Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Just wanted to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving! Since we will all be busy stuffing our faces with turkey and other great food, there will be no new blog posts until Monday of next week. Enjoy the holiday!
Black Friday Activity Attracts Charities
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year because of the huge sales available. People all over the country wake up early so they can be the first to get in stores. And now, as detailed in a story we just posted on The NonProfit Times website, charities are getting in on the action.
Many of the organizations getting involved this year are taking a technology-based route to their Black Friday activities. For example, for every user that "checks in" using foursquare, a location-based social network for mobile devices, JC Penney will pledge $25 to The Salvation Army, up to $100,000. The Alexandria, Va.-based organization will also allow donors to give money to their annual Red Kettle Campaign, which kicks off during halftime of tomorrow's Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game, via on-site smart phones in select cities.
JC Penney will also pledge $50 to The Salvation Army for every angel "adopted" via the Angel Giving Tree Online, where donors can be matched with items needed by those less fortunate. The store, now in its third year, already has had 100,000 angels adopted.
The USO is taking a slightly different approach to Black Friday. "The USO Wishbook," launched in conjunction with the holiday season, sells items for soldiers and their families on their website. According to Kelli Seely, the organization's chief development officer, it's their first attempt at an alternative giving catalog. The gifts available on the website range from the simple to the remarkable. You can make a $25 phone call from a soldier or purchase $5,000 total entertainment system. The USO plans to keep the Wishbook online throughout the year, adapting it for other holidays.
Given the popularity of Black Friday, it seems likely these programs will be met with a lot of success. But we'll have to wait a couple of days to see their real impact. Make sure to read the full story on this topic over on our website.
Many of the organizations getting involved this year are taking a technology-based route to their Black Friday activities. For example, for every user that "checks in" using foursquare, a location-based social network for mobile devices, JC Penney will pledge $25 to The Salvation Army, up to $100,000. The Alexandria, Va.-based organization will also allow donors to give money to their annual Red Kettle Campaign, which kicks off during halftime of tomorrow's Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game, via on-site smart phones in select cities.
JC Penney will also pledge $50 to The Salvation Army for every angel "adopted" via the Angel Giving Tree Online, where donors can be matched with items needed by those less fortunate. The store, now in its third year, already has had 100,000 angels adopted.
The USO is taking a slightly different approach to Black Friday. "The USO Wishbook," launched in conjunction with the holiday season, sells items for soldiers and their families on their website. According to Kelli Seely, the organization's chief development officer, it's their first attempt at an alternative giving catalog. The gifts available on the website range from the simple to the remarkable. You can make a $25 phone call from a soldier or purchase $5,000 total entertainment system. The USO plans to keep the Wishbook online throughout the year, adapting it for other holidays.
Given the popularity of Black Friday, it seems likely these programs will be met with a lot of success. But we'll have to wait a couple of days to see their real impact. Make sure to read the full story on this topic over on our website.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Nonprofit Jobs By State
Cross-Posted From NPT Jobs Blog
There are so many factors that go into finding great nonprofit jobs. Aside from the starting salary and relevance to your career skills, one of the most important of those factors is proximity to your current residence. Most job seekers would have a lot of hesitation working for an organization that requires them to travel long distances; even if it's the job of their dreams. Using The Nonprofit Jobseeker's Jobs By State Page, users can see the latest jobs in their area with only a click of their mouse.
Let's say you want to find a New York nonprofit job. All you have to do is go to our dedicated NY nonprofit job page and you will see all of the most recent positions posted in that state. The page is automatically updated with the latest jobs, so you can be sure you will be seeing a new job the second it is posted.
If our jobs by state page doesn't offer enough customization for you, the Nonprofit Jobseeker also allows users to filter search results by state. This will show you all jobs in that area, including ones that might not be as recent. Job hunters can also enter their zip code to make their search more specific.
We hope that you will enjoy using these features. Feel free to leave any feedback.
There are so many factors that go into finding great nonprofit jobs. Aside from the starting salary and relevance to your career skills, one of the most important of those factors is proximity to your current residence. Most job seekers would have a lot of hesitation working for an organization that requires them to travel long distances; even if it's the job of their dreams. Using The Nonprofit Jobseeker's Jobs By State Page, users can see the latest jobs in their area with only a click of their mouse.
Let's say you want to find a New York nonprofit job. All you have to do is go to our dedicated NY nonprofit job page and you will see all of the most recent positions posted in that state. The page is automatically updated with the latest jobs, so you can be sure you will be seeing a new job the second it is posted.
If our jobs by state page doesn't offer enough customization for you, the Nonprofit Jobseeker also allows users to filter search results by state. This will show you all jobs in that area, including ones that might not be as recent. Job hunters can also enter their zip code to make their search more specific.
We hope that you will enjoy using these features. Feel free to leave any feedback.
Free Webinar: Performing Risk Assessment And Designing Internal Controls
The NonProfit Times and Zurich are putting on another free webinar on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 01:00 PM. The topic will be performing risk assessment and designing internal controls. Being prepared with written policies and procedures to minimize risk is a vital part of a non-profit organization. Budget constraints may mean that an organization may not retain the highly experienced human and legal resources needed to manage their risk and compete with the ever-changing risk landscape.
This webinar will help you learn to recognize and identify risks your company may or could potentially be facing. We'll examine internal controls you can implement to mitigate risk and build solutions to manage them effectively.
Speakers include:
Peg Jackson is an author, consultant and nationally-recognized lecturer in risk management, business continuity planning and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. She earned a doctorate in public administration (DPA) from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and holds the professional designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). She is also a Principal with Adjunct LLC in San Francisco, Calif.
Susan J. Ellis is President of Energize, Inc., a training, consulting, and publishing firm that specializes in volunteer management. She founded the Philadelphia-based company in 1977 and since that time has assisted clients throughout North America (48 states and 6 provinces), Europe (10 countries), Asia (4 countries), Latin America (2 countries), Australasia (2 countries), and Israel to create or strengthen their volunteer corps.
Tom McLaughlin joined CCR in 2011 after 19 years as a nonprofit consulting specialist with two national accounting and consulting firms. Tom has more than 35 years of nonprofit experience as a nonprofit manager, trade association executive, and management consultant. Among his previous positions, Tom served as an executive with two major Massachusetts social service agencies and as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers.
Register today!
This webinar will help you learn to recognize and identify risks your company may or could potentially be facing. We'll examine internal controls you can implement to mitigate risk and build solutions to manage them effectively.
Speakers include:
Peg Jackson is an author, consultant and nationally-recognized lecturer in risk management, business continuity planning and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. She earned a doctorate in public administration (DPA) from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and holds the professional designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). She is also a Principal with Adjunct LLC in San Francisco, Calif.
Susan J. Ellis is President of Energize, Inc., a training, consulting, and publishing firm that specializes in volunteer management. She founded the Philadelphia-based company in 1977 and since that time has assisted clients throughout North America (48 states and 6 provinces), Europe (10 countries), Asia (4 countries), Latin America (2 countries), Australasia (2 countries), and Israel to create or strengthen their volunteer corps.
Tom McLaughlin joined CCR in 2011 after 19 years as a nonprofit consulting specialist with two national accounting and consulting firms. Tom has more than 35 years of nonprofit experience as a nonprofit manager, trade association executive, and management consultant. Among his previous positions, Tom served as an executive with two major Massachusetts social service agencies and as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers.
Register today!
Sierra Club Chairman Carl Pope Resigns
Michael Brune has spent his career organizing small activist groups. He now has a bigger challenge ahead of him: Reversing membership declines and changing the entire philosophy of San Francisco, Calif.-based Sierra Club.
Carl Pope, Sierra Club chairman, resigned over growing discontent with the direction of the organization according to a report in The Los Angeles Times. He was replaced by Brune, who has pledged to focus on grass-roots recruiting of new members. Pope, 66, had been a member of the organization for over 40 years before becoming chairman in 2010. He had previously served as executive director for 17 years.
Although he played a huge role in the environmental nonprofit, Pope made decisions that angered some in the organization. His multi-million dollar deal in 2008 to put the Sierra Club logo on Clorox's brand of "green" products comes to mind. Pope described himself as a "big-tent guy" to The Times, saying that the Club wouldn't be able to accomplish its goals if it only worked with those who agreed with them. He insists that Sierra Club board agreed that it was worth losing some flexibility to gain a major increase in clout.
There were also some in the organization who thought Pope had reduced the role of chapter experts in favor of paid staffers and attorneys. They were also turned off by his work not only with corporations, but big labor and manufacturers.
Yet for all the controversy, Pope leaves behind some major accomplishments. He led the Club's efforts to protect 10 million acres of wildlife, such as the Giant Sequoia National Monument in California. He bought the organization closer to large donors, leading to major donations from powerful groups. For example, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's charitable organization donated $50 million over four years to the club's campaign to shut down coal-fired power plants. This was part of Pope's larger philosophy of shifting the Club's focus towards fighting climate change, and away from smaller campaigns to protect the wild.
It was the growing push to refocus on grass-roots campaigns that caused Pope to step down. Under the new leadership of Michael Brune, the nonprofit plans to cut ties with Clorox and other corporations, and refocus its efforts on adding an "army" of new volunteers. This will be music to the ears of those who were discontent with Pope's leadership. These individuals believed he was abandoning them, though Pope insists it is the Sierra Club is straying from the core principles of its founder, evangelist John Muir.
It remains to be seen how the end of the Pope era will affect the future of the Sierra Club. One thing's for sure, though: Brune has some big shoes to fill.
You can read more about this story over at The Los Angeles Times. In addition, you can read more about issues of governance on The NonProfit Times.
Carl Pope, Sierra Club chairman, resigned over growing discontent with the direction of the organization according to a report in The Los Angeles Times. He was replaced by Brune, who has pledged to focus on grass-roots recruiting of new members. Pope, 66, had been a member of the organization for over 40 years before becoming chairman in 2010. He had previously served as executive director for 17 years.
Although he played a huge role in the environmental nonprofit, Pope made decisions that angered some in the organization. His multi-million dollar deal in 2008 to put the Sierra Club logo on Clorox's brand of "green" products comes to mind. Pope described himself as a "big-tent guy" to The Times, saying that the Club wouldn't be able to accomplish its goals if it only worked with those who agreed with them. He insists that Sierra Club board agreed that it was worth losing some flexibility to gain a major increase in clout.
There were also some in the organization who thought Pope had reduced the role of chapter experts in favor of paid staffers and attorneys. They were also turned off by his work not only with corporations, but big labor and manufacturers.
Yet for all the controversy, Pope leaves behind some major accomplishments. He led the Club's efforts to protect 10 million acres of wildlife, such as the Giant Sequoia National Monument in California. He bought the organization closer to large donors, leading to major donations from powerful groups. For example, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's charitable organization donated $50 million over four years to the club's campaign to shut down coal-fired power plants. This was part of Pope's larger philosophy of shifting the Club's focus towards fighting climate change, and away from smaller campaigns to protect the wild.
It was the growing push to refocus on grass-roots campaigns that caused Pope to step down. Under the new leadership of Michael Brune, the nonprofit plans to cut ties with Clorox and other corporations, and refocus its efforts on adding an "army" of new volunteers. This will be music to the ears of those who were discontent with Pope's leadership. These individuals believed he was abandoning them, though Pope insists it is the Sierra Club is straying from the core principles of its founder, evangelist John Muir.
It remains to be seen how the end of the Pope era will affect the future of the Sierra Club. One thing's for sure, though: Brune has some big shoes to fill.
You can read more about this story over at The Los Angeles Times. In addition, you can read more about issues of governance on The NonProfit Times.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Using Celebrities For Breast Cancer Awareness
It's not uncommon to see nonprofit organizations enlist the help of celebrities to generate buzz. When they a cause is paired together with big names, it is often a recipe for success. That has certainly been the case with the Los Angeles, Calif.-based Noreen Fraser Foundation's campaign for breast cancer awareness.
An article in last week's edition of The Times of Northwest Indiana highlighted how the organization has used celebrities in their recent Men For Women Now (M4WN) campaign, which provides a forum for men to support each other while helping their loved ones fight breast cancer. The campaign has already garnered some big names in show-biz, like Russel Brand, Neil Patrick Harris, Zach Galifianakis, and Jack Black.
The campaign is notable for bringing some comic relief to a painful subject. For example, Black appeared in an ad for M4WN to encourage women to get mammograms:
Make sure to read the full article on M4WN on NWI.com.
An article in last week's edition of The Times of Northwest Indiana highlighted how the organization has used celebrities in their recent Men For Women Now (M4WN) campaign, which provides a forum for men to support each other while helping their loved ones fight breast cancer. The campaign has already garnered some big names in show-biz, like Russel Brand, Neil Patrick Harris, Zach Galifianakis, and Jack Black.
The campaign is notable for bringing some comic relief to a painful subject. For example, Black appeared in an ad for M4WN to encourage women to get mammograms:
"All of us guys, dudes, and bro–imgos are getting off our lazy butts and making appointments for our beloved ladies to meet with this bad boy."The campaign also partnered with Chicago, Ill.-based Threadless to create a t-shirt creation contest. Artists were encouraged to submit their designs for a shirt that would raise awareness towards breast cancer using humor. 25 percent of the proceeds from the shirt, which will be sold by Threadless, would go to the Noreen Fraser Foundation in an effort to conduct more research on breast cancer. The creator of the winning design is set to receive $750 in cash, a $250 Threadless gift card, and an iPad 2 prize pack. Not a bad haul for a little bit of creativity.
Make sure to read the full article on M4WN on NWI.com.
NPT Jobs: Improving Fundraiser Retention
Cross-Posted From The Nonprofit Jobseeker
It's increasingly rare these days to find people who are not only successful at fundraising, but also have enthusiasm for it. That's why, if you hired someone with those traits, it's so important to do everything in your power to keep them. How do you go about improving fundraiser retention? It's a difficult task, no doubt, but it can be done.
The NonProfit Times attended this year's AFP International Conference on Fundraising. Speaking at that conference was Penelope Burke, president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. She had some ideas on how you can best go about keeping your most valuable fundraisers:
It's increasingly rare these days to find people who are not only successful at fundraising, but also have enthusiasm for it. That's why, if you hired someone with those traits, it's so important to do everything in your power to keep them. How do you go about improving fundraiser retention? It's a difficult task, no doubt, but it can be done.
The NonProfit Times attended this year's AFP International Conference on Fundraising. Speaking at that conference was Penelope Burke, president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. She had some ideas on how you can best go about keeping your most valuable fundraisers:
- Be flexible on your salary and benefits. If they are that good at what they do, they deserve to be rewarded. Doing this also means you can be even more insistent on bottom-line results.
- Allow your fundraisers to work independently. You should check in on them from time to time get updates on their progress, but make sure you are not breathing down their necks.
- Value their input. Taking a suggestion to heart is one of the best things a nonprofit manager can do to show your employees that they are being listened to. It's also a great way to make them want to continue to work for you.
- On a related note, make sure to publicly credit staff when they come up with a good idea.
- Looking for a new senior fundraiser? Consider promoting from within rather than hiring a brand new employee. This will improve employee morale and eliminates the need for extensive orientation periods.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Planned Giving Tips: Principles For Effective Stewardship
Baby boomers are aging and as a result, planned giving campaigns have picked up. An important part of these campaigns is stewardship. Nonprofits must know how to effectively steward baby boomer donors and their gifts.
During the 2011 Association For Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) international conference in Boston, Mass., Katherine Swank, senior consultant at Target Analytics, offered her own principles for effective leadership based off of Kay Sprinkle Grace’s book Beyond Fundraising. The NonProfit Times was there to record her tips, and here are some of them:
During the 2011 Association For Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) international conference in Boston, Mass., Katherine Swank, senior consultant at Target Analytics, offered her own principles for effective leadership based off of Kay Sprinkle Grace’s book Beyond Fundraising. The NonProfit Times was there to record her tips, and here are some of them:
- Engage the donor immediately
- Don’t mix messages like sending a thank you with a gift ask
- Carve out a budget for stewardship
- Keep your stewardship in line with organizational image
- Determine what kind of involvement your planned donors want outside of making a donation
- Use current legacy donors to convey messages to potential legacy donors
An Unfortunate Case Of Branding
File this one under unfortunate cases of branding.
You probably know by now that Jerry Sandusky, the central figure in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, founded a charity called The Second Mile. It's stated mission is "helping young people achieve their potential as individuals and as community members and providing education and support for their parents and youth service professionals." Worthy goals, no doubt, but that mission has now been tainted by the charges against Sandusky. As a result, a lot of people don't view The Second Mile in a very positive light.
In a recent article on The Huffington Post, we learn about the unfortunate effect the Penn State scandal has had on a Philadelphia-based organization called The Second Mile Center, a nonprofit thrift shop that helps ex-cons get back on their feet. Although it shares a similar name to Sandusky's organization, they are in no way connected. But given the similarity in the two names, people have confused the store with the scandal plagued charity. Since the charges against Sandusky became public, The Second Mile Center has experienced a 30 percent drop in sales.
Ron Lucas, who sits on the board of the nonprofit, told Weeklyxpress.com that they have received countless angry phone calls from people, most of whom hang up before they can explain that they have no connection to The Second Mile. They have even put up signs on its door, one of which reads:
You probably know by now that Jerry Sandusky, the central figure in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, founded a charity called The Second Mile. It's stated mission is "helping young people achieve their potential as individuals and as community members and providing education and support for their parents and youth service professionals." Worthy goals, no doubt, but that mission has now been tainted by the charges against Sandusky. As a result, a lot of people don't view The Second Mile in a very positive light.
In a recent article on The Huffington Post, we learn about the unfortunate effect the Penn State scandal has had on a Philadelphia-based organization called The Second Mile Center, a nonprofit thrift shop that helps ex-cons get back on their feet. Although it shares a similar name to Sandusky's organization, they are in no way connected. But given the similarity in the two names, people have confused the store with the scandal plagued charity. Since the charges against Sandusky became public, The Second Mile Center has experienced a 30 percent drop in sales.
Ron Lucas, who sits on the board of the nonprofit, told Weeklyxpress.com that they have received countless angry phone calls from people, most of whom hang up before they can explain that they have no connection to The Second Mile. They have even put up signs on its door, one of which reads:
"We are not in any way connected to the Second Mile of the Penn State scandal. We are the Second Mile Center."The Second Mile Center has been in existence for 30 years, while The Second Mile was formed in 1977. It would be a shame if the negative attention towards that organization bought down this Philadelphia thrift shop. In the mean time, Lucas and everyone else at The Second Mile Center can only hope people will start to learn the truth.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
What Do The Occupy Wall Street Protesters Want?
In light of the eviction of the Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park in NYC, I thought I would bump up this post.
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Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month or so, you are probably aware of the "Occupy Wall Street" protests that have been going on around the world. You probably have at least a vague idea of what sparked the protests: Anger over a perceived unfair financial system. A system that a few years ago led to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a crisis from which the country is still recovering. Given the bailout of big banks, and huge bonuses paid out to their executives, it's easy to understand why people are angry. Who wouldn't be?
Yes, it's pretty clear what these large masses are lashing out against. What's not as clear is what the end game is for the protesters. We recently posted a column by editor in chief Paul Clolery, set to appear in our Nov. 1 issue, that articulates this question. It tackles some interesting contradictions of the protest, like how Occupy Wall Street supporters rail against unfair bank practices while embracing Russell Simmons, who sells pre-paid bank cards with monthly fees to poor communities. That's a practice that is at least as bad as the questionable practices of banks.
The column's biggest issue with the protest is its lack of organization. All of the social change movements in the past had a clear goal in mind. The civil rights movement wanted equal rights for all. The protests against the Vietnam War wanted an end to a conflict that had no end in sight. How do the Occupy Wall Street protesters hope to get the change they seek? These protesters need help from the charitable sector and seasoned protesters to help make a real impact on important issues like wealth disparity. Right now, as the column opines, "it’s just an opportunity to post to YouTube."
****
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past month or so, you are probably aware of the "Occupy Wall Street" protests that have been going on around the world. You probably have at least a vague idea of what sparked the protests: Anger over a perceived unfair financial system. A system that a few years ago led to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a crisis from which the country is still recovering. Given the bailout of big banks, and huge bonuses paid out to their executives, it's easy to understand why people are angry. Who wouldn't be?
Yes, it's pretty clear what these large masses are lashing out against. What's not as clear is what the end game is for the protesters. We recently posted a column by editor in chief Paul Clolery, set to appear in our Nov. 1 issue, that articulates this question. It tackles some interesting contradictions of the protest, like how Occupy Wall Street supporters rail against unfair bank practices while embracing Russell Simmons, who sells pre-paid bank cards with monthly fees to poor communities. That's a practice that is at least as bad as the questionable practices of banks.
The column's biggest issue with the protest is its lack of organization. All of the social change movements in the past had a clear goal in mind. The civil rights movement wanted equal rights for all. The protests against the Vietnam War wanted an end to a conflict that had no end in sight. How do the Occupy Wall Street protesters hope to get the change they seek? These protesters need help from the charitable sector and seasoned protesters to help make a real impact on important issues like wealth disparity. Right now, as the column opines, "it’s just an opportunity to post to YouTube."
Conflict Of Interest With Sandusky Judge?
The Penn State child sex abuse scandal is already one of the biggest stories in the news these days. And now another layer of intrigue has been added thanks to a potential case of conflict of interest.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported yesterday that the state attorney general's office, which has charged former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky with 40 counts of sex abuse involving eight children, had sought bond of $500,000 and electronic monitoring. This request was not granted by Judge Leslie Dutchot, who set bond at $100,000 unsecured, which Sandusky later met. Why is this of note? It turns out that Judge Dutchot volunteers for Sandusky's charity, The Second Mile.
According to the Post-Gazette article, this information was listed on the website of the State College law firm Goodell & Yurchak. Judge Dutchot would make no comment on the apparent conflict of interest.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported yesterday that the state attorney general's office, which has charged former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky with 40 counts of sex abuse involving eight children, had sought bond of $500,000 and electronic monitoring. This request was not granted by Judge Leslie Dutchot, who set bond at $100,000 unsecured, which Sandusky later met. Why is this of note? It turns out that Judge Dutchot volunteers for Sandusky's charity, The Second Mile.
According to the Post-Gazette article, this information was listed on the website of the State College law firm Goodell & Yurchak. Judge Dutchot would make no comment on the apparent conflict of interest.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Challenges In A Merger
For all the benefits of a potential nonprofit merger, it brings along as many risks and challenges. How will existing departments function under the new management? What will be the fate of current employees? How will the merger be announced to the public? These are all questions that can cause lots of headaches for nonprofit managements. It's enough to make you reconsider going through with the merger. Luckily, there's help on the horizon.
During the 2011 Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits, Eileen Morgan Johnson of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP discussed the risks of nonprofit mergers and separations. The NonProfit Times was in attendance for their tips, which included the following:
During the 2011 Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits, Eileen Morgan Johnson of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP discussed the risks of nonprofit mergers and separations. The NonProfit Times was in attendance for their tips, which included the following:
- Periodically review governing documents.
- If a potential conflict can't be avoided, make sure it is disclosed.
- Don't be afraid to request a legal opinion when the issue warrants it.
- Seek the advice of independent experts.
- Insist on thorough documentation. This includes board minutes showing discussion and reports, memoranda and other documents considered in decision making.
- Keep your employees informed of all new merger developments and provide ample opportunity for their feedback. Nobody likes being kept in the dark.
- Make sure that your fellow directors get copies of all proposed agreements or summaries.
- Demand that board minutes accurately reflect votes.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Paterno, Penn State President Out
UPDATE, 11/14/2011: It was announced this morning that The Second Mile board of directors have accepted the resignation of Jack Raykovitz. He had been CEO of the organization for 28 years. Read more about this breaking story on our website.
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No doubt you have heard of the shocking child sex abuse scandal that has come out of Penn State. Although it was former defensive coordinator, and founder of the charity The Second Mile, Jerry Sandusky who has been charged with allegations of sexually abusing children, much of the discussion has centered around top Penn State officials. Two officials, Athletic Director Tim Curley and Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz, have already been charged with perjury and failing to report suspected child abuse. But much of the questioning has been directed towards legendary football coach Joe Paterno and Penn State President Graham Spanier. And late last night, those two men became the first two to take the fall in this scandal, as the Board of Trustees at Penn State voted unanimously to relieve them of their duties.
The news broke late last night, only hours after Paterno announced he would retire at the end of the season. The man affectionately known as "Joe Pa" said he was "devastated" by the developments and urged the Board "not to spend a single minute discussing my status." Apparently they didn't take too kindly to that suggestion.
For Paterno, it's an unfortunate ending to a career that spanned 61 years. He is the winningest coach in major college football history, leading Penn State since 1966 and turning it not only into a successful football team but an iconic brand in the sports world. Even if you aren't too familiar with college sports, you probably have heard about Joe Paterno
All of this discussion about Paterno, Spanier, and other Penn State officials obscures the serious crimes for which Sandusky is being accused. Reading the Grand Jury testimony (WARNING: Contains graphic descriptions) from wide-receiver coach Mike McQueary, who alleges to have witnessed Sandusky molesting a young boy, is chilling. What's even more disturbing is that because this went unreported to the police, Sandusky wasn't barred from activities with children at his charity until 2008. That's when he informed them he was under investigation. And even then, he didn't officially leave the organization until he retired in 2010.
In yesterday's report on The NonProfit Times, we reported on The Second Mile's tax filings and annual report. They indicated that the organization experienced a $228,000 operating deficit last year. In addition, revenue fell to $2.1 million, from $4.1 million in 2008. The 12-page annual report cited overall giving to charities being down 11 percent last year as the organization’s board used a “rainy day fund to provide needed services” as it “received more requests to help children and teens than ever.” With these revelations about Sandusky's alleged crimes now coming to light, it's unclear how much longer the charity will be able to operate.
This story will undoubtedly continue to evolve over the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned to The NonProfit Times for any new information that comes out on the case or the future of Second Mile.
***
No doubt you have heard of the shocking child sex abuse scandal that has come out of Penn State. Although it was former defensive coordinator, and founder of the charity The Second Mile, Jerry Sandusky who has been charged with allegations of sexually abusing children, much of the discussion has centered around top Penn State officials. Two officials, Athletic Director Tim Curley and Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz, have already been charged with perjury and failing to report suspected child abuse. But much of the questioning has been directed towards legendary football coach Joe Paterno and Penn State President Graham Spanier. And late last night, those two men became the first two to take the fall in this scandal, as the Board of Trustees at Penn State voted unanimously to relieve them of their duties.
The news broke late last night, only hours after Paterno announced he would retire at the end of the season. The man affectionately known as "Joe Pa" said he was "devastated" by the developments and urged the Board "not to spend a single minute discussing my status." Apparently they didn't take too kindly to that suggestion.
For Paterno, it's an unfortunate ending to a career that spanned 61 years. He is the winningest coach in major college football history, leading Penn State since 1966 and turning it not only into a successful football team but an iconic brand in the sports world. Even if you aren't too familiar with college sports, you probably have heard about Joe Paterno
All of this discussion about Paterno, Spanier, and other Penn State officials obscures the serious crimes for which Sandusky is being accused. Reading the Grand Jury testimony (WARNING: Contains graphic descriptions) from wide-receiver coach Mike McQueary, who alleges to have witnessed Sandusky molesting a young boy, is chilling. What's even more disturbing is that because this went unreported to the police, Sandusky wasn't barred from activities with children at his charity until 2008. That's when he informed them he was under investigation. And even then, he didn't officially leave the organization until he retired in 2010.
In yesterday's report on The NonProfit Times, we reported on The Second Mile's tax filings and annual report. They indicated that the organization experienced a $228,000 operating deficit last year. In addition, revenue fell to $2.1 million, from $4.1 million in 2008. The 12-page annual report cited overall giving to charities being down 11 percent last year as the organization’s board used a “rainy day fund to provide needed services” as it “received more requests to help children and teens than ever.” With these revelations about Sandusky's alleged crimes now coming to light, it's unclear how much longer the charity will be able to operate.
This story will undoubtedly continue to evolve over the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned to The NonProfit Times for any new information that comes out on the case or the future of Second Mile.
Veteran's Day
Hope that everybody had a great Veteran's Day Weekend! In honor of the just passed holiday, I would like to direct our readers to an article we recently posted about the number of unemployed veterans. Here is an excerpt from that piece:
As 39,500 Iraqi troops are scheduled to make their return this December, nonprofits have begun the charge of increasing service programs, while trying to fundraise more for the sudden influx of new clients.
“The key is getting to soldiers as soon as possible,” said Stephen Nardizzi, president and CEO of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in Jacksonville, Fla.. “A lot are returning to isolated communities, which is different from what you’ve seen in past conflicts.”
The unemployment rate for veterans stands at 12 percent, 3 points higher than the national average. In October alone, 240,000 new veterans were looking for jobs. In addition, one in five soldiers is reportedly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nardizzi estimated 300,000 to 600,000 soldiers are dealing with a traumatic brain injury. More than 1 million Americans have served in Iraq, and 39,500 troops will return by year’s end.
Nardizzi sees traumatic brain injuries and PTSD as the biggest issues veterans face, but realizes a full integration in today’s society means using a combination of therapies. “It’s a lot like the legs of a table. They all impact each other. We will have programs that will engage soldiers in team-building activities, but we also have counseling services,” he said.
For WWP, the expectation for increased services has been planned. The organization has experienced “incredible growth” during the past five years, from $40 million 2010 to $68 million this year, and a goal of reaching $90 million next year.
“We took that next step in fundraising about two years ago, when we saw depressed numbers coming back and invested in our direct response services,” said Nardizzi. “We’ve been trying to attract online donors, but this year we also heavily invested in direct response television. We had a very similar approach to television to what we’ve done in direct mail.”
As 39,500 Iraqi troops are scheduled to make their return this December, nonprofits have begun the charge of increasing service programs, while trying to fundraise more for the sudden influx of new clients.
“The key is getting to soldiers as soon as possible,” said Stephen Nardizzi, president and CEO of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in Jacksonville, Fla.. “A lot are returning to isolated communities, which is different from what you’ve seen in past conflicts.”
The unemployment rate for veterans stands at 12 percent, 3 points higher than the national average. In October alone, 240,000 new veterans were looking for jobs. In addition, one in five soldiers is reportedly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nardizzi estimated 300,000 to 600,000 soldiers are dealing with a traumatic brain injury. More than 1 million Americans have served in Iraq, and 39,500 troops will return by year’s end.
Nardizzi sees traumatic brain injuries and PTSD as the biggest issues veterans face, but realizes a full integration in today’s society means using a combination of therapies. “It’s a lot like the legs of a table. They all impact each other. We will have programs that will engage soldiers in team-building activities, but we also have counseling services,” he said.
For WWP, the expectation for increased services has been planned. The organization has experienced “incredible growth” during the past five years, from $40 million 2010 to $68 million this year, and a goal of reaching $90 million next year.
“We took that next step in fundraising about two years ago, when we saw depressed numbers coming back and invested in our direct response services,” said Nardizzi. “We’ve been trying to attract online donors, but this year we also heavily invested in direct response television. We had a very similar approach to television to what we’ve done in direct mail.”
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tax Credit For Michigan Nonprofits Set To Expire
Michigan nonprofits are urging donors to take advantage of a soon-to-expire tax credit, according to an article in The Detroit News.
The tax deduction, called the Credit for Charitable Gifts, raised $100 million last year for Michigan charities, and gave taxpayers over $40 million in write-offs on their state returns. It has been law since 1967, but Governor Rick Snyder and the state Legislature decided that to end it starting Jan. 1. The primary reason for this was because it cost the state $43 million for nearly $100 million in donations. Groups that opposed the repeal of the credit attempted to defend it by saying that it provided a lot of government support for community and cultural groups. Those protests were not enough to save the credit, though there have been rumors that the Snyder administration will add an appropriation for a tax credit in the annual budget.
Charitable deduction has been a big subject in the national news lately. The Obama administration has repeatedly tried to cap deductions at 28 percent for those earning more than $200,000. The most recent attempt at this was in the White House's proposed American Jobs Act, but the provision was removed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
The tax deduction, called the Credit for Charitable Gifts, raised $100 million last year for Michigan charities, and gave taxpayers over $40 million in write-offs on their state returns. It has been law since 1967, but Governor Rick Snyder and the state Legislature decided that to end it starting Jan. 1. The primary reason for this was because it cost the state $43 million for nearly $100 million in donations. Groups that opposed the repeal of the credit attempted to defend it by saying that it provided a lot of government support for community and cultural groups. Those protests were not enough to save the credit, though there have been rumors that the Snyder administration will add an appropriation for a tax credit in the annual budget.
Charitable deduction has been a big subject in the national news lately. The Obama administration has repeatedly tried to cap deductions at 28 percent for those earning more than $200,000. The most recent attempt at this was in the White House's proposed American Jobs Act, but the provision was removed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Product Reviews For The Online Store
Have you purchased a product from on our online store? Let us know what you thought of it! You can now submit a review for any of the products available in our online store. We greatly value your feedback and would love to hear from you.
Google+ Now Open For Business For Nonprofits
When Google+, the search engine giant's venture into the social networking world, launched earlier this Summer, nonprofits might have had two reactions:
That all changed on Monday when Google announced it would allow users to make pages for their business or organization. Known as Google+ Pages, it will allow nonprofits to have yet another presence in the growing world of social media. Yet for all those that are excited about this, there are those that might be more skeptical. Does your nonprofit really need another social networking page?
The NonProfit Times doesn't have a Google+ page, so we can't say with certainty whether it's necessary. But from reading Google's blog post on the subject, it does seem to have some handy features. For example, people interested in your organization can add a "+" before the name of your nonprofit in a Google search. This will instantly connect them to your Google+ page.
Interactivity is another selling point. There's a feature called Google+ Hangouts, which allows users to interact with you via video. I can see this as a great way for a nonprofit to have a discussions with supporters. If you are interested in seeing how this feature works, you can check out a recent hangout that happened on the Google+ page for The Muppets Movie. It should give you a good idea of what you can do with it (and it's kind of funny to watch).
So should your nonprofit create a Google+ page? That's up to you ultimately, but it does seem like it offers some features that at least make it worthwhile to try. Besides, there's no harm in having more of a presence online.
"Oh great, another social networking site. Just what we needed."There was only one problem: Google+ only allowed users to make pages for themselves, not for businesses. So if a nonprofit was hoping to use it to further promote their services, it seemed they were out of luck.
OR
"Another social networking site? Great! That's just what we needed!"
That all changed on Monday when Google announced it would allow users to make pages for their business or organization. Known as Google+ Pages, it will allow nonprofits to have yet another presence in the growing world of social media. Yet for all those that are excited about this, there are those that might be more skeptical. Does your nonprofit really need another social networking page?
The NonProfit Times doesn't have a Google+ page, so we can't say with certainty whether it's necessary. But from reading Google's blog post on the subject, it does seem to have some handy features. For example, people interested in your organization can add a "+" before the name of your nonprofit in a Google search. This will instantly connect them to your Google+ page.
Interactivity is another selling point. There's a feature called Google+ Hangouts, which allows users to interact with you via video. I can see this as a great way for a nonprofit to have a discussions with supporters. If you are interested in seeing how this feature works, you can check out a recent hangout that happened on the Google+ page for The Muppets Movie. It should give you a good idea of what you can do with it (and it's kind of funny to watch).
So should your nonprofit create a Google+ page? That's up to you ultimately, but it does seem like it offers some features that at least make it worthwhile to try. Besides, there's no harm in having more of a presence online.
National Christian Foundation Hits Grant Milestone
The National Christian Foundation (NCF), a grant-making network based in Atlanta, Ga., announced today that it awarded its 3 billionth dollar since the founding in 1982. The organization announced the news in a press release, and have also released a short video to thank their supporters. NCF National President David Wills had this to say about the news:
This is not the first major news that recently has come out of NCF. Earlier this year, they announced a nationwide expansion with their 25 affiliates. They also developed a new brand and updated their website. Visitors to the site can follow a nationwide giving blog, which gives them the opportunity to connect with givers and other experts from across the country. Make sure to visit their site to find out more about the organization.
"We’re grateful to be able to offer givers a foundation which helps simplify giving and multiply the impact. This is just the latest milestone in the modern-day Christian generosity movement, and we're excited to play a part in this historic time of giving."CityTeam Ministries, a Christian nonprofit in San Jose, Calif., was the lucky recipient of the historic grant. They got it after being recommended for a $300,000 grant by Hugh Maclellan of the Maclellan Foundation in Chattanooga, TN.
This is not the first major news that recently has come out of NCF. Earlier this year, they announced a nationwide expansion with their 25 affiliates. They also developed a new brand and updated their website. Visitors to the site can follow a nationwide giving blog, which gives them the opportunity to connect with givers and other experts from across the country. Make sure to visit their site to find out more about the organization.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
All About Fundraising
Fundraising is the engine that runs any successful nonprofit. While nonprofits generally raise funds through the donation of cash, there are many other ways to engage in fundraising. Some organizations will sell products to generate income, while others will set up elaborate events, such as special events. While direct response fundraising remains a popular way to contact donors, nonprofits are increasingly turning to the Internet as a source. This is known as online fundraising and it is not simply limited to email campaigns. There are a variety of online fundraising tools, such as pay per click links or donation widgets.
Are you interested in learning more about fundraising? We have a ton of articles related to the topic on our website. Why not check them out and see what you can find?
Are you interested in learning more about fundraising? We have a ton of articles related to the topic on our website. Why not check them out and see what you can find?
CDS Global/The NonProfit Times Webinar
UPDATE: Did you miss this webinar, or just want to hear it again/show it to a friend or colleague? You can listen to the full recording of the webinar on our online library.
October 13th @ 10:00 AM CDT, join The NonProfit Times and CDS Global for a new webinar: "What's Keeping You Up At Night? Creating Systems to Deal With Nonprofit Challenges." Nonprofit organizations face many challenges today, whether it's scrutiny from donors and boards, donor acquisition and cultivation, operational efficiency issues, or the ever-increasing need to focus on technology. This webinar will help your organization put systems into place that will tackle these issues and more.
This webinar will feature Brett Ridge, Senior Solutions Manager for Nonprofits at CDS Global and Barry Spear, Vice President of Growth and Development at Madonna Reahabilitation Hospital. Register for this exciting webinar today, and help get your nonprofit prepared for current and future obstacles!
October 13th @ 10:00 AM CDT, join The NonProfit Times and CDS Global for a new webinar: "What's Keeping You Up At Night? Creating Systems to Deal With Nonprofit Challenges." Nonprofit organizations face many challenges today, whether it's scrutiny from donors and boards, donor acquisition and cultivation, operational efficiency issues, or the ever-increasing need to focus on technology. This webinar will help your organization put systems into place that will tackle these issues and more.
This webinar will feature Brett Ridge, Senior Solutions Manager for Nonprofits at CDS Global and Barry Spear, Vice President of Growth and Development at Madonna Reahabilitation Hospital. Register for this exciting webinar today, and help get your nonprofit prepared for current and future obstacles!
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