9/11 Charity's Stair Climb Will Return To 1 World Trade Center, Finishing At Observatory: Gothamist

9/11 Charity's Stair Climb Will Return To 1 World Trade Center, Finishing At Observatory: Gothamist: "Following a very public dispute, a 9/11 charity has announced that its annual stair climb will be at 1 World Trade Center. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced the climb will take place on the morning of Sunday, May 15th—with a new finish line.
The group said, "While last year's climb went to the 90th floor of One World Trade Center, which was still under construction, this year the climb will finish at One World Observatory, with its breathtaking views of New York, on the 102nd floor. One World Observatory is located at One World Trade Center.""



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New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP

New Charity Package Introduced in Senate - Press - AFP: "New Charity Package Introduced in Senate
Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)  have introduced a series of charity provisions called The CHARITY (Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year) Act, which calls on the Senate to  ensure that the “value and scope of the deduction for charitable contributions is not diminished during a comprehensive rewrite of the tax code.”

The CHARITY Act, S. 2750, builds on several significant charitable tax provisions that were signed into law late last year, including one that makes permanent a law allowing taxpayers at least 70 ½  to make charitable contributions directly from their IRAs."



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In our opinion: Utah continues its tradition of charitable giving | Deseret News

In our opinion: Utah continues its tradition of charitable giving | Deseret News: "The propensity of Utahns to be generous with their money was reinforced again this year as thousands of people donated a total of nearly $1.3 million to various charitable causes as part of the annual “Love Utah Give Utah” campaign. Interestingly, the donations were made only days after news broke of a settlement in one of the largest fraud cases involving charitable contributions in U.S. history."



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How to Calculate A Fundraising Event's Opportunity Cost

How to Calculate A Fundraising Event's Opportunity Cost: "Large fundraising events can be fabulous ways to celebrate your cause and your mission. Too often, however, they are used as a main fundraising vehicle in an organization’s fundraising plan. While they can certainly bring in large amounts of money on one night, they come with steep opportunity costs that must be weighed to understand the true return on the event’s fundraising.

Let’s look at an example of understanding the impact of a big fundraising gala and the opportunity costs associated with it."



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The One-Size-Fits-All Donor Model Is So Last Century | NpENGAGE

The One-Size-Fits-All Donor Model Is So Last Century | NpENGAGE: "As the United States population becomes even more diverse, fundraisers have an unparalleled opportunity to employ strategies that engage new audiences, bring new voices to the table, and enrich the nonprofit sector with new talent and leadership.  Embracing the growing importance of diversity—as well as the role of women as donors is essential in the 21st century for philanthropy to reflect the values of a pluralistic society."



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Who Watches the Charity Watchdogs? - NonProfit PRO

Who Watches the Charity Watchdogs? - NonProfit PRO:



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Parishioners and the Closing of Churches: Who Owns the Church…and Who Owns Nonprofits? | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

Parishioners and the Closing of Churches: Who Owns the Church…and Who Owns Nonprofits? | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "Closures of Catholic churches have grown commonplace in the Northeast and Midwest but the closures do not always go unprotested. Parishioners who have been baptized and confirmed and married in a parish, who have raised sometimes massive amounts of money to maintain and improve buildings and help manage the operations as an important part of their community life, understandably feel a sense of ownership and violation when the church decides to eliminate a parish. NPQ has been following for more than a decade the parishioners’ occupation of St. Frances X. Cabrini church in the small New England town of Scituate as they argued with the Boston Archdiocese about the fate of their parish which sits on a valuable piece of land."



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I’m Not a Philanthropist, But I Play One on a Reality Show! | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly

I’m Not a Philanthropist, But I Play One on a Reality Show! | Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly: "A few days ago, in the latest exposé of such stuff, the Washington Post took up the question of the Rost Foundation, constantly referred to by Katie Rost of The Real Housewives of Potomac as her philanthropic calling. Its mission is big and bold:

The mission of The Ronald F. Rost Charitable Foundation is to help children in maximizing their life potential and realizing their highest dream of themselves through recreational, enrichment and leadership activities.

But it turns out there is really no “there” there. Its latest report on GuideStar boasts assets of $0, having run a 2014 deficit of almost $2000. In fact, the foundation’s revenue apparently comes directly from Rost’s mother, who is an executive at GEICO. They have totaled somewhere in the neighborhood of $32,000 over the last five years, and of that only $3000 has gone out in donations, with the rest spent on administration."



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Is Donor Recognition Really That Useful? - Good Works

Is Donor Recognition Really That Useful? - Good Works: "S DONOR RECOGNITION REALLY THAT USEFUL?

MARCH 30, 2016

Why do we things the way we do? It’s a question we sometimes forget to ask ourselves, but it’s an important one.  In this series, we’ll be asking a fundraising question that might seem simple, and looking to a Good Worker and a guest for their thoughts. There are no right answers here, but we hope we get your fundraising gears turning!"



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Entrepreneurial fundraising - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

Entrepreneurial fundraising - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: "We live in a time of almost unlimited fundraising opportunities.  This exists alongside a race-against-the-clock urgency that these opportunities be pursued with full entrepreneurial fervour.

Yet, however much it is that we currently raise, the status quo still finds the world troubled by poverty, violence, sickness, oppression and environmental degradation.  We need to raise more. We need to harness entrepreneurial thinking to catapult our fundraising efforts.

Entrepreneurship: “the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.” [1] "



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How Baby Boomers Will Change Philanthropy - The Experts - WSJ

How Baby Boomers Will Change Philanthropy - The Experts - WSJ: "Billion-dollar charitable donations and pledges from the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and now Mark Zuckerberg have been big news in recent years.  But under the radar lie millions more–over five million, according to Nielsen–retired and soon-to-retire “affluent” households with net worth of $1 million and above. 

More important than their current count is this group’s growth: faster than any other wealth cohort."



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8 Nonprofit Blogs We Love (And You Will, Too) - NonProfit PRO

8 Nonprofit Blogs We Love (And You Will, Too) - NonProfit PRO:



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New York Archdiocese Auctioning Papal Hatchback for Charity - ABC News

New York Archdiocese Auctioning Papal Hatchback for Charity - ABC News: "The Archdiocese of New York is auctioning off one of two vehicles Pope Francis used during his trip to New York City in September.

The New York Times reports ( http://nyti.ms/1olDJMR ) the auction on CharityBuzz.com began March 17 when the Fiat 500 Lounge hatchback appeared in the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York. It ends Thursday afternoon."



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The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project | Washington Examiner

The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project | Washington Examiner: "The wounded truth about the Wounded Warrior Project

By STEVEN NARDIZZI & AL GIORDANO • 3/30/16 12:02 AM"



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The Role of the Nonprofit Board in Hiring an Executive Director

The Role of the Nonprofit Board in Hiring an Executive Director: "We all know the importance of a strong Executive Director/CEO for a nonprofit. A good Executive Director will make all the difference in how well a nonprofit performs in fulfilling its mission. For better or worse, leadership trumps all else, except for the nature of the cause itself.
What is the proper role of the Board in hiring nonprofit leadership? The simple answer is that it has the top role. The Board, as the governing body of the nonprofit, has the responsibility and opportunity to hire the Executive Director. This is the most important decision that Board members will make during their tenure."



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A giving strategy that passes to the next generation - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

A giving strategy that passes to the next generation - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times: "A giving strategy that passes to the next generation
by The NonProfit Times - March 21, 2016
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the country. One reason they’ve grown so much, so fast is their accessibility. You don’t have to be ultra-wealthy to have a philanthropic strategy and an organized giving vehicle to execute it."



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The AFP Blog: The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising

The AFP Blog: The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising: "The (Non)Impact of Political Campaigns on Charitable Fundraising
Some great new research came out last week from Blackbaud about how political giving impacts nonprofit support.

I was pleased to be able to write the forward for the report, which you can find here, but the findings bear repeating.

Using data from the 2012 presidential campaigns, the research found that political donors tracked by the Federal Election Commission gave more to charities in 2012 than they did in 2011."



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Delaware groups hope donors ‘Do More’ in June - The Journal | The Journal

Delaware groups hope donors ‘Do More’ in June - The Journal | The Journal: "he fundraising campaign new to the state will help Delaware organizations move along with the changing philanthropic landscape, according to Debbie Armstrong of United Way.

“And the exciting thing is that this is not just United Way fundraiser,” she said of the collaborative effort with the Delaware Community Foundation, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Brandywine Chapter and Delaware Grantmakers Association.

The goal, she continued, is to engage at least 250 not-for-profit organizations in the attempt at raising a collective $500,000 on June 2 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m."



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Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Thorny Issues Accompany Flaps Over Big Naming-Rights Gifts
Town & Country magazine looks at social and psychological dimensions of megadonations that have sparked controversies over the donors' naming demands.

The article considers prominent recent cases — such as Lincoln Center's main concert hall being renamed for David Geffen after a $100 million contribution and an abortive $20 million gift to Paul Smith's College that hinged on donor Joan Weill being added to the institution's name — that fueled criticism that the philanthropists' primary interest was egotistical rather than altruistic."



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Why Do the Ultra Wealthy Give? | Wealth-X

Why Do the Ultra Wealthy Give? | Wealth-X: "What motivates the ultra wealthy to give?
 
Wealth-X conducted an Attitudes Survey in conjunction with Knight Frank to gain insights into the perspectives and behaviors of the ultra wealthy around wealth management, philanthropy, wealth transfer and more. The survey was based on the views of around 400 of the world’s leading private bankers and wealth advisors who, between them, manage assets for about 45,000 ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals with a combined wealth of over US$500 billion."



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Is Each Site in Your Nonprofit Network Raising as Much Revenue as It Can? | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports

Is Each Site in Your Nonprofit Network Raising as Much Revenue as It Can? | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports: "o date, only a few nonprofit networks have experience with share of wallet.2 The United Way, for example, which has a strong analytical tradition and something of a private sector mindset, already uses a form of share of wallet to analyze fundraising performance across its affiliates. But the concept appears to be catching on. The Bridgespan Group, for instance, recently worked with several nonprofit networks to adapt the tool, and many others are thinking about how to incorporate it into their fundraising efforts. Sondra Madison, national vice president for operations and collaborative strategy at Boys and Girls Clubs of America, noted, “This kind of analysis has come up in our conversations with clubs. We love the idea of this, and it wouldn’t be too laborious to implement.”"



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As Wounded Warrior Appoints Interim COO, Whistleblower Wonders If Insider Can Address Culture | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports

As Wounded Warrior Appoints Interim COO, Whistleblower Wonders If Insider Can Address Culture | Nonprofit Quarterly delivers the latest news and investigative reports: "WWP Board Chair Anthony Odierno’s announcement to employees reads, in part, “[Fletcher’s] impressive background and experience in both the military and private sector makes him uniquely well positioned to lead our organization while the board continues its comprehensive search for a permanent CEO.”

But whistleblower Erick Millette worries about Fletcher’s insider status. “I think it’s great they recognize they need senior military leadership within the executive level at Wounded Warrior Project,” Millette said. “However, bringing someone on from the advisory board concerns me because that person may have biased views.”"



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Think Of Your Nonprofit As A Magazine - The NonProfit TimesThe NonProfit Times

Think Of Your Nonprofit As A Magazine - The NonProfit Times: "The difference is that magazines, and other for-profits, are boasting sizable leads compared to nonprofits in such metrics. Magazines beat nonprofits in average direct-mail response rate (4% to 1.5%), according to Anne and Josef Kottler of Sage Communications in Framingham, Mass., and hold a 70% to 40% advantage in average retention rate. The Kottlers, citing an Association of Fundraising Professionals survey, stated that less than 3% of organizations claim a retention rate of 70% or better.

The Kottlers took aim at narrowing the gap between for-profit institutions such as magazines and nonprofits during their program “What Nonprofits Can Learn from For-Profits” during the recent DMA 2016 Washington Nonprofit Conference. Key takeaways from the session included:"



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Three WSSU alumni to particpate in rickshaw charity event in India - Winston-Salem Journal: Local News

Three WSSU alumni to particpate in rickshaw charity event in India - Winston-Salem Journal: Local News: "Three alumni of Winston-Salem State University say they will tap into their adventurous spirit next month in India.
They will drive across that country in a motorized rickshaw to raise money in a charitable event."



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Activists and Philanthropists Make Fortune Leadership List - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Activists and Philanthropists Make Fortune Leadership List - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Among those recognized in the magazine's third annual leadership list were David Miliband, chief executive of the International Rescue Committee, which works on behalf of refugees; Rosie Batty, an Australian woman who launched a campaign against domestic violence after her 11-year-old son was killed by his father; and Mina Guli, another Australian activist who founded an organization to promote water conservation."



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Funding Freeze Hits Natural History Museum Collections - The Atlantic

Funding Freeze Hits Natural History Museum Collections - The Atlantic: "On March 16, the U.S. National Science Foundation indefinitely pressed the pause button on the Collections in Support of Biological Research (CSBR) Program—a scheme that funds the care, organization, maintenance, and cataloguing of biological collections. That includes everything from museum specimens to tissue banks to stocks of laboratory flies or fungi."



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The AFP Blog-Hope in Dark Times

The AFP Blog: "
These are dark times. We felt battered by the news from Brussels yesterday morning. Everywhere  we look we see evidence of man's inhumanity to man, the apparent crumbling of the sense of responsibility to work for a common good, towards shared objectives.

I know that, personally, I have struggled to make sense of this over the last few years, especially at times like this. It seems as if the values that I believe in have become irrelevant.

Yet I left Boston after this year's conference with a sense of renewed optimism, of hope and with a belief in the future. Why?

It was not just one thing. There was the commitment, passion and experience we heard and felt in the sessions. There was the reaching out and sharing with one another."



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What Happens When 69 Children Curate a Fine Art Exhibit? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations

What Happens When 69 Children Curate a Fine Art Exhibit? | Non Profit News For Nonprofit Organizations: "At the National Museum in Warsaw, which is known for its ancient and modern art, the staff recently turned over curation of an exhibit, called “Anything Goes,” to 69 kids between the ages of six and 14. The selection of the children was simple—first come, first served—and after that, the staff had only to implement their decisions, as the children chose the pieces and developed audio guides and materials."



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Storymakers Resources"

"Storymakers Resources"



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The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times

The Voluntourist’s Dilemma - The New York Times: "They were there to build a school alongside a Methodist church. Muscular Haitian masons stood by watching, perplexed and a bit amused at the sight of men and women who had come all the way from the United States to do a mundane construction job.

Such people were a familiar sight: They were voluntourists. They would come for a week or two for a “project” — a temporary medical clinic, an orphanage visit or a school construction. A 2008 study surveyed 300 organizations that market to would-be voluntourists and estimated that 1.6 million people volunteer on vacation, spending around $2 billion annually. "



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