Friday, December 01, 2006

Arbutus Times

Arbutus Times: "Accountability a goal for nonprofits

11/30/06
by L. REED WALTON
Capital News Service


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Five more Maryland nonprofits have joined 69 of their state counterparts in meeting the Standards for Excellence, a set of goals devised by the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (called Maryland Nonprofits).

The five made the grade for their ethics, openness and accountability, according to the group, which oversees state nonprofit organizations."

Gates Foundation Changes Structure | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Gates Foundation Changes Structure | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Gates Foundation Changes Structure

By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
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SEATTLE — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be altering its internal financial structure to cleanly separate its program work from investment of its assets, the foundation announced this week.

The reorganization plan, which takes effect in January, will also help the foundation accommodate an infusion of stock from Warren Buffett, the organization announced Wednesday. Buffett said in June he would be giving most of his money to the foundation in annual installments worth about $1.5 billion. His first gift was made in August.

Buffett has given the foundation a few years to ramp up before requiring that it distribute his entire donation each year, which will effectively double the dollar amount of grants the foundation makes."

The Science Of Smart Giving

The Science Of Smart Giving: "The Science Of Smart Giving
Squeezing the most good from large-scale donations takes serious planning. Here are five success stories

Slide Show >>
How do you give away $10 million? You could start adding zeros to whatever checks you are writing to charitable institutions and worthy causes. But if you're going to hand over an eight-figure sum, you'll want more than a thank-you letter and a receipt to show the tax man. Such amounts 'raise a question that isn't just material but emotional: How much impact am I going to have?' says Paul Schervish, director of Boston College's Center on Wealth & Philanthropy."

PlaybillArts: News: Baltimore Symphony Receives $1 Million Challenge Grant

PlaybillArts: News: Baltimore Symphony Receives $1 Million Challenge Grant: "Baltimore Symphony Receives $1 Million Challenge Grant

By Vivien Schweitzer
30 Nov 2006

The Baltimore Symphony has received a $1 million challenge grant from the Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, a group of family foundations dedicated to cultural and educational philanthropy in the Baltimore region and Israel."

The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2007

The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2007: "The Nonprofit Sector in Brief
Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2007
Author(s): Thomas H. Pollak, Amy Blackwood
Other Availability: PDF | Order Online | Printer-Friendly Page
Posted to Web: October 26, 2006
Permanent Link: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=311373

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

Note: This report is available in its entirety in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

The text below is a portion of the complete document.

This brief highlights key findings from the Nonprofit Almanac 2007, prepared by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute (Urban Institute Press, forthcoming). The Almanac is the latest in the Urban Institute's series of statistical profiles of the nonprofit sector, most recently produced in conjunction with Independent Sector in 2002."

Thursday, November 30, 2006

DenverPost.com - Nonprofits get help in hunt for sponsorships

DenverPost.com - Nonprofits get help in hunt for sponsorships: "Nonprofits get help in hunt for sponsorships
One tip from an expert at the Denver conference: Land the biggest fish first, then net the smaller ones.
By Will Shanley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:11/29/2006 11:07:06 PM MST

Nonprofits in Colorado and nationwide are on the hunt for billions of dollars in corporate donations.

But some nonprofits miss out on that money because they make a few basic mistakes. At a conference in Denver on Wednesday, expert Martha Vail presented ways for nonprofits to avoid those errors and attract corporate sponsors:

Pitch the company on the marketing value of the sponsorship, not just the importance of the nonprofit's mission.

Land the largest sponsors first, then fill in the financing with smaller deals.

Don't offer a company exclusive sponsorship rights unless the sponsor asks for it - and is willing to pay for it."

Is writing a check enough? - The Boston Globe

Is writing a check enough? - The Boston Globe: "Is writing a check enough?

By Milton J. Little Jr. and Trish Karter | November 30, 2006

BY ANY measure, there is a remarkable amount of corporate philanthropic giving in Boston -- in time, money, and in-kind contributions. Corporate philanthropy is critical to sustaining the nonprofits that contribute so much to the health and vitality of many communities throughout the state. But is writing checks and making in-kind donations of time and resources enough?"

Rich or poor, charity begins one by one - Yahoo! News

Rich or poor, charity begins one by one - Yahoo! News: "he superrich (
Bill Gates,
Warren Buffett) set a glittery example by giving away billions. The working poor do their share, too - by handing over a higher portion of their income to charity than wealthier folks. Wanting to help others knows no financial boundaries.


One survey shows that Americans are giving more than ever to charities, some $260 billion last year alone, about 6 percent more than the previous year. And add to that another estimated $150 billion in volunteer giving each year (valued at $18 per hour)."

cantonrep.com-Cash is nice, time and energy just as valuable

cantonrep.com: "'Giving of time is significant,' Rubin said. Some organizations couldn't exist without volunteers, and working for a charity affords donors a firsthand look at how their money is used.

When it comes to donating money, the Association of Fundraising Professionals says it's best not to give on a whim. Do your homework first. Which charity do you want to support? How much will you donate? When will you make your gift?"

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

DenverPost.com - CU med school's name up for grabs

DenverPost.com - CU med school's name up for grabs: "CU med school's name up for grabs
The medical campus got the Anschutz tag Monday. CU has talked to about 50 people about the school.
By Will Shanley
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated:11/28/2006 10:05:30 PM MST

While the University of Colorado announced this week that its medical campus in Aurora will be named after Denver-based financier Philip Anschutz, school officials continue to seek a name donor for its School of Medicine.

'I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'm sure we'll get this done at some point,' said Dr. Richard Krugman, dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 'This isn't a sprint.'

More than a year ago, Krugman and a team of advisers launched a campaign to find a well-heeled philanthropist willing to donate $100 million or more in exchange for the naming rights to the school."
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Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The $3 Billion Man - Forbes.com

The $3 Billion Man - Forbes.com:

snip snip>>>
"That changed last September. After a philanthropy-filled summer that saw major donations by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, Branson capped the season with an announcement of his own. At Bill Clinton's Global Initiative in New York, Branson pledged all proceeds from Virgin Group’s transportation divisions be donated to develop alternative fuel sources and alleviate global warming. His pledge amounts to about $3 billion over ten years."

FirstGov.gov: Answer

FirstGov.gov: Answer: "There are a number of assistance programs that are available to nonprofit organizations. The websites listed below are all excellent sources of information:

*www.nonprofit.gov. This site is dedicated to assisting nonprofit organizations.
*www.cfda.gov. The online Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), which is a comprehensive list of all federal assistance programs.
*www.grants.gov Helps state and local governments, academia, not-for-profits and other organizations locate and apply for grants for which they may qualify."

DenverPost.com - Who gives and who doesn't in Denver

DenverPost.com - Who gives and who doesn't in Denver: "Who gives and who doesn't in Denver
By Rebecca Arno
Special to The Denver Post
Article Last Updated:11/27/2006 01:46:47 PM MST

More metro Denver residents are giving and volunteering than they were in 2000, according to a study commissioned by The Denver Foundation.

The number of people who reported giving to charity rose from 90 to 96 percent, and the number of those volunteering rose from 59 to 74 percent. Yet even with this increase in involvement, the community s growing needs are a call to action for local residents to boost their generosity."

ABC News: Are Americans Cheap? Or Charitable?

ABC News: Are Americans Cheap? Or Charitable?: "By JOHN STOSSEL and GENA BINKLEY

Nov. 28, 2006 — There is a big focus on giving at this time of the year.

Do you give? Or are you cheap? I keep hearing that 'Americans are cheap.'

The New York Times asks in an editorial, 'Are we cheap?'

'Yes,' they say. Former President Carter recently said the rich states 'don't give a damn' about people in poor countries. And when it comes to helping the needy in poor countries, U2 singer Bono says, 'It's the crumbs off our tables that we offer these countries.'

Monday, November 27, 2006

AP Wire | 11/23/2006 | Some Alabama charities feel Katrina chill on giving

AP Wire | 11/23/2006 | Some Alabama charities feel Katrina chill on giving: "Some Alabama charities feel Katrina chill on giving
GARRY MITCHELL
Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala. - The shelves at the Bay Area Food Bank near Mobile look a little bare and so do the Salvation Army kettles.

'Donations have tapered off since Katrina,' Food Bank spokeswoman Shearie Archer said.

Hurricane Katrina exhausted the supplies of many social agencies, but also drew millions of dollars in charitable contributions for storm victims since it struck Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Aug. 29, 2005.

This year, some Alabama charities feel a Katrina chill on giving while the calls for help have increased."

N.J. charities put their faith and hope in stock market

N.J. charities put their faith and hope in stock market: "N.J. charities put their faith and hope in stock market
After Wall Street's recent gains, investors are looking to share
Thursday, November 23, 2006
BY PEGGY McGLONE
Star-Ledger Staff

Investors aren't the only ones enjoying the stock market's recent surge. Charities are benefiting, too.

A buoyant stock market churning out record highs has charity officials feeling bullish that this year's donations will reach a level not seen since the '90s boom."

Nonprofits unite to cut costs, streamline services - Nashville, Tennessee - Monday, 11/27/06 - Tennessean.com

Nonprofits unite to cut costs, streamline services - Nashville, Tennessee - Monday, 11/27/06 - Tennessean.com: "Nonprofits unite to cut costs, streamline services

By COLBY SLEDGE
Staff Writer

Beth Lowry was ready to quit.

After years of serving as the only employee of Survivors Against Violent Environments, a local nonprofit that provides transitional housing for domestic abuse victims, Lowry was exhausted.


Looking for help, she turned to a similar nonprofit, the Domestic Violence Intervention Center, and proposed a merger."
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Business: In the market for a good cause

Business: In the market for a good cause: "Corporations are increasingly selling products that will benefit certain charities.

By CHRISTINA REXRODE
Published November 23, 2006


It didn't start with Lance Armstrong, but he sure gave it a boost.

When the gods of philanthropy created nonprofits, corporate sponsorships dawned soon after. But lately, charities have leaned toward a fundraising strategy that encompasses both companies and consumers: cause-related marketing."

Philanthropy - The latest news and trends in philanthropy from Forbes.com and its partner publications.

Philanthropy - The latest news and trends in philanthropy from Forbes.com and its partner publications.: "Philanthropy
America's 200 Largest Charities
Our annual evaluation of the country's largest nonprofits focuses on three key ratios.

Celebrities Give Back
Hollywood's Most Influential Celebrity Activists The Forbes 400
$100 Million, Anyone?

Corporate Citizenship
Going Global Blog: Branson's $3 Billion Donation Philanthropy
Philanthropy's Next Generation"

Coeur d'Alene Press - Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho

Coeur d'Alene Press - Local and National News - Kootenai County, Idaho: "Several area nonprofit groups have learned painful, expensive lessons
COEUR d'ALENE -- A dirty little secret in the world of philanthropy is that well-meaning organizations can be victimized by villains and grifters.

Several Coeur d'Alene area nonprofits have learned some painful, not to mention expensive, lessons about trust and procedure over the last two years.

'It can happen to anybody,' said Julie Day, who is the treasurer for the Coeur d'Alene School District and assists nonprofit groups in the district. 'It hurts in two ways. One is financially and the other is emotionally. You end up choosing sides and there's some guilt, like, 'I should have checked this,' or 'I should have been more diligent.''"

Boston hospitals tally record giving in 2006 - The Boston Globe

Boston hospitals tally record giving in 2006 - The Boston Globe: "Boston hospitals tally record giving in 2006
New fund-raising strategies pay off

By Liz Kowalczyk, Globe Staff | November 26, 2006

Boston-area hospitals have hired dozens of employees to identify and woo wealthy donors, making 2006 a record year for philanthropy at many of the city's medical institutions."

New York Daily News - City News - Clem Richardson: Charity, the Asian way

New York Daily News - City News - Clem Richardson: Charity, the Asian way: "Charity, the Asian way

It started as just another meet-and-greet for like-minded professionals in banking and finance.

But that meeting of Asian-American twenty- and thirtysomethings may mark an evolution in charitable giving in ethnic communities.

Five young Asian-American professionals left that 2004 meeting and formed AsiaNextGen Giving Circle, a group created with the aim of targeting its philanthropy so it would have the most impact on issues affecting the city's Asian community."

America the charitable: a few surprises - Yahoo! News

America the charitable: a few surprises - Yahoo! News: "Everybody knows Americans are big givers. But their charitable impulses keep generating surprises.
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Consider just a few conclusions from recent research:

*Charitable giving plays an even larger role in the economy than is suggested by some $260 billion in annual contributions. Each dollar of giving appears to create $19 of extra national income, according to a book released this past weekend."