It may be the season of giving, but that doesn't mean nonprofits will be seeing a lot of that this year.
The holidays have traditionally been a major source of revenue for organizations and, in recent years, holiday giving has actually done fairly well. Yet giving suffered during the summer according to the most recent Blackbaud Index of Giving and, The Durango Herald, many La Planta County, Colorado nonprofits are already facing major challenges for the winter holidays.
Many of the nonprofits in this county make a big portion of their budget during this time of the year. Their success during the holidays could determine a years worth of work. And with donors' wallets shrinking because of the economic downturn, nonprofits in the area are competing for dollars. The situation has grown even more dire as the demand for the services of these organizations have increased. For example, the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross has seen holiday giving decrease significantly during the last few years. This is despite the fact that house fires erupt more frequently during the holidays due to candles and other lightings.
Despite all of this turmoil, some charities have collaborated. For example, Music in the Mountains raffled off 25-year ski passes to Durango Mountain Resort. So while it looks like this holiday season may be tough for some Colorado nonprofits, they are hopeful they will be able to get through the season intact. Make sure to read the full article on this subject in The Durango Herald.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Five Important Hiring Tips
Cross Posted From The Nonprofit Job Seeker
Although jobs may be scarce in this economy, this doesn't mean that job candidates are going to take the first position that is offered to them. This economy could make people more picky than normal. Because times are tough, they are going to not only want a position that pays well, but also one in which they feel comfortable. If you are going to attract the best candidates for your nonprofit job, you would do well to follow these five hiring tips:
Although jobs may be scarce in this economy, this doesn't mean that job candidates are going to take the first position that is offered to them. This economy could make people more picky than normal. Because times are tough, they are going to not only want a position that pays well, but also one in which they feel comfortable. If you are going to attract the best candidates for your nonprofit job, you would do well to follow these five hiring tips:
- As I have mentioned in the past, make sure the description in your job listing is informative yet concise. This is a hard balance to strike, but it can be done. The key to reaching this balance is to use specifics. The more the applicant knows about the position, the less chance you will get resumes from unqualified candidates.
- When you conduct an interview, make sure you allow time for the person to say what they want out of the position. It's all well and good to explain what you are looking for in an ideal employee, but you should make sure that the candidate can express their expectations as well. This is helpful because it establishes that this will be a job where the employee's views are important. And that is an important factor when people decide where they want to work.
- Just because someone performs well in an interview doesn't mean they will be the right fit for your organization. Test your applicant's skills to see if they are up to the task. How you do this depends on the type of job you are looking to fill. If you are looking to hire a web content editor, for example, you can have them take a writing test after the interview. If you mention that you will be performing writing tests in your application, this has the added benefit of weeding out less serious candidates.
- Your office should be tidy at all times, but make sure it is especially presentable during the interview. And I'm not just referring to your desk; the entire office should look as impressive as possible. A relaxing workplace makes for a better working environment, and that will be on the top of the list of things top candidates will be looking for.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Zurich Webinar Highlights
UPDATE 12/12/2011: The slides and recording are now online. You can see them in our online library.
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Thanks to everyone who attended today's webinar on risk assessment and designing internal controls. We once again send our thanks to Zurich, as they were instrumental in getting this webinar done. We also want to send special thanks to our three speakers, Peg Jackson, Tom McLaughlin, and Susan Ellis. They were all fabulous today. If you were not able to attend the webinar, here are some of the things that participants learned:
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Thanks to everyone who attended today's webinar on risk assessment and designing internal controls. We once again send our thanks to Zurich, as they were instrumental in getting this webinar done. We also want to send special thanks to our three speakers, Peg Jackson, Tom McLaughlin, and Susan Ellis. They were all fabulous today. If you were not able to attend the webinar, here are some of the things that participants learned:
- Boards must review Form 990 before it is submitted to the IRS.
- All boards should have an audit committee.
- The most functional board size is no more than 15 individuals.
- CEOs shouldn't receive compensation that is 25 percent more than the next highest paid executive at the nonprofit.
- If a volunteer does something seriously wrong--something that could put the organization at risk--it is within the rights of an organization to remove them.
- Make sure a volunteer can perform all tasks necessary before hiring. They should be able to back up the skills they claim to have.
Student Philanthropists
How's this for a homework assignment: Find a way to give away $100,000. If you were a student at University of Pennsylvania, it's not too outlandish of a proposal.
According to a report on NewsWorks.org, UPenn students who took a course covering the economics of the nonprofit sector in Philadelphia were given quite a shock when they were asked to distribute $100,000 given to the class by an anonymous donor. And this was only 10 days before the class even started.
Here's how it worked: The 30 students in the class were split into groups of five, each given $20,000. They students then had to create a mission statement, seek out local organizations that fit with the mission, and vet them as potential recipients. One organization that was considered by some of the students was Play On! Philly, an after-school music program. They were rejected by one of the student groups because they didn't think the organization had sufficient community engagement. On the other hand, one of the other groups gave them the money because they felt the nonprofit proved it had educational influence beyond music.
The decisions the students had to make highlight the challenges that nonprofits face raising money, especially during the Great Recession. NewsWorks notes that Greg Goldman, who has taught nonprofit economics at UPenn for 14 years, said that the recent economic downturn has affected nonprofits like no other recession has before. That doesn't mean it's impossible--especially when it comes to capital campaigns--but people do have to be more careful with money these days. And UPenn students learned that first hand during their philanthropic exercise.
Make sure to read the full article over on NewsWorks and let us know your reactions to it.
According to a report on NewsWorks.org, UPenn students who took a course covering the economics of the nonprofit sector in Philadelphia were given quite a shock when they were asked to distribute $100,000 given to the class by an anonymous donor. And this was only 10 days before the class even started.
Here's how it worked: The 30 students in the class were split into groups of five, each given $20,000. They students then had to create a mission statement, seek out local organizations that fit with the mission, and vet them as potential recipients. One organization that was considered by some of the students was Play On! Philly, an after-school music program. They were rejected by one of the student groups because they didn't think the organization had sufficient community engagement. On the other hand, one of the other groups gave them the money because they felt the nonprofit proved it had educational influence beyond music.
The decisions the students had to make highlight the challenges that nonprofits face raising money, especially during the Great Recession. NewsWorks notes that Greg Goldman, who has taught nonprofit economics at UPenn for 14 years, said that the recent economic downturn has affected nonprofits like no other recession has before. That doesn't mean it's impossible--especially when it comes to capital campaigns--but people do have to be more careful with money these days. And UPenn students learned that first hand during their philanthropic exercise.
Make sure to read the full article over on NewsWorks and let us know your reactions to it.
Donor Acquisition Strategies
What separated the nonprofits that had their fiscal house in order during the recession from those that didn't? More often than not it was one thing: A solid donor acquisition strategy.
Acquiring new donors is key to keeping a steady stream of revenue coming into your organization. But you can't go donor prospecting on the fly; you need a plan first. During the 2011 National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC), Bryan Terpstra, VP of fundraising, and Robin Riggs, chief creative officer at LW Robbins, discussed some ways nonprofits could update their acquisition programs. The NonProfit Times was there to hear these tips, and they are:
Acquiring new donors is key to keeping a steady stream of revenue coming into your organization. But you can't go donor prospecting on the fly; you need a plan first. During the 2011 National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC), Bryan Terpstra, VP of fundraising, and Robin Riggs, chief creative officer at LW Robbins, discussed some ways nonprofits could update their acquisition programs. The NonProfit Times was there to hear these tips, and they are:
- Brand Positioning: Make sure your mission is described clearly through your direct mail. Donors who are hearing from you for the first time might have no idea what your organization is trying to accomplish. Never assume that someone has done research beforehand.
- Brand Awareness: Once you have defined your mission it's time to make sure it's promoted in as many channels as possible. Remember that potential donors use many different forms of media, so don't be afraid of diversity.
- Identify Your Best Prospects: Make use of lists to see which donors contribute to similar organizations. These will be some of the best prosepcts for your nonprofit.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Busy Employees Are Happy Employees
If you sat a few employees down in a room and told them that they would be doing less work but receiving the same pay, what do you think their reaction would be? Jumping for joy, right? Wrong.
In an article on The Nonprofit Jobseeker, NPT's home for nonprofit jobs, we learn that employees are most happy when they are busy. This is according to a recent report by Sirota Survey Intelligence, a Purchase, N.Y.-based research company. This flies in the face of what some bosses might think. Wouldn't employees like having less stress on a daily basis? It turns out that most workers would prefer to accomplish as much as possible during a given day, rather than just getting by on their job.
This makes all the sense in the world, especially when you apply it to nonprofit organizations. One of the big attractions of working at an NPO is getting the chance to do work that can make a difference for a cause. Why wouldn't a nonprofit employee want to be accomplishing more for a cause they presumably care about? The survey results indicate that "Overworked people, in a sense, are getting feedback from the organization that their contributions are important.”
The results also make sense from a practical standpoint. What would you rather be doing during a long workday? Having a lot to do, or sitting on your hands doing nothing? Make sure to read the full article on the Nonprofit Jobseeker.
In an article on The Nonprofit Jobseeker, NPT's home for nonprofit jobs, we learn that employees are most happy when they are busy. This is according to a recent report by Sirota Survey Intelligence, a Purchase, N.Y.-based research company. This flies in the face of what some bosses might think. Wouldn't employees like having less stress on a daily basis? It turns out that most workers would prefer to accomplish as much as possible during a given day, rather than just getting by on their job.
This makes all the sense in the world, especially when you apply it to nonprofit organizations. One of the big attractions of working at an NPO is getting the chance to do work that can make a difference for a cause. Why wouldn't a nonprofit employee want to be accomplishing more for a cause they presumably care about? The survey results indicate that "Overworked people, in a sense, are getting feedback from the organization that their contributions are important.”
The results also make sense from a practical standpoint. What would you rather be doing during a long workday? Having a lot to do, or sitting on your hands doing nothing? Make sure to read the full article on the Nonprofit Jobseeker.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Nonprofit Jobs: New Jersey Nonprofit To Create 800 New Jobs
Cross-Posted From NPT Jobs
On the heels of the good job news from last month, one New Jersey nonprofit expects to create twice the number of jobs as originally expected.
According to a report in The Asbury Park Press, the New Jersey Technology Solutions Center estimates it will be able to create 800-1,000 new jobs over the next five years. That's a far cry from the 200 to 300 positions the center was originally expected to create when it launched last year. It's also a dose of good news for an organization that had an uncertain future after earmarks--a major source of funding for the center--were discontinued by Congress earlier this year.
The new jobs are expected to arrive once the nonprofit receives contracts in a number of areas, including engineering, software development, management, and business development. If all of these new jobs are created as predicted, it will go along way towards making up for the loss of 5,000 high-technology jobs when Fort Monmouth, one of the army's installations in Monmouth County, closed earlier this fall. These jobs will not only get people much needed employment, but are also expected to pour millions of dollars into the local economy by 2017.
Read The Asbury Park Press story for more information. You should also be sure to check out our career center for other New Jersey nonprofit jobs.
On the heels of the good job news from last month, one New Jersey nonprofit expects to create twice the number of jobs as originally expected.
According to a report in The Asbury Park Press, the New Jersey Technology Solutions Center estimates it will be able to create 800-1,000 new jobs over the next five years. That's a far cry from the 200 to 300 positions the center was originally expected to create when it launched last year. It's also a dose of good news for an organization that had an uncertain future after earmarks--a major source of funding for the center--were discontinued by Congress earlier this year.
The new jobs are expected to arrive once the nonprofit receives contracts in a number of areas, including engineering, software development, management, and business development. If all of these new jobs are created as predicted, it will go along way towards making up for the loss of 5,000 high-technology jobs when Fort Monmouth, one of the army's installations in Monmouth County, closed earlier this fall. These jobs will not only get people much needed employment, but are also expected to pour millions of dollars into the local economy by 2017.
Read The Asbury Park Press story for more information. You should also be sure to check out our career center for other New Jersey nonprofit jobs.
Nonprofits Facing Fiscal Stress
The latest fundraising survey by The Nonprofit Research Collaborative (NRC) was a mixed bag for nonprofits.
The survey, which was released yesterday, showed that 41 percent of organizations reported increased charitable receipts for the first nine months of the year. On the other hand, there were signs that a significant number of organizations were feeling increased fiscal stress. Among signs of fiscal stress, the primary concern was flat or declining contributions, cited by 52 percent of organizations, followed by 48 percent each who said low cash reserves and limited number of funders. Nearly as many, 46 percent, said flat or declining non-contribution revenue was a concern.
These problems are of even greater concern to smaller organizations. While NRC reports that only 8 percent of NPOs fear they are in danger of closing because of financial reasons, that number increases to 20 percent for organizations with less than $3 million in expenditures.
But let's get to some good news, shall we? Aside from the increased charitable receipts--up from 36 percent last year--half of responding organizations saw an increase of new donors. This included new corporate funders (37 percent) and foundations grantors (16 percent). Still, prospects look bleak for 2012. All organizations expect they will start 2012 with reduced revenue from multiple sources.
What is your reaction to these numbers? Has your organization experienced any of the fiscal problems mentioned? Be sure to read the full report on the survey on The NonProfit Times.
The survey, which was released yesterday, showed that 41 percent of organizations reported increased charitable receipts for the first nine months of the year. On the other hand, there were signs that a significant number of organizations were feeling increased fiscal stress. Among signs of fiscal stress, the primary concern was flat or declining contributions, cited by 52 percent of organizations, followed by 48 percent each who said low cash reserves and limited number of funders. Nearly as many, 46 percent, said flat or declining non-contribution revenue was a concern.
These problems are of even greater concern to smaller organizations. While NRC reports that only 8 percent of NPOs fear they are in danger of closing because of financial reasons, that number increases to 20 percent for organizations with less than $3 million in expenditures.
But let's get to some good news, shall we? Aside from the increased charitable receipts--up from 36 percent last year--half of responding organizations saw an increase of new donors. This included new corporate funders (37 percent) and foundations grantors (16 percent). Still, prospects look bleak for 2012. All organizations expect they will start 2012 with reduced revenue from multiple sources.
What is your reaction to these numbers? Has your organization experienced any of the fiscal problems mentioned? Be sure to read the full report on the survey on The NonProfit Times.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Changes To First Class Mail Coming?
UPDATE, 4:00 PM EST: We have updated the story with more reactions from nonprofits.
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In a story that we posted on our website this morning, the USPS announced plans to close half of its processing facilities in an effort to shift First Class mail to a two- to three-day standard for destinations in the continental United States.
The Postal Service says this change will allow them to save $2 billion, which will help in their efforts to reduce operating costs by $20 billion by 2015. Despite it being the most profitable category of mail, First Class mail is on the decline. Volume was down to 78 billion pieces last year, with projections of 53 billion in 2016 and 39 billion by 2020. They insist that the changes to First Class mail, which is also scheduled to receive a postage increase in January 2012, will have only a small impact on the "average postal customer."
Most nonprofits use Standard Nonprofit mail for their direct mail solicitations, so it's unclear what the response will be from the nonprofit community. Tony Conway, executive director of the Association of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM), said the USPS has “all these plants to handle all this mail that’s declining every year." He went on to say: “They need to downsize the network. That drove the whole decision.” We are continuing to check the pulse of nonprofits, and will update our story when we get more reaction. Stay tuned. In the mean time, let us know what you think of this news.
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In a story that we posted on our website this morning, the USPS announced plans to close half of its processing facilities in an effort to shift First Class mail to a two- to three-day standard for destinations in the continental United States.
The Postal Service says this change will allow them to save $2 billion, which will help in their efforts to reduce operating costs by $20 billion by 2015. Despite it being the most profitable category of mail, First Class mail is on the decline. Volume was down to 78 billion pieces last year, with projections of 53 billion in 2016 and 39 billion by 2020. They insist that the changes to First Class mail, which is also scheduled to receive a postage increase in January 2012, will have only a small impact on the "average postal customer."
Most nonprofits use Standard Nonprofit mail for their direct mail solicitations, so it's unclear what the response will be from the nonprofit community. Tony Conway, executive director of the Association of Nonprofit Mailers (ANM), said the USPS has “all these plants to handle all this mail that’s declining every year." He went on to say: “They need to downsize the network. That drove the whole decision.” We are continuing to check the pulse of nonprofits, and will update our story when we get more reaction. Stay tuned. In the mean time, let us know what you think of this news.
Nonprofit And For-Profit Newsrooms Working Together
Nonprofit organizations partnering with for-profit corporations is nothing new but in recent years they've become more commonplace. When there is a common goal, these partnerships can be very fruitful. And now, for-profit and nonprofit newsrooms are discovering they need each other.
The PBS website MediaShift, in conjunction with the Investigative Reporting Program, conducted a roundtable discussion with local media experts on this subject. With budgets tightening at newsrooms across the country, established media outlets are finding they don't have the resources for extensive investigative reports. Spending six months on a story isn't exactly the best way to make money. That's where nonprofit news organizations come in.
Sites like the Voice of San Diego and the St. Louis Beacon have been popping up, filling the gap in investigative journalism. Major news outlets, not wanting to lose this area of reporting entirely, have found that working with these nonprofit news sites makes for a partnership that benefits both sides. This benefit can be seen in a recent project by Frontline, an investigation show hosted on PBS. They worked with PBS, The Guardian, and CBC on a project, and found that they were able to accomplish a lot more by sharing resources.
It's not all roses and sunshine, though. Mary Walter-Brown, who works at the Voice of San Diego, spoke to the roundtable discussion about her experience partnering with a local NBC affiliate. They would often have people from the Voice as experts, but Brown says they still have trouble getting them to explain their mission to viewers. It seems some fledgling news organizations seeking nonprofit status also are having difficulty explaining their mission to the IRS.
We recommend that you read the rest of the roundtable discussion on PBS's website. What do you think of the stories they shared there? Has your organization had similar experiences in their partnerships with for-profits?
The PBS website MediaShift, in conjunction with the Investigative Reporting Program, conducted a roundtable discussion with local media experts on this subject. With budgets tightening at newsrooms across the country, established media outlets are finding they don't have the resources for extensive investigative reports. Spending six months on a story isn't exactly the best way to make money. That's where nonprofit news organizations come in.
Sites like the Voice of San Diego and the St. Louis Beacon have been popping up, filling the gap in investigative journalism. Major news outlets, not wanting to lose this area of reporting entirely, have found that working with these nonprofit news sites makes for a partnership that benefits both sides. This benefit can be seen in a recent project by Frontline, an investigation show hosted on PBS. They worked with PBS, The Guardian, and CBC on a project, and found that they were able to accomplish a lot more by sharing resources.
It's not all roses and sunshine, though. Mary Walter-Brown, who works at the Voice of San Diego, spoke to the roundtable discussion about her experience partnering with a local NBC affiliate. They would often have people from the Voice as experts, but Brown says they still have trouble getting them to explain their mission to viewers. It seems some fledgling news organizations seeking nonprofit status also are having difficulty explaining their mission to the IRS.
We recommend that you read the rest of the roundtable discussion on PBS's website. What do you think of the stories they shared there? Has your organization had similar experiences in their partnerships with for-profits?
Monday, December 5, 2011
MBA Programs Pair Students With Nonprofit Boards
Nonprofit boards are trying to get an influx of youth. That goal may be within reach thanks to help from MBA programs.
According to an article in Bloomberg Business Week, schools with MBA programs in nonprofit management are teaming up with local nonprofit boards. The article cites the example of Columbia Business School's Nonprofit Leadership Program, which pairs 30 MBA students with a local nonprofit board each year. Ryan Bell, who attended the school in the Fall of 2010, was assigned to the board of Friends of the Children of New York.
Bell didn't just attend meetings while serving as a Board Fellow; he also assisted the board's fundraising committee by analyzing the organization's five-year strategic plan. His assistance played a key role in developing a new evaluation system for students, which ultimately resulting in $275,000 in additional funding. All this was done at the end of his one-year term.
Programs like the one at Columbia are becoming more popular as nonprofit boards are seeing it as an opportunity to connect with a younger audience. We had written an article a couple of years back that showed that only 2 percent of nonprofit boards have members younger than 30. Make sure to check that out to get a better sense of the age disparity at nonprofit boards.
If you want to read the full article on Board Fellow programs, check out the Bloomberg Business Week website.
According to an article in Bloomberg Business Week, schools with MBA programs in nonprofit management are teaming up with local nonprofit boards. The article cites the example of Columbia Business School's Nonprofit Leadership Program, which pairs 30 MBA students with a local nonprofit board each year. Ryan Bell, who attended the school in the Fall of 2010, was assigned to the board of Friends of the Children of New York.
Bell didn't just attend meetings while serving as a Board Fellow; he also assisted the board's fundraising committee by analyzing the organization's five-year strategic plan. His assistance played a key role in developing a new evaluation system for students, which ultimately resulting in $275,000 in additional funding. All this was done at the end of his one-year term.
Programs like the one at Columbia are becoming more popular as nonprofit boards are seeing it as an opportunity to connect with a younger audience. We had written an article a couple of years back that showed that only 2 percent of nonprofit boards have members younger than 30. Make sure to check that out to get a better sense of the age disparity at nonprofit boards.
If you want to read the full article on Board Fellow programs, check out the Bloomberg Business Week website.
Accommodating Your Youth Volunteers
The job market is proving difficult for everybody, and college students are no exception. That's why the amount of time they volunteered increased from 2009 to 2010, according to USA Today. Volunteering remains a popular way for young people to keep themselves busy while they are looking for work. It also looks great to nonprofits on a resume. With the number of youth volunteers increasing, nonprofits need to come up with ways to accommodate them.
In his book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recruiting and Managing Volunteers, John L. Lipp offered some ways that nonprofits can accomplish this goal:
In his book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recruiting and Managing Volunteers, John L. Lipp offered some ways that nonprofits can accomplish this goal:
- It all starts with flexibility. If the volunteer is still taking classes, it might be tough for them to commit more than two hours. This is especially the case near the end of the semester, when work loads typically increase.
- Lipp says that most young people like working together, so pair up students to promote teamwork skills.
- Keep your volunteers engaged by making mundane tasks more fun. For example, have an envelope stuffing party with pizza and videos.
- Involving youth volunteers not only addresses short-term needs of an organization, but also long-term needs. Try to engage these volunteers as best as possible so they will turn to your organization in the future when they have disposable income.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Bowling Green Raps About Big Donors
Who knew that you could make a great rap about donors?
If you are subscribed to our Instant Fundraising newsletter, you probably read about Bowling Green State University's rap tribute to the donors to its new athletic facility, The Stroh Center. Here are some of the highlights from the rap, which proves that you can make decent rhymes in the name of philanthropy:
If you are subscribed to our Instant Fundraising newsletter, you probably read about Bowling Green State University's rap tribute to the donors to its new athletic facility, The Stroh Center. Here are some of the highlights from the rap, which proves that you can make decent rhymes in the name of philanthropy:
In the case of Miles, he “gave cash in piles/Sportin Charles Taylors, rockin’ argyles/He knows the game ya’ll, he ain’t no amateur/back in the 50s he was the student manager.”If you are like me, you probably wondered what the rap sounded like. It's one thing to read the lyrics, it's another to hear them in action. Well luckily for you, the video was posted on YouTube. We now present it to you in all its glory. Enjoy!
Frack “made cash in stacks – snap – he’s given some back/2 cold million. Mad Falcon support!/He’s laying it down for the Bill Frack Court.”
The Second Mile Settles Lawsuit
We posted an article yesterday about a civil lawsuit filed against The Second Mile, the charity founded by former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky. It's the first civil lawsuit filed in the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, initiated by St. Paul, Minn.-based Anderson & Associates on behalf of an alleged victim who is not one of the eight mentioned in the state Attorney General's grand jury report. While that suit is ongoing, it was reported last night by MyFox Philly that the beleaguered charity has settled another lawsuit by an alleged victim of Sandusky.
The suit, which was filed by "Victim Four" in the grand jury report that laid out the charges against Sandusky, had sought to freeze Second Mile's assets in anticipation of a civil suit. The settlement that was reached Thursday states that the charity must get court approval if it wants to transfer assets or shutdown. The plaintiff also must be informed before any movement of funds. The Second Mile has about $9 million in assets as of Aug. 2010, as we reported in our story yesterday.
You can read additional details about the settlement on MyFox Philly's website.
The suit, which was filed by "Victim Four" in the grand jury report that laid out the charges against Sandusky, had sought to freeze Second Mile's assets in anticipation of a civil suit. The settlement that was reached Thursday states that the charity must get court approval if it wants to transfer assets or shutdown. The plaintiff also must be informed before any movement of funds. The Second Mile has about $9 million in assets as of Aug. 2010, as we reported in our story yesterday.
You can read additional details about the settlement on MyFox Philly's website.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Jacksonville Jaguars Owners Stay, To Relief Of Charities
When does the sale of a football team rock the nonprofit world? When the owners of said football team are major philanthropic figures in the community.
If you are a fan of the NFL, you are probably aware that the Jacksonville Jaguars sold the franchise yesterday. You might not be as aware that the owners of the team, Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, are the most visible and active philanthropists in Jacksonville. In an article published yesterday in The Florida Times-Union, nonprofits reacted with relief that, despite the sale, the Weavers will be staying in Jacksonville.
Words like "Thank God" were thrown around by various nonprofit executives when The Florida Times-Union approached them with the news. And it's not just because of the money they donated ($55 million to local causes since the mid-90's) that has Florida charities thankful; the Weavers changed philanthropy in the city of Jacksonville. The couple donated $27 million to The Community Foundation in 2007, most of which went to agencies in need, but $11 million of it was used to create endowments for 22 local nonprofits. Until the Weaver's gift, few Jacksonville nonprofits were endowed.
It's because of stories like that why nonprofits were excited to learn the Weavers will continue to be active in Jacksonville philanthropy through the Weaver Family Foundation. Time will tell if the new ownership of the Jaguars will be able to turn the team back into contenders. But with all this uncertainty, at least nonprofits know that their favorite football owners are staying where they are.
Make sure to read the full article on the Weavers at The Florida Times-Union.
If you are a fan of the NFL, you are probably aware that the Jacksonville Jaguars sold the franchise yesterday. You might not be as aware that the owners of the team, Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, are the most visible and active philanthropists in Jacksonville. In an article published yesterday in The Florida Times-Union, nonprofits reacted with relief that, despite the sale, the Weavers will be staying in Jacksonville.
Words like "Thank God" were thrown around by various nonprofit executives when The Florida Times-Union approached them with the news. And it's not just because of the money they donated ($55 million to local causes since the mid-90's) that has Florida charities thankful; the Weavers changed philanthropy in the city of Jacksonville. The couple donated $27 million to The Community Foundation in 2007, most of which went to agencies in need, but $11 million of it was used to create endowments for 22 local nonprofits. Until the Weaver's gift, few Jacksonville nonprofits were endowed.
It's because of stories like that why nonprofits were excited to learn the Weavers will continue to be active in Jacksonville philanthropy through the Weaver Family Foundation. Time will tell if the new ownership of the Jaguars will be able to turn the team back into contenders. But with all this uncertainty, at least nonprofits know that their favorite football owners are staying where they are.
Make sure to read the full article on the Weavers at The Florida Times-Union.
The Future Of National Service
As you are probably aware, the Dec. 1 issue of The NonProfit Times was just released the other day. Included in that issue was a special report entitled "2012: The End Of The World Or Nonprofit Renaissance?" This report features six columns by major nonprofit personalities like Adrian Sargeant of the Center on Philanthropy and Ben Duda of AmeriCorps Alums.
Duda, who works as executive director at the organization, wrote a piece about national service and volunteerism. And sticking with the end of the world theme, he discussed what place they have in America in the future. He argues that they will endure as long as citizens demand that they do.
AmeriCorps was kind enough to blog about the piece he wrote for us, which we are very grateful for. You can read the entire article in his blog post, but here's an excerpt from it to whet your appetite:
I’m not buying the “end-of-days” hype. I’m fully confident the Mayan Calendar will join the list of dubious doom predictions, alongside Harold Camping’s end of the world timing in 1994 or May 21, 2011, no, wait, Oct. 21, 2011, the hysteria of the Y2K computer failures, and those classic National Enquirer cover stories from the supermarket checkout line. But since we’re talking predictions, here’s where I think we’re going as a sector and as a country.
There’s a new wave of critics on the value of national service, as the (Mayan) calendar turns to 2012, with some in the House of Representatives advancing a zero budget going forward for AmeriCorps. That is not a very good idea. Its not very good for our country, especially for a generation of young Americans who want to serve their nation, and who will one day lead this country.
Is it the end of the world? No, although it certainly feels like a re-run of a bad sitcom. National service will endure and we’ll be thankful it does as a generation of nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and entrepreneurs ascend with a common career arc that is rooted in volunteerism and defined by national service.
More than 700,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps since 1994. For 1,700 hours in service to the country this year, a member gets $5,550 toward loan repayment or future education. That’s a good investment in our future workforce and future leaders. Best of all, it represents a $2.01 return in essential services for every federal dollar, nearly unmatched when analyzing government spending.
Duda, who works as executive director at the organization, wrote a piece about national service and volunteerism. And sticking with the end of the world theme, he discussed what place they have in America in the future. He argues that they will endure as long as citizens demand that they do.
AmeriCorps was kind enough to blog about the piece he wrote for us, which we are very grateful for. You can read the entire article in his blog post, but here's an excerpt from it to whet your appetite:
I’m not buying the “end-of-days” hype. I’m fully confident the Mayan Calendar will join the list of dubious doom predictions, alongside Harold Camping’s end of the world timing in 1994 or May 21, 2011, no, wait, Oct. 21, 2011, the hysteria of the Y2K computer failures, and those classic National Enquirer cover stories from the supermarket checkout line. But since we’re talking predictions, here’s where I think we’re going as a sector and as a country.
There’s a new wave of critics on the value of national service, as the (Mayan) calendar turns to 2012, with some in the House of Representatives advancing a zero budget going forward for AmeriCorps. That is not a very good idea. Its not very good for our country, especially for a generation of young Americans who want to serve their nation, and who will one day lead this country.
Is it the end of the world? No, although it certainly feels like a re-run of a bad sitcom. National service will endure and we’ll be thankful it does as a generation of nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and entrepreneurs ascend with a common career arc that is rooted in volunteerism and defined by national service.
More than 700,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps since 1994. For 1,700 hours in service to the country this year, a member gets $5,550 toward loan repayment or future education. That’s a good investment in our future workforce and future leaders. Best of all, it represents a $2.01 return in essential services for every federal dollar, nearly unmatched when analyzing government spending.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Gleason Gras Tackles ALS
Five years ago, Steve Gleason experienced one of the high points of his football life.
The former New Orleans Saints safety participated in one of the most dramatic moments in the NFL on September 25, 2006. His blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons highlighted the re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome, which had been closed since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Five years after that memorable game, Gleason announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS (or Lou Gehrig's disease), a fatal disease that damages the nerves that control muscle movement. There is currently no cure, but that hasn't stopped Gleason from trying to raise awareness.
A day before the Saints' 49-24 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation hosted the first annual Gleason Gras, an all day festival featuring music, games, food, and other entertainment. WWLTV covered the event, which raised $200,000. That money will go to the Gleason Family Trust to help offset the costs of living with ALS.
Yet for Gleason, this was just the opening act. He told WWLTV that the ultimate goal is to raise global and national awareness about ALS. That's a big part of why he founded his own nonprofit, Team Gleason. That organization has multiple arms, including the Gleason Initiative Foundation, which works to help other patients struggling with Lou Gherig's Disease.
History tells us that Steve Gleason will lose his battle with ALS, as many have done before him. But maybe, just maybe, his efforts can pave the way toward a cure in the future. To read more about Gleason Gras and Team Gleason, head on over to WWLTV.
The former New Orleans Saints safety participated in one of the most dramatic moments in the NFL on September 25, 2006. His blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons highlighted the re-opening of the Louisiana Superdome, which had been closed since Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Five years after that memorable game, Gleason announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS (or Lou Gehrig's disease), a fatal disease that damages the nerves that control muscle movement. There is currently no cure, but that hasn't stopped Gleason from trying to raise awareness.
A day before the Saints' 49-24 win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation hosted the first annual Gleason Gras, an all day festival featuring music, games, food, and other entertainment. WWLTV covered the event, which raised $200,000. That money will go to the Gleason Family Trust to help offset the costs of living with ALS.
Yet for Gleason, this was just the opening act. He told WWLTV that the ultimate goal is to raise global and national awareness about ALS. That's a big part of why he founded his own nonprofit, Team Gleason. That organization has multiple arms, including the Gleason Initiative Foundation, which works to help other patients struggling with Lou Gherig's Disease.
History tells us that Steve Gleason will lose his battle with ALS, as many have done before him. But maybe, just maybe, his efforts can pave the way toward a cure in the future. To read more about Gleason Gras and Team Gleason, head on over to WWLTV.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Facts About Fundraising Staff
Cross-Posted From The Nonprofit Jobseeker
Staff turnover is a fact of life for any nonprofit manager. A very costly fact of life. This is even more of an issue when it comes to fundraising staff. Not only is the work they do very valuable, but finding a replacement can be very difficult and expensive. And to add insult to injury, the time spent finding a replacement can be a prime period for fundraising opportunities. That's why it's so important to improve the retention of your fundraisers.
The NonProfit Times attended this year's Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference on Fundraising where Penelope Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc., spoke on the topic of staff turnover. She said the key to retaining great fundraisers lies in knowing more about them. She shared some facts gathered through a survey of fundraising employees of nonprofits:
Staff turnover is a fact of life for any nonprofit manager. A very costly fact of life. This is even more of an issue when it comes to fundraising staff. Not only is the work they do very valuable, but finding a replacement can be very difficult and expensive. And to add insult to injury, the time spent finding a replacement can be a prime period for fundraising opportunities. That's why it's so important to improve the retention of your fundraisers.
The NonProfit Times attended this year's Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference on Fundraising where Penelope Burk, president of Cygnus Applied Research, Inc., spoke on the topic of staff turnover. She said the key to retaining great fundraisers lies in knowing more about them. She shared some facts gathered through a survey of fundraising employees of nonprofits:
- Why they chose a fundraising career. Most fundraisers entered the profession “accidentally” (i.e., through other work they were hired to do), rather than intentionally. Some take an opportunistic view, coming into the field as leverage to other jobs in the sector.
- The profile of a loyal fundraiser (one who intends to stay). Key characteristics include a belief in the mission, having personal/family needs accommodated, being included/respected as an active participant in planning, creative discussion, working with a team.
- Why fundraisers left their last position. Salary or increase in salary is always the primary reason why fundraisers left their last jobs or intend to leave the current one. Flexibility on salary plus offering benefits that fit the times is a first practical step to lengthening their tenure.
Private Donations For Public Schools
Most cities or towns have multiple public schools in their district. So is it right for one public school to receive an influx of private donations while others don't get as much?
That is the question raised in a recent article in The Los Angeles Times. The idea itself doesn't seem too controversial. If a group of parents want their students to enjoy higher quality learning, why shouldn't they donate money so they can buy things like new computers? The situation becomes fuzzier when you consider that there are schools in the same district that lack many of these same amenities.
The Times piece offers the case of the Santa Monica-Malibu United School District as the poster child for this discussion. PTA donations add up to more than $2,100 per student at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School in Malibu. McKinley Elementary in Santa Monica, on the other hand, gets only an average $96 per student in donations. Only 2% of the students at Point Dume are poor, and the school uses the money for, among other things, classroom aides, a reading program, and choral music. About 46% of the student population at McKinley is considered poor.
The drastic difference in donations between the two schools has sparked a debate in the district, where the school board is considering some changes. This includes creating a district-wide nonprofit that would collect donations for personnel and distribute them evenly amongst the schools. Donations for supplies would stay with individual schools. Under this system, half of the donations to Point Dume would be in the hands of the nonprofit.
Parents of children at wealthier schools argue that it's their money, and they should be able to do what they want with it. But, as the article mentions, California courts have continuously ruled that there must be an equal distribution to all public schools.
Read the full article in The Los Angeles Times, and chime in with your thoughts on the topic. For additional reading, check out this article from NPT about public school foundations.
That is the question raised in a recent article in The Los Angeles Times. The idea itself doesn't seem too controversial. If a group of parents want their students to enjoy higher quality learning, why shouldn't they donate money so they can buy things like new computers? The situation becomes fuzzier when you consider that there are schools in the same district that lack many of these same amenities.
The Times piece offers the case of the Santa Monica-Malibu United School District as the poster child for this discussion. PTA donations add up to more than $2,100 per student at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School in Malibu. McKinley Elementary in Santa Monica, on the other hand, gets only an average $96 per student in donations. Only 2% of the students at Point Dume are poor, and the school uses the money for, among other things, classroom aides, a reading program, and choral music. About 46% of the student population at McKinley is considered poor.
The drastic difference in donations between the two schools has sparked a debate in the district, where the school board is considering some changes. This includes creating a district-wide nonprofit that would collect donations for personnel and distribute them evenly amongst the schools. Donations for supplies would stay with individual schools. Under this system, half of the donations to Point Dume would be in the hands of the nonprofit.
Parents of children at wealthier schools argue that it's their money, and they should be able to do what they want with it. But, as the article mentions, California courts have continuously ruled that there must be an equal distribution to all public schools.
Read the full article in The Los Angeles Times, and chime in with your thoughts on the topic. For additional reading, check out this article from NPT about public school foundations.
The NonProfit Times' Dec. 1 Issue Is Out!
Now that's Thanksgiving is over we can begin the countdown to Christmas. Although it's not quite December yet, The NonProfit Times has an early present for everybody: The Dec. 1 issue has now been posted online! In fact, you may have already received it in the mail. But if you haven't, you can now have a peek at what's in the latest edition:
Special Report:
Special Report:
- 2012: The End Of The World Or Nonprofit Renaissance?: A series of experts from the nonprofit sector, including the Center on Philanthropy's Adrian Sergeant, discuss what they think is in store for nonprofits in 2012. End of the world or not.
- Kids' Charity Is Damaged By Penn State Scandal: Learn how The Second Mile, the charity founded by former Penn State Football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, has been affected by the fallout from the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.
- Bonuses For Performance And Longevity Boost Exec Pay: We take a closer look at the executive compensation at the organizations listed in last month's NPT 100.
- William Aramony Dead At 84: William Aramony, who turned United Way (UW) into the powerhouse fundraising charity that it is today, died of bone cancer associated with prostate cancer Nov. 11 at age 84 in Alexandria, Va.
- Pick One: Nonprofit volunteers are often put in positions where their own personal safety can be endangered or where they could pose a threat to others. Learn how to manage these risks in this column by guest authors Ronald Taylor, Jeff Tenenbaum, and Thomas Strong.
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