December 2008

To all our clients, friends and partners, Excellence in Giving
wishes a joy-filled Christmas and blessed New Year!

Service With A Smile
S. Truett Cathy is a walking paradox

PHILANTHROPY MAGAZINE - S. Truett Cathy has done much more than come up with a great idea for a chicken sandwich. The founder of Chick-Fil-A has also been doing a lot of giving. "My wife and I were brought up to believe that the more you give, the more you have," says Cathy. read more...

Excellence in Giving is Tearing Down Storehouses
How to leave a legacy and die broke

WORLD MAGAZINE - Rich people who want to give away their wealth in their lifetimes have special problems. Bill Gates famously said, "Giving away billions of dollars without ruining the organizations you give to is not easy." That's why professionals have arisen to help philanthropists give away their fortunes in ways that are consistent with their values. read more...

More From Non-Profits Now, Means Less in the Future
What it means to have an 'equity ethic'

FINANCIAL TIMES - In the aftermath of the economic tsunami, many non-profits will be called upon to do more with less. As in past recessions, they will work to protect victims from hunger, homelessness, ill-health and physical abuse. Board members, donors and managers will need to summon their courage and embrace an “equity ethic” to ensure that they 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. read more...

Lapsed Donors Say They Feel "Unconnected"
Major donors stop giving because they didn't feel connected

AFP NEWSLETTER - The top reason high net-worth donors stopped giving to a charity in 2007 was that they didn’t feel connected to the particular organization, reports a study by Bank of America. The study also finds that one of the most striking differences between findings from the 2006 and 2008 studies is the dramatic increase in donors' use of professionals to help them make charitable giving decisions. read more...

White Paper: Evaluating Social Enterprises
How short-term mission is becoming a two-ay street

MIT PRESS - Over the last two decades, social entrepreneurs have become darlings of the social sector.But for all the innovation, the question remains: So what? Have these new approaches led to enduring change? Brian Trelstad, the chief investment officer at the Acumen Fund, seeks answers. read more...

Next Gen Givers
Gen-Xers are putting their own spin on charitable giving

BARRON'S - Behind the economic headlines, a surprisingly encouraging trend is taking hold: A new generation of energetic and creative donors is moving into place. These younger givers -- entrepreneurs, executives and even members of old-money clans -- are intent on leaving a mark now, not in their 50s and 60s. read more...

Princeton Settles Suit, But Keeps Control of Donation
Six-year family dispute over donor intent ends

CN PORTFOLIO - Princeton University will pay out nearly $100 million under a settlement recently announced between the Ivy League school and the disgruntled heirs of a major donor. The 6-year-old legal saga was closely followed by non-profits nationwide as a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when a donor's family and the gift's recipient fall into disagreement over how it should be spent. read more...

Make Giving Part of Your Business Strategy
Charitable giving increases sales and lifts morale

BUSINESS WEEK - While you may consider it just good citizenship, corporate giving is part of your business and should be operated as such. Like any business effort, it should be organized to maximize return. And an economic downturn doesn't have to mean that your giving stalls. For some businesses, just the opposite is true. read more...

What Your Money Means
by Frank J. Hanna

Countless books tell you how to make money: only this one turns to the wisdom of the ages to illuminate for you the reasons you have money in the first place, and the role it’s meant to play in your life and in the lives of others. Here, American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hanna introduces you to a lean, no-nonsense explanation of the meaning of your money, and a guide for dealing with it constructively. From a tradition rooted in ordinary virtue, common sense, and the pragmatism that allows societies to flourish, Hanna has skillfully drawn forth principles and criteria that will enable you to discover quickly and with confidence Why you, in particular, have money and what your money calls you to be, and why. Plus, much more to help you understand what your money means, and how to use it well. buy at Amazon.com...