Judge: State can press for disclosure of donors

A Maine judge has ordered a nonprofit group to reveal the identity of donors to its effort to repeal the state’s gay-marriage law. The National Organization for Marriage, in Princeton, N.J., has contributed about $1.6-million to Stand for Marriage Maine, a political-action committee that is leading the repeal referendum. The nonprofit group went to court to challenge a state order to identify donors in accordance with Maine’s disclosure laws for ballot questions.

Full-text post by Trevor Maxwell is available via the Portland Press Herald, 10/29/09.

Report Finds Most Nonprofit Web Sites Lack Information Donors Want

Want to increase the number of online donations you get and the amount given through them? Make it easy for Web visitors to find out who you are, what you do and how you spend donated funds.

This was a key finding from the recently released report "Donation Usability: Design Guidelines for Improving the Donation Process and the Usability of Essential Information on Charity and Non-Profit Websites" from the Nielsen Norman Group.

The report is available via the Nielsen Norman Group, 6.17.09.

University of Iowa officials: No plans yet for new art museum

Without the Federal Emergency Management Agency providing an immediate source of funding for a new University of Iowa Museum of Art, the easiest way to get a new museum is if donors step forward, officials said Saturday.

Full-text article by Rachel Gallegos is available via Iowa City Press-Citizen, 4.19.09.

Colleges Ask Donors to Help Meet Demand for Aid

Colleges and universities are emphasizing the swelling need for financial aid in their fund-raising pitches.

Full-text article by Stephanie Strom is available via The New York Times, 4.16.09.

Businessmen Match Donors With Fast-Growth Charities

Two former businessmen plan to establish a "marketplace" that will bring together already-successful charities with donors willing to give them money to help them grow.

Full-text article by Ben Gose is available via the Chronicle of Philanthropy, 12.8.08. [Subscription required.]

Next-Gen Givers

THE STORY IN PHILANTHROPY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON is becoming all too familiar. Individuals, foundations and corporations are all scaling back their giving, often leaving nonprofit beneficiaries in the lurch. Just last week, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world's largest philanthropic concern, said it would slow its donations next year because of the hobbled economy and turbulent financial markets.

Behind the headlines, however, a surprisingly encouraging trend is taking hold: A new generation of donors is moving into place -- an energetic and highly creative crowd that eventually could reshape philanthropy.

Full-text article by Suzanne McGee is available via Barrons.com, 12.1.08.

As Economy Slumps, Donations to Colleges Expected to Slow

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education's fund-raising index estimates that philanthropic support for colleges and independent schools will grow 5.3 percent this academic year, down from the 7-percent average annual rate of growth for the last 20 years.

Full-text article by Kathryn Masterson is available via the Chronicle of Higher Education, 7.15.08.

As Wall Street Falters, Charities Seek Donors Elsewhere

Charities that traditionally find financial support from Wall Street investors, corporations, and law firms in New York are adopting a cautious attitude in response to the economic downturn.

Full-text article by Geraldine Fabrikant is available via The New York Times, 4.12.08.

Audubon scoping out a diverse membership

Facing an uncertain future as its aging, mostly white membership begins to retire, the Audubon Society has launched an initiative to recruit a new generation of environmental stewards in minority neighborhoods in Los Angeles and across the nation.

Full-text article by Louis Sahagun is available via the Los Angeles Times, 12.30.07.

Slate's Philanthropy Issue

In the October 19 issue of Slate, a series of articles focus on philanthropy.

"The Rockefellers and the Angry Commoners: A century ago, the super-rich had to contend with class warfare," by Beverly Gage.

"Great Expectations: Why big donors back Teach for America," by Lincoln Caplan.

"Fantasy Philanthropy Baseball: Compete for Capital," by Doug Smith.

"Virtue for Sale: Will customers pay more to do good?" by Ray Fisman.

Fish-Naming Auction Raises $2-Million for Conservation

Conservation efforts in Indonesia raised $2 Million by auctioning the naming rights of 10 newly discovered species of fish.

The idea of selling new species' naming rights has gained popularity among environmentalists.

The money will be used to build a floating ranger station in the bay where scientists discovered the species and also to support educational trips for Indonesian children.

Full-text article by Juliet Eilperin via The Washington Post, 9.22.07.

Higher Education Athletics Departments Experience Growth

Fundraising operations at the the nation's higher education institutions have experienced enormous growth. According to Bruce Flessner, athletics has transitioned away from its “stepchild” role in overall university fundraising.

The country's largest athletics departments and booster clubs raised more than $1.2-billion in 2006-7, a Chronicle survey has found, with some programs more than tripling their gifts in the past decade.

Growth in new facilities has fueled much of the increase: Between 2002 and 2007, colleges in the nation's six premier athletics conferences raised more than $3.9-billion for capital expenditures alone.

Over the next few years, big-time athletics programs hope to raise an additional $2.5-billion for new buildings, the survey found. And many programs are expanding their fund-raising staffs to solicit big gifts.

Full-text article by Brad Wolverton available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 9.25.2007. (Subscription required).