Friday, November 06, 2009

AFP Focus | New life at United Way : Augusta Free Press

AFP Focus | New life at United Way : Augusta Free Press: "I believe that everybody ought to make it a point in their life at some point to be that person to make an impact in their community. I just happen to get to do it as my job,” said Marta Szuba, the new development director at the United Way of Greater Augusta.

The UWGA team is a group of newbies, by and large. Program development manager Lori Johns is the grizzled veteran with the group with two years of service. Office manager Tina Souders has been in the office for six months."

The NonProfit Times - All Sectors Are Needed To Civilize Society

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "During her keynote speech at the Independent Sector (IS) annual conference being held here, Diana Aviv, president and CEO of IS, said that “now is the time to re-examine our responsibilities, individually and collectively, as organizations keyed to improving the common good” and maximizing impact. “We are a people divided,” she said.

The nonprofit sector is a “unique, precious space,” she said. But in a complicated world, nonprofits need the help of the for-profit sector and government, just as the latter two need the charitable sector."

Alumni Gifts Increase Despite Poor Economy | The Cornell Daily Sun

Alumni Gifts Increase Despite Poor Economy | The Cornell Daily Sun: "Yet, despite the recession, Cornell received a record amount of donations in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, according to Tommy Bruce, vice president of communications. Cash gifts totaled $446.7 million, $319 million from alumni, outpacing Cornell’s nearest Ivy peer by $24 million, according to Bruce. Although donor psychology is complicated, many believe that graduates’ relationship to their alma mater, not income level, is the most determinant motivation for alumni giving."

Nonprofits and foundations gather to assess hard times | StarTribune.com

Nonprofits and foundations gather to assess hard times | StarTribune.com: "More than 1,700 leaders of Minnesota's nonprofit agencies and foundations are gathering in St. Paul to grapple with the challenges they face helping Minnesotans weather the economic downturn -- and other issues.

'This is the biggest meeting of nonprofits in the country, by a factor of two,'' said Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits."

Nonprofit agencies gather to discuss best ways to serve - The Saratogian News: Serving the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. region (Saratogian.com)

Nonprofit agencies gather to discuss best ways to serve - The Saratogian News: Serving the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. region (Saratogian.com): "SARATOGA SPRINGS — For the 18th year running, area

nonprofits gathered Wednesday to network with each other and share information with the community at Interagency Awareness Day."

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Madoff, Clawbacks and Charities

onPhilanthropy: Articles: Madoff, Clawbacks and Charities: "For those in the philanthropic world, seeing stories in the press about the bankruptcy trustee in the Madoff mess, Irving Picard, and his attempts to recover assets has to make us wonder what will be with charities potentially involved in clawback suits"

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Golisano gives $4 million to university in Florida | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information

Golisano gives $4 million to university in Florida | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "The Government And Nonprofits, It’s Complicated

By Paul Clolery

DETROIT – Independent Sector’s annual conference being held here is called “Challenging Times, New Opportunities.” But it might as well have been titled, “All Hands On Deck.”

That was the phrase two White House officials used in separate addresses to the nonprofit executives gathered in the Motor City. The intention was to note the Obama Administration’s emphasis on national service and utilizing the nonprofit sector. But, there were some in the audience who seemed a little queasy about the nonprofit sector becoming an instrument of the federal government."

Expenses come at cost for nonprofits - Business First of Buffalo:

Expenses come at cost for nonprofits - Business First of Buffalo:: "The region’s largest nonprofits spent $1.6 billion delivering programs and services in Western New York during fiscal 2007, more than 85 percent of all income."

Are Nonprofits Flunking Email Marketing 101? - frogloop Home~Care2's blog for nonprofits - frogloop

Are Nonprofits Flunking Email Marketing 101? - frogloop Home~Care2's blog for nonprofits - frogloop: "A new survey of 38 top nonprofits by Care2 reveals that many of these well known organizations are essentially flunking “Email Marketing 101.” Perhaps the most damning statistic is that, on average, nonprofits are taking eight whole days to email a response to someone who signs up for their email list. The survey also showed that nonprofits are employing a wide variety of approaches – all over the map, really -- to welcome and cultivate new email subscribers, thereby indicating that there still is no widely adopted “best practice” for this situation. Yet another key finding was that most nonprofits don’t display email signup and registration opportunities prominently or particularly effectively on their sites. And the actual copy on the sign-up forms was pretty mediocre, too."

Clemson students to stay up, play games for charity : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail

Clemson students to stay up, play games for charity : Local News : Anderson Independent-Mail: "More than 600 Clemson University students will enjoy nonstop games and activities such as Nintendo Wii competitions, performances by local bands and a scavenger hunt at Up ’til Dawn on Nov. 12."

The Business of Giving | More on crowdsourcing: ideas for philanthropy and development | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Business of Giving | More on crowdsourcing: ideas for philanthropy and development | Seattle Times Newspaper: "he interesting marriage between online communities and the social sector has produced two more offspring:

One is a project by Global Washington called Blueprint for Action, which asks the public to help set priorities for development by posting their ideas and solutions. Readers can vote on the ideas, and the author with the most votes gets to host a session on that topic at a conference next month in Seattle."

Research Reveals Growth in Giving Before Recession

Untitled Document: "

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Nov. 4 (AScribe Newswire) -- The Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) today released its Giving in Minnesota, 2009 Edition research report, the most comprehensive analysis of charitable giving in the state. In examining foundations and corporate giving programs with fiscal years ending between June 1, 2007, and May 31, 2008 - the most recent time period for which complete data are available - MCF analyzed the state's charitable giving for the months leading up to and during the very earliest part of the recession.

The report shows giving by individuals, foundations and corporate giving programs totaled $5.5 billion for the 2007 research year, an increase of 2.2 percent from 2006. While giving by individuals remained steady with 2006 levels at $4.19 billion, foundations and corporate giving programs increased giving by 10.1 percent to $1.32 billion"

PFD donations boost Alaska nonprofits - Juneau Empire

PFD donations boost Alaska nonprofits - Juneau Empire: "ANCHORAGE - More than 300 charities around Alaska are receiving a total of $550,000 that was pledged by state residents from their Permanent Fund dividend payments.

The Anchorage Daily News reports this was the first year of the campaign called 'Pick. Click. Give.'"

FRONTLINE/WORLD . Dispatches . iWitness . Peru: Kiva's Web-based Microfinance Growing Up | PBS

FRONTLINE/WORLD . Dispatches . iWitness . Peru: Kiva's Web-based Microfinance Growing Up | PBS: "Still, Ayacucho is hard to get to and dirt poor. Over webcam, Marinkovich told us that local artisans struggle to sell their wares, making only about $2 a day. Hardly enough, she says, to support the average family of five. Now, many of these artists are getting together and using the Internet to connect with a global market to sell their work.

Follow an interesting discussion on microfinance and Kiva's role on David Roodman's Microfinance Open Book Blog. Kiva CEO and cofounder Matt Flannery responds to Roodman's recent critique of the company."

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

NH Food Bank seeks donations of venison - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

NH Food Bank seeks donations of venison - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA: "CONCORD — New Hampshire hunters can share their fall harvest with the needy through the 'Hunt for the Hungry' program at the New Hampshire Food Bank. The food bank is collecting donations of whole or processed game animals for distribution to more than 350 food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and group homes statewide."

Charity galas in full-swing this fall season -

Charity galas in full-swing this fall season -: "Despite the recent downturn in the economy, Fall Fête 'exceeded expectations this year' says Guiter. With a sold-out crowd of 930, this 'D.C. tradition' raised $89,000 in profits thanks, in large part, to ticket sales. This year's profits from the gala event will benefit the Corcoran's ArtReach program, which has provided art education to D.C. inner-city's youth for the past 16 years."

Hong Kong Jockey Club riding high

Hong Kong Jockey Club riding high: "The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) doesn't just horse around. It plays an enormous role in Hong Kong's economy and is much more than a non-for-profit racing organization. The club, though not immune to the economic crisis, has fared well during the economic meltdown, a senior executive said in an interview with the Global Times."

Federal charity drive reaches out to young donors (11/3/09) -- GovExec.com

Federal charity drive reaches out to young donors (11/3/09) -- GovExec.com: "Online giving is also a potential recruiting tool to attract younger donors, a target group for the campaign. 'Most of our givers are the older generation of employees who are familiar with the CFC and have been giving to the CFC for many years,' says Lambert. 'Therefore, we do try to target the younger employees because they tend to be your new hires.'"

Foundations facing economic challenges - Business First of Buffalo:

Foundations facing economic challenges - Business First of Buffalo:: "Those revenues make up the biggest chunk of the $1.92 billion total revenues at the 2009 Million Dollar Nonprofits, an annual research project by Business First that this year includes the 233 largest nonprofit entities in the eight-county region. Each had revenues of at least $1 million in fiscal 2007."

O’Quinn to Leave Bulk of Estate With Charities - Law Blog - WSJ

O’Quinn to Leave Bulk of Estate With Charities - Law Blog - WSJ: "According to this story in the Houston Chronicle, a will crafted in 2008 and filed for probate Friday, leaves the bulk of his estate — which would likely include homes, jewelry, art, securities and more — to the John M. O’Quinn Foundation, a charity that’s been a vehicle for his philanthropy since 1986."

Jewish Women in Philanthropy: A Conversation with Susan Stern | eJewish Philanthropy: The Jewish Philanthropy Blog

Jewish Women in Philanthropy: A Conversation with Susan Stern | eJewish Philanthropy: The Jewish Philanthropy Blog: "Much of the most recent data tracking various “groups” of donors centers directly on women. In our professional dealings with donors and nonprofits, we know that some women donors might be more likely to fund programs designated specifically for the benefit of women. This pattern is largely a response to practices traced to the years when organizations historically were run entirely by men who were not especially sensitive to female motivations. So women donors today are making a point to speak out more loudly and are making demonstrable impact on decision-making processes . . . both in their individual households regarding charitable priorities and in institutions which are allocating precious resources."

International Students Learn from Local Nonprofit

International Students Learn from Local Nonprofit: "Sitati is one of several international students enrolled in Valpo’s “Nonprofit Organizations” course this fall. He and other students are learning how people with physical and mental challenges can help businesses improve their operations, and how work experiences can help those individuals develop as productive members of society."

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Arts - Ethnic museums keep faith

Omaha.com - The Omaha World-Herald: Arts - Ethnic museums keep faith: "Omaha's two ethnic museums have much in common. Both are hosting important touring shows. And like many other local arts organizations, both are struggling to raise money in a down economy.

“We're having a hard time,” said Murray. “Yeah, we're worried. And we're constantly applying for new grants.”"

County museum gala a record setter - OregonLive.com

County museum gala a record setter - OregonLive.com: "This year's Washington County Museum gala, entitled 'A Swank Affair: Lights, Camera, Action!' was anything but an annual routine. With many nonprofits reporting net losses, the museum's gala committee pulled out all the stops - upping procurement efforts and recruiting OSU Coach Craig Robinson as master of ceremonies for the event, which was held last weekend at the PCC Rock Creek Event Center."

BofA Unit Drops Web-Based Charitable Funds Minimum to $5,000 - Bloomberg.com

BofA Unit Drops Web-Based Charitable Funds Minimum to $5,000 - Bloomberg.com: "Nov. 4 (Bloomberg) -- To boost its philanthropic business, Bank of America Corp. will begin letting customers open donor- advised funds online with as little as $5,000, the company announced this morning."

Paulette's Point of View

Paulette's Point of View: "Monday, November 2, 2009
Philanthropy on Television: The Good and Bad
A good sign that something is popular is if television begins to cover it, develop shows about it, and most of all, lampoon it. This is exactly what is happening with philanthropy; first with the debut of two new shows about philanthropy and then a whole week of plotlines that feature giving and volunteerism."