Thursday, October 07, 2004

GuideStar - News - Articles - Introducing NYCharities.org

GuideStar - News - Articles - Introducing NYCharities.org: "Introducing NYCharities.org
NYCharities.org, a new e-philanthropy portal, is taking GuideStar data to the Empire State. Dedicated to increasing the flow of philanthropic dollars to charities located in New York State, NYCharities.org is already on-line but will be launched formally at an event in New York City on October 28. (Go to www.nycharities.orgfor details about the launch and accompanying nonprofit workshop, both co-sponsored by GuideStar)
Powered by a customized version of the GuideStar database and search engine, NYCharities.org is a free Web site where donors can find information on the more than 60,000 charities in the state, contribute to those organizations on-line, and find volunteer opportunities.
An e-ticketing tool enables charities to use the site to sell tickets to their fund-raising events. Charities use the tools on NYCharities.org at no charge and receive 97 percent of every donation made to them through the site. Although the remaining 3 percent helps offset the cost "

GuideStar - News - Articles - Are Nonprofit Executives Paid Fairly?

GuideStar - News - Articles - Are Nonprofit Executives Paid Fairly?: "Are Nonprofit Executives Paid Fairly? IRS Actions and September Question of the Month Results
Long a lightning rod for public and media attention, nonprofit compensation is back in the news. On the heels of June's Senate Finance Committee hearing, the IRS has kicked off its Tax Exempt Compensation Enforcement Project.
The IRS began contacting individual exempt organizations in July. During the course of this effort, which is projected to continue into 2005, the service expects to communicate with nearly 2,000 nonprofits about their compensation practices."

NDOL: Broken Faith by Anne Kim

NDOL: Broken Faith by Anne Kim: "Take, for example, the president's centerpiece 'faith-based initiative,' which stalled in Congress. The initiative promised to open a floodgate of federal funding for faith-based institutions and community groups to provide a wide range of social services. But the White House barely lifted a finger to make it happen. Instead of crafting legislation that could win bipartisan support, it delegated its authority to House Republican leaders who took a purely partisan approach.
With White House consent, House Republicans drafted a bill that ignored the concerns of many Democrats and civil libertarians. They feared that federal money would be spent in support of religious proselytizing. They also objected to giving exemptions from employment discrimination laws to the groups providing social services under federal contracts. No surprise, the bill passed the House on a near party-line vote, but foundered in the Senate.
John DiIulio, a Democrat tapped by Bush to be the first head of the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, was so frustrated by the administration's unwillingness to work for broad bipartisan support for its faith-based initiative that he quit. In a now-famous memo, he said that the president knew the faith-based bill probably would go nowhere.
Describing it as a product of 'the most far-right House Republicans,' DiIulio slammed the proposal as an 'absolute political nonstarter' that 'bore few marks of 'compassionate conservatism.''
After this initial failure, the White House drastically scaled back its faithbased initiative into a package of tax cuts intended to promote charitable giving. The House and Senate have passed separate versions of this tax package, and it is likely to be the only artifact of the original faith-based initiative to be"

CSM Launches 'Who's Who in CSR in India'

CSM Launches 'Who's Who in CSR in India': "Press release from: Centre for Social Markets
CSM Launches 'Who's Who in CSR in India'

(CSRwire) NEW DELHI - The Centre for Social Markets (CSM), an India and UK-based non-profit, launched its 'Who's Who in CSR in India: A Resource Guide 2004' at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi today. A practical guide to the key players and institutions in the emerging field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India, the book will be a must-have reference for all who wish the navigate the CSR terrain in this vast country. "

Deloitte Survey Reveals 89% of Region's Employees Want to Work for Companies That Offer Time Off to Volunteer

OPRESS RELEASE
Deloitte Survey Reveals 89% of Region's Employees Want to Work for Companies That Offer Time Off to Volunteer: "Deloitte Survey Reveals 89% of Region's Employees Want to Work for Companies That Offer Time Off to Volunteer
Findings Support Deloitte's IMPACT Day on Friday, October 8th

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new survey on corporate community involvement released today by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, 89% of those employed in the Central Atlantic Region say that it is important for a company to offer its employees opportunities to volunteer with nonprofit organizations. This compares to 87% nationally. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive(R)."

Hilliard may face ethics charges

Hilliard may face ethics charges: "Hilliard may face ethics charges
Thursday, October 07, 2004
STAN BAILEY
News staff writer
MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause Wednesday to believe former state Sen. John Hilliard of Birmingham violated the state ethics law by funneling state money to a community program "

10/6/2004 - Caldwell Family To Be Honored For Generations of Giving - Business - Chattanoogan.com

10/6/2004 - Caldwell Family To Be Honored For Generations of Giving - Business - Chattanoogan.com: "The Southeast Tennessee Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will name the Caldwell Family of Chattanooga �Outstanding Philanthropists of the Year� at its 18th annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at The Chattanoogan.

An estimated 500 people are expected to attend the National Philanthropy Day luncheon, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to countless charities and causes in the Chattanooga community. Across North America, more than 150 AFP chapters and nearly 50,000 people will participate in National Philanthropy Day events. "

Yahoo! News - House Ethics Panel Warns DeLay Again

Yahoo! News - House Ethics Panel Warns DeLay Again: "House Ethics Panel Warns DeLay Again
By SUZANNE GAMBOA, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The House ethics committee rebuked Majority Leader Tom DeLay for the second time in a week for questionable conduct, sternly warning the Texas Republican to temper his behavior.
The Committee late Wednesday admonished DeLay for creating an appearance of giving donors special access on pending energy legislation and using the Federal Aviation Administration (news - web sites) to intervene in a Texas political dispute. "

Email privacy strikeout suspended | The Register

Email privacy strikeout suspended | The Register: "Email privacy strikeout suspended
By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco in San Francisco
Published Thursday 7th October 2004 07:42 GMT
Privacy groups have succeeded in persuading a First Circuit Appeals Court to reopen a case with some nasty unintended consequences for email users. A June ruling inadvertently opened the door for spooks and Feds to snoop on email without a court order, but that's now been suspended, pending the hearing in December.
In US vs Councilman a court decided that when email providers made a copy of your email - even for a few milliseconds - the US Wiretap Act doesn't apply. The defendent, an email service provider who sought to examine the contents for commercial advantage - like Google with its new Gmail service, which scans the email so it can display context-based advertisements - was acquitted. The Wiretap Act required law enforcement officers to get a warrant to snoop on email. Since this was considered to apply only to electrons in transit, all of a sudden, they didn't have to."

DesMoinesRegister.com | Editorials

DesMoinesRegister.com | Editorials: "What's that junker worth?
Don't create so much paperwork that donations of cars to charity are discouraged.
By REGISTER EDITORIAL BOARD
October 7, 2004
The Iowa Council of the United Blind receives more than half its yearly donations in automobiles, which are then sold at auctions for cash. The National Kidney Foundation of Iowa collected more than $45,000 from car donations last fiscal year. During the same period, the American Lung Association of Iowa collected $500,000 from donated cars.

Charities rely on these gifts, but Congress is on the verge of taking action that will make collecting these donations more difficult. At issue is the tax deduction donors get for giving the car.
Senator Chuck Grassley is a member of the conference committee working on this legislation. On Wednesday, he appeared close to winning final approval for the Senate version of the 'selling price rule.' This would require donors to wait until a charity sold the donated car to claim a tax deduction."

Conferees Agree on Corporate Tax Bill (washingtonpost.com)

Conferees Agree on Corporate Tax Bill (washingtonpost.com): "Conferees Agree on Corporate Tax Bill
By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 7, 2004; Page A05
House and Senate negotiators agreed yesterday on an ambitious corporate tax bill that would shower billions of dollars in tax breaks on beneficiaries from old-line manufacturers to Alaskan whalers to gamblers from overseas -- and includes a controversial $10 billion buyout of the nation's tobacco farmers.
The bill could be taken up by the full House as soon as today and passage is expected. Opponents could filibuster in the Senate over the tobacco farmer buyout, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) expressed confidence that the bill will be sent to the White House before Congress adjourns for the final weeks of the campaign. "

Forbes.com: Consumers to See Notices on Check Changes

Forbes.com: Consumers to See Notices on Check Changes: "Consumer Union's Hillebrand said consumers who don't get either canceled checks or substitute checks back with their statements should ask their financial institutions how they can get paper proof of special payments, such as a sizable charitable donation, or checks they've sent their landlords. "

APP.COM - Rules change could drive nonprofits from historic preservation

APP.COM - Rules change could drive nonprofits from historic preservation: "Rules change could drive nonprofits from historic preservation
Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/07/04
By KARL WERNER
The Legislature is considering a bill (S-1584) that would make it extremely expensive and very difficult, if not impossible, for some historic properties owned by nonprofit corporations to obtain and maintain exemption "

Policy on 'terrorist' background checks makes nonprofits pause

Policy on 'terrorist' background checks makes nonprofits pause: "Federal employees can donate money to any of 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the Combined Federal Campaign this fall, but the American Civil Liberties Union won't be one of them.
Even though it expected to raise $500,000 from the charity campaign, the ACLU withdrew to protest a new requirement that nonprofits in the campaign check their staff against three government 'watch lists' of people suspected of terrorist activity."

The Prague Post Online

The Prague Post Online: "Donations no laughing matter for charities

Corporate giving up, but not enough to meet full demand
By Zuzana Kawaciukova
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
(October 7, 2004)

The world is full of good intentions, but putting together charities with corporate donors isn't always easy. Experts say a lack of business sense on the side of charities and the absence of adequate media coverage often act to stifle corporate giving.

While corporate philanthropy has grown in the last three years, and industry experts foresee better times ahead, nonprofit charities continue to complain about the level of donations. "

AlterNet: Election 2004: One Pissed Off Voter

AlterNet: Election 2004: One Pissed Off Voter: "Like many during election season who live in �safe� states like New York, Gita Drury has focused on the swing states for the coming elections. In the past, her organization, the Active Element Foundation, raised money for grassroots youth groups nationwide to raise young voter participation. But because Active Element is a non-profit organization, the groups it works with are barred from anything that might smell of political advocacy. Wanting to get more directly involved, Gita took a leave from her job to work with Active Element�s sister organization, The League of Pissed Off Voters. Because the League has a more politically flexible 501(c)4 tax status, it is allowed to do unlimited lobbying. It also has an affiliated PAC (Political Action Committee), which allows it to make endorsements and actually help elect candidates at all levels � local, state and federal"

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Mixed Response to new SORP

content: "Mixed response to new SORP04/10/04
The new SORP offers charities the opportunity to provide clearer and more focused information on fundraising, says the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) in its response to the consultation on the draft document.
It also welcomes the recommendations for more detailed disclosure requirements in the trustees� reports, the introduction of activity-based reporting and clearer guidance on cost-allocation, say the changes will benefit charities.
Andrew Watt, head of policy at the IoF, said: �The draft SORP is a step forward towards reporting fundraising in a more holistic manner that takes into account the varied nature of fundraising activities and its impact on organisations as a whole.�"

Charity Times News

content: "NCVO welcomes changes to campaigning guidelines05/10/04
The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has welcomed the strengthening of campaigning guidelines by the Charity Commission.
The amendments to the regulator�s guidance, Political activities and campaigning by charities, are the result of extensive consultation, which discovered that charities may not have been aware of the scope they had within this arena. The commission has now taken a less cautionary approach resulting in more flexibility for those charities wanting to campaign."

Nonprofits Should Respect the Do-Not-Call Lists

Nonprofits Should Respect the Do-Not-Call Lists: "Nonprofits Should Respect the Do-Not-Call List

To Do Otherwise is Foolhardy

Since I have been on the national do not call list, I have been receiving an increasing number of calls from nonprofit organizations. I really don't care that they are nonprofit organizations; I simply do not wish to be called at home. I've made my intentions quite clear. So why do they call? The law says they can. Intelligence says they should not. "

Charity conman 'reaped millions' - National - www.theage.com.au

Charity conman 'reaped millions' - National - www.theage.com.au: "Charity conman 'reaped millions'
By Chee Chee Leung
October 7, 2004
Lawrence Shannon
Photo: Wayne TaylorThe head of a Melbourne charity for disadvantaged youth ran a series of bogus fund-raising raffles in an $8.5 million scam, a court heard yesterday.
Lawrence Shannon, 50, was the director of Kids at Sea when he rigged 28 raffles in a six-year charity con with a personal windfall of more than $2 million.
Entrants thought they were in the running for luxury cars, watches, overseas holidays and motorcycles valued at between $70,000 and $495,000.
Instead, most of the prizes never existed, with Shannon manipulating the draw so that he, his associates or fictitious names were picked as winners."

Roguish to rampant: poker's sudden allure | csmonitor.com

Roguish to rampant: poker's sudden allure | csmonitor.com: "Roguish to rampant: poker's sudden allure

Critics say it's a compulsive habit. Players call it a test of skill. Either way, the chips are flying.

By Sara B. Miller | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

LACONIA, N.H. � American lore is steeped in it - from legendary games dealt in parlors in the Wild West to smoky backrooms in New York City.
Now, with reality TV, televised tournaments that draw millions of viewers, and an explosion of websites, poker has become America's latest craze, with an estimated 50 million people checking their cards and tossing their chips."

Burlington Free Press - Editorial

Burlington Free Press - Editorial: "It's My Turn: Collaboration can help nonprofits

By Joanne A. Schneider

Iread with interest Bill Schubart's column on how cultural nonprofits may find new ways to work together to reduce non-mission related costs (Free Press, Sept. 25). He names a few high-profile organizations like Historic Preservation, although the point he makes about the extent to which they may be more survival-driven rather than mission-driven applies even more so to smaller non-profits like local cultural heritage organizations staffed with only one or a few part-time employees. Some operate with budgets and staff too minimal "

KULR-8 Television

KULR-8 Television: "Nonprofit Meeting

by Melissa Jensen

OCT. 6, BILLINGS - Nonprofit groups from across the state are in Billings this week, for the third annual meeting of the Montana Nonprofit Association. Anyone who deals with nonprofit groups is invited to attend the conference, which includes discussion on everything from fundraising to public policy"

Plainsman Online

Plainsman Online: "Huron Youth Advisory Council sets new goals
BY ROGER KASA

The Huron Youth Advisory Council gave preliminary approval to its fund-raising goal for the year and set a tentative calendar of events for the year at its first meeting of the year Monday night."

Warwick woman gives $17 Million to Charity

Warwick Online News Search - Information about Warwick, Rhode Island including city government, nonprofits, and the Warwick Beacon newspaper.: "10/05/2004
By RICHARD SCHWARTZ
One of the largest charitable gifts in The Rhode Island Foundation�s and the state�s history traces back to a period when gutta percha, the Berkshire-Hathaway miracle, and the 3-cent Rhode Island tercentenary stamp were major topics in Rhode Island. "

Wichita Eagle | 10/06/2004 | Dosed with reality, many kids shape up

Wichita Eagle | 10/06/2004 | Dosed with reality, many kids shape up: "But students have a responsibility to themselves, too. A responsibility to take all of the advantages they have, such as the cars and the cell phones and the disposable income, and accomplish something wonderful.
Something tells me most of them will.
Even with their limited resources, many of them stopped by the Reality Store's charitable giving table Tuesday at North High School, and made a contribution."

When to Give Your Church Staff a Raise - BuildingChurchLeaders.com

When to Give Your Church Staff a Raise - BuildingChurchLeaders.com: "
Home > Building Church Leaders > Vision & Strategy

When to Give Your Church Staff a Raise
Five guidelines to evaluate your staff.
by Crown Financial Ministries


Although church staff evaluations are used to determine many things regarding the work performance of church staff members, the purpose of this article is to show how staff evaluations can be used to determine whether salary increases are justified."

The Globe and MailTD makes move into charity foundation business

The Globe and Mail: "TD makes move into charity foundation business
Similar initiatives popular in the U.S."

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

CRM Daily: NewsFactor Network - Contact Centers - Cross-Selling and Upselling in a Do-Not-Call World

CRM Daily: NewsFactor Network - Contact Centers - Cross-Selling and Upselling in a Do-Not-Call World

blackenterprise.com

blackenterprise.com: "

No More Taxes?
CBC members concerned over the economic impact H.R. 25 will have on the middle class if passed
By Joyce Jones"

RisMedia.com - Bill Would Let New Jersey Towns Limit Their Open Space

RisMedia.com - Bill Would Let New Jersey Towns Limit Their Open Space: "Bill Would Let New Jersey Towns Limit Their Open Space
By Alex Nussbaum
The Record, Hackensack, N.J.
RISMEDIA, Oct. 5 -- (KRT) -- A bill in Trenton, N.J., has thrust a thorny question on state officials: How much open space is too much?
The legislation would allow local officials to block the state from buying land within their borders if more than 30 percent of the town is already preserved and tax-exempt. It also allows mayors and councils to keep land bought by non-profit groups for conservation from being declared tax-exempt, effectively blocking the deals. "

TheWBALChannel.com - WBAL-TV - Maryland Nonprofits' 12th Annual Conference

TheWBALChannel.com - WBAL-TV - Maryland Nonprofits' 12th Annual Conference

Nonprofit groups band together to reduce health care costs - PittsburghLIVE.com

Nonprofit groups band together to reduce health care costs - PittsburghLIVE.com: " Nonprofit groups band together to reduce health care costs
By Bill Zlatos
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, October 5, 2004
Charities having a hard time meeting rising health care costs may find strength in numbers.
More than 240 charities employing 7,000 people have expressed an interest in forming a network to contain health care costs. About 160 representative of the groups met Monday in downtown Pittsburgh to hear a proposal on a health insurance initiative. "

Why charities struggle - Tuesday, 10/05/04

Why charities struggle - Tuesday, 10/05/04: "Why charities struggle
Charities have struggled to recover ground lost from the response by some nonprofits to the 9/11 terrorist assault.
A new report from the Brookings Institution's Center for Public Service shows that confidence in charities has waned since the attacks.
The surveys began in the aftermath of 9/11, when some charities that collected donations for victims drew negative publicity about their allocation decisions. Only 11% of those surveyed in the recent report thought that charities spent their money wisely, down from 14% last October. Fifteen percent of respondents said they had a ''great deal'' of confidence in charities, down from last year's 18%."

Back to School: Become a Foundation Expert

PRESS RELEASE
Back to School: Become a Foundation Expert: "Press ReleaseSource: Fielding Graduate Institute

Back to School: Become a Foundation Expert
Monday October 4, 5:04 pm ET
Fielding Graduate Institute and IFF Advisors, LLC, Create First Integrated Certified Program in Foundation Management
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2004--Fielding Graduate Institute and IFF Advisors, LLC have joined forces and created the first integrated Certificate in Foundation Management, it was announced today by Fielding President Dr. Judith Kuipers and Douglas K. Freeman, J.D., LL.M., Chairman, IFF Advisors, LLC.
Fielding, a premier distributed graduate education university, and IFF Advisors, LLC, one of the largest and most experienced foundation consulting companies in the nation, have created a program that offers a unique mix of face-to-face and online discussion, academic and experiential learning. The program will mix the classroom with fieldwork and practical exercises. This program begins Jan. 23, 2005, and will be conducted (four weekends, three in the beautiful community of Santa Barbara and one in Los Angeles) over a period "

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Comic Relief condemned over Burma link

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Comic Relief condemned over Burma link: "Comic Relief condemned over Burma link

Tash Shifrin
Tuesday October 5, 2004

One of Britain's best-known charities was today condemned for entering into a partnership with a firm linked to the military dictatorship in Burma.
Human rights organisation the Burma Campaign UK slammed Comic Relief, the charity behind Red Nose Day, after it emerged the charity would be working on the event with delivery company DHL, which is in a joint venture with the Burmese government."

Make-A-Wish board quits in policy feud

Make-A-Wish board quits in policy feud: "Make-A-Wish board quits in policy feud
Robert Franklin, Star Tribune
October 5, 2004 WISH1005
All 23 board and advisory board members of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota resigned Monday over 'philosophical differences' with the national organization.
They said they objected to directives that included ending their practice of giving $1,000 to families of children who died before their wishes were granted, forbidding wishes that involve hunting and imposing term limits on board members.
'The gap is too large and it's not going to come together,' said local president Karla Blomberg of the directives. 'It just doesn't meet our values and what we're here for.'"

dailypennsylvanian.com - Fewer seniors donate at Penn than elsewhere

dailypennsylvanian.com - Fewer seniors donate at Penn than elsewhere: "Fewer seniors donate at Penn than elsewhere
By anna haigh
October 5, 2004


Princeton may be our classic rival, but for Penn seniors, Yale is the school to beat.
Yale University had over 80 percent of its 2004 graduating class give money to the senior gift drive, above and beyond the rates at Penn, Harvard University and Princeton University.
Only 55 percent of the University's graduating class contributed to the senior drive last year, and that was a record high for Penn."

USAO/CDCA Press Release

USAO/CDCA Press Release: "GUILTY PLEA BY LOCAL �WAR-SPAMMER� IS FIRST-EVER CONVICTION UNDER CAN-SPAM ACT

In the first conviction in the nation under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, a Hollywood man who used a laptop computer in his car to access wireless Internet accounts and send electronic mail advertising pornographic websites has pleaded guilty to federal �spamming� charges."

Monday, October 04, 2004

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Diana's brand faces �16m legal disaster

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Diana's brand faces �16m legal disaster: "Scores of charities could lose out on millions of pounds of funding if the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund loses a high-profile court case in the US next month.
Yesterday a judge in Los Angeles ruled there was sufficient evidence for the Franklin Mint company to press ahead with legal action against the fund, and set a trial date for 5 November"

Under scrutiny, board to pay own way to meeting - Monday, 10/04/04

Under scrutiny, board to pay own way to meeting - Monday, 10/04/04: "
Monday, 10/04/04 | Under scrutiny, board to pay own way to meeting
By BRAD SCHRADE
Staff Writer

The State Board of Accountancy � facing an ethics review for a trip two members accepted to an annual accounting association conference in Hawaii last year � will pay its own way to this year's conference later this month in Chicago."

Forbes.com: Bill Grows Up

Forbes.com: Bill Grows Up: "SAN FRANSISCO - Bill Gates may have spent the last ten years on the top of the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list--but only now has he gotten comfortable with the altitude.

Last week, at the annual luncheon of one of Silicon Valley's longest-running philanthropic organizations, the Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ) chairman struck a very Carnegiesque note when he urged others to open their eyes--and their wallets--to urgent needs around them.

'We need to get this new generation drawn into philanthropy,' Gates told an audience of 1,500 Silicon Valley denizens Friday. 'I think we can draw people into being more generous,' he "

Bloomberg.com: U.S. "U.S. `Do Not Call' Registry Survives Challenge: Court Overview

Bloomberg.com: U.S.: "U.S. `Do Not Call' Registry Survives Challenge: Court Overview
Oct. 4 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court, turning away an appeal by a telemarketing trade group, refused to question the national ``do not call'' registry that bars unsolicited sales calls to more than 63 million phone numbers.
The justices, issuing a one-line order in Washington as they convened their new term, let stand a federal appeals court's conclusion the registry doesn't violate the free-speech rights of companies seeking to market their products on the phone"

Viewpoint Launches ''Searching For A Cause'' Initiative with Avon Foundation

Press Release
Viewpoint Launches ''Searching For A Cause'' Initiative with Avon Foundation: "Viewpoint Launches ''Searching For A Cause'' Initiative with Avon Foundation
Monday October 4, 9:15 am ET
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2004--Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT - News)
Initiative to raise money and awareness for Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
The Tony Danza Show's Ereka Vetrini, a former contestant on NBC's The Apprentice, to serve as spokesperson for the initiative.
In a sweeping new use of 'search' technology, Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT - News) - a leading provider of Internet graphics and delivery systems - announced today an agreement with Avon Foundation to create and distribute a custom search toolbar that promotes the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. The program will give the Foundation access to a new source of funding as well as innovative tools for reaching and educating its supporters using the toolbar as a communication link. "

Yahoo! News - Ineffective Charitable Giving Act to be Attached as Rider to Outrageous $170 Billion Corporate Tax Break Bill, Says NCRP

Yahoo! News - Ineffective Charitable Giving Act to be Attached as Rider to Outrageous $170 Billion Corporate Tax Break Bill, Says NCRP

The Reporter - News Political endorsements and Charities

The Reporter - News: "The commercial, 30 seconds long, starts out solemnly, introducing the ad in white letters across a black screen as 'a public message about air pollution.'
The narrator, a former president of the California Medical Association, goes on to announce that one in seven children in the Central Valley suffers from asthma.
Then he says, 'Podesto has sided with his campaign contributors and against the American Lung Association of California.'
Darlene Demarco, executive director of the American Lung Association office in Stockton, saw the campaign ad Friday morning and complained to the charity's governmental-relations arm in Sacramento.
By the afternoon, the association was telling Machado in strong language to pull its name from the ad.
According to federal law, a charitable organization cannot endorse a political candidate, and the association did not authorize it in this case, wrote Paul Knepprath, vice president for governmental relations."

Charity Village� NewsWeek: Coffee with Cam Re another Philanthropy Day

Charity Village� NewsWeek: Coffee with Cam: "Coffee with Cam
Just a thought...
By Cam Tait
Philanthropy Day is coming again. November 16th, they tell me. Hundreds of people will attend luncheons throughout the land and will be honoured for their investments in the community. We'll clap, shake hands, slap people on the back - maybe even hug people - after they get their plaque, trophy or certificate. People who win awards are to be congratulated for their efforts.

If you've read my stuff in past years, you know I don't get all fired up about Philanthropy Day. I have wondered why, if the true meaning of philanthropy is giving and expecting nothing in return - no lunches, no plaques, no logos, no recognition...nothing - then why do we get all gussied up and eat lunch on the finest china, have a wonderful meal, and then hand out awards? I still don't get it. And, if I may be so brave to suggest, perhaps the Philanthropy Day gang could take the food allotted to their luncheon and give it to, say, a local food bank. No go, eh?

Okay, maybe the food bank idea is a little over the top. But, here's a thought that might be a little more practical.

People who are at Philanthropy Day luncheons are already champions. They're the people who got it goin' on. They're people with ideas and energy who make ideas come alive. When those ideas come alive, community projects blossom. I sincerely hope they know why they are there. I'm willing to bet the mortgage that they don't really need to have their name called and their bio read in front of a crowded ballroom to know they are a champion."

CNN.com - Catholic charity loses birth control appeal - Oct 4, 2004

CNN.com - Catholic charity loses birth control appeal - Oct 4, 2004: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The Supreme Court Monday let stand a ruling that a Catholic charity must include prescription contraceptives in its employee health insurance plan even though church teaching condemns artificial birth control as sinful.
Without comment, the justices rejected an appeal by Catholic Charities of Sacramento of what it called a precedent-setting ruling by the California Supreme Court requiring that contraceptives be included in the prescription drug plan provided to its employees."

A must read for girls looking to volunteer in their community - The Clarion-Ledger

A must read for girls looking to volunteer in their community - The Clarion-Ledger

Justices Let Stand Do-Not-Call Ruling (washingtonpost.com)

Justices Let Stand Do-Not-Call Ruling (washingtonpost.com): "Justices Let Stand Do-Not-Call Ruling
Compiled from Wire Service Dispatches
Monday, October 4, 2004; 11:22 AM
The Supreme Court let stand a lower-court ruling that telemarketers' rights to free speech are not violated by the government's nationwide do-not-call list.
Without comment, the justices rejected an appeal by commercial telemarketers against the lower-court ruling, which upheld as constitutional the popular program in which consumers can put their names on a list if they do not want to be called by telemarketers"

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Workloads grow for directors as hands-on responsibilities added

The Seattle Times: Business & Technology: Workloads grow for directors as hands-on responsibilities added

Report: Bush Funding Favors Faith Programs

Report: Bush Funding Favors Faith Programs: "Report: Bush Funding Favors Faith Programs
10/1/2004

A new report finds federal social-service grantmaking to religious groups has increased significantly during the Bush Administration, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported Sept. 16. "

Herald Sun: Hoax hurting charity [03oct04]

Herald Sun: Hoax hurting charity [03oct04]: "Hoax hurting charity
By KIM WILSON
03oct04

A CRUEL Internet hoax is tarnishing the image of one of Australia's most generous children's charities and costing it much needed donations.

The hoax e-mails, which detail sick children's names and illnesses, ask recipients to forward the e-mail to as many people as possible in order for the dying child to receive a donation from the Make-A-Wish Foundation"

sacbee.com -- Politics -- State to turn a critical eye on its charities

sacbee.com -- Politics -- State to turn a critical eye on its charities: "State to turn a critical eye on its charities
Governor signs law that requires tighter auditing procedures.
By Will Evans -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, October 3, 2004
California's donation to charity this year is a law making the state a leader in regulating nonprofit organizations amid a nationwide crackdown on them.
The number of groups applying for charitable status each year has surged nearly 30 percent since 1997, drawing the attention of regulators as a series of prominent scandals erodes public confidence in charities. The new scrutiny is coming not only from California's capitol, but from Congress "

Volunteer News: Aligning corporate goals with employee volunteerism

Volunteer News: Aligning corporate goals with employee volunteerism: "Aligning corporate goals with employee volunteerism

01 Oct 2004--
By Cori Cunningham
The value behind creating a strategic community involvement program is clear; few businesses would be opposed to creating greater impact in their communities as well as greater impact to their bottom line. Where it gets fuzzy is in the creation of this strategy; what is the best way to create grantmaking and volunteer initiatives in a way that balances business interests and employee interests? Are these interests competing or complementary? "

Theft exposes vulnerability of nonprofits

Theft exposes vulnerability of nonprofits: "Theft exposes vulnerability of nonprofits
Her�n M�rquez Estrada, Star Tribune
October 4, 2004 SPIRIT1004


When Sheila Ann Lotz's co-workers at the Catholic Spirit learned that she allegedly stole more than $150,000 from the weekly newspaper, they were quick to forgive her.
'We see any wrong along these lines as sin,' said Bob Zyskowski, the religious newspaper's associate publisher. 'The flip side of that is that we are also able to forgive.'
But prosecutors with the Ramsey County attorney's office weren't so charitable.
They charged the paper's former business manager last month with theft in one of the largest financial scandals ever at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which owns the publication.
'What caught my attention was the amount,' said Cmdr. Kevin Casper of the St. Paul Police Department. 'I think in her heart she thought she was going to pay it back but the amount just got to be so large.'
Lotz, 56, of Roseville, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

onPhilanthropy - In-kind Donations for Nonprofits

onPhilanthropy - In-kind Donations for Nonprofits: "Corporations are usually more willing to donate products and services than hard cash to nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits, however, are generally less keen to receive their donations in kind, because they fear getting the wrong products at the wrong times. Yet our research suggests that carefully managed in-kind donations can do a lot to help nonprofits � especially international relief organizations � narrow the gap between their aims and their resources. The trick is to create long-term partnerships between nonprofits and donor companies and to make the benefits for both sides explicit. This approach gives nonprofits more control over "

Philanthropy is more than a Tax Deduction

Philanthropy is more than a Tax Deduction: "Philanthropy is more than a Tax Deduction

Teaching People about Philanthropy
Philanthropy, love of mankind, is getting lost in a sea of solicitation materials for charitable causes. Once a descriptive phrase, 'your donation is tax-deductible' has become a full-blown marketing method for many nonprofit organizations. It has also become one of the most misunderstood aspects of donating money. "

What it takes to be good corporate citizen today - OCT 4, 2004 Singapore

What it takes to be good corporate citizen today - OCT 4, 2004

Channelnewsasia.com Youths raise over S$200,000

Channelnewsasia.com: "Youths raise over S$200,000 in 10-week charity project
By Wong Siew Ying/Tan Bee Leng, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Some 200 young participants had a go at Citibank's Youth for Causes project to see who could come up with the best ideas, mobilise more volunteers and raise the most money.

They were rewarded for efforts in the 10 week project, raising S$200,000 for charity. "

E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Opt-In Marketing Offers Alternative to Spyware, Adware

E-Commerce News: E-Commerce: Opt-In Marketing Offers Alternative to Spyware, Adware

IRS Asked If Churches Can Pray for Bush Re-Election

IRS Asked If Churches Can Pray for Bush Re-Election

Wichita Eagle | 10/03/2004 | Rethinking tax status of churches

Wichita Eagle | 10/03/2004 | Rethinking tax status of churches

Churches a good place to round up votes

Churches a good place to round up votes

MSNBC - Merger spree: Nonprofits do survival deals

MSNBC - Merger spree: Nonprofits do survival deals: "After a decade that saw the spawning of thousands of new charity groups, the Puget Sound area's nonprofit sector is now seeing a flurry of mergers and acquisitions. "

Generation X not in giving mood -- yet

Generation X not in giving mood -- yet: "Generation X not in giving mood -- yet
Monday, October 04, 2004
By Alana Semuels, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

This time last year, 34 percent of the 2003 graduates of Carnegie Mellon's business school had made pledges to contribute to their alma mater, a weak showing even among notoriously stingy alumni in their 20s and early 30s.
Enter David A. Tepper, the 46-year-old millionaire investor and CMU graduate, who gave the school $55 million and urged students at the school - renamed the David A. Tepper School of Business - to follow his lead of 'earning, learning, and returning.'
This year's class gift participation: 93 percent, a threefold increase.
'It's astronomical,' said Ron Schiller, director of university development and associate vice president of advancement at Carnegie Mellon. 'It's witness to the power of understanding the difference that philanthropy makes.'"

Najib: Contribute to your alma mater

Najib: Contribute to your alma mater