harrison from a slow, painful death?” Both images, which featured on MSN.co.uk earlier this month, link to Harrison’s Fund’s website, explaining what the cause is and the purpose of the campaign. The charity will track which image generates more click-through and will release the data soon. "



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