Financial Services

In our very first issue, DMW Direct's Tom Hurley, who wrote a column called In the Trenches, discussed a variety of ways to save money on production costs and how a "Savvy Approach to Production Can Help Slash Your Bottom Line."

It is so inspiring to see people who are on the front lines of creating stronger schools, neighborhoods and communities in this country suddenly realize that it doesn't have to be so hard. You can stop beating your head against the fundraising wall.

No matter how you decide to handle year-end gifts, the best things you can do are to create a policy, document it and be consistent.

Let’s help our donors by giving them the facts in a manner that is easy to understand. That, on top of your compelling case for support, may help your nonprofit receive even more income this December.

The group that establishes standards for financial accounting and reporting has approved two new projects that seek to streamline the way nonprofits complete their annual financial statements.

The projects were recommended by a nonprofit advisory board to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, a private organization in Norwalk, Conn., that sets the rules that many nonprofit groups follow to satisfy creditors, investment managers, and auditors.

Ten years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find philanthropy specialists in most private banking and investment firms. But today, philanthropic services are a major division of most wealth management operations, offering clients a myriad of investment vehicles and services to do good.

“… Philanthropy has become a central part of relationship management because it’s so much a part of a high-net-worth individual’s life,” says Eileen Heisman, CEO and President, National Philanthropic Trust.

Certain ideas make so much sense that one wonders why no one thought of them sooner. Case in point: Global leaders struggled for decades to think of a way to improve education. Ten years ago, Fred Mednick, Ph.D., started his nonprofit aimed at supporting those who can best provide that education.

Henrico County-based ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions is merging with a New York-based financial counseling nonprofit. The deal with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central New York was announced Wednesday. It could be months before it is finalized, though, because the merger needs regulatory approval.

The New York firm will take the ClearPoint name, and the combined nonprofit's headquarters will stay here.

The city of Delray Beach and Consumer Credit Management Services are celebrating National Financial Literacy Month in April with "Operation: Money Makeover." The free contest, which begins on Friday and will continue for a year, focuses on promoting personal financial stability. CCMS, a local nonprofit agency, will be offering workshops on managing finances, reducing debt and increasing savings. Seminars and workshops are free, but contest participants will earn points toward winning.

2010 Nonprofit Consultant of the Year Lori Van Dusen passes along some of her advice to fundraisers.