December 24, 2008
CBS News last Friday profiled a Kansas City businessman who each year gives complete strangers money — high school students, restaurant workers, even people passing by in a car.
In years past, he’s handed out $100 bills. Reporter Steve Hartman says that “because of the economy, he says he just can’t give out what he used to … he’s got to give more.” Despite a 44% decrease in his own portfolio, he’s giving out about $100,000 in all. His reasoning:
“In our country, we have a lot of people who make $8 to $10 an hour, and they live in a $12- and $14-an-hour world. And so this year, we are trying to concentrate on the working poor.”
This Secret Santa is also recruiting others like him across the country.
More Santa stories:
Join the conversation: What “random acts of giving” have you provided or observed?
Leave a Comment » | 
in the news, individual giving | 
Permalink
Posted by Crystal Colby
December 22, 2008
The Star Tribune has a series of articles about the recession’s effect on nonprofits:
From one of the articles:
The recession of 2008 has hit nonprofits harder and faster than previous recessions. And because more than half of nonprofits get most of their individual donations in the fourth quarter, they are already seeing donations plummet.
So what are nonprofits to do in the face of smaller donations and potential government cuts? Here are some suggestions:
- Nonprofits Assistance Fund executive director Kate Barr says one response is to find creative ways to raise money online.
- A Star Tribune blogger says that nonprofits need to learn how to tell their stories, if they want to receive money from him.
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy is tracking local newspapers that help readers give. For example, the Washington Post has an interactive map that shows charities in the D.C. area. Is anyone in Minnesota doing this?
- Nonprofit Communications blogger Kivi Leroux Miller says that nonprofits still have time for their even-more-important holiday fundraising e-mail appeal. Find an archived radio broadcast on this topic and many more resources about how to take advantage of end-of-year giving.
How can individuals help?
Join the conversation: How else can we all help nonprofits through the recession?
1 Comment | economy, fundraising, holiday, in the news, nonprofits, technology, volunteers | Permalink
Posted by Crystal Colby
December 19, 2008
Articles published about nonprofits and philanthropy.
Economy:
Local:
- Vikings Kick In $15,000 for Elliot Park Planning
Finance and Commerce: The team’s check is small, but symbolic: a first-of-its-kind donation for the team to local community planning and development efforts. The contribution matched a “Challenge Grant” from the Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation.
- Team Approach Will Enable Lake Superior Zoo To Make Comeback
Duluth News-Tribune commentary: Local foundations supported the transition of the zoo from public to nonprofit management with substantial funding from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, the Northland Foundation and the Donald Weesner Foundation.
- MinnPost Gets Knight Grant for Local Reporting
MinnPost: The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation said they would help the nonprofit sites draw a larger audience by providing more local news, a key to their long-term viability.
National:
- New Retirement-Plan Regulations
Philanthropy Journal: Essentially, the new regulations for the 403(b) plans require more of a resemblance to corporate group 401(k) retirement plans. Employers will need to be more involved in the day-to-day aspects of how the plan is being administered and serviced.All 403(b) plans must come into compliance under these new regulations by Jan. 1, 2009, though there are some exceptions for church organizations.
- Wall Street Fraud Leaves Charities Reeling
New York Times: Charities that depended on foundations that have been forced to close have now added the Madoff scandal to the list of reasons that fund-raising has been crimped this fall.
- In Clinton List, a Veil Is Lifted on a Foundation
New York Times: Some of the world’s richest people and most famous celebrities handed over large checks to finance his presidential library and charitable activities.
- Starting Over, with a Second Career Goal of Changing Society
New York Times: A new Harvard yearlong program will train them learn how to be successful social entrepreneurs or leaders of nonprofit organizations focused on social problem.
- Grassley Targets Nonprofit Hospitals on Charity Care
Wall Street Journal: The proposed legislation would require nonprofit hospitals to spend a minimum amount on free care for the poor, also known as charity care, and set curbs on executive compensation and conflicts of interest.
Leave a Comment » | arts, economy, government, in the news | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 15, 2008
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that three foundations have been forced to close, and other charities and foundations have suffered losses, due to the alleged Ponzi scheme by Bernard Madoff:
- The Massachusetts-based Robert I. Lappin Charitable Foundation, which provided programs such as Jewish day school and Jewish overnight camping, announced that its programs have been discontinued and its staff terminated. The Washington Post covered the story on Saturday: “Deborah Coltin learned yesterday morning that the $8 million foundation she has led for a decade, which supported a wide range of Jewish programs on the north shore of Massachusetts, did not actually exist.”
- The New York-based JEHT Foundation (Justice, Equality, Human Dignity and Tolerance), which promoted reform of the criminal and juvenile justice systems, announced it has stopped grantmaking and will close at the end of January.
- The Chais Family Foundation, which was headquartered in Jerusalem and supported education and Jewish causes, closed on Sunday.
Read about other foundations and charities affected at philanthropy.com.
Update: The St. Paul Pioneer Press has an article today about how local nonprofits have been hurt by the closing of the JEHT Foundation.
Leave a Comment » | in the news | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 12, 2008
Roundup of stories about nonprofits and philanthropy.
Economy:
- Some Charities See Good News and Bad in the Economy
Minnesota Public Radio: For organizations like Goodwill Industries, which sell donated items in second-hand stores, these tough economic times bring both good news and bad news.
- More From Foundations Now Means Less in the Future
Financial Times: Board members, donors and managers in the social sector will need to summon their courage and embrace an “equity ethic” to ensure that they and the organisations they support will be able to stay the course for the people who need them. To do so, they will need to tame one of their strongest impulses: to do more.
- The Future of Corporate Philanthropy
BusinessWeek: In the downturn, corporate chiefs like GE’s Immelt say social responsibility will remain vital, but it must be cost-effective and fit corporate needs.
Local/national/international:
- St. Kate’s Receives Record $20 Million Gift
Star Tribune: The anonymous endowment gift guarantees the St. Paul college’s School of Health will get at least $1 million a year in perpetuity.
- Alternative Fuels Company Receives Initiative Foundation Financing
Brainerd Dispatch: The company will build a new facility to manufacture cleaner-burning pellets; the rising costs of energy and corn have caused orders for the pellets to outpace their production capacity.
- That Donation Just Cost You $25,000
NonProfit Times: The credit card companies are paying attention to what you’re doing and are tightening the screws to persuade organizations to make changes in the way they think about and handle credit card information.
- Let Foundations Go Forth, Multiply and Prosper
Dallas Morning News editorial: A new study by Washington, D.C., economists Robert Shapiro and Aparna Mathur offers a revealing look at their contributions. We suggest members of Congress read and absorb it, and think twice before eyeing these foundations as piggy banks for potential tax revenues.
- Some Companies Donate their Holiday Party Budget to Charity
USA Today: Company-sponsored holiday galas hit a 20-year low in 2008, according to a survey. But instead of saving cash, some firms are pursuing a more selfless mission.
- Family Charities Get Focused
Wall Street Journal: As wealthy families reassess their investment portfolios and look to preserve their wealth amid today’s weak economy, many are also rethinking their charitable giving.
Leave a Comment » | economy, in the news | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 9, 2008
Minnesota slipped to fourth in the latest United Health Foundation America’s Health Rankings. The state had been ranked at the top for 11 of the first 18 reports, including four consecutive years before falling to #2 in 2008.
The report lists low public health funding ($45, down from $62 last year) as a challenge for Minnesota. The prevalence of smoking decreased, but the percentage of children living in poverty increased. In addition, the state’s rate of obesity has increased from 10% in 1990 to 26% now.
In the media:
Leave a Comment » | corporate, health, in the news | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 9, 2008
Peg Birk begins her role as the first full-time executive director of the George Family Foundation today. Most recently, she served as the co-executive director of the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation; she previously was the interim president for The McKnight Foundation.
Birk is on the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable board of directors, the dean’s advisory council at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation board of directors.
Update: MinnPost published an article about Birk today: George Family Foundation, New Director Share Values, Passions.
Leave a Comment » | family foundations, in the news, leadership | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
