Roundup of media coverage on the world of nonprofits and philanthropy.
Economy
Philanthropists Set Spending Deadline Limits
Wall Street Journal: A report by the Foundation Center shows growing number of philanthropists are adopting spending deadlines and sunset provisions to ensure urgent global needs are addressed in a timely way in response to global economic meltdown.
Size of Average Online Gift Dropped in 2008
The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The total amount of money that charities raised online rose in 2008, as charities attracted more donors to their Web sites, according to a eNonprofit Benchmark study by NTEN and M+R Strategic Services.
Smart Giving in a Troubled Climate
New York Times: Donors share new strategies for giving during the downturn to maximize the impact of their gifts.
Local
2009 IDEA Winners Announced*
The Bemedji Pioneer: The IDEA Competition announced its four winners May 12 in Crookston at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Summit: Igniting Innovation.
*Requires free site registration
CNESI Aims to Help Nonprofits Launch, Transition
St. Cloud Times: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Social Innovation (CNESI) aims to help new, emerging and transitioning nonprofit organizations. This month it gave out its first awards, which recognize local organizations for innovation in problem-solving and other ideas.
CRF wins gifts to support small businesses
Finance and Commerce: Minneapolis-based Community Reinvestment Fund, USA, a nonprofit organization that connects community-development lenders with the capital resources of Wall Street, announced Wednesday that it had received a $40,000 grant from Wells Fargo.
Richer by $2 million, Duluth Foundation Puts Focus on Young Adults*
Despite the economic downturn, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation did something remarkable in the past year. It raised $1 million to get a matching $1 million Challenge Grant from the Bush Foundation of St. Paul.
*Requires paid site registration
Statute to Clarify Institutions of Purely Public Charities Signed into Law
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: HF 1298, the public finance or tax policy bill was signed into law on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Included were the provisions to preserve charitable tax exemptions.
National
Foundations Lack Board Diversity, Says Report
The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Foundations are failing to recruit diverse board leadership, with Hispanics being the most under represented compared to their growing number in American society, according to a new report by the Greenling Institute.
The Big-Bucks Club, Working for You
The Washington Post: Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, David Rockefeller and several other masters of the universe had a top-secret meeting in New York two weeks ago to discuss social problems in the U.S. and around the world.
