Friday, December 03, 2010

IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates

IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates: "14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations"

We Asked. They Answered: Do Annual Reports Still Matter? (the Communications Network blog)

We Asked. They Answered: Do Annual Reports Still Matter? (the Communications Network blog): "Some highlights worth noting:

--Over the past several years the number of foundations producing print versions of annual reports has been dropping. Here are the responses from a 'snap poll' conducted during that asked: Would your organization be willing to end production of printed annual reports?

Already Have: 31 %
Yes: 24%
No: 22%
It Depends: 22%"

SMSC Honored with Prestigious National Award for Philanthropy

SMSC Honored with Prestigious National Award for Philanthropy: "rior Lake, MN – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community was honored with a Jefferson Award for philanthropy at the Celebrate Twin Cities awards reception on December 1, 2010, at the St. Paul Hotel. SMSC Vice-Chairman Glynn A. Crooks accepted the award on behalf of the Community. From the 12 regional winners selected over the past year, the SMSC was chosen as the overall national winner for 2010 from this region."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Mission Accomplished? Nonprofit Considers Program Closure

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Mission Accomplished? Nonprofit Considers Program Closure: "December 1, 2010; Source: New York Times | We've lost track of the number of stories over the past few years about the many nonprofits being forced to close down, lay off staff, and leave people who depend on their services out in the cold. But what about a decision to close a nonprofit because the people living in the community it has long served are now too wealthy to justify continuing operations? That's exactly the situation facing the Children's Aid Society, which is considering closing a school in New York's Greenwich Village."

Rutgers University students launch movement to inspire lifelong charity giving | NJ.com

Rutgers University students launch movement to inspire lifelong charity giving | NJ.com

Gallo scions create wine with eye on philanthropy - Local - Modbee.com

Gallo scions create wine with eye on philanthropy - Local - Modbee.com: "Not every wine company has a following on Twitter.

Or its own clothing line. Or a pledge to give more than half of its profits to charity.

How millennial."

Furry fund-raiser benefits regional Red Cross efforts - MassLive.com

Furry fund-raiser benefits regional Red Cross efforts - MassLive.com: "The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter is offering its annual stuffed animal fund-raiser to support local disaster relief services of the chapter serving Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The cute, furry and cuddly gift idea will not only put a smile on the face of the recipient, but also help the chapter in its life-saving work."

Branding: Is It A Charity Or Dessert Topping - The NonProfit Times Dec 2, 2010

Branding: Is It A Charity Or Dessert Topping - The NonProfit Times Dec 2, 2010: "Times are tough across the board, for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes. With the emergence of new media, budget woes and board concerns, navigating the sector during a recession calls for efficient leadership and smart decisions.

In a frank discussion during the Direct Marketing Association New York Conference 2010, held in New York City, charity leaders addressed some of the sector’s hottest issues at the session “Cracking The Shell: Open Dialogue- The Most Pressing Issues Facing The Nonprofit World Today.” Tom Harrison, president and CEO of Russ Reid based in Washington, D.C. moderated the talk, asking nonprofit execs to weigh in on the issues of the moment."

Nonprofits Fear Loss of Charitable Tax Deduction - NYTimes.com

Nonprofits Fear Loss of Charitable Tax Deduction - NYTimes.com: "“The administration’s proposal went nowhere, but Pandora’s box was cracked open then,” said Diana Aviv, president of the Independent Sector, a trade group for nonprofits.

Charities warn that reducing or eliminating the deduction will cause irreparable damage to the nonprofit sector. They said the proposed changes came at a time of sustained and severe declines in donations because of the recession and cuts in government contracts for nonprofits. The charities also noted an increased demand for services."

Saundra Schimmelpfennig: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Charitable Giving

Saundra Schimmelpfennig: Do's and Don'ts of Holiday Charitable Giving: "The holidays are prime fundraising time for nonprofits. Throughout the month there will be numerous requests donations or volunteer help. The following advice will you use your time and money wisely."

Thursday, December 02, 2010

America's Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

America's Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "America’s Millionaires Rank Highest in Global Philanthropy Study

December 2, 2010, 11:11 am

By Holly Hall

Forty-one percent of American millionaires consider charity one of their top three spending priorities, a far bigger share than wealthy people in 19 other countries, according to a new survey."

Nine Tips For Tax-Smart Charitable Giving - Forbes.com

Nine Tips For Tax-Smart Charitable Giving - Forbes.com: "Of course, as with anything tax related, there are rules. Here are some key guidelines for making and reporting charitable contributions:"

Furthermore … | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

Continued coverage of the Nonprofit Research Collaborative study

Furthermore … | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN: "conomic recovery is prompting people to increase their charitable giving, but need is still outpacing donations.

According to a national survey that was a project of the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, increased giving mirrors improvements in the economy but is not keeping up with demand for charitable services."

American Rich Lead the World in Philanthropy - The Wealth Report - WSJ

American Rich Lead the World in Philanthropy - The Wealth Report - WSJ: "What accounts for the fact that the American rich lead the world in philanthropy?

Are they more generous? Does religion play a role? Is it all just a matter of tax breaks?

The answer is probably more complex than anything we could explain in a blog post. Still, a new survey from Barclays Wealth shows the extent to which the American rich lead the world in giving. Of course, the U.S. has about a third of the world’s millionaires and they control trillions of dollars in wealth. Anyway, here is the ranking of the percentage of millionaires who said that philanthropy is one of their top three spending priorities:"

Ode to an unrestricted gift | Charity Chat

Ode to an unrestricted gift | Charity Chat: "But then I read the press release more closely.

“Kinnser Software, Inc., a leading home health software firm based in Austin, Texas, announces its charitable donation of $150,000 in unrestricted funds to the Austin Children’s Shelter (ACS) to deliver services to children and young adults in Central Texas.”

Wait, what? Unrestricted funds? A"

Philanthropists John, Tashia Morgridge donate hundreds of millions to Wisconsin causes

Philanthropists John, Tashia Morgridge donate hundreds of millions to Wisconsin causes: "ut Morgridge — a Wauwatosa native, UW-Madison graduate and member of the Forbes 400 list of America’s wealthiest people — wasn’t talking about helping a few kids through school. He and his wife wanted to give $175 million to create the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, an endowment that would provide a couple of thousand grants each year to low-income students attending one of Wisconsin’s public colleges or universities. The gift is believed to be the second-largest philanthropic act in state history behind the $205 million Jerome Frautschi gave to build the Overture Center in Madison."

Is Your Mission Getting Creepy?

From Guidestar

Is Your Mission Getting Creepy?: "s Your Mission Getting Creepy?

December 2010

I'm trying to launch two twenty-something-year-old sons. As they think about their futures and write and send out r�sum�s, my constant refrain to them is 'Don't chase the money; chase your lives. If you don't, you may—and it's only a possibility—end up with the money. However, you may find out later in life that you missed out on discovering your true passion and excelling at what you do best.'

The same holds true for organizations: Don't chase the money; passionately pursue your mission."

Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI

From Guidestar
Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI: "Make 2010 the Year YOU Start Planned Giving, Part VI

December 2010

A final 'Hello!'

This is the last installment of my 2010 article series to get your planned giving program started this year. We started your program with charitable bequests because they are the simplest—and by far the most popular—planned gift. There's more detail on why to start with bequests in this article from 2009.

The year's previous articles can be found in navigation links to the right.

In this final episode, we look at other planned gifts you can promote with relative ease because they do not require in-house expertise."

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

WHAT'S LURKING IN 2011 - Association Bisnow - Washington

WHAT'S LURKING IN 2011 - Association Bisnow - Washington: "Giving is up slightly so far this year, but it may not be enough for non-profits already struggling with cuts to programs and staff, reports a new survey from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative."

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com: "To Help Donors Choose, Web Site Alters How It Sizes Up Charities"

Prevention rather than cure is the new focus in Africa as donors look to cut aid - Africa, World - The Independent

Prevention rather than cure is the new focus in Africa as donors look to cut aid - Africa, World - The Independent: "As donor nations prepare to cut levels of overseas assistance, medical agencies and private charities may soon start to lose the race with HIV/Aids in sub-Saharan Africa unless new strategies for prevention and treatment are developed quickly, experts warned on the eve of World Aids Day."

Chevrolet Volt Production Begins Today, First Volt Going to Charity – Gas 2.0

Chevrolet Volt Production Begins Today, First Volt Going to Charity – Gas 2.0: "In order to increase their exposure (and good Karma) automakers often donate special cars to charity. Sometimes they are special editions, other times it is the first-ever of its kind, as is the case with the Chevy Volt.

Production of the Chevy Volt began today, and GM just launched a website, BidontheVolt.com, to sell the second production car. Why the second car? Well GM has this little collection of cars called the GM Heritage Collection, and basically they kept the first of every car there. So in actuality you would be bidding on the second-ever production Volt, the first one for sale to the public."

Charity Village� Research: A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector

Charity Village� Research: A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector: "A Few Good Men: Being Male in a Female-Majority Sector
By Jan Masaoka & Lynora Williams, from Blue Avocado
November 29, 2010

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Editor’s Note: We considered a Canadian version of this story, but decided this one published by Blue Avocado does a good job at sparking the discussion. In Canada, data published by the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector in 2008 showed that women comprise 75% of employees in the sector. We’d love to hear more from the men. Maybe you have an opinion you’d like to express for The Podium, or have requests for stories you’d like to see in Vibes. Write to us: editor@charityvillage.com.

We asked Blue Avocado's male readers to let us know their thoughts on being men in the majority-female nonprofit world. What we learned surprised us — and raised new questions:

The facts are that women comprise 70-75% of nonprofit employees (Nonprofit Almanac 2007). The experience of Ed Seay of Help Network in Russellville, Arkansas, reflects this exactly: 'You go to a United Way quarterly meeting,' he remarked, 'and there might be one other man in a room of 35 people.' But this, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg of what it's like for men who work in the female-majority nonprofit sector."

Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?

Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?: "Third-party fundraising, boon or bust?
Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf
November 29, 2010

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On Sept. 22 of this year, the CBC produced an investigative report examining the nature of fundraising in the Canadian charitable sector and looking specifically at where donor dollars go. The story was also filed on their website here. On the whole, the CBC presented what many in the sector viewed as a sensationalized story that made it seem fraudulent, or at the very best, grossly mismanaged fundraising by charities was rampant across the nation.

Now that some water has passed under that particular bridge, there's been some sober reflection on the good that actually came out of the report and how third-party fundraising techniques aren't necessarily the evil incarnate that some would make them out to be."

The Business of Giving | Dave Matthews gives fans a ticket to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper

The Business of Giving | Dave Matthews gives fans a ticket to philanthropy | Seattle Times Newspaper: "Musician Dave Matthews is testing a new idea in Seattle that he hopes will inspire more giving across the country.

In unique partnership with the website JustGive, Matthews is letting fans direct the proceeds of two upcoming Seattle shows to the charities of their choice. Every ticket is matched with an equal donation to philanthropy."

Penn Current: Latest News: Penn’s Way contributions exceed $1.3 million goal

Penn Current: Latest News: Penn’s Way contributions exceed $1.3 million goal: "Penn’s Way, the University’s annual combined workplace charitable giving campaign, has surpassed its $1.3 million goal for 2011, providing much-needed support to local charitable organizations"

$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays- The NonProfit Times Nov 30, 2010

$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays- The NonProfit Times Nov 30, 2010: "$48 Billion In Giving Projected For The Holidays

Americans will spread an average $281 across multiple charities via various solicitation channels this holiday season. Donors who have online relationships with a nonprofit report they will give almost $100 more than the average -- $378 vs. $281.

These are among the findings of a national survey by Edge Research for Austin, Texas-based online fundraising firm Convio. Based on the survey results, Americans could be giving as much as $48 billion during this holiday season. Many nonprofits generate as much as 30 to 40 percent of individual donations during the holidays."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | PILOTs in the Recession

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | PILOTs in the Recession: "The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy has just produced the definitive study of Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) that are slapped on tax exempt nonprofits to help pay for municipal services. The report documents PILOTs in 117 municipalities in 18 states. The researchers say that Boston's pilot program is among the nation's most 'revenue productive.'"

Nonprofit Research Collaborative Releases First Report | Nonprofit Trends with Steve MacLaughlin | a Blackbaud Blog

Nonprofit Research Collaborative Releases First Report | Nonprofit Trends with Steve MacLaughlin | a Blackbaud Blog

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts - Press - AFP

Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts - Press - AFP: "Charities Seeing Slight Recovery in Giving, But Not Enough to Keep Up With Demand or Budget Cuts

(Nov. 29, 2010) Nonprofit organizations have seen a slight turnaround in giving so far this year that mirrors the slow economic recovery, a new survey from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC) finds. But the small rebound hasn’t been enough to help many nonprofits that are grappling with staff and service cuts even as demand for their services has increased.

The national survey showed that 36 percent of charities reported an increase in donations in the first nine months of 2010, compared with only 23 percent in the same period of 2009."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Are You Soliciting Gifts Personally, Face-to-Face?: "Face-to-face solicitation is the cheapest and most effective way to raise money. Face-to-face solicitation is also a marvelous cultivation strategy"

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | An Extraordinary Model of Capacity Building: "November 28, 2010; Source: Crain's Detroit Business | While many talk about or play at collaboration, small arts groups in Michigan are making it happen. Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings is at the center of it all because since 1992 it has used collaboration to expand its own capacity—along with the capacity of its partners. It has operational collaborations with six other nonprofits now and expects to add an additional two at the first of the year. You name it, these guys think its fodder for collaboration;"

Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg

Sheryl Crow, Better Economy, Web Donors Boosted Charitable Giving in 2010 - Bloomberg: "Whatever the reason (and perhaps the economy even had something to do with it), all 1,400 tickets to the annual Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation gala on Nov. 18 were sold in advance, mostly to bankers from the likes of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co."

PHILANTHROPY 2173: Philanthropy Buzzword 2010.7 - Giving Pledge & 2010.7a - Chuggers

PHILANTHROPY 2173: Philanthropy Buzzword 2010.7 - Giving Pledge & 2010.7a - Chuggers

Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com

Convio Survey Shows Charitable Giving During 2010 Holiday Season to Exceed $48 Billion as 74 Percent of US Adults Plan to Give | TradingMarkets.com: "The results are encouraging as Americans seem to put aside the economic challenges to support the nonprofit sector and the good work charities do in our society,' said Paulette Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the largest association of philanthropic fundraisers in the world. 'With the nonprofit sector representing more than 5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) and employing about 10 percent of the American workforce
, the year-end giving season is critical to the success of the many organizations that have a significant impact on our culture and communities.'"

Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29

Minnelli, Jackson to Ring Opening Bell, 11/30 2010/11/29: "A day prior to World AIDS Day (WAD), amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research-one of the leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research-visits the NYSE to raise awareness for World AIDS Day, December 1. In honor of the occasion, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole and amfAR Ambassadors Liza Minnelli and Cheyenne Jackson ring The Opening BellSM.

Watch a live webcast of The Opening Bell at 9:29 a.m. ET on November 30, 2010. The archive will be available shortly after the event."

Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for

Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for: "Thank You Letters: The How, When, and What for
Monday November 29, 2010

I decided to keep up the Thanksgiving theme today with a cluster of articles about writing thank you letters."

Monday, November 29, 2010

Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News

Billionaires Giving Back - ABC News: "n a special Thanksgiving edition of 'This Week,' some of the world's richest people sat down with Christiane Amanpour to talk about their extraordinary Giving Pledge -- a commitment to give the majority of their wealth away through philanthropy. Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, Ted Turner and others delved into the meaning of philanthropy, their moral obligation to give back and the future of the country in which each of them reached the heights of prosperity."

Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news

Local runners complete Boston to Austin run for charity | kvue.com | KVUE News home | KVUE.com | Austin news: "This was no ordinary afternoon run in the park for Rusty Tolliver and Rhys Jenkins. It was the completion of a 2,000 mile run from Boston to Austin.

'My girlfriend Laura lives in Boston. I'm from Austin, they rhyme,' said Rusty Tolliver, who completed the 2,000 mile run.

But there was rhyme and reason behind the run that began on September 15. Tolliver and Jenkins were running for three charities: the troops, heart disease and cancer research."

Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010

Nonprofits and the Economy, October 2010: "In October 2010, GuideStar joined forces with the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Blackbaud, and the Foundation Center to create the National Research Collaborative and conduct an end-of-year fundraising survey. Representatives of 2,356 public charities and 163 private foundations took the survey online between October 19 and November 3, 2010.

The results are encouraging: The proportion of participants reporting decreased contributions dropped 14 percent, from 51 percent in October 2009 to 37 percent in October 2010. The percentage who said contributions had increased grew 13 percent, from 23 percent in October 2009 to 36 percent in October 2010. These figures may herald the beginning of an economic recovery in the nonprofit sector, although only time will tell if the trend will continue. For the first time in two years, however, there's cause for cautious optimism about the sector and the economy."

All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession

All Opinions Are Local - Phone calls from the Great Recession: "'I’m hungry.'

This is how the first call to my cellphone began. Until that point, the human toll of the Great Recession was much less immediate.

Two years ago, the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region established the Neighbors in Need Fund to help nonprofits meet the growing demand for services in the wake of the economic meltdown. Working with the foundation, I have written about many individuals and corporations that have supported the fund, which makes grants to groups that provide food, shelter and clothing to the region’s most vulnerable. But until that call, the story had not hit home."

Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship

Kiva CEO Matt Flannery Talks Microfinance And Entrepreneurship: "Micro . . . what?! Sure, the term microfinance may sound complicated, but its message is simple: giving loans to budding entrepreneurs in another part of the world who need a little leg up to get out of poverty. If you're familiar with the microfinance world, the name Kiva will often pop up, and if you were watching Oprah last Friday, you'd know it was one of her favorite things. Kiva is a nonprofit that provides an Internet platform for lenders to connect with microfinance institutions around the globe. But don't worry, you don't need match up to an Oprah Winfrey-like donation -- even a $25 loan can make a difference. We talked to Kiva's CEO Matt Flannery, who told us more about the feel-good nonprofit."

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com

Charity Navigator Seeks to Broadly Inform Charitable Donors - NYTimes.com: "Charity Navigator, perhaps the largest online source for evaluating nonprofit groups, recently embarked on an overhaul to offer a wider, more nuanced array of information to donors who are deciding which organizations they might help."

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch

Foundation sharpens focus on philanthropy | The Columbus Dispatch: "This fundraiser doesn’t want you to wonder where the money went.

The Columbus Foundation is telling donors upfront, and in detail, about plans for the $1.5 million that officials hope to provide for seven area charities hit hard by demand because of the recession."