Charity Navigator

Ted Hart speaks with Robert M. Penna, a consultant for Charity Navigator and author of "The Nonprofit Outcomes Toolbox" and "Outcome Frameworks," on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

In the U.S., charities and governments have long held a unique and often symbiotic relationship, but some nonprofit executives are increasingly concerned that their longtime allies might be turning out to be a lot less friendly. Municipal, state, and federal officials are struggling to balance dire budgets, and all options are on the table for trimming. Perhaps the greatest threat is to a charity's finances. Government agencies are cutting back on direct funding and both major political parties are seriously considering killing the charitable tax deductions for donors.

The first days following a disaster or other emergencies — like Hurricane Sandy that hit the East Coast this week — can be crucial for organizations as they reach out to supporters and request help. At a time when many organizations may not have the time to outline a formal strategy, here are seven tips that can help any organization make the greatest impact during this time of need.

A movement to create a national day of giving on Nov. 27, 2012, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, called #GivingTuesday, will be the first of its kind. Coinciding with the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are synonymous with holiday shopping

Not all U.S. cities have equally high-performing charities, according to a study by Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator. The study revealed that large charities in markets such as Portland, Milwaukee and Kansas City have a greater commitment to ethical best practices than those in Detroit, Miami and Atlanta. It is the only comprehensive report on the performance — both financial health and accountability & transparency — of the 30 largest philanthropic marketplaces in America.

The Company Store®, one of America’s largest home décor and bedding companies for more than 100 years, is proud to announce the launch of its “Kids Design Contest” in which children nationwide will have the opportunity to design comforters to be donated to military families.

Nonprofit Coach Ted Hart speaks with Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator on his Nonprofit Coach radio show.

In part one of our three-part series of successful fundraising case studies from the past year, we focus on health-oriented organizations CaringBridge and HealthConnect One.

Americans gave about $290 billion to charity last year. That was $10 billion more than the amount of charitable giving in 2009. The estimates are from the Giving USA Foundation and its research partner, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

The largest share of charitable giving goes to religious groups. Giving USA says the received 35 percent of all donations in 2010. Schools and other education-related organizations were second on the list. They received an estimated 14 percent of all charitable giving last year.

Several recent surveys indicate that charities and nonprofits can expect giving to be more bountiful at the end of 2011, particularly compared to the last two years. Moreover, donors seem to be taking into account current economic challenges and government cutbacks when deciding where to give: A recent poll by the Charity Navigator, for instance, found human-service groups, such as food banks and homeless shelters, top the list of where respondents plan to give.