Friday, December 10, 2010

Campbell and Putnam: Charity's Religious Edge - WSJ.com

Campbell and Putnam: Charity's Religious Edge - WSJ.com: "Americans are generous people. In 2006, as detailed in our recent book, 'American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us,' 80% of all Americans reported having made a charitable contribution in the previous year. But some—the religious—contributed more than others.

Of the most secular fifth of Americans, two-thirds said they gave money to charity in the previous year. That's an impressive number, but it pales next to the 94% of the most religious fifth who reported making a charitable donation."

'Philanthropy cannot be forced externally' - The Times of India

'Philanthropy cannot be forced externally' - The Times of India: "All of us need to do more than what we are doing because that is what this country needs. Sweden and Netherlands have led the way by making maximum contributions to philanthropy outside their own country. There is nothing that can stop us from emulating them. The desire to do something for society emerges from within. Contributing to society is eventually in our own interest and given the state of affairs on several development issues in our country, no individual or organisation can act like an ostrich with its head in the sand. At the same time, it cannot be forced externally. Everyone must act according to one's own conscience. We can't and must not judge others on this issue."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations: "December 8, 2010; Source: New York Times | Nonprofits don't seem to be on Apple's shiny radar. The company keeps apps that accept donations out of the iTunes store, and out of the toolboxes of nonprofits that would put those apps—and the donations—to use. This has the third sector riled up, enough so to circulate a petition to Apple's CEO Steve Jobs on the subject—a petition that has quickly attracted thousands of signatories from the world over."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Nonprofits Riled by Apple Ban on iPhone Donations: "December 8, 2010; Source: New York Times | Nonprofits don't seem to be on Apple's shiny radar. The company keeps apps that accept donations out of the iTunes store, and out of the toolboxes of nonprofits that would put those apps—and the donations—to use. This has the third sector riled up, enough so to circulate a petition to Apple's CEO Steve Jobs on the subject—a petition that has quickly attracted thousands of signatories from the world over."

No-sweat nonprofit research : Richmond BizSense

No-sweat nonprofit research : Richmond BizSense: "etting a glimpse at the inner workings of local nonprofits just got easier.

The Community Foundation has launched GiveRichmond.org, an online database that compiles nonprofits’ organizational and financial data to give donors a better idea of where their money is going."

What CSR and Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading - Part IV | Fast Company

What CSR and Nonprofit Leaders Are Reading - Part IV | Fast Company: "Following up on last Sunday's Part III with recommendations for holiday gifts and your own reading list, here are additional ideas from CSR and nonprofit leaders. You can also check on the books that were recommended in Part I and Part II at the end of last summer. These are delightful, eclectic selections from a variety of perspectives--from Michelle Rhee to Matthew Bishop, and the heads of companies and nonprofits."

Survey: Atlanta ranks No. 4 in charitable giving | The Biz Beat

Survey: Atlanta ranks No. 4 in charitable giving | The Biz Beat: "Atlanta is the fourth most charitable city, according to a new survey by The Daily Beast news website."

Hunt unveils �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy - Third Sector

Hunt unveils �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy - Third Sector: "Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt wants the UK to become the first country in the world where it's normal for people to leave 10 per cent of their legacy to charity

Jeremy Hunt, the culture secretary, has announced an �80m arts match fund to boost philanthropy in the culture sector.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will put �30m into the scheme and �50m will be taken from the National Lottery over the next four years. Hunt said the money will be put into a series of match fund schemes in the arts to try and raise at least an equivalent amount from private donors."

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Paulette's Point of View: Things Are Looking Up...Mostly!

Paulette's Point of View: Things Are Looking Up...Mostly!: "That’s one of the reasons why AFP has partnered with five other leading philanthropic organizations to create the Nonprofit Research Collaborative. As I wrote in one of my November posts, by combining our research, we’ve created the most comprehensive and accurate survey of fundraising ever, with responses coming from every type and size of charity. That’s important, because you know the data is solid and representative of the whole community."

16 Tycoons Agree to Give Away Fortunes - WSJ.com

16 Tycoons Agree to Give Away Fortunes - WSJ.com: "The billionaire founder of social network Facebook Inc. has agreed to give the majority of his wealth to charity, part of a broader group of rich entrepreneurs committing to philanthropy earlier in their lives.

Mark Zuckerberg has signed onto the 'Giving Pledge,' which asks its signatories to commit publicly to give away the majority of their wealth."

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy - Member News - Member - AFP

AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy - Member News - Member - AFP: "AFP Introduces Wise Giving Website to Help Public With Philanthropy

December 7, 2010

(Arlington, VA) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) today unveiled its new wise giving website, Change the World With a Giving-and Wise-Heart (http://www.afpnet.org/GivingHeart) designed to help donors think proactively about philanthropy and how they want to improve their communities through giving and volunteering."

The new trend in corporate philanthropy: giving books | Marketplace From American Public Media

The new trend in corporate philanthropy: giving books | Marketplace From American Public Media: "This holiday season, corporate philanthropy programs are donating books instead of more traditional donations. Jeff Tyler has more."

Education nonprofits White-Williams and Philadelphia Futures merge | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/06/2010

Education nonprofits White-Williams and Philadelphia Futures merge | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/06/2010: "Measured by the bottom line, a merger between White-Williams Scholars and Philadelphia Futures seems hardly noteworthy.

After all, the two Philadelphia nonprofit groups are worth barely $12 million, couch-cushion change when compared, say, with the $68 billion Pfizer Inc. spent to buy Wyeth last year."

Monday, December 06, 2010

Bush Tax-Cut Deal Between Obama and Republicans Is Near - NYTimes.com

Bush Tax-Cut Deal Between Obama and Republicans Is Near - NYTimes.com: "WASHINGTON — White House officials and Congressional Republicans said Sunday they were closing in on a deal to temporarily continue the Bush-era tax cuts at all income levels, while bitterly frustrated Democratic Congressional leaders began exploring whether they would have the votes for such a package."

Charity Village� Research: Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”

Charity Village� Research: Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”: "Spontaneous “Online Volunteers”
By Jayne Cravens, MSc
December 6, 2010


When a big news story or disaster strikes, the result can be hundreds, even thousands, of people contacting organizations to offer help, including potential online volunteers. It could be a natural disaster, an act of violence, or a particular issue suddenly becoming the hot item on the news. A nonprofit organization, NGO, school, or other organization could suddenly be swamped with emails and phone calls from people who want to help in some way online."

Charity Village� Research: 2011 Wish List: Making The Case For A Pay Raise

Charity Village� Research: 2011 Wish List: Making The Case For A Pay Raise: "The annual budget for 2011 may already be approved but how do you make an effective case for a salary increase? Consider that not all employees perform equally and if your contribution in 2010 was extraordinary, then an adjustment to your compensation may be in order. However, a case has to be prepared.

Employees have some latitude to ask for a salary increase that goes beyond the average allocated in the organization budget. Boards of directors usually approve an overall increase to the organization’s total compensation budget but do not become involved in deciding how much each employee receives. The actual increase for the individual, and whether it is below average, average, or above average, is usually left to the employee’s supervisor and/or executive director or, in the case of the chief staff executive, a compensation committee that has been mandated by the board. The decision invariably is tied to performance with outstanding employees receiving more than staff who under perform."

‘Polar Bears’ brave the cold water for charity

‘Polar Bears’ brave the cold water for charity: "The various teams who took part in the Polar Bear Club dip, an annual tradition that is part of Christmas By the Lake, asked for pledges from the public before the event.

This year’s plunge raised about $20,000 for Make A Wish of North Iowa and Toys for Tots."

The Daily Maverick :: Mega-philanthropists top the 100 big names among global thinkers

The Daily Maverick :: Mega-philanthropists top the 100 big names among global thinkers: "Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates are not in the winners’ circle because they are insanely rich (they are) or because they have made inspired investment choices (they’ve done that too). This time they are in first place because they have decided to give away half their fortunes, and to encourage other megarich people to follow suit.

This is not a new idea, of course, though Buffett and Gates are carrying it out with a special thoroughness. Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist who created US Steel, had determined to give away most of his money when he set up foundations to promote world peace, endowed libraries around the world and generally did lots of other good things with all the money he had made from his non-union wage slaves in Pittsburgh’s satanic mills."

About Thurgood Marshall Academy

About Thurgood Marshall Academy: "he Motley Fool has 'adopted' D.C. public charter school Thurgood Marshall Academy for Foolanthropy 2010. We'll be making a Foolish donation and organizing employee volunteers. We encourage you to do the same -- at any worthy organization in your own community. To learn more about TMA, read on."

Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy- The NonProfit Times Dec 6, 2010

Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy- The NonProfit Times Dec 6, 2010: "Career Adjustments In A Tough Economy

Many factors come into play when making a career transition at any point in life. Add in a cloudy economy and the new reality that nonprofit organizations are seeking out contracted employees, rather than hiring full time workers, and the decision becomes even tougher.

During Fundraising Day In New York 2010, held by the New York City chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Craig J. Williams Esq., interim executive director at the Robert Wood Williams University Hospital Foundation in New Brunswick, N.J., spoke at the session “Career Transitions in Today’s Economic Climate.” He gave insight into career paths."

Do-gooder gets joy from sending kids on shopping spree

Do-gooder gets joy from sending kids on shopping spree: "This time, however, Gubitosi wanted something different.

'Tom asked if we had 100 children that he could give $100 each to for a Christmas shopping spree at a toy store,' Elder said.

And thus a new tradition was born. But not at a toy store.

After consulting with Elder, Gubitosi agreed to fund a shopping spree at a Target, so that the children - who are picked by the corporation and who range from preschoolers to high school students - could buy anything from toys to music players to jeans."

Youth program finds way to give back amid closing | PennLive.com

Youth program finds way to give back amid closing | PennLive.com

How to Donate Like a Pro - WSJ.com

How to Donate Like a Pro - WSJ.com: "Investors demand a good return from their assets. Now donors are increasingly seeking the same for their charitable dollars.

Many philanthropists, large and small, are anxious about writing checks—and many endowments have yet to recover fully from the bruising they took during the financial crisis. Finding the worthiest, most-efficient organizations to maximize the impact of your donations couldn't be more pressing."

We’re Off to See the Oracle, the Awesome Oracle of Omaha - Wharton Journal - News

We’re Off to See the Oracle, the Awesome Oracle of Omaha - Wharton Journal - News: "On his views on philanthropy, Mr. Buffett said that giving away his money was really the best use for it. He joked that he could probably put Egypt out of business if he were to build a tomb for himself, but he wanted to create as much impact as possible per dollar used. That was why he had given away most of his money to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also talked about his work along with the Gates family to convince other billionaires to pledge away at least half their money to charity. The pledges can be looked up on givingpledge.org."