Nonprofit

• Most Topular Stories

• 8 use cases for social media and associations

  SocialFish

  Maddie Grant

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  In case you missed them, or want them all in one handy link, here is a nice roundup for you of our Social CRM Use Case series, which was originally created for the Avectra blog. ROI and Social CRM Use Case 1: Using LinkedIn for Member Recruitment Social CRM Use Case 2: Socializing educational content for member retention Social CRM Use Case 3: Optimize and socialize your member services Social CRM Use Case 4: Conference social media campaigns to increase outreach and lead generation Social CRM Use Case 5: Connecting the dots between purchases and social capital for member recruitment Social…

• A Donor’s View of the Nonprofit Sector - "I Had No Idea!"

  Charity Navigator

  3 Feb 2012 | 4:56 am

  One of the questions we frequently get is “why don’t yourate charity XYZ?” Our response is “despite the fact that we evaluate, forfree, ten times more organizations than anyone else in America has everattempted, many deserving (and not deserving) ones exist that we haven't gottento yet. You may know that there are now approximately 1 million charities inthis country. We evaluate a lot of them. In fact, the ones we evaluate accountfor roughly 50% of the donations in America. But, obviously, there are manystill to do.”After sending that information back to a user of our site(along…

• Cutting Red Tape for Nonprofits

  Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog - Philanthropy Potluck

  MCF Webmaster

  7 Feb 2012 | 2:58 pm

  In past legislative sessions, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has worked with elected officials to streamline items affecting nonprofits in state statute. The work is part of MCN’s Red Tape Reduction Project, and now MCN is looking for your ideas about additional red tape that needs slashing. MCN want ideas about streamlining processes and reporting requirements related to contracting, licensing or other regulatory arenas. It is particularly interested in ideas that reduce duplication, increase efficiency and conformity, and enhance accountability and transparency. Send your ideas…

• The Beauty of Print

  Jewish Donor Blog

  NegevDirectYoav

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:12 am

  Novum 11/11 – Making Of Cover from Paperlux on Vimeo. ‎"The goal, Kuehne says, is to underscore the importance of print media as the publishing industry goes digital: “Don’t get me wrong: We feel... This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• Addressing Inequities by Engaging Those Most Affected

  keeping a close eye... by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  3 Feb 2012 | 2:00 am

  Be sure to check out the winter 2011/12 issue of Responsive Philanthropy, NCRP's quarterly journal, which looks at funding grassroots organizing for environmental change, using charity as moral enhancement, addressing social inequality in the United States and activist-advised grantmaking.New Constituencies for the Environment: A Case Study In the cover story, Danielle Deane explores the impact of funding grassroots organizing for environmental change. She looks at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s “New Constituencies for the Environment” initiative and how it…

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  Dowser

• Pico Iyer: Keeping the Narrative Alive

  Dowser

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:23 pm

  Writer Pico Iyer photographed in a Buddhist temple during a visit to Dharamsala, India/ Photo Courtesy of Iyer Pico Iyer has traveled to nearly every corner of the globe, often writing about it along the way: from the holy city of Benares to remote corners of Tibet to isolated nations like Bhutan, North Korea, and Cuba. Iyer is the author of a new book, about his travels and reflections: The Man Within My Head, an introspective look at the people who've impacted his life. # # Though he writes from the perspective of a traveler, his essays are anything but touristy, rather, they touch upon the…

• Brooklyn's FEAST Makes Crowdfunding a Face-to-Face, Social Event

  Dowser

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:09 am

  Photo courtesy of Kramer O'Neill The rise of crowdfunding has shown the power of individual, small donations to collectively support projects of all sizes -- from community garden nooks to large documentary films. Most crowdfunding is done online though, and therefore inherently limited in the kinds of exchanges you can have with other donors and the project leaders. Brooklyn’s FEAST (Funding Emerging Artists With Sustainable Tactics) takes a more social, face-to-face approach to crowdfunding, allowing donors to be experience a deeper engagement with a project. # # Since 2009, FEAST has…

• Sex Trafficking and the Super Bowl

  Dowser

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:42 am

  The Super Bowl visits a different city every year, creating a highly sought-after boost in tourism for the city and excitement for football fans. But, many say, it also brings something that stays a lot more hidden: a spike in human trafficking. # The Good Men Project has called the Super Bowl a haven for sex trafficking -- others call it the most prolific sex trafficking event in the United States. # Exact numbers are impossible to pin down: like with all human trafficking, the problem is intentionally hidden. Estimates are thrown about -- with some saying that thousands, most of them…

• Weekly Roundup: Facebook's Social Mission

  Dowser

  3 Feb 2012 | 11:23 am

  Can One of America’s Biggest Tech Companies Pursue its Social Mission and a Massive IPO Simultaneously? Facebook’s IPO listing has caused quite a stir in the business community.  But, Zuckerberg writes in a lengthy letter his missions behind Facebook are not purely monetary.  Rather, he writes that Facebook was created with “a social mission -- to make the world more open and connected.”   And goes on to say, “We don’t build services to make money; we make money to build better services. # "Facebook was not originally founded to be a company. We've always cared primarily about…

• Harvard's Julie Battilana Takes the Pulse of the Social Entrepreneurship Movement

  Dowser

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:32 pm

  A duo of researchers at the Harvard Business School recently set out to investigate movers in the field of social entrepreneurship beyond the big names who attract the most attention. Their study uses six years’ worth of applicants for an Echoing Green fellowship as the sample base for systematic look at where the field is now, and where it is headed. Below, Harvard Business School Associate Professor Julie Battilana shares a few of the study's most significant findings. # Dowser: Where did the idea for the study come from? Battilana: It's a study on which I've been working with Matthew…

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  Rosetta Thurman

• A Conversation About Nonprofit Leadership with AFP Yosemite and a Tour of Modesto, California

  rosettathurman

  7 Feb 2012 | 4:20 pm

  Last week, I had the very good fortune of being invited to speak to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Yosemite Chapter in Modesto, California. That photo up top is me with the direct mail legend himself, David Barnes, who has been in the fundraising profession for 40 years. Much love to Jennifer Svihus for inviting me and many thanks to Deena for suggesting me as a speaker! The Tour Past AFP Yosemite President Lynn Traver was so kind to take me on a neat tour of Modesto, which I learned was the scene for the movie American Graffiti directed by George Lucas. I always enjoy learning…

• Where I’m Speaking This Spring (and How We Can Work Together)

  rosettathurman

  1 Feb 2012 | 3:39 pm

  Happy February! I just landed in Sacramento, California. I’m writing you as I grab some lunch in the airport lounge, overlooking the tarmac. I’m back on the west coast to speak to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Yosemite Chapter in Modesto on the topic of ”New Leadership for a New Nonprofit Sector.” I love AFP and the support they provide to fundraisers, development staff and nonprofit leaders all over the world. I’ve worked with several chapters around the country now, and it’s always an honor to be in community with them. As I’ve been…

• Why It’s Time to Rethink the Language of Nonprofit Leadership Development

  rosettathurman

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:37 pm

  Earlier this week, I gave a presentation for the National Human Services Assembly’s Field Services Council about how to develop a new generation of nonprofit leaders. We talked about some of the new research about what Generation X and Y nonprofit professionals need as well as ideas for how managers, organizations and associations might experiment with different strategies. What I wanted to share here today is part of the conversation we had about the language we use in nonprofit leadership development as it relates to young people in the sector. Develop vs. Support…

• Young Business Professionals: Applications Open for ProInspire Nonprofit Fellowship Program

  rosettathurman

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:29 am

  I’m excited to share that applications are now open for the 2012 ProInspire Fellowship! ProInspire is a program founded by the fabulous Monisha Kapila for outstanding young business professionals who want to have a life changing experience – spending one year using their skills working for a leading nonprofit. I have worked with Monisha in the past and had a chance to meet and speak to some of the amazing Fellows that were chosen for a previous class. This year, they will have TWO classes of Fellows in Washington D.C. – Spring Fellows starting in April and Fall Fellows starting in…

• 11 Tips for a Successful Nonprofit Job Search

  rosettathurman

  19 Jan 2012 | 1:06 pm

  Now that you have your 2012 nonprofit career plan, you may have realized that it’s time to start looking for a new nonprofit job. If you’re planning to transition to a new position this year, it can be daunting to know where to start, especially if you’re coming from the corporate world or changing roles after a few years. Yes, the doom and gloom monsters are all over the place talking about how bad the economy and the job market is, but keep in mind that nonprofits are still hiring, even more than for-profits are. And there is still turnover in the sector –…

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  Balancing the Mission Checkbook

• Executive Directors Embracing Financial Leadership

  Kate Barr

  1 Feb 2012 | 11:20 am

  It’s been gratifying to hear and read the great feedback about An Executive Director’s Guide to Financial Leadership published in the current issue of The Nonprofit Quarterly. I enjoyed writing the article with co-author Jeanne Bell from CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. We have very similar approaches to finance as a tool for mission and community impact. Nonprofit managers and directors have posted online comments and given me direct feedback that they appreciate the practical guidance that goes far beyond bookkeeping basics. These principles help to build strong infrastructure and…

• Updates to the Rule Book can impact the Story Book

  Steve Boland

  24 Jan 2012 | 12:15 pm

  Nonprofits Assistance Fund advises its clients to think about financial statements as a way to tell the story of their nonprofit missions. How organizations raise resources (mixes of earned and donated revenue, for example), where they spend money, and what they impact as a result of using resources are the narrative arcs of your financial statements. The stories are told within a common context. Narratives have rules of grammar, and the financial statements have rules about how we describe resources so we all have a common understanding. These rules (Generally Accepted Account Principles, or…

• Making Your Business Model Work: Applying a Break-Even Analysis

  Michael Anderson

  10 Jan 2012 | 1:51 pm

  We give lots of business model advice to our clients. It often takes a general form, such as, “improve the financial performance of this program” or “better align that profitable program to your mission.” However, sometimes a more technical analysis is required to really understand how to make a business model work. Every nonprofit business model has unique business model drivers. These drivers are typically income-generating activities that have a significant impact on an organization’s ability to simultaneously operate at a surplus while achieving its mission. Common examples of…

• Goodbye to 2011 and some hopes for 2012

  Kate Barr

  30 Dec 2011 | 10:56 am

  There have been years when I hated to see the year end because of all the wonderful, joyful events that had occurred. This year, though, was pretty mixed in terms of the financial health and sustainability of Minnesota’s nonprofits. While there was a lot to celebrate for nonprofits in 2011, there were also challenges which I’ll be happy to leave behind. I can see some silver linings in these clouds, though, in new practices and trends that will lead to better financial health and capacity in 2012. So in the spirit of year end lists, here are five goodbyes for 2011 – and hopes for 2012:…

• Talk the Talk: Financial narrative advice from a funder

  Steve Boland

  14 Dec 2011 | 4:19 pm

  Brad Kruse, Program Director at Hugh J. Andersen Foundation with Steve Boland, Nonprofits Assistance Fund The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Minnesota Foundations 2012 conference was another info-packed afternoon, talking about all the news from the latest edition of the Minnesota Grants Directory. Hundreds of grant-seekers gathered to share what they know about philanthropic support in Minnesota, and occasionally to bemoan how funders just don’t get us. The conversation shifted to ways nonprofits can help granters. One suggestion was to add a good narrative to budgets or financial…

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  Bridgespan - All RSS Feeds

• Community Collaboratives Case Studies

  5 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Community Collaboratives Profiles 2012 02 06 Twelve profiles of community collaboratives based research for the report, "Needle Moving Community Collaboratives." Through our work with the White House on Council on Community Solutions LINK TO FULL REPORT , The Bridgespan

• Needle-Moving Community Collaboratives: A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges

  5 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Needle Moving Community Collaboratives A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges 2012 02 06 Willa Seldon Michele Jolin, and Paul Schmitz Executive summary for the report, "Needle Moving Community Collaboratives A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges."

• Ensuring That “Scaling What Works” Actually Works

  1 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Ensuring That “Scaling What Works” Actually Works 2012 02 02 Matthew Forti “We know what works, and if we could just steer funds to those organizations with superior results, society would be much better off.” Sound familiar? But in

• Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections on the Closing of Hull House

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections on the Closing of Hull House 2012 01 26 Hull House’s founding signaled the start of a new era in social services in the late 19th century. Its demise at the outset

• Refreshing Your Nonprofit Board Dashboard

  16 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Refreshing Your Board Dashboard 2012 01 17 Matthew Forti With 2012 upon us and many New Year’s resolutions already broken, Matt Forti suggests one you can easily keep  a refreshed board dashboard With 2012 upon us and many New Year’s resolutions

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  Beth’s Blog

• What does monitoring your brand on social media channels really mean?

  Beth

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:49 am

  Source: journalism.org via Lucy on Pinterest   “Listening” or tracking what people are saying about your brand or issue has always been hailed at the first most important step in building your social media or network strategy.   Listening is the process tracking brand mentions or related key words and  transforming a “river of noise” into insights that allow you to make decisions.    Listening can help your organization craft messages/content, keep your finger on how your network thinks about your issue or brand, help with curation of content, identify influencers…

• The Five Stages of A Social Media PR Disaster

  Beth

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:43 am

  Source: tomfishburne.com via Beth on Pinterest Update: Just as I hit the publish button on this post,   I got news that Komen’s Karen Handel resigned.  Perhaps the sixth stage is fire the staff person who was primarily responsible for the mess. Now that we’ve had a few days to let the dust settle from the Komen-Planned Parenthood firestorm, it is time to think about takeaways for other nonprofits.    Deanna Zandt presents an analysis of what made this particular pr crisis different from others and the teachable moments that are useful other nonprofits.   The bottom line is:…

• Taking Baby Steps to Social Media Maturity with Your Peers

  Beth

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:42 am

  Flickr Photo by Johnny Hall Note from Beth: This past year has been a deep exploration into how nonprofits can use measurement and reflection to improve their practices as a networked nonprofit and social media.    As part of my work at the Packard Foundation,  I designed and facilitated several peer learning groups and exchanges.   It was a fantastic laboratory to explore the power of peer learning and the right mix.  Also, as a trainer how you create a co-learning opportunity versus the “sage on the stage.”      I’ve been reflecting, doing an after action review to…

• Heroes with A Heart Grant Recognizes Unsung Nonprofit Heroes

  Beth

  3 Feb 2012 | 10:56 am

  Heroes with A Heart Grant Recognizes Unsung Nonprofit Heros – Guest Post by John Haydon If you’re like most people, you get most of your inspiration from people who are quietly changing the world each and every day. They’re not on the front page of the newspaper, and they’re not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. They’re everyday people like you and me who have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better than when they found it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks YOU to nominate a “Hero with a…

• Komen Kan Kiss My Mammagram, PinActivism, and Newsjacking for a Cause

  Beth

  2 Feb 2012 | 12:54 am

  Source: thefastertimes.com via Noland on Pinterest   On Tuesday, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a leading breast cancer charity,  pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars in breast cancer screening funds from Planned Parenthood.  Each year millions of women are screened for breast cancer at Planned Parenthood, and Susan G. Komen’s funding pays for about 170,000 of those screenings.  These services are particularly important for women from under-served communities. The AP reported that Komen for the Cure has decided to halt grants to Planned Parenthood and the decision was…

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  NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoupGlobal.org blogs

• Connect with other Community Builders at Weekly #CommBuild Chats!

  Claire Sale

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:35 am

   I've recently been involved with community building around community building via weekly #commbuild Twitter chats. This concept is a bit meta, I know, but I've found it to be a really great way to connect with other people in my position. Since there are so many community builders involved with the Net2 network in various ways, I wanted to be sure to let you all know about this new opportunity.What is #CommBuild? #CommBuild focuses on issues and topics relevant to those working on community building or in community management roles. These chats originated out of the #4Change…

• TechSoup Geeks: Speedgeeking at USRio+2.0

  laneytest

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:34 pm

  For three days last week, the US State Department hosted the USRio+2.0 Conference, an infusion of entrepreneurial spirit into a conversation that could use it: the Rio+20 discussion on sustainable development ideas and solutions. The event was all about highlighting innovative ideas and technologies through some nontraditional conference events including, among other things, speedgeeking.  Speedgeeking, modelled off speed dating, is a quick-hit way to introduce and demonstrate technology projects. Although it’s been used in tech circles for a few years now, my guess is that it was new…

• Greening the Ghettos and Rebirth to Local Communities Ignored

  KennethFax

  6 Feb 2012 | 2:03 am

  Majora Carter contributed greatly to leading efforts to make ghettos, green, clean and sustainable in New York. http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/majora_carter_s_tale_of_urban_renewal.html We have an opportunity to apply the same principle in San Francisco. What would you do to fight for environmental justice in areas such as Bayview Hunters Point, Visitation Valley, Mission District and other under-served areas with low income and forgotten? As an examples...in an emotionally charged talk, MacArthur-winning activist Majora Carter details her fight for environmental justice in the South Bronx…

• NetSquared Camp Vancouver: April 28 2012

  elijah

  4 Feb 2012 | 4:52 pm

  Net Tuesday Vancouver is excited to announce NetSquared Camp 2012, an intimate gathering of Vancouver’s online campaigners. This unconference will be a chance for our community to gather and share our hard-won best practices, war stories, and victories! The event will be held at The Hive on Saturday, April 28 and admission is $20. There are just 80 spots available, so please RSVP soon to ensure you get a ticket. Tickets and more information: http://netsquared2012.eventbrite.ca/ Hope to see you there!

• Google Privacy Policy And What It Means For The Nptech World

  Alicja Peszkowska

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:10 pm

  Last week Google announced their new privacy policy to the world. The changes in the way that Google combines and uses information one shares with its services is effective in less than a month, on March the 1st. There is a few absolutely basic facts that every Internet user (be it a Google ID user or not) should be aware of in the context of the change, and I will try to brief them here. I would love to learn and understand how exactly non-profit organizations will be affected by the new policy -- I understand that this is a very complex issue, and it is still hard to distill how this…

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  Osocio Weblog

• Dump The Big Six

  Marc

  8 Feb 2012 | 1:25 pm

  This funny video is from Ecotricity, a green energy company based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England specialising in selling and generating wind power. It is part of their new campaign entitled “Dump The Big Six”. The Big Six stands for British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, Npower, Scottish & Southern and Scottish Power. Ecotricity founder Dale Vince OBE, the man credited with kick-starting the world’s green electricity market, believes now is the moment to topple the grey giants and bring the UK into the renewable energy future. Ecotricity: Half of Britons feel the source of future…

• Both sides of weed

  Tatjana Vukic

  8 Feb 2012 | 11:00 am

  A masterpiece from McCann Digital, Tel Aviv: after the “drugs set your timeline” campaign that focused on hard drugs prevention - here’s a new one for the israeli anti drug authority, this time on Weed effects. In 3 interactive videos, they showed young people talking about marijuana as a deadly drug, and telling it’s the best thing that ever happened to them. Teen audience can switch freely between the two offered solutions, watch the stories of drug addicts and realize that none of them are actually true, and learn about the real effects of smoking weed. Take a look…

• Donation street party, the social way

  Marc

  7 Feb 2012 | 2:00 pm

  During the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, Latet (Hebrew for “to give"), a humanitarian aid organization, wanted to create a unique fundraising event. In collaboration with Shaker, an app that turns Facebook into a virtual bar, Latet created a one-of-a-kind fundraising event– a street party inside Facebook. Israeli celebs, who received special avatars, held live performances inside the virtual street party. In addition, users could chat and take pictures with them. Users that donated by texting received a virtual Latet T-shirt that showed everybody they had donated. The party…

• Three shocking reasons to monitor your children’s internet use

  Tom Megginson

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:24 pm

  This really weird campaign for the Beneva Foundation (which appears to be based in Romania, even though the ads are Slovakian) assumes that you are aware of some of the most infamous internet shock sites of the past few years. If you are (and I have to admit that I am) then these children’s versions — implying that your kids have visited those sites themselves — are horribly hilarious. If you are not familiar, I will do my best to explain in the most professional manner possible. Lemon Party (Wikipedia link) is the least shocking, at least in internet terms. It shows three naked,…

• A person is the best thing to happen to a shelter pet

  Marc

  7 Feb 2012 | 12:37 pm

  No pitiful, neglected and abused animals in this campaign from the American Shelter Pet Project. Just sweet cuteness with our favorite hairballs. Unconditional love and understanding, who doesn’t want that? The Shelter Pet Project is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable, and encouraging potential adopters to consider the shelter as the first place to find a new best friend. The Project is the result of a collaborative effort between two leading animal welfare groups, The Humane Society of the United States and…

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  NTEN

• How To Track Everyone Who's Anyone To You: Is A Single Database Right for Your Org?

  Annaliese

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:08 pm

  [Editor's note: The following is an excerpt of an article in the December 2011 issue of NTEN:Change. Read the complete issue of NTEN's new quarterly journal for nonprofit leaders by subscribing to the journal for free!]By Laura Quinn, IdealwareSince most organizations don’t track just one type of constituent, the idea of a single database for all of them—donors, volunteers, clients, email subscribers, advocates and everyone else—is something of a holy grail. The ability to easily see how all your constituents interact with your organization, and with each other, makes for an attractive,…

• Keeping Them Coming Back for More: Your Communications Arcs

  Brett

  7 Feb 2012 | 5:59 pm

  Kivi Leroux Miller President Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com Story arcs are what keep you coming back to your favorite TV shows: you care what happens next. What does this have to do with nonprofit marketing? Everything! If you have a favorite TV show, you are familiar with the concept of the story arc: what happens last week influences what happens this week, and that influences what happens next week. We can look back at the end of the season and summarize several different story arcs within one show. Smaller one-time events will happen in each episode, but a few larger story arcs continue…

• Social Networking IRL (In Real Life) at the NTC

  Mimi

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:12 pm

  2012 NTC Feature It’s already February, and the 2012 Nonprofit Technology Conference is only two months away! One of the best parts of the conference is the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit technology professionals, so you can share your experiences and knowledge. We want to make sure you make the most of the social and networking events at the 2012 NTC, so this week we’re filling you in on the NTC Connect Track and other opportunities to connect with the NTC Community. NTC Connect Track To make it easier for you connect at the NTC, we’ve introduced a new event track…

• NTEN's Technology Leadership Academy Returns for 2012

  Brett

  3 Feb 2012 | 3:43 pm

  We're excited to announce that the Technology Leadership Academy is returning in 2012. Even better, thanks to the generous support of Google and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, we're able to offer the Academy at no charge to qualifying organizations.The Academy gets at the very heart of what NTEN does. We believe that with improved tech leadership, nonprofits like yours will provide more and better programs, inspire more communities, and involve more volunteers to share their time.> Apply by February 24th! With improved tech leadership, our sector will be stronger, more…

• Member Round Up: We've got dancing babies!

  Amanda

  3 Feb 2012 | 3:41 pm

  This week, our members are releasing new fundraising tools, hosting workshops, and even awarding grants. While we’re encouraged by some statistics our members released regarding nonprofits and technology, we’re also thrilled that anyone could like us this much: Thank you so much for all your help in the NTEN Champions Fundraising Campaign, Corey Pudhorosky! Have more news to share? Drop us a line or include your links in the comments! Charity Dynamics released statistics that made everyone here at NTEN excited! A survey of their clients indicates that nonprofits are going to focus on…

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  Inspiring Generosity

• 4 Ways to Get Ready for the Tablet Revolution

  geofflivingston

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:07 am

  Photo by HighTechDad Low price tablets and e-readers are making a big impact online. Pew Internet reports that 29% of all Americans have either a tablet, an e-reader or both. So what does that mean for online fundraisers and changemakers? A recent Comscore study on mobile and tablet readers sheds some light. Tablets are turning American Internet users into content omnivores, with roughly 60% of respondents using tablets to read news and participate in social networks. 75% are using tablets to communicate via email. And here’s the ringer for fundraisers: almost half have completed a…

• The Technology Loop

  ifdy

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:00 pm

  Today’s guest post is by Doug Weinbrenner. Doug is a career-long nonprofit and marketing professional with a passion for doing old things in new ways in order to make wrong things right. He is the Account Supervisor at Premier Studios, an advertising agency that specializes in helping missional brands connect with their audience in a way that changes lives—and the world. I know I am not the only one who can relate to poor Fred (at least I hope not). While the signs and symptoms of succumbing to the dizzying grips of a “technology loop” can be subtle and even appear normal on the…

• Integrating Social Media Into Your Website [Video]

  johnhaydon

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:12 am

  Photo by Steve Snodgrass Last week, someone asked me a very good question: “Why have social media links on my website (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc.) send my visitors away after I worked so hard to bring them in?” Here’s my response:

• Have Something to Say: Pitching the Story

  ifdy

  7 Feb 2012 | 12:05 pm

    Photo by cogdogblog Editor’s note: This is part 2, continuation of last week’s post Have Something to Say: Creating Stories for the Media. Now the question is: once you have something to say, who do you say it to? Finding Who to Pitch Finding a reporter, blogger or editor to share your story with is the next challenge.  If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to ask around and find a PR person who can give you an hour of their time and pull up a good list for you to reach out to, or “pitch.” But if you’re not so lucky, you’ll need to put build this list yourself. Your…

• Patriots, Komen Fumbles Offer Lessons for NPOs

  joewaters

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:46 am

    Photo by stephen_d_luke Last week was terrible for Komen for the Cure. It was even worse than the day my beloved New England Patriots had at the Superbowl! Whom you’re feeling more upset with this morning depends on which team let you down more. But either way, they both lost–big time. If you’re looking for a great recap on the Komen mess from last week and the analysis what happened by some really smart people, check out this post from Shonali Burke. If you’re just looking for a good rant, read my post on the Komen meltdown. Nonprofits can learn so much from…

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  Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog

• Please take this Valentine’s Day pledge

  katya.andresen@networkforgood.org

  9 Feb 2012 | 1:58 am

  This February 14, let’s re-boot Valentine’s Day for good.  (Thanks to the video wizards at See3 for generously contributing this video to the movement!) Instead of forging V-Day connections with one person via chocolate, candlelight and a card, let’s forge G-Day connections with as many people as possible – including complete strangers – by saying YES on February 14th to every opportunity to be nice, help out, or delight with generosity.  It might mean tipping 100%.  Or telling a colleague how much you appreciate them and agreeing to that long-delayed…

• How to make a magnificent mini-impression

  katya.andresen@networkforgood.org

  8 Feb 2012 | 1:35 am

  People decide very quickly whether something appeals to them - usually in a matter of seconds.  If you work in communications, marketing or fundraising, it’s wise to remember to focus on that mini-impression formed in the first few instants of engagement. You can be sure the Super Bowl advertisers knew that - heck, they were spending $116,667 a second to make a good impression.  They didn’t always do a good job, but there is a lot to learn from their successes and failures. In the Harvard Business Review blog this week, Ron Ashkenas shares reflections on the three things…

• Two things it’s easy to forget with social media

  katya.andresen@networkforgood.org

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:16 am

  In the reactive, fast-moving, turbulent world of social media, it’s easy to be swept up with a sense of false urgency.  Yet two of the most valuable things you can do involve slowing down: 1. Pausing to think.  Before you run off to spend time on a channel, you want to figure out WHO you’re trying to reach online, WHERE they are, and HOW to best communicate with them.  A little intentionality now saves oodles of lost time later.  2 Stopping to listen.  Really listen.  It’s so tempting to fire off a response or jump into a conversation.  But…

• Venn Heaven: How to map your champions online

  katya.andresen@networkforgood.org

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:18 am

  Tom Webster of BrandSavant Blog had a fascinating post this past week on the overlap - or lack thereof - of 1) your base of supporters and 2) social media mavens.  It’s important you understand how much overlap you have, so you know how to use social media effectively to build your brand. He drew a series of Venn Diagrams, which I am showing here: So which is ideal? The first looks good, because you have some overlap between supporters and social media champions.  That overlapping area is a great start to a core of online enthusiasts - and it can grow as that group reaches out…

• Jobs at Network for Good

  katya.andresen@networkforgood.org

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:49 pm

  Network for Good, where I work, is hiring.  Among the positions is a business development position for those interested in cultivating corporate cause partnerships.  Next week, we’ll be posting an additional position in marketing. Check out our job listings here.

• 

  Philanthropy Journal - All Articles

• Foundation funding for Hispanics stalls

  8 Feb 2012 | 4:41 am

  The Latino population is growing and now represents a larger share of the U.S. population than any other minority group, but the share of foundation funding for this segment of society has remained about the same over the past decade, a new study says.read more

• North Carolina funders talk priorities

  7 Feb 2012 | 4:32 am

  As funders grapple with how to allocate their grantmaking dollars to meet rising need, nonprofits looking for grants should find ways to align with a funder’s mission and priorities, and to collaborate with other nonprofits, foundation representatives said at a conference of fundraising professionals.read more

• Advocacy funding pays off big, study says

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:24 am

  Foundation funding to support policy advocacy, community organizing and civic engagement generated significant returns for low-wage workers, communities of color, rural residents and other marginalized groups, a new study says.read more

• 02.02.12: News about people, groups

  2 Feb 2012 | 6:59 am

  Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, set $8.7 million goal for annual fund drive, up from last year’s total of $8.3 million; Bob James, vice chairman, board of directors, Fifth Third Bank, chairs campaign; and more.read more

• 02.02.12: News about grants, gifts

  2 Feb 2012 | 6:58 am

  Urban Ministries of Durham will receive $50,000 challenge grant from Stewards Fund, Raleigh, if it can raise $50,000 from first-time donors or any increased gift from current donors by May 31; and more.read more

• 

  Have Fun • Do Good

• Growing Good Habits + a Happy Reminder Board (video)

  Britt Bravo

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:40 pm

  Happy Reminder Board (special appearance by Dora the Cat) from Britt Bravo on Vimeo. Whether I'm working with bloggers and creative entrepreneurs, or talking with a friend, everyone I know is trying to grow good habits.  They want to write "morning pages," meditate, exercise, blog, cook dinner, make art, stretch, drink 8 glasses of water, eat healthier, and give thanks more often (sound familiar?). When I've asked people about what helps them keep good habits, they say: Enjoying the process Enjoying the result Having fun Having a role model, or mentor Keeping the habit with a buddy, or…

• 12 Prompts for Generous Living & Blogging

  Britt Bravo

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:57 pm

  Inspired by my post, 20 Ways to be a Generous Blogger, I shared 12 Prompts for Generous Living and Blogging in this month's Juicy Blogging e-News.You don't need to be a blogger, to try the Generous Living prompts, so I thought I'd share them here too. If you'd like to receive the Juicy Blogging eNews in your in-box once a month, you can subscribe by clicking here.  Have fun doing good! ************************** Wednesday, February 1 Live it: What are your generous living goals for the month? How do you want to give to yourself, your friends, your family, your local community, and the…

• Cook from The Vegan Table with VegCookbook Club in February

  Britt Bravo

  31 Jan 2012 | 2:16 pm

  As some of you know, this year I started a new blog, VegCookbookClub.com, where each month myself and readers cook through one vegetarian, or vegan cookbook.  We share tips, opinions and advice about recipes in the comments, on Twitter, on Instagram, and on our own blogs. We just finished cooking from Appetite for Reduction. In February, we're going to cook from The Vegan Table. To join in the fun, all you have to do is pick up a copy of The Vegan Table, cook from it, and share your experience on VegCookbookClub.com, on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #vegcookbookclub, or on…

• Martha Beck Interview: Finding Your Way in a Wild New World

  Britt Bravo

  25 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am

  We’ve proliferated and thrived because we never stop playing, and the way to cope with the increasing complexity of the wild new world is to play more. --Martha Beck, Finding Your Way in a Wild New World  Like many of you, I know Martha Beck fromher O Magazine column (it's the first thing I read), and her many self-help books (e.g. Finding Your Own North Star, The Joy Diet). She always delivers good advice with a healthy dose of humor. When I signed up for her mailing list in the fall of 2010, I received a PDF of the first chapter of her book-in-progress with the working title, The…

• Tea, Cupcakes and Creative Bloggers in Your Town

  Britt Bravo

  24 Jan 2012 | 12:05 pm

  A couple weekends ago I facilitated a 3-hour Tea, Cupcakes and Creative Bloggers workshop at Teahouse Studio. It was so much fun, I want to teach it again soon.  I'm planning on offering it at Teahouse again in the fall, but am also looking for other venues for this spring and summer. If you know of a place that might like to host a TCCB gathering/workshop in the Bay Area and beyond, let me know in the comments, or email me at britt AT brittbravo DOT com. Maybe I can combine visiting your town with a vacation! Cupcakes by Batter and Dough Here are some of the nice things that the ladies…

• 

  Donor Power Blog

• No words necessary

  DonorPower Blog

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:00 am

  I came across a picture the other night on Facebook that I promptly shared.  It had no explanation, no tag, no link, no credit, no nothing.  Just a 4-word phrase, “Worth a Thousand Words”.  The phrase was true.  As you can see, a generous man is taking the very shoes off of his feet and donating them to a child in need. The child is obviously emotional about his gift.  Wherever they are, there seems to be some industrialization, but yet he/she is still struggling and in need of very basic necessities.  See how I interpreted that?  I crafted my own story from this picture.

• Put More "Faith" in Your Brand - A Christian Tale

  DonorPower Blog

  12 Dec 2011 | 7:23 pm

  This is the tale of two of my favorite American charities. One founded by a Presbyterian minister, the other a Catholic Priest. One organization is non-sectarian, the other interdenominational. Both promote long-term sustainable solutions to break the cycle of poverty. Both are child welfare organizations – one helping children from all around the world, one in a specific region of the United States. Both were Christian organizations…that is until both underwent major transformations that more clearly defined how faith-based they really were.  Two years ago, one of these organizations…

• The Psychology of Color

  DonorPower Blog

  8 Dec 2011 | 9:00 am

  Creatives love color. We hate to admit that sometimes a simple black and white envelope beats a stunning four-color photo in the mail. That’s because we know that color can be a powerful marketing tool. Colors evoke emotion, create associations and even prompt action. Pink, once a symbol of femininity, is now the official color of breast cancer. There’s not a person in America who doesn’t know exactly what it means when they see a pink ribbon pinned on a shirt. Splash red and green on something and it’s suddenly Christmas. Even colors that don’t have strong symbolic ties like breast…

• Apply the 80/20 Rule ... Everywhere

  DonorPower Blog

  6 Dec 2011 | 1:35 pm

  The Pareto principle (also known as the “80/20 Rule”) states that, for many events, approximately 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. In the early 1900’s, Vilfredo Pareto determined that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by only 20 percent of the population, and so it began.  Nearly 100 years later the theory still held true: Human Development Report 1992, Chapter 3, http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr1992/chapters/, retrieved 2007-07-08  So why does this matter for Nonprofit marketers? Simply stated, this premise provides us context that the large majority…

• 5 Reasons Nonprofits Should Take Search Seriously - Part II

  DonorPower Blog

  22 Nov 2011 | 8:31 am

  You've been waiting for our last 2 reasons!  We saved the powerful boost of motivation for last.  Here's part II: 4.  Getting started is free! It’s an uphill battle to compete with commercial clients in the search jungle.  The bottom line is that nonprofits just don’t have the kind of SEM budgets that commercial companies do.  But, you can at least get yourself on the links lists, even if you’re not at the tippy top.  Google Grants are MADE for nonprofits to do just that – get in the game.  It allows you to buy your way in by offering grants up to $10,000 per month to use for…

• 

  AE on the Verge

• The Reusable Big Check

  1 Feb 2012 | 8:36 pm

  I was at a meeting yesterday where they used the SAME big check for presentations to two different organizations with two different amounts ... They just ERASED the check between uses. Was plenty professional for the photo opps too.Details they provided: "I got the check for about $95 at signazon.com. It comes in different sizes and thicknesses; and you can add your own logo. We’ve used it several times, and it’s a lot more cost effective than $50 for a cardboard check from a printer although, obviously, the payee can’t take it home!"Here's a photo:

• How to Prepare for a Skype Interview

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:51 pm

  I am moving to Connecticut in a few months and for the first time in decades actually have to think about details related to a new job search, including preparing for an interview. I've been quizzing colleagues who have been interviewed on Skype to get their input about how to prepare for a Skype interview (should I ever have to do one), along with my own thoughts as a Skype user ...1. Be a Skype user long before you actually have to use it for business so you know what you’re doing; get accustomed to seeing others and yourself on a screen in a conversation;2. Be sure you know how to work…

• Office Technology: More to worry about

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:15 pm

  Are your meetings being watched via your videoconferencing equipment without your knowledge? An article in the New York Times gives that a big maybe. Apparently hackers can often easily get into those video conference systems - thus into the board rooms that host the equipment - and can then watch and listen to everything that happens in those rooms. The article also mentions that the US Chamber found that an IP address in China may have accessed them via an apartment thermostat and office printer. Seriously, did we need more office equipment to worry about?Here are a few more things to think…

• Creating Additional Value at a Committee Meeting (in 3 minutes or less)

  17 Jan 2012 | 10:19 pm

  If a committee meeting is adjourning early, do you (or should you) take 3 minutes for professional development?At the end of a meeting, a chairman asked an attendee (before we adjourned) if she could tell the group in two minutes about the top two business apps she uses on her iPad. Two others gave their top app too. It all took a total of about 3 minutes. Everyone was writing the info down (including me); and when we reconvened the next day the pre-meeting chat was all about those apps.Sometimes we miss easy opportunities to learn from each other - even if only a 3 minute burst of…

• Your Association Staff: The Beneficiary Check

  12 Jan 2012 | 12:42 pm

  Do you have any idea who you designated as the beneficiary on the life insurance policy provided by your association? Do your employees still remember who they designated?Many years ago, an association employee passed away and one of her children called because the family was really surprised about the beneficiary to her life insurance policy - it was totally inconsistent with everything else noted in the will. But it didn't matter - the beneficiary is the beneficiary; and the determination was between the insurance company and the employee.Especially with longtime employees who may have had…

• 

  Getting Attention Blog

• Advice to Komen Leadership: 8 Steps to Recovery

  nancy@nancyschwartz.com (Nancy Schwartz)

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:58 am

  Like many of you, I’m interested in seeing where Susan B. Komen for the Cure goes after last week’s controversy. I wish the best to them—they’ve done so much very good work over the years. I hope they are able to refocus, clarify their mission and act on it, then communicate well around it. These Facebook posts from yesterday are a good start with clear, honest communication and action (I’m sure Handel didn’t leave voluntarily). But it’ll take many more consistent actions that show—not tell—folks that they can trust Komen once again. Here are my…

• E-News that Gets Attention & Generates Action—NYC Workshop, Feb. 16

  nancy@nancyschwartz.com (Nancy Schwartz)

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:00 am

  Invest three hours to learn how to use e-newsletters to grow and engage your organization’s base of donors, volunteers, program participants and more. Email remains the core communications tool, and one that’s going to be around for the long run. But you have to use it right! Please join me for Breakthrough E-Newsletters: 5 Steps to Shaping E-Communications that Connect, Thursday, February 16, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM in New York City. You’ll learn everything you need to get a high-impact e-newsletter going for your nonprofit or program, or to dramatically strengthen the one you…

• Friday Futures – Nonprofit Marketing Jobs – February 3, 2012

  nancy@nancyschwartz.com (Nancy Schwartz)

  3 Feb 2012 | 7:30 am

  Please post your nonprofit marketing position here — FT or PT staff, consulting or internship opportunities. NEW OPPORTUNITIES 1) Associate Director, Partnerships Marketing & Communications The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (New York, NY) 2) Cause Marketing and Event Production Specialist, Wholesome Wave (Bridgeport, CT) 3) Communications Intern CNT Energy (Chicago, IL) 4) Communications Associate, Independence Care System (New York, NY) 5) Communications Coordinator, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Bethesda, MD) 6) Communications Director Mountain Association for…

• [Feb.3 noon update: It Just Got Better] Komen’s Busted Nonprofit Brand

  nancy@nancyschwartz.com (Nancy Schwartz)

  2 Feb 2012 | 7:52 pm

  Read the main story here The story of Komen for the Cure’s (Komen) defunding of Planned Parenthood (PP) continues to roll, and I wanted to update you before stepping back to see how things evolve. I’ll share my thoughts with you again in a few days, once I get some distance from the story. Update noon, Feb. 3, 2012 Komen just restored its funding to Planned Parenthood, according to CNN breaking news. The is the best decision Komen’s made in days. Who knows if there’s any way to clean up the mess it’s poor policies and communications have left behind?  I think…

• [Special Edition] Komen Crumbles: Busted Nonprofit Brand (Again)

  nancy@nancyschwartz.com (Nancy Schwartz)

  2 Feb 2012 | 12:20 pm

  Great news: Komen has restored its funding to Planned Parenthood. Follow-up Update here Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Komen) has struck out again. Komen has acted imperiously and (much worse) carelessly against the best interests of its core stakeholders—women who benefit from its support of breast cancer screening, treatment and research—to please its major donors and nurture its political connections. In jettisoning its mission to improve women’s health, Komen opened up the door for the ready-to-roll Planned Parenthood (PP) to step in and mobilize the network of supporters it’s…

• 

  Gift Hub

• 100 Women in Hedge Funds-Stanford PACS Conference: Alpha & Altruism

  Phil Cubeta

  7 Feb 2012 | 3:50 pm

  These women in hedge funds want to know where I am in my philanthropic journey? LOL! I tried going from success to significance, Honey, but thank God I booked a round trip ticket. Give me unlimited financial success and I will hire some schmuck like Phil Cubeta to tell the world how much good I am doing. Jed Emerson has a lot to offer too, but he is a bit too ethical for my taste. My Balanced Score Card, Honey, Phil gives me straight A's. Good luck with the conference, I can't attend as I am doing the keynote at a seceret Bilderberg Conference. How to dominate the…

• Are Think Tanks Forging Ideas?

  Phil Cubeta

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:25 pm

  Hudson Institute: A Half Century of Forging Ideas.... is asking, Are think tanks becoming too political? Where is the contemporary Hogarth who could depict The Intellectual's Progress? First, academics, then public policy, then politics, then the pillory, if only the world were just. Forging ideas? Where do they find people who can write that without self recognition or shame? Maybe we should all read The Counterfeiters by Andre Gide. So often I have been told by my think tank friends in Wealth Bondage, "I don't write nonsense to please my funder, I always wrote…

• 99 to 1: Social Injustice Philanthropy

  Phil Cubeta

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:57 am

  Albert Ruesga on social justice philanthropy, staged at Hudson Institute. In other news, the Koch brothers prep their team of hyperagents for "the mother of all wars." Social justice philanthropy to me means leveling the playing field so that the Koch brothers dig holes in the dirt with a shovel, for low wages, and I am Unelected King of World. Whether philanthropy can achieve this, or whether it will take other means, is an open question. There is something sad about asking the rich for fairness. Please! And they say, No, we are already very fair. We worked hard for our money. And…

• What is Gifthub? A Review of the Scholarship

  Phil Cubeta

  4 Feb 2012 | 9:01 pm

  Menippean satire, can we, my fellow Scholars, excuse, explain, or even justify Gifthub as such?, so begins a long lecture by my colleague, Dr. Amrit Chadwallah, Senior Wealth Bondage Fellow in Charge of Interpetative Frameworks. I wanted to tell him that Wealth Bondage, our mutual employer, is the satiric frame, and he a minor character within it, and that Gifthub is only a CIA funded nonprofit front organization, to project Freedom across the globe, for Human Betterment, but it seemed unkind. Dr. Chadwallah takes himself so seriously. Generally, in this kind of literary work, we as…

• Komen Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Lessons Learned

  Phil Cubeta

  4 Feb 2012 | 5:10 pm

  Nancy Brinker of Susan G. Komen uses all the right technocratic buzzwords ("excellence in grant making," "translating mission," "metrics," "outcomes," "direct service providers") in an interview with an Andrea Mitchell who responds with moral indignation at the way the foundation dumped Planned Parenthood. If only we had this kind of press coverage more often. Via Jay Rosen. The outcomes here are ugly to see. Then comes the oops, we apologize. What this all may demonstrate clearly enough is that philanthropy no matter how scientific its…

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  PHILANTHROPY 2173

• Abundance: Why the Future Will be Much Better Than you Think

  Lucy Bernholz

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:30 am

  I jumped at the chance to review Peter Diamindis and Steve Kolter's forthcoming book, Abundance. I'm a believer in the power of shifts created by everpresent data, ever-expanding processing power, creativity, and human connectedness. I read a lot of future oriented stuff - both pro and con - and I knew these authors would have the inside track on a lot of it. I'm a Singularity University wanna-be and a fellow at a place called the Hybrid Reality Institute. I knew the book would talk about DIY, prizes, and philanthropy because of Diamindis' work with the X Prize. I've heard him speak, read…

• And the award goes to...

  Lucy Bernholz

  1 Feb 2012 | 7:52 pm

  ...Humanity United for it's creativity in presenting foundation information. Here's the link to what they're calling their 2011 Performance Report. It looks good, it's inviting, it's somewhat interactive, it's designed for the web. It brings the concept of annual report into the 21st Century. Most of the information is what you'd find in an annual report - it's sort-of compliance plus. But the plus is important. It's a performance report which means they're learning.  They're looking for feedback on it.  It includes the foundation's results from the Center for Effective…

• The Future of Philanthropy is Feedback

  Lucy Bernholz

  31 Jan 2012 | 12:29 pm

  The future of philanthropy is feedback. Think about it - every big force in the field - data, mobile giving, transparency, metrics, impact measurement, engagement, outcomes, social media, open source, end-to-end monitoring - rests on and accelerates feedback. That is all. (Check the link under feedback - Mari Kurashi of Global Giving knew this well before I did)

• Shaking up the long tail

  Lucy Bernholz

  12 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

  Donors who use cell phones to make donations do more than give, they talk about it. They actively encourage others to give. They may not do much due diligence themselves, but they sure do spread the word. Those insights come from a new report looking at text donations made to Haiti after the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. More than $43 million was raised through mobile giving for that disaster. Given how many of us carry our phones everywhere, it seems likely that we’ll do more of this.  The research, conducted by the Pew Center for the Internet and American Life, The…

• Bonus buzzword buster and RPOs

  Lucy Bernholz

  6 Jan 2012 | 3:57 pm

  A few random philanthropy observations to start your weekend off right. Buzzword buster In conversation with some friends I realized there is one buzz phrase (not exclusive to philanthropy) that drives me batty. That term? Thought leadership (and its derivatives, specifically "thought leader"). Anyone who uses this phrase or claims to "thought lead" is, by definition, not. I guarantee that no one whose ideas have actually sparked other ideas or contributed to lasting change in the world ever identified him or herself as a thought leader.* There is no such thing as thought leadership. There…

• 

  SocialButterfly

• What’s In A Campaign? That Which We Call Change

  Alex

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:08 pm

  As the science behind social change evolves, how we approach our work must too. And sometimes, it is just symantics. But sometimes, it’s not. It’s a difference in mentality. Take the idea of a “campaign” for example. The word campaign itself brings with it assumed processes, methods and associations. It also ranks up there with “awareness” as one of the most overused and over-relied upon words in public health. We can do better. The word-of-mouth company, Brains on Fire, wrote a brilliant manifesto on the inherent differences between a campaign and a…

• Is Talking About Spirituality and Social Change Taboo?

  Alex

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:44 pm

  What shapes your world view? How does your world view influence your work to change the world for the better? Growing up, we’re told we shouldn’t talk about two things: politics and religion. Yet these two things often help set the foundation of one’s world view. How do we go about changing the world for the better if we can’t talk about either? It’s not realistic--Is it? www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXfD5SJgPqo “If I hear one more politician croak out the words that his or her faith is a private matter, I may just have to go smack them. That is so not reality.

• Passion Meets Purpose – Let’s #Rock2012

  Alex

  13 Jan 2012 | 10:24 pm

  How are you applying purpose to your passion? Between blogging with Razoo and working at IQ Solutions on fun projects such as launching Healthy People 2020 and our Nation’s Leading Health Indicators, it’s been awhile.  There are two announcements I want to share: Evolving Beyond the Free Agent Fundraiser Jo Rampy crossing the finish line at the inaugural TRI 2 Encourage with her family. My family and I (pictured above) have launched a nonprofit foundation to help advance multiple sclerosis research called the Rampy MS Research Foundation. Our vision? Find a cure for MS within our…

• Social Media Is Not a Marketing Strategy

  Alex

  20 Nov 2011 | 8:40 pm

  There, I said it. Social media in and of itself is not a strategy (gasp). It does not replace a solid marketing approach or even a communications plan. To be successful, it must be integrated into a larger strategic framework. This applies to organizations as well as programs, initiatives and (my dreaded word) campaigns. Harvard Business Review recently published an article titled “Separate Social Media From Marketing:” …we need to break out social media and talk about more than marketing and technology. Instead, we need to talk about what social media enables: the ability…

• Reading Up On Social Determinants of Health

  Alex

  10 Oct 2011 | 9:29 pm

  October may be Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but a number of articles came out last week focusing on social determinants of health. The phrase “social determinants of health” refers to health where we live, learn, work, play (and pray). In short, Health with a capital H. U.S. Life Expectancy Rises, Health Disparities Increase Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shared its review of Healthy People 2010. The report shared that as a Nation, we had met or were moving toward meeting, 71% of the disease prevention and health promotion objectives we set in…

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  A Small Change

• It’s All Greek to Me

  Jason Dick

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:12 pm

  I recently joined a committee that funds social services projects in the city in which I live. At one of our meetings the committee was discussing setting our funding guidelines. I’ve been a part of the grant writing process for many years and have seen the result of some of the stranger and more involved funding questions. Maybe it was just my revenge on the funders but I realised quickly that funders and nonprofits do not always speak the same language. The intention behind a funding guideline does not always translate into the intended results. Here are a couple of examples that came…

• Fundraising is Not a Narcotic

  Jason Dick

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:48 pm

  Over the last few months I have been secretly peddling drugs. My blog was hacked and, unknown to me, written into the metadata was advertising for a narcotic. I’m very sorry that I did not catch it sooner. I deleted my site and reposted everything and have solved the problem. I was thinking about what I want my website to be about and I reflected on what fundraising is about. There is not a lot in common between fundraising and drugs. Fundraising is about capacity building for good work in our communities. It is about providing people a chance they never had before. However some people…

• Don’t Forget Your $1,000 Gifts

  Jason Dick

  17 Oct 2011 | 9:00 am

  Every organization understands the value of their very top 20 donors. It is easy to see the importance of a $10,000 annual donor. Many organizations have a cut-off as to when the “major gift” starts; often times this is $1,000. Don’t forget the value of those donors that are right at and right before that cut off. This group knows they are not your top donors but are giving because your organization is an area of passion for them. They want you to keep in touch but don’t expect as much attention. (This group is a really great group to talk with about planned gifts. If a donor can give…

• Elusive Prospects

  Jason Dick

  10 Oct 2011 | 9:00 am

  We all have those prospects which we can never get on the phone. I had a great question in my post, This Thing Called Follow-up, and I wanted to provide a bit more of a comprehensive response. It is almost always difficult to connect with a new prospect as nobody likes to receive a phone call from a stranger. Building your fundraising programs via people in the community who have never given and have little connection to your organization will always be a challenge. If these are prospects that could be movers and shakers for your organization, think carefully about who calls them. Send a list…

• Take Initiative

  Jason Dick

  3 Oct 2011 | 9:00 am

  I am not a particularly brilliant or innovative person nor am I fabulously talented or charismatic. Any success that I have had I’d contribute to a God that cares about me, great friends, and initiative. I am baffled by how many people will only do exactly what they are told or asked to do and nothing more. If you want to be successful, find a way to do more than is expected and asked of you. Many organizations have a time where the office is less busy often times during the summer donors are less engaged as they are traveling. What a great time to think about a special projects you can…

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  Frogloop

• Top 10 Most Generous Cities in the U.S.

  Allyson Kapin

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:12 pm

  Ever wonder how charitable your city is? You’re in luck because Convio recently released their report on the 273 most generous cities across the United States. Convio analyzed cities with total population of more than 100,000 based on per capita online giving and the total amount donated through the Convio platform. The average gift size remained steady in 2011 at about $65 with more than $435M donated to charities. The donors in the most generous cities increased their total online contributions by more than 11 percent over 2010, which is pretty impressive considering the tough…

• Upcoming Conference Roundup (February - March 2012)

  Ned Baker

  6 Feb 2012 | 2:26 pm

  With the new year in full swing, we're looking forward to all the great events that are coming up this year by refreshing our own 2012 Conferences calendar.  Here you'll find a list of upcoming events that are sure to be buzzing with cause-minded folks. And wherever there's a cause to be championed, you'll find the Care2 Team -- this month delivering a trifecta of tips and tactics, with three of our Nonprofit Services directors presenting at three different conferences on three different topics over the next three weeks: -Eric Rardin will be talking about Cause Marketing & High Level…

• Webinar: eCampaign 2012 - Killer Tactics to Drive Elections with Online Fundraising And Social Media

  Allyson Kapin

  5 Feb 2012 | 4:46 pm

  Electoral campaigns are important incubators of new techniques and tactics in online fundraising and organizing. From Barack Obama's campaign to the thousands of state and local races across the country, campaigners are relentlessly testing new approaches and refining proven tactics in online fundraising and social media to gain an edge over their rivals -- and in some cases to make history. Join us on February 16, 2012 at 2:00 PM ET for "eCampaign 2012 - Killer Tactics to Drive Elections Using Online Fundraising & Social Media" and hear from two experts who are…

• Lessons Learned When Your Community Revolts

  Allyson Kapin

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:40 am

  There are three pillars to building an online community and engaging on social media channels: 1. Honesty, transparency, and being upfront. 2. Listening and being responsive to members of the community no matter how lame or silly you find the questions or feedback. 3. Thanking your community for their support, feedback and guidance.  If you don’t practice these principals every single day somewhere along the way your community is going to revolt. And it won’t be pretty. For example, yesterday, Planned Parenthood released a statement saying that the Susan G. Komen Foundation…

• Year-End Fundraising Up in 2011

  Steve Daigneault

  30 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am

  In January of last year I wrote up a quick summary on how some of our clients' end-of-year fundraising campaigns did vs. the prior year, and I thought it’d be nice to repeat the exercise to see how nonprofits fared in 2011. The results below come from aggregate data from 14 organizations we work with – a big thanks to them for letting us include their data in this post. These aren’t necessarily the same organizations we included in our write-up last year; this analysis compares two years of data for these 14 groups. So without further ado, here’s the scoop: A lot more…

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  GlobalGiving Blog - News and Updates

• Global Giveback Funding Challenge

  john hecklinger

  2 Feb 2012 | 2:56 pm

  This week we launched the final phase of a collaboration between GlobalGiving, InnoCentive, and the Rockefeller Foundation that began over two years ago as a way to connect our project leaders with technical know-how usually devoted to solving technical problems for for-profit entities.  As part of its Advancing Innovation Processes to Solve Social Problems initiative, the Rockefeller Foundation funded GlobalGiving to identify needed solutions to developing world problems that InnoCentive’s community of solvers could help make a reality.  Project leaders working in India,…

• GlobalGiving’s Disaster Response Approach

  john hecklinger

  2 Feb 2012 | 11:58 am

  GlobalGiving was not originally established with disaster relief funding in mind. When the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit, everyone at GlobalGiving was surprised when the website lit up, the phones started ringing, and donors began asking GlobalGiving to identify local organizations responding to the disaster. Since then, GlobalGiving has connected donors with specific relief and recovery efforts after natural disasters and humanitarian crises in China, Pakistan, Haiti, Australia, Chile, Italy, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, New Zealand, India, the USA, among others. When we…

• Animals for Autism

  GlobalGiving

  27 Jan 2012 | 3:23 pm

  In 2010, Pepsi created the Pepsi Refresh Project to support projects that have a positive impact in local communities across America. Pepsi believes good ideas can come from anyone, anywhere and anytime and so they decided to be the catalyst for bringing them to reality. The projects were voted on and chosen by Americans and the result: more than 1.2 million people impacted across the country through more than 1,000 grants awarded in 345 cities and 45 states. GlobalGiving is honored to be a part of this program. We work with agency partners and grantees to administer, disburse, and monitor…

• Listening to Community Feedback

  acarlman

  3 Nov 2011 | 1:25 pm

  By Emily Bell, GlobalGiving’s Unmarketing Intern The number of rapes and sexual assaults reported around the world each year is rarely indicative of the size and severity of the problem. In Africa especially, rape is underreported and perpetrators are seldom convicted. In his recent article In This Rape Center, the Patient Was 3, Nicholas Kristof wrotethat “women and girls ages 15 to 44 are more likely to be maimed or killed by men than by malaria, cancer, war or traffic accidents combined.” I’m not quite sure how anyone can take in that statistic. Mrembo project leaders talk…

• GlobalGiving Gets More Money to the Ground with FXecute

  acarlman

  1 Nov 2011 | 2:20 pm

  It’s a great week to be a GlobalGiving nonprofit partner (and donor!). We’re excited to share the news that we’ve launched a new system of payment disbursements that will save most of our international partners a significant amount of money. Hooray! GlobalGiving is now implementing a new donation disbursement method for our international partners called FXecute. When compared to a traditional bank wire transfer, FXecute promises to save our international partners collectively hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in wire transfer fees and currency exchange premiums, getting more of…

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  About.com Nonprofit Charitable Orgs

• New Books Bring Nonprofit Finance and Legal Issues Within Reach

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:00 pm

  If you're anything like me, a financial statement or a contract makes you feel like your spaceship just got sucked into a black hole. But as board members or nonprofit staff, we have to make an effort to understand what amounts to the corporate law and finance that undergird our organizations. That's why I was very happy to see two books land on my review pile in recent weeks. They are Good Counsel: Meeting the Legal needs of Nonprofits, by Lesley Rosenthal and The Board Member's Easier Than You Think Guide to Nonprofit Finances, by Any Robinson and Nancy Wasserman. These two books have taken…

• Nonprofits Urge Adopt or Sponsor a Pet for Valentine's Day

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:00 pm

  I can't think of a better way to serve up a Valentine's Day scoop of love than to adopt or sponsor a pet. My long time favorite animal sanctuary, Best Friends, is sending a very cute email to its supporters suggesting sponsoring either Jack, "a pig with a plan," or Nito, a shy dog who loves the ladies. It's all in the name of creatively expressing your heart for Valentine's Day. Read Full PostNonprofits Urge Adopt or Sponsor a Pet for Valentine's Day originally appeared on About.com Nonprofit Charitable Orgs on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 01:00:23.Permalink | Comment | Email this

• Do You Know Who Your Nonprofit Is Sleeping With? Komen's Outing

  6 Feb 2012 | 1:06 am

  I've never seen a reversal as fast as the one Susan G. Komen for the Cure made last week. In a head-spinning set of moves, Komen, which was outed on Tuesday for cutting funding to Planned Parenthood, 1) thought they could get by with a canned video that said a new policy about grantees who were under "investigation" was behind their defunding, 2) changed its story to something about "pass-throughs" on Thursday, and 3) changed its mind and apologized to supporters and critics on Friday. Meanwhile Planned Parenthood raised several million dollars in three days and scored a Superbowl like PR…

• 'Heroes with a Heart' Honors Those You Most Admire

  1 Feb 2012 | 7:00 am

  Near me is a beautiful little ranch that has been converted into a therapeutic riding center for physically challenged children. Every day several volunteers -- most have been coming here for years -- show up to lead the horses and to protect the delighted kids who ride the horses and ponies. They all serve with gentle care, love, and commitment, and no fanfare at all. Those volunteers are my heroes. If you're like me, you are inspired by people who are quietly changing the world each and every day. They're not on the front page of the newspaper, and they're not mingling with the Gates and…

• Best Links: Shy Board Members, Google Search, B Corps

  30 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  Nonprofit Blog Carnival Nancy Schwartz collected all our dreams for the nonprofit world in her January Nonprofit Blog Carnival. Who would have thought that we would dream so much and so creatively? Marc Pitman kicks off the February Nonprofit Blog Carnival with his Valentine's Day themed How do you take care of yourself? Marc asks, "We often focus on letting donors know we love them, but how do you show yourself the love?" Oh, did you forget to reward yourself? This will be an opportunity to pledge anew to do just that. Fundraising, Social Media, Business for Good Katya Andresen reminds us of…

• 

  Step By Step Fundraising

• Candy Fundraisers Can Raise Lots of Money

  Howard Gottlieb

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:32 am

  Don’t ever question whether or not Candy Fundraisers Can Raise Lots of Money. They can, they do and they will continue to be a great fundraising product. We just came across an article in the... [This is a summary only, click on the title to read the entire article.]

• Fundraisers for Small Groups

  Howard Gottlieb

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:43 am

  Looking for Fundraisers for Small Groups? Let’s explore some options along with the pros and cons of each. 1. Lollipop Fundraising: Fundraising lollipops are great fundraising products for any... [This is a summary only, click on the title to read the entire article.]

• Lollipop Fundraising Companies

  Howard Gottlieb

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:52 pm

  Let’s talk about how to choose the best Lollipop Fundraising Companies. It is one of the easiest fundraising products to purchase so a quick discussion should tell you all that you need to... [This is a summary only, click on the title to read the entire article.]

• Record Fundraising for Salvation Army

  Howard Gottlieb

  2 Feb 2012 | 1:25 pm

  How has your fundraising season gone? Are donations up? Or down? Feedback we are hearing is that many nonprofits have seen declines in their donation base. But not The Salvation Army. The Salvation... [This is a summary only, click on the title to read the entire article.]

• The Need for School Fundraising

  Howard Gottlieb

  2 Feb 2012 | 11:33 am

  There is obviously a need for school fundraising. There is no doubt about that. School budgets are being slashed more quickly than I ever remember. Some towns and school districts have really... [This is a summary only, click on the title to read the entire article.]

• 

  The Nonprofiteer

• Dear Nonprofiteer, How dare they tell me what to give?

  Nonprofiteer

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:22 pm

  Dear Nonprofiteer, Maybe I’m just being pissy.  It’s possible.  But…. I’m on the board of two smallish non-profit arts organizations, and a regular financial supporter of several others. I’ve noticed a trend in fundraising appeals- in letters that go out to previous funders, the dollar amount they contributed in previous years is named, with a request for a specific increase in the current campaign.  (“Thank you for your generous contribution of $100 in 2011. Would you consider a gift of $125 in 2012?”) Why should this bother me?  But it does.  It really irritates me,…

• Dear Nonprofiteer, Who are they to tell me what to give?

  Nonprofiteer

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:00 pm

• More on the Buffett challenge

  Nonprofiteer

  3 Feb 2012 | 12:31 pm

  When Warren Buffett challenged Mitch McConnell to help him pay down the deficit, McConnell paid him no never-mind—but a teenage girl in Northbrook, IL heard and responded, sending $300 to the Feds and asking Buffett to do the same.  This is an adorable story, and the video makes it more adorable still. But let’s not let this young woman’s sense of civic duty and remarkable act of civic participation distract from the real point of the Buffett challenge, which is that without increased taxation of the wealthy, jerks like Mitch McConnell will free-ride on public-spirited…

• Give the people at Komen a piece of your mind . . .

  Nonprofiteer

  2 Feb 2012 | 10:59 am

  as they seem to have lost their own.  Komen’s decision to de-fund Planned Parenthood at the behest of an anti-choice Board member reminds us how ready the right wing is to sacrifice women’s health for political gain. There’s a petition to sign if you want to want to make your voice heard.  If you’ve been a Komen supporter and you now de-fund the organization, your voice will be heard even louder.

• The Nonprofiteer has been wondering what to write about . . .

  Nonprofiteer

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:28 pm

  but she’d really have preferred not to have this as an inspiration.  There is no excuse for the decision of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, until now a respected source of information and funding in the fight against breast cancer, to defund Planned Parenthood‘s program of providing breast exams to poor women. In fact, the decision doesn’t even make sense–unless you consider that a recent addition to the Board of Komen is an anti-choice ex-politician from Georgia.  As another commentator has wisely noted, Planned Parenthood will survive this latest injury–the…

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  zyOzy Foundation Blog

• The Future Belongs to the Curious

  22 Jan 2012 | 2:15 pm

  From the moment we open our eyes it fuels our existence. We are on a mission to remind everyone to never lose your sense of curiosity or wonder. Long live learning!

• How to focus in the age of distraction?

  18 Jan 2012 | 3:17 pm

• Cycling infographic

  18 Dec 2011 | 2:17 pm

• “Get It Done”: Urging Climate Justice, Youth Delegate Anjali Appadurai Mic-Checks UN Summit

  11 Dec 2011 | 8:36 am

  Amazing speech by a smart and pragmatic young woman. Anjali Appadurai, a student at the College of the Atlantic in Maine, addressed the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban on behalf of youth delegates. Just after her speech, she led a mic-check from the stage — a move inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests. “It always seems impossible until it’s done. So, distinguished delegates and governments around the world, governments of the developed world: Deep cuts now. Get it done,” Appadurai says.

• Obesity Worldwide

  26 Nov 2011 | 2:55 pm

• 

  Everyday Giving Blog

• How to Get Involved with Microfinance

  Roger Carr

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:16 pm

  As a form of socially conscious investment, microfinance is an increasingly popular option for people who want to do something good – and there is plenty of scope to get involved. One study by Unitus found that up to 80% of the potential microfinance market had still not been reached, so there is clearly still a lot of work to be done. A lot of this is due to the fact that the key targets of microfinance charity are primarily poor, rural and often hard to reach. So, if you are interested in micro loans as a means of helping some of the world’s most disadvantaged people, how can you get…

• Wacky Ways to Raise Money for Charity

  Roger Carr

  22 Jan 2012 | 10:47 pm

  If there's a charity that's close to your heart, you've probably put at least some thought into raising money for it.  Sadly, in today's economic climate, it's hard to find people willing to donate to good causes.  It's not that people don't want to help - but there's not much in the way of spare money floating around these days, and people are constantly being bombarded with requests to sponsor charity runs, donate to raffles, pledge on someone's JustGiving page, or sign up for a monthly direct debit to donate to a specific cause. If you want to persuade people that your cause is…

• Non Profits Need Online Presence

  Roger Carr

  27 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  In order to be competitive nonprofit organizations, just like any other business, must develop and cultivate an online presence. The internet has become an integral part of daily life to almost everyone. Nonprofits now have unprecedented opportunity to recruit supporters and cultivate loyalty to their respective organizations. Because the internet has provided these vast fundraising and marketing opportunities, it’s critical that nonprofit organizations embrace technology and develop a strategic plan for an online presence immediately. New nonprofits should begin developing a strategy…

• Ten Companies That Know How to Give

  Roger Carr

  22 Dec 2011 | 1:03 pm

  10 Biggest Givers in the Corporate World by Kristy Ramirez When it comes to corporate philanthropy, there have been a lot of complaints from the workforces in this country that the highest income earners and corporations aren’t paying their fair share, so to speak. Especially in an unsettled economic climate; are businesses still donating to charities and other philanthropic organisations despite the drop in their overall profit margins? Luckily, the statistics prove that yes, millions- even billions- of dollars are still being given away by community-conscious corporations all over the…

• Changing your lifestyle: 4 Ways to make yourself feel good

  Roger Carr

  17 Nov 2011 | 11:37 am

  Whether it’s a bad day at work, the weathers getting you down or you just feel like you’ve had a pretty bad year, making yourself feel good again is hard work. A nice hot bath and chocolate used to do the trick but nowadays you’re craving something a little bigger. To help you find something that will improve the way you feel on a bigger scale, check out a few ideas below: Treat yourself Whether it’s pampering yourself, new clothes, or indulging in an expensive slap up meal, why not attempt to change your lifestyle all together? From the way that you look to who you hang out with, try…

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  Volunteer Boston: Learn what's going on in Boston and beyond

• Thrill Hill - Its Fast & Its A Blast!

  OYFP Boston

  25 Jan 2012 | 11:08 am

  Join us on Sunday, February 19th for tubing at McIntyre's Thrill Hill in Manchester, NH!This $40 all inclusive trip includes:Roundtrip TransportationTwo Hours on the Thrill HillPizza and BeerCharitable Donation of your choice!If you joined us on our last trip to Nashoba Valley Blue Grass and Blues you are sure to enjoy this event! We donated $1,000 to charity that day...help us support a local charity all while having a blast.100% of proceeds will be donated to the charity YOU* help choose!* Charities will be nominated by those who purchase tickets**One of the top three vote getting charities…

• RUN BOSTON #BostonMarathon

  John R

  18 Jan 2012 | 1:32 pm

  The Boys & Girls Club is looking for a few more teammembers to join us and run the 2012 Boston Marathon!When you join the Boys & Girls Club Marathon team youwill get:-Guaranteed entry to the 2012 Boston Marathon-Expert-coached weekly large group workouts-A customized training plan for your fitness level-An unforgettable marathon experience with the support ofour group-Weekly large group training runs with a meeting space andparking-Race day event at the Westin Copley Place-Race weekend pasta party-13 to 21-Mile training runs-The incredible feeling that your efforts are supportingyouth…

• Get Connected in 2012 with Socializing for Justice

  John R

  12 Jan 2012 | 10:10 am

  Get Connected in 2012 with Socializing for JusticeGrassroots group building a cross-issue progressive network since 2006On January 19th from 6-9PM, Socializing for Justice will be hosting it's largest event of the year, Connecting for Justice, at Lir on Boylston.  This open house event draws 120+ progressives of all stripes and is a great way to get connected to SoJust's cross-issue progressive community.  This is a welcoming space where all attendees, diverse by age, race, gender, sexual orientation, newness to Boston, and experience with activism, come together to “put the…

• Christmas Volunteer Opportunity

  John R

  30 Nov 2011 | 4:17 pm

  Who: Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is a non-sectarian national network of non-profit, volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer to people of good will the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and celebration of life.What: As part of the Holiday Visitation Program, Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly makes visits to over 350 Elder Friends on Christmas who are without family to celebrate the holiday. They will also celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish elders on Christmas Day. Visiting…

• RUN OF THE CHARLES CANOE & KAYAK RACE Sunday, April 29, 2012

  John R

  28 Nov 2011 | 9:33 am

  WHAT:                       The biggest and best canoe and kayak event in New England!                                    The 30th anniversary of the Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race celebrates the Charles River Watershed Association's 48 years of improvements to the health, beauty…

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  Giving in a digital world

• 12 digital fundraising trends for 2012 #11 Properly Joined-up Digital Planning

  Bryan

  6 Feb 2012 | 2:48 am

  The chart above comes from the 2010 Blackbaud State of the Nonprofit Industry Survey (SONI), and shows less than one third of Nonprofit organisations from any country surveyed that year saying that they had a ‘Written Online Strategy’ in place. Unfortunately the response to this question hasn’t been included in Blackbaud’s 2011 SONI Report, so we don’t know whether those who said in 2010 that their online strategies were ‘in development’ now have one in place. However, from what I hear when I talk to nonprofits around the world about their online…

• 12 digital fundraising trends for 2012 #10 Social Media Fundraising Growing-Up

  Bryan

  31 Jan 2012 | 12:44 pm

  After several years of amazing growth, data from Hitwise last August suggested that Facebook use was starting to slow here in the UK. Not at all surprising given that there are now around 30.25m UK users – equating to almost half of the whole country’s population signed-up to the site. So it must be approaching saturation point. Hitwise reinforced this observation with data released earlier this month showing Facebook’s share of all UK visits to social network sites falling by 7% December 2010 to December 2011, while YouTube’s share grew by roughly the same amount.

• 12 digital fundraising trends for 2012 #9 Back To Website Donation Basics

  Bryan

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:19 am

  As I’ve been highlighting throughout this series, the wealth of developments in digital commerce and communications emerging at the moment offer a host of potential new opportunities for fundraisers. However, as mentioned in Monday’s post about Email fundraising, in a year when many supporters are likely to be under increasing financial pressure and all fundraisers should be looking for opportunities to increase their effectiveness, I think some of the biggest opportunities will actually come from focusing on getting the fundraising basics right. When it comes to online…

• 12 digital fundraising trends for 2012 #8 Contactless Payments

  Bryan

  24 Jan 2012 | 1:21 am

  According to the people at Visa Europe, 2012 is going to be the year that ‘contactless payments’ take off here in the UK – heralding a new era when we will all be purchasing low cost items (£15 or less) with a wave of our payment card or NFC equipped mobile phone. No need to type-in a pin number – just ‘wave and pay’. The technology to enable this has been available here for a while now, with Barclaycard launching their ‘OnePulse’ card using Visa’s contactless system back in 2007 and partnering with Orange to launch the UK’s first…

• 12 digital fundraising trends for 2012 #7 Getting Smarter With Email

  Bryan

  23 Jan 2012 | 1:42 am

  As pressure to deliver on income targets in these increasingly challenging financial times results in a return to getting the fundraising basics right, I hope we’re going to see a shift towards making far better use of email this year – thereby capitalising on what is all too often a sadly under-performing opportunity area. Despite continued excitement over the potential of Social Media, the fact is that email remains the most effective way for most fundraisers to engage directly with the majority of their online supporters – and seems likely to remain that way for the…

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  Kivi's Nonprofit Communications Blog

• What Komen Should Do Next to Rebuild Trust

  Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com

  7 Feb 2012 | 5:31 pm

  The apology that Susan G. Komen for the Cure issued on Friday was the first step. The obligatory resignations are next. But if Komen is going to repair the damage done by its behavior last week, they have quite a few more steps in the process. “What should Komen do next?” That’s the question many of you have asked me, and it was certainly the top question asked of me in my role as nonprofit marketing pundit last week. Here’s what I think they need to do next: Diversify the staff and board The decision to defund Planned Parenthood ended up being extremely political…

• In Direct Mail, All Responses, Even Complaints, Are Good

  Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com

  6 Feb 2012 | 12:30 pm

  Tom Ahern Tom Ahern is my go-to guy for all things direct mail. Afraid your direct mail piece goes too far and will solicit a negative response? Tom explains why that may not be a bad thing. Plus he quotes one of my other favorite fundraising bloggers, Jeff Brooks. If you are interested in Tom critiquing your direct mail appeal, sign up for our Direct Mail for Small Nonprofits e-clinic in May. Like our Facebook page, and you’ll find a $50 off coupon code on our Freebies & Coupons tab for the e-clinic. ~Kivi Guest Post by Tom Ahern of Ahern Communications It had arrived. And I…

• Top 5 Words to Avoid to Achieve Messaging Awesomeness

  Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:30 pm

  Erica Mills Last week on the main Nonprofit Marketing Guide site (you are reading the blog now), I published an article called, “Blah, Blah, Blah: What to Do When You Write Too Much.” In today’s guest post, Erica Mills of Claxon Marketing takes it to the next step by showing how specific words can actually debilitate your messaging.  ~Kivi Guest Post by Erica Mills of Claxon Marketing We all crave an awesomely compelling way to talk and write about our organizations. But finding the right words is hard. It’s easy to convince yourself that your messaging is ‘good…

• Logo Trends: How Does Yours Stack Up?

  Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com

  2 Feb 2012 | 9:00 am

  Julia Reich For those of you interested in the ongoing Komen-Planned Parenthood story, I will continue to update yesterday’s post at the bottom of the original content. Today we are moving on with a new topic . . . Our resident design expert, Julia Reich, is back with the latest trends in logos. And if you are embarrassed with your organization’s current logo or think it’s just time for a change, be sure to join us February 8th for Julia’s webinar called, “Help! My Logo Sucks!” Julia will take a look at why some logos work and some don’t, and teach…

• The Accidental Rebranding of Komen for the Cure

  Kivi Leroux Miller of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com

  1 Feb 2012 | 10:42 am

  (Updates to this post can be found at the bottom.) Yesterday afternoon, and continuing into today, I believe we are witnessing the accidental rebranding of what is surely one of America’s biggest and most well-known, and even well-loved, nonprofit brands. Komen for the Cure, it seems, is no longer a breast cancer charity, but a pro-life breast cancer charity. Let me stop right here and say this post is not about abortion per se, one way or the other, other than the fact that it is the single most divisive issue in American politics today. My personal beliefs are very clear and public.

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  Bridgespan - All RSS Feeds

• Community Collaboratives Case Studies

  5 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Community Collaboratives Profiles 2012 02 06 Twelve profiles of community collaboratives based research for the report, "Needle Moving Community Collaboratives." Through our work with the White House on Council on Community Solutions LINK TO FULL REPORT , The Bridgespan

• Needle-Moving Community Collaboratives: A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges

  5 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Needle Moving Community Collaboratives A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges 2012 02 06 Willa Seldon Michele Jolin, and Paul Schmitz Executive summary for the report, "Needle Moving Community Collaboratives A Promising Approach to Addressing America’s Biggest Challenges."

• Ensuring That “Scaling What Works” Actually Works

  1 Feb 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Ensuring That “Scaling What Works” Actually Works 2012 02 02 Matthew Forti “We know what works, and if we could just steer funds to those organizations with superior results, society would be much better off.” Sound familiar? But in

• Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections on the Closing of Hull House

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Where Do We Go From Here? Reflections on the Closing of Hull House 2012 01 26 Hull House’s founding signaled the start of a new era in social services in the late 19th century. Its demise at the outset

• Refreshing Your Nonprofit Board Dashboard

  16 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  Refreshing Your Board Dashboard 2012 01 17 Matthew Forti With 2012 upon us and many New Year’s resolutions already broken, Matt Forti suggests one you can easily keep  a refreshed board dashboard With 2012 upon us and many New Year’s resolutions

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  Selfish Giving

• Budlight Combines Superbowl Ad with Likes to Help Rescue Dogs

  Joe Waters

  5 Feb 2012 | 9:51 pm

  Nice Superbowl ad for rescue dogs. It ties into a Facebook Like promotion at Budlight’s page that rewards each like with a one dollar donation to the Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation, up to $250,000. I also think it was probably the best ad of the game, admitting that the other ads were pretty lackluster. You can watch the commercial here. It’s great that Budlight chose to support a local organization! Maybe we should get Weego to play for the Patriots next year.     Pin It

• Friends of Georgia State Parks: Taking QR Codes to the Park

  Joe Waters

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:55 pm

  I very much enjoyed speaking to your group today! There was a lot of talk and questions afterward about QR codes. Tonight, in researching for my latest book, QR Codes for Dummies, I found this story on how Fort Smith Historic Site in Arkansas is using QR codes! It’s a great article that I think you’ll find interesting and helpful. Here’s the challenge: to get it you need to scan this QR code! There’s a good lesson in this too. While this article is about QR codes, the magazine it was in, CRM, isn’t quite up to speed on mobile technology and hasn’t optimized…

• Komen Sucks…But So Do You

  Joe Waters

  2 Feb 2012 | 4:06 pm

  Nothing Komen for the Cure does surprises me anymore. They sell deep-fried chicken to raise money to cure breast cancer. They sue other nonprofits that use “for the cure” in any variation in their name. Now, they’re flexing their muscle and shutting off the funding to Planned Parenthood. For Komen, it’s just another day being a big, arrogant SOB that has swallowed too much of its own public relations and is drunk with power and eager to show its fight. Part of me grudgingly admires Komen. Heck, I tell nonprofits all the time they should operate more like businesses.

• Heroes with A Heart Grant Recognizes Unsung Nonprofit Heroes

  Joe Waters

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:00 pm

  If you’re like most people, you get most of your inspiration from people who are quietly changing the world each and every day. They’re not on the front page of the newspaper, and they’re not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. They’re everyday people like you and me who have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better than when they found it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks YOU to nominate a “Hero with a Heart,” and give them a chance to win $5,000 – a simple thanks for the hard work that…

• ‘Employee Engagement’ is My New Cause Marketing Buzzword

  Joe Waters

  1 Feb 2012 | 9:04 am

  I’m trying to learn more about volunteering and employee engagement initiatives for businesses that want more than the transactional cause marketing campaigns I specialize in. These are the days when I wish employee volunteering expert Chris Jarvis lived closer to me and not in the home of terrible baseball, Toronto. The employee engagement side of cause marketing is mostly new to me. Sure, employee volunteers – upwards to 1,200 people  for a two day event – were a big part of the Halloween event I produced in Boston for five years. But organizations focused on this area…

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  White Courtesy Telephone

• "Where Are The Bodies Coming From?" And Other Essential Questions

  Curator

  6 Feb 2012 | 12:25 pm

         P   O   S   T   E   D       B   Y       A   L   B   E   R  T I delivered the following remarks at a Hudson Institute panel titled, “What is Social Justice Philanthropy?” Fellow panelists included Christine Doby of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; Thomasina H. Williams, formerly of the Ford Foundation; and University of Texas Professor Peter Frumkin.  Hudson Institute Senior…

• White Courtesy Telephone Caption Contest

  Curator

  4 Feb 2012 | 1:04 pm

• Steve Jobs, The Meaning of a Nonprofit, and Moral Imagination

  Curator

  29 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm

         P   O   S   T   E   D       B   Y       A   L   B   E   R  T I. I remember my sense of anticipation some 18 years ago when I landed my first foundation job. None of my friends or colleagues had any inkling what happened inside these black boxes that consistently swallowed our proposals and issued polite rejections. I had heard that foundations were about social change, that they were about…

• Money in Politics: Foundations and the 2012 Election Cycle

  Curator

  24 Jan 2012 | 7:11 pm

         P   O   S   T   E   D       B   Y       A   L   B   E   R  T Even though not-for-profit organizations are strictly barred from any kind of electioneering, foundations—public and private—need not miss out on the political hurly burly of this election cycle. We know that many foundations sponsor candidates’ forums and publish issue papers to help inform the voting public.

• Our Nonprofits Are Too Good to Fail

  Curator

  22 Nov 2011 | 1:10 pm

         P   O   S   T   E   D       B   Y       A   L   B   E   R  T Editor’s note: A version of this op ed appeared in today’s Times-Picayune.  That’s why the piece is written in the first-person serious.  Feel free to use it as your own, without attribution. While the feds were bailing out large investment banks on Wall Street, our local nonprofit organizations were having a…

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  SocialFish

• The state of association technology?

  Maddie Grant

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  Listen to this 12-minute interview of Richard Davis, CEO of Avectra, talking to Wes Trochlil, data management consultant extraordinaire. I’m fascinated by Richard’s take on the association industry’s use of technology and social media, as he’s only recently (within a couple of years) come from the corporate world. (Fun fact: in a former life, Richard was once a roadie for The Who.) In this interview, he gives us his take on the state of association technology from his unique perspective (not specifically related to rock n’ roll, just to be clear.) Listen to the…

• 8 use cases for social media and associations

  Maddie Grant

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  In case you missed them, or want them all in one handy link, here is a nice roundup for you of our Social CRM Use Case series, which was originally created for the Avectra blog. ROI and Social CRM Use Case 1: Using LinkedIn for Member Recruitment Social CRM Use Case 2: Socializing educational content for member retention Social CRM Use Case 3: Optimize and socialize your member services Social CRM Use Case 4: Conference social media campaigns to increase outreach and lead generation Social CRM Use Case 5: Connecting the dots between purchases and social capital for member recruitment Social…

• Got Video? Enter the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Contest!

  Maddie Grant

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:00 am

  Are you a nonprofit?   Did your organization create impactful videos in 2011?   Do you want your organization to be recognized for making great videos and win incredible prizes?   Do you remember how awesome the videos were last year? Perfect. The 2011 DoGooder Nonprofit Video Contest  is taking submissions starting February 1st.  The contest is presented by YouTube and See3 Communications  and generously sponsored by Cisco, the Case Foundation and NTEN. So what do the winning nonprofits get for participating?  The four best videos will each receive $3,500 in prize donations and an…

• Data on the Digital Divide

  Maddie Grant

  6 Feb 2012 | 10:51 am

  Came across this infographic via a Mashable post.  I think it should have had more info about mobile web access, but interesting nonetheless.  See more source data in the Digital Divide section of the Pew Internet Research site.

• First official Google deck for nonprofits on how to use G+

  Maddie Grant

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  Alex Abelin: Google + for Nonprofits View more presentations from Social Media for Nonprofits Learn more here – http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/nonprofits/

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  Jamie Notter

• Humanize “Must Reads” on Pinterest

  Jamie Notter

  9 Feb 2012 | 7:54 am

  Have you heard the buzz about Pinterest yet? It’s one of those new social sites that will either be the next big thing or something nobody remembers in six months. But it is a nice interface, and it turns out to be a great way for me to do something that has been on my to-do list for a while: put down in one place all the books that we mentioned in Humanize as “Must Reads.” At the end of most chapters, we picked three books related to that particular chapter that we thought were foundational to what we were talking about. I “pinned” them on a Pinterest board so…

• Start by Looking Inside

  Jamie Notter

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:37 am

  Edelman’s Annual “Trust Barometer” report is out. Maddie broke the news on SocialFishing, pointing out that trust in CEOs dropped precipitously (50% last year; 38% this year), where trust in the “regular employee” was up by a similar margin (34% last year to 50% this year). That’s big news, and it’s consistent with what she and I have been writing about. Obviously trust is an important issue to us–Trustworthy is one of the four human elements we write about in Humanize. There is a 32-page slide deck from Edelman that goes over the main points in…

• Public Discourse on Humanize

  Jamie Notter

  3 Feb 2012 | 7:58 am

  At one level, getting a book published is a fairly scripted process. You write it, you publicize the heck out of it, you speak on it, and, if all goes well, a bunch of people buy it. Thousands of authors/publishers do this (in roughly the same way) every single year. Of course, when it’s YOUR book, it always somehow feels more unique, unpredictable, even magical. When Maddie and I wrote Humanize, we gave it our all. We wrote from our hearts. We put down on paper thoughts and ideas that tied together years of our personal and professional development, both separately and together.

• Shaking Up Patterns

  Jamie Notter

  31 Jan 2012 | 6:31 am

  This weekend I taught a three-hour session on Systems to students in Georgetown’s Organization Development and Change Leadership Certificate program. I went through this program 11 years ago myself (though it didn’t have the “change leadership” moniker back then). I love teaching this class and digging into the idea that when we get together in groups, we tend to fall into familiar patterns and system dynamics. The people at the top always feel burdened by complexity and responsibility. The people in the middle always feel torn trying to meet everyone’s needs.

• Humanize and the Millennial Generation

  Jamie Notter

  24 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pm

  Two weeks ago I wrote a post about an inherent paradox in the conversation about generational differences. The differences we see among generations are both true at the big picture level AND irrelevant at the individual level. Every generation possesses significant diversity and significant “sameness” at the same time. That post was the setup to this one, based on the original question that was posed in one of our Humanize twitter chats, which was “Is the Millennial generation better poised to accept the ideas in Humanize than previous generations.” My answer in the…

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  AFP Blog: Recent News of Note

• How Stanford Raised $6-Billion in Hard Times - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

  Reed

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:01 pm

  How Stanford Raised $6-Billion in Hard Times - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Stanford’s announcement today that it has raised $6.2-billion in a campaign with a goal of $4.3-billion seems all the more remarkable given that the drive took place amid a severe recession.Martin Shell, Stanford’s vice president of development,

• How Stanford Raised $6-Billion in Hard Times - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

  Reed

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:01 pm

  How Stanford Raised $6-Billion in Hard Times - Prospecting - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Stanford’s announcement today that it has raised $6.2-billion in a campaign with a goal of $4.3-billion seems all the more remarkable given that the drive took place amid a severe recession.Martin Shell, Stanford’s vice president of development,

• Jewish Federations Support Protection of Charitable Giving Incentives

  Reed

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:59 am

  Jewish Federations Support Protection of Charitable Giving Incentives: February 6, 2012 -- The Jewish Federations of North America appreciates the Obama Administration’s acknowledgement of the importance of retaining charitable giving incentives. As one of the most vocal leaders in the effort to oppose White House attempts to reduce the tax deductibility of charitable contributions, JFNA is

• Maxim Thorne: The Komen-Planned Parenthood Case -- A Philanthropic and Political Victory for Us All

  Reed

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:53 am

  Maxim Thorne: The Komen-Planned Parenthood Case -- A Philanthropic and Political Victory for Us All: I like the fact that Komen's strategies have been entrepreneurial and they pay to get the best talent, and thus get people to give more time, and more treasure. And I like the brand they created. Why then the outrage that hit the Komen Foundation because of its decision to defund Planned

• Man, 100, claims to be oldest marathon runner; �‘Turbaned Torpedo’ runs 10K in Hong Kong� - NY Daily News

  Reed

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:36 am

  Man, 100, claims to be oldest marathon runner; �‘Turbaned Torpedo’ runs 10K in Hong Kong� - NY Daily News: A 100-year-old British Indian man who claims to be the world's oldest marathoner was all smiles after completing a 10K run at the Hong Kong marathon on Sunday.Born in 1911 and affectionately nicknamed the "Turbaned Torpedo", Fauja Singh finished the race in just over one hour and 34 minutes,

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  Wild Apricot Blog (RSS 2.0)

• Volunteer Recruitment Resource

  Lori Halley

  8 Feb 2012 | 8:33 am

  Here's a new volunteer recruitment resource that offers tips and secrets from volunteer managers.

• Setting Up Your Wild Apricot Website Webinar - Tomorrow

  Lori Halley

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:33 am

  If you are new to Wild Apricot and want some help setting up your website - sign up for our free webinar tomorrow - Wed. Feb. 8th.

• Inconvenient Truths About Committees

  Lori Halley

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:56 am

  A new article in our Hub offers tips and strategies for effective committee development and management.

• New Research on Mobile Giving

  Lori Halley

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

  Here's a look at key findings and takeaways from a new Pew research report on mobile giving.

• What's New in the Membership Knowledge Hub?

  Lori Halley

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:00 pm

  Here's an update of new resources that are now available in our Membership Knowledge Hub.

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  NP Communicator

• Practice makes perfect, and other interview tips

  Nora Ferrell

  1 Feb 2012 | 10:01 am

  Photo courtesy of Red Media Group, Flickr, Creative Commons When I work with nonprofit leaders who are preparing for media  interviews, one of my first pieces of advice is, “Remember, you’re in control!” The media needs your help to tell the story, and you’re the expert on your organization’s issues. So, if that’s the case, why do we find ourselves floundering in media interviews, being dragged off topic with no sense of how to bring it back to our core messages? It’s because most of us just need a little practice. We need to sharpen our interview…

• Prostitution, undocumented youth, living with a disability: Reporting the issues that matter

  Nora Ferrell

  23 Jan 2012 | 2:37 pm

  The Local Reporting Initiative was launched in the Spring of 2011 to report stories about Chicago’s South and West Sides that aren’t often told. With support from The Chicago Community Trust, the Community Media Workshop has been overseeing the project, and we’ve been blown away by some of the stories produced under the Initiative. These are stories about real people, stories that deserve to be heard. Take Nina, the first woman to go through a new program to help women facing prostitution charges in Cook County. Or Aurora, an undocumented youth who works two jobs and…

• Workshop helps employment center step up work with local media

  Nora Ferrell

  3 Jan 2012 | 9:49 am

  A 2011 story by Barrington Patch about CareerPlace At a time of record unemployment in Illinois and the country, organizations that can help people find employment and build their skills are more important then ever. Yet, CareerPlace, located in Barrington, found that more than 40% of people in their area didn’t know about their services and classes for unemployed individuals. “We struggled with finding the time to reach out to the local media,” said Monica Keane, executive director of CareerPlace. “I thought Professional Media Relations would be a good way to learn how to get…

• The top 11 Workshop blog posts of 2011

  Nora Ferrell

  14 Dec 2011 | 1:15 pm

  At the end of the year, it’s fun and informative to see what drew you to our website. The Community Media Workshop produces three blogs–Newstips, NP Communicator and Chicago is the World–and in 2011, these were the top 11 most viewed blog posts on our site. Did you have a favorite Workshop blog post this year? Let us know if it made the top 11 or not. We want to continue providing content that’s helpful to you and your organization. The Top 11 1. NP Communicator: Be a nonprofit blogger! - By far, our most popular blog post this year. It’s a helpful post, and it just…

• Develop a media story for your organization and pitch reporters, face-to-face

  Nora Ferrell

  29 Nov 2011 | 12:39 pm

  RoiAnn Phillips of HealthConnect One RoiAnn Phillips decided to attend Professional Media Relations because she wanted a better grasp of media strategy and outreach as she took on more communications work at HealthConnect One. Her “ah-ha moment” came when instructors told the class how to tailor a pitch to pique reporters’ interest, but her big breakthrough came a couple of weeks later. During the five-part workshop, she was able to pitch her organization’s upcoming report analyzing breastfeeding rates in Illinois to WBEZ Reporter Chip Mitchell. That opportunity resulted in three…

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  Cause Marketing

• Small Biz Cause Marketing

  Paul Jones is the president of

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  I saw a job description the other day for one of the chief marketers at Macy’s, the giant retailer. Among the listed job responsibilities was cause marketing, something Macy’s does well with sophisticated efforts for Make-A-Wish and the American Heart Association.Big companies and big charities tend to suck all the oxygen of the room when we speak of cause marketing. But small companies and causes can do it effectively too.Case in point is this wrapper at the left for a chocolate bar from the Big Island in Hawaii.It couldn’t be more homey and local. The paper wrapper feels like copy…

• Gamifying Cause Marketing

  Paul Jones is the president of

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  On the heels of my posts on games and cause marketing in this space and at MediaPost.com, people have been asking me about how so-called 'gamification' can be used in cause marketing.Part of the answer has already been provided by Joe Waters (and others) in their coverage of Foursquare, which can be easily utilized in cause marketing.Zynga and its suite of games have done meaningful cause marketing, notably for disaster relief in Haiti and Japan.A handful of sites including Gamesthatgive.net (whose revenue model is based on advertising) offer donations to nonprofits based on how long you play…

• Must... Somehow... Work Super Bowl Advertising and Cause Marketing Into This Headline

  Paul Jones is the president of

  7 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  In the moments and hours after the Super Bowl advertising executives appear like earthworms after a rainstorm to grade and critique the television ads. Never mind that very few of these experts have ever actually produced a Super Bowl ad, much less one that would pass muster with their equally critical peers!So not one more word on the 2012 Super Bowl ads, at least from me.Instead I want to raise the banner for a kind of cause marketing I’d like to see actually develop.The idea was prompted by a trip to Walgreens when I purchased a paper icon benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research…

• Buy One, Give One Cause Marketing for Services

  Paul Jones is the president of

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  I’ve highlighted numerous products that utilize Buy One Give One; shoes, baby blankets, fruit snacks, watches, neckties, fragrances, wine, and eyeglasses, to name a few. I’ve certainly seen services that use cause marketing; including law firms, hotel chains and vacation companies. Now a video production company in Belgium is using BOGO to cause market their service.For each travel video Timbooktwo produces, the company will make a video for a charity.Here’s how it works; when the company is in a region of the world shooting for a paying client, they will contact a charity in the region…

• Join Causemarketing.Biz Google Newsgroup, Get a Cool Tool You Can Use Today

  Paul Jones is the president of

  3 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  Kind Readers:Shawn T. from San Diego, California is the latest to join the Causemarketing.biz Google Newsgroup.It couldn’t be easier to subscribe. Simply send me your name and your email address to aldenkeene at gmail dot com.When you subscribe each new post comes directly to your email, usually every business day.And like Shawn, when you join I’ll also send you a PDF copy of the "Five Flavors of Cause Marketing" which explains Cause Marketing in an easy-to-follow matrix that includes examples.It's a great brainstorming tool and helps ensure that your campaign has all the components…

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  So what can I do?

• Change the world.

  Karama

  6 Oct 2014 | 5:52 pm

  How will you make our world a better place?* Health and education* Economics, social entrepreneurship, and microfinance* Food and water* Energy and technology* Women, children, and family* Environment, land, and sustainability* FaithAnd don’t forget to visit the So What Can I Do Bookstore. Your efforts can change the world.”Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Mohandas GandhiPlease visit http://sowhatcanido.blogspot.com to offer your comments and suggestions, forward this post, and peruse the archives. Thanks for reading "So what can I do", the public service weblog promoting…

• Make it a day/life of service.

  Karama

  6 Jan 2012 | 10:02 pm

  I remember one Martin Luther King day many years ago, when I was in grad school, that I spent in the lab. That wasn't too unusual because I generally went to the lab every day. But one of my colleagues (who was also working) asked me why I was in the lab on the King holiday. I replied that I thought Dr. King would want me to get my PhD. I still think of the King Holiday as a day on rather than a day off, but now that I have finished school, I have a bit more time to be of service to others on that day. Readers of So What Can I Do are likely to feel the same, so I offer two resources to find…

• EITC: Ask for it!

  Karama

  6 Jan 2012 | 9:30 pm

  Tax time is upon us once again. You've got a couple of extra days this year - til April 17. And here's another piece of good news: lots of folks, many of whom don't know it, will qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. EITC can mean up to $5,751 in your pocket. That's money to pay bills, save for college or a downpayment on your home, or stash away for a rainy day. Find out if you're eligible or ask your tax preparer about it.Remember you have to file a tax return (even if you're not required to or do not owe) in order to claim the EITC.You've already earned it. Now go claim it."Next to…

• Join the So What Can I Do blood donation team.

  Karama

  20 Jun 2009 | 10:40 pm

  I went to the Red Cross blood center today and gave a pint. Regular readers and regular donors know that blood donation is a fast and easy way to save up to three lives. You never know when you or someone you know will need blood. So please consider donating blood, platelets, or red cells. And if you do, you’re invited to join the So What Can I Do Red Cross Racing Team. Here’s how:• Visit redcrossracing.com .• After you register scroll to the bottom and click “Team Competition.”• Enter the So What Can I Do team code: O?67SO .• Remember to log your donations to win points and…

• Celebrate World Free Your Mind Day – June 19th.

  Karama

  18 Jun 2009 | 11:07 pm

  I spent this Juneteenth thinking about what my family would have been like if my great-great-granddaddy Griffin Henry Belk hadn’t walked off that plantation when he did. I expect it would have made a huge difference, because when Griffin Henry Belk left, he was able to travel (searching for his parents), purchase land (160 acres for $11 in Ozan, Arkansas), and generally prepare to provide for his wife and five children to come. So I woke up Juneteenth morning and told my daughter about her great-great-great-granddaddy. Even though she’s only two, I expect it resonated with her, or will…

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  The Fine Print: blog posts from OMBWatch

• Small Biz Owners: Big Businesses, Millionaires Not Paying Fair Share

  gtherkildsen

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:24 pm

  <!--break--> The American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance, and Small Business Majority released a new poll yesterday gauging small business owners’ opinions on taxes. On everything from the tax rates of the wealthy to corporations' exploitation of loopholes in the tax code, small business owners from across the nation say big businesses and millionaires aren’t paying their fair share. Nine out of ten small business owners believe large corporations use loopholes not available to small businesses to avoid paying taxes – taxes those same small businesses have to pay.

• New Poll Shows Small Business Owners Value Regulation, Name Weak Demand as the Primary Obstacle to Job Creation

  kgreenhaw

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:00 am

  In a new national poll commissioned by the American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance, and Small Business Majority, small business owners named weak customer demand, not standards and safeguards, as the most important problem facing their businesses right now. In fact, a majority of the small business owners surveyed agreed that fair, effective regulation of business is necessary to ensure competitiveness and fairness in a modern global economy. Small business owners also support policies that ensure environmental health, food safety, and worker protection for customers and…

• Standing Up for Credit Card Customers' Right to Know

  gbaker

  31 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm

  <!--break--> Yesterday, the comment period ended on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) proposal to create an online database of customer complaints about credit card companies. Here's an update on where things stand: We delivered more than 800 of your comments to the CFPB in response to our action alert. Thank you to everyone who stood up to support government transparency and consumers' right to know. OMB Watch also filed detailed comments on the proposal. Above all, we emphasized how the CFPB's innovative proposal would benefit the public: We applaud the CFPB's proposal as…

• State of the Union's Call for Tax Fairness is a Good Start

  srosenamy

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:26 am

  <!--break--> “The state of the union is getting stronger.” That is how President Obama characterized the current state of the union. But, as we wrote in our State of the Union preview on Tuesday, we still have a long way to go before the economy is back on its feet. In our article, we recommended doing away with the looming budget cuts, increasing taxes on capital gains and financial transactions, and using the additional revenue to pay for more infrastructure projects and public protections. So what fiscal issues did Obama talk about in his speech on Tuesday? One of the main themes of…

• President Obama: You Had Me Until Fracking

  splagakis

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:31 pm

  In last night’s State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated his support for the development of clean energy sources that will create jobs and protect the environment. But while developing clean energy is essential for moving us into the 21st century energy marketplace, the way we build our clean energy future also matters. We must develop energy without harming public health and the environment. A natural gas extraction process, commonly referred to as fracking, was cited in last night’s State of the Union as an example of clean energy. But using fracking to extract…

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  Public Sector Marketing 2.0

• Gamification can change behaviour. I have proof.

  Mike Kujawski

  28 Jan 2012 | 3:23 pm

  This post has been on my mind for a while now, and a recent article on the topic from Policy Horizons Canada finally brought this to the top of my “blog topics” list (which seems to have a leaking hole in it these days…sorry about that). As always, I like to start with a definition: “Gamification is the use of game design techniques and mechanics to solve problems and engage audiences. Typically gamification applies to non-game applications and processes in order to encourage people to adopt them. Gamification works by making technology more engaging, by…

• Open Government Consultation

  Mike Kujawski

  10 Jan 2012 | 7:34 am

  In the spirit of openness, I have decided to publicly share my open-ended responses to the ongoing Canadian Open Government Consultation, which has been taking place since December 6th, 2011 and is scheduled to end January 16th, 2012. The consultation covers questions on Open Data, Open Information, Open Dialogue and the Open Government Strategy. If you are a Canadian Citizen, I strongly suggest that you take the time to complete this short albeit extremely important survey. For more information on this initiative, please consult this news release. I have only included open-ended…

• Bring back the Jester!

  Mike Kujawski

  23 Dec 2011 | 12:12 pm

  Since this will likely be my last post for 2011, I have decided to write it in the form of a wish for 2012; The Jester is due for a comeback. What is a Jester? “In ancient times courts employed fools and by the Middle Ages the jester was a familiar figure. In Renaissance times, aristocratic households in Britain employed licensed fools or jesters, who sometimes dressed as other servants were dressed, but generally wore a motley coat, hood with ass’s (i.e. donkey) ears or a red-flannel coxcomb and bells. Regarded as pets or mascots, they served not simply to amuse but to criticise…

• Online Reputation Management, Personal Branding, Digital Footprints and SMM

  Mike Kujawski

  19 Dec 2011 | 4:00 pm

  Once in a while I like to analyze various search trends taking place in my industry. I do this primarily to see which terms are sticking and to gauge demand for specific business offerings. I first predicted a drastic rise in interest  for “social media monitoring” information 4 years ago. Search for the term has been steadily growing year-by-year ever since, however you don’t have to be Nostradamus to know that with the obvious growth of  social media, a natural first step for organizations was going to be to “listen” and see what’s going on before…

• Guideline for External Use of Web 2.0 in the Government of Canada

  Mike Kujawski

  22 Nov 2011 | 9:44 pm

  After years of hearing  ”it’ll be released next week” promises, I finally got to witness the official announcement this morning from Minister Tony Clement: The Treasury Board Secretariat’s Guideline for External Use of Web 2.0  is now public. Here is an excerpt from Tony’s speech: “Web 2.0 tools provide additional means of interactive communications between government institutions and Canadians. These tools are the modern-day equivalents of town halls. They can be used for various purposes including recruitment, emergency communications, and service…

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  Third Sector News RSS Feed

• Margaret Hodge MP tells Work Programme contractor A4e it adds no value

  9 Feb 2012 | 5:10 am

  Chair of Public Accounts Committee asks why it passes on only £300 of £400 'attachment fee' to the charity LifeLine

• Tax adviser jailed for £70m Gift Aid fraud

  9 Feb 2012 | 4:24 am

  David Perrin sentenced to 18 months for shares con in prosecution brought by HMRC

• Charities will play active role in Youth Contract, says employment minister

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:53 pm

  Chris Grayling detects willingness from sector to play part in work placements for young jobseekers

• Minister to act on potential charity shop apprenticeship scheme

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:47 pm

  Idea put forward by Paul Farmer of Mind is embraced by skills minister John Hayes

• Report called for Welsh Government to stop funding Awema in 2005

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:28 pm

  Kirsty Williams of the Welsh Liberal Democrats says the charity has since received millions of public money

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  EveryJoe

• Volkswagen “The Dog Strikes Back” – 2012 Super Bowl Commercial

  Kori Ellis

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:40 am

  In 2011, Volkwagen’s Super Bowl commercial with a little boy imitating Darth Vader went viral, capturing the hearts of Star Wars fans and even non-geeks. So this year, Volkswagen decided to stick to the Star Wars theme, but this time used an overweight dog rather than a young boy. The ad was considered one of the best from the 2012 Super Bowl commercials. In case you missed it check out the video below, as well as “The Making Of: The Dog Strikes Back.” Post from: EveryJoe

• Teleflora Adriana Lima Ad – 2012 Super Bowl Commercial

  Kori Ellis

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:17 am

  Advertisers know that hot chicks can really make a Super Bowl commercial. So it was no surprise to see sexy Adriana Lima in the Teleflora ad during this year’s Super Bowl. The commercial features Lima as she prepares for a special Valentine’s Day date. Post from: EveryJoe

• Doritos “Sling Baby” – 2012 Super Bowl Commercial

  Kori Ellis

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:14 am

  One thing that I didn’t like about the Super Bowl commercials this year is that so many of them were released in the days and weeks leading up to the game. That takes away a lot of the excitement and shock value. Doritos always has a few good commercials during the Super Bowl, let’s take a look at their Sling Baby ad. Post from: EveryJoe

• Stripping M&M – 2012 Super Bowl Commercial

  Kori Ellis

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:10 am

  M&M’s latest character — Ms. Brown — got a lot of attention during yesterday’s Super Bowl. The stripping M&M commercial was one of the hottest Super Bowl ads of the day. She’s sexy and she knows it. Post from: EveryJoe

• Hyundai “All for One” – 2012 Super Bowl Commercial

  Kori Ellis

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:07 am

  You can’t go wrong with a commercial featuring the Rocky theme. Fans loved Hyundai’s “All for One” Super Bowl commercial — one of the many ads from car manufacturers shown during the big game on Sunday. Post from: EveryJoe

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  eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource

• Giving by U.S. Family Foundations Recovering Slowly

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 4:00 am

  America’s family foundations contributed more than $20 billion in 2010 to organizations and people working for the public good, but total giving did not reach its pre-recession peak of $21 billion in 2008. According to the Foundation Center’s latest edition of Key Facts on Family Foundations, the 1.1 percent increase in family foundation giving between 2009 and 2010 marks a reversal of the previous year’s 3.4 percent decline. Among other key findings in the report: Family foundations account for the majority of giving by independent foundations overall (63 percent in 2010).

• What Would Rambam Think About Everyone Using His Ladder?

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 3:05 am

  by Robert Lichtman Thanks to Dawne Bear Novicoff and Adene Sacks who posted their thoughts about the value-added of philanthropic advisors (What Would Rambam Think About DonorsChoose.org?). I am not such an advisor, but I do believe that making significant investment decisions that impact our future is not a DIY activity. Theirs is a complex argument which they attempted to frame using Rambam’s handy-dandy Tzedakah Ladder. If you don’t know what that is, your philanthropic advisor does. And the extent to which is it applied or misapplied is the issue. According to the famous hierarchy of…

• Telling Your Story When Engaging in Philanthropy

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 3:00 am

  by Jo-Ann Mort and Judith Wineman eJewish Philanthropy featured an article recently by Dan Brown, eJP’s editor, about a donor organization that doesn’t promote its own fundraising through traditional communications outlets. This especially caught our eye because we believe that communications outreach is essential to good philanthropic practice. Philanthropists need a targeted megaphone beyond the act of grant making or financial contributions. Indeed, a solid communications strategy offers a multiplier for the money a funder puts into the field. This is a critical step for a donor moving…

• Jewish Heritage Europe Relaunches

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:55 am

  Building on a previous Jewish Heritage Europe website, Jewish Heritage Europe (JHE) has launched. The website is envisioned as an online clearinghouse for resources, news and information on Jewish monuments and heritage sites all over Europe. JHE is the first of several exciting web-based projects that will premiere during 2012 looking to fill significant Jewish/Israeli world media short-comings. JHE’s primary focus is Jewish built heritage: synagogues, cemeteries, mikvaot, Jewish quarters and other physical traces that attest to a Jewish presence on the continent stretching back to…

• Israel Campus White Paper Released

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:50 am

  New York, NY – Combating growing attacks on Israel’s legitimacy on college campuses requires breaking the cycle of rallies and protests in favor of targeting outreach to campus influentials, according to a new white paper released today by pro-Israel campus organization, The David Project. The white paper, A Burning Campus? Rethinking Israel Advocacy at America’s Universities and Colleges lays out a new strategy for Israel advocacy rooted in relationships with key campus stakeholders and organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The white paper finds that, “campus activism by…

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  Nonprofit Law Blog

• Nonprofit Tweets of the Week - February 3, 2012

  Gene Takagi

  3 Feb 2012 | 6:30 am

  Lots of nonprofit-related events and news this week, none stirring as much controversy as the Susan G. Komen Foundation decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood for breast cancer examinations and other breast health services.  Here are some of my favorite posts of the week in the areas of nonprofit organizations, corporate governance, philanthropy, and social enterprises: Kivi Leroux Miller: The Accidental Rebranding of Komen for the Cure - http://ow.ly/1h4ImG Gene: Lesson - develop & live by organizational values - not directors' personal values. Duty of loyalty.  [Agree with Pete…

• Nonprofit Tweets of the Week - January 27, 2012

  Gene Takagi

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:30 am

  Here are some of my favorite posts of the week in the areas of nonprofit organizations, corporate governance, philanthropy, and social enterprises:  Lisa Chiu: Obama says he won't harm charitable giving: http://philanthropy.com/article Nonprofit Quarterly: Did U.S. Supreme Court's decision open door to less protection for faith-based employees? http://owl.li/8ACXy Philanthropy: Nonprofits Added Jobs Faster Than Businesses Last Decade, Study Finds http://ow.ly/8zCKT Emily: An Executive Director’s Guide to Financial Leadership: 8 key principles for sustained financial health…

• Gift Acceptance Policies - NCPGC Program Presented by Barbara Rhomberg

  Gene Takagi

  23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

               On January 12, 2012, I attended the progam "Gift Acceptance Policies: Why, When, What, How, and Who" presented to the Northern California Planned Giving Council by exempt organizations attorney Barbara Rhomberg.  Using the example of the Trojan Horse, Barbara quickly convinced us that not all gifts are good ones and the time for a gift acceptance policy is before a charity accepts a problematic gift.  Here are some highlights of her talk [and some of my thoughts in bracketed text]. There are 5 factors a charity must consider before accepting a noncash gift: Costs of…

• Nonprofit Tweets of the Week - January 20, 2012

  Gene Takagi

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

  You can listen to Gene on Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio today (1:00 pm ET; 10:00 am PT) discussing board oversight basics.  Chase Magnuson and Allen Thomas kick off the show discussing real estate gifts, how to get them, and how to keep a charity safe from bad gifts.  Click on the "Listen live" link. Here are some of my favorite posts of the week in the areas of nonprofit organizations, corporate governance, philanthropy, and social enterprises:  Nonprofit Assistance Fund: Great article by Kate S Barr & Jeanne Bell in the Nonprofit Quarterly - An Executive Director’s Guide to…

• Youth Board Members: Can minors serve on a nonprofit board?

  Emily Chan

  19 Jan 2012 | 2:20 pm

  Youths represent a growing volunteer population for nonprofits and for some, a potential pool of nonprofit board members. The 2007 National Survey of Children's Health estimated that 78% of youths between 12-17 years of age had participated in at least a few volunteer work or community service events that year. Some groups have taken note of this increasingly service-oriented age group and focused discussions about integrating younger individuals into nonprofit boards beyond young professionals and even young adults to youths (i.e., person under the legal age of adulthood). Youth board…

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  Heather Carpenter - Nonprofit Leadership 601

• Another well-known nonprofit goes out of business

  Heather Carpenter

  31 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm

  I was sad to learn that Jane Adaams’ Hull House Association — one of the first settlement houses in the United States went out of business last week. I don’t know the details of their closure but was sad to learn there wasn’t a national fundraising appeal. It is sad that the Hull House serves over 60k Chicagoland residents each year and it could not survive the economic downturn.  The Executives stated that they even saw an increased demand for services but could not meet those demands.  The organization laid of 300 staff members. In this weeks finance class my…

• Is your CEO a figurehead?

  Heather Carpenter

  30 Jan 2012 | 3:01 pm

  I recently noticed a trend in many nonprofit organizations.  The Executive Director/CEO travels around the country and speaks at nonprofit conferences. This is good in theory because it promotes the organization but…what is going on back at the office while the CEO is away?  There should be a COO (Chief Operating Officer) or Operations Director with full authority making the tough decisions back at the office.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case and CEOs are expected to be the figurehead for the organization and make tough decisions back in the office.  We need to recognize…

• Why is it so difficult to manage volunteers?

  Heather Carpenter

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:37 pm

  This week I taught my undergraduate students about volunteer management best practices.  I enjoyed hearing about their volunteer experiences and I was not surprised when some students explained how they had volunteered at well known organizations that were disorganized in their volunteer management practices. The biggest issue I’ve encountered while working in nonprofits is the lack of planning for volunteer management.  Like the case with nonprofit operations in general, many nonprofits don’t make the time to strategicly plan their volunteer recruitment and retention efforts. …

• Nonprofit Leadership Initiatives Take 2

  Heather Carpenter

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm

  I’ve been a part of many national committees aimed at improving leadership  in the sector.  First there was the Nonprofit Congress’s Leadership Working Group. As a committee we worked with a consultant to develop a booklet titled Work with Me: Intergenerational Conversations in Nonprofit Leadership. Unfortunately the committee dissolved along with the Nonprofit Congress. Then there was the Nonprofit Workforce Coalition and spent a year working to develop a campaign to promote careers in the nonprofit sector.  We hit a wall when we realized that funding for the campaign would…

• ARNOVA Conference 2011 – Teaching Section Workshop

  Heather Carpenter

  20 Nov 2011 | 9:26 pm

  I am finally getting around to publishing my blog posts from the ARNOVA conference.  I got a taste of being a working mom.  My husband and I drove to Toronto for the ARNOVA conference from Grand Rapids.  We took our one month old daughter with us and she did great! I attended every other conference session (I normally attend everything .  I couldn’t have attended the conference without the support of my wonderful husband who is a really hands on dad.  I am so happy that I attended the conference — the sessions I attended were awesome! The only issue I had with the conference…

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  PhilanTopic

• Philanthropy’s Unanswerable Question(s)?

  Mitch Nauffts

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:46 am

  (Bradford K. Smith is the president of the Foundation Center. In his last post, he wrote about Occupy Wall Street and the Giving Pledge.) Q: Exactly how much do America's foundations spend each year to benefit Hispanic and Latino populations? A: We don't really know. As president of the Foundation Center, I should have a better answer, especially for an institution that just published a study entitled Foundation Funding for Hispanics/Latinos in the United States and Latin America. That study concluded that over the past decade U.S. foundation funding explicitly designated to benefit Latinos…

• Valuing What We Can Measure or Measuring What We Value?

  Mitch Nauffts

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:00 am

  (Michael Edwards is a leading expert on global civil society and the author of Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World. This is the third in a series of posts in which he looks at different aspects of the Bellagio Initiative, an effort funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well-being. Click here to read the first post and here to read the second. To read/download the Bellagio paper on which these posts are based --and from which the quotation below is taken -- click here.)…

• Weekend Link Roundup (February 4-5, 2012)

  Mitch Nauffts

  5 Feb 2012 | 3:04 pm

  Our weekly roundup of new and noteworthy posts from and about the nonprofit sector... African Americans BlackGivesBack's Tracey Webb gives a shout out to The Root, which earlier this week unveiled its 2012 list of Young Futurists -- African Americans under the age of 22 who are "not only achievers but also innovators in the worlds of green innovation, science and technology, arts and culture, social activism, and business enterprise." Civil Society "[Is there] a textbook definition of the common good?" asks Steven Fajon, a Case Foundation intern, in a guest post on the Social Citizens blog.

• Can Philanthropy Put Humpty-Dumpty Back Together Again?

  Mitch Nauffts

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

  (Michael Edwards is a leading expert on global civil society and the author of Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World. This is the second in a series of posts in which he looks at different aspects of the Bellagio Initiative, an effort funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well-being. Click here to read the first post in Edwards' series, "Well-Being and Philanthropy," and here to read/download the Bellagio paper from which the quotation below is taken.) "The more one…

• Most Popular PhilanTopic Posts (January 2012)

  Regina Mahone

  1 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  These were the five most popular posts on PhilanTopic in January: Five Qs for...Mario Morino, Co-Founder/Chair, Venture Philanthropy Partners Foundation Leadership for a New Era 2011 Year in Review: What to Expect in 2012 2011 Year in Review: Foundations Bet Big on New Initiatives 2011 Year in Review: Microfinance Vows to Do Better What have you been reading/watching/listening to lately that made you think? Feel free to share in the comments section....

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  The GiveWell Blog

• GiveWell’s progress in 2011

  Holden

  7 Feb 2012 | 10:53 am

  This is the first post (of six) we’re planning to make focused on our self-evaluation and future plans. As in past years, we’re going to be posting our annual self-evaluation and plan as a series of blog posts. This post summarizes what changed for GiveWell in 2011 and what it means for the future. Future posts will elaborate. For us, the major developments of 2011 were: New contacts with major donors and the launch of GiveWell Labs. Prior to 2011, we had only one contact whom we would have classified as a “megadonor,” i.e., someone who seemed to have a reasonable chance…

• Accountability in philanthropy

  Holden

  3 Feb 2012 | 9:06 am

  We previously listed our five chief criteria for GiveWell Labs, an arm of our research process that will be open to any giving opportunity, no matter what form and what sector. This post further discusses the third of these criteria: “accountability.” We’re OK with funding a project that might fail, but it’s very important to us that we be able to recognize, document, publicly discuss, and learn from such a failure if it happens. This is the area in which we feel most strongly that current philanthropists are coming up short: they’re failing to learn (or at…

• What I learned in my first 6 months at GiveWell

  Alexander

  27 Jan 2012 | 10:34 am

  I started work at GiveWell six months ago, just a few weeks after graduating from college. I had been following GiveWell pretty intensely for more than a year, since I had gotten back from my own trip to India. During that time, I had become a little obsessed: I had read the entire history of the blog and got really excited each time GiveWell finally posted the audio from the most recent board meeting. Even as a serious GiveWell fan, though, there were a number of things that I didn’t know about the organization that I should have. These aren’t secrets or titillating stories about…

• Evaluation of American Red Cross Haiti response

  Holden

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:56 am

  We’ve been working on an update of our disaster relief report, and came across an American Red Cross evaluation from December 2010 stating: If you would like to access this report, please get in contact with the ALNAP secretariat. We emailed the ALNAP secretariat, saying: I am writing from GiveWell, an independent, non-profit charity evaluator to request access to the ALNAP report “American Red Cross – Haiti” that is listed on the ALNAP website at http://www.alnap.org/node/7131.aspx. Would it be possible to send us a copy of the report? The secretariat responded that the…

• Trading off upside vs. track record

  Holden

  19 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am

  We previously listed our five chief criteria for GiveWell Labs (a new arm of our research process that will be open to any giving opportunity, no matter what form and what sector). This post further discusses the first two of these criteria - “upside” and “high likelihood of success” - and the tradeoff between them. Upside We use “upside” to refer to the possibility that a philanthropic project will have a huge/outsized impact. While it’s a good thing to fund projects that have this kind of potential - and while a single hugely successful project can…

• 

  FundraisingCoach.com

• Nonprofit fundraising & Groundhog Day’s Ned Ryerson

  Marc A. Pitman

  2 Feb 2012 | 7:57 am

  Happy Groundhog Day! It’s become my Groundhog Day tradition to repost my 2008 post: Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t Be A Ned. Enjoy! (And don’t be a Ned!) Fundraising Secret #11: Don’t be a Ned Click on the image to watch the clip. Does this sound like your fundraising efforts? Ned: Phil? Phil Connors? Phil Connors, I thought that was you! Phil: Hi, thanks for watching. [Starts to walk away] Ned: Hey now, don’t you tell me you don’t remember me ’cause I sure as heckfire remember you. Phil: Not a chance. Ned: Ned… Ryerson. “Needlenose…

• How do you take care of yourself? | Nonprofit Blog Carnival

  Marc A. Pitman

  31 Jan 2012 | 6:20 am

  I’m thrilled to be hosting the Nonprofit Blog Carnival for February! Since Valentines’ Day is this month, the Carnival topic is: As a fundraiser, how do you take care of yourself? I believe fundraising is the best profession in the world! But it can be incredibly stressful, grueling, and thankless. We often focus on letting donors know we love them, but how do you show yourself the love? Nonprofit blog readers If you’re a blog reader, sit tight. I’ll post a round up of the best of the blogs right here on FundraisingCoach.com at the end of February. Nonprofit bloggers…

• How to create a road map for your goals

  Marc A. Pitman

  30 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm

  The first month of the year is gone! Now is a great time to review your goals. (I have blogged about goal setting here.) As you review your goals, you may find your behind on some. Creating a road map will help jump start those goals. To create a goals road map follow this simple 5-step process: Write out your goal What is it you want to accomplish? Make sure the goal is worded so that it is: Specific Measurable Action oriented Results oriented Time sensitive Remember, a goal without a deadline is only a fantasy! List out what steps have to happen Take the time to list out everything that…

• Free nonprofit tools from 10 different experts!

  Marc A. Pitman

  25 Jan 2012 | 7:07 am

  I’m thrilled to be participating in the Nonprofit Goodies Giveaway! 10 of us have gotten together to offer: 5 free ebooks including the Wild Woman’s Guide to Fundraising and my own Ask Without Fear!, 2 free workbooks, 2 free trainings, and one free Donor Map. On the Nonprofit Goodies Giveaway site there are tools to help with your major gifts, annual fund, grant fundraising, storytelling and presentations. There’s even a training to help you with your benefit auctions. But hurry these goodies are only available until January 31! To get your year started with these great…

• Brief rant: YOU ARE NOT YOUR PERFECT DONOR!

  Marc A. Pitman

  18 Jan 2012 | 8:01 am

  [Warning: Rant in progress] In my book Ask Without Fear!, I encourage fundraisers to PYITS–put yourself in their shoes. Thinking like the donor or prospect can save you lots of embarrassment in the process of asking for money. But never forget: you are not your perfect donor Your major gift donor prospects are not on the same life trajectory as you. They have different life goals, work patterns, and values. This is good. This is why they are in a financial place for you to be talking to them. So listen to what they want. Based on my trainings around the world, 70-75% of the people…

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  The Epic Change Blog

• Look What Your Love Built

  Administrator

  2 Feb 2012 | 1:31 pm

  Last week, in a tiny Tanzanian village half the world away, a secondary school built from love opened its doors for the very first time. Because of you. Imagine the possibilities their education could represent for the world we share. Perhaps Gideon will go on to discover new planets. Maybe Leah will finally find a cure. You created these possibilities. By telling your mom you love her during To Mama With Love. By opening your heart, and your home, to friends from so very far away on a miraculous journey you made possible. By singing your little hearts out with LaLaLove. By simply giving Epic…

• Yes Begets Yes

  Administrator

  9 Dec 2011 | 12:18 pm

  It was the middle of the night I’m sure, maybe even later, when we called Ann and told her yet again: we need your help. We’ve got one week to launch a site. We need a volunteer to build it. And you’re our only hope. It was the middle of the night, as it always is, because she’s got a full-time job changing lives in LA. And she’s an artist too. And a digital magazine publisher. And, oh so much more. It’s always them, you know, the ones with so much to do you can’t see them fitting one more thing in. They manipulate the laws of time & space to…

• Where Gratitude Leads

  Administrator

  1 Dec 2011 | 11:46 am

  This was my first ThanksGiving offline since TweetsGiving was born in 2008. Instead of spending the day seeking more, I decided to simply be present & thankful for every miracle that has already found it’s way into this little life of mine. And to relish every moment of a rare day spent in the company of my family from both sides of the world. And this is what happened. On ThanksGiving Day, I received a totally unexpected email from someone we’d last reached out to nearly a year ago. The first words in the email were: “Dear Stacey, Happy Thanksgiving!” The email…

• Epic Thanks To You Who Dare to Believe

  Administrator

  22 Nov 2011 | 6:15 am

  I remember the first TweetsGiving, three years ago. Each day we plotted, for the six days before ThanksGiving, Sanjay would calmly whisper: “this isn’t going to work,” and then continued about his work building the site & strategizing as if he wholeheartedly believed. Somewhere deep down, his heart had hope, even if his brain couldn’t quite wrap itself around the possibility that gratitude could be sufficient currency to build a classroom. Then, in 48 hours, we raised over $11,000 USD from hundreds of people across the globe we’d never met. Since then, the…

• Update from the Road

  Administrator

  8 Nov 2011 | 12:35 am

  We’re now half-way through our whirlwind US tour with Mama Lucy, Leah & Gideon. I’m SO grateful to those of you who have shown us such love & hospitality on the journey, and am hoping paths will cross with many more of you in the next few days. Want to join us for the rest of the journey? Join us in New York, Pittsburgh, DC, or Tampa. Like our Facebook page to catch all the photos from our journey. Follow @epicchange on Instagram on your mobile phone – or on followgram.me.

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  Low Hanging Fruit Communications

• Repost: The Baby Groundhog Guide to Organizational Decision Making

  Maureen Carruthers

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:00 am

  I wrote this post last summer, and while the groundhogs in question are no longer staying with us, the lessons about when to take advice and when to ignore it still stand.  Happy Groundhog Day! If you work with people, eventually some of them are going to make suggestions.  Most of the time, those suggestions will be made with the best of intentions.  And yet, sometimes following said advice will be the best thing that ever happened to you or your organization, and sometimes it will lead to unmitigated disaster.*  So how do you determine when to listen and adapt and when to smile and…

• Doing What is Ours to Do

  Maureen Carruthers

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:20 am

  Image via Wikipedia In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Nancy Schwartz asked the Nonprofit Blog Carnival community to spend time in January reflecting on our own dreams and how we intend to bring them to fruition. As is evidenced by my 11th hour submission, I found this assignment daunting.  Who am I to declare the future direction of the not-for-profit sector?  What difference does my work make in the grand scheme of the universe?  How can I solve problems large agencies with million dollar budgets have yet to tackle? And then I realized–that’s the whole point. Unless those…

• “Waste” More Time on Social Media

  Maureen Carruthers

  19 Jan 2012 | 10:32 am

  If you want to use social media to build your audience, attract new volunteers, sell your artwork, or change the world, there is one thing you can do to make your campaigns more dynamic, interesting and effective. Use social media personally. I don’t mean create a personal account from which you do work things.  I mean use Facebook to reconnect with your college friends and “like” photos of your nieces and nephews.  Use Pinterest* to design your dream home and look at photos of food and shoes.  Use Twitter to meet new people who get excited about the same subjects about…

• 3 Keys to Unlocking Your Best Ideas

  Maureen Carruthers

  13 Jan 2012 | 1:05 pm

  Don’t forget–the LHF Greenhouse closes to new members on Sunday.  If you need a place to grow some of the new ideas you are about to discover, join us inside!  Over the last six months, first as part of the summer of small voices series, and more recently as I’ve been sharing the LHF Greenhouse invitation I’ve noticed a  disturbing trend–a large number of you believe “you don’t have any ideas.” This worries me because we need people like you–and the ideas that come from your smart, kind, generous, and determined souls– to create…

• Getting Ready for the Artist’s Way: a sneak peek into the LHF Greenhouse

  Maureen Carruthers

  10 Jan 2012 | 9:09 am

  Image via Wikipedia I’m sure you’ve noticed I’m very excited about the LHF Greenhouse, and want to make sure everyone who can benefit from becoming a member has the information they need to make a decision about joining. So when my engineer boyfriend pointed out the invitation page does a great job of explaining what the greenhouse will feel like, but not such a great job outlining the “what exactly will we be doing” part, I was a little worried. I tried to write a post to fill in that information gap.  I thought about making a list of the books we would read,…

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  Acronym

• Cracking the Role of Luck in Business Success

  Kristin Clarke

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:03 pm

  It's not often that you run into a business topic that hasn't already been micro-examined, so when leadership guru Jim Collins and his Great by Choice coauthor Morten Hansen decided to tackle the blurry subject of whether luck—both good and bad—is key to long-term organizational success, I paid extra attention. Their dilemma was how to study it, Collins told me during an interview, much of which appears in three articles in this month's Associations Now and on the ASAE website: "The No-Excuses Guide to Greatness" "The Favorites Game: The Lowdown on Luck" "Building a Great by…

• A Day for Happy Accidents

  Mark Athitakis

  7 Feb 2012 | 2:37 pm

  Yesterday Jeffrey Cufaude's Twitter feed pointed me to an article from last summer about an interesting experiment at NPR: For just one day, it unshackled its technology staff from its day-to-day responsibilities and allowed them to spend that time working on ideas they were passionate about but couldn't quite find the time for. The "Serendipity Day" was apparently a success, according to the report from Nieman Journalism Lab: 30 employees generated 25 "usable" ideas. Not a bad haul for a day's worth of brainstorming. Serendipity Day is a variation on Google's famous "20 percent time," in…

• What does it take to be an innovator?

  Joe Rominiecki

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:18 am

  The following is a guest post from J. Clarke Price, CAE, president and CEO of the Ohio Society of CPAs. One of the most enjoyable assignments I've had in my involvement in ASAE was working on the Innovation Task Force. Figuring out the answer to "How do we cultivate a spirit of innovation in associations?" was simultaneously challenging and frustrating. The challenging dimension was that it was fun to engage association executives in conversations around that question. I've heard lots of perspectives on the question, I've heard lots of examples of how associations have empowered staff to…

• Quick clicks: Two-by-two edition

  Joe Rominiecki

  26 Jan 2012 | 3:46 pm

  After rounding up some of the best blog posts on association management from the past two weeks, I found I had several pairs of posts on matching topics. So, I paired them up on the list below. Enjoy. Community management Did you know that Monday was Community Manager Appreciation Day? Well, thanks to Maggie McGary, now you do. So go give your association's community manager(s) a belated "thanks." Colleen Dilenschneider explains why quality, not quantity, matters most in building your organization's online followers. Fixing problems Laura Otten writes that some struggling nonprofits won't…

• Are We Suffering From Teamwork Fatigue?

  Mark Athitakis

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:13 am

  I've read so much contradictory information about whether it's better to work by oneself or in groups that I finally needed some alone time to think about it. Associations Now has done its bit to promote the virtues of introversion: We've run articles on the importance of finding time to think by oneself, on how introverts aren't the insecure souls the stereotype suggests, and on how social media helps introverts better engage with associations. Of course, we run plenty of articles about the virtues of collaboration too—our Volunteer Leadership Issue is, in essence, a handbook for how…

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  Amy Sample Ward’s Version of NPTech

• Heroes with a Heart: Nominate a Nonprofit Hero Today!

  Amy Sample Ward

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:00 pm

  We all know someone quietly changing the world each and every day. He or she is not on the front page of the newspaper, and not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. Everyday people have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better and actually get to work doing it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks for your nominations of a “Hero with a Heart,” and gives them a chance to win $5,000 – a simple thanks for the hard work that they do. Grant Details Here’s an overview of awards the CTK Foundation will offer…

• New on SSIR: Data for Promotion, Engagement, and Reporting

  Amy Sample Ward

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:05 am

  My latest contribution to the Stanford Social Innovation Review is now published. You can read the post and join the conversation on the SSIR Opinion blog, or read the full post below. —– Inevitably, January is filled with predictions and resolutions. We ponder the innovations and evolutions that may unfold in the technologies we use, and consider the issues we want to tackle in our work and communities. Me? I’m focused on data. This year will, I hope, be the year of data. I see more organizations looking for ways to be data-driven in decision making, communications,…

• Great reads from around the web on January 24th

  Amy Sample Ward

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  I come across so many great conversations, ideas, and resources all over the web every day. Here are some of the most interesting things I’ve found recently (as of January 24th). You can join the conversations in the comments, or click through to the original posts to find what others are saying. To follow more of the things I find online, you can follow @amysampleward on Twitter (which is just a blog and resource feed), or find me on Delicious (for all kinds of bookmarks). Eric Lanke: Stop Calling It Strategic Planning – "So I'm working my way through Humanize, and like…

• Philanthropy and Social Media: New Whitepaper from The Institute for Philanthropy

  Amy Sample Ward

  20 Jan 2012 | 9:03 am

  Earlier this week, I had the terrific opportunity to participate on a panel at the US launch event for “Philanthropy and Social Media”, a whitepaper from The Institute for Philanthropy and The Indigo Trust. Download the full white paper or share it using this link: http://bit.ly/oii1Vr Below are notes from my remarks. The internet is not new. The last few years, though, have been dramatically impacted by the real-time web. The real-time web is a paradigm based on pushing information to users as soon as it’s available, instead of requiring that they or their software check a…

• Philanthropy and Social Media

  Amy Sample Ward

  17 Jan 2012 | 4:00 pm

  Date: January 17, 2012, 6 pm EST Location: New York, NY Topic: Philanthropy and Social Media Description: To launch the whitepaper, Philanthropy and Social Media, presented by The Institute for Philanthropy and The Indigo Trust, this panel discussed the impact of social media on philanthropy and giving from various perspectives. In addition to myself, the panel included: Ben Scott (Policy Advisor for Innovation at the US Department of State), Mayur Patel (Vice President of Strategy and Assessment, Knight Foundation), Scott Oki (Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Co-Founder of…

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  FundraisingIP.com: Fundraising Ideas

• Food Truck Fundraiser

  FundraisingIP.com

  31 Jan 2012 | 2:12 pm

  Maybe you’ve already seen them in your neighborhood, or heard about them in the news: a new generation of food trucks that serves everything from tri-tip and crepes to cupcakes or any ethnic cuisine you can imagine. Unlike a traditional ice cream truck, or the hot dog and taco wagons at a downtown street corner, these new gourmet food trucks are modern kitchens on wheels. Sure, you could raise funds with the old fashioned food trucks as well, but the diverse cuisines of the new gourmet food trucks will get people curious and surely attract a large crowd. Besides, who can resist a…

• Make Money With a Valentine’s Day Fundraiser

  FundraisingIP.com

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:00 pm

  Valentine’s Day is one of the best times of year to hold a fundraiser! A Valentine’s Day fundraiser offers the advantages of • Decreased competition from other fundraisers – as opposed to the busy times of year for fundraising like Christmas and Fall, when many local and nationwide groups launch major campaigns • Demand for novelty products and candy • Opportunity for entertaining event-based fundraisers Every type of Valentine’s Day fundraiser offers a variety of ways to make money. Some, event-based fundraisers especially, can bring in profits in more ways than…

• Volunteers: Unpaid but Priceless

  FundraisingIP.com

  19 Jan 2012 | 1:53 pm

  There is no doubt that without a volunteer force, local, nationwide and worldwide charitable groups wouldn’t be able to do most of their good work. Volunteers are priceless and it would be hard to imagine a world without them! If you’re running a fundraiser, or leading a group of volunteers, what can you do to make sure your volunteers remain by your side through good and bad times? Why do your volunteers work for you? It helps to find out what motivates volunteers to work for your group in the first place. Do they strongly believe in your cause? Do they appreciate their work…

• 2011 Recap: Diversification Important for Fundraisers

  FundraisingIP.com

  29 Dec 2011 | 6:50 pm

  As 2011 comes to an end, we’d like to thank you, our readers, for your continued support of FundraisingIP.com! Please keep sending your comments and suggestions so we can continue to post useful fundraising information and more new fundraising ideas in the coming year! 2011 donation statistics won’t be in for a while yet, but in the past it has been the small donations from individuals that have been keeping charities afloat: even though corporations are known to make large donations, donations from individuals are still making up the majority – up to about three quarters…

• Fundraising with Gift Cards

  FundraisingIP.com

  12 Dec 2011 | 12:02 pm

  Maybe you’ve used gift cards in gift baskets for silent auctions before, or as prizes for your most successful fundraising volunteers, but have you considered doing a fundraiser by collecting gift cards and cashing them in? Especially during the winter holidays, people get lots of gift cards for presents. Sure, you will most likely want to go shopping and spend them yourself, but what about gift cards you receive that are for stores you don’t care much about, or that are partially spent and are adding up in your wallet? Chances are you have a gift card in your wallet right now…

• 

  Connection Café

• Evernote for Nonprofits

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:01 am

  Author: Corey Pudhorodsky  (This post was collaboratively written with Jonathan Weldon ...using a shared folder in....Evernote!) In case you've never heard of Evernote this blog post is written from the perspective of a couple Inbox Zero & GTD geeks who are just as likely to be discussing the latest keyboard shortcut or productivity trick as we are where the next happy hour is. While we like to think of ourselves as early adopters, Evernote was recently named Company of the Year by Inc. Magazine and with more than 20 million users,…

• 40 Twitter-iffic Event Day Ideas

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:01 am

  Author: Robyn Mendez Turn your Captivated Audience of Event Participants into a Social Media Army Event day is an excellent opportunity for your organization to turn the captivated audience of event participants into a social media army for your event & your organization’s mission.  In this post, I've pulled together some tips to get you started on your event's social media strategy plus 40 ideas to tweet about on the day of your event. Twitter's newsfeed style makes it the perfect cornerstone for your Event Day Social Media Strategy because you can post short, quick, and…

• Mobile Donation Forms

  6 Feb 2012 | 2:48 pm

  Author: Lacey Kruger When I say, “mobile donation” you probably think about text-to-give. I assume that because when I Googled the term*, that’s what most of the articles were about. This post, however, is not about text-to-give. It’s about a mobile-friendly donation form, which I believe is a key component to any nonprofit mobile presence. In fact, I’ll even say that if you want to keep your mobile presence small and simple, you really only need a mobile homepage and a mobile donation form. Here are some great examples and things to keep in mind when you plan…

• Know Your Constituents

  3 Feb 2012 | 10:58 am

  Author: Cheryl Black At my wedding rehearsal a couple years ago, the minister asked my groom-now-husband and I if we had any final adjustments to the ceremony. I had just one: “I don’t want to be announced as Mr. & Mrs. Ross Black. I want to be Ross and Cheryl Black.”  I took Hubby’s last name but then and now I feel very strongly that I have my own name and prefer not to be “Mrs. Husband’s Name.” Everything, from our mortgage to our cutesy return address labels reads “Ross & Cheryl Black”; nothing says “Mr. & Mrs.

• CRM is the easy part

  2 Feb 2012 | 9:00 am

  Author: Miriam Kagan Did you really just read that?? Is this woman crazy? While I do admit to being a little nuts at times (my mother would say all the time), on this point you gotta trust me.  When it comes to becoming an organization focused on delighting constituents (i.e. constituent engagement), implementing and optimizing CRM (a constituent relationship management system), is the easy part if you work at an organization whose culture isn't constituent centric. And chances are that if you work at a nonprofit that's been around 10+ years, has 10+ employees, and 10+ constituents,…

• 

  Ripples & Wipeouts

• Leadership and Influence

  bonnie@makewavesnotnoise.com

  29 Jan 2012 | 1:55 am

  Robert Caldini is the godfather of the study of influence and is someone who is almost always studied by people who do any type of marketing. I find that his principles are also useful in crafting communications that are designed to build teamwork and inspire groups of people. There are lots of good examples of how Caldini’s principles play out in the workplace, both in nonprofit and for-profit enterprises, as well as government agencies. Here are Caldini’s six principles of influence, along with some examples I’ve created to illustrate each principle.

• Storyteling and Leadership

  bonnie@makewavesnotnoise.com

  7 Jan 2012 | 2:26 pm

  Storytelling was one of the big topics discussed among communications professionals throughout 2011. Hot topics in the business seem to wax and wane and for some reason it was storytelling’s turn last year. If one aspires to leadership, the ability to tell a good story is an essential skill. But not just any story. A leadership story must have a clear point, and be applicable to a range of situations and a diverse audience.  Storytelling is one of the communication techniques I use most. Whenever I am addressing a group or facilitating a meeting, I find that a good story can do…

• May Your Holidays Be Merry & Bright

  bonnie@makewavesnotnoise.com

  17 Dec 2011 | 10:14 pm

• Rescuing Rex or Famous Last Words: A story told in quotations

  bonnie@makewavesnotnoise.com

  14 Nov 2011 | 9:58 pm

  “Don’t cross the street. Don’t go over there! No, no, no!” – Bonnie to Kathy on a Park Slope street one recent Saturday. “But that looks like a min pin. Let’s just go see if it is. Such a cute little dog!” – Kathy “Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.” – The min pin “Oh, look, he likes you!” – Obsessed dog rescue person “Just foster him for a week. Then you can bring him back, no problem.” – Ditto “Aw…sexy Rexy is going home. You’ll love him!” – Second obsessed…

• THE VIP FIVE (Very Important Press)

  bonnie@makewavesnotnoise.com

  31 Aug 2011 | 5:10 pm

  This summer there have been some highly significant news stories that go beyond the normal chatter of the news cycle to address sweeping trends that are changing the way we live and do business. Here are the ones that rocked my world. I call them the VIP Five. 1) The (actual) future of the Big Idea, from Harvard’s Nieman Journalism Lab, challenges the assumption that ideas need exposure in ‘Big Media’ in order to become big ideas.  What, author Megan Garber asks, happens when the Big Media become not so big after all?  2) The title of this BBC News piece says it…

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  Social media marketing hacks for nonprofits | Powered by JohnHaydon.Com

• The 6th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

  John Haydon

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:48 am

  See3, in partnership with YouTube is excited to announce that the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards is accepting submissions throughout February. This year, winners have the chance to win one of four $3,500 prize donations along with great products worth an additional $3,500 provided by Cisco, free registration to next year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference provided by NTEN, and a special prize to recognize fearless use of video provided the Case Foundation. The winning videos will be announced at this year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference hosted by NTEN and featured on YouTube’s…

• How to manage your Facebook Page content with PostPlanner (video)

  John Haydon

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:44 am

  PostPlanner is a Facebook Page content management tool that allows you to schedule posts to a various different Pages that you manage. It optimizes content specifically for Facebook in a few ways: Post photos and videos to your Facebook’s photo albums (wall) as if you posted directly to Facebook. Post long URLs Edit titles and excerpts of posted articles White label the app with your own icon and link it back to your website or Facebook Page In this video I discuss why Hootsuite and Seesmic may not be the best options for posting to your Facebook Page (by the way, I love these tools for…

• Nonprofit Bloggers Give Susan G. Komen Foundation A Huge Spanking

  John Haydon

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:20 am

  By now you’ve probably read about the decision by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to cease giving grants to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. This decision, obviously politically motivated, will mostly impact women in under-served communities. The same communities that probably sold the most buckets of cancer that raised $8 million for the foundation. Seriously. Komen gets a spanking One of the best things I love about the nonprofit community is watching my friends serve up a well-deserved spanking! Alison Fine helped open the way with a Causes campaign called…

• Heroes With A Heart Grant Rewards Nonprofit Volunteers!

  John Haydon

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:00 pm

  If you’re like most people, you get most of your inspiration from people who are quietly changing the world each and every day. They’re not on the front page of the newspaper, and they’re not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. They’re everyday people like you and me who have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better than when they found it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks YOU to nominate a “Hero with a Heart,” and give them a chance to win $5,000 – a simple thanks for the hard work that…

• How to Add Stupidly Simple Polls to your WordPress Blog

  John Haydon

  31 Jan 2012 | 6:36 am

  One way to increase engagement with blog readers is to remove barriers, like CAPTCHAS (hopefully you don’t have these), logging in to leave comments (Facebook, Twitter and recently Google have solved this problem) and actually having to use one’s brain by leaving a comment. Create simple polls with Quipol Another way to engage readers is to use a simple polling app like Quipol. Each Quipol displays one question with thumbs-up and thumbs-down options. Test it out for yourself:

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  Cynthia D'Amour on Leadership and Life

• The Decline of Our Relatonship

  Cynthia D'Amour

  3 Feb 2012 | 6:04 am

  It’s frustrating. A few years ago, I was very happy. My favorite store started an email list. I signed up. Got periodic special deals. As time passed, so did the frequency of emails. Last few months, it’s almost daily. The big sale of the year. Like the Groundhog Day movie - over and over. Now they want to be my Facebook friend. To invade my life from a different angle. With the same info I already get. Don’t tickle me pink. I’m doing the math… Value of my time to weed through their emails. Compared to the savings I periodically get. It’s not looking good…

• How Does This Work?

  Cynthia D'Amour

  31 Jan 2012 | 9:47 am

  Not sure. Last Friday James and I attended our first Michigan Women’s Gymnastics meet. It was our first live competition. We’ve watched the Olympics through the years. Thought it would be fun to see in person. We were a bit lost at first. College meets don’t run exactly like Olympic coverage. Numbers were everywhere. So were the athletes. We spent the first half of the meet trying to decode the event. How did the meet run? Where should we look to catch the action? How did the scores work? The people around us were clueless first-timers too. We all took took best guesses.

• Do Your Goals Make You Giggle?

  Cynthia D'Amour

  30 Jan 2012 | 2:28 pm

  Mine does. James and I vacation at a beach. I worried re missing my strength training. So I asked Mollie. She had the answer - and gave me a new goal. I need to find a beach guys lifting gym. Walk in like I belong there. Workout with total confidence. And real weights - not typical 2-5# weights for women. Bonus points if I find a gym with kettlebells. And show the boys how it’s done. Mollie has been training me hard on them for a few months. And I keep using bigger kettlebells. This concept makes me giggle and grin like a fool. A year ago I would never have even visualized this! My form…

• Seeing Through New Eyes

  Cynthia D'Amour

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm

  Still blue. Yesterday we went to the Michigan Women’s Basketball game. For me, it was a whole new game. Even though we’ve attended for a few years. And I grew up loving basketball. My fitness quest gave me a different perspective. I no longer just watched the game. I also watched how the player’s moved. And compared to training with Mollie. Wow! Look at her throw that ball across the court! Mollie makes me do an overhead throw. With a weighted ball. Wonder how far I could throw a regular basketball? OMG! Look at how much those women are squatting. I sometimes do 100 squats…

• I Just Sang the Blues

  Cynthia D'Amour

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:55 pm

  (Even though my blood runs green!) I am a proud Michigan State grad. My blood is green. I’m a huge Izzo fan. Have wonderful memories of school. Tonight I switched teams. We attended a Michigan’s Women’s Basketball game. Been going to games for a few years. Enjoy watching the women develop their skills. When I first moved to Ann Arbor, I was firmly green. Over time I realized the interesting opportunities the University of Michigan offers the community. More importantly, I wanted to support women in sports. The basketball players are amazing athletes - and the games are fun.

• 

  Idealist Blog

• How to write a rejection letter

  Julia Smith

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:22 pm

  From Flickr user recoverling (Creative Commons) Over and over, job seekers tell us that it’s frustrating, and unfortunately very common, to submit applications and never receive any indication that a hiring manager has reviewed or even received them. But what about when you do get through the door, have an interview, and don’t get hired? We recently asked our Facebook and LinkedIn communities: Question: What was the nicest (or worst) rejection letter you ever received after a job interview? No need to name names/organizations. Just wondering what makes for the “best”…

• Nonprofit Finance Fund survey deadline: Feb 15

  Putnam Barber

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:24 pm

  Another day, another dollar, another survey Each year, the Nonprofit Finance Fund surveys U.S. nonprofits. The goals are to document the issues being faced by community-serving organizations and to identify ways the fund itself, and other supporters of the work of nonprofits, can be most useful. It takes maybe 15 minutes to complete the survey, which requires a pretty broad knowledge of an organization’s activities – from the state of the finances to relationships with funders to the board of directors. Do you have that knowledge? Take the survey today! And if that’s not you,…

• Got a new job? Eight tips for a successful start

  Idealist

  19 Jan 2012 | 12:23 pm

  January is typically the month when we see the highest number of jobs posted to Idealist.org, and this year is no exception. If you’re lucky enough to snag one of those gigs, here are some things to keep in mind as you begin. Thanks to Michelle Moran of YNPN-NYC for this guest post. Good luck in your new role! (Photo: cogdogblog, Flickr/Creative Commons) Once you have landed a new job it may seem like the hard part is over, but sometimes your first few weeks at work can be very challenging. Follow these tips to get off on the right foot and avoid making common mistakes. 1. Remember: you…

• Take professional development into your own hands

  Julia Smith

  17 Jan 2012 | 10:46 am

  How will you carve out time to learn and reflect? Photo: US Army (Flickr/Creative Commons) Need professional development, but don’t have a budget for travel or tuition? Here are a bunch of free or relatively affordable upcoming trainings we’ve spotted recently – ones you can join from the comfort of your own desk or couch. Special thanks to Ben Hastil for his contributions to this roundup. Telling your organization’s story Creating Compelling Member Stories as Part of Your Outreach and Recruitment Strategy: A free webinar from the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP), Jan. 25…

• Searching the site? Some updates for you.

  Jeremy MacKechnie

  13 Jan 2012 | 1:36 pm

  No need for a magnifying glass. (Photo: Mads Boedker, Flickr/Creative Commons) Yesterday we released a new set of features to make it easier to find the people, organizations, and opportunities that matter most to you. Play around and let us know what you think! Click on any of the listing types (Jobs, Volunteer Opportunities, etc.) in the header on Idealist.org, or start a search based on type, keyword, or location. To better locate the opportunities relevant to where you are or want to be, we’ve refined our radius search to including listings from your choice of 5, 10, 25, 50, or 100…

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  columbus imPRessions

• I Completed the 21 Day Yoga Challenge!!!

  29 Jan 2012 | 9:07 pm

  Today was the last day of the 21 Day Yoga Challenge! From January 9 - January 29, I did yoga, meditated, and ate at least one vegetarian meal for 21 straight days (with the exception of one day where I did not eat vegetarian but doubled up the next day, hence the 98% instead of 100%). Oh well, still so proud of myself to sticking to and achieving a goal. I feel great, am definitely more toned

• Pinterest and One of My Favorite Pins

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:29 pm

  I love Pinterest.  What is Pinterst? Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard. It is growing in popularity daily. Why do I love Pinterest? It lets me organize and share images I like on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Brands use Pinterest to boost consumer engagement, showcase their work or products, and sell more products.

• Welcome newest client: ColumbusJobs.com

  19 Jan 2012 | 7:16 pm

  I'm thrilled to announce my newest client ColumbusJobs.com. Continuing my social media partnership with Dispatch Digital in 2012, one of my first client assignments is with a Dispatch product. The Columbus Dispatch and ColumbusJobs.com with renowned employment site Monster.com is central Ohio's #1 job source. Featuring thousands of local jobs, ColumbusJobs.com/Monster is the #1 destination

• Using Social Media In My Monthly Journey to Better Health

  9 Jan 2012 | 7:11 pm

  This new year I decided instead of making one or two large new year's resolutions I would create monthly goals for a better life. This way my goals are more attainable, I will be successful, and it will keep me motivated throughout the year. My tools to help me achieve these goals - my determination and social media apps. I started the year with a mild detox - two weeks (or possibly four) of no

• Hello 2012! Good-bye Washington Township.

  6 Jan 2012 | 8:37 am

  It's a new year. That's always exciting! It brings a time to start new, change, excitement for what's to come and it's also a time to reflect on the past year. 2011 was very good to columbus imPRessions. Professionally it was one of the best year's of my life. What started out with two wonderful clients quickly grew to six, all different and exciting in their own way. Most of my focus was on

• 

  Allison Jones

• My favorite nonprofit career clarity activity

  ajlovesya

  8 Feb 2012 | 6:25 pm

  Tweet “I want to help people, but I don’t know where to start.” “I don’t know what I’m good at or what I’m passionate about.” “How do I really know what the right job is for me?” While the mantra of our generation might be “do what you love” we often struggle with a. figuring out what we love (passion) and b. gaining the skills necessary to be excellent in what we love (practice). So when I get emails asking for clarity, I often recommend the Career Tracks Activity (PDF) by The Office of Career Services of New York…

• Why Your College Major Doesn’t Matter

  ajlovesya

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:48 am

  Tweet With only 55% of millennials employed–the lowest percentage since World War II–there is a pressing need to pinpoint the reason behind this depressing statistic.  After all, with this generation being the most educated, surely we all should be able to find employment, no matter what the economy is.  The consensus seems to be that if millennials are struggling, there is one reason: they don’t know how to choose the right college major. It makes sense to me that professional track majors would yield higher employment statistics as there is often a clear path and clear…

• 5 Questions to Help You Create Your 2012 Nonprofit Career Plan

  ajlovesya

  8 Jan 2012 | 10:30 am

  Tweet On Wednesday, Rosetta Thurman and I hosted our first #ynpchat of the year on creating a 2012 nonprofit career plan.  The questions, adapted from Rosetta’s powerful piece on the 15 questions you should ask about your nonprofit career, strengthened our sense of pride in our work and allowed us to walk away with a better vision and strategy on how to rock our careers in 2012.   1.  What do you most want to get out of your involvement with the nonprofit sector?  In other words, why are you here? What are you hoping to learn and do that will help you grow…

• What did 2011 teach you?

  ajlovesya

  31 Dec 2011 | 8:48 am

  TweetThis is my favorite time of year. People are reflecting and sharing excitement about possibilities and growth. There is simply a lot of positivity and promise in the air. 2011 seemed to be a year of transitions and lessons for me and those I love: my five year college reunion is coming up (five years? already?); my mailbox was full of wedding invitations; my calendar was overflowing with good bye parties as friends went off to grad school; I celebrated big professional wins and took the plunge into GRE prep; and I have a neat stack of failed projects and squandered opportunities that I…

• Three Ways to Work More Deliberately

  ajlovesya

  14 Dec 2011 | 11:33 am

  TweetI’ve become increasingly focused on having the right mindset when working.  I worry that sometimes we work without focus and deliberation.  Aside from leading us to feel unfulfilled, we also lose confidence in our skills.   We can’t pinpoint our strengths and weaknesses, as our work just seems to be a series of endless tasks.  We don’t reflect on our accomplishments and where/how we thrive and instead focus on just getting things done.  In doing so, we don’t sharpen our skills and instead allow them to become dull. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to work more…

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  Social Media Bird Brain

• All Hat, No Cattle in Social Media

  8 Feb 2012 | 1:21 am

  Buck Jones With Big Hat via Fine Art America I've got several articles whirling round in my head. One of them about how Social Media 1.0 is over, one about how being average will send you to the bottom of the pile, one about knowing your brand. I've been thinking of them in relation to being an introvert, and I'm also thinking about the way the Planned Parenthood/Susan G. Komen debacle played

• The Right Tool May Be in Your Head

  1 Feb 2012 | 12:25 am

  46 and 2 Tool Head by Justin Roberts In its younger days, social media was full of  conversations related to tools - tools for using social media, tools for managing social media, tools for measuring social media... Tool Overload New platforms and tools were coming out like water from a broken pipe and I imagine that a lot of people either threw their hands up in disgust and walked away or

• Re-Viewing and a Review

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am

  Image via Alfred Hitchcock Geek One reason I have thought about ending this blog is because I didn't think I had anything in particular to add to the cacophony of advice and insight from people who have made giving advice and insight a profession (and do damn well at it). My own insight has never seemed to me to be particularly... insightful. Maybe it's because I live in my head that I

• Pin It! Pinterest & Your Small Nonprofit

  19 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am

  I thought it was time to tell you how much I like Pinterest and why I think it's good for your small nonprofit, but I was late off the mark and more than a few folks beat me to it. Over at Nonprofit Tech 2.0 there's a great tutorial for how to get your not-for-profit set up on the site as well as a bit about how Pinterest is being used by savvy nonprofits. Then skip over to Frogloop where

• Protest Against Censorship

  18 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am

      The internet has been a 'place' where we have all be free to share our ideas. Some of them haven't been good and there's no doubting that there are some pretty freaky people doing things they shouldn't be doing. But making Google, Yahoo, or YouTube and other companies responsible for policing and then deciding FOR us what is fair use and what isn't, won't make the bad people go away

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  Ken's Commentary

• Top 5 Blog Posts

  30 Jan 2012 | 7:59 am

  We thought it would be fun to take a look back and see which of the blog posts on Ken's Commentary have been the most popular since the blog was launched in July 2008. Here are the Top 5 that have been viewed the most:The Worst (and Best) Way to Pick A Charity This Year (December 2009)A Measure of Outcome (December 2008)Bad Charities with Heart (October 2008)Rip-off Non-profit Hospitals (January 2009) A Scary Finding on Outcome Measurement (February 2009)

• CFC-50 Commission's Second Meeting

  11 Jan 2012 | 3:45 pm

  The second meeting of the CFC-50 Commission (Charity Navigator's President & CEO, Ken Berger, is a member of the commission) was held on December 6, 2011 at the Office of Personnel Management in Washington, DC. We are pleased to share a captioned version of that meeting. 

• How to Pick the Right Charity

  21 Dec 2011 | 5:54 pm

  Watch this clip of Ken Berger, Charity Navigator's President & CEO, on Fox Business News earlier today.

• Charitable Giving Discussion

  21 Dec 2011 | 1:17 pm

  I recently was on the Callie Crossley radio show along with Boston College professor Paul Schervish. Listen to the discussion on charitable giving here -

• Head versus Heart Based Giving

  19 Dec 2011 | 8:30 am

  by Dr. Robert Penna(author of the Nonprofit Outcomes Toolbox) and Ken Berger (President & CEOof Charity Navigator)Ruth McCambridge’s December 5th article on the Nonprofit Quarterly’s Nonprofit Newswire page, “Donors GiveLESS When More Analytic Say Researchers,” is certainly provocative; but itmisses a serious point and could givedonors, both large and small, the wrong impression.Reviewing a recent Boston Globe article, McCambridgereports that certain research supports the notion that “the more individualcontributors think about their donation the less they are likely to…

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  Charity Navigator

• A Donor’s View of the Nonprofit Sector - "I Had No Idea!"

  3 Feb 2012 | 4:56 am

  One of the questions we frequently get is “why don’t yourate charity XYZ?” Our response is “despite the fact that we evaluate, forfree, ten times more organizations than anyone else in America has everattempted, many deserving (and not deserving) ones exist that we haven't gottento yet. You may know that there are now approximately 1 million charities inthis country. We evaluate a lot of them. In fact, the ones we evaluate accountfor roughly 50% of the donations in America. But, obviously, there are manystill to do.”After sending that information back to a user of our site(along…

• You Asked Us To Rate More Charities and Today We Deliver

  1 Feb 2012 | 8:48 am

  Before making a donation, philanthropists across America have come to rely on Charity Navigator’s 5,500, free, objective charity ratings. But despite the fact that we evaluate ten times more organizations than anyone else in America has ever attempted, and despite the fact that those charities account for roughly 50% of the donations in America, many deserving (and not deserving) charities exist that we haven't gotten to yet. As a result, the most frequent communication we get from donors and charities alike is a request to add a specific charity to our site.Knowing your desire for more…

• Top 10 All-Time Favorite Blog Post

  30 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am

  Here are our 10 blog posts that received the most views: HurricaneWyclef JeanHaiti EarthquakeAre Text Donations Safe? (January 2010) 7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti (January 2010) Non-Profit CEO Pay and Government Funding (February 2009) Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation (January 2010) The Obama Budget and Charitable Tax Deductions (February 2009) Beware of Scam Charities Popping Up (January 2010) Tips, Tips and More Tips for Funding Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts (January 2010) Crisis Giving: Cyclone, Earquake, Tornado and Fires (May 2008) Help Vicitims of Deadly Cyclone in Myanmar (May 2008)…

• This Is Why We Do What We Do...

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:13 am

• Don't Just Set It and Forget It

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:54 am

  Setting up automatic contributions to your favorite charity (or charities) is a great way to give. But as this article from CreditCards.com reminds us, don't forget to do an annual review of those contributions. You'll want to check to make sure the charity is still Financially Healthy, that it is being Accountable and Transparent, and, most importantly, that it has reported on its Results. And you should also check to be sure that the charity's mission is still in line with your personal philanthropic goals.

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  Pink Initiative

• 2 Possible Precursors to Breast Cancer

  emilie

  16 Jan 2012 | 10:27 am

  by Megan Clouse The question that we all want to know the answer to is, “What the heck is causing cancer?!”  There are hundreds of theories that are tirelessly being studied by very smart people who wear lab coats, so I’ll leave that to the pros.  However what I have read about more and more are 2 precursors which may contribute to the cause of breast cancer: 1.  Low vitamin D in the system. 2.  Low or high thyroid condition. Both can be determined through a simple blood draw at your annual physical, and I highly recommend knowing.  If you do answer yes to one or both,…

• New Year. New Job. Reflecting on my professional journey.

  emilie

  2 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  by Kelsie Guerriero As I soak up the spirit of the holidays and anticipate all that’s ahead in the New Year, I think it’s also a nice time to reflect on the year that’s coming to a close. In June my husband, Rejean, and I moved back to Boston so that he could continue to pursue his training in pediatric neurology at The Children’s Hospital. When you factor in medical school and residency, we’re six and a half years in to a nine year commitment (but who’s counting?!). His perseverance throughout training and genuine dedication to patient care is something that continues to inspire…

• The Mammogram Squeeze

  emilie

  18 Dec 2011 | 11:19 pm

  by Megan Clouse Many women avoid their annual mammogram screening based on the fear of the unknown.  Here are 5 tips to help you understand what to expect: 1.  Setup a 6 month reminder.  Schedule your screening during an occasion that you’ll remember each year; birthday, new year, etc. 2. Wear something two-piece the day of.  This way you only have to remove your top and not your bottoms. 3. Yes it kind of hurts. Just when you think it can’t get any tighter, they will clamp down a little bit more but it’s because they care!!  And honestly, the discomfort only lasts for…

• Raising Hope

  emilie

  20 Nov 2011 | 11:03 pm

  by Megan Clouse The October issue of Better Homes & Garden had a very nice feature titled Raising Hope, focusing on 6 innovations that are improving detection, treatment and quality of life.  Here’s just a snapshot of the article: 1.  Mammograms in 3-D: New and improved imaging that captures X-ray images from multiple angles and has the ability to see through multiple layers of tissue. 2.  Screenings with Benefits: To nudge patients into their annual mammograms, some medical centers are offering manicures and massages. 3.  Reconstruction without the Wait: A UCLA study shows that…

• And The Winner Is…

  emilie

  2 Nov 2011 | 8:43 am

  by Mia Toro On October 1st we kicked off an informative online relay contest for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  We are humbled by the number of people who helped us share breast cancer facts and information; spreading awareness and education to our online community.  Thank you! And now, the moment you have all been waiting for – the winner of the 2011 Pink Initiative Relay is… Invitation Consultants [@fabulousinvites] Congratulations!!!  You are the proud, new owner of a custom Pink Initiative Sea Bag tote (valued at $150).  Thank you to everyone who participated. …

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  Case Foundation - Investing in People and Ideas that Can Change the World

• Philanthropy and the Super Bowl!

  Jenna Sauber

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:53 am

  One more sign that philanthropy is entering the mainstream of American popular culture is its intense involvement with this year’s Super Bowl. Football is far and away the most popular subject in our public media. Thirty million viewers weekly, 53 million for the Conference championships, 111 million for last year’s Super Bowl-the largest television audience in history for a single event, a record expected to be broken on Sunday. Of course it is a sport made for television; many short bursts of high-energy action, punctuated by many places for commercials, designed for and aimed at its…

• Nonprofit’s giving portal aims to drive more donations to charities

  Jenna Sauber

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:49 am

  Catalogue for Philanthropy, an organization that connects local nonprofits with companies, has established a workplace giving portal which officials say they hope will help drive more corporate funding to charities. In the aftermath of the recession, charities have been scrambling for new revenue sources to make up for cuts in corporate, foundation and government giving. The new portal is designed to allow company employees to view the needs and volunteering opportunities of charities with operating budgets under $3 million. All the charities are screened by the Catalogue. Published Date…

• The value of friendship

  Jenna Sauber

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:40 am

  MARK ZUCKERBERG, Facebook’s founder and chief executive, has talked for years about the notion of a “social graph” which connects people to their friends and all of the things they are interested in. By encouraging hundreds of millions of people to share their deeds and reveal their innermost thoughts, profane or profound, online, his company has in effect mapped a portion of this graph on its computers. According to the Onion, a satirical publication, the whole thing was the CIA’s idea; digging up this amount of information the old-fashioned way would have cost the spooks a fortune.

• What's New on CaseFoundation.org: January 30-February 3, 2012

  blogger

  3 Feb 2012 | 4:52 pm

  Want to get a quick view of what's new in Social Media, Active Citizenship, Good Giving, and Corporate Responsibility? Here are the highlights from what we've added to CaseFoundation.org this week: Social Media Susan G. Komen: What to Do When a Good Cause Goes Bad Inc., February 1, 2012 DoGooder Nonprofit Video Contest – Enter Today The Case Foundation, February 2, 2012 Startup America relocates to s.co URL and offers free .co domains to all members TheNextWeb, February 2, 2012 Active Citizenship Want to Speak at TED? Now You Can Audition Mashable, February 1, 2012 Corporate Responsibility…

• 25 Companies That Practice Good Corporate Citizenship And Still Make Lots Of Money

  blogger

  3 Feb 2012 | 9:52 am

  In the spectrum between rich, evil corporations and corporations scraping by while adhering to a perfect set of values, a new study has found that there is a set of 25 corporate giants that are managing to succeed while at least making a concerted effort at not destroying anything. And consumers are taking note. Published Date Feb032012 Source:  Co.Exist Link to:  http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679240/25-companies-that-practice-good-corporate-citizenship-and-still-make-lots-of-money Post Origin:  Other

• 

  IMPACTMAX

• Augmented reality—Search moves from text to objects

  IMPACTMAX

  7 Feb 2012 | 10:36 am

  Hold onto your hats! I just read a Trendwatching report  about the not-too-distant future when Search transcends Google and spreads to everyday objects. Instead of typing into a text search box to get information you want—just point your phone or pad at an object or scene and all kinds of information pops up. It’s called augmented reality, and it’s going to change everything. In part, because it’s so much more entertaining than text search. Some of this has already started with QR codes (also not so entertaining), but these new apps may quickly make QR codes obsolete.

• Free digital storytelling tools for nonprofits

  IMPACTMAX

  19 Dec 2011 | 4:37 pm

  Flickr/mysza831 A little holiday gift for you! A couple of times a year, I dig into the web to find free tools that can help nonprofits tell their stories in ever more engaging ways. Each time I do that, the range of options kind of astounds me. This year is no exception, Not every nonprofit has the resources to hire videographers or even buy and use a video cam themselves. These online tools offer FREE ways to get dynamic content onto your website, blog, and social media without HAVING to use video. Many of these create mash-ups of just photos, text, graphics, and music. I’m amazed…

• Top mobile social media apps for nonprofits

  IMPACTMAX

  10 Nov 2011 | 5:17 pm

  Flickr/Irish Typepad Reminder: If you don’t have a great website and email strategy, you probably shouldn’t be focusing on social media yet. Those have to be your first priorities. It’s predicted that by the end of 2014, mobile (smart phone and tablet) access to the web will have outstripped desktop access. Think about that in relation to your current website and social media strategy. It’s time to start thinking/acting mobile.  Even if you’re aiming for older audiences, you can’t ignore mobile—tablets are becoming very popular. I just took a great…

• Blogs vs. Facebook for Nonprofits

  IMPACTMAX

  22 Oct 2011 | 9:14 pm

  (My 100th post!) Over the past few months, I’ve helped a couple nonprofit clients who are ready to move into social media decide whether to go with a blog or Facebook. (I’ll talk about Twitter strategies in a future post. It’s kind of a different animal.) Most approach it as an either/or decision because of their limited staff resources. That’s a real concern. If you truly don’t have the staff time to blog at least once a week or make a Facebook update twice a week, you shouldn’t be considering either medium. If you do have adequate staff resources, go back…

• 10 Time Management Tips for Nonprofit Communicators

  IMPACTMAX

  6 Jul 2011 | 12:05 pm

  If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a consultant (and a former nonprofit communications director), it’s how incredibly busy nonprofit communicators are–-always. There don’t seem to be peaks and valleys, it’s all just climbing, climbing, climbing. Nonprofit communications professionals are pulled in 17 different directions at any given moment, and it can feel like you don’t have much control over your day. Pretty soon you find yourself working at home in the evening just to stay afloat. I encourage my clients who call me short-of-breath from work…

• 

  Change/Wire

• Local Students Work to Empower Veterans

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:25 am

  This Wednesday at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Harvard College Veterans Engagement Initiative (HCVEI) will be hosting the first of a series of seminars aimed at empowering Boston’s veteran population. The seminar on personal finance techniques and strategies, taught by business school professor Luis Viceira and hosted in partnership with the Small Business Administration, will offer free admission to veterans and their families. Opportunities like these are vital in the post-9/11 world. Millions of our nation’s young men and women have spent time in the…

• President Obama, A Drum Major for Service

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  First Family serves alongside ServiceNation volunteers on MLK Day As part of his now famous Drum Major Instinct speech at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us all that, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” On January 16, 2012, ServiceNation, along with many close partners, helped put together a service project that proves this idea. Along with the Corporation for National and Community Service, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Greater DC Cares, and groups of community volunteers, ServiceNation representatives worked to spruce…

• Miley Cyrus & Youth Service America Share “10 Ways to Get Ur Good On” on MLK Day

  11 Jan 2012 | 1:21 pm

  “Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an activist and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. On January 16th, MLK Day of Service 2012, millions will come together to honor Dr. King’s legacy through service. Miley Cyrus and her friends at YSA (Youth Service America) have 10 ways to Get Ur Good On on…

• ServiceNation Partners with Sister Campaign to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

  9 Jan 2012 | 1:06 pm

  In honor of the 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Opportunity Nation and ServiceNation have joined together to highlight ways to increase economic opportunity in America through service.  Dr. King worked for increased opportunity for all Americans. Now, more than ever, we need to work to create and support opportunities for Americans to strengthen economic security. Between New Years Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the campaigns will share concrete strategies that show that each of us can help expand access to opportunity in our communities by volunteering just a small…

• ServiceNation and ServeNext Announce Merger; Join Forces to Protect and Expand National Service

  5 Jan 2012 | 11:45 am

  ServiceNation, the national campaign dedicated to increasing service opportunities and elevating service as a core ideal and problem-solving strategy in America, announced today that they are joining forces with the grassroots advocacy organization ServeNext. “With service opportunities rapidly disappearing and funding for national service once again in jeopardy, 2012 is going to be a landmark year for the service movement.  That’s why now more than ever it’s critically important to be armed with the capabilities to respond and mobilize at a moment’s…

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  Helping Help

• Real Leaders Inspire Ongoing Action

  16 Jan 2012 | 6:49 pm

  The day after MLk day is more important than the holiday itself. It is the day that we truly see who the real leaders are. It is the day that the celebrating masses give way to the nonconforming minority of change-makers. MLK taught us to lead fearlessly, selflessly, and righteously. His accomplishments - and sacrifice - is worth celebrating and remembering, and I am proud that we take a day every year to do it. But celebrating is easy. The day after MLK day is where true leaders shine. And they continue to shine for the weeks and months in between celebrations. Right now, the world doesn't…

• Passionate Leaders are Better Leaders

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:05 pm

  Leadership Passion Pyramid To be a truly inspiring and effective leader, you must have passion. But not any passion will suffice, the best leaders focus their passion on 4 main areas: Passion for the development and fulfillment of the people they lead Passion for the cause they are working towards Passion for making an impact Passion for their own personal growth The ordering is just as important as the area of passion. Why? Nothing happens if the people you lead don't make things happen. Be invested in the people you lead, as their happiness and…

• Look Back Before Moving Forward

  24 Dec 2011 | 10:40 am

  At the end of every year, I dedicate a day to looking back. I think about a lot of things, and I use Who, What, Where, When, Why, How as a framework... Who slowed me down Who helped me  What I set out to do What I did  When I was struggling When I was happiest  Where I tripped Where I soared Why I failedWhy I succeeded How I lost motivationHow I inspired, motivated, and empowered others and myself I look within myself to find balance, and I look outside to find knowledge. I listen and learn from experts in all fields, knowing the diversity of…

• Inspire Others To Exceed Their Expectations

  17 Dec 2011 | 6:12 pm

  Forbes.com just published a brilliant article on leadership that was written by Russell Raath. In it, Russell share a scene from the movie Invictus where Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela: Morgan Freeman’s Mandela offers some final words of wisdom. “We need inspiration,” he says, “because in order to build our nation, we must all exceed our own expectations.” You can read the full article on Forbes and I highly recommend it. The takeaway is simple and powerful. As a leader, your job is to do more than just setting and achieving goals. Your imperative is to inspire and…

• Increase Motivation, Inspire Action and Drive Behavior

  4 Dec 2011 | 4:09 pm

  No matter your position, role, and responsibilities - you have the ability to motivate others and inspire action. There are thousands of books, research reports, and case studies on this topic - and out of all of them that I have come across, the three best resources are the following two videos and link Dan Pink on the Surprising Science About What Motivates Us (video) Simon Sinek on How Great Leaders Inspires Action (video) Chip and Dan Heath on How to Change Things When Change is Hard (book, and article) Here are the videos and book summary for your convenience: Dan Pink on the…

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  YouTube Videos

• Benefits of Using Google Apps for Nonprofits

  MAPTechWorks

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:31 pm

  Benefits of Using Google Apps for Nonprofits Why should nonprofits consider using Google Apps? First of all, like all cloud computing solutions it gives you free back-ups, excellent security, and the ability to shrink and grow your licenses quickly and easily based on your nonprofits needs. In addition to these benefits, Google also gives qualifying nonprofits use of their Apps for free or at discounted rates. If your organization is on the small size and does not have a way to share documents and collaborate like a Microsoft SharePoint site, Google Apps ability to allow groups to collaborate…

• Nonprofits can save thousands with cloud computing and Microsoft Office 365.

  MAPTechWorks

  3 Feb 2012 | 12:49 pm

  Nonprofits can save thousands with cloud computing and Microsoft Office 365. Why should nonprofits check out Microsoft Office 365? Rick Birmingham, technology services manager at MAP for Nonprofits, shares with us his top reasons: * Ditch your server (and save thousands!) Computing on the cloud allows you to avoid investing in expensive server equipment that will eventually become defunct. * Maintain the same Office experience users love. Unlike cloud based computing with other companies, Microsoft's Office 365 products allow you to offer volunteers and staff remote access to the same…

• Nonprofits to KnowTM: The Minnesota Project and Farmers' Legal Action Group

  mnpartnersvideo

  27 Dec 2011 | 12:04 pm

  Nonprofits to KnowTM: The Minnesota Project and Farmers' Legal Action Group Nonprofits to KnowTM is a web video series produced by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. This video features The Minnesota Project and Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG). The Minnesota Project is a nonprofit organization that connects people with policy to nurture collaborations that build strong local economies. FLAG is a non-profit law center dedicated to providing legal services to family farmers and their rural communities in order to help keep family farmers on the land. Minnesota Philanthropy…

• Nonprofits Helping Others

  nationalservice

  13 Dec 2011 | 10:55 am

  Nonprofits Helping Others Nonprofit leaders discuss the benefits of volunteering and serving on King Day. From: nationalservice Views: 399 1 ratings Time: 02:13 More in Nonprofits & Activism

• Nonprofits to Know: TU Dance

  mnpartnersvideo

  6 Dec 2011 | 8:50 am

  Nonprofits to Know: TU Dance Nonprofits to KnowTM is a web video series produced by Minnesota Philanthropy Partners. This video features TU Dance, a nonprofit dance organization and aims to revel the connective power of dance and celebrate diversity on stage. Minnesota Philanthropy Partners regularly feature a new video highlighting Minnesota nonprofits doing important work in our communities. To learn more about TU Dance, visit their website at: www.tudance.org From: mnpartnersvideo Views: 354 3 ratings Time: 04:09 More in Nonprofits & Activism

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  IdealistNews: what's new in nonprofits

• If you haven't taken our #2012survey of nonprofits, this blog post makes the case why you should: Why Take a Survey?

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:38 pm

  submitted by NFFAndrew [link] [comment]

• Please vote for my school so we can provide the students with a new rubber track for the students! Thank you :)

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:43 pm

  submitted by ftcnt [link] [1 comment]

• If there was ever a reason to support an organization, this is it - THANK YOU Planned Parenthood Mar Monte!

  7 Feb 2012 | 3:32 pm

  submitted by SparxD [link] [1 comment]

• Lessons from the Susan G Komen Foundation/Planned Parenthood firestorm: What other non-profits can– and can’t– take away

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:19 am

  submitted by cos [link] [comment]

• Does anyone know of any OC nonprofits that would be willing to take on a grant writing/development intern or volunteer? x-post from /r/orangecounty

  4 Feb 2012 | 10:17 am

  submitted by klaviermusik [link] [comment]

• 

  Together We Flourish

• Change Your Life in the New Year With New Choices

  Susan

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:06 am

  New Choices of Beaver County is offering three programs for the spring 2012 session at the CCBC campus.  Are you interested in career development, basic computer skills or advanced computer skills? Orientation will take place on March 19th at CCBC’s Learning Resource Center, Room 103 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Class details: Career Development Mondays, [...]

• Help Feed Hungry Kids With “Have a Heart”

  Susan

  8 Feb 2012 | 5:34 am

  The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank wants you to Have A Heart! Join Citizens Bank and “Have A Heart” this Valentine’s season to help make sure every child in our region has enough to eat! Ways to help: Give to the Have a Heart campaign online Text 4HUNGER to 20222 to donate $5.00* (not case [...]

• Congratulations to Stacy Berkoben, AP Volunteer Citizen of the Year!

  Susan

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:04 am

  In its first year, Direct Energy and Trib Total Media’s 2011 Pittsburgh Volunteer Citizen Award has been awarded to Stacy Berkoben of Arnold, PA. Stacy has volunteered hundreds of hours and helped to raise thousands of dollars for Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter in New Kensington, PA. By winning the [...]

• Homeless Children Crisis is a Civil Rights Issue

  Susan

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:30 am

  Join U.S. Attorney David Hickton and Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel as They Address, “Education:  A Civil Right for Homeless Children” The National Center on Family Homelessness reported in December that an average of 1.6 million (one in 45) children were homeless in 2010 at any given time, 42% of whom were six years old or [...]

• Just Harvest Offers Free Tax Preparation Services

  Susan

  3 Feb 2012 | 6:52 am

  Just Harvest Offers Free Tax Preparation for Low- to Moderate-Income Households Residents Can Have Taxes Done for Free at Southside, CCAC Boyce and Bedford Hope Center, Hill District Just Harvest, the Southside-headquartered nonprofit organization that has worked since 1986 to end hunger and poverty in our region, is now offering its annual free tax preparation [...]

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  Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog - Philanthropy Potluck

• Arts Grantmakers Dedicated to Vibrant Community and Individual Artists

  abauers

  8 Feb 2012 | 11:14 am

  Yesterday in MCF’s fourth – and final – webinar in our 2012 grantmaking outlook series, leading arts grantmakers expressed their dedication to supporting the arts and individual artists. Recent giving trends show that grantmaking to arts has declined 7.6 percent since 2004. MCF’s outlook for 2012 indicates that arts funding will remain relatively stable.  Bill King, MCF president, discussed arts funding challenges and opportunities with Sharon DeMark, program officer, Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, and Laura Zimmermann, program officer, The McKnight Foundation. Grantmakers are…

• Cutting Red Tape for Nonprofits

  MCF Webmaster

  7 Feb 2012 | 2:58 pm

  In past legislative sessions, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has worked with elected officials to streamline items affecting nonprofits in state statute. The work is part of MCN’s Red Tape Reduction Project, and now MCN is looking for your ideas about additional red tape that needs slashing. MCN want ideas about streamlining processes and reporting requirements related to contracting, licensing or other regulatory arenas. It is particularly interested in ideas that reduce duplication, increase efficiency and conformity, and enhance accountability and transparency. Send your ideas…

• Shouldn’t Everyone Have a Place to Call Home?

  MCF Webmaster

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:04 pm

  The Edina Realty Foundation believes that everyone should have a place to call home, so it extends  financial support to organizations that provide housing and related services to homeless children, families and individuals. While home sales are down from their record levels of a few years ago,  participation in the Edina Realty Foundation has remained steady. In fact, more than 75 percent of the company’s agents continue to donate a portion of their sales commissions. Is there an Edina Realty office in your neighborhood? If so, you’ll want to read the winter issue of Giving…

• The Key to a Prosperous Future for All Minnesotans

  abauers

  3 Feb 2012 | 11:52 am

  What would a prosperous future for all Minnesotans look like? And what will it take to get there? Presenters and participants at yesterday’s Minnesota Compass annual meeting, Positioning Ourselves for Prosperity, asked these tough questions. Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, kicked off the discussion by stating, “Human capital is the key to a prosperous future for all Minnesotans.” But our state is not currently effectively developing this critical resource. Rosenstone noted that we have a significant and growing workforce shortage: There is a…

• Grantmakers Play Varied Roles in Fight Against Poverty

  MCF Webmaster

  2 Feb 2012 | 2:58 pm

  Students in the certified nursing assistant training program at the International Institute of Minnesota, a grantee of The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota, practice their hands-on skills. Read the winter issue of Giving Forum – online and in your mail now – to learn more about what Minnesota grantmakers and their nonprofit partners are doing in the tough fight against poverty in our state. Grantmakers play a variety of roles from meeting basic human needs, to creating systemic change around poverty’s root causes, to engaging the community in identifying…

• 

  smarts and culture blogs

• Oh, right: it's a pattern.

  maryanndevine@smartsandculture.com

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:54 am

  I have this somewhat involved mental ritual for going to sleep at night (as apposed to taking naps and faking naps).Part of it involves letting go of all the gunk I picked up throughout the day -- the anxiety I picked up from that person on the phone, the annoyance of the people waiting in long lines at the Post Office -- you get the idea.Bad news! Maybe! We don't know!The other night, the first thing I wanted to let go was worry over some news I'd received about my health -- first alarming and then on reflection, just ambiguous (and don't worry! It's okay. Really).This ambiguous news was…

• Why not Wednesday?

  maryanndevine@smartsandculture.com

  7 Feb 2012 | 6:25 pm

  Wondering, hmmm, why not do that thing today?See this post to find out what I'm talking about.But first: A free class to tell you about!'Why Not Now?' needed a prelude, a path for people to gently wend their way into the workshop. So, for people taking 'Why Not Now?' it's a bonus class.For everyone else, it's (hooray!) a free class, and a way to see if the approach I use is right for you.It's called 'Meet Your Project.' Take a look, and sign up here.A tiny 'why-not' on the go.Like last week's Play Date, I was wondering 'why not now?' in transit with no laptop, and I set the bar super-low:Look…

• A Secret Play Date

  maryanndevine@smartsandculture.com

  7 Feb 2012 | 6:45 am

  Every Tuesday.Play Date fail.So. Last week I happened to be traveling on Tuesday, the official day of Secret Play Date.And I thought: ah-ha! Sketchbook Mobile!I myself will be mobile! I will sit on the train and make pictures. And that's what I did, until I realized that, like reading on the train, it was making me nauseous.I managed to finish three images (which you can see on the Play Date Facebook page) before my stomach said 'stop,' at which point I applied some soothing sounds from Fabeku.(I also tried to listen to birthday guy Philip Glass's 9th Symphony which was released that day and…

• Big projects, busy schedule.

  maryanndevine@smartsandculture.com

  3 Feb 2012 | 6:42 am

  Talking to Janine Adams about 'Why Not Now?'When I started 'Why Not Now?' last September, it was an experiment.Looking with curiosity at those things I wanted to do, but somehow wasn't doing, was doing wonders for me, and I thought if I invited people to join me, it might work even better, for all of us.I had no idea that people would make such crazy progress on their projects, but they did.Now that 'Why Not Now?' is back from its extended holiday, I wanted to talk to some of the fabulous people who took part last fall, about their projects and their experiences.Janine Adams (Peace of Mind…

• Not a post about marketing.

  maryanndevine@smartsandculture.com

  2 Feb 2012 | 6:35 am

  I used to tell people what to do.When I was a marketing consultant, sometimes I did the work for clients, if that was what they wanted, but mostly they wanted me to give them a plan to carry out.So I spent a lot of time telling people what to do.I tried to do that in my blog, too, because that's how you establish yourself as an expert, or so it seemed.The thing is, there's no one guaranteed way that marketing works. We have to try X and see what happens. Take notes. Do more of what works, until it doesn't, and then we start again.It's an experiment.I would tell people that, and I could tell…

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  Pamela Grow's Grantwriting Blog

• Generosity Day: Did you take the pledge?

  Pamela Grow

  9 Feb 2012 | 5:38 am

  Surprise a stressed-out waitress with a humongous tip…cook a meal for your neighbor who’s just home from the hospital…send a “care” package to your best friend, who’s dealing with a homebound parent with dementia. Valentine’s Day has been officially rebooted as Generosity Day:  a day of sharing love and caring to everyone.  You’re generous, aren’t you?  Say “yes!” Social Bookmarking

• 101 Social Media Tactics for Nonprofits: A Field Guide

  Pamela Grow

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:09 pm

  It goes without saying that before dipping a toe into the social media waters, nonprofit organizations need to come up with some sort of strategy. Where are your donors? How much time do you have to devote to social media? What will you be sharing on social media – and listening to? How will you be measuring your engagement? For the nonprofit interested in creating a truly donor-centric organization, engaging in social media is a win-win.  Theory, though, doesn’t tell you what to do.  Enter 101 Social Media Tactics for Nonprofits: A Field Guide, a new book from Melanie Mathos and…

• The 10 essentials of an ideal thank you letter

  Pamela Grow

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:37 am

  Are you creating partnerships with your donors?  A sense of loyalty and commitment? Blackbaud’s recent Growing Philanthropy in the United States report revealed that nonprofits have made little headway into reducing donor attrition rates.  According to recent data collected by the Association of Fundraising Professionals,”the pattern of retention for cash giving in the U.S.has worsened, with some organizations experiencing upwards of 70 percent attrition between the first and second gift.” Ouch. Your organization’s thank you letter is the important first step in creating loyal,…

• #smNPchat: Are you participating?

  Pamela Grow

  20 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm

  How does the small, community-focused nonprofit organization “do-it-all?”  After all, you’re not an international charity with a database of 300,000, a development staff of 20 and a team of direct mail consultants at your beck and call. Nope, chances are you’re an executive director or development director who is responsible for writing the grant proposals, maintaining the communications calendar, copywriting, database management, event planning, stewardship and more. #smNPchat on Twitter was created in 2010 with you in mind.  On the first and third Friday of every month, Marc…

• Seven quintessential nonprofit resolutions for 2012…and beyond

  Pamela Grow

  13 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  Create a solid plan.  In the words of Yogi Berra:  If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.  How much do you want to raise from grants?  How much do you want to raise from individual donations – from direct mail, online, from your monthly giving program?  It’s not enough to have a plan, you’ve also got to work it! Put your focus on the lifetime value of a donor – and educate your board as well. Use a scalpel and eliminate any trace of nonprofit jargon from your organization’s communication pieces. Thank your donors right the…

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  Jolkona Blog

• Recap: TRAY Creative’s Holiday Giving Challenge and Results!

  Kayleigh Maijala

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:30 am

  What makes a company stand out and truly sparkle among the sea of eager entrepreneurs ready to stand in the spotlight? Is there a language to a successful business? When your mission is to provide a non-profit example of humanitarian work, how do you gain enough recognition and generate enough buzz to truly be heard? TRAY Creative is one such agency that develops a strong identity and unique marketing for any business, but especially for those who may lack an available resource due to low funding. I had a chance to talk with Ralph Allora, TRAY Creative’s Principal/Marketing Director on…

• Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Our Valentine’s Day Gift Cards

  Gabriel St. John

  6 Feb 2012 | 7:59 am

  Has your Mum ever sent you a Valentine’s card? I’m quite certain mine has – and on many occasions. You see, there was a period in my life from when I was about eleven to when I was seventeen or eighteen years old, where on every February 14th I would receive a blank Valentine’s card in the mail. Sweet but also mysterious. More intriguing was the fact that each year the handwriting on the envelope was different. The plot thickens, though. Not only was the handwriting different, but by looking at the stamp I could see that each year the card had been mailed from a different location.

• A New Definition of Family: Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Bolivia

  Guest Contributor

  2 Feb 2012 | 7:20 am

  Note from the editor: Post is written by Jordan Belmonte while in Bolivia. Visiting the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) Home in Bolivia, I was reminded of the importance of community and the special bond of a family.  Pequenos Hermanos means Our Little Brothers and Sisters. It is a home that supports 102 orphaned or abandoned children and teenagers. NPH is founded on the four pillars of unconditional love, work, responsibility and service to the community. The NPH home, staff and children surprised me at every moment.  NPH Bolivia faces many challenges—funding, government regulations…

• Featured Donor: Andrew Abumoussa

  Gabriel St. John

  31 Jan 2012 | 7:59 am

  Allow me to introduce to you Andrew Abumoussa. As an accessibility engineer, Andrew is wired to notice things a little differently. What drives many of his passions as a software engineer, as an entrepreneur, and as a graduate student is the effect universal design has on entire populations. Having witnessed how many people lack the opportunities, resources or the apparatus to explore or grow their tools, Andrew’s committed to doing everything he can to level the playing fields. “Having a tool that allows me to see exactly what need is being served, and then receive a tangible…

• On The Road With Jolkona in South America: Awamaki Part 2

  Guest Contributor

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am

  Note from editor: Post written by Chi Do, a passionate Jolkona volunteer. Nested in the foothill of the mountains leading to Machu Picchu is a small town called Ollantaytambo. We visited Awamaki, a non-profit grass roots organization that was revamped in 2009, yet its beginnings are decades old. Their mission is to provide support for highland communities, especially of benefit to the women and children who reside there. Awamaki’s aesthetically decorated store brings weaving and knitting products to consumers. These materials and pieces come from communities deep in the mountainside,…

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  SocialEarth

• seToolbelt Resource of the Week: Root Cause Analysis

  Lindsay Miller

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:11 pm

  You can think of social problems like an onion—peel back layer upon layer and eventually you get at the heart of the matter. This kind of problem analysis, also called [...]

• An Argument for Playing Hooky

  Ashley

  6 Feb 2012 | 10:46 pm

  I’m given a lot of freedom as a teacher in my English as a Second Language classes, but there are some words and expressions I’m not allowed to teach. Sometimes [...]

• Digitizing Good

  Robin Canfield - Curator_of_Good

  4 Feb 2012 | 5:43 am

  Right now I'm on the ground in Thailand with Actuality Media, working with crews on short films. I've met a lot of locals from Southeast Asia so far – in [...]

• The #Globallove Campaign #SocEnt

  Tarini

  3 Feb 2012 | 3:15 am

  Retail shelves are already lined with a sea of red and pink, hearts and chocolates, stuffed teddy bears and any other consumer product that will make some lucky person`s heart [...]

• seToolbelt Resource of the Week: Demonstrating Value

  Lindsay Miller

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:00 am

  Talk to any social entrepreneur and they’ll probably tell you that one of their greatest challenges is demonstrating the impact of their work. While it’s one thing to “just know” [...]

• 

  Pulling for the Underdog

• Who moved my AYT?

  30 Jan 2012 | 7:25 pm

  "$40,000 per month?  You must be joking."I am happy our neighborhood in Washington DC is thriving.  Before we moved here, it used to be too dangerous to walk here, even during the day.  It is now a happening place, with all sorts of restaurants, theaters, and places to hear live music.  Fortunately, it remains ethnically and socio-economically diverse.  It's still edgy (there is too much crime), but I like it.Nonetheless, development brings costs, as well all know.  I have had friends in the neighborhood who have had to move out because the rents have risen.

• Diffusion of Innovation - Prius Edition

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:28 am

  Last week I got in a taxi at Union Station here in Washington, DC and was surprised that it was a Toyota Prius.  Though I like the efficiency of the Prius, what I really appreciate is the ride - so much better than the rickety old jalopies typically lying in wait for passengers at the station.I asked the driver whether he liked the car, and he replied immediately "Love it. Just love it."  I asked him about gas mileage, and he said that he gets good mileage in the winter, but he takes a hit in the summer.  "What does that mean exactly?" I asked.  "Well, in the winter I get…

• 100 Days of Gratitude - Day 17: The GlobalGiving Team

  9 Jan 2012 | 11:51 am

  GlobalGiving is catalyzing a global market for ideas, information, and money that democratizes aid and philanthropy.  In the process, the unbelievable team there has helped 5,200 qualified organizations in 129 countries raise $57 million from 248,000 donors and some of the world's most innovative companies and foundations.  (And this does not include the $15 million they have helped Pepsi distribute to hundreds of US-based organizations.) I could go on and on about their achievements, tenacity, and exploits.  Or about the pathbreaking feedback loops they are creating that…

• 100 Days of Gratitude - Day 16: Sombit Mishra

  3 Jan 2012 | 9:39 am

  Many years ago, we hired a young guy named Sombit Mishra.  He brought to GlobalGiving a nice three-piece suit but pretty much zero experience.  In those days, we had little money and a lot of unskilled labor.Shortly thereafter, I was out in Palo Alto at the offices of Kleiner Perkins talking with our advisor Randy Komisar.  "Do you have a dashboard for keeping track of your progress against targets?" he asked. "Of course we do," I replied. "I'll send it to you when I get back."Upon my return to Washington, I called Sombit into a conference room and said, "Sombit, I want…

• 100 Days of Gratitude - Day 15: Weekends in WV

  5 Dec 2011 | 2:13 pm

• 

  Inside Philanthropy

• Mary Semans, philanthropic role model

  6 Feb 2012 | 4:28 am

  By Todd Cohen Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, the North Carolina philanthropist who died Jan. 25, less than a month shy of her 92nd birthday, epitomized what is best about philanthropy. Wealthy but modest, she was caring, thoughtful, considerate, curious, genuine, and graced with charm and wit. And while true to the roots of the philanthropic wealth she helped oversee, and the values and vision of the family that created it, she also was open to change. Her willingness to listen to and embrace new ideas about how philanthropy should operate and the way it should support causes it cares about…

• Funders should exit their comfort zones

  30 Jan 2012 | 4:26 am

  By Todd Cohen Despite their seemingly endless evangelizing about the need for change, foundations sure seem slow to embrace it. But if they expect to have even a prayer of making change happen on the causes and issues they care about, grantmakers first need to change the way they themselves do business. Many foundations are disconnected from the nonprofits they fund and the communities those organizations serve. Tone deaf to what nonprofits say about the operating and financial problems they face, and the kind of support they need, many foundations prefer to push their own pet ideas or those…

• Charities need to trust themselves

  23 Jan 2012 | 4:25 am

  By Todd Cohen A virulent strain of strategic paralysis threatens to afflict much of the charitable marketplace. Deeply wounded by unprecedented financial distress, and looking for a quick fix, many charities are becoming smitten if not obsessed with trendy, philanthropically-correct management ideas peddled by nonprofit trade groups, consultants, foundations and academic researchers. So in trying to cope with escalating demand for services and an increasingly grim market for charitable investment, many nonprofits are trying to swallow, without digesting, big concepts like logic models, market…

• Women a model for engaged giving

  17 Jan 2012 | 4:30 am

  By Todd Cohen Nonprofits that want to build closer relationships with their donors should take a hard look at a new study on giving by wealthy women. Wealthy women are more strategic about their giving than wealthy men, more engaged in the causes they support, and more focused on the impact of their giving, says the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Study of High Net Worth Women’s Philanthropy. Those findings are important because, barely treading water in the treacherous economy, nonprofits are looking for ways to better connect with donors. A growing number of nonprofits also are…

• Nonprofits have a great story to tell

  9 Jan 2012 | 4:34 am

  By Todd Cohen A crucial task for nonprofits struggling in the broken economy is to do a much better job talking about the essential role they play serving people and places in need.Through the stories they tell, nonprofits need to raise supporters’ and partners’ awareness of urgent social and global problems, help them see their organization’s impact in helping to fix those problems, and help them understand the difference they can make by investing time, know-how and money in their organizations. Stories also are essential in helping investors appreciate nonprofits’ own need to build…

• 

  PhilanTopic

• Philanthropy’s Unanswerable Question(s)?

  Mitch Nauffts

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:46 am

  (Bradford K. Smith is the president of the Foundation Center. In his last post, he wrote about Occupy Wall Street and the Giving Pledge.) Q: Exactly how much do America's foundations spend each year to benefit Hispanic and Latino populations? A: We don't really know. As president of the Foundation Center, I should have a better answer, especially for an institution that just published a study entitled Foundation Funding for Hispanics/Latinos in the United States and Latin America. That study concluded that over the past decade U.S. foundation funding explicitly designated to benefit Latinos…

• Valuing What We Can Measure or Measuring What We Value?

  Mitch Nauffts

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:00 am

  (Michael Edwards is a leading expert on global civil society and the author of Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World. This is the third in a series of posts in which he looks at different aspects of the Bellagio Initiative, an effort funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well-being. Click here to read the first post and here to read the second. To read/download the Bellagio paper on which these posts are based --and from which the quotation below is taken -- click here.)…

• Weekend Link Roundup (February 4-5, 2012)

  Mitch Nauffts

  5 Feb 2012 | 3:04 pm

  Our weekly roundup of new and noteworthy posts from and about the nonprofit sector... African Americans BlackGivesBack's Tracey Webb gives a shout out to The Root, which earlier this week unveiled its 2012 list of Young Futurists -- African Americans under the age of 22 who are "not only achievers but also innovators in the worlds of green innovation, science and technology, arts and culture, social activism, and business enterprise." Civil Society "[Is there] a textbook definition of the common good?" asks Steven Fajon, a Case Foundation intern, in a guest post on the Social Citizens blog.

• Can Philanthropy Put Humpty-Dumpty Back Together Again?

  Mitch Nauffts

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:30 am

  (Michael Edwards is a leading expert on global civil society and the author of Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the World. This is the second in a series of posts in which he looks at different aspects of the Bellagio Initiative, an effort funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to produce a new framework for philanthropic and international development collaboration in pursuit of human well-being. Click here to read the first post in Edwards' series, "Well-Being and Philanthropy," and here to read/download the Bellagio paper from which the quotation below is taken.) "The more one…

• Most Popular PhilanTopic Posts (January 2012)

  Regina Mahone

  1 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  These were the five most popular posts on PhilanTopic in January: Five Qs for...Mario Morino, Co-Founder/Chair, Venture Philanthropy Partners Foundation Leadership for a New Era 2011 Year in Review: What to Expect in 2012 2011 Year in Review: Foundations Bet Big on New Initiatives 2011 Year in Review: Microfinance Vows to Do Better What have you been reading/watching/listening to lately that made you think? Feel free to share in the comments section....

• 

  Charitable Advisors

• Can a Book = Professional Development?

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:09 am

  A simple question posed to Patrick Lawler 27 years ago inspired his appetitefor business reading. Lawler, the founder and CEO of Youth Villages inMA(now with a staff of 2300), was at a conference with Mary Lynn Cantrell, aleader in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Cantrellcasually asked what he was reading and Lawler had to admit that he wasn'treading anything. Then in his 20s, Lawler had young children and was working long hours justkeeping Youth Villages afloat. But Cantrell's question, coupled withLawler's need to learn more about the business of managing a…

• Don’t Miss the 3rd Annual Central Indiana Board Chair Summit

  31 Jan 2012 | 1:08 pm

  March 9, 2012The third annual Central Indiana Board Chair Summit, hosted by Lacy Leadership Association and Peace Learning Center will take place on March 9th, 2012, from 7:30 am to noon at the Arthur M. Glick JCC. Board Chair and Executive Director(or CEO) teams are encouraged to register together this year to work with nationally recognized author, consultant and researcher, Dr. Mary Hiland. With over 35 years of “on the ground” experience, complemented by her own research in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Hiland will share insights into building strong and effective Board Chair/ED…

• 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Board Members

  24 Jan 2012 | 1:14 pm

  Last Thursday, January 19, we hosted a pilot session for 20+ new board members from 15 organizations across the central Indiana community at the Harrison Center for the Arts. It went very well and we plan to do it again in September. The intention is to supplement the new board member orientations that your organizations already do and address some topics that don’t typically appear in organization orientations. Our agenda included topics such as a the Board/Executive Director relationship, nonprofit finances, the expectations of and from the board chair, being a change agent, and helping…

• 5 Challenges for the Nonprofit World in 2012

  17 Jan 2012 | 1:49 pm

  (www.Philanthropy.com )The still-troubled economy will loom large over charities in the coming year, but simply keeping the lights on won't be the only problem organizations will face. All sorts of nonprofits, including deep-pocketed grant makers, are likely to struggle with the following issues and their fallout.1) Philanthropy and the 99 percent - Economic inequality raises tricky issues for donors2) Pressure from shrinking government aid - Foundations and nonprofits may step up the fight against cuts3) Soothing generational tensions - Managers must make peace between baby boomers and…

• 9 Key Traits of ‘Next Generation’ Nonprofit Organizations

  10 Jan 2012 | 12:29 pm

  In addition to the Daring to Lead 2011 study, my friends Marla Cornelius and Tim Wolfred at CompassPoint Nonprofit Services in San Francisco recently assembled a thought-provoking piece on the trends they are seeing in the hundreds of organizations their organization touches each year. While you might argue with a few from your personal perspective, this short white paper will get you thinking about how you can be better prepared for new and emerging challenges and opportunities alike.Their 9 traits are:1. Impact Driven – we already knew this one2. Finance and Business Savvy - ditto3.

• 

  ONE

• Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day

  Field

  8 Feb 2012 | 3:04 pm

  Last Saturday, the town of Dexter, Mich., came together to celebrate Airplane Day, a unique advocacy event that commemorates the life and legacy of Laurence Carolin, a Dexter teen who passed away due to brain cancer two years ago. Laurence was a truly incredible and selfless individual who was passionately involved with ONE and committed to raising awareness about the fight against poverty and disease. He even dedicated the last year of his life to this cause and donated all of his Make-A-Wish Foundation money to the United Nations Foundation, one of ONE’s partners. Laurence’s compassion…

• FAQ: The fuel subsidy protests in Nigeria

  Edith Jibunoh

  8 Feb 2012 | 1:58 pm

  A decision by the Nigerian government to halt a hefty fuel subsidy on January 1 prompted one of the largest and most coordinated protests in Nigeria’s history. Though the protests are over, the issues that prompted them remain. Occupy Nigeria movement. Photo credit: Temi KOGBE/ fatcityafrica.com What is the fuel subsidy? Though Nigeria produces more than 2 million barrels of oil a day, the vast majority of Nigerians see limited benefits from their country’s natural resources. Nigeria has four oil refineries that only operate at about 23 percent of their potential capacity — and as a…

• What We’re Reading: World Bank warns on Africa trade

  Emily Walker

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:16 pm

  Funding squeeze, apathy mean another half century of AIDS – UN expert – Paul De Lay, the deputy executive director of UNAIDS said that while the world could soon reduce new HIV infections to zero with enough funding, “global apathy and the financial crisis mean it might take another 50 years to stop the AIDS epidemic.” De Lay called on developing countries to take responsibility for eradicating HIV in their own countries instead of relying completely on foreign assistance, especially at a time when HIV/AIDS efforts are facing an unprecedented drop in funding. (AlertNet, Thin Lei Win)…

• Essay: My life as a spiritual director in Niger

  Guest Blogger

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:05 am

  Joshua Korn is the spiritual director and community liaison for the CURE International hospital in Niamey, Niger. In this personal essay, he describes his work with CURE and explains how he is contributing to the fight against global poverty. Stay in touch with Joshua on his blog, Josh and Julie. I grew up in West Africa. I lived in Togo and la Côte D’Ivoire until I was 14 years old. Ever since then, I always wanted to come back. Africa gets in your blood, and stays forever like malaria. That is cliché, but true. I heard about CURE and the great work they do through a friend, so when the…

• Football and secret oil deals

  Guest Blogger

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:19 pm

  This article is republished from the Mail & Guardian with permission from the author. This is part of a larger blog series on transparency in the extractives industry. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic. Twelve years ago, Equatorial Guinea made world sports headlines in the Sydney Olympics when Eric Moussambani posted the slowest record for swimming the 100m freestyle at an Olympic competition. Eric had trained in the pool of a hotel in Malabo, the capital city, because there were no Olympic-size pools in the country. Now, as the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicked-off this week…

• 

  BAD RAP Blog

• Repeal the Hayden Law?

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:09 am

  There has been quite a bit of talk lately about California Governor Jerry Brown’s intention to repeal significant portions of the Hayden Law in order to save the state approximately $23 million per year to provide funding to local shelters.If you haven’t heard about this, a little background would probably be helpful. The Hayden Law was enacted in 1998 and, among other things, requires local shelters to increase the holding period of unclaimed animals – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, potbellied pigs, birds, lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises – for 4-6 days (rather…

• Olive, interrupted. When a shelter's mission loses sight of its dogs.

  29 Jan 2012 | 8:31 pm

  This is Olive.She has a bit of a story to tell: In August 2010, she entered a Southern California shelter as a stray with puncture wounds on the back of her thigh. We're assuming a dog grabbed her from behind when she was out on the streets, most likely as she was trying to get away from those teeth. It's anybody's guess what happened to her, but her shelter intake notes tell us that she was quite shaken when she arrived. Four days later, she stared pointedly at a dog during her evaluation. She stiffened, gruffed and threatened, "Back off, or else." Based on that reaction and her general…

• Cabin Fever: What your (Unexpected Pit Bull) Calendar bought!

  25 Jan 2012 | 1:20 am

  With so many dogs in need, we learned long ago that a rescue-only focus was going to bury us quick and burn us out even faster. So our 'teach a man to fish' philosophy was born: As much and as often as we can, we share what we know with animal care professionals around the country in conference presentations, workshops, articles, mentorships and internships that we call Pit Ed Camp.The work intensive jam sessions of 'Camp' have been especially gratifying because they give shelter staffers hands-on opportunities to work on learning projects that matter: Everything from exercises to keep…

• Vick Dogs 'sign' books in Pacifica this Saturday - Come join us!

  18 Jan 2012 | 9:12 am

  (Press Release January 18)A benefit book launch at Pacifica dog boutique AnnaBee's will host three former 'Michael Vick dogs' on Saturday, January 21 from 1-4pm. The dogs appear in photographer Melissa McDaniel's newest book titled, "Pit Bulls & Pit Bull Type Dogs - 82 Dogs the Media Doesn't Want You to Meet."Bay Area dog fans will have an opportunity to meet three dogs who survived Michael Vick's dog fighting operation on Saturday, January 21, from 1-4pm. Dogs Jonny Justice, Teddles and Uba will be offering paw print autographs, friendly licks and photos in celebration of the launch of…

• Progress in Ohio (HB14) - What could change?

  11 Jan 2012 | 12:45 am

  The state of Ohio is a few short steps away from dismantling a dog control law that has defined "dogs commonly known as pit bulls" as "dangerous and vicious" for the past twenty five years. House Bill 14 - which would remove the breed-specific definition from the Ohio state law and make much needed improvements to the dangerous dog law - was unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday 1/10 and is expected to move through a Senate vote as soon as next week before heading to the governor for his consideration. EDIT: The Ohio Senate approved HB14 on 1/31.The current law…

• 

  Bob Ottenhoff Blog

• The Power of the People

  Bob Ottenhoff

  8 Feb 2012 | 11:20 am

  I have believed for a while that the feedback of real people is an important source of data when evaluating the work of a nonprofit organization. Several years ago, we formed a partnership with GreatNonprofits to encourage the comments of donors, volunteers and program recipients about their interactions with a nonprofit in the form of “personal reviews.” In 2011, nonprofits received 16,903 reviews through our site alone, and you can learn more about writing reviews here: http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/review-a-charity.aspx. Last year, we acquired Philanthropedia which has…

• Capitalism in crisis: Lessons for the nonprofit sector

  Bob Ottenhoff

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:09 am

  I love the debate the Republican presidential candidates are having about how capitalism should work and in particular the role that Bain Capital has played in Romney’s campaign. It’s been fascinating and has caught the nation’s attention – even the hyper-hyperbolic cable stations are talking about it. It’s about time. The debate is getting to some fundamental issues that ought to be discussed in a national campaign:  what role do we want the government to play in our society, does growing economic inequality matter and is it a threat to democracy, and  what do we need to do to…

• Our focus on impact

  Bob Ottenhoff

  30 Jan 2012 | 1:46 pm

  It’s no secret that GuideStar has long been at the forefront of the discussion on nonprofit transparency and accountability, and now we’re taking a hard look at the issue of nonprofit impact. We partnered with Independent Sector and BBB Wise Giving Alliance on the Charting Impact initiative, which I’ve blogged about before. And now, two sections of our new Quick View summary at the top of our nonprofit reports can help people determine a nonprofit’s impact. Check out my video about on our YouTube page: http://youtu.be/rLahr7qBShw. How do you measure nonprofit impact?

• The Nonprofit CFO

  Bob Ottenhoff

  26 Jan 2012 | 3:35 pm

  I was honored to introduce Robert Egger, founder and president of the DC Central Kitchen, at the Nonprofit CFO of the Year Award Luncheon Tuesday at the Mayflower in Washington, DC. Bob Ottenhoff speaks at the Nonprofit CFO of the Year Award luncheon As I worked my way around the room at the reception at the start of the event, it was inspiring to hear discussions from CFOs at nonprofits big and small.  It was striking how similar their concerns are: Will they be able to continue strategic funding of their organization’s work? What is the new revenue model in the new philanthropic normal?

• Announcing the new format to our nonprofit reports

  Bob Ottenhoff

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am

  Click here to see my video about the new and improved design of our nonprofit reports, with revitalized, comprehensive, and detailed information that focuses on impact and advances transparency to help people who research nonprofits make better, more educated, and more confident decisions. For an example of this new format, visit GuideStar’s own nonprofit report: http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/54-1774039/guidestar-usa.aspx. What do you all think about our new format? I look forward to your feedback.

• 

  Dan Pallotta

• The Real Virtual Reality

  Dan Pallotta

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:34 pm

  I usually go for a walk in the morning and listen to music or a dharma talk. Occasionally I listen to nothing (or so it would appear by the absence of earbuds), but then I find the chatter of my mind so nauseating that I have to do something to stop it. This morning I was more present than usual. I noticed things in the real world that in the past two years of walking I have noticed not once: that the fire hydrants on our street are red. That the street next to ours has old-fashioned black Victorian lampposts. That the asphalt on which I have walked for many dozens of hours is not one…

• An Executive Pay Witch Hunt

  Dan Pallotta

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:57 am

  New York governor Andrew Cuomo has turned what should have been a simple, targeted criminal justice investigation into a destructive witch hunt of all New York charities. Such populist opportunism at the expense of the good name of the humanitarian sector has become epidemic. Elected officials consistently conflate smart investments in the talent, organizational strength, and long-term planning necessary to address massive social problems with fraud. Why? Because they lack a fundamental understanding of how long-term social problems get solved and because the humanitarian sector has been too…

• I Don't Understand What Anyone Is Saying Anymore

  Dan Pallotta

  5 Dec 2011 | 9:57 am

  Listen to Dan Pallotta explain why we still use jargon, even though we hate it. I'd say that in about half of my business conversations, I have almost no idea what other people are saying to me. The language of internet business models has made the problem even worse. When I was younger, if I didn't understand what people were saying, I thought I was stupid. Now I realize that if it's to people's benefit that I understand them but I don't, then they're the ones who are stupid. There are at least five strains of this epidemic. Abstractionitis We have forgotten how to use the real names of real…

• Stop Thinking Outside the Box

  Dan Pallotta

  7 Nov 2011 | 9:37 am

  The exhortation to think outside the box has become ubiquitous in business. So much so that it has become the new box inside of which everyone thinks. It pays lip service to the notion of transformation without really understanding the difference between transformation and change, and often without tolerance for the real thinking that must occur for an idea to be truly outside the existing paradigm. But worse than that, the advice is backwards. You cannot possibly think outside the box unless you understand the nature of the box that bounds your current thinking. You must come to know that…

• You Should Be Able to Get Rich in Charity

  Dan Pallotta

  28 Sep 2011 | 9:40 am

  There, I've said it. There should be no limit to the amount of money a person can earn making the world a better place, so long as the money is commensurate with the value they produce. If a person is a value-generating machine, and produces additional commensurate value for every additional increment of money they receive — and you can measure that value — then never stop the machine. And never let anyone else stop the machine. Let it keep producing value. Keep measuring it. And keep paying, without limit. To limit the production of value in the service of social progress is the…

• 

  Nonprofit Blog Exchange

• Roundup 2 for January 2012

  Emily

  31 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  Get Creative! with Nonprofit Social Media  (ASU Lodestar Center Blog) Best Response So Far to End of Year Gifts  (Kivi’s Nonprofit Communications Blog) Six lessons in successful social media use (Katya’s Non-Profit Marketing Blog) What Comes First, Content Creation or Curation? (Beth’s Blog) Pinterest: A Tool To Curate Relevant Visual Content for Your Audience (Beth’s Blog) Steal these 42 Creative Pinterest Ideas for Nonprofits (frogloop) Table: Facebook Pages vs. Facebook Groups (vs. LinkedIn Groups) (Influence) Awesome example of using technology to keep supporters engaged…

• Roundup for January 2012

  Emily

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:41 pm

  Best Practices to Kickoff 2012 Online Fundraising (frogloop) Is Facebook Good for Fundraising? (frogloop) Do More with YouTube (Connection Café) Content Curation Tweet Chat Recap (TechSoup) Herding Cats, er, Bloggers (Connection Café) Non Profits Need Online Presence (Everyday Giving Blog) A Gathering of Predictions for Nonprofits in 2012 (Branded Out Loud) 5 Resolutions to Make 2012 the Year of the Nonprofit Volunteer Program (Engaging Volunteers) Summaries of Reports and Surveys Key findings from the 2011 donorCentrics Internet and Multichannel Giving Benchmarking Report (Event…

• Roundup for December 2011

  Emily

  23 Dec 2011 | 8:16 am

  Social Media, Websites, and Communications The Scoop on Twitter’s New Brand Pages (frogloop) Getting Insight from Facebook Insight Requires Sense Making Skills (Beth’s Blog) The Nonprofit Holiday: Making the Most of a Generous Season (The PR Toolkit for Nonprofits) 15 Steps to an Awesome Website Launch (frogloop) Email Newsletter from Small Nonprofit Says ‘Open Me’ (About.com Nonprofit Charitable Orgs) Poll: What’s Hard about Nonprofit Content Marketing? (Kivi’s Nonprofit Communications Blog) Fundraising ’Tis always the season for raising money (Big Duck)…

• Roundup for November 2011

  Emily

  21 Nov 2011 | 9:34 am

  Infographic: Which Nonprofits are Rocking Social Media? (frogloop) Is social media helping you meet your mission? It can! (Amy Sample Ward’s Version of NPTech) Seven Ways Social Media Improves Accountability (Kivi’s Nonprofit Communications Blog) 50 Social Media Content Ideas (Connection Café) The Importance of a Web Presence (Nonprofits, Technology, and Social Media) The 5 Elements of Great Nonprofit Web Design (Engaging Volunteers) Digital Communications: A Wise Investment (ASU Lodestar Center Blog) How I Found Out What Our Supporters Really Want to See on Our Facebook Page (Kivi’s…

• Roundup for October 2011

  Emily

  24 Oct 2011 | 3:00 pm

  Blogs and Websites 12 Ways to Develop a Community of Blog Readers (Community Organizer 2.0) Is your blog like a hungry printing press, waiting to be fed? What to do? (Wild Woman Fundraising) Supporting Your Programs with Your Website (Branded Out Loud) Tips for Making Members-only Content More Effective (Wild Apricot Blog) Donation Page Best Practices Elementary Review (DonationPay Blog) Reader Question: How Do I Get Feedback on My New Website? (Talance Blog) Social Media Blogs vs. Facebook for Nonprofits (IMPACTMAX) The see – say – feel – do way of measuring social media…

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  Tall Skinny Kiwi

• In Search of Masculine Christianity

  Andrew

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:48 pm

  Rachel Held Evans issued a challenge to male bloggers last week in response to John Piper's suggestion at the Desiring God conference that "God has given Christianity a masculine feel", which she thought was "a strange way to talk about the Bride of Christ." I didn't have time to write anything but I noticed that 150 men have responded and there is some great conversation going on all over the blogosphere. Driscoll, Piper and others are saying we are in a crisis as there are very few young men in our churches. They say their teaching is an attempt to win them back. Yet at the same…

• What Dorothy Day might teach bloggers

  Andrew

  2 Feb 2012 | 4:36 pm

  Dorothy Day once described herself as "a journalist and a diarist pure and simple" as opposed to a writer of books. As a young girl, she kept a diary and later became a journalist to pay the bills. I would like to think, based on her approach to writing, that she would be a blogger if still alive today. And what's more, she would have some good advice for bloggers who have tragically reduced themselves to reviewers of books, or worse, evangelists for their own books. I have always seen writing, and by extension blogging, as a means to provide a voice for the voiceless and turn the eyes of the…

• Covenant Making is not always evil

  Andrew

  29 Jan 2012 | 3:29 pm

  Yesterday I was at All Saints [Hataitai] Church to witness and participate in a covenant signing ceremony. But before you get all excited about that word "covenant",  I should tell you that: 1. Yes, I know all about last week's contract/covenant controversy at Mars Hill Seattle and agree that covenants can be abused to control people and I am glad people are sharing exactly what their covenants and commitments entailed. Nothing wrong with a second opinion and the wider-church crowd wisdom. 2 Yes, I am aware of the personality-driven "Covenant" of Destiny Church in which some church members…

• Tall skinny elves at The Hobbit casting call

  Andrew

  28 Jan 2012 | 12:10 am

  I took my tallest kids over to Lower Hutt today for The Hobbit casting call. Filming starts next month for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and they were looking for extras: the short, the tall, the skinny, men with big biceps [not me} and those with 'character faces'. Unfortunately, 3000 people turned up and they could only handle 800. The rest of us were turned away but told we could apply online. The Herald said they were "overwhelmed" but it should have been a surprise. We all want to be in the movie! Bummer! My kids and I would have made great elves. I am 1.96cm (6'5'') and my son,…

• Sweet Voice Amber Hunter

  Andrew

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:18 pm

  Amber Hunter has been giving songs away online for years but now is creating her first CD. She led worship at our roundtable gathering at Cornerstone Festival last year and we really loved having her there. She has a story to tell. Watch the video and if you want to help out, visit her project at Kickstarter.

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  eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource

• Giving by U.S. Family Foundations Recovering Slowly

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 4:00 am

  America’s family foundations contributed more than $20 billion in 2010 to organizations and people working for the public good, but total giving did not reach its pre-recession peak of $21 billion in 2008. According to the Foundation Center’s latest edition of Key Facts on Family Foundations, the 1.1 percent increase in family foundation giving between 2009 and 2010 marks a reversal of the previous year’s 3.4 percent decline. Among other key findings in the report: Family foundations account for the majority of giving by independent foundations overall (63 percent in 2010).

• What Would Rambam Think About Everyone Using His Ladder?

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 3:05 am

  by Robert Lichtman Thanks to Dawne Bear Novicoff and Adene Sacks who posted their thoughts about the value-added of philanthropic advisors (What Would Rambam Think About DonorsChoose.org?). I am not such an advisor, but I do believe that making significant investment decisions that impact our future is not a DIY activity. Theirs is a complex argument which they attempted to frame using Rambam’s handy-dandy Tzedakah Ladder. If you don’t know what that is, your philanthropic advisor does. And the extent to which is it applied or misapplied is the issue. According to the famous hierarchy of…

• Telling Your Story When Engaging in Philanthropy

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 3:00 am

  by Jo-Ann Mort and Judith Wineman eJewish Philanthropy featured an article recently by Dan Brown, eJP’s editor, about a donor organization that doesn’t promote its own fundraising through traditional communications outlets. This especially caught our eye because we believe that communications outreach is essential to good philanthropic practice. Philanthropists need a targeted megaphone beyond the act of grant making or financial contributions. Indeed, a solid communications strategy offers a multiplier for the money a funder puts into the field. This is a critical step for a donor moving…

• Jewish Heritage Europe Relaunches

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:55 am

  Building on a previous Jewish Heritage Europe website, Jewish Heritage Europe (JHE) has launched. The website is envisioned as an online clearinghouse for resources, news and information on Jewish monuments and heritage sites all over Europe. JHE is the first of several exciting web-based projects that will premiere during 2012 looking to fill significant Jewish/Israeli world media short-comings. JHE’s primary focus is Jewish built heritage: synagogues, cemeteries, mikvaot, Jewish quarters and other physical traces that attest to a Jewish presence on the continent stretching back to…

• Israel Campus White Paper Released

  eJP

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:50 am

  New York, NY – Combating growing attacks on Israel’s legitimacy on college campuses requires breaking the cycle of rallies and protests in favor of targeting outreach to campus influentials, according to a new white paper released today by pro-Israel campus organization, The David Project. The white paper, A Burning Campus? Rethinking Israel Advocacy at America’s Universities and Colleges lays out a new strategy for Israel advocacy rooted in relationships with key campus stakeholders and organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The white paper finds that, “campus activism by…

• 

  Jewish Donor Blog

• The Beauty of Print

  NegevDirectYoav

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:12 am

  Novum 11/11 – Making Of Cover from Paperlux on Vimeo. ‎"The goal, Kuehne says, is to underscore the importance of print media as the publishing industry goes digital: “Don’t get me wrong: We feel... This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• Where Do You Give?

  NegevDirectYoav

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:01 pm

  A really neat new tzedakah design contest put on by AJWS. What does tzedakah look like? Where do you give? To whom and why? This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• We've Officially Been Blogging for Four Years!

  NegevDirectYoav

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:13 pm

  1.22.08 - 1.22.12 Thanks for your continued interest! This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• Martin Luther King Jr: "Israel... is one of the great outpost of democra...

  NegevDirectYoav

  16 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm

  This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• Passings: Pro-Israel Philanthropist Newton Becker

  NegevDirectYoav

  5 Jan 2012 | 5:29 pm

  Israel has just lost a good friend. From the Los Angleles Jewish Journal: "A prolific donor who had a reputation for humility, Becker donated to organizations that shared his belief in Israel’s... This is The Jewish Donor Blog, a blog by Negev Direct, about direct mail, fundraising stratagies, experience, putting the donor first and more.

• 

  pubTalk

• Cross-sector Collaboration

  Karen McCauley

  10 Feb 2012 | 10:14 am

  Across the pond and across the Humphrey! John Bryson, professor, and Barbara Crosby, associate professor, delivered a lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science on "Cross-Sector Collaboration" October 21, 2011. They chaired and presented papers in two sessions at the International Leadership Association annual conference in London, October 27 - 29, 2011. One panel was on "Leadership for Inclusion within and across Countries." As part of this panel they presented a paper co-authored with Kathy Quick and Carissa Shively Slotterback on "Leadership and the Design of Public…

• PNLC Professors are working on public engagement...

  Karen McCauley

  6 Feb 2012 | 10:07 am

  In transportation policymaking! Kathy Quick and Jerry Zhao have completed a Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) study about how to get the public more involved in transportation policymaking. From the CTS press release: "The benefits of public engagement include the contribution of valuable resources and knowledge by participants, the researchers say. It generates better buy-in and limits delays, mistakes, and lawsuits, with stakeholders being more likely to accept a decision reached in a participatory manner--even if it was not their preferred decision. It can also help create…

• Kevin Gerdes is the new PNLC Director!

  Karen McCauley

  3 Feb 2012 | 10:05 am

  Kevin Gerdes joined the PNLC as Director on January 9th. He brings a distinguished record of public service and will be a wonderful addition to our school-wide community. Kevin has served in a variety of leadership positions with the Minnesota National Guard over his 32 year career, including Commander at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels; while currently serving as Deputy Commander of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division. He completed a tour of duty in Iraq as a Commander and returned in 2006 to help establish Minnesota's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" reintegration program that works…

• John Gunyou Announces Retirement

  Karen McCauley

  2 Feb 2012 | 10:01 am

  John Gunyou, PNLC Advisory Group member and Humphrey School adjunct intstructor, has announced that he is retiring from his position as Minnetonka City Manager effective June 1, 2012. John has served in this role since 2000. From the press release: "John has been an exceptional leader for the past 11 years, and we will miss him," said Mayor Terry Schneider. "The city has been fortunate to have John's unique skills in fiscal management combined with a leadership style that has enabled a talented city staff to grow and flourish. He has left the city in an excellent position to continue to…

• What's going on at the PNLC?

  Karen McCauley

  12 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am

  Associate Professor Barbara Crosby spoke on "Practices of Integrative Leadership" as part of the University of Minnesota Law School's new Leadership Foundations Program on Jan. 11. The session highlighted the practices such as shaping "windows of opportunity," convening inclusive conversations, and assessing outcomes and managing results. Jay Kiedrowski and Jean Hammink are beginning the Minnesota State Senior Leadership Institute today, here at the Humphrey School, bringing in 30 leaders from all over Minnesota state government to learn everything from Adaptive Leadership to Performance…

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  Foundation Group

• Nonprofits: Is Your Tax Preparer Registered With The IRS?

  Greg McRay

  16 Jan 2012 | 6:30 pm

  It is an unfortunate reality:  many self-described tax professionals are not professionals at all.  They are more than willing to take a customer’s money for “professional” work that often results in a nightmare situation for the taxpayer.  This includes those who advertise services to help nonprofits with IRS Form 1023, the application for 501(c)(3) status [...]

• Foundation Group To Present Fundraising Workshop

  Greg McRay

  6 Jan 2012 | 2:59 pm

  I’ve got some great news to share.  We just finalized the details on an intensive day-long, hands-on workshop that will give you the tools and know-how necessary to make 2012 the best fundraising year your nonprofit has ever had.  Sounds bold, you say?  Well, it may be bold…but come to this workshop and I suspect [...]

• Merry Christmas from Foundation Group

  Greg McRay

  21 Dec 2011 | 11:40 am

  The Christmas Story (Luke 2: 8-14) 8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10  And the [...]

• Year-End To-Do List for Nonprofits

  Greg McRay

  6 Dec 2011 | 10:46 am

  Well, we are pretty much down to it.  There are only a few weeks left in 2011…and during much of that time, most of us will be preoccupied with all things Christmas.  But in all the hustle and bustle, there are a few things regarding your nonprofit that require your attention. The following is a [...]

• What Is Your Conflict-Of-Interest Score?

  Greg McRay

  15 Nov 2011 | 10:47 am

  A Self-Assessment Having worked with thousands of nonprofits over the years, we have seen just about every possible scenario you could think of.  At least it seems that way!  One of the most common issues we encounter, especially with startups, is conflict-of-interest.  It is usually of the innocent variety, meaning that the people involved didn’t [...]

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  PhilanthroPost

• Participate in Our Writing Contest

  Cheryl Mahoney

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:00 am

  By Cheryl Mahoney We are excited to announce a writing contest: “Haiti’s Earthquake: Two Years After” in collaboration with Helium and GlobalPost. In the spirit of citizen journalism, we’re asking you to dig in and learn what you can, then bring your knowledge back by writing articles on the topics we’ll provide–these will become available as soon as the contest launches. The contest will begin at 12:01 am GMT on February 17th.  Submissions will be accepted for 10 days, until 11:59 pm GMT on February 26th. The contest will include five topics; these will be displayed on…

• Devastating Tornadoes Hit Alabama

  universalgivingteam

  27 Jan 2012 | 3:57 pm

  By Greg Susko On January 23rd, 2012, Alabama was hit by two deadly tornadoes, leaving at least two people dead and more than 100 injured.  The Red Cross has estimated that over 400 homes were either destroyed or deemed unlivable because of severe damage.  These tornadoes come just nine months after a series of violent storms resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of destroyed homes in the area.  Alabama Governor Robert Bentley declared a state of emergency in all 67 Alabama counties in order to make state resources available to the individual counties in need. UniversalGiving has…

• PhotoPhilanthropy: Achieving Social Impact through Imagery

  universalgivingteam

  13 Jan 2012 | 12:56 pm

  By Bridget Botelho We are happy to share about a new organization that shares our mission of striving to make the world a better place! San Francisco-based nonprofit, PhotoPhilanthropy, is bringing art and creativity to social change.  The organization has created a platform for photographers to collaborate, share, and connect with other nonprofit organizations in efforts to drive philanthropy through photography. Through PhotoPhilanthropy, photographers can network with nonprofit organizations to volunteer and photograph specific projects.  Also through the site, photographers can share…

• How You Can Support the People Who Make Your Gifts

  Cheryl Mahoney

  19 Dec 2011 | 10:20 am

  By Cheryl Mahoney Today, we’re excited to tell you about a UniversalGiving partner who’s doing great work for the world!  The Hoop Fund is located down the hall from us at the Hub SoMa, and they also share our international focus. The Hoop’s mission is to create a more  connected marketplace, building links between consumers and the people who created the products they buy.  The Hoop partners with entrepreneurs, artisans, and farmers, and invites the people who buy their products to help fund their work.  The Hoop gives you two choices: you can directly fund a microloan…

• Doing Good (twice over) with Holiday Gift Packages

  universalgivingteam

  30 Nov 2011 | 11:00 am

  Today’s guest post is from Chelsea Iverson. If you will be giving to charity this holiday season or are considering making a personalized and meaningful donation on behalf of someone you love, you’re not alone. Holiday giving is a tradition that combines the Scrooge-inspired spirit of Christmas with generous year-end-tax breaks. Each year, charitable organizations around the world receive millions from contributors during the holiday season. It seems that the tougher the economic times, the more dedicated we are to helping those who are most vulnerable. According to the Red Cross, 68%…

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  Living and Giving - Pamela Hawley's Blog

• The Pamela Positive: Celebrate the Beauty of Balance!

  Pamela Hawley

  8 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  I hope I believe in balance. And part of that is identifying and knowing your team members’ goals outside of work. It’s important to have outside lives and interests.  You have to begin by recognizing those first for yourself.  Your team will see you modeling this balance and how it makes you a whole, fully giving person. We try to encourage our team to have outside interests, and to share their goals. We know UniversalGiving can’t be everything for everyone (even me ). And so I love to hear about the other interests—how can we help further them? One person wants to be a writer.

• The Pamela Positive: What’s In a Conversation…Who Will You “Turn Towards” Today?

  Pamela Hawley

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  The word to ‘converse’ has morphed to mean using words or talking. But what it meant at inception was to “turn towards one another.”  The point was to delve more deeply into a truth of some sort. It was also to find commonalities amongst people. Who will you turn towards today?

• The Pamela Positive: Why an Orphanage May Be a Positive Home

  Pamela Hawley

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  In the 1890s, people didn’t live very long. The average age from the late 1880s was, in fact, in the 40s.  So orphanages became a way for these young children whose parents died to have a home.  Currently there are 143 million orphans across the world. We normally think of orphanages as a forlorn location, and perhaps an evil place.  Especially in developing nations, it can be the case. But it’s not necessarily true.  Richard McKenzie, quoted in a New York Times article, grew up in an orphanage which gave him stability and permanence, and he wishes the positive scenarios would be…

• The Pamela Positive: Don’t Just Stop and Smell the Flowers

  Pamela Hawley

  3 Feb 2012 | 11:05 am

  “Stop and smell the flowers” is a good starting point.  But why not stay with the flower? Have you ever really looked at what makes up the flower? Its petals, the stamen, the actual layout and folding over of different petals… it’s quite remarkable. Appreciate the wisdom behind its creation. Its unfolding process as it blooms… And its journey of growth. It’s simple and complex in its beauty and expression. And so are you. Appreciate the beautiful simplicity and complexity of you and each of our fellow men, women and children. Be open and beautiful; endure through your…

• The Pamela Positive: Money Increases Happiness

  Pamela Hawley

  2 Feb 2012 | 11:15 am

  Money increases happiness, according to Harvard University.  But only when it is lifting people out of extreme poverty.  It essentially comes down to Mazlow’s basic needs.  If money can help you attain shelter, food and clothing — which eventually lifts you into the middle class –  then it does bring you happiness. But little after that.  Once those basic needs are taken care of, we must go to higher needs for happiness.  Caring for people.  Caring for ourselves.  Doing the right thing. Living a simpler life. According to Stephen G. Post, Director of Compassionate Care at Stony…

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  Kiva Loans

• Julissa Yolanda Funes Matute : Honduras

  9 Feb 2012 | 8:40 am

  $100 of $1,050 raised. Started raising funds on Feb 9, 2012 Julissa, age 21, has been married for six years, and she has a two year old child. She lives in the Lempira neighborhood, Tela Atlántida. Julissa has her own business, a grocery store. She started the business six months ago with help from her parents, who provided the capital to be able to do so. She sells staples like beans, rice, sugar, flour, “maseca” (instant corn dough), soft drinks, dairy products, sausages, soft drinks, cookies, bread, and meat. There has been demand for her sales because there are not many grocery…

• Edith : Sierra Leone

  9 Feb 2012 | 2:10 am

  $475 of $925 raised. Started raising funds on Feb 9, 2012 Greetings from Sierra Leone! This is 36-year-old Edith from Waterloo. She is married and has two children, one of whom is 2 years old and one of whom is 12 years old. One of her children attends school. Edith runs a pharmacy. She sells cool syrup, nova gin, paracetamol tabs, and blood syrup and malaria drugs. She has been running this business for 14 years. She works from 8:00 am, 7 days a week. Her business is her main source of income. Edith says that the main challenges to her business are transportation and price inflation. Edith…

• Eng : Cambodia

  9 Feb 2012 | 12:00 am

  $425 of $700 raised. Started raising funds on Feb 8, 2012 Mrs. Eng, age 38, is in the business of cultivating rice in Kompong Cham province. She has been engaged in this business since 2005. She is able to generate income of $5.00 per day through this business. She has a common law relationship with her husband who is a rice cultivator as well as a carpenter. Presently she has three single children, who are still studying in public schools in the province. Eng said that she’ll provide her three children a further education, and at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree. Eng would like to borrow…

• Heang : Cambodia

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:20 pm

  $100 of $250 raised. Started raising funds on Feb 8, 2012 Mrs. Heang is a humble farmer who has been living in Kompong Cham province. Agriculture is the sole source of her income. She has been farming her land for many years. Her annual crops are rice and potatoes. She also has her husband who helps in the business. Presently Heang has two single children who completely depend on her. Mrs. Heang will use this loan of 1,000,000 riels to pay for local laborers to plow her potato field. For her prospects, Heang wishes to buy a plowing machine for agricultural work and to improve her business.

• Therese : Congo

  8 Feb 2012 | 2:30 pm

  $700 of $1,000 raised. Started raising funds on Feb 8, 2012 Therese, a 50-year-old single mother with four children, three of whom attend school, has operated a business selling men's and women's clothing in Brazzaville for 12 years. Therese, who is patient with her customers and always willing to assist them, has found that good customer service is the key to her business success. Her major difficulty is the fluctuating buying power of her customers, so some months she sells many things and other months she sells very little. Therese, who has received and repaid three previous loans from…

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  La Vida Idealist

• Finding Seed Money to Grow Your Organization

  MindiBatson

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:08 am

  Here at G22, we’re on the prowl for funding. Our aim here at G22 is to teach the people of Guatemala and hopefully the world about the importance of responsible, sustainable living that helps to conserve our natural environment. Ultimately, G22 believes that environmental education starts at home and should be taught using real solutions applied in both rural and urban settings. Photo courtesy of Bonnie NortonHere at G22, we're on the prowl for funding. G22 just completed its application for the Echoing Green Fellowship which provides seed money for individuals and organizations…

• Top 10 Things to do Ecuador

  Guest

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:23 am

  Paula Newton is a freelance writer and management consultant. The editor of V!VA Travel Guide to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, she has an insatiable thirst for off-the-beaten-track travel. Paula has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia and Central and South America. Make sure to go see the towering volcanoes above Ibarra Those volunteering in Ecuador for an extended period of time should find plenty of opportunities to explore the country. Whether your preference lies on or off the beaten path, Ecuador has something for everyone, no matter your physical shape, time or budget. Here are…

• Good Intentions: The Charity Curse and the Peace Corps in Honduras

  ajbrowne

  31 Jan 2012 | 8:58 am

  “Here were these poor people, living on the edge of a mountain with a million-dollar view,’’ she says. “But they needed the basics, food, shelter. It was such a moving experience.’’ The Peace Corps’ decision to leave Honduras, she notes, is “heartwrenching.’’ “I thought about the people who were left there. Who is going to care for them?’’ In the aftermath of Peace Corps pulling out of Honduras I have noticed two things in the media response: increased emphasis and focus on the violence and drug-trafficking going on in Honduras, and that sentiment countered by…

• New to Nica

  windbo2008

  30 Jan 2012 | 8:02 am

  I just passed the three-weeks-in-Nicaragua mark (as well as the “I-can-talk-about-more-than-just-the-weather” mark in my Spanish lessons- quite the milestone, in my mind). So, bueno, La Vida Idealistas. I am a 26-year-old from Washington state, currently living in Leon, Nicaragua. I’ve traveled internationally a fair bit, including living in Taiwan, studying Mandarin Chinese– but this is my first time in Central America, as well as my first experience volunteering for an extended period– and so far I’m loving it. My boyfriend, Turner, and I were lucky enough to be…

• Think Fast: Are “Hunger” and “Poverty” Experiments Legitimate?

  virginia.savage

  24 Jan 2012 | 9:13 am

  Approximately 1 billion people currently experience hunger. According to World Vision International, about 1 in 4 of the world’s children suffer from malnourishment, and about 5 million children will die this year from hunger-related causes. Hunger is a formidable issue that fuels civil unrest, a cycle of poverty, and economic crises throughout the world, and the number of hungry people in the world continues to rise each year. Walking on the road to Chaquijyá, Guatemala This year, in order to further our understanding of global hunger, the Program Directors at all three MPI sites…

• 

  Red Rooster Group

• Don’t Start a Nonprofit

  Howard

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:44 pm

  Thinking of starting a nonprofit organization? Don’t do it. We get a lot of calls from well-intentioned individuals wanting to make a difference in the world. That’s great. We need more caring people making a difference. We don’t necessarily need another nonprofit organization to do so. Consider this, there are currently over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. To put that into perspective, the population of the United States is 300 million, so that’s more than one charity for every 300 people. That means that if you have an idea for an…

• Promotional Campaign for Student Advocacy’s Overcoming the Odds Awards Dinner 2011

  Howard

  5 Feb 2012 | 1:52 am

  CLIENT: Student Advocacy Student Advocacy’s annual Overcoming the Odds Awards Dinner recognizes four students who have overcome tremendous obstacles, including disabilities, abuse and other situations, often multiple hardship. To promote this inspirational fundriasing event, we created a save the date postcard, invitation package, website graphics, as well as the ad journal distributed the night of the event. The design puts a spotlight on the students with die cut holes in the invitation revealing the students’ inner strength. News anchor Brian Conybeare, MC for the evening, and…

• Howard Adam Levy Quoted on Komen issue

  Howard

  5 Feb 2012 | 12:02 am

  Red Rooster Group Principal, Howard Adam Levy, was quoted in an article in The Columbus Dispatch discussing how Susan G. Komen’s brand would be affected by their reversal of policy regarding funding Planned Parenthood. Komen is one of the most well-known and respected charities, and they had a huge role in putting breast cancer on the map. But they don’t always seem to act in the interests of their mission of stemming breast cancer. As an  organization working on behalf of women’s health, their decision to partner with KFC last year was widely criticized as trading one…

• Donor Brochure Raises Funds for Parkinson’s Disease

  Howard

  28 Jan 2012 | 9:00 pm

  CLIENT: National Parkinson Foundation To spread awareness and raise money for the National Parkinson Foundation, we created this rollout brochure to have a dramatic impact. The cover makes a bold statement and subsequent panels unroll to reveal a message about the depth of the problem and an appeal for support. The inside of the brochure describes the resources provided by the organization to help people who have Parkinson’s Disease. The last panel serves as donor form and tear-off envelope to make it easy for people to donate to organization. Links See  more examples of fundraising…

• Sponsorship Presentation to Raise Funds to Inspire Wounded Veterans

  Howard

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:03 pm

  CLIENT: The Heroes Project After recovering from a severe accident, Tim Medvedtz founded that taking on the extreme challenge of climbing a mountain, could help not only him, but other wounded veterans. So he took a veteran who was missing a leg up Mt. Everest. And then one who was missing both legs, up Mt. Elbrus, the highest point in Europe. Now he is committed to taking veterans up to the 7 Summits of the World, and making a documentary of it to inspire the 41,000 wounded veterans in the United States. Our task was to create a presentation to raise $300,000 for the climbs. We combined…

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  Look To The Stars News: Latest

• Bar Refaeli Unveils Laureus Sport For Good Shirt

  9 Feb 2012 | 7:00 am

  Supermodel Bar Refaeli and tennis legend Boris Becker chose the heart of London on the eve of the Laureus World Sports Awards to unveil a new polo shirt designed by fashion house Shanghai Tang in support for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation's mission to use sport as a tool for social change and to help improve the lives of children around the world. The elegant polo shirt, in dark blue or orange, carrying the Laureus name and the bold number ‘1’, was worn by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, a unique collection of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and women in the…

• Prince's Trust 2012 Games Young Ambassadors Meet Prime Minister And Sport Legends

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:30 am

  Ten Prince's Trust 2012 Games Young Ambassadors met the British Prime Minister David Cameron at a reception held at 10 Downing Street recently. The Prince’s Trust 2012 Games Young Ambassadors were invited to the Downing Street reception, which was held ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards in London. Also at the reception were some of the world’s most prestigious sporting figures, including world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic, boxing legend Lennox Lewis, 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The 10…

• Annie Lennox Blogs Feminism

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:00 am

  Annie Lennox recently blogged for Eco-Age.com about a certain “F word”. “The term “feminism” has been twisted, smeared, and degraded over the years," she wrote. "While my generation of Western women have received the benefits of feminism, many of us recoil from the word, as if it was something to be ashamed of. The irony leaves me incredulous, especially when there is still so much more to be done in terms of women’s rights on a global scale. In my view, the F word urgently needs to be reviewed, revamped, reconsidered and revalued. “When I…

• Hugh Hefner To Be Awarded Humanitarian Of The Year

  9 Feb 2012 | 5:30 am

  On the night of February 12th there will be many honors and awards given out. But there is one honor above all that matters to Angelwish Founder Shimmy Mehta. That is the “Humanitarian of the Year” award that will be presented to Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion during the evening on February 12th. Access to this event featuring the ceremony to honor Hefner is very exclusive, but there are still limited admissions and seating available. You can procure admission by clicking here or ordering by phone (888)984-4263. In regards to his charity’s involvement in the event, Mehta…

• Brad Pitt Makes It Right With Celebrity Charity Auction

  8 Feb 2012 | 1:05 pm

  eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, is teaming up with Brad Pitt's Make It Right to take charitable fundraising to a whole new level with a physical space and interactive bidding. Fans are invited to walk through a gallery featuring one-of-a-kind celebrity experiences and mementos to be auctioned off for charity on eBay Celebrity. Smartphones add a hands-on element to visually innovative displays, enabling attendees to participate in an interactive bidding process via dimensional QR codes by utilizing the eBay mobile app to bid in real time as well as track auction progress.

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  Leading by Design: A Resource for Nonprofits

• Organizational Change: The First 90 Days

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:00 am

  THERE'S A DISCUSSION GOING ON OVER AT the Strategic Planning for Nonprofits group on LinkedIn about leadership and change management.  So far, the topic is pretty broad and most of the posters are encouraging ways to focus it.  Until now.  One poster, a military officer, weighed in saying that the first 90 days is the most critical for new leadership to make change.  If you let the opportunity go by the boards, you're stuck with what you've inherited.  He writes:The First 90 Days are critical and in most cases can make or break a true leader in the end. The First 90…

• A Career Full of Happy Accidents

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  WHAT'S BEEN THE ROLE OF SERENDIPITY IN YOUR CAREER PATH?  I'm knee-deep in trying to map out new segments of my own career path and, because of that, I was recently asked to write about personal career planning.  So I did what any author who's looking for some inspiration would do -- I reached out to the cultural nonprofit community via LinkedIn for some input.  And here's where serendipity comes in. The second response to my question was about the importance of serendipity -- those accidental opportunities -- to the enrichment of a career. "Too much planning can limit your…

• What's on Your Board's First Meeting Agenda for 2012?

  28 Dec 2011 | 2:49 pm

  JANUARY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (yikes!) and many if not most nonprofits will be holding their first board meeting of the new year sometime in the next four weeks.  While we might be inclined to fall back on comfortable agenda formats and conversations for this meeting, if you're embracing 2012 as a year of intentional organizational development (see my post about that here), then I know you're giving serious thought to rethinking what and how business will be discussed.For those of you from organizations that tend to tick methodically through task lists at board meetings before…

• Make 2012 Your Organization's Year of Intention

  22 Dec 2011 | 8:48 am

  NOW THAT THE END OF 2011 IS PLAINLY IN sight, many of us are taking some time to evaluate our progress these last twelve months and plan for the next twelve.  What's on your agenda -- personally or organizationally -- for tweaking or downright change?  Have you already identified a few strategic shifts for 2012?From an organizational point of view, any amount of course shifting can be difficult.  The tiniest changes can be disruptive and angst-producing....and may not produce hoped for results.  But, small changes, when introduced intentionally, thoughtfully, and tied to…

• Can You Plan Without Passion?

  17 Oct 2011 | 6:36 am

  WELL, I GUESS THE SHORT ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS 'YES'.  Plans are concocted everyday for all sorts of things from grocery lists to multi-year programmatic initiatives and I can see where many of them can be accomplished with little reflection and less excitement for the results.  There are proponents who assure us that even the most complex plans can be achieved with short, highly focused bursts of effort.  And, indeed, that's possible.  But it seems to me that any plan will lack dimension and luster if it's written as an internal 'beat the clock' exercise or a…

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  The Causemopolitan

• My Cities 2011

  Sloane Berrent

  30 Jan 2012 | 7:40 am

  Photo courtesy of Taylor Davidson I started this meme in 2009 and continued it in 2010. Thanks to Taylor for inspiring me to do this project – his meme of cities goes back to 2006. Unlike him, I don’t have a photo of all of the places I slept, but that’s certainly something to aspire to! As in previous years, a city makes it onto this list when I’ve slept there so any day trips aren’t included. If I was in a city and slept in multiple places, that counts as it’s own entry – since it counts against the total nights away and not spent at home in my own…

• The Power of Branding (A Story of Two Supermarkets)

  Sloane Berrent

  30 Jan 2012 | 6:59 am

  There is a story I recently heard that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. I told some of my team and then I’ve found myself telling it to friends, in meetings, on the phone. That’s called “stickiness” and so I want to share it here as well. There are two supermarkets. You walk into the first supermarket and they’ve run out of a product you want and you think, “That’s really a crap store.” You walk into a second supermarket that you really admire and they’ve run out of the product and you think, “I should have been here…

• Support The Adventure Project

  Sloane Berrent

  6 Dec 2011 | 12:16 pm

  Click here to view the embedded video. It’s always a telling sign when my favorite friends are suddenly all telling me that I simply have to meet someone because we’re from the same cloth and we’re destined to know one another. That is what happened with me and Becky Straw this fall. And honestly, everyone was right. We have tons of friends, passions and travel experiences in common and Becky instantly become a woman I not only wanted to be friends with but great admired. Soon it was my turn to be telling people about Becky and her new nonprofit, The Adventure Project.

• Celebrate Epic Thanks This Thanksgiving

  Sloane Berrent

  23 Nov 2011 | 7:41 am

  Welcome to the season of Thanksgiving. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving the past few years without #EpicThanks, a project of Epic Change by my good friends Stacey and Sanjay and their countless amazing friends, volunteers and supporters. Epic Change amplifies the voices and impact of grassroots changemakers and social entrepreneurs. I’ve written about their fundraising projects here, here and here. I thought it was time for another voice to be heard! Make a donation here: This is a guest post written by Adriana Mistick, a junior at Wheaton College. She also happens to be my sister!

• Join Me and Donate To My Birthday Fundraiser

  Sloane Berrent

  5 Oct 2011 | 7:00 am

  Dear friends, family and everyone else who has stumbled onto this page, Let me set the stage…the big one was my 30th birthday in 2009 – that was the year Cause It’s My Birthday was born and we raised $20,000 for Netting Nations and for malaria nets in Ghana. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to shake the power of social media to help drive social change. I eat, live and breathe in this space. I’m at it again! This year, I’m celebrating my Sweet Sixteen (x2) and 100% of online donations and donations at my birthday party will go to She’s The…

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  Fundraiser Ideas

• 10 Safe and Fun Youth Fundraising Ideas

  KWylie

  7 Feb 2012 | 11:00 am

  Involving children in fundraising can help show them the importance of giving to others. However, youth fundraising raises significant safety concerns. The following are 10 safe and fun youth fundraising ideas your children can use to positively contribute to their favorite cause: Recycling. Kids can raise money and be environmentally responsible in the first on our list of youth fundraising ideas. Children can collect cans at home, as well as set up recycling bins at their parents’ workplaces, and bring them to the recycler. Car wash. A bucket of soapy water, a sponge and a hose is all…

• Why You Need a Fundraising Thermometer and Five Places You Can Get One for Free

  KWylie

  17 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am

  Just Google “fundraising ideas” and you’ll begin to understand that there are an ever-increasing number of fundraisers out there today. From traditional magazine sales and candy bars to basket raffles and office perks auctions, there are numerous fundraising ideas out there that are sure to meet your organization’s unique fundraising needs. As important as it is to select the right fundraiser for your group, tracking your fundraising efforts is equally important, which is where a fundraising thermometer comes into play. A fundraising thermometer is a visual representation of…

• 10 Mission Trip Fundraising Ideas You Can’t Afford to Miss

  KWylie

  27 Dec 2011 | 11:00 am

  Undertaking a mission can be one of the most fulfilling trips in your lifetime; however, many mission trip participants worry about funding their humanitarian and charitable work. The following are 10 mission trip fundraising ideas that can help make your mission dreams a reality: Business sponsorships. Visit local businesses and ask them to sponsor a portion of your mission trip, such as one day’s worth of expenses. Target businesses that advertise in your church bulletin or whose owners you know directly. Send friends and family letters. Send a letter out to all of your family and…

• 10 Christmas Fundraising Ideas Guaranteed to Spread Holiday Cheer

  KWylie

  6 Dec 2011 | 11:00 am

  Christmas is a time of giving. It’s the time of year that people are most likely to open their hearts and their wallets. The following Christmas fundraising ideas are designed to not only help your organization raise much-needed funds but also spread holiday cheer in the process. Sell Christmas trees. Partner with a local tree-grower and borrow a section of a parking lot from a neighborhood business to set up your Christmas tree lot. Publicize the charity you support and offer free hot cocoa or hot apple cider to set your tree lot apart from others in town. Sell Christmas wreaths.

• How to Hold a Successful Cookie Dough Fundraiser

  KWylie

  2 Dec 2011 | 11:00 am

  Cookie dough fundraising has become increasingly popular over the years. People love cookies, making it an easy sell, and organizations can earn up to 80 percent profit on their sales. However, to maximize the profit your charitable organization receives from your cookie dough fundraiser, there are some critical points that need to be covered. The following are our top tips for how to hold a successful cookie dough fundraiser. First, you need to select a cookie dough fundraiser vendor to work with your organization. Most vendors offer no start-up costs for organizations to begin their…

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  DonationPay Blog

• The Faux-Proust Character Questionnaire for Non-Profits

  AJ

  24 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm

  I’m not proud of this, but I’m obsessed with the Proust Questionnaire feature on the back page of Vanity Fair.  Made famous by the responses from Proust at various ages throughout his life (I prefer age 20 to age 13, for the record), the questionnaire is a smart little treat.  It’s a perfect coda to enjoy after reading the magazine’s take on the whole Colzine travesty, Christopher Hitchen’s last piece (on Dicken’s, with customary affectionate but unsentimental tartness) or, say, a long piece on the lavish life of Valentino (possibly one of my…

• 6 Ways To Boost Donation Volume In The New Year

  AJ

  10 Jan 2012 | 4:55 pm

  2011 is history.  (image from Jalopnik) Okay, so the holidays are over.  Officially.  You probably won’t be seeing the type of donation volume you had over November and December again until next year’s holiday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn your organization’s website into a lean, mean fundraising machine.  Give your organization a fresh start for 2012 with these simple tips for increasing your fundraising power in the new year: 1.) Mind Your Manners. By this I mean, be sure you send a Thank You to everyone who donated this year.  I’ve discussed…

• Best Books I Read This Year

  AJ

  30 Dec 2011 | 1:30 pm

    Being an extremely avid reader, I spend much of my time out of the office with my nose firmly planted in a book.  While my recreational reading tastes run toward contemporary fiction (in case you’re curious, this year my favorites were Freedom, Swamplandia!, A Visit From The Goon Squad, The Marriage Plot, The Tiger’s Wife and The Uncoupling, as well as a few others I can’t bring to mind off the top of my head), I will read almost anything (though not the egregiously terrible and overtly offensive Twilight series, for the record).  Though I am usually a…

• Chimp Haven Made Us Cry (And I Liked It)

  AJ

  16 Dec 2011 | 8:45 pm

    All photos taken from Chimp Haven’s website The DonationPay office can be an emotional bunch and we have been known to get . . . worked up, over the awesome work our clients are doing.  We are moved, inspired and amazed at our clients great work, fortitude and brilliant fundraising strategies, every day.  That said, last month as we were setting up donation pages for a new client, suddenly all office work came to a screeching halt as one of our developers called us all over to experience a fantastic video on their site.  The organization is Chimp Haven and the video, no joke,…

• In Which I Rain On A Parade: Donor Thank-You’s Edition

  AJ

  13 Dec 2011 | 1:19 pm

  As I was reading the industry news on AllTop today, I came across an article from November that I’d apparently missed.  From Pamela’s Grantwriting Blog (which, if I’ve never mentioned it before, I love and read anytime I get a spare minute, which clearly at this time of year is once every six weeks), it’s an email from a development director at a large non-profit in New York to board members, asking them to place a call to a donor that had contributed $20 online.  A thank-you phone call.  The email is reprinted in full below, as it appears on Pamela’s…

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  Causes Blog

• Shiloh’s Kitten Corner (and the news)

  Shiloh Gulickson

  3 Feb 2012 | 12:59 pm

  Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Shiloh’s Kitten Corner! My name is Shiloh and I work on the Impact team at Causes.com. I start my workday by putting together a news brief for the rest of the office that highlights what’s new in the world of social media, nonprofits, technology, and social good. Here are [...]

• Shiloh’s Kitten Corner (and the news)

  Shiloh Gulickson

  20 Jan 2012 | 5:19 pm

  Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Shiloh’s Kitten Corner! My name is Shiloh and I work on the Impact team at Causes.com. I start my workday by putting together a news brief for the rest of the office that highlights what’s new in the world of social media, nonprofits, technology, and social good. Here are [...]

• Causes brings social good to your Facebook Timeline


  Sydney Fleischer

  18 Jan 2012 | 8:55 pm

  Facebook is a place to express what you care about and connect with friends around those interests. The causes you support are an essential piece of that picture and thanks to our new app for Facebook Timeline, Causes makes it easy to express a fuller picture of who you are and what you care about [...]

• Causes Tech: Measuring Static Asset Failures with Duckweed

  Adam Derewecki

  11 Jan 2012 | 7:09 pm

  At Causes, we’ve been dealing with intermittent static asset failures. This manifests as certain images, stylesheets, and Javascripts failing to load and leads to a poor overall user experience. Our band-aid solution has been to fail over load balancers, which resolves the issue (until it crops up again). This is far from a perfect solution, and we still only [...]

• Shiloh’s Faux Kitten Corner (and the news)

  Shiloh Gulickson

  6 Jan 2012 | 5:43 pm

  Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Shiloh’s Kitten Corner! My name is Shiloh and I work on the Impact team at Causes.com. I start my workday by putting together a news brief for the rest of the office that highlights what’s new in the world of social media, nonprofits, marketing, and social good. Here are [...]

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  GivingFirst.org Blog

• GivingFirst: Unlimited Possibilities for the Passionate Fundraiser

  GivingFirst.org Blog

  26 Jan 2012 | 4:01 pm

  By Dana Rinderknecht, GivingFirst ManagerOn January 19th at the Arvada Center, CommunityFirst Foundation awarded the FirstBank High Five Prizes to 12 organizations whodid an outstanding job on Colorado Gives Day. There were over 500 folks present and they represented a true cross sectionof Colorado Nonprofits. Now I will let you in on a little secret. I loved thisevent! Not only because we put it together, so that makes me biased, butbecause it is so much fun to see our participants in person. GivingFirst is an online program, and as suchwe do almost everything electronically –…

• What a Difference a Day Makes!

  GivingFirst.org Blog

  9 Dec 2011 | 2:28 pm

  By Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of Community FirstFoundationCommunity First Foundation, FirstBank, media sponsors,and hundreds of nonprofits work all year to pull off a giving day that makes adifference.In the months leading up to Colorado Gives Day, we’ve been awedby the current of energy building in Colorado. In the last few weeks, who couldgo a day—an hour--without hearing something about December 6?A year ago, when we launched the concept, we wanted to enhancegiving in Colorado. What we got—what we all got—was so much more than that:community engagement and spirit;…

• CiviCore Gets GivingFirst.org Ready for Colorado Gives Day

  GivingFirst.org Blog

  1 Dec 2011 | 1:07 pm

  Recently we met up with Charles“Chic” Naumer, co-founder of CiviCore, the company that programs the onlinegiving technology for GivingFirst.org. We appreciate the ideas they share tohelp us enhance the site. Their work and dedication to GivingFirst isindispensable, and we are grateful to them for being the technology sponsor ofColorado Gives Day this year.What is CiviCore?Our company builds web-based database applications for thesocial sector. This includes databases for managing volunteers, donors andclient outcomes. Our products are customized for each client’s particular need.When…

• Support Local Through a Community Foundation!

  GivingFirst.org Blog

  17 Nov 2011 | 6:24 pm

  Marla J. WilliamsThisweek is Community Foundations week, and we met up with Marla J. Williams,president and CEO of Community First Foundation, to tell us about the value ofthese organizations. Marla,this week the country is celebrating community foundations. Can you tell uswhat a community foundation is?Afoundation like Community First Foundation is the vehicle through which acommunity can come together to create and pool charitable resources and addressneeds in a specific geographic area.Whatregion does Community First Foundation serve?We make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in…

• GivingFirst.org: Fast and Furious Growth

  GivingFirst.org Blog

  9 Nov 2011 | 6:09 pm

  By Angela Bevacqua, Senior Communications SpecialistWe are just under one month awayuntil Colorado Gives Day, and the energy at Community First Foundation isfrenetic!Dana, our GivingFirst manager,has been sequestered in her office, reviewing and approving hundreds ofnonprofits who are joining the site since September. She juggles approving theprofiles while answering lots of calls and emails each day. (Stay tuned to thisblog for the final number of nonprofits participating in CO Gives Day!)Bryce, our project coordinator,is pouring over nonprofit documents that need to be in order before a…

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  Non-profit2point0

• My Five Favorite Super Bowl Ads and What You Can Learn From Them

  Charlie Hullihen

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:28 pm

  by Charlie Hullihen, Client Services Manager/Communications Writer Now that the big game has come and gone, many are reflecting on their favorite plays, the half-time show and (of course) those beloved Super Bowl commercials. With advertising prices rising this year to an average cost of $3.5 million per 30 second spot, companies tried harder than ever to bring their a-game to this year’s TV ads. It seemed like a lot of advertisers were concentrating on two things this year: celebrity cameos and nostalgia. The former was certainly expected, but the latter, not so much. Let’s take a look…

• Super Bowl Going Digital

  Luke Sackandy

  5 Feb 2012 | 9:21 pm

  by Luke Sackandy, Social Media Systems Analyst Every year during the Super Bowl, we see the online world playing a larger role with this year being no exception.  Let’s take a few moments to look at five ways, other than TV, you could have followed the Super Bowl. Twitter Twitter is an excellent resource to follow an event.  Even when TV is an option.  Using a variety of hash tags such as #SuperBowl or #SuperBowl46, you can get play by play updates on your smartphone.  In addition, you can often find some great commentary from some of your favorite personalities. Streaming For the…

• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising is Easy, Economical and Essential

  Charlie Hullihen

  2 Feb 2012 | 8:03 am

  by Charlie Hullihen, Client Services Manager/Communications Writer According to the 2011 Millennial Donors Survey, 56% of modern-day donors learn about charitable foundations from friends. Furthermore, 57% give to particular organizations because of being personally asked to do so. These numbers point to one very important fact about modern-day nonprofits: peer-to-peer fundraising is the most practical way to raise money for your organization. And the best part about this is that peer-to-peer fundraising can be pretty darn easy. Now, you may be wondering what exactly peer-to-peer…

• Top 5 Posts of January

  jbeemiller

  31 Jan 2012 | 1:23 pm

  It’s hard to believe we’re already one month into 2012. So far, we’ve had the opportunity to blog about a number of interesting topics. We’ve given readers a good idea as to what to expect throughout 2012, covered Google’s new search algorithm, gave some advice on content creation, and voiced our opinions on SOPA and “slacktivism”. However, before we permanently say goodbye to January 2012, let’s take a look at our five favorite blogs from what has been a very productive month of blogging! 5 Predictions for 2012 As we wind down 2011, it is a good…

• February is Donor Month!

  Luke Sackandy

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:24 pm

  by Luke Sackandy, Social Media Systems Analyst As January is quickly coming to a close, it is time to look ahead to February. Last month, in January, we talked about reaching out and thanking those that made contributions to your organization over the last year. This month it’s time to start beating down doors again. But it’s not necessarily about asking for donations. While that’s your ultimate goal, work on fostering the relationship first. So what are some good ways to get out in front of those donors? Thank Them Yes, I know it was a large part of January’s…

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  Deep Social Impact

• Steps in the Strategic Journey

  Ellen Remmer

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:19 am

  Whether you’re an advisor working to help a donor achieve more, or a donor interested in positioning yourself to move up the philanthropic curve, understanding the stages along the journey to more strategic giving can be quite valuable. In my last post, I described the stages that donors generally arrive at before becoming strategic, but what makes a donor more or less likely to progress from one stage to the next? And how can one tell when a donor is ready to take (or be nudged to) that next step? I provide several qualities below and, while some may consider this categorization of factors…

• What are ships for?

  Ellen Remmer

  11 Jan 2012 | 11:58 am

  Since announcing our merger with The Boston Foundation a few weeks ago, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about why we merged, how it will work and what might change.   We’ve received many notes of congratulations and also a little head scratching.  Does this mean that TPI will only work in Boston?  What does this mean for TPI’s community foundation work?  What is this new animal anyway? Of course everyone knows that the one constant is that there is always change.  Certainly none of us could have imagined even 5 years ago how technology would transform giving and networking.  Or…

• The Development of the Donor – Stages in the Continuum

  Ellen Remmer

  5 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm

  The process and pace with which a donor develops into a strategic giver is difficult to generalize.  Some donors jump right into the pool with a strategic perspective and approach, while others never get there, dabbling forever in the shallow, safe end.  Some donors move smoothly through a linear progression of development, fueled by a variety of influences while others progress in starts and stops triggered by pivotal experiences and events.  TPI has found that there is simply no accurate way to predict what the path will be and how quickly the donor will develop. A typical comment we…

• A Great Time to Merge

  Ellen Remmer

  16 Dec 2011 | 10:48 am

  TPI announced some very exciting news yesterday.  In case you missed it, we’re merging with the Boston Foundation. We think that together we will be able to help both TPI clients and TBF clients do great things with their philanthropy and in the process, potentially prove a new model for the field at large.  We look forward to building on both organizations’ strong histories of innovation and ambition.   When TPI decided to proactively look for a merger partner 8 months ago, we looked very intentionally at the challenges to and success factors for a good merger.  Among the most…

• Moving from Donor to Strategic Investor

  Ellen Remmer

  12 Dec 2011 | 12:40 pm

  “Strategic philanthropy” – it’s the mantra of our field.  We’re all supposed to be one, or help others become one.  It’s the antidote to the all too common practice of writing checks to a long list of worthy charities which have knocked on our doors.  But how does a donor move from writing checks to becoming an engaged and strategic philanthropist?    For more than two decades TPI has worked with hundreds (and indirectly thousands) of donors to stimulate and support their efforts to become more strategic.  Our mission to increase the impact of philanthropy in society has…

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  Nonprofit Resource Memo

• The Serious Business of Succession Planning

  M. P.

  6 Feb 2012 | 7:15 am

  Is your nonprofit ready if your Executive Director gave their notice tomorrow?  Has the executive team and board engaged in serious conversations about succession planning and the long and shorter term issues related to a change of leadership?  How would your nonprofit manage an unplanned, unforseen change at the highest level? Nonprofit boards and executives should not shy away from creating a succession strategy for fear of personal affronts or hurt feelings – the importance of this kind of planning to the organization’s strategic plan cannot be understated.  In turn,…

• Mixed Results from Charter School Impact Research

  M. P.

  31 Jan 2012 | 9:10 am

  The latest findings from an ongoing study of the effectiveness of charter schools on student achievement indicate some are having a positive impact on student graduation rate and college enrollment. The report Charter-School Management Organizations: Diverse Strategies and Diverse Student Impacts, conducted by Mathematica and the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) -University of Washington looked at the effect of charter school management organizations (CMOs) on test scores, graduation and post-secondary education planning. While the data indicate a positive impact on high school…

• Study Highlights Long Recovery for Disaster Survivors

  M. P.

  29 Jan 2012 | 9:27 am

  In difficult times, conventional wisdom assures us that we will endure and perhaps even  improve– becoming wiser, or more spiritual, or more grounded – from the hardships faced. The adage, that which does not kill us will make us stronger,  is  almost considered fact, and indeed there is some empiric evidence behind that phrase.  However, are some traumas simply too much to bear, having a long-term, even lasting, impact upon survivors and their families? A study of Hurricane Katrina survivors, specifically low-income mothers, found that they continued to experience mental health…

• Preschoolers, Parental Expectations and Obesity Trends

  M. P.

  25 Jan 2012 | 7:52 pm

  Understanding the trend in obesity among youth may require more consideration than blaming fast food, “lazy” parents and video games. It may require a more honest examination of the nature of the trade-offs that schools, child care centers and parents  have to make to balance the issues of safety, learning and physical activity.  We know that students are not getting adequate exercise during their physical education hours and that recess itself is a topic of debate, now a study indicates that preschoolers in daycare settings are not getting adequate amounts of physical playtime –…

• Federal Poverty Programs – What is Covered? What is at Risk?

  M. P.

  20 Jan 2012 | 2:15 pm

  Ron Haskins, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution is interviewed by Gigi Hinton in a recent @ Brookings podcast on what the non-decision by the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (or “super committee”) means to the nation’s poor. In the clip below from the @ Brookings Podcast of December 30, 2011, Mr. Haskins details what programs Congress has built protections for, what programs are at risk for cuts, and the level of partisanship around funding decisions for poverty programs (his impression may surprise some). Original Source: @ BROOKINGS VIDEO…

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  Momentum San Diego

• The Problem With Your Face

  Deirdre Maloney

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:38 pm

  My face tends to get me in trouble. Regularly. If you know me, chances are you know a lot about me. That’s because you can tell what I’m thinking, what I’m feeling at any given moment. All you need to do is look at my face. Behold…Exhibit A. Since I highly value authenticity, I tend [...]

• What 20 Hours With NOLA Can Teach Us All

  Deirdre Maloney

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:15 pm

  Last week I found myself in New Orleans. For about 20 hours. It was just enough time to roam the infamous French Quarter, kick around Bourbon Street, take a historical walking tour and head out to the next city. I’d never experienced New Orleans, Louisiana (or NOLA as the locals call it), but I thought [...]

• Face this Fact – Have a Better Year

  Deirdre Maloney

  9 Jan 2012 | 10:50 pm

  I bet you’re ready to kick a bad habit or two…perhaps add a healthy one for good measure. ‘Tis the season after all. As the new year officially gets underway many look ahead with a promise, a vow to make their lives better. Perhaps you’ve committed to manage your time better, to focus on the [...]

• What You Really Need to Shed in the New Year

  Deirdre Maloney

  27 Dec 2011 | 11:55 pm

  The new year is a time for cleaning out the clutter. It’s when we throw away the pants that no longer fit, the shirts that are out of style, the files we’ll never read. We resolve to get happier, to get healthier. We decide to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to shed those holiday pounds. [...]

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  Mission Connected Blog

• References: How To Get Great Input, The Conclusion

  Karen Alphonse

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:44 am

  This series covered all aspects of the reference process. Part One covered working with references as they relate to the candidate. Part Two focused on engaging with the references themselves, and Part Three put the ideas into practice through the reference check process. In this series conclusion, the highlight is on identifying what “a great reference” really means. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• References: How To Get Great Input, Part Three

  Karen Alphonse

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:45 am

  In parts One and Two of this four-part series, I outlined the “homework” required in order to best prepare yourself, a candidate and a reference for a formal reference interview. In this entry, details of the actual process, from questions to ask to delivering the results, are outlined. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• References: How To Get Great Input, Part Two

  Karen Alphonse

  16 Jan 2012 | 8:56 am

  In Part One of this series, I outlined the homework I do with regard to references before placing the formal reference checking call as it relates to the candidate. Today, that homework process continues to unfold with a focus on the references. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Recruiter As Partner In the Hiring Process: Part Three

  Karen Alphonse

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:54 am

  In this last installment of my three-part series, the focus is on initiating the search process and the role of a recruiter should you choose to use one. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• The Perfect Resume

  Karen Alphonse

  2 Jan 2012 | 8:52 am

  A good not-for-profit resume is concise, accurate and industry-friendly. It highlights your past successes, strengths and potential for growth. It shows commitment to mission which, in this sector, means social equity. It is a powerful, truthful document. And, when referenced along with your communications on the Web (LinkedIN/Facebook profiles, Twitter and blogs), a potential employer gains a clear picture of the value you will add to an organization. [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  Ventureneer - Nonprofit

• Lessons Nonprofits, Business Can Learn from Komen Foundation

  Geri Stengel

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Whether you run a business or a nonprofit, last week’s PR disaster of Susan G. Komen for the Cure should be a wake-up call. This is the third time Komen veered off-mission in a very public way. This time, the nonprofit seems to have learned some lessons about damage control and social media. You’d better learn them, too. read more

• Getting Entrepreneurs on Nonprofit Boards

  Geri Stengel

  6 Feb 2012 | 10:47 am

  Podcast Why have entrepreneurs on your nonprofit board and how to recruit them

• Philanthropy in the Future: A New World View

  Geri Stengel

  30 Jan 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Mind-boggling! That’s my take on Growing Philanthropy in the United States, a report from the June 2011 Growing Philanthropy Summit. Its first recommendation is that nonprofits think of the greater good of their cause and philanthropy in general when looking at donor relations rather than just how much they can get of a donor right now. read more

• Great News: Impact Investing Options Expand Locally

  Geri Stengel

  25 Jan 2012 | 11:20 pm

  I’m a long-time advocate of impact investing. It brings new money to the nonprofit world, supports social enterprises, and can provide services and products that would otherwise be unfunded or unresolved. read more

• Choosing Your Legal Form Is a Strategic Decision for Social Good Businesses

  Geri Stengel

  18 Jan 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Social entrepreneurs -- those using business skills to accomplish social good -- have many choices these days. New York and California recently joined five other states in allowing social good to be given as much weight as corporate profit by approving Benefit Corporations in which the well-being of all stakeholders (employees, community, clients, environment), not just shareholders, are legally taken into account when decisions are made. read more

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  Pamela Grow

• 6 ways to make your donors as happy as a dog with two tails

  Pamela Grow

  7 Feb 2012 | 2:07 pm

  Valentine’s Day is coming up.  What better time to shower your donors with love? Over the past two years we’ve featured a number of ways for you to ramp up your organization’s stewardship program.  Here are six, in no particular order: 1.  Does your organization’s stewardship system need a tune-up?  Or perhaps you’re creating one from scratch?  Listen in on this 37 minute teleseminar with Lisa to learn: The two biggest mistakes you can make in a thank you letter (besides not sending one!) How your first communication with a donor following a gift sets the stage for…

• I support Planned Parenthood – do you?

  Pamela Grow

  2 Feb 2012 | 3:25 pm

  Related Posts:End-of-year appeals are out – it’s time to redo your thank you letters!6 ways to make your donors as happy as a dog with two tailsThe dirty little secret about donor retention “they” don’t tell youConsistency6 Benefits of Using Twitter for Nonprofit

• The dirty little secret about donor retention “they” don’t tell you

  Pamela Grow

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:24 am

  We talk a lot in this industry about donor retention. All kinds of “Phantom Donor” testing occurs, such as Mal Warwick’s practice of sending a round of checks to twenty organizations to study the (usually unimpressive) returns. Articles turn up regularly on penning the perfect thank you letter, and whether a thank you letter should include an additional ask, and how many times and ways that you can thank your donors. So, what’s missing in this equation? It’s simple really.  You can’t really be a donor-centric organization without both a good database and solid protocols and…

• Consistency

  Pamela Grow

  10 Jan 2012 | 5:03 am

  Awhile back I was having a conversation with Mazarine Treyz of Wild Woman Fundraising. Do you know Mazarine? She is one awesome woman, smart, savvy and loaded with energy and good will. Anyway she said to me “Pam, I just love your consistency!” She was talking about my weekly enews, The Grow Report, which goes out like clockwork every Thursday morning. Why every week? Early on when I made the decision to launch an enews targeted specifically to “small shop” development directors, one of the biggest decisions I had to make was how often I would mail. Regardless of whether I mailed…

• More email marketing take-aways from Al Franken

  Pamela Grow

  22 Dec 2011 | 1:21 pm

  Senator Al Franken’s latest email, a holiday greeting from his family to you, has even more take-aways for the nonprofit marketer. How can you make your supporters feel a part of your organization’s “family?” Write in an open, personable style.  No jargon allowed. Share photographs. Use humor but keep it gentle. Creative use of the P.S. Related Posts:Al Franken is scathingly brilliant!Best of 20106 ways to make your donors as happy as a dog with two tails5 Down & Dirty Tips to Ramp up Your End-of-Year AppealThe Secret Millionaire | A nifty engagement page

• 

  The SocialPath

• Employment Rate for People with Disabilities – January 2012

  vertex

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:58 am

  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics has released disability employment statistics for January 2012 showing that the percentage of people with disabilities and the unemployment percentages: January 2012 (Not seasonally adjusted) Labor Force Participation People with disabilities: 20.0% People without disabilities: 68.9% Unemployment Rate People with disabilities: 12.9% People without disabilities: 8.7% The unemployment rate for people with disabilities has been steadily improving (it was 13.6% this time last year) but the number of unemployed is still…

• Buying Guide to Client Payroll Software – White Paper

  vertex

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:11 am

  A new white paper has been added to our content library on the Vertex Systems website. This white paper was created for social services agencies with vocational employment programs that need a quality commensurate wage payroll application. Key quote from the introduction: Relying on paper time sheets, emails, and spreadsheets will prolong the data-gathering process, create errors, and often leads to missing hours or piece counts that will keep your clients from being paid correctly. You can eliminate these costly problems by implementing a new breed of project time-tracking payroll software…

• Our Latest Case Study on Occupations, Inc. Released

  vertex

  20 Jan 2012 | 8:59 am

  We have released a new case study! Drop by our Case Studies page on our main website and see how Occupations, Inc. in Middletown, New York, utilized the Client Payroll Manager from Vertex to solve their participant payroll and reporting problems! Money quote from the study: “We are thrilled with the confidence we now have that the productivity rate, prevailing wage rate, and piece rate calculations are correct and the clients are being paid accurately. We no longer have concerns about compliance fines. We no longer spend hours making corrections.” - Ron Colavito, Comptroller for…

• Blackbaud to Acquire Nonprofit Software Maker Convio

  vertex

  18 Jan 2012 | 7:43 am

  Good news or bad news for non-profits? The list of major nonprofit software vendors will grow smaller this year as the largest maker  of fundraising software to non-profit organizations has agreed to buy Convio. Convio provides fundraising software and is considered one of the last major challengers to Blackbaud’s market dominance. The concerns are reverberating through the nonprofit community because lack of competition can mean less innovation, higher prices, and higher support fees associated with the software that Blackbaud creates and manages. In the past, Blackbaud has acquired…

• Employment Incentives for Hiring Those with Disabilities (WRP)

  vertex

  17 Jan 2012 | 12:14 pm

  Winter may be in full swing, but on college campuses across the country, thoughts are already turning to the warmer months ahead.  And for many ambitious students and soon-to-be graduates, it’s not vacation that’s on their minds — it’s vocation.  And for employers, that’s good news. In addition to offering young people an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, internships and other short-term employment arrangements offer employers an easy and effective way to evaluate potential employees, especially young people who are new to the workforce. Now, assistance…

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  Nonprofit Capacity Building by

• A Guide to Navigating the Evaluation Maze: “A Framework for Evaluation” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Part 1 by Priya Small

  Priya Small

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:07 pm

  This week-end I found myself navigating the underground tunnel system of a local university on my way to the library.  Although this was not my first time, it got me thinking of others.  If not for the signs, newer navigators would have either run into dead-ends or ended up walking in circles.   Evaluations can also go around in circles or run into dead-ends.  In this post I aim to whet your appetite for the evaluator’s version of signs and guideposts:  evaluation models or frameworks. Some think of them as evaluation road maps or mental models.  Usually such models are based on…

• Demonstrating Board Leadership with Social Media by Marion Conway

  Marion Conway

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:27 pm

  This is a companion piece to an article at my blog, Marion Conway – Nonprofit Consultant:  Demonstrating Board Leadership with Facebook I write and present about how small nonprofits should use social media.  I am usually writing about it from the standpoint of what a nonprofit should do.  This is about what Board Members should do.  Almost every small nonprofit I work with has an  underutilized web presence.  Some have made an investment which is big for them in a new website and are disappointed that the website does not generate much in the way of online donations.  I frequently…

• Which Is More Important—the Means or the Ends? Process, Impact and Outcome Evaluations by Priya Small

  Priya Small

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:40 am

  One of my childhood memories is of my fifth grade English teacher posing this question to us as she analyzed a piece of classical literature:  does the means justify the ends?  She qualified her question with, “I know you are too young to understand this, but one day you will.”  I wonder how many of us ask ourselves that question while evaluating programs.  In a way, we’re also asking, “Which is really more important to us—the means or the ends, that is, the process or the outcome?” Today we will review simple definitions of 3 types of evaluations:  process evaluations,…

• Some Guiding Principles for Your 2012 Goals by Marion Conway

  Marion Conway

  13 Jan 2012 | 9:02 am

  At my blog,  Marion Conway – Nonprofit Consultant,  I have just posted my annual list of resolutions for nonprofit leaders with recommendations from seven nonprofit experts.  This is the fourth year that I have prepared such a post and it is interesting to see the tone being set at the beginning of each year.   This year I’d say the tone is clearly  “Be the best you can be.”   It is upbeat and forward looking  – very encouraging.  Every year I am amazed by the breadth of the wisdom offered from the philosophical to the down to earth practical.  And this year, the…

• Four Differences between Research and Program Evaluation by Priya Small

  Priya Small

  8 Jan 2012 | 10:46 pm

  Program evaluations are “individual systematic studies conducted periodically or on an ad hoc basis to assess how well a program is working1.” What was your reaction to this definition?  Has the prospect of undertaking a “research study” ever deterred you for conducting a program evaluation?  Good news! Did you know that program evaluation is not the same as research and usually does not need to be as complicated? In fact, evaluation is a process in which we all unconsciously engage to some degree or another on a daily, informal basis.  How do you choose a pair of boots?

• 

  The Nonprofit Facebook Guy

• Is your Facebook Page a ghost town?

  Facebook Guy

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:03 am

  The short answer on this one is “yes”.  Should you worry about this? Short answer again: “no”. It’s ok that no one visits your Facebook Page The fact is, everything happens in the newsfeed, NOT on your Facebook page. To see for yourself, all you have to do is divide the number of people reached by the [...]

• How to manage your Facebook Page with PostPlanner (video)

  Facebook Guy

  3 Feb 2012 | 7:15 am

  PostPlanner is a Facebook Page content management tool that allows you to schedule posts to a various different Pages that you manage. It optimizes content specifically for Facebook in a few ways: Post photos and videos to your Facebook’s photo albums (wall) as if you posted directly to Facebook. Post long URLs Edit titles and [...]

• Heroes with A Heart Grant Recognizes Unsung Nonprofit Heroes

  Facebook Guy

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:00 pm

  Our heroes are not on the front page of the newspaper, and they’re not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. They’re everyday people like you and me who have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better than when they found it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks [...]

• Did you know that your Facebook Page has it’s own News Feed?

  Facebook Guy

  31 Jan 2012 | 6:18 pm

  Your Facebook Page has it’s own News Feed that you can view once you login as your Page. It functions exactly the same way that your personal News Feed does, but only displays stories from the Pages you’ve liked as a Page. Viewing your News Feed To view your Page’s News Feed, go to your [...]

• How to create a text link to your Facebook Page in a Facebook comment

  Facebook Guy

  30 Jan 2012 | 6:05 am

  This video will show you how to create a clickable (and likable) link to your Facebook Page in a comment using your Facebook Page ID. This approach is an alternative to simply tagging your page with the “@” symbol.

• 

  The Wakeman Agency Blog

• What I Can't Live Without

  Katie Cray

  8 Feb 2012 | 3:33 pm

  By Katherine Turiano   Lately I have been on a big kick to simplify, to drop the weight of what is not essential to my happiness and productivity inevent planning. I have studied the works of well-known organizing professionals—well, if studying is allowed to be defined as listening to audio books in my car while stuck in traffic. I listened to Julie Morgenstern and Peter Walsh so much that the CDs scratched, but blessedly by then their message had sunk in: get back to basics and leave everything that doesn’t help your productivity behind. read more

• Tips for Nonprofit Newbies

  Katie Cray

  3 Feb 2012 | 1:01 am

  By Katie Cray   Launching a nonprofit? Just teamed up with a group that just received 501(c)3 status? New nonprofits have a lot to tackle, and usually are limited in resources and manpower to do so. If you’ve just started your own nonprofit, here are a few things to keep in mind.   read more

• How to Score PR for Your Special Event

  Mason Burnham

  2 Feb 2012 | 6:55 am

  By Mason Burnham   If you’re trying to score PR for your special event, the first thing you need to strive for is to make sure that your event is actually a special event.    But let me tell you, it is not easy to get media (especially in a major market like New York City) interested in an event.   read more

• Media Attention – Quick Tips to Help You Get More

  Jessica Epperly

  27 Jan 2012 | 5:57 am

  By Jessica Epperly   There are many ways to get media attention for your story. One of the best ways is to hire a public relations specialist with strong connections to the media. Journalists are notoriously hard to reach, but there are a few tricks of the trade that can help get their attention.   read more

• Twitter for Good - a Book Review Vlog

  Monica Clarke

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:30 am

  By Monica Clarke Watch the Vlog that reviews Twitter for Good!  

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  Event Fundraising Blog

• On-Demand Webinar: Making Segmentation Work For You

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:24 am

  If you attended Jeff Shuck’s segmentation webinar last Fall, you heard about the importance of segmentation. You know that you need to send different messages to people based on their interests, but your data is piling up and you’re not segmenting the way you know you should be.This session will move into a deeper focus on specific tools and techniques for implementing segmentation in your organization. We will also demonstrate segmentation with real data sets. This session will also share some messaging techniques that we’ve found to be effective in generating real…

• Social Media: Still Interesting – to Say the Least

  3 Feb 2012 | 10:39 am

  Just when I thought social media was hitting its marketing stride, our friend Beth Kanter posted a recent article on her Facebook page by BBCnews.com co-founder and journalism professor Alfred Hermida, in which he declares the now ubiquitous phenomenon is about to become – ready for this? – “boring.”Says Hermida:“Technologies reach their full potential when we forgot [sic] about the novelty. Instead they become boring and blend into the background. How often do we think about the technology behind the telephone, or the television set in our living…

• It’s the Banner, Stupid!

  2 Feb 2012 | 12:14 pm

  Every year we get requests to bid on events around the country. In conversation with the potential client they often say, “yeah, we’ve really got this down, but could use a little help with increasing fundraising … and oh, by the way, our sponsorships are down.”When it’s possible, we’ll send a staff member in to participate or have a look at the existing event to see if there are any obvious holes or ways to help. Much more often than not, the pictures will tell a huge piece of the story. And it’s one that tends to extend to many other parts of…

• Four Aspects of Focus for 2012

  30 Jan 2012 | 9:27 am

  Over the last few weeks, a few members of our Event 360 team have shared their advice on how to start the New Year right. As we come to the close of the first month of 2012, I wanted to add a bit of perspective on strategy.Unlike the subjects of some of our other columns, strategy in my mind doesn’t really lend itself to to-do lists. In fact, this is the very aspect of strategy that I want to emphasize. Strategy, more than anything, is about focus.In his article “What Is Strategy,” Michael Porter, one of the foremost experts on business strategy, argues that focus is at…

• Talking Technology: Conversation Starters to Help Strategic Planners Break the Ice With Tech Pros

  27 Jan 2012 | 3:32 pm

  Know this: Your typical technology professional has spent his or her entire career trying to be perfect. Why? Because when tech solutions do what they’re supposed to do, no one seems to notice – but when they don’t, all hell breaks loose. The result? Technologists are loath to make assumptions or even recommend approaches. They tend to wait for instructions and then execute as best they can.On the other side of the (ill-advised) fence, folks making business decisions are reticent to foolishly make those decisions around what, to them, is often cryptic and even baffling…

• 

  Consortium of Foundation Libraries

• What's new in Philanthropy

  Sophia Guevara

  7 Feb 2012 | 3:00 am

  Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:1. New Gates Foundation tourist attraction in Seattle much more than a "museum of philanthropy"; Washington Post, January 31, 2012Brief Introduction: The center opens Saturday in Seattle, just steps from the Space Needle and Experience Music Project, two of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. While it’s not exactly a “museum of philanthropy,” it’s also not just a public promotion of the Gates Foundation’s work.2. On mega pledges from years past, donors make big payments in 2011; Chronicle of…

• Friday Roundup

  Sophia Guevara

  3 Feb 2012 | 3:00 am

  Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:Health1. Cancer screenings in U.S. lags goals, ethnic disparities revealed; Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2012Brief Introduction: Researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday that percentages of Americans receiving recommended screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer in 2010 did not reach targets -- with racial and ethnic populations lagging noticeably behind.2. CDC: Home births rise nearly 30 percent in U.S.; USA Today, January 26,…

• What's new in Philanthropy

  Sophia Guevara

  31 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm

  Articles of interest in philanthropy and nonprofits published in the last 10 days:1. Drugmakers join Gates Foundation in tropical-disease fight; Bloomberg.com, January 30, 2012Brief Introduction: GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK), Sanofi and other health-care companies are joining forces with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, governments and institutions to fight so-called neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy.2. Department of Justice, MacArthur Foundation provide $2 million to support juvenile justice reform; Sacramento Bee, January 26, 2012Brief Introduction: In a new private-public…

• January Podcast: Copyright with Lesley Ellen Harris

  Sophia Guevara

  28 Jan 2012 | 2:34 pm

  For this month's podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Lesley Ellen Harris (www.copyrightlaws.com) about copyright issues for librarians working in nonprofits. In this short podcast, Lesley shares helpful knowledge and tips that would be of great interest to the listener concerned about copyright. Here are the links to the podcast files (same file, different formats):WAVhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/LEHarris_Copyright_WAV.wavMP3https://s3.amazonaws.com/onlinefiles/Interviews/LEHarris_Copyright_mp3.mp3Many thanks to Ms. Harris for her participation.

• Friday Roundup

  Sophia Guevara

  27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am

  Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:Health1. Minority males in California: Oakland hearings explore health of population; Huffingtonpost.com, January 20, 2011Brief Introduction: Today's hearing is being convened by the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California. Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, D-Oakland, said he formed the committee to examine the adverse conditions that some black, Latino and Asian boys experience and their effects on state resources and agencies. It also will look at the connections among…

• 

  Grant Gopher

• Simply a Communications Problem or an Integrity Problem?

  RachelUnell

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:37 pm

  I wrote recently about "How to Make the Most Out Of Bad Press".  The point was to help smaller organizations overcome a little bad press that may have come about through some misunderstandings or overzealous 'journalism'. And then the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation / Planned Parenthood debacle happened.

• How to Turn Off a Donor in Twenty Seconds or Less

  RachelUnell

  2 Feb 2012 | 1:30 pm

  Social media is a powerful tool. News zips around the globe faster on Twitter than TV stations can put together a breaking story. It allows us to keep in touch with friends and relatives and share family photos quicker, cheaper and easier than sending pictures through the mail. You can raise awareness for your programs, post success stories, and remind people about your upcoming fundraiser without the expense of printing a newsletter.

• How to Make the Most Out Of Bad Press

  RachelUnell

  20 Jan 2012 | 11:22 am

  So there you are, working your tail off. You’ve got your head down and you’re making some great progress on your organization’s strategies and programs. You take a break to enjoy your morning coffee and read the local paper. The next thing you know, you’re reading an article on the front page that has your organization in its crosshairs.

• Relationship Building at the Local Level: Why Bother?

  RachelUnell

  12 Jan 2012 | 12:01 am

  I see it all the time. Someone sees a need in the community, gets a few interested people together and forms a nonprofit organization for the purpose of addressing that need. Things go great initially because that’s the honeymoon period. Everyone is in love and the world is rosy and bright. Six months to a year later, reality sets in and things aren’t looking so good anymore.

• Mileage for Volunteer Service is Tax Deductible

  ggopher

  21 Dec 2011 | 8:18 am

  If your volunteers use their car in the course of doing volunteer work for your organization, they can take a deduction of 14 cents per mile driven while performing service.  This rate holds for 2011 and 2012. 

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  keeping a close eye... by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

• Philanthropy News Watch - Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2012

  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  5 Feb 2012 | 2:00 am

  By Meredith BrodbeckBy Renjith Krishnan | Freedigitalphotos.netBelow are some of this past week's notable news and postings on philanthropy and nonprofits:White House Official Tells NPQ: No Change to Charitable Tax Deductions PlannedBy Rick Cohen | The Nonprofit Quarterly‘Well-Being’ and PhilanthropyBy Michael Edwards | PhilanTopic  Can Philanthropy Put Humpty-Dumpty Back Together Again?By Michael Edwards | PhilanTopicSupporters Rally around Planned Parenthood amid Funding UproarCNNCancer Group Backs Down on Cutting off Planned ParenthoodBy Jennifer Preston | The New York…

• Addressing Inequities by Engaging Those Most Affected

  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  3 Feb 2012 | 2:00 am

  Be sure to check out the winter 2011/12 issue of Responsive Philanthropy, NCRP's quarterly journal, which looks at funding grassroots organizing for environmental change, using charity as moral enhancement, addressing social inequality in the United States and activist-advised grantmaking.New Constituencies for the Environment: A Case Study In the cover story, Danielle Deane explores the impact of funding grassroots organizing for environmental change. She looks at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s “New Constituencies for the Environment” initiative and how it…

• The W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Empowering Communities, Investing In Early Education

  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am

  By Niki JagpalThe W.K. Kellogg Foundation announced recently that it will grant $5 million to the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC). ELNC is “vested in changing the current reality of vulnerable children. In order to create this change, ELNC is planning and designing an intentional preschool service system aimed at providing, expanding and sustaining the capacity of high quality early care and education programs in the vulnerable neighborhoods of Grand Rapids.” Kellogg was an early investor in ELNC and its work focused on developing a service…

• Is NCRP “Running into Trouble” with New Report?

  Kevin Laskowski

  24 Jan 2012 | 3:31 pm

  By Kevin LaskowskiNCRP’s Grantmaking for Community Impact Project documented more than $26.6 billion in benefits for taxpayers and communities in 13 states. A new summary of our work finds that, for every dollar grantmakers and other donors invested in policy and civic engagement, communities reaped $115 in benefit. But some are still skeptical of results such as these:Some philanthropy experts say the estimates are not a reliable measure of what charities can achieve. William Schambra, director of the Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal at the Hudson Institute says it’s too…

• Philanthropy News Watch: Jan. 16 - Jan. 20, 2012

  National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

  22 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am

  By Meredith BrodbeckBelow are some of this past week's notable news and postings on philanthropy and nonprofits:"Stop and Frisk": A Road to DisasterBy David Jones | The Huffington PostProtest Sapped of CashBy Jessica Firger | The Wall Street JournalGiving Grows Among Communities of ColorPhilanthropy JournalYoung People on Nonprofit Boards? Good Idea, but Know the LawsBy Rick Cohen | The Nonprofit QuarterlyMeredith Brodbeck is the communications associate at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP).

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  Social Media Strategy for Nonprofits and Businesses

• Creating a Social Media Strategy: The Secret Sauce

  Debra Askanase

  8 Feb 2012 | 10:44 pm

  Image courtesy of fotologic, Creative Commons license   Yesterday, I had the opportunity to offer a workshop on the topic of creating a social media strategy to a group of budding entrepreneurs. It’s a big, meaty topic, and no two strategies are ever developed in the same way. Over the years, I’ve developed a methodology of what goes into strategy development, and focused on that methodology for the workshop. There are four elements to developing a social media strategy: evaluating current organizational assets, researching competitors (and comparables), choosing appropriate…

• Facebook Timeline Apps: New Way to Engage?

  Debra Askanase

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:07 am

    On January 18, Facebook introduced Timeline apps, along with a list of the first 60 Timeline apps that are approved and ready for Facebook users.  (A user’s profile is now his or her “timeline” of activities.) Timeline apps are the next iteration of Facebook’s Open Graph, Facebook’s way of connecting users to Facebook through real-time actions on the web. Facebook is promoting this as the new way to know what your friends are doing, in real time. I’m a bit more realistic: this roll out offers Facebook and application developers a lot of information…

• Using Twitter for Volunteer Recruitment: Jersey Cares

  Debra Askanase

  12 Jan 2012 | 6:27 am

    MLK Day of Service 2011, Jersey Cares Note: This is a guest post written by Sherry Lynn Fazio and Siobhan Tiernan, both of Jersey Cares. I met Sherry at the NYC Social Media for Nonprofits conference, where we serendipitously sat next to each other. She told me about how Jersey Cares had realized the power of Twitter for recruiting almost 1,000 volunteers to the Day of Service 2011, and felt passionately that any organization could do the same. How can Twitter work for you? Do you need more volunteers? Jersey Cares recruited over 1,000 new volunteers using Twitter in just one month.

• Rethinking the Annual Report for Video

  Debra Askanase

  4 Jan 2012 | 9:45 pm

  Three things I know about the nonprofit annual report: it takes a ton of time to put together beautifully, few people actually read it, but funders require it. The annual report is one of those pieces of communication and collateral that executive directors and development directors dread putting together because it is such a costly endeavor with relatively little return and short shelf life. It doesn’t have to be that way in the age of social. We’ve socialized constituent communication, websites, fundraising, and events…why not rethink the annual report into a social…

• Google+ Ripples: The Promise of Shared Intelligence

  Debra Askanase

  8 Dec 2011 | 7:45 pm

  Image courtesy of mdezemery, Flickr Creative Commons   (The blog post appeared previously on the ComMetrics blog. You can read it there, or read below for the full post.) Google+ rolled out its Ripples feature on October 27, with just a hint of data potential within Google+ for marketing and engagement. Google+ Ripples is really the first set of metrics we’ve seen from Google around Google+. It’s not enough, of course, but worth parsing because it hints at what is to come from Google. It also offers Google+ users relevant information about the use of circles, G+ influence,…

• 

  Nonprofit Branding Blog

• More about Mary! Plus Komen! Plus changes to this blog….

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:13 am

  “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” Our pal Cassius, he of the “…lean and hungry look…” had an important point. (In addition to the point he stuck in Caesar’s back.) … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Her Name Was Mary (Another Major Gift Anecdote)

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  31 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm

  How a Major Gift Un-Solicitation Produced $250,000! The recent post about major gift programs (It’s Time to Pick High-Hanging Fruit!) confessed my own period of professional fear and self-deception. Fortunately, I got over myself.  Major Giving became the most enjoyable … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Reader Rebuttal to My Logo-Pen Rant

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  24 Jan 2012 | 12:04 pm

  I think imprinted logo-pens are a waste of money for a nonprofit.  This opinion was expressed in an earlier post Cost, Impact and Use of Logo-Pens. My friend Rob, a veteran promotional products salesman jumped on me for this heresy. … Continue reading →

• It’s Time to Pick High-Hanging Fruit!

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  The best response to an uncertain economy? Focus on high-hanging fruit.  Major Gift activity once terrified me.  I dug in my heels. Resisted participating in this aspect of my professional responsibility. Made up excuses. Refused to grow.  Whined a lot. … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Communicate More and Better! Why? How?

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  10 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  We are exploring nonprofit management during a period of economic trauma. In the last post I said you should “…expect a drop in contributions from the marginally committed and from those with serious economic difficulties. One of the essential ways … Continue reading →

• 

  Nonprofit Branding Blog

• More about Mary! Plus Komen! Plus changes to this blog….

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:13 am

  “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” Our pal Cassius, he of the “…lean and hungry look…” had an important point. (In addition to the point he stuck in Caesar’s back.) … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Her Name Was Mary (Another Major Gift Anecdote)

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  31 Jan 2012 | 4:34 pm

  How a Major Gift Un-Solicitation Produced $250,000! The recent post about major gift programs (It’s Time to Pick High-Hanging Fruit!) confessed my own period of professional fear and self-deception. Fortunately, I got over myself.  Major Giving became the most enjoyable … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Reader Rebuttal to My Logo-Pen Rant

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  24 Jan 2012 | 12:04 pm

  I think imprinted logo-pens are a waste of money for a nonprofit.  This opinion was expressed in an earlier post Cost, Impact and Use of Logo-Pens. My friend Rob, a veteran promotional products salesman jumped on me for this heresy. … Continue reading →

• It’s Time to Pick High-Hanging Fruit!

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  17 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  The best response to an uncertain economy? Focus on high-hanging fruit.  Major Gift activity once terrified me.  I dug in my heels. Resisted participating in this aspect of my professional responsibility. Made up excuses. Refused to grow.  Whined a lot. … Continue reading →

• NONPROFIT BRANDING: Communicate More and Better! Why? How?

  nonprofitbrandingblog

  10 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  We are exploring nonprofit management during a period of economic trauma. In the last post I said you should “…expect a drop in contributions from the marginally committed and from those with serious economic difficulties. One of the essential ways … Continue reading →

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  Notations on Non-Profits

• General Counsel’s Social Media Report Is…..Interesting?

  Erin

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:47 pm

  Once upon a time there was this board that told businesses and organizations that they effectively had little to no control over how employees presented them to the public via social media. The End. At least that’s what I took away from the General Counsel’s Report on Social Media that was recently released (InsideCounsel discusses [...]

• Help or Hype: With All These New Concepts Are We Just Being Duped?

  Erin

  28 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm

  Due to the litany of emails, posts, articles, tweets etc. I’ve seen on crowd-funding and new legal (formation) structures I couldn’t help wondering whether there was some dialogue I could be adding to the conversation. So I’ve spent the last few weeks researching and speaking with various individuals…and have found myself wondering… Are we all [...]

• 2012 Nonprofit Organizations Institute: What I Learned

  Erin

  23 Jan 2012 | 9:55 pm

  Now that I’ve settled down from the weekend I wanted to briefly recount some things I learned at a conference  last week. Hosted by The Conference of Southwest Foundations at UT,  the 2-day conference boasted a veritable who’s who of the non-profit world. And took place in a beautiful hotel (*clicking heels* I will be [...]

• Privacy Policies For Non-Profits: Sample & Resources

  Erin

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:07 pm

  A few weeks ago, I did a podcast on privacy policies. Ironically, I’ve come across dozens of articles and posts on privacy law since then, addressing the logistics of implementing a privacy culture to companies getting popped for privacy violations. So it seems the topic is definitely a timely one. Today I decided to pull [...]

• Succession Planning Series Part III: Best Practices & Resources

  Erin

  7 Jan 2012 | 3:34 pm

  Afraid we’re now coming to the end of our succession planning journey. In the first post, we addressed typical mistakes  organizations make when beginning succession endeavors. In the second post we briefly addressed legal issues you’ll want to be aware of regardless of what stage of succession planning you’re in. In this post, I’ll provide [...]

• 

  Nonprofit Brand It!

• Stay current with news about nonprofit brands

  Howard Adam Levy

  7 Feb 2012 | 9:16 pm

• See how other nonprofits have re-named and re-branded

  Howard Adam Levy

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:14 pm

• MacLaren Regional Medical Center Rebrands with New Name & Logo

  Howard Adam Levy

  20 Jan 2012 | 9:07 am

  Name and logo changes part of McLaren Health Care rebranding initiative Officials at McLaren Health Care announced today the rebranding of its subsidiaries to a common name–McLaren. “The rebranding initiative is part of McLaren’s strategic plan,” said Philip Incarnati, president and chief executive officer of McLaren Health Care. “Using one name will enable us to have a single identity that reflects the scope and impact of our organization across the state. It’s a testament of our commitment to make individuals healthier and communities stronger.” As…

• Latch Key Unveils New Logo

  Howard Adam Levy

  28 Aug 2011 | 1:16 pm

  The Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program has been operating for years, providing much needed after school care for kids. For years, Latch Key has been operating with a particular font lettering of the Latch Key name rather than a logo to identify them. To be more recognizable, the organization needed a logo – something that the community could identify them with and something that could convey their services. Early this year, the Latch Key board adopted a final logo design, featuring a tree with a key in the trunk and two children standing beside it. This simple, yet modern, design…

• Kellogg Co. Requests Nonprofit Change Its Logo

  Howard Adam Levy

  28 Aug 2011 | 1:16 pm

  Kellogg Co. has requested San Ramon, Calif.-based Maya Archaeology Initiative to quit using a toucan in its logo, claiming the image infringes on Kellogg’s Toucan Sam character and games. In the statement, Sarah D. Mott, legal counsel for the nonprofit, denied any infringement exists, saying the trademarks don’t resemble each other and the two entities are not in competition. “MAI’s trademark is made up of iconic images,” she said, according to Bloomberg. “Its toucan is based upon a realistic toucan endemic to Mesoamerica. Kellogg provides sugary cereal and…

• 

  Vistas: Geri Stengel’s Blog

• Less Time, Better Results When You Listen to a Marketing Expert

  Geri Stengel

  8 Feb 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Oh, the many hats that small business owners wear! One of the most important -- and often most ill-fitting -- is that of marketing manager. Marketing is critical to keeping your business alive but it often gets lost in the shuffle of all those daily tasks, like customer service, employee management, inventory control, bookkeeping, and delivering the product or service you sell. read more

• Lessons Nonprofits, Business Can Learn from Komen Foundation

  Geri Stengel

  6 Feb 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Whether you run a business or a nonprofit, last week’s PR disaster of Susan G. Komen for the Cure should be a wake-up call. This is the third time Komen veered off-mission in a very public way. This time, the nonprofit seems to have learned some lessons about damage control and social media. You’d better learn them, too. read more

• Local Projects Can Be Great Causes for Small Businesses

  Geri Stengel

  1 Feb 2012 | 11:20 pm

  If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times: Cause marketing is a great way for small businesses to build their brands, increase customers loyalty, and grow. Successful entrepreneurs know this. read more

• Philanthropy in the Future: A New World View

  Geri Stengel

  30 Jan 2012 | 11:20 pm

  Mind-boggling! That’s my take on Growing Philanthropy in the United States, a report from the June 2011 Growing Philanthropy Summit. Its first recommendation is that nonprofits think of the greater good of their cause and philanthropy in general when looking at donor relations rather than just how much they can get of a donor right now. read more

• Great News: Impact Investing Options Expand Locally

  Geri Stengel

  25 Jan 2012 | 11:20 pm

  I’m a long-time advocate of impact investing. It brings new money to the nonprofit world, supports social enterprises, and can provide services and products that would otherwise be unfunded or unresolved. read more

• 

  goodness.biddingforgood.com

• Big-Game Giving

  Kaijsa Kurstin

  3 Feb 2012 | 7:36 am

  We’ve got football on the brain this week as our hometown team – the New England Patriots – heads to the Super Bowl. With discussion of the big game dominating everything from media coverage to office water cooler conversation, we thought we’d put our own Goodness in Action spin on it. In this week’s round-up, we’ll take a step back to examine some feel-good charitable stories related to the Big Game. QB Memorabilia The Boston Herald reports that a Tom Brady jersey (worn but not signed) has “racked up a $26,620 bid in the Super Bowl XLVI’s NFL…

• Charitable Boldface Names of the Week

  Kaijsa Kurstin

  27 Jan 2012 | 10:33 am

  Celebrities and politicians dominate the news this time of year. With awards season underway and the Republican presidential campaigns in full swing, we thought we’d take a look at what some of the boldface names in Hollywood and in D.C. are up to in the world of philanthropy for our weekly round up. Mitt Romney Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney released his tax returns this week to much fanfare. While much focus was placed on his income level and tax rate, TIME magazine’s Dan Kadlec takes pause noting that Romney’s “charitable giving is extraordinary.”…

• Forward Thinking Nonprofits Implement Mobile Tools for Fundraising

  Kaijsa Kurstin

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:31 pm

  As many of our readers know, BiddingForGood has been traveling the country to talk to nonprofits about mobile bidding.  These seminars have been successful, as well as educational. Our recent Boston event was standing room only, with 200 nonprofit professionals engaged and armed with hours of questions how to incorporate mobile into their events. It appears we are not alone. I recently came across a company called MobileCause and decided to reach out to them. I wanted to learn exactly what it is they do and how they view the world of nonprofits and mobile technology. They are a…

• The Year of the Socially Conscious

  Kaijsa Kurstin

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:53 am

  This week we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and remembered his work as an early champion of social consciousness. With the New Year in full swing, 2012 is showing promise as THE year of socially conscious shopping and business. We’ve collected a few stories for you here in our weekly round up that demonstrate the consumer and corporate mind-shift toward social consciousness. A recent study mentioned in AOL Daily Finance revealed that “87% of American consumers surveyed believe businesses need to place at least as much weight on society's interests as they do on business…

• BiddingForGood's 'Getting to Know' Series: Lisa Besteni

  Brian Dangelo

  19 Jan 2012 | 12:01 pm

  I’m very excited to introduce the first post in our ‘Getting to Know… video blog series. I wanted to have an opportunity to sit down with a BiddingForGood employee to get to know them better both professionally and personally. So recently I interviewed Lisa Besteni, our Vice President of Operations. As you will see she is smart and really funny. Personally, after being on multiple projects together, Lisa is a great person to work with. She brings fun energy, knowledge and a calm demeanor into the B4G universe. She is also a favorite of many around the office to chat, have…

• 

  Christine Sculati's blog

• Sierra Nevada foothills community rallies to save South Yuba River State Park

  christine

  9 Feb 2012 | 1:24 am

  South Yuba River State Park waterfall A patchwork of lands along the South Yuba River, considered among some of the Sierra Nevada’s most pristine, joined the state park system in 1997 after community activists fought to preserve the wild and scenic river for 14 years. In 2002 the South Yuba River Citizens League and the Trust for Public Land, negotiated the purchase of an additional 731 acres along the South Yuba River for $3.4 million and gave the property to the state to expand the 2,261-acre

• What is the funding model for nonprofits hoping to save state parks?

  christine

  5 Feb 2012 | 3:40 pm

  "Grace Quan" sails out of China Camp, where past and future may be on a collision course. Photo by Glenn Brank of NorCal Yak. Click the image for the full story. In a Foundation Center podcast, Peter Kim of the nonprofit Bridgespan Group cautions that it takes three to five years for a nonprofit to put a strong funding model in place. If an organization is under immediate financial distress, then “they have bigger priorities to deal with then stepping back to develop a strategic funding model.” “Immediate financial distress” is how I would characterize our…

• Nine state parks saved of 70, others deserted

  christine

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:33 am

  “California state parks belong to you, but not for long.” That is the message of the California State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit supporting organization to California State Parks (Department of Parks and Recreation). On January 10, 2012, the foundation launched a public awareness campaign titled “Defend What’s Yours” with new videos. Six months from now, at least 61 of California’s 278 state parks will close – from historic museums to lands that protect sensitive wildlife habitats and prehistoric Native Californian sites. Some parks saved, others…

• Dreaming big, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  christine

  16 Jan 2012 | 5:31 pm

  Today, I honor one of the greatest visionary leaders of all time: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King demonstrated for us that well communicated ideas change the world. His 17-minute “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on August 28, 1963 was a defining moment of the American civil rights movement. In a book, titled “Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences”, Nancy Duarte uses Dr. King’s powerful I Have a Dream speech as a case study for how to create compelling and persuasive communications. She describes the speech’s “sparkline”…

• Time is running out for endangered California parks. Are state park closures legally defensible?

  christine

  9 Jan 2012 | 1:22 am

  China Camp State Park On January 1, 2012, hundreds of people celebrated New Years Day along the scenic bluffs and hillsides of China Camp State Park located on the shores of San Pablo Bay north of San Francisco. Visitors from Bay Area cities to Hong Kong wrote, “Save this Park” in the guest book of the park’s historical Chinese fishing village. China Camp, located in Marin County, is among 18 state parks in the Bay Area and 70 across the state identified in May 2011 for closure by the California Department of Parks and Recreation by July 1, 2012 due to a state budget crisis.

• 

  Nonprofit VOTE Blog

• NAACP Reports on "Block the Vote" Efforts

  Sophie Lehman

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:18 am

  The NAACP recently produced a report, "Defending Democracy: Confronting Modern Barriers to Voting Rights in America," that contextualizes the emergence of recent "block the vote" measures and explains their potential effects. The report examines a slew of legislative proposals, ballot initiatives, and voting laws that have been enacted or proposed: 14 states have passed 25 measures designed to

• ID Requirements Pose Challenge for Elderly

  Sophie Lehman

  4 Feb 2012 | 8:55 am

  A recent article from KansasReporter.org described the situation of 50 residents at Westview Manor, a Kansas adult care facility. Due to the state's new voter identification requirements, the vast majority could be unable to vote in this year's election. Only 9 residents have current ID cards and just two have birth certificates that can be used to obtain an ID card. That leaves more than 35

• 2012 Webinar Series Schedule

  Sophie Lehman

  3 Feb 2012 | 11:49 am

  The general election will be here before you know it, so to help you prepare we're hosting a webinar every month until November. We'll cover a variety of voter engagement topics to ensure you know how to conduct registration drives, educate voters, and get out the vote--all while staying nonpartisan! Remember, our webinars are free for 501(c)(3) organizations and will be available on our

• New and Updated Factsheets

  Sophie Lehman

  30 Jan 2012 | 8:10 am

  To help you prepare for this year's election, we've updated and expanded our factsheet series! In addition to information on 501(c)(3) permissible activities and working with candidates, we have new factsheets on: Election Day Registration, explaining what it is, which states have it, and how it helps voters keep their registration current. Expanding Voter Registration Opportunities,

• Yesterday's Webinar Materials

  Sophie Lehman

  27 Jan 2012 | 10:19 am

  Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday's webinar, Plan Ahead: Building a Voter Engagement Timeline for 2012! If you have additional questions for our featured presenter, Jeff Narabrook of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, you can contact him directly at jnarabrook@minnesotanonprofits.org.The webinar is now available on YouTube along with our other past webinars. Subscribe to the channel

• 

  Full Contact Philanthropy

• Evaluating your organization’s use of metrics

  David Henderson

  23 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am

  Evaluating organizational effectiveness is a growing sub-field of the social sector, with a slew of competing measurement frameworks. Something a lot of these frameworks assess is whether organizations make use of data management system. The idea is that an organization that has a data management system in place is more likely to be data savvy and to actively manage to outcomes. This might be a reasonable proxy for whether an organization actually incorporates evidence in its practice. But from where I stand, data only has value in so far as it helps an organization make higher impact…

• Data helps answer questions, it does not determine what questions should be answered

  David Henderson

  18 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am

  As the furor to incorporate metrics in the social sector grows, organizations are feeling the heat to get more data savvy. In principle, this is a good thing. Information should help inform decision making. But there is a big difference between information informing your agenda and allowing it to set it. Data should inform your answers to questions, but data sets should never determine what questions you seek to answer. Every organization grapples with a myriad of decision problems, from optimizing resource allocations to increasing the social impact of interventions. The natural role of…

• Measuring the social impact of blogging

  David Henderson

  30 Dec 2011 | 2:50 pm

  Professionally I do two things; I help organizations make high impact data-oriented decisions, and I write. As 2011 draws to a close, I reflect on another year helping a lot of great organizations increase their social impact, and a pile of blog posts that I hope help advance the social sector toward lasting change. Obviously I believe writing, and the exchange of ideas that comes with it, is important to the growth of our sector and advancement of solutions. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t write anything. But as someone who prefers evidence to anecdotes, facts to…

• Why predictions are so difficult to make in the social sector

  David Henderson

  28 Dec 2011 | 12:00 am

  As 2011 comes to an end and we look forward to 2012, pieces predicting what will happen in the coming year are popular in every industry, including the social sector. While making predictions is no easy task, not even for psychics, making predictions in the social sector is especially difficult. Most industries tend to have clear industry leaders. These organizations, like Apple, Chevron, and Wallmart are significantly large that they can in many ways move industries on account of their sheer size. In the social sector we have no clear market makers, with the exception of governments. But…

• Data is not information

  David Henderson

  21 Dec 2011 | 2:30 am

  For all the buzz about how data is supposed to change the social sector, there is scant evidence that revolution is truly underway. Certainly there are high-profit efforts to catalogue and aggregate data as social sector organizations are savvy to the importance of documenting their work and outcomes in databases. But moving data from our heads to paper to the cloud does not necessarily create value, much less social change. A recent article in GOOD asks “is solving nonprofits’ challenges as easy as creating maps?”. One of my company’s areas of focus is mapping social…

• 

  Notations on Non-Profits

• General Counsel’s Social Media Report Is…..Interesting?

  Erin

  6 Feb 2012 | 9:47 pm

  Once upon a time there was this board that told businesses and organizations that they effectively had little to no control over how employees presented them to the public via social media. The End. At least that’s what I took away from the General Counsel’s Report on Social Media that was recently released (InsideCounsel discusses [...]

• Help or Hype: With All These New Concepts Are We Just Being Duped?

  Erin

  28 Jan 2012 | 6:51 pm

  Due to the litany of emails, posts, articles, tweets etc. I’ve seen on crowd-funding and new legal (formation) structures I couldn’t help wondering whether there was some dialogue I could be adding to the conversation. So I’ve spent the last few weeks researching and speaking with various individuals…and have found myself wondering… Are we all [...]

• 2012 Nonprofit Organizations Institute: What I Learned

  Erin

  23 Jan 2012 | 9:55 pm

  Now that I’ve settled down from the weekend I wanted to briefly recount some things I learned at a conference  last week. Hosted by The Conference of Southwest Foundations at UT,  the 2-day conference boasted a veritable who’s who of the non-profit world. And took place in a beautiful hotel (*clicking heels* I will be [...]

• Privacy Policies For Non-Profits: Sample & Resources

  Erin

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:07 pm

  A few weeks ago, I did a podcast on privacy policies. Ironically, I’ve come across dozens of articles and posts on privacy law since then, addressing the logistics of implementing a privacy culture to companies getting popped for privacy violations. So it seems the topic is definitely a timely one. Today I decided to pull [...]

• Succession Planning Series Part III: Best Practices & Resources

  Erin

  7 Jan 2012 | 3:34 pm

  Afraid we’re now coming to the end of our succession planning journey. In the first post, we addressed typical mistakes  organizations make when beginning succession endeavors. In the second post we briefly addressed legal issues you’ll want to be aware of regardless of what stage of succession planning you’re in. In this post, I’ll provide [...]

• 

  Engaging Volunteers

• What Happened to All for Good?

  Greg Baldwin

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:13 pm

  Last week The Chronicle of Philanthropy called and asked me whatever happened to All for Good. It’s a good question and one that I’ve noticed has been getting some more attention recently. Mark Bernstein, the new President of All for Good, published a guest post at Fast Company CoExist with his reflections on the lessons to be learned from the project. Given the interest and our direct experience, I thought I’d join the conversation and offer my own perspective on All for Good. First a little background. All for Good was initially conceived as “Project…

• We’ve Got Your Back, Hunger-Fighting Organizations

  Shari Ilsen

  6 Feb 2012 | 2:13 pm

  Are you fighting hunger? We want to help. From our work here at VolunteerMatch, we know that organizations working to end hunger have their own unique challenges to deal with when it comes to recruiting and managing volunteers. Many hunger-related organizations work with large numbers of volunteers at once on big projects, some of whom will only volunteer once. This makes tracking difficult in terms of liability as well as retention. It’s also a challenge making sure there’s the right amount of work, for such large groups, and the right kind of work (i.e. a group of kids or sr.

• Expert Snapshots for February

  Shari Ilsen

  3 Feb 2012 | 5:39 pm

  At VolunteerMatch we learn so much from other experts in the field of volunteer engagement and management, and we want to help you stay up to date on the latest news and trends. Check back every month for snapshots of what experts in the field are talking about. The Power of Being Networked Allison Fine is a thought leader and author at the apex of the social change movement. She co-wrote “The Networked Nonprofit” with Beth Kanter, and she hosts a monthly podcast for the Chronicle of Philanthropy called Social Good. Her blog, A. Fine blog, is a deep and personal look at social…

• Diversity and Nonprofits: How to Add a Little More Color to Your Volunteer Set

  Cristopher Bautista

  2 Feb 2012 | 4:43 pm

  Photo by Seth Anderson February is Black History Month, when we remember the legacy of significant African American figures. Individuals like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Jo Ann Robinson all fought against matters of injustice and racism in their own ways. However, although the African American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s has long passed, many nonprofits still lack diversity within their own staff members and volunteers. In my experience working with and being served by nonprofits and other organizations, I have found frequently they are run by people of the same…

• Happiness Will Save the World

  Shari Ilsen

  30 Jan 2012 | 12:32 pm

  What makes you happy? How often do you spend time really thinking about the answer to this question? Roko Belic, a documentary filmmaker, spent six years searching for answers to that question – not just for himself, but for the entire world. He wondered how a dirt poor man in India who pulls a rickshaw to earn just enough to feed his family could feel perfectly happy, when Roko’s millionaire friends in LA with their mansions and parties and good looks are rarely so. He wondered how America could be one of the richest countries in the world, but nowhere near the happiest. He set out to…

• 

  Nonprofit Tech 2.0 Blog :: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits

• Social Media for Social Good :: Your Nonprofit Tech Checklist

  nonprofitorgs

  8 Feb 2012 | 8:43 am

  At the end of the Social Media for Social Good: A How-To Guide for Nonprofits is a nine-page “Nonprofit Tech Checklist” which I have copied and pasted below. Each item on the list is discussed in the book and some items won’t make sense unless you have read the book, but most will. I hope you find it useful. That was my number one priority when writing the book… to create a comprehensive, useful social and mobile media how-to guide for nonprofits. Oh, and the book tour thus far has raised more than $14,000 for nonprofits. The IRS is still trying to wrap it’s head…

• Facebook Timeline Launches With Three “Giving” Apps – Many More Likely To Come

  nonprofitorgs

  7 Feb 2012 | 8:32 am

  As Facebook Timeline continues to roll out to individual users site wide, it’s worth noting that three ‘Giving” apps have been launched in Facebook’s new App Gallery for Timeline: Causes, FundRazr, and Artez Interactive:  Organized under the category of “Giving” in the new App Gallery for Timeline, two of the apps focus on social fundraising (friends asking friends to donate to causes and their favorite nonprofits) and one is a simple Share-on-Facebook-that-you-donated app. Likely just the first of many new “Giving” apps to come to Timeline,…

• 50 Fun, Useful, and Totally Random Resources for Nonprofits

  nonprofitorgs

  30 Jan 2012 | 10:30 am

  The number of low-cost or free, web-based resources and tools available to nonprofits today is astounding. Many nonprofit professionals are overwhelmed by the all choices – and as the Mobile Web and related start-ups continue to grow, prepare to be mind-boggled by all the new technology options available to your nonprofit in coming years. That said, to be alerted of new resources for nonprofits, please subscribe to the Nonprofit Tech 2.0 e-Newsletter. A section of the e-newsletter entitled “Resource Spotlight” features a new tool in each edition. 1. 2dCode :: 2d-code.co.uk A…

• 22 Must-Circle Nonprofits on Google+

  nonprofitorgs

  23 Jan 2012 | 7:28 am

  As a follow-up to Google+ Best Practices for Nonprofits and 22 Must-Circle Nonprofit Bloggers and Resources on Google+, below are 22 nonprofits that are regularly using Google+ effectively to engage and inspire the Google+ community. As traffic continues to grow,  new tools and functionality are added almost daily. Google+ is definitely a work in progress. Most nonprofits are still experimenting to discover their Google+ voice and hone in on a frequency of publishing content to the stream that makes Google+ both viable long-term and worth the time spent exploring Google+. To me, the Google+…

• Nine Nonprofits Offering Timeline Covers for Their Facebook Fans

  nonprofitorgs

  22 Jan 2012 | 1:14 pm

  The new Facebook Timeline design is now available for upgrade to all Facebook users. The design was meant to be rolled out site wide in December 2011, however a lawsuit with Timelines.com is prolonging the mandatory switch – most likely only temporarily. Whatever your personal feelings are about Facebook Timeline, nonprofits would be wise prepare for it’s launch site wide including a likely timeline design for Facebook Pages. That the timeline design will be applied to Facebook Pages is only a gut feeling of mine (and many others) based on watching Facebook roll out multiple…

• 

  Socialbrite

• 6 iPhone accessories to jazz up your mobile photos

  Shonali Burke

  9 Feb 2012 | 7:32 am

  A fish-eye lens attachment for the iPhone.   How to build an iPhone-ready DIY photo/video studio for under $200 Target audience: Photographers (amateur and professional), nonprofits, foundations, NGOs, social enterprises, cause organizations, businesses, Web publishers, educators, journalists, agencies, general public. Isaw a post from Chris Brogan a while back, talking about how it’s OK to not be an expert and, in fact, we shouldn’t wait until we’re experts at something to do it. Sounds right to me. I never trained in public relations, much less social media, and my background…

• Enter the 6th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

  John Haydon

  9 Feb 2012 | 7:05 am

  The multimedia consulting firm See3 Communications, NTEN and YouTube have announced that the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards for 2012. They’re accepting submissions through the end of February. This year, winners have the chance to win one of four $3,500 prize donations along with great products worth an additional $3,500 provided by Cisco, free registration to next year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference and a special prize to recognize fearless use of video, provided by theCase Foundation. The winning videos will be announced at this year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference in…

• What Facebook Timeline apps are really all about

  John Haydon

  8 Feb 2012 | 7:11 am

  Image by Milica Sekulic   The focus is on small actions that are perfect for thumb-friendly mobile devices Target audience: Nonprofits, foundations, NGOs, social enterprises, cause organizations, brands, businesses, mobile app developers, Web publishers, educators, journalists, general public. Last month Facebook announced the release of more than 60 new Timeline apps that allow Facebook users to automatically share application actions on their Timeline. You may have first became aware of Timeline apps when all your friends were telling you what songs they were listening to…

• 5 best practices for email fundraising and marketing

  Guest

  7 Feb 2012 | 7:11 am

  Image by eltoro69 on BigStockPhoto.com Target audience: Nonprofits, foundations, NGOs, social enterprises, cause organizations, businesses, Web publishers, general public. Guest post by Carla Chadwick Creative director, SankyNet The email marketing and fundraising landscape keeps evolving, and it’s increasingly vital for nonprofits to develop a comprehensive email strategy. We’ve put together a short guide of email best practices to help you better focus their email fundraising and marketing efforts. It never hurts to keep reminding ourselves to focus on the fundamentals! Here are…

• Use Facebook to increase engagement on your site

  John Haydon

  6 Feb 2012 | 7:09 am

  If you want to increase pages views and site engagement, it’s critical that you create a more social experience when people visit your website. For example, when people view an article from your blog, they can see which of their friends have already read that article. They also can share content on your site with their Facebook friends. Gigya published data showing that Web users spend 50 percent more time on websites that use Facebook social plug-ins. They also view twice as many pages. Use social plug-ins to increase engagement View your website as a fishing net. Web visitors either…

• 

  Wow! Goodwill

• Guest Post: Rehab, renew, repurpose

  goodwillsp

  6 Feb 2012 | 8:51 am

  Rachel Chez Sutherland has been a busy beehive of home improvement lately. Maybe that’s to make up for those seven or so years where the house sat virtually untouched. Best not to question, just celebrate and hope that the creative redecorating trend continues until all rooms are freshened. Right now, the kitchen is the focus, specifically the clutter. Our family of four spends a bunch of time in the bright blue room doing kitchen stuff like cooking and eating, but also passing through. You need to walk through our kitchen to get from the mudroom to the rest of the house. That means that…

• Melissa Oyler: Goodwill convert!

  goodwillsp

  2 Feb 2012 | 12:41 pm

  Melissa Oyler is a local graphic designer, a self-described poet, novelist, organizer, clean freak and marathon runner. However, Melissa is not a thrift shopper. That is, until she stopped by our new Ballantyne Goodwill location. We read Melissa’s account about her first visit to Goodwill, and asked her if we could share her story with our readers. Read below for Melissa’s own words about how she became a Goodwill convert. Melissa Oyler - Goodwill convert Ballantyne Goodwill: a great new place for bargains I’m not a Goodwill shopper. Mostly because I’m not a patient shopper. I…

• Round-Up: Repurposed Jewelry Tutorials

  goodwillsp

  30 Jan 2012 | 10:18 am

  Amanda I hope that my recent feature on the upcycled jewelry creations of Laura Florence Designs inspired you to see what’s inside the jewelry counter at Goodwill in a new light. Laura proves that new life can always be given to an old piece of jewelry. Now, here are a few specific tutorials so that you can upcycle your own thrifted finds into a new fashion accessory. 1. Martha Stewart provides a list of easy tricks for turning costume jewelry into more modern accessories. From pinning a brooch onto a swath of velvet ribbon to create a bracelet to attaching a bracelet to a longer piece…

• A Goodwill for Ballantyne!

  goodwillsp

  27 Jan 2012 | 2:28 pm

  An interior shot of the new Ballantyne Goodwill Tomorrow, we are opening the doors to our newest Goodwill Center in Ballantyne! The new retail store and donation center, located at 16025 Lancaster Highway, is the 21st store in our region. We couldn’t be more excited to become part of the Ballantyne community. We would love to have you join us for tomorrow’s festivities. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m., followed by music, giveaways and other festivities from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Doors will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. and shoppers will have a chance…

• Sneak Peek: Spring fashion trend hit list

  goodwillsp

  24 Jan 2012 | 4:08 pm

  Rachel It’s barely winter, and I’m already focused on spring. I’m not alone — fashion magazines and retails stores are rolling out the gauzy sweaters, sandals and sweet summer dresses. I’m not purchasing just yet, but evaluating what I’ve got that will work in the coming season and also identifying which trends I’m going to judiciously incorporate into my wardrobe. Here’s what’s on my hit list for spring 2012. And of course, I’m going to start my search at Goodwill. Athletic: Boxy cuts, mesh and Flashdance-inspired sweatshirts? Heck yeah. Sporty elements are playful…

• 

  Blog

• Creating High Impact Recruitment Materials

  8 Feb 2012 | 12:15 am

  If you’re involved with a non-profit in any capacity, you’re aware of the importance of attracting volunteers to your organization. Volunteers not only provide vital assistance to budget-challenged non-profits, they also bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm – providing a boost to paid staff and fellow volunteers alike. According to the 2011 findings by The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), in the United States alone volunteers served 8.1 billion hours in 2010, valued at an estimated $173 billion. As nonprofit organizations across the country continue to face serious…

• Evaluating Your Volunteer Program

  1 Feb 2012 | 8:49 am

  Shawn Kendrick, VolunteerHub.com In the busy nonprofit environment, the job of volunteer management can sometimes overshadow the process of formally evaluating your volunteer program. However, without some sort of gauge, it’s hard to tell if your program is accomplishing what it set out to do. It takes some time and effort to gather and synthesize this data, but the results are well worth it. If you find out you are succeeding, you can use that evidence to make your case for enhancements and/or more support. On the other hand, if your program isn’t where you would like it to be, you have…

• GuideStar Spotlights VolunteerHub Blog Team

  31 Jan 2012 | 8:09 am

  Nonprofits must work extra hard to establish a trusting relationship with volunteers.  From ensuring the security of their personal information to asking permission to recognize them as a volunteer in agency-generated media – there are many important measures nonprofits can and should take to build trust and develop lasting relationships with volunteers.  Trust, however, is a two-way street.  Volunteers must also be willing to play an active role in the relationship-building process.  In our article, Managing the Trust Relationship between Volunteers and the Nonprofit, we discuss how…

• Overscheduling vs. Underscheduling

  15 Jan 2012 | 6:56 pm

  Shawn Kendrick, VolunteerHub.com Scheduling just the right amount of staff for an event can be difficult. Underscheduling has its obvious problems and is what volunteer coordinators worry about the most. However, overscheduling, with its own set of issues, can be just as problematic. Below we’ll discuss some of the challenges presented by each. Underscheduling Not having enough people to run an event properly is almost every volunteer coordinator’s nightmare. And rightfully so: if you don’t have enough manpower, you take a lot of risks. If there aren’t enough helpers to execute tasks,…

• Prelude Interactive Spotlights VolunteerHub Blog Team

  12 Jan 2012 | 8:22 am

  In order to successfully recruit, manage, and maintain a dedicated volunteer base, a nonprofit must stay ahead of the times by adapting to new challenges that come along.  In the field of volunteerism, there are several trends that volunteer organizations should be prepared to face in the coming year.  From the growing number of baby boomers reaching retirement age to the increased desire of volunteers to stay connected through social media – nonprofit staff members need to consider one question: Are we ready?  Learn more about these important topics and how your organization can better…

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  NPO Promote

• NPO Promote – Redesign

  tyler.colby

  31 Jan 2012 | 2:56 pm

  After over a month and a half of long talks, design sessions, and much coding, we are happy to relaunch NPO Promote!  Much thanks to Claudia at Crivica Technologies for her incredible design, insight, and patience with our team! Happy to be back, Tyler Colby Co-Founder, NPO Promote

• Google+ and Your Organization

  tyler.colby

  22 Nov 2011 | 2:39 pm

  Why should I care about Google+? The honest answer – Google+ seems to be splitting the social media community.  It’s incredibly easy to use, privacy settings (no matter what Zuckerberg says) is still as good/better than Facebook’s, and the share features are very easy to control But at the same time, it’s still brand new, so the number of users is lower than Facebook/Twitter, and early reports showed an astounding 88% male demographic. So why care about Google+? 1. The fastest (legitimate) way to grow a social network After 2 months of work on Twitter, we currently…

• A Detailed SEO Plan for the Start Up Non-Profit

  tyler.colby

  15 Nov 2011 | 8:05 pm

  A rare information only post – here’s the direct guidelines of a simple SEO campaign tailored to a start up non-profit.  While there is always more to be done with SEO – this is a guide on your first month of SEO backlinking work: Target Keywords for the campaign using Google Adwords Keyword Tool Document the following information: Keyword Target – Exact Monthly Searches – Competition Level Example: Keyword 1 – 2400 Monthly Searches – Low Competition Keyword 2 – 1900 – Low What you need to do A minimum of 4 articles written each week…

• The Joe Cocker Business Model

  tyler.colby

  14 Nov 2011 | 7:14 pm

  [Disclaimer from Tyler - I'm a Joe Cocker fan.  Hopefully this make my saying that his Beatles' covers actually improve the songs more palatable to Beatles' fans.  I am right, though.]  I’m not going to mince words here – it doesn’t get better than Joe Cocker.  From the raspy blues voice, the crazy hair, the Motown-esque backup vocals – Joe’s the incredible phenomenon of his generation. He didn’t have the range of Freddie Mercury, wasn’t as raspy as Janis, couldn’t write songs like the Stones. But he could take any song and make it his own.

• 16 Tools for Branding your Non-Profit Organization

  tyler.colby

  11 Nov 2011 | 6:17 pm

  For many people, branding may seem like just a buzzword – a vague amalgamation that sounds pretty to investors.  But the effects of branding, re-branding, and brand image are indescribably huge. At it’s absolute core, branding is about creating a cohesive image for your company.  That no matter where someone looks at your company, hears from your company, or talks to someone from your company they get the same feeling. Branding can take years to do right, and there are numerous ways to do it.  If you’re lost, here are the four main points of branding that you need to…

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  Front Range Source

• Can Your Retention Rate Be Too High?

  Leslie Allen

  3 Feb 2012 | 12:45 am

  Recently I worked with an organization with an 80% retention rate.  Eighty percent of their donors who gave in 2010 also gave in 2011. This sounds good, right?  It means that the organization is taking really good care of its donors. The thing about retention rates is that there is a sweet spot.  If an organization’s retention rate is low, it has a problem.  We all know about that one.  Something in the cycle of stewardship and cultivation has broken down.  It could be a... Read the rest...

• Improve Your Fundraising Plan with Post-it Notes and a Really Big Wall

  Ann Goldman

  26 Jan 2012 | 11:35 pm

  Fundraising planning does not begin with a calendar.  A list of activities and associated dates is the final stage of a good plan, not the beginning.  But, once you get there, how you manage the calendaring process can really mean the difference between “business as usual” and a darned good plan. But first, be sure to create your plan in the right order: 1.         Assess How did things go for you last year?  In addition to comparing financial goals to results, ask yourself things like:... Read the rest...

• Missing Your Lapsed Donors? How to Get Them Back

  Leslie Allen

  19 Jan 2012 | 11:46 pm

  I love to think about lapsed donors this time of year.  It’s like contacting an old friend and saying, “Hey – I didn’t hear from you this year, what’s going on?” And the great thing is, if you do something – you’ll get some of your friends to come back. Lapsed donors (donors who haven’t given to your organization for at least a year) represent some of your warmest prospects for giving this year at any level.  Yes, you can go out and buy some... Read the rest...

• 2012: My Glass is Half Full

  Ann Goldman

  12 Jan 2012 | 11:32 pm

  More demand, fewer resources.  That’s the prediction for 2012.  I guess there’s something to the term the “new normal.”  We sigh.  We keep on keeping on.  And, in some cases, we get excited anyway.  I’ve read the analysis, which I’ll share with you in a moment, but I’m in a glass-half-full mood today.  Why?  Because Leslie and I spent yesterday with a consortium of emergency assistance providers and they are as focused and creative as they’ve ever been.  This morning, we met with a global... Read the rest...

• Navigating 2012: A Month by Month Guide

  Leslie Allen

  5 Jan 2012 | 7:17 pm

  You gotta love calendars. Some inspire you to travel to far away places; some teach you a word a day; and so many provide a dose of loveliness even as the days and the tasks march on.  But the best calendar of them all?  A fundraising calendar!  It’s a must-have for any busy fundraiser who gets pulled away from their plan by this rush proposal or that board report. A full fundraising calendar is very detailed and is tailored to the needs of each organization,... Read the rest...

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  Habitat for Humanity Santa Barbara Blog

• Vandenbeg Air Force Volunteers help in the Habitat ReStore

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County

  2 Feb 2012 | 3:46 pm

  On Tuesday, January 24th over 25 Vandenberg Air Force Bank volunteers helped in Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. We love it when groups of volunteers come down from Vandenberg because they are always a fun group, and extremely hardworking. We often set aside larger projects for them to complete and are always amazed by how quickly they are able to complete the projects.

• What's for Sale at the ReStore

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County

  2 Feb 2012 | 12:00 pm

  ReStore Inventory, a set on Flickr.Want to see a selection of what is for sale at the ReStore before you drive out to our location at 6725 Hollister Avenue? You're in luck, we post photos almost daily of the appliances, doors, windows, cabinets, and oather new inventory that comes in. As all items at the ReStore are donated from companies and individuals, we carry mostly one-off or one-of-a-kind items. This slideshow isn't everything, but it will give you an idea of what is currently on the sales floor. We do try and take down items that have sold, but do call or come see it for yourself to…

• Drop Off Your Donations - It's Easy!

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:35 pm

  All products and materials in the ReStore are donated by organizations and individuals who support Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County. Donating to the ReStore is Smart, Green, and Good!Smart - All donations are tax deductible! We will provide a tax receipt for all donations.Green - Donating used items that are still in usable condition keeps them out of our local landfills. Good - All sales from the ReStore go directly back to Habitat for Humanity in Santa Barbara and help cover our administrative costs. This allows us to use money raised to fully cover the…

• Interested in becoming a Habitat Homeowner?

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County

  25 Jan 2012 | 4:16 pm

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County will begin the application process for the 12 new homes which will be built on Canon Perdido Street. Habitat will be holding a number of information sessions for prospective Habitat homeowners across the community in the month of April to go over the application process and eligibility requirements. All interested applicants must attend one of these sessions to receive a full application packet. Saturday, April 14 at 9:00 AM East Side Library1102 East Montecito St., Santa Barbara, CAThursday, April 19th at 6:00 PM Grace Lutheran…

• Recycle a used vehicle

  Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County

  24 Jan 2012 | 3:52 pm

  Do you have an older car, truck, van, trailer, RV or boat taking up valuable space in your driveway? If you live in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Summerland, or Carpinteria, your car donations can support Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County's local mission of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness and save you the time and energy of finding a buyer.By donating a car to Habitat's vehicle donation program, you can help Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County build houses in partnership with families in need of a hand up, not a hand out. Your donated…

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  The Grant Goddess Speaks. . .

• Fridays Are Good

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm

  It’s Friday and I find that this is the BEST day among the days of the week. Below are some reasons that I prefer Fridays to all other days. Friday Similarities & Differences Saturday is almost as good as Friday, but not quite. Friday is better because you get to anticipate Saturday, and you don’t have to mow the lawn or pick up dog poop. On Friday you can even stay out late and not worry about it.  Saturday night just isn’t as free-wheeling as Friday night because you know you have to answer to God on Sunday morning. Sunday just can’t compete on an anticipation scale…

• The Brain Science of Grant Clients

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm

  Sometimes a grant writer is faced with an agency which has a Threshold Guardian beyond whom no man, woman, nor beast with an RFP shall pass. This can be explained by brain research about the left and right side of the brain. The Threshold Guardians are usually Left Brainers. Left Brainers are hostile toward grants because they detest them more than an unbalanced checkbook. They may even experience a phobia about grant writers, because of their association with grants, causing them to dart furtively into maintenance closets. I think of these grant-phobic-types as Left Brainers because the real…

• Silent Fraud in Federal Grant Evaluations Costs Billions

  20 Jan 2012 | 11:10 am

  I'm stuck in a very difficult position with one of my evaluation clients right now. I have a report due very soon and there are some poor outcomes to report and some whistle blowing that needs to be done. This is the very reason why this particular program requires that all grantees hire independent external evaluators.  Many federal programs have the same requirement.  It's an effort to ensure that grantees don't fudge their evaluation results to make themselves look better and worthy of continued funding. The problem is that most external evaluators are not independent.  In…

• The Link Between Creativity and Time

  17 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am

  You may think that you "work best under a deadline," but there is actually a negative correlation between time pressure and creativity. This video illustrates it beautifully! &lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">br</span>&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt</span>;<span…

• After the Deadline

  16 Jan 2012 | 5:11 pm

  All you want to do after a deadline is collapse, think about nothing, and catch up on some of the sleep you lost over the previous week, but before you check out completely there are a few things you should do. Take a few moments to reflect on what went well and what didn't go so well.  Is there anything you need to change for next time? Evaluate your own work and the overall process. Take notes so you can review your thoughts as you start the next project.  As tempting as it is to wait and do this another day, don't.  You'll forget some of the detail of what happened and you…

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  TakeTwo

• Image Matters: Why You Need {Good} Design to Achieve Your Mission

  Bix

  30 Jan 2012 | 12:01 pm

  Working at a nonprofit sometimes means working in a bubble. You believe so passionately in your mission you think everyone else in the world should support your cause. Rightfully so. But let’s face it. We worship at the altar of the visual (to borrow Michael Beirut’s phrase in Seventy-nine short essays on design).  We live in a world where – beyond someone’s personal connection to the issue – your cause is competing with tens of thousands out there. What’s going to make someone take note of your particular nonprofit? A compelling message? A moving personal story? An urgent call…

• Consultants Don’t Have to Suck

  Stephanie

  24 Jan 2012 | 3:16 pm

  Believe me, we are well aware of the overpriced consultant that does nothing to deserve the money you’ve agreed to pay them. We have hired and worked with the consultant who promises big things and produces almost nothing. Just like anything in life, there are consultants who are good at what they do and then consultants who shouldn’t be doing what they do at all. What separates the good consultants from the bad consultants is work ethic. Talking the talk is easy. If you get the talk down, people will hire you. But, consultants also have to put their heads down and work up a sweat…

• Let Your Wild Side Out: Getting Creative With Communications Strategy

  Bix

  17 Jan 2012 | 6:49 am

  2012.  Election year. End of an era in the Mayan calendar.
 And possibly your nonprofit’s toughest fundraising year, according to two new studies. Now is when your communications need to get creative – not only in content, but in strategy. Creative communications strategies can help you maximize dollars, expand your reach, and even inspire greater giving. Here’s how. Create Creatively: Do you need another 40-page annual report or other printed publications? Now, if your core work is research, then your printed reports are likely a must-have. But some organizations are turning to…

• Writing for A Nonprofit? First, Return to Reading.

  Bix

  9 Jan 2012 | 11:29 am

  This entire post can be summed in two words: Read more. Most of us (self included), read today to find this type of nugget of useful information in every blog post, news article and sometimes, even in books. Let’s face it. We’re not reading. We’re scanning. Hunting for ‘what’s new, hot, useful, not-a-waste-of-my-precious-time.’  So much so that we’ve stopped paying attention to the words themselves. To me, this is a disaster for communications – especially if you work for a nonprofit. You’ve heard it all before. Reading improves your attention span, expands the breadth and…

• Let Creativity Reign in 2012

  Stephanie

  2 Jan 2012 | 1:20 pm

  The new year always starts with predictions.  They are all over the news right now.  Everyone’s taking a guess at what 2012 has in store for us.  Well, TakeTwo’s going to take a stab at predictions too. Here it is – its going to take creativity on the part of nonprofits across the country to accomplish their fundraising goals. Everyone is hoping -  praying – begging – for a better economic year.  But, we can’t sit around and wait to see if there is more cash to give to charity in 2012.  We have to take matters into our own hands as much as possible…

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  501Connect - Nonprofit News

• 5 Reasons Your Fundraising Isnt As Successful At It Can Be

  9 Feb 2012 | 6:19 am

  The most successful organizations always have a specific plan in place that they adhere to when working to accomplish any facet of their operations - a roadmap they can follow which leads them directly to where they want to go. And when it comes to fundraising - the most critical element required to support the individuals, communities andor causes of the organization - having a well-articulated strategy to implement is crucial. Yet once the plan is in place, there are a wide range of things...

• Improving Email Engagement And Deliverability

  7 Feb 2012 | 1:01 pm

  Informz, a leading email marketing service provider for the association and nonprofit industries, has released a new case study discussing how their client, Toy Industry Association (TIA), improved member engagement and deliverability of the associations monthly e-newsletter.The case study provides detailed insight into how TIA used the Informz email platform to conduct a three-phased initiative that resulted in an impressive 18 percent increase in email deliverability, 56 percent increase...

• Cause Marketing Readings Of The Week - February 6

  6 Feb 2012 | 7:26 am

  Heres the best of the best of cause marketing information from the last weeks: bGo Red for Women: American Heart Association's Signature Programb a hrefhttp:bit.lyAigQJX classcrossref targetblank relnofollowuhttp:bit.lyAigQJXuaFeb 3rd was National Wear Red Day. It is a creation of the American Heart Association to create awareness of heart disease among women. Heart disease kills more women than does breast cancer.Go Red is the overarching campaign, of...

• Heroes With A Heart Volunteer Grants For Your Local Nonprofit Volunteer Hero

  4 Feb 2012 | 8:38 am

  Nominations are being accepted for bHeroes with a Heartb volunteer grant award program, celebrating non-profit volunteers who have exceeded all expectations in giving of heart, mind and hands. Both the nominating and nominated parties must be affiliated with a 501(c) 3 or registered charitable organization. Total cash grants (USD) to selected volunteers will equal 17,500 and additional video awards are valued at 30,000.Available Volunteer Grants:bHealth and Human Community...

• Volunteers Of America Report On Employment And Services For Veterans

  4 Feb 2012 | 7:34 am

  Volunteers of America and Wilder Research released a new report analyzing the success of programs helping homeless veterans rebuild their lives and find work. More than 40 programs nationwide submitted information about their client demographics, services or successes. The results of the data analysis are summarized in the report, a hrefhttp:voa.orghomelessveteranreport classcrossref targetblank relnofollowuHousing and Services for Homeless Veterans Reportua. Report...

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  Nonprofit TODAY news blog for nonprofit not-for-profits charities

• Social media not tied to strategy will fail

  23 Jan 2012 | 9:05 am

  Nonprofit TODAY Guest Columnist: Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 by John SuartI love reading the many blogs, emails and social media pages I get each day. My favorite are the "top ten best ways to use social media." I see these all the time. Considering how many people have created or read one of these "top tens" you'd think that there would be no one left in the entire nonprofit sector who wasn't a social media genius.  Obviously, there are still plenty of nonprofits who need help with social media, so what gives? The problem isn't with social media, it's with the nonprofits and, to some…

• Donors need to exercise "due diligence" too... one donor's perspective!

  21 Jan 2012 | 9:16 am

  Nonprofit TODAY Guest Columnist: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 (Editor's Note: The following guest article was submitted by Gary Pickering of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  It raises some interesting points from the perspective of a donor.  We invite your comments either as donors or as nonprofits.)A Donor Perspectiveby Gary PickeringThese days there are many people who rely on the services provided by charity organizations to help them through these tough economic times. For some it is more than just help, it is survival.Likewise, those who wish to help people who are less fortunate are…

• Skip the public image: Just do good work and brag about it

  11 Jan 2012 | 11:38 am

  Nonprofit TODAY Staff : Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 There is a reason public relations is sometimes known as "spin".   PR is known for spinning a veneer around the organizations and companies it promotes that may hide their core substance.  Creating "public image" may increase popularity and sales, but over the long term it can jeopardize credibility and be disasterous in the event crisis communications are needed.In other words, unless your organization can be completely, and I do mean completely, trusted to tell the truth at all times, when something goes wrong and you need to…

• Trends TODAY in Charitable Giving

  4 Jan 2012 | 1:07 pm

  Nonprofit TODAY Staff : Wednesday, Jan. 04, 2012 Understanding donor trends is critical to sustainability for not-for-profit organizations.  It can, however, sometimes be a challenge to sort out exactly what is happening and why when sifting through research and statistics. One helpful guide and time saver for nonprofits trying to plan development strategies is the newly released A Research Bulletin Trends in Individual Donations: 1984–2010 from Imagine Canada,  based on preliminary findings of Statistics Canada.According to the research bulletin, the number of Canadians who…

• The Business of Not-for-Profit - Introduction

  5 Nov 2011 | 11:44 am

  North American not-for-profits are facing unprecedented challenges. Economic uncertainties and resulting belt tightening from donors are factors, as is the long predicted aging and deflating donor pool. Increasingly, governments, grantors, philanthropists and businesses are demanding something back from nonprofits, beyond the traditional promises of "We do good work."Charities ARE Big BusinessThe line is blurring between the "for-profit" and "not-for-profit" sectors, particularly in areas of fiscal and performance accountability. Lean is no longer just for businesses. KPIs, performance…

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  Social media marketing hacks for nonprofits | Powered by JohnHaydon.Com

• The 6th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

  John Haydon

  8 Feb 2012 | 9:48 am

  See3, in partnership with YouTube is excited to announce that the DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards is accepting submissions throughout February. This year, winners have the chance to win one of four $3,500 prize donations along with great products worth an additional $3,500 provided by Cisco, free registration to next year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference provided by NTEN, and a special prize to recognize fearless use of video provided the Case Foundation. The winning videos will be announced at this year’s Nonprofit Technology Conference hosted by NTEN and featured on YouTube’s…

• How to manage your Facebook Page content with PostPlanner (video)

  John Haydon

  6 Feb 2012 | 6:44 am

  PostPlanner is a Facebook Page content management tool that allows you to schedule posts to a various different Pages that you manage. It optimizes content specifically for Facebook in a few ways: Post photos and videos to your Facebook’s photo albums (wall) as if you posted directly to Facebook. Post long URLs Edit titles and excerpts of posted articles White label the app with your own icon and link it back to your website or Facebook Page In this video I discuss why Hootsuite and Seesmic may not be the best options for posting to your Facebook Page (by the way, I love these tools for…

• Nonprofit Bloggers Give Susan G. Komen Foundation A Huge Spanking

  John Haydon

  3 Feb 2012 | 8:20 am

  By now you’ve probably read about the decision by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to cease giving grants to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. This decision, obviously politically motivated, will mostly impact women in under-served communities. The same communities that probably sold the most buckets of cancer that raised $8 million for the foundation. Seriously. Komen gets a spanking One of the best things I love about the nonprofit community is watching my friends serve up a well-deserved spanking! Alison Fine helped open the way with a Causes campaign called…

• Heroes With A Heart Grant Rewards Nonprofit Volunteers!

  John Haydon

  1 Feb 2012 | 1:00 pm

  If you’re like most people, you get most of your inspiration from people who are quietly changing the world each and every day. They’re not on the front page of the newspaper, and they’re not mingling with the Gates and Buffets of the world. They’re everyday people like you and me who have shown extraordinary commitment to making this world better than when they found it. The CTK Foundation “Heroes with a Heart” Grant Award asks YOU to nominate a “Hero with a Heart,” and give them a chance to win $5,000 – a simple thanks for the hard work that…

• How to Add Stupidly Simple Polls to your WordPress Blog

  John Haydon

  31 Jan 2012 | 6:36 am

  One way to increase engagement with blog readers is to remove barriers, like CAPTCHAS (hopefully you don’t have these), logging in to leave comments (Facebook, Twitter and recently Google have solved this problem) and actually having to use one’s brain by leaving a comment. Create simple polls with Quipol Another way to engage readers is to use a simple polling app like Quipol. Each Quipol displays one question with thumbs-up and thumbs-down options. Test it out for yourself: