Nashville, Tenn.

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 26, 2009 — Confirming the full impact of the global recession, philanthropic giving for health care in the United States grew a tepid 2.9 percent -- or about $241 million – to $8.6 billion in 2008, while similar donations in Canada fell by a dramatic 12.9 percent, to total $1.07 billion, according to a new Report on Giving issued today by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).

Nashville, Tenn., September 14, 2009 — A little cookie company's sweet idea to help struggling nonprofit organizations is generating big support, as more than 100,000 fans have nominated their favorite charity for The Christie Cookie $25,000 Charity Giveaway.  In marking their 25th anniversary, Nashville-based Christie Cookies will select the 12 charities with the most votes to share the cash prize.

Companion marketing, which is the practice of representing a unified marketing message across multiple mediums including direct mail and e-mail, can help fundraisers improve brand recognition, broaden a campaign’s reach and increase response rates. Once a campaign is in place, fundraisers may experience a more responsive audience and higher instances of qualified leads due to the targeted and high-touch nature of companion marketing.

Not many Americans understand the cruel reach of Crohn’s disease. Perhaps because it’s a disease that, while afflicting millions of people of all ages, makes folks undeniably squeamish. It involves blood and guts and diarrhea. It inflames your digestive and gastrointestinal tract and eats away at your colon.

But Roger F. Koman, former for-profit marketing maven and current vice president of new enterprises and new business development for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, wants to shatter those perceptions, raise awareness and funds, and afford patients, families and anyone who will listen a comfortable forum to speak freely about the disease.