|
|
People may be passionate about a cause, but don't always know how to choose the right organization. Philanthropedia is building panels of experts taken from foundations, nonprofits, academics and elsewhere to create "mutual funds" of effective organizations around causes. http://www.myphilanthropedia.org/
|
|
|
Recognizing it can help in more ways than providing funding, the Case Foundation makes it easy for the public to contribute to its grantees as well. It provides a list of the nonprofits along with a direct link to donate. http://bit.ly/63uzm7
|
|
|
The Foundation Center launches a Web site (www.glasspockets.org) aimed at providing more transparency about foundations. In its words, "the best way to preserve philanthropic freedom is not to hide behind it; rather, foundations increasingly need to tell the story of what they do, why they do it, and what difference it makes." http://bit.ly/cjGROO
|
|
|
Not only has the number of large prizes being offered by philanthropists tripled in the last decade, according to McKinsey and Company, but the focus of the prizes has shifted. These competitions used to mostly provide recognition for past accomplishments. Today, they are more likely to offer inducements for future progress, with a goal of encouraging experts to focus on an issue. Here is a New York Times article on the topic. |
|
|
Corporations such as Pepsi are turning to the public to choose causes for corporate contributions rather than making those decisions solely within their corporate giving departments. http://philanthropy.com/article/Pepsi-Awards-20-Million-in/64821/
|
|
|
Mobile fundraising has boomed for both domestic and international causes. Here is a guide to mobile fundraising from MobileActive: http://bit.ly/bV64ET |
|
|
Donations to the chambers of commerce, political parties, civic leagues and associations, home owners associations and union associations are NOT tax deductible. In contrast, donations to the church are tax deductible.
Arguably for all of the above, people receive a personal benefit. Arguably for all of the above, there is a social benefit. Some would argue that donating to one's own church is less deserving in the form of a government subsidized tax deduction than other types of nonprofits.
Removing the tax deduction for churches would increase government revenue substantially - revenue that could be used for other kinds of social services and programs.
|
|
|
Sometimes small actions by ordinary people in their communities are the ones that make the most difference.
In many cities and suburbs, the voluntary work of neighborhood citizens contribute significantly to the welfare of the people there. These individuals organize neighborhood crime watch, potlucks, activities for kids and seniors. (Example - Hetty Fox, profiled in the NYT for her organizing of summer activities for kids on her street in South Bronx). They typically spend their money to pay for the expenses for these programs. The expenses are usually small. There can be a website that allows people to contribute to the modest expenses of these programs.
|
|
|
In this recession, there's so much vacant office space. At the same time, nonprofits are getting squeezed and are desperately looking for ways to cut costs. Owners of buildings with vacant office space can donate/discount the space to nonprofits. Nonprofits would be OK with shorter leases inexchange for the discount.
|
|
|
Even if only 1% of foundation endowments were used for "loans for social good", philanthropic dollars could nearly double. Former Gates Foundation CFO in FT: http://bit.ly/9mEisk |
|
|
Overhead ratios tell you nothing about a non-profit's effectiveness. Deciding which non-profits to support should be based on other criteria. http://bit.ly/6O3IAe |
|
|
Foundations should maintain "rainy day funds" - or at least treat part of their endowment as one during times of financial crisis. http://bit.ly/6laK7I |
|
|
New "hybrid" organizations mix philanthropy and capitalism -- not a little of one or the other, but an aggressive pursuit of both. One example is Omidyar Network. http://bit.ly/6Jb08D |
|
|
Private philanthropy can bring ideas, government can bring funds, in public-private partnerships. Wall Street Journal review: http://bit.ly/8dYW91 |
|
|
|
|
|
Social media allows corporate philanthropy dollars to generate considerable marketing value. http://ow.ly/VDmj |
|
|
The Chinese are creating a great deal of wealth in coming decades, but they have little experience with institutional philanthropy. The American philanthropic sector should make working with China a high priority. http://bit.ly/6GqGia |
|
|
Foundations should follow the lead of the Boston Foundation: provide principally unrestricted support. Harvard Business Review article http://ow.ly/qzKX |
|
|
Many foundations have distinct programs for funding risky ideas (Gates "Grand Challenges", RWJF "Pioneer Portfolio). The Energy Department has established a new office - Arpa-e - to fund "long shot bets". http://bit.ly/2dYhVO |
|
|
Nicholas Kristof cites psychological research that indicates the best way to sway people to your cause is through using stories and optimism. Outside Magazine: http://ow.ly/Ka4t |
|
|
Find a group of close friends and set up a donor directed account (on Schwab or elsewhere) that you all commit to donate to every year. In 20 years or so you have a very large fund that you can start giving away during your retirement years.
|
|
|
The Gates Foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, and other foundations have announced plans to spend-down their endowments to zero. This greatly increases annual spending and gives the programs a sense of timing and urgency.
|
|
|
|
Vote Up
Vote Down
Close