When pocketbook is pinched, find other ways to help those in need | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune

When pocketbook is pinched, find other ways to help those in need | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune: "Philanthropy is a way of life for Sandy Mundahl. As a single mom who knows the challenges of making ends meet, Mundahl doesn't have the resources to write big checks. Yet that hasn't kept her from making a big difference in the lives of others in the Flathead Valley."

UAE Red Crescent launches annual Ramadan charity campaign - AL SHORFA

UAE Red Crescent launches annual Ramadan charity campaign - AL SHORFA: "A spokesman for the organisation, which serves as the operating arm of the Red Cross in the Islamic world, confirmed that most of the funds will go to Ramadan charity works in the UAE. The balance will be distributed via UAE embassies to recognised charities elsewhere in the Islamic world."

The Associated Press: Judge: US wrong to freeze Ohio charity's assets

The Associated Press: Judge: US wrong to freeze Ohio charity's assets: "Judge: US wrong to freeze Ohio charity's assets

By JOHN SEEWER (AP) – 1 day ago

TOLEDO, Ohio — The federal government wrongly froze the assets of an Ohio-based charity it suspected of having ties to the militant Islamic group Hamas because it acted without giving the organization any warning, a federal judge ruled.

U.S. District Judge James Carr said Tuesday the government has an obligation to tell an organization why it is freezing its assets and to give it a chance to respond."

Balancing act: Local arts groups struggle to survive on tight budgets | Philadelphia Daily News | 08/17/2009

Balancing act: Local arts groups struggle to survive on tight budgets | Philadelphia Daily News | 08/17/2009: "THE ECONOMIC downturn that thoroughly rocked the country's financial sector has hit Philly's nonprofit arts world too, and it's not just the largest institutions that are hurting. Smaller cultural organizations may be more able to adapt quickly to these leaner times, but many that were already operating on a shoestring are facing especially difficult choices in the coming year."

It pays to be smart about charitable giving | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

It pays to be smart about charitable giving | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA: "Charitable giving didn't dry up with recession, but it did become more selective.

You aren't seeing donation pledges and checks tossed around casually in 2009. Instead, corporations and individuals alike are deciding what they care about most and directing their giving strategy accordingly."

BizBash Toronto | Super Bowl of Conventions Under Way in Toronto

BizBash Toronto | Super Bowl of Conventions Under Way in Toronto: "More than 4,300 association executives have converged on Toronto this week for the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership's annual meeting and exposition—which has been dubbed the Super Bowl of conventions. Although the convention is primarily about education and networking, A.S.A.E. president and C.E.O. John H. Graham said, 'Attendees are also scouting new meeting destinations for their organizations, and we estimate that about 20 per cent of our members will come back to Toronto for their own events.'"

Is it time for emergency fundraising?

Is it time for emergency fundraising?: "In a good or bad economy, these are warning signs of an emergency and an organization should take heed immediately. Of course, the great recession only exacerbates the crisis"

Another morning in Maine

During August my postings are more infrequent since I am posting from Maine on vacation. Our regular posting will resume in September. Thanks for your continued support and readership.

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Yet in these difficult times, many nonprofit professionals are looking and working for the positive. They are seeking messages of hope and constructive steps they can take right now. Nonprofits, fundamentally, are about hope, fresh starts, new beginnings and finding new ways to meet the needs of society.

This is a time to be positive, pragmatic and proactive. And although it might feel like a luxury, it is a critical time for reflection. It’s a time for stepping back, rethinking what your organization is and what it wants to be going forward, and figuring out how to get there. Ingenuity and being open to taking risks that could result in big rewards down the road."

On the Line...with Jason Fisher: Five Questions Every Phonathon Manager Should Ask Themselves Before This Fall

On the Line...with Jason Fisher: Five Questions Every Phonathon Manager Should Ask Themselves Before This Fall: "Five Questions Every Phonathon Manager Should Ask Themselves Before This Fall

We’re gearing up for another exciting year of phonathon! With just weeks to go until the majority of programs kick off their campaigns, I thought I would share my thoughts on how managers should be using the remaining time before calling begins. While there are a multitude of things to focus on, here are five questions you absolutely need to ask yourself to ensure"

The NonProfit Times "24,000 Job Openings In The Nonprofit Sector

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "24,000 Job Openings In The Nonprofit Sector

The economy may be constricting budgets but the need for nonprofit leadership is still growing. As per a recent survey, 28 percent of nonprofit organizations planned to make senior management hires, amounting to nearly 24,000 vacancies in 2009, according to The Bridgespan Group."

Paulette's Point of View: Oh, Canada!

Paulette's Point of View: Oh, Canada!: "Oh, Canada!
What do the Olympics, kissing a halibut and new fundraising regulations have in common? Why, the AFP Canadian Leadership Retreat, of course!"

PhilanTopic: What Did Leona Want?

PhilanTopic: What Did Leona Want?: "What Did Leona Want?

Trust_instrument Word that three prominent animal welfare organizations have petitioned Manhattan Surrogate Court to intervene in the matter of Leona Helmsley's $5 billion estate shouldn't surprise anyone who has followed the story in PND or here on PhilanTopic."

The Resource Alliance

The Resource Alliance: "Why should I give your charity £100 now?

Confident you can persuade me? Stephen Pidgeon thinks fundraisers could do with a bit more practice at coming up with a fundraising proposition that’s really going to persuade your donors to give"

Maine

I will be posting from Maine for the next two weeks.

Black Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Looks to a Future Beyond Obama - washingtonpost.com

Black Fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Looks to a Future Beyond Obama - washingtonpost.com: "Boosting philanthropic giving, reducing obesity, improving access to preventive health care and increasing financial literacy and college graduation rates for black men topped the convention agenda. In the coming year, the last two priorities will receive the most attention from the fraternity, which has almost 200,000 members spread across 700 chapters, some of them abroad."

Volunteers in US say they work mostly through religious organizations

bishops page: "WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The most common way people do volunteer work in the United States is through a religious organization, with 36 percent saying it's the main outlet for their volunteering.

A report on volunteering released July 28 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, also noted that nonprofit organizations without religious connections are missing an opportunity by not partnering with faith-based groups."

When Volunteer Leaders Overstep the Bounds of Authority - washingtonpost.com

When Volunteer Leaders Overstep the Bounds of Authority - washingtonpost.com: "am being attempted to be micro-managed by a pair who are not my supervisors. They demand to sign off on my work products, order me to attend meetings, etc. My supervisor agrees this it totally inappropriate, but he is conflict averse and does not step in to help me. Meanwhile, they get angrier at me... accuse me of insubordination, but I'm not subordinate to them and have been always polite."

Giving when it hurts

Giving when it hurts: "In times of economic distress, charitable organizations often suffer a decline in donations. People are quick to consider gifts of their time or talent but due to personal financial hardships, many donors have recently found it necessary to cut back on their cash contributions.

Luckily, thanks to some creative ingenuity, many philanthropically inclined people are now effectively using alternative ways of gifting to their favorite charities."

Art Van gives $1 million to 50 nonprofits to celebrate its 50th anniversary - MLive.com

Art Van gives $1 million to 50 nonprofits to celebrate its 50th anniversary - MLive.com: "To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Art Van Furniture is giving away $1 million to 50 Michigan-based children, health and human services programs during a 50-hour period that started Monday and ended Wednesday."

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Metro/Region - Poker called 'the new bingo'

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Metro/Region - Poker called 'the new bingo': "LINCOLN — Up at the Holy Name Bingo Hall in north Omaha, manager Ron Nevrivy is pining for the old days.

That's when 300 to 400 people a night would cram into the hall to the rhythmic chants of “Beeee 12” and “Nnnnn 33,” and the church would make $200,000 a year in profits.

But the arrival of the riverboat casinos in Council Bluffs in 1996 and a lot of other diversions have cut those crowds in half.

As a result, Holy Name made only about $78,000 last year, about 20 percent less than the previous year."

UJC’s New Leaders Saying Little About Their Plans – Forward.com

UJC’s New Leaders Saying Little About Their Plans – Forward.com: "Conceived as the umbrella group, national advocate and central address of American Jewry’s sprawling system of local charity funding bodies known as federations, UJC has cost those strapped community-based groups tens of millions of dollars in annual dues during its 10 years of existence. But by widespread consensus, the national organization has yet to find its footing."

Spend Out vs. Perpetuity: Raising the Question « Smart Assets: The Philanthropy New York Blog

Spend Out vs. Perpetuity: Raising the Question « Smart Assets: The Philanthropy New York Blog: "A trend? Hard to say. Research by the Foundation Center shows a modest uptick in the decision to spend out by family foundations. If my private conversations with executive directors and foundation board members are any indication, the spend out vs. perpetuity question is on the table for a growing number of private foundations. They are hungry for advice and examples."

Community Foundations National Standards Board Created :: PNNOnline ::

Community Foundations National Standards Board Created :: PNNOnline ::: "Even before calls for increased transparency and accountability among foundations, community foundations led the way in self-regulation with the establishment in 2000 of the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, a first-of-its-kind voluntary program.


Today, with more than 450 community foundations in compliance with the National Standards, the Council on Foundations announces the creation of the Community Foundations National Standards Board – a new organization that will now administer the National Standards accreditation process.


“We view the launch of the new Community Foundations National Standards Board as the next step in the growth of the National Standards accreditation program,” said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. “A separate organization led by community foundation practitioners and representatives from organizations that support community foundations will enhance the benefits, identity and self-sufficiency of the program for years to come.”"

Curtain call?

Curtain call?: "But once a champion is crowned for this year's tournament on Sept 20, the clock begins to tick. And whoever hoists the champion's trophy may be the last to do so.

America is still in the grip of its most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression, and casualties of the crisis are littered throughout the nation. Sadly, the Greater Hickory Classic could be another added to the list."

Northwest Herald | Nonprofits adapt as volunteers change

Northwest Herald | Nonprofits adapt as volunteers change: "Short-term, episodic volunteerism is on the rise.

Baby boomers are not lining up to take the long-term, ongoing volunteer jobs that are ready for them. More schools, churches and community groups are asking their members to volunteer. The episodic line continues to grow.

There is a place for episodic volunteerism. It gives people a chance to experience helping and giving back. It encourages civic responsibility and allows people with busy schedules to continue helping their neighbor.

But are we going too far? Does this trend impact nonprofits?"

Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy - Philanthropy.com

Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy - Philanthropy.com: "Debate About President Obama's Role in Rural Philanthropy

The debate about President Obama’s interest in philanthropy continues.

David J. Sanders, a columnist for Stephens Media, in Little Rock, Ark., wrote in The Wall Street Journal last week that the president wants to effectively “nationalize” rural giving based on a recent meeting between foundations and federal officials."

Penn charitable giving down, but tops target | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/04/2009

Penn charitable giving down, but tops target | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/04/2009: "In keeping with national trends, giving to the University of Pennsylvania was down over fiscal 2008's record-breaking year, but officials were planning for that and were upbeat that the school nonetheless exceeded its target.

Penn took in $440 million for the 2008-09 year ending June 30, down $36 million or 7.5 percent from the year before but still its second-highest year ever, said John Zeller, Penn's vice president for development and alumni relations."

TheDay.com - Boy Scouts' Highway Coffee Stops Are Back In Business

TheDay.com - Boy Scouts' Highway Coffee Stops Are Back In Business: "Ferguson said Monday he was pleased as well but also concerned that he doesn't have a lot of time to organize the free coffee stop, which dispenses up to 4,000 cups of soda, dozens of doughnuts and more than 100 gallons of coffee in a typical year. The Scouts accept donations to help offset the cost of their operation, and extra money is given to charity, but the coffee stop is meant as a service for motorists who need a place to grab a quick pick-me-up before returning to the highway."

Andy Katz's Daily Word: IUPUI coach Ron Hunter has an alternative to cutting out foreign trips - ESPN

Andy Katz's Daily Word: IUPUI coach Ron Hunter has an alternative to cutting out foreign trips - ESPN: "Hunter has teamed up with Crocs to gain access to 2 million shoes over the next two summers for teams to take with them when they go on a foreign trip. IUPUI will be in Costa Rica from Aug. 13 to 19. The Bowling Green women's team and the Bethune-Cookman men's team will be visiting the Central American country at the same time. Hunter contacted both schools and said they're on board to deliver shoes on the trip.

'We want to push for every school that goes on a trip to do this,'' Hunter said. 'The country doesn't have to be impoverished.'"