NonProfit Pro

Often, I find that my clients have spent a lot of time and effort soliciting really nice gifts like airline tickets, cruises, gift cards and the like. And they have been using these gifts to reward fundraisers. They strongly believe these gifts are great and that people fundraise to get them. What do you think about that?

Recent tweets on nonprofits (#nonprofits).

For those who have donated via crowdfunding sites, 45 percent have given to an individual person in need, compared to only 22 percent who have given to a charity like the Red Cross, or 20 percent who have given to social causes like homelessness.

By contrast, Americans who donate via any channel say the single channel they are most likely to donate to is a charitable organization (25 percent) compared to 17 percent who prefer to give to individuals.

GoFundMe now dominates the crowdfunding space, with 41 percent of Americans aware of the site.

One of the (several) things I enjoy about teaching fundraising courses at a couple of universities is the opportunity to explore fundraising with people who have little or no experience in the field. Things I take for granted and view as "just the way things are" suddenly appear in a different light. Students ask, "Why?" and I'm challenged to think back to when I was new in the field and remember the reasons.

Recent tweets on social media for nonprofits (#SM4NP).

The word "business" conjures up visions of overweening corporate greed rather than the requirement that all—ALL—viable organizations must have a working business model with stable positive revenue flow.

Eli Manning has already accomplished everything he possibly could dream of on the football field—two Super Bowl championships, a few trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot forever etched in New York sports history. Now, he is being recognized for his pursuits off the field as well.

Forget about being named a top 10 quarterback—Manning was recognized as one of the New York Observer's Top 20 Philanthropists Under 40, honoring the people who leverage their fame and fortune to benefit society.

A recent analysis of IRS data from 2006 to 2012 by the Chronicle of Philanthropy found that...

Giving for causes benefiting black males more than doubled from 2010 to 2012, according to a new report.

"Quantifying Hope: Philanthropic Support for Black Men and Boys," released today by the Foundation Center and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, explores grant-making trends for major foundations from 2003 to 2012. In 2012, the latest year for which the data were available, 98 foundations made grants totaling $64.6 million specifically designed to benefit black men and boys, up from $40.4 million in 2011 and $28.6 million in 2010.

Grants to charities that help ethnic minority males and economically disadvantaged males also...

The Association of Nonprofit Executives (ANPE) announced Marcee Metzger, executive director of Voices of Hope, has won the 2014 ANPE Nonprofit Executive of the Year Award. The award, sponsored by U.S. Bank, was presented at the annual ANPE awards luncheon at the Cornhusker Marriott. The annual award recognizes leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, direction and vision. Both the award winner and the nonprofit organization each receive $500.

For 15 years, the Livestrong Foundation rode Lance Armstrong’s success as a professional cyclist to the top of the nonprofit world, becoming a $500 million global brand at its peak.

The superstar athlete’s dominance in cycling brought Livestrong tons of positive publicity, well-funded business partners and a platform that allowed the Austin-based nonprofit to broadcast its message of fighting cancer to the world. For example, the group’s iconic yellow wristbands—a partnership with Nike—have reached 87 million people since they were first produced in 2004.

But beginning in 2012, when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency accused Armstrong of doping...