Friday, January 30, 2009

Credit Crisis Is Leaving Charities Low on Cash - NYTimes.com

Credit Crisis Is Leaving Charities Low on Cash - NYTimes.com: "While nonprofits are working feverishly to accommodate increased demand, they are facing severe financial constraints that are threatening their ability to go on, much less expand their services,” said Diana Aviv, president and chief executive of Independent Sector, a nonprofit trade association.

Almost three-quarters of nonprofits in the United States receive some type of government financing, according to new research by the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, and about half of those count on that aid for at least half of their budgets."

Charity Village®NewsFundraising fundamentals for the economic downturn

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Fundraising fundamentals for the economic downturn
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
January 26, 2009

Last Thursday, the Bank of Canada predicted a steep, short-term recession for the country ending sometime early next year; this despite economists at Canada's major financial institutions predicting a more protracted, difficult decline. Maclean's magazine published an article predicting that 250,000 Canadians could lose their jobs 2009. And Canada's voluntary sector is waiting with baited breath to hear what, if any, kind of economic stimulus package it will receive when the new budget is announced this week. Times are indeed tough.

So how is a fundraiser to stay optimistic on the job with such negative press, and a collectively depressed North American community that seems positioned to tighten its purse strings? Some leading fundraising experts urge calm."

WFP - Davos 09 - Hunger on the Agenda | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme - the UN food aid agency

WFP - Davos 09 - Hunger on the Agenda | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme - the UN food aid agency: "TNT has made a longstanding commitment to helping WFP to fight hunger. Our partnership has been going on for six years. Since 2002, TNT has contributed more than 52 million euros to WFP in 'in-kind' and cash contributions, including more than 10 million euros raised directly by TNT's employees in support of school feeding in countries like Cambodia, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Malawi and The Gambia. TNT also provides warehouses, aircraft and vehicles to support our emergency operations. It trains logistics staff around the world, and sponsors the annual 'Walk the World' fundraising event."

TODAY'S TECH CONFAB

TODAY'S TECH CONFAB: "So here’s the fashionable association techies from the CIO roundtable: American Chemical Society’s John Sullivan and Association of Fundraising Professionals Prabhash Shrestha. (Society for Human Resource Management’s Heidi Byerly spoke as well, but must be off fixing a bug.) They agreed a good CIO can put modesty aside and toot your department’s horn about projects; otherwise, departments forget what you’ve done and feel like IT is ignoring them. One clever suggestion from Heidi: An end-of-the-year survey asking staff to rate all your IT projects"

Thursday, January 29, 2009

news: Nonprofit projects face funding crunch

news: Nonprofit projects face funding crunch: "A diversified strategy like the children's museum's is a key to success, but all potential sources are feeling the pinch, said Michael Nilsen, senior director of public affairs for the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Arlington, Va.

'It's the most challenging environment most people have seen in their lifetimes,' he said."

Foundation Center - Press Release - Joan E. Spero Joins the Foundation Center as Visiting Fellow

Foundation Center - Press Release - Joan E. Spero Joins the Foundation Center as Visiting Fellow: "Family Foundations Prioritize Giving for the Economically Disadvantaged, New Foundation Center Report Finds

New York, NY — January 29, 2009. Giving by America's family foundations reached over $18 billion in 2007, a 13 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Foundation Center's new report, Key Facts on Family Foundations (2009 Edition). Among a subset of the largest family foundations, 30 percent of their giving provided a specific benefit for the economically disadvantaged.

'Family foundations provide much-needed resources in the best of times,' said Steven Lawrence, the Center's senior director of research. 'The current economic environment will make that support even more critical, especially for those in greatest need.'"

When Donors Can't Keep Their Pledges - WSJ.com

When Donors Can't Keep Their Pledges - WSJ.com: "As wealthy donors watch their portfolios shrink, a number of philanthropists are finding they may not be able to fulfill a multi-year pledge or continue annual contributions to charities they support.

'We are seeing individuals and families reconsidering amounts they are able to give on both an annual or regular basis,' says Robert Seaberg, a managing director at Citi Global Wealth Management, a unit of Citigroup Inc."

SOI-Tax Stats-Taxpayers with Top 400 Adjusted Gross Income

SOI-Tax Stats-Taxpayers with Top 400 Adjusted Gross Income: "ndividual Income Tax Data of Taxpayers with the Top 400 Adjusted Gross Income

This release contains four tables which contain information from the Top 400 Individual Income Tax Returns for each of Tax Years 1992 through 2006. Table 1 contains frequencies, money amounts, and average dollar amounts for the major income, deduction, and tax credits reported as part of the Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). Table 2 shows ranges of marginal tax rate for the various statutory rates (including the alternative minimum tax rates) that were in effect for Tax Years 1992 through 2006 while Table 3 shows the range of average tax rates up to 35 percent and over, computed as total income tax divided by adjusted gross income."

Senator Encourages Foundations to 'Step Up and Help' Charities - Philanthropy.com

Senator Encourages Foundations to 'Step Up and Help' Charities - Philanthropy.com: "As Independent Sector and other nonprofit associations in Washington push Congress to help cash-strapped charities, at least one key member of the Senate is resisting the move.

In a statement to the news media, Sen. Charles E. Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said that charities should seek support from foundations and other donors before asking for financial aid from the government."

GuideStar - News - Articles - Half a Million Nonprofits Could Lose Their Tax Exemptions

GuideStar - News - Articles - Half a Million Nonprofits Could Lose Their Tax Exemptions: "Half a Million Nonprofits Could Lose Their Tax Exemptions

Did you know that in May 2010, half a million nonprofits could find themselves stripped of their exempt status? The IRS estimates that that's the number of smaller organizations that have failed to file a Form 990-N."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "$100 Million In New Grants Target Economic Crisis

Some 50 institutional donors have announced more than $100 million in grants and program-related investments (PRIs) in response to the nation’s economic downturn, according to the Foundation Center in New York City."

Mother and daughter aim to aid Mombasa Project - News, frontpage - Argus.ie

Mother and daughter aim to aid Mombasa Project - News, frontpage - Argus.ie: "A north Louth mother and daughter are bound for Africa next month when they will take part in the inspirational Mombasa Project.

Pauline Caffrey, Ravensdale, will be joined by her 16-year-old daughter Christine, a St Vincent's student, on the charity mission to Kenya where they will work with orphaned and abandoned children."

AmeriCorps Alumni Share Inaugural Memories on New Blog - Philanthropy.com

AmeriCorps Alumni Share Inaugural Memories on New Blog - Philanthropy.com: "AmeriCorps Alumni Share Inaugural Memories on New Blog

AmeriCorps alumni who marched in last week’s Inaugural parade are sharing memories, photos, and videos on a new blog, A Lifetime of Service."

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Articles

The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Articles: "How Charities Cope With a Troubled Economy

The financial crisis embroiling the United States has many charities worried about how to manage their finances, raise money, and keep up with growing demand for services.

To help readers navigate the challenges, The Chronicle has compiled recent stories, live discussions, and statistics about how charities deal with turbulent times."

Madoff: SEC defends its role - Jan. 27, 2009

Madoff: SEC defends its role - Jan. 27, 2009: "ATLANTA (CNN) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission's director of enforcement told a Senate committee Tuesday that the agency lacks the resources to pursue all the leads and tips about possible fraud that come to it."

Wis. police chief agrees to be stunned for charity

Wis. police chief agrees to be stunned for charity: "COMBINED LOCKS, Wis. - A Wisconsin police chief has agreed to let his officers shock him with an electronic stun gun to raise money for the Special Olympics."

Private Schools Feel the Pinch Amid Recession - WSJ.com

Private Schools Feel the Pinch Amid Recession - WSJ.com: "Trinity Episcopal School survived Hurricane Ike last fall. But then another storm hit -- the economy.

The Galveston, Texas, school, where tuition is between $5,000 and $8,000 a year, has seen its enrollment drop 12%, says David Dearman, the head of the school. Many parents of its students were among the 3,000 workers laid off by the area's largest employer, the University of Texas Medical Branch. At the end of 2008, the sc"

Coachella Valley nonprofits hit hard by recession | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun

Coachella Valley nonprofits hit hard by recession | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun: "It's a perfect storm for Coachella Valley nonprofits: donations are down, government funding has been decimated and the need for social services is skyrocketing."

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Fidelity gift fund grants lower in '08 - The Boston Globe

Fidelity gift fund grants lower in '08 - The Boston Globe: "The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund said its donors recommended grants that totaled $1.08 billion in 2008, down from grants that surpassed $1.17 billion the previous year."

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : The Dead, More Generous Than the Living in 2008

The Wealth Report - WSJ.com : The Dead, More Generous Than the Living in 2008: "The Dead, More Generous Than the Living in 2008

“Giving while living” became a mantra of philanthropy in recent years. Now, with the living running out of cash, it is the nonliving who are back in the lead as donors.

According to Slate magazine and the Chronicle of Philanthropy, 7 of the top 10 charitable donors in 2008 were from estates. That is a big change from 2007, when all of the top 10 donors were alive when they made their gifts."

Ticked off trust fund teens TP Madoff's home

Ticked off trust fund teens TP Madoff's home: "The Florida home of disgraced money manager Bernie Madoff has been toilet-papered.

It happened in Palm Beach."

RELIGION Blog | The Dallas Morning News

RELIGION Blog | The Dallas Morning News: "At least one Baptist group lost money as part of Bernard Madoff's alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme. The Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma said it lost $1.4 million, less than 1 percent of its assets, when third-party money managers invested in two of Madoff's allegedly fraudulent hedge funds."

Capital Campaign to raise money for UT Martin - Campus News

Capital Campaign to raise money for UT Martin - Campus News: "The University of Tennessee's Office of Development is focusing on a major capital campaign at various campuses in the University's system including UTM.

Private dollars raised are used to fund programs of excellence and take advantage of new opportunities presented to the campuses or sites. These programs typically are focused on enhancing quality. These dollars are gifts that allow the UT system to offer additional scholarships; recruit and retain faculty; enhance or assist with buildings and/or the technology, equipment, furnishings or other features that maximize their usefulness."

Microfinance: Ready For Its Big Leap? - 02..2009 - U.S. Banker Article

Microfinance: Ready For Its Big Leap? - 02..2009 - U.S. Banker Article: "As the CEO of Accion Texas, Janie Barrera has plenty of lending success stories to tell. There’s the Colombian woman in Dallas who launched a translation business, and today counts the likes of 3M and Southwest Airlines as clients. Or the African-American man in Houston whose idea of leasing beds to nursing homes was met with skepticism by traditional banks and today is doing well. She also has some odd tales to share, including the one about the woman in southern Texas who pledged goats as collateral for a small loan to start a restaurant. “The next time I visited her, I asked to see the goats,” Barrera recalls. “She said, ‘What do you mean? We used them for lunch.’”"

Corporate Giving: Best of the Basics : By Kerri Cleghorn : FundRaising Success

Corporate Giving: Best of the Basics : By Kerri Cleghorn : FundRaising Success: "Corporate Giving: Best of the Basics
By Kerri Cleghorn
Jan 27, 2009


The key to successful corporate-giving partnerships lies in thoughtful planning, strategic execution and responsible stewardship.

Here are some tips on best practices for developing each phase of a corporate-giving partnership."

Monday, January 26, 2009

United Way cuts staff by 30%, will dip into reserve fund | CharlotteObserver.com

United Way cuts staff by 30%, will dip into reserve fund | CharlotteObserver.com: "United Way cuts staff by 30%, will dip into reserve fund
Combination of factors brings steep drop in '08 campaign, prompt action to meet increasing needs.
By Mark Price
msprice@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Friday, Jan. 23, 2009

Charlotte's United Way will take up to $5 million out of reserves in hope of easing the impact of the major drop-off in donations to its 2008 campaign."

Coalition Cancels Nonprofit Congress Gathering - Philanthropy.com

Coalition Cancels Nonprofit Congress Gathering - Philanthropy.com: "Coalition Cancels Nonprofit Congress Gathering

By Nicole Wallace

The National Council of Nonprofits has called off the 2009 Nonprofit Congress conference, which had been scheduled to take place in New Orleans in May."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "January 26, 2009

Judge Adds To Lung Association Confusion

By Mark Hrywna

The Pacific Northwest has two local organizations that appear to be affiliated with the American Lung Association (ALA), but no permanent CEOs to run the organizations as of Feb. 1.

Clarifying an earlier preliminary injunction that essentially shut down an ALA affiliate, a Washington state judge allowed the ALA of the Northwest to resume operations. At the same time, the national ALA has started the process to create a new affiliate."

Osher Learning Center Gets Infusion

Osher Learning Center Gets Infusion: "TAMPA - Less than a year after getting a $1 million grant, the University of South Florida's lifelong learning program has received another million.

Both sums came from the Bernard Osher Foundation, a San Francisco-based organization that gives money to colleges and universities with special attention to programs for older people returning to school."

Brokaw speaks at annual donor gala

Brokaw speaks at annual donor gala: "Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw headlined the Roper Xavier Society annual donor gala with the history he reported — tales from the Berlin Wall and jokes with Walter Cronkite.

More than 850 people, each contributing a minimum of $1,000 to the Roper St. Francis Foundation, attended the Saturday gala at Charleston Place."

Star power meets philanthropy

Star power meets philanthropy: "For today's celebs, charity work is almost as much a part of the job as walking the red carpet. Famous names have become affiliated with preventing domestic violence, curing breast cancer, fixing smiles and saving farms from development."

Nonprofits take hit from recession, too | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Nonprofits take hit from recession, too | Richmond Times-Dispatch: "By Robin Farmer

Published: January 25, 2009

The troubled economy has pushed many people close to the edge.

For those who lose their footing, area charities help soften a rocky landing with an array of free programs and services.

But what happens if the lifeline becomes overextended?

At a time when unemployment, foreclosures, food prices and bank collapses are on the rise, will donations to nonprofits dry up?"

Charity Ball keeps Boys & Girls Club rolling - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch

Charity Ball keeps Boys & Girls Club rolling - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch: "UTICA —

Much of the city’s high society gathered Saturday night for the mayor’s annual charity ball.

The funds raised from the event, in its second year, will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mohawk Valley."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: The Stimulus and Philanthropy: Meaning Beyond Money

From oOnPhilanthropy
onPhilanthropy: Articles: The Stimulus and Philanthropy: Meaning Beyond Money: "The Stimulus and Philanthropy: Meaning Beyond Money
Friday, January 23, 2009
By: Susan Raymond, Ph.D

This week, America embarks on a new chapter in its history -- not simply with a new executive administration but with leadership that reflects to the world the diversity of this nation and the opportunity inherent in its principles."

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Talented Mr. Madoff - NYTimes.com

The Talented Mr. Madoff - NYTimes.com: "This Bernie also ran a money management business on the side for decades that he kept hidden far from colleagues, competitors and regulators.

While he managed billions of dollars for individuals and foundations, he shunned one-on-one meetings with most of his investors, wrapping himself in an Oz-like aura, making him even more desirable to those seeking access."