May 2009

"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." - Charles Dudley Warner (American author)

White House's Head of Social Innovation
From Google to government

CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY - It’s now official: Sonal Shah, former head of global development at Google.org, the search-engine company’s philanthropic arm, is head of the new White House Office of Social Innovation. The office of Social Innovation will promote government efforts to help innovative nonprofit groups and social entrepreneurs expand successful approaches to tackling pressing social problems. read article...

Family Foundations Shift Assets to Donor Funds
Givers gain cost and tax benefits but sacrifice some control

WALL ST. JOURNAL - Philanthropists are increasingly unwinding their private foundations into donor-advised funds. Some have been spurred by tough economic times, a factor that has taken on increased significance as foundation assets have plunged. Donor-advised funds have other advantages: They don't impose annual distribution requirements and tax deductions for donor-advised funds are bigger. read more...

Are You an Informed or Uninformed Tax Payer?
Use wise tax strategies to maximize your giving

KARDIA PLANNING - A US Appeals Court Justice once said, "In America, there are two tax systems: one for the informed and one for the uninformed. Both systems are legal." So which one are you on? read more...

VIDEO: What Nonprofit Employers Look For Today
How a nonprofit approaches the hiring process

BRIDGESTAR - To help job seekers better walk in the moccasins of nonprofit hiring organizations, we talked with Karen DeMay, a senior director on the Bridgespan Group's executive search team. Karen, who has worked closely with dozens of nonprofits as they navigate the hiring process, explained how their approach to hiring has changed in recent months and what they are now looking for in job candidates. watch the video...

Give and Count the Cost
Rich donors hit by the credit crunch. Bad news for the poor.

THE ECONOMIST - No sooner had philanthropy become fashionable than the credit crunch shrivelled fortunes. In 2007, American charitable assets sat at $682 billion. But by the end of last year they had shrunk by just over a fifth. The Obama administration is hoping to put development aid on a par with defence and diplomacy. Hillary Clinton highlighted the new reliance on charities, telling donors last month that the State Department’s doors were “wide open—we just need you to walk through.” read more...

Battles Between Charities and Dead Donors Worsen
Keep your donations flexible to avoid future conflict

NEW YORK TIMES - When the donor is alive, redirecting funds is simple: a charity asks and the donor agrees or disagrees. The battles ensue when the donor is dead and the meaning of the legacy is up for debate. Still, most people who give with strings attached do so because they have a vision that they want carried out. For those of you considering donations, here are some of the pros and cons when imposing restrictions on your gift. read more...

Report Says World Bank AIDS Efforts are Failing
Progress has been poor despite increased spending

THE GUARDIAN - The World Bank has made little progress in improving the health of poor people in spite of a $10bn increase in spending, its in-house monitoring body said. The watchdog said the performance in Africa was "particularly weak", with only 27% of projects considered satisfactory. read more...

Re-thinking Charity
It's time to give charities the freedoms we give to business

HARVARD BUSINESS - Charity has come to business. But the sad reality is that, with a few minor exceptions, business has not yet come to charity. The nonprofit sector remains tightly constrained by a set of irrational economic rules handed down to us from the Puritans that discourage profit, self-interest, serious marketing, and risk-taking and long-term investment for revenue development. It's time for change. read more...

Charity-Government Relations Are Shifting
Philanthropy is adapting to the new Obama era

THE AMERICAN PROSPECT - Historically, the relationship between philanthropy and government has been one of innovator and adaptor. While not all programs that are replicated are ultimately successful, foundations' greatest achievements have usually occurred when government has stepped in. The new administration has signaled a shift towards partnership with nonprofits. Philanthropic organizations are certainly ready to step forward. But how they will actually work with the Obama administration remains to be seen. read more...

Giving When It Hurts
How to help during these tough times

FORBES - Donors committed to making a difference have an opportunity to be more strategic in this economic environment. The first steps include reviewing your philanthropic portfolio, re-evaluating giving priorities in light of diminished resources, unknown tax policy changes and possible lifestyle modifications and gathering sufficient and accurate information to inform decisions about which organizations to invest in. read more...

The Gift of Passionaries
Changing Our World

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How can one person really make a difference?” The Gift of Passionaries Changing Our World will answer that question and demonstrate how any one person can change our world. In this extraordinary book, you’ll learn how YOU can turn compassion into action as you read these true stories of everyday heroes, American social entrepreneurs, who provide leadership and inspiration to millions of volunteers. Discover the riveting passionary stories behind the genesis and growth of nonprofits like America’s Second Harvest and Food Banks, Samaritan’s Purse, Prison Fellowship, and Gifts in Kind International as well as corporate philanthropists and service groups exemplified by Kiwanis International and Rotary. This book captures an unsung movement unique to American culture—to create a legacy, make a mark, leave the world better. Modern-day heroes show each of us how we can make a difference. buy at Amazon.com...