Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Sargent Shriver’s Legacy to the Nonprofit World - Pablo Eisenberg - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

From the Chronicle of Philanthropy
Sargent Shriver’s Legacy to the Nonprofit World - Pablo Eisenberg - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "For many of us who worked for him in the Peace Corps or the Office of Economic Opportunity during the 1960s, R. Sargent Shriver was an inspirational leader, a passionate promoter of social and economic justice, an ebullient enthusiast of public service, and a warm, compassionate human being."

massnonprofit.org ::

massnonprofit.org ::: "With grant dollars more difficult to secure, a compelling grant proposal alone is no longer enough. You need to know in advance how attractive your proposal will be to a prospective funder.

The following checklist will help you think through 20 key facets of your organization’s programs, personnel, board of directors, finances, and other key factors."

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chinese donation gets mixed reception - The China Post

Chinese donation gets mixed reception - The China Post: "A Chinese billionaire has made a public pledge to donate NT$500 million to Taiwan's disadvantaged minority and low-income families in an act of philanthropy to the island, although it has been met with cautious and mixed reactions by local governments."

Signs of a Fund-Raising Rebound - Annual Giving - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Signs of a Fund-Raising Rebound - Annual Giving - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "Sixty-two percent of 245 nonprofit organizations surveyed by The Chronicle reported that they raised more in November and December 2010 than at the same time in 2009. But even as some groups are rebounding quickly from the recession, others continue to struggle. Twenty-four percent of organizations reported year-end gains of more than 20 percent, while 28 percent reported drops in giving. One in 10 said giving was flat during the holidays."

Bill Gates sees philanthropy bug spreading - The Globe and Mail

Bill Gates sees philanthropy bug spreading - The Globe and Mail: "Bill Gates, one of the world’s richest men and one of its best known philanthropists, said on Monday he hopes his passion for giving will soon start to take hold among the super-rich of China and India."

Nonprofit merger a fix for tight times | StarTribune.com

Nonprofit merger a fix for tight times | StarTribune.com: "One nonprofit is a 130-year-old institution in Minnesota, serving school-aged children and families. The other is a mere 40 years old, and widely known for helping some of the most at-risk preschoolers."

Creek Bridge coach goes barefoot for charity | SCNOW

Creek Bridge coach goes barefoot for charity | SCNOW: "Hudacko, along with several other coaches around the Palmetto State, coached the game barefoot to raise money and awareness for the charity Samaritan’s Feet, which provides shoes to needy children in more than 50 nations."

Monday, January 24, 2011

National Arts Index: New index measures arts, entertainment - latimes.com

National Arts Index: New index measures arts, entertainment - latimes.com: "Billed as 'the largest data set ever assembled describing arts and culture in America,' the National Arts Index released Monday by the advocacy group Americans for the Arts aims to capture in a single number how the arts and entertainment sector has been doing -- much as the Dow Jones and S&P indices do for stocks. The news is not good."

Wall Street philanthropy picks up, but not for all | Reuters

Wall Street philanthropy picks up, but not for all | Reuters: "At a charity live auction in December for babies born into poverty, Stephanie Astic noted a heavy Wall Street presence in the room -- the extent of which she had not seen since 2007.

'They were bidding things up,' said Astic, who produces fundraising events for 'Room To Grow' and other non-profits at posh Manhattan venues such as Christie's and Gotham Hall.

'I thought, they're finally feeling more confident, bonus time is coming,' she said."

Arts Post - Arts Groups Lost Considerable Ground in the Recession

Arts Post - Arts Groups Lost Considerable Ground in the Recession: "A review of the country's arts industry shows the recession took away many of the financial gains the organizations enjoyed in the last decade.

In 2009, according to data released Monday by the Americans for the Arts, 41 percent of nonprofit arts groups failed to reach a balanced buget. That percentage, based on reporting to the IRS, rose from 36 percent in 2008, the year when the financial downturn began to take its toll on all businesses.

The findings indicate the health of the arts sector is at a 12-year low, said Americans for the Arts."

Nonprofit groups unite to fight hunger in Maine | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME

Nonprofit groups unite to fight hunger in Maine | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME: "Six nonprofits are teaming up to expand food supplies to hungry Mainers and reverse the rise in the rate of people struggling to feed their families.

Leaders of the coalition, called the Maine Hunger Initiative, hope to generate more funding and food donations for pantries, which facing increasing demand. They also plan to push for statewide policies and legislation to reduce hunger and the poverty that causes it."

Kids in need: Bruce and Cynthia Sherman chair 2011 Naples charity wine festival � Naples Daily News

Kids in need: Bruce and Cynthia Sherman chair 2011 Naples charity wine festival � Naples Daily News: "The festival, held annually, gets under way this week to raise money for children’s charities in Collier County. In its 11th year, the festival has raised $82.5 million for charity so far through its glitzy vintner dinners and auction.

In organizing this year’s festival, the Shermans split the duties. She focused on the event itself, choosing the theme, designing the invitations, creating the auction catalog and planning the overall feel of the festival. He took on the auction lots, which she insists was the hardest job of all."

Are You Ready for a Nonprofit Board: Ten Questions to Consider | Fast Company

Are You Ready for a Nonprofit Board: Ten Questions to Consider | Fast Company: "Are You Ready for a Nonprofit Board: Ten Questions to Consider
BY FC Expert Blogger Alice KorngoldSun Jan 23, 2011
This blog is written by a member of our expert blogging community and expresses that expert's views alone.

I’m an activist when it comes to recruiting talented people to serve on nonprofit boards. My friends know that when I leave a party, a few people might be on a new path that will lead to their joining nonprofit boards. Only because I so often meet amazing people who are interested in boards but don’t quite know what a board does, what will be expected of them, or how to find the right board that fits their interests and where they can add value."

Big names help put nonprofits on map - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Big names help put nonprofits on map - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "roy Polamalu, a game changer on the football field, could transform a nonprofit group that helps veterans, military members and their families.

The Pittsburgh Steelers safety is the headlining celebrity for an auction Jan. 29-Feb. 5 on Twitter that will benefit Operation Once in a Lifetime in Dallas. Among the 300 celebrities participating are fellow Steelers Ike Taylor, William Gay, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley."