Friday, April 04, 2008

Dwindling donations, rising costs hurt food banks - mlive.com

Dwindling donations, rising costs hurt food banks - mlive.com: "We are turning away approximately 10 to 15 families per day,' the Rev. Chico Daniels, president of Mel Trotter, said at a Thursday press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department. The ministry launched an impromptu food drive to restock shelves for food donations.

'It's scaring me,' said Linda Quist, associate director of Senior Meals. 'What do you do? Do you keep cutting? Then, are you even fulfilling your mission?'

Her fears are understandable.

A steady loss in manufacturing jobs in recent years has put one in eight Michigan residents on food stamps, double the caseload in 2000 and a record high. In Kent County, it jumped from 25,770 recipients in 2000 to nearly 70,000 in February."

Walkers prepare to step out for charity - icWales

Walkers prepare to step out for charity - icWales: "THE ninth annual Avril’s Walk will set off from New Tredegar later this month.

Fundraisers from all over the Rhymney Valley will turn out to show their support on Sunday, April 20 for Velindre Hospital and to remember walk founder Avril Williams."

Students use consulting skills for a good cause - News

Students use consulting skills for a good cause - News: "Penn International Business Volunteers is one of Penn's few undergraduate organizations that combines economic consulting with philanthropy. The group promotes international development by creating business solutions for new non-governmental organizations"

JewishJournal.com

JewishJournal.com: "And the philanthropic world is becoming increasingly fearful about what seems to be a perfect storm brewing against the financial world.

While most philanthropy professionals feel some anxiety now, they are bracing for what could be a calamity in the world of charitable giving.

At its worst, they say, the stock and real estate markets could continue to slide and large foundations could be forced to cut their allocations significantly, smaller donations from the middle class could dry up and what has been a renaissance in Jewish programming over the past several years could come to a screeching halt. Also, the dollar's decline could continue to stretch the budgets of Israeli nonprofits.

At its best, the economy could stabilize and there could simply be a short-term slowing of philanthropic dollars -- a slowing that already has started."

JewishJournal.com

JewishJournal.com: "Ramah's solar energy installation was made possible by a donor who wanted to make an environmental and educational impact, as well as generate good financial return for camp. Ramah alumnus and parent David Braun donated $500,000 toward the project. Here's how he views his gift:

'The donation is a gift that keeps on giving as savings continue to be generated for decades, greatly increasing the ultimate size of the donation,' Braun said. 'By lowering Ramah's long-term overhead it will effectively increase the monies available for other functions of camp.'"

The story behind the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle

The story behind the Dalai Lama's visit to Seattle: "nspired by the address, Kranzler met with the Dalai Lama's emissary, Lama Tenzin Dhonden, and began sharing his vision for putting compassion into action, starting with children and those who influence them.

Now, 2 1/2 years later, the ambitious dream has sprouted into a five-day event starting April 11 that seeks to touch everyone -- not only youths and educators, but philanthropists, politicians, businesspeople and clergy of different faiths -- with the message that kindness and compassion form the critical bedrock for a better"

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Brad Pitt's Philanthropy Runs in the Family - Good Deeds, Brad Pitt : People.com

Brad Pitt's Philanthropy Runs in the Family - Good Deeds, Brad Pitt : People.com: "or years, friends in Springfield, Missouri, have remarked on the physical resemblance between Brad Pitt and his only brother, Doug. But the two share a deeper similarity: their commitment to charitable causes.

On Wednesday, Doug announced the creation of the Care to Learn Fund, a program designed to meet the immediate health, hunger, and hygiene needs of students enrolled in Springfield Public Schools, where both Brad and Doug spent their early years."

Scene: Rockets raise bar for fundraising | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Scene: Rockets raise bar for fundraising | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander raised the bar on personal philanthropy Thursday night at the team's Tux & Tennies Charity Gala.

He announced to the gathering on the floor of Toyota Center that he was upping his original gift of $500,000 for Dikembe Mutombo's hospital in Congo by $250,000."

USATODAY.com

USATODAY.com: "Some philanthropic organizations go even further. Paulette Maehara, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, says that 'if donors cannot trust charities to respect their wishes, then philanthropy simply cannot happen.'"

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

CG auctions lighthouses to citizens, nonprofits - Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times

CG auctions lighthouses to citizens, nonprofits - Navy News, opinions, editorials, news from Iraq, photos, reports - Navy Times: "As part of the amendment, lighthouses are first made available free to state and local governments or nonprofit organizations.

A would-be owner must submit an application to the National Park Service detailing a plan to repair and use the building in accord with historic preservation laws. If the park service can’t find a suitable government or nonprofit candidate, the lighthouse goes up for auction."

A.C.L.U. and State Branch Spar - New York Times

A.C.L.U. and State Branch Spar - New York Times: "Facing the threat of a takeover by the national organization, the South Carolina affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is embroiled in a fight over access to tapes of a board committee meeting.

The A.C.L.U. has accused the affiliate of mismanagement and not spending enough money on efforts to defend civil liberties. But affiliate leaders contend their group is being punished for raising questions about the direction and leadership of the national organization."

An Unlikely Obsession: School Auctions - New York Times

An Unlikely Obsession: School Auctions - New York Times: "Ms. Furner and her younger sister, Robin Kirchner, have crisscrossed northern New Jersey patronizing auctions for schools, churches, animal shelters and civic clubs with the single-mindedness others have for golfing, bowling or shopping. They hit three to four a month"

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform |

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform |: "But in fact surveys suggest 27 million Americans claim Scottish ancestry, although census date indicates that around ten million have a Scottish line of descent.

It is a wonderful compliment to Scotland that millions of Americans who are not of direct Scottish descent nonetheless claim an affinity with our nation. They are very welcome.

And I believe that it is the enduring and positive relationship between our countries - and the nature of the Scottish contribution to America, in business, in government, in philanthropy, in culture - that explains this Scottish resonance."

A haven in a high-rent world - The Boston Globe

A haven in a high-rent world - The Boston Globe: "The recently renovated space on South Street is part of a building called the Nonprofit Center, which exclusively houses 'progressive social change' organizations that work to correct societal problems.

It is one of about 150 such centers nationwide: multitenant, incubator-like spaces operated primarily for nonprofits, which benefit from affordable rents, secure leases, a collaborative environment, and increased visibility. Many of the centers are in modern buildings in prime downtown areas, and some offer shared equipment, such as photocopiers and printers, as well as programs like yoga and lunchtime seminars."

Money roll - News

Money roll - News: "Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and Phi Mu sorority are raising money simply by rolling a ball around. The huge multi-colored ball grabs the attention of those around it, and it's hard to imagine anyone being unable to help the cause once the dirty, orb-shaped rainbow rolls their way.

On Monday, the fraternity and sorority held the kickoff for Get on the Ball, a project in which the two groups will roll a ball six feet in diameter across campus asking everyone they meet to place their signature on it."

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Fund Raisers Should Study Negotiation Strategies - Philanthropy.com

Fund Raisers Should Study Negotiation Strategies - Philanthropy.com: "Fund Raisers Should Study Negotiation Strategies

Keys to successfully negotiating with donors to win large gifts can be found in research from other fields, according to Shaun G. Lynch, a fund-raising consultant from St. Lazare, Canada, who spoke Tuesday at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ annual conference in San Diego."

Foundations revise grant application for Colorado nonprofits - Denver Business Journal:

Foundations revise grant application for Colorado nonprofits - Denver Business Journal:: "A group of Colorado foundations and other donors has revised the 15-year-old Common Grant Application, the form used by Colorado nonprofits to apply for grants, and has scheduled meetings throughout the state starting April 7 to brief applicants.

A large volunteer group representing grantmakers and nonprofits did much of the work in revising the application form, said Rebecca Arno, vice president of communications for The Denver Foundation."

Grocers pull silly socks up for charity - icWales

Grocers pull silly socks up for charity - icWales: "ROCERS raised more than £2,000 for a cancer charity by donning “silly” socks.

Shoppers and suppliers sponsored nine workers at Glendales fruit shop in Wilson Road, Ely, Cardiff, to wear the fancy footwear and support Cancer Research UK."

British cop's 54,000km charity push | PerthNow

British cop's 54,000km charity push | PerthNow: "A FORMER British policeman is wheeling across the South West of WA to raise money for the Canteen charity for young people living with cancer.
Swasie Turner's 27-year police career was cut short when he lost his right leg after being deliberately run down by a motorcycle rider."

Relay for Life plans another successful walk

Relay for Life plans another successful walk: "Work began for the 2008 Pendleton Relay for Life almost as soon as the 2007 event ended. Cancer survivors Joshua Johnston, retired Umatilla County Commissioner Emile Holeman and others will lead the June 13-14 walk"

Anonymous Giving Is on the Rise - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle

Anonymous Giving Is on the Rise - Philanthropy.com: "Anonymous Giving Is on the Rise

Wealthy philanthropists are increasingly choosing to give their charitable donations anonymously, in part to protect their privacy but also to avoid rifts among family members expecting an inheritance, reports the Los Angeles Times."

Yale Daily News - Decision to bar donors’ names from colleges sets Yale apart

Yale Daily News - Decision to bar donors’ names from colleges sets Yale apart: "he Corporation was in favor of expansion, Betts quickly offered, which raised the question: What would they be named?

Or, at least, would the University allow the lead donors for the colleges the chance to attach their names to them?

“We’re not going to,” he said.

The reporter pressed.

“What if someone approaches Yale with a $1 billion gift? What do you say: ‘No’?”

The assembled administrators laughed, but Betts got serious.

“The answer is no,” he declared. “We’re not going to do it.”"

Monday, March 31, 2008

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Listen and learn: Marketing your planned giving program
Louise Chatterton LuchukBy Louise Chatterton Luchuk
March 31, 2008

They say that two things in life are certain - death and taxes - and planned giving deals with both. At first glance, the idea of marketing planned giving programs might appear to require a certain degree of delicacy. After all, isn’t it about asking people to think about their own death? While it may appear that way at first, planned giving professionals explain it differently."

What Makes an Annual Fund Succeed - Philanthropy.com

What Makes an Annual Fund Succeed - Philanthropy.com: "What Makes an Annual Fund Succeed

Just because it is called an annual fund, that does not mean donors should be asked to give only once a year.

That is the lesson of a newly released survey of annual funds run by colleges."

SAN FRANCISCO / Climbing the tortuous stairway to charity leaves a virtuous pride

SAN FRANCISCO / Climbing the tortuous stairway to charity leaves a virtuous pride: "Just when it looked like there was no new way to raise money for charity, somebody came up with the idea of climbing the stairs in a skyscraper.

And that's what a lot of very slinky and sweaty people did on Saturday in San Francisco.

More than 1,000 do-gooders showed up at the ground floor of the old Bank of America building in their thinnest jogging shorts to tackle the 1,197 stairs between California Street and the top floor."

Private donors boost the arts - News - inRich.com

Private donors boost the arts - News - inRich.com: "The economy is slowing, gas and food prices are rising and the subprime-mortgage mess has yet to sort itself out.

Meanwhile, government support of the arts is diminishing at state and national levels. But locally, giving by individuals and corporations is holding steady or has even increased as some donors and supporters say giving to the arts helps ensure a high quality of life in central Virginia."

The Spectrum - www.thespectrum.com -

The Spectrum - www.thespectrum.com -: "Historically, gifts from individual alumni provide the bulk of charitable support.

In 2006, charitable contributions to colleges in the U.S. reached $28 billion, more than half of which came directly from alumni and other individuals, according to a recent Council for Aid to Education report.

Although major gifts, like Nike founder Philip Knight's $105 million pledge in 2006 to Stanford's business school, receive a lot of exposure and press coverage, the combined value of smaller gifts from an army of contributors funds a far greater portion of higher education."

Many transitions at the tops of arts groups | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/30/2008

Many transitions at the tops of arts groups | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/30/2008: "The passing of the baton at the Curtis is part of an unprecedented shift in the Philadelphia region, where the leadership of many of the largest arts and culture groups has changed hands in the last several years.

The departures include Peter B. Lane, who spearheaded the Mann Center's expansion (and left for the Bethel Woods arts center in New York), and Janice C. Price, the Kimmel Center's first professional arts-management leader (for an arts festival in Canada)."

New Rules of Attraction - Philanthropy.com

From the Chronicle
New Rules of Attraction - Philanthropy.com: "New Rules of Attraction

As traditional fund-raising methods falter, charities look for new ways to appeal to online donors

By Holly Hall

This week the Nature Conservancy will kick off a campaign to ask online donors to give $1 apiece to help the charity plant a billion trees in Brazil's rain forest. But conservancy officials have no idea if the electronic drive will meet its goal of raising $1-million."

Editorial: Nonprofits will have to get more competitive in search for Indian River County subsidies : Editorials : TCPalm

Editorial: Nonprofits will have to get more competitive in search for Indian River County subsidies : Editorials : TCPalm: "Times have changed, and the county's free cash flow is tapped out. That doesn't mean, however, that nonprofits are being thrown to the wolves. If the commission sticks by its 25 percent reduction, agencies are still eligible to receive $2 million in taxpayer subsidies. That's $2 million more than similar organizations get in other counties, such as St. Lucie, which provide no such public funding. Such awards should be based on county priorities and programs' track records.

By announcing its cuts early, the county has sent nonprofits a clear signal that they need to pursue new avenues of support — private foundations, state and national grants, etc. It won't be easy, but this is a community-wide challenge, and everyone is going to sacrifice in one way or anothe"

U.S. Jewish donors conference to address Israeli philanthropy - Haaretz - Israel News

U.S. Jewish donors conference to address Israeli philanthropy - Haaretz - Israel News: "Hundreds of Jewish American donors who fund charitable causes will attend a conference opening in Jerusalem Monday, aimed at convincing wealthy Israelis to get more involved in philanthropy as well.

This year's Jewish Funders Network conference, which will be closed to the media at the request of the local participants, is the first to be held in Israel. The event will take place at the David Citadel Hotel and last until Thursday."

10 under 20: New Paltz student gets business to donate to schools - RecordOnline.com - The Times Herald Record

10 under 20: New Paltz student gets business to donate to schools - RecordOnline.com - The Times Herald Record: "The executive promised a change was going to come last fall. The company would make a donation on every sale of every item sold that bore the school's logo. It took several months and what seemed like some foot-dragging on the chain's part, but Torres' doggedness has paid off for his school and every other high school within sale range of Olympia's 167 shops.

'I know this won't make or break the athletic department, but I felt it was important that a local store should be willing to give,' he said.

The school recently received a check for $147 from Olympia. Peanuts, you may say. But, as Torres pointed out recently, another 200 schools also received donations.

'We're a very small school of only 700,' he said. 'So a rough guess would be maybe an average of $200 per school.'"

New Orleans CityBusiness -- The Business Newspaper of Metropolitan New Orleans

New Orleans CityBusiness -- The Business Newspaper of Metropolitan New Orleans: "Despite a substantial drop in the number of donors since Hurricane Katrina, this year’s United Way of Greater New Orleans fundraising drive netted more than $20 million to help fund the organization’s 64 agencies.

The 2007-08 drive, which ends today, has relied on 15,500 individual donors and 1,300 organizations to raise $20.4 million since the drive began in November, United Way Chief Operating Officer Al Sassone said."

Imperial Valley News - Arizona State University Building Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders

Imperial Valley News - Arizona State University Building Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders: "Tempe, Arizona - ASU’s fall commencement ceremony marked a milestone for the School of Community Resources and Development and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM), as the first graduates of the new Masters of Nonprofit Studies (MNpS) program received their degrees."