Accountability

What would you do if your organization received a sizable donation from an individual who, months later, was charged with a federal crime? Would you keep the donation or give it back? That’s the question facing Hunter College High School in the wake of Thursday’s arrest of Martin Shkreli, a 32-year-old multimillionaire pharmaceuticals executive who once attended the school...

People talk about being in the moment. It is a very important lesson for fundraising professionals. Be alert. Be where you are. Be engaged with the people around you. It is essential in our business to do the same with prospective donors...

Charity Navigator, one of the nation's two largest watchdog groups for charities, has removed the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation from its "watch list," lifting a cloud from the global philanthropy. The organization had placed the foundation on its watch list in April. The foundation contested the ranking at the time, and Charity Navigator…

Uh oh. Christmas is Friday. And you’ve still got some friends in the office you need gifts for. But what do you get the fundraiser who has it all? Relax, we’ve got your back. Here are a few last minute gifts you can pick up that any fundraiser will love: 1. Thank-You Card Stationery You…

Sue Desmond-Hellmann has worn many hats over the course of her career. She's the rare executive who's spent time in private practice, worked for two major U.S. pharmaceutical corporations, served as chancellor of a top university and now, helmed the world's largest private foundation. As CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation since last…

In the day-to-day grind of the life of a fundraiser, it can be almost too easy to lose your motivation, lose sight of what you want and even stop paying attention. How can you not only practice enthusiasm on a daily basis, but communicate it to others in your organization in an impactful way?...

Until early last year, the website of a Brooklyn, New York-based charity called the National Children’s Leukemia Foundation boasted that the organization had its own “biomedical cancer research center,” where “leading scientists” were working on cancer treatments. A PowerPoint slide that the group’s founder, Zvi Shor, used in a presentation showed an office building where…

On Monday, Consumer Reports released its "Best and Worst Charities For Your Donations" list. By no means as comprehensive as the magazine's robust coverage and hands-on reviews of cars, appliances and electronics, the list is intended as a snapshot for would-be donors, offering tips for avoiding charity scams and more. There's some sound advice in there, but the list itself leaves us with some questions...

I was in a meeting recently with some managers when overhead came up. You would think we had just moved into the ring of a major boxing match. Goodness. Some managers were defensive. Others quietly retreated into their spreadsheets. Still, others moved into some language about “we’re doing the best we can to keep costs down.” So, I stepped into this swamp with the following question: “What do you think donors think about overhead?”...

We tirelessly work at our jobs each day. Most of us never have a chance to smell the roses or think about the impact we make upon our institutions. We are all bridge builders who build upon the foundation laid before us and provide a base for future support. Have you ever thought about the impact you make on the institution you serve?...