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Learn more about general fundraising research findings.

Consumers Respond Positively to Cause-related Marketing
(Nov. 3, 2008) Companies are increasingly forming partnerships with nonprofits and supporting causes to help strengthen their brand in the eyes of customers. Research shows that people are more likely to buy products from companies that associate themselves with a cause.    READ MORE
Strategies for Overcoming the Global Financial Crisis
(Oct. 27, 2008) Nearly 100 leading fundraisers from around the world have provided new strategies and tactics for charities to survive and prosper in the current global financial crisis.    READ MORE
Trends: Younger Donors a Good Bet in Souring Economy?
(Sept. 22, 2008) Market research conducted in late July by Grizzard Communications Group shows that younger donors (age 25–34) planned to actually increase giving while other age groups planned to give the same or less.    READ MORE
New Market Research Offers Snapshot of Donors
(Aug. 25, 2008) More than half of all donors to human and social service organizations volunteered in 2007, and a third would like to play a more active role in the charities to which they contribute, according to the latest donor research from Campbell Rinker, a nonprofit marketing research firm in Santa Maria, Calif.    READ MORE
Fundraisers Brace for a Challenging Giving Climate
(July 28, 2008) Fundraisers say the economy is having negative effect on giving and are also tempering their expectations for the future, according to a recent survey of fundraisers’ attitudes about the economy and giving.    READ MORE
Overhead Costs Too Low, You Say? Watch Your Mouth!
(July 28, 2008) Much has been made of fundraising costs and the overhead expenses of nonprofits. There are percentages thrown about and charities measured and judged based on these numbers. But if you have an “acceptable” or “good” ratio of money going to programs versus overhead, is your organization really better off?    READ MORE
In Weak Economy Loyalty is Stable Currency
(July 14, 2008) Fundraising revenues and donor counts are both down for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same time last year, reports the Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance.    READ MORE
Donors Who Mean Business
(June 30, 2008) High net worth business owners are dedicated donors who have incorporated philanthropy into their financial plans and will give steadily despite the economic environment, according to a recent study conducted by SunTrust Bank Private Wealth Management.    READ MORE
Direct Mail Alive and Well—For Now
(June 23, 2008) A recent survey shows that older donors (age 60 and older) respond to direct mail solicitations at similar levels to what they did in 1995, indicating that a new generation of donors has picked up where previous donors in this age group left off.    READ MORE
U.S. Charitable Giving Surpassed $300 Billion in 2007
(June 23, 2008) Charitable giving in the United States reached a record high of $306.39 billion, up 3.9 percent from 2006, according to Giving USA 2008.    READ MORE
Millennials Are No Less Generous than Other Generations
(May 19, 2008) Prior research shows that young donors in the Millennial generation (born after 1981) are less likely to give and tend to give in smaller amounts than other generations. But according to a recent study, the trend is not generational, but rather a function of young people’s income, education level and religious attendance.    READ MORE
Integrating Fundraising Activities Key to Success, Survey Finds
(April 21, 2008) Using a variety of well-rounded and diverse programs and activities to develop strong connections with donors is the most effective way to raise funds, according to a new series of studies developed by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP).    READ MORE
Revenue Growth, Donors Continue to Decline
(April 21, 2008) Charitable organizations participating in the Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance experienced negative revenues (when adjusted for inflation) from 2006 to 2007 and continued to see declines in the number of donors.    READ MORE
Biggest Pressure for Future Nonprofit Leaders: Fundraising
(March 10, 2007) Fundraising is the primary reason many potential charity leaders of the future are not interested in being executive directors, according to new research that continues to underscore a future leadership gap for the sector.    READ MORE
Unmarried Women More Generous Than Unmarried Men
(March 10, 2008) Unmarried women contribute more to charity on average in every income category as compared to unmarried men, according to the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College University.    READ MORE
Giving to U.S. Colleges and Universities on the Rise, Especially Among Wealthiest Schools
(March 3, 2008) Charitable giving to colleges and universities was up in 2007 by 6.3 percent to $29.75 billion, according to a recent study by the Council for Aid to Education.    READ MORE
Corporate Giving Increases, But Road Ahead Uncertain
(Feb. 25, 2008) A recent report shows that charitable giving by major U.S. corporations and corporate foundations to charities, both domestic and abroad, increased in 2006 to $10.2 billion. What do the numbers and trends mean for charities in the near future?    READ MORE
Volunteering Grows, But Giving Money Still Considered Easier
(Feb. 25, 2008) The percentage of Americans who volunteer grew by 10 percent in 2007, according to a study by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and reported in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.    READ MORE
Are Nonprofit Leaders More Effective Than Corporate Execs?
(Feb. 4, 2008) Nonprofit leaders scored significantly higher than their for-profit counterparts in a recent study about leadership practices conducted by The Nonprofit Quarterly.    READ MORE
New Study Creates Profiles of Wealthiest Households
(Feb. 4, 2008) A new study develops philanthropic profiles of the wealthiest 3 percent of U.S. households based on their preferences and motivations and the process they use in giving.    READ MORE
Barely Half of All Charities Require Board Member Contributions
(Jan. 21, 2008) A new survey by accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP reveals that just slightly more than half of charities require their board members to make financial contributions to their organizations.    READ MORE
Mega-Gift Donors Focusing on Higher Education
(Jan. 7, 2008) Higher education receives nearly half of all major and mega-gifts, according to new research by the San Francisco-based Institute for Jewish and Community Research (IJCR).    READ MORE
Majority of Households Give, But Still Many are Not Consistent
(Dec. 10, 2007) A majority of U.S. households give to charity consistently every year, but almost three in ten shift every year between giving and not giving, according to a new survey conducted by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.    READ MORE
Nonprofit Sector Sees Significant Increase in Governance Changes
(Dec. 10, 2007)The percentage of nonprofit organizations that have created new governance policies has more than quadrupled since 2003, according to a new survey by accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP.    READ MORE
2007 Donations Good So Far, But What About the Holidays?
(Dec. 3, 2007) A new survey shows that giving in the first nine months of 2007 was strong, with very similar results to figures in 2006. However, will the U.S. housing crisis and overall economic conditions across North America affect giving in the last quarter of the year?    READ MORE
Corporate Giving Increases, but Some Cut Back
(Nov. 19, 2007) A new report shows that while overall corporate philanthropic giving rose in 2006, a significant number of businesses reported decreasing their contributions levels from 2005.    READ MORE
Giving Environment Strong, Steady While Online Success Grows
(Nov. 12, 2007) The giving environment remains very positive, with significant growth in online fundraising, as charities enter the critical end-of-year giving season, according to the latest Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI) published by the Indianapolis-based Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.    READ MORE
Healthcare Giving Still Strong, but Slowing
(Oct. 29, 2007) Although giving to healthcare facilities and organizations increased in 2006, the rate of growth was substantially lower than in 2005, according to a report by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) in Falls Church, Va.    READ MORE
Giving Priorities Tied to Income
(Aug. 6, 2007) Lower- and middle-income donors are far more likely to give to charities that benefit the poor than are upper-income households, according to a study conducted by the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy in Indianapolis, and financed by Google, based in Mountain View, Calif.    READ MORE
Donors on the Decline?
(July 30, 2007) The latest Quarterly Index of National Fundraising Performance, covering the first quarter of 2007, shows a continuing decline in the number of donors that dates back to 2005.    READ MORE
New Ideas about Donor Motivation
(July 23, 2007) New research has both confirmed and shaken up some long-standing tenets of fundraising and why people give, according to a recent article in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.    READ MORE
Pyrrhic Fundraising
(June 25, 2007) It takes money to make money, the saying goes. But nonprofits actually lose money—at least in the short term—when they try to raise funds through direct marketing, find the coauthors of a recent paper in the Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing.    READ MORE
U.S. Charitable Giving Surges Near $300 Billion in 2006
(June 25, 2007) Charitable giving in the United States reached a record high of $295.02 billion, and most subsectors saw increases in contributions, according to Giving USA 2007.    READ MORE
Millionaires Gave More in 2006, but Is Philanthropic Interest Waning?
(June 4, 2007) Two recently released studies provide contrasting data about whether millionaires will give more in 2007 than in 2006 and if their interest in charitable giving is on the decline.    READ MORE
Corporate Giving Reaches Milestone Independent of Disaster Relief
(May 21, 2007) Corporate foundations gave a record $4.2 billion in 2006, and 57 percent say they expect to give more in 2007, according to a new report.    READ MORE
Foundations Don’t Support Overhead Costs, Do They?
(May 21, 2007) A new study suggests that foundations are more likely to support overhead expenses and award unrestricted gifts than most nonprofits realize, according to a new study.    READ MORE
Americans Would Rather Visit In-Laws Than Volunteer
(May 21, 2007) More American would rather visit their in-laws than volunteer for charitable organization, according to a new survey sponsored by Ronald McDonald House Charities®.    READ MORE
Are Special Events Inefficient?
(May 14, 2007) Recent research about special events and their apparent ineffectiveness has already been criticized for both its methodology and its conclusions.    READ MORE
Identifying Characteristics of Planned-Giving Prospects
(May 7, 2007) Few individuals have a charity named in their will, but those most likely to consider a bequest are aged 40 to 60 and have a bachelor’s degree, according to a new study.    READ MORE
Volunteering Slightly Down in 2006, But Overall Still Strong
(Feb. 19, 2007) The percentage of the U.S. population that volunteers decreased in 2006, according to Volunteering in the United States, 2006, a new survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.    READ MORE
Majority of Wealthy Unaffected by Tax Incentives, Not Interested in Leaving a Legacy
(Nov. 13, 2006) A new study reveals that a strong majority of wealthy donors in the United States would maintain or increase their charitable giving if the estate tax was repealed in the United States, and only a quarter of those donors are motivated to “leave a legacy” in their giving.    READ MORE
Foundation Giving Exceeds $33 Billion in 2005
(Aug. 7, 2006) Buoyed by the establishment of new foundations, a slowly growing economy and support for relief efforts for the Southeast Asia tsunami and Gulf Coast hurricanes, giving by U.S. foundations increased to an estimated $33.8 billion in 2005, according to a new report.    READ MORE
Online Volunteering: Factors for Success
(July 31, 2006) A new study examines the potential benefits of cultivating online volunteers and the necessary infrastructure and capacity organizations need to effectively employ these volunteers.    READ MORE
IRS Releases Data on Noncash Charitable Contributions
(July 24, 2006) For the first time, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has gathered information about noncash charitable contributions, including type of gifts, donor demographics and which organizations were most likely to receive noncash contributions.    READ MORE
Report Provides New Ideas on Arts, Education, Health Fundraising
(June 26, 2006) A new report on household giving in the United States identifies several key factors, beyond just wealth and income, as to why people give to arts, education and health charities.    READ MORE
Companies Aligning Philanthropy With Their Business Objectives
(May 19, 2006) A new report has found that companies are increasingly positioning their giving and other philanthropic activities to match their overall business goals and corporate branding needs.    READ MORE
Charities Face Major Challenges in Finding Funds for Capital Projects
(May 15, 2006) A new survey has found that while numerous charities have significant investment capital needs, including technology, program development and strategic planning, they face substantial challenges in accessing that capital.    READ MORE
Volunteers Still Not Being Used for Maximum Impact
(May 4, 2006) A new survey shows that a vast majority of nonprofit organizations are not taking full advantage of the professional skills and knowledge possessed by their volunteers.    READ MORE
Older Americans More Generous, More Skeptical
(May 1, 2006) A new survey has found that older Americans are not only more likely to donate their time and money to charities, but also more likely to be skeptical that such organizations are honest and ethical.    READ MORE
Survey Shows Hurricane Relief Had Little Impact on U.S. Giving
(April 24, 2006) Most Americans who gave money to help victims of the Katrina and Rita hurricanes also contributed to all of their normal charities as well, according to a survey released by The Conference Board.    READ MORE
Giving Money, Not Time, Preferred Method of Giving
(April 17, 2006) American adults are more likely to donate money than time to causes they support, according to a national survey by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a membership organization that creates, manages and funds outreach programs that support congregations, schools, nonprofits and individuals in need.    READ MORE
Value of Relationships Between State Regulators and Philanthropy
(April 17, 2006) State and charity regulators and philanthropy can work together to strengthen the philanthropic sector, argues a new report published by the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.    READ MORE
Knowledge of Others' Giving Can Increase Contributions
(Jan. 23, 2006) A new study has found that telling prospective donors what other individuals gave can increase giving levels.    READ MORE
The Rich Less Generous Than Others?
(Jan. 23, 2006) New research suggests that the rich in the United States are nearly half as generous as everyone else.    READ MORE
New Studies Highlight Regional Differences in U.S. Giving Patterns
(Dec. 5, 2005) Two new studies shed fresh light on geographic giving patterns in the United States and reveal that some areas are much more generous than had previously been thought.    READ MORE
Boomers Lead Generation Giving, But Younger Groups Showing Potential
(Sept. 12, 2005) A new study reports that the baby boomer generation now gives more to charities than any other generation, while younger donors are showing a stronger than expected proclivity to support nonprofit organizations.    READ MORE
Foundation Giving Rises in 2004
(Aug, 8, 2005) A new study released by the Foundation Center in Washington D.C., reports that giving by the United State's grantmaking foundations rose 7 percent to an estimated $32.4 billion in 2004.    READ MORE
Why People Give (and Do Not Give) to Charity
(July 25, 2005) A new study provides insight into why people give and do not give to charity and what organizations can do to convince them to support their programs.    READ MORE
Charitable Giving Rises Five Percent in 2004
(June 20, 2005) Charitable Giving in the U.S. exceeded $248 billion in 2004, according to the new Giving USA report.    READ MORE
Americans Prefer Charities and Corporations to Work Together
(June 6, 2005) Nearly nine out of 10 Americans now believe that corporations and nonprofits should work together to raise awareness and funding for charitable causes, according to a new report by Boston-based Cone, Inc., a strategic marketing and communications firm.    READ MORE
New Giving Index Shows U.S. Philanthropy Quite Strong
(May 2, 2005) Despite mixed signals on the economy, Americans continue overwhelmingly to donate to a variety of charitable causes, with more than 90 percent giving at least $100 to more than $10,000 annually.    READ MORE
Canadian Volunteers Motivated by Cause, Connection
(April 25, 2005) Canadians are more motivated to volunteer their time and resources because of the personal satisfaction they feel rather than any reward or recognition they may receive, according to a recent survey.    READ MORE
Nonprofit Sector is an Economic Force in Massachusetts
(April 25, 2005) The Massachusetts nonprofit sector generates about $50 billion in salaries, goods, services and expenditures for the state, according to a recent study from the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC).    READ MORE
What Is Volunteer Time Worth?
(April 25, 2005) The value of the volunteer hour has increased.    READ MORE
Youth Nonprofits Experience Significant Growing Pains
(April 25, 2005) What happens when a youth-serving organization attempts to grow larger and expand its services?    READ MORE
Canada Has World's Second Largest Nonprofit Sector
(April 18, 2005) Canada has the second largest nonprofit sector in the world, according to the Canadian Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector in Comparative Perspective report recently issued by Imagine Canada.    READ MORE
Major African-American Wealth Transfer Projected
(April 18, 2005) A recent report issued by Boston College projects that the wealth transfer from African-American households between 2001 and 2055 will range between $1.1 trillion to $3.4 trillion.    READ MORE
Foundation Giving Declines, Key Issues Gain Support in 2003
(April 11, 2005) Overall giving by the largest private and community foundations dropped 10 percent in 2003, according to the recent Foundation Giving Trends: An Update on Funding Priorities report from the Foundation Center.    READ MORE
Research to Benefit Social and Economic Health of Rural Canadian Communities
(March 21, 2005) The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) in Ottawa, Ontario, is investing $1 million to help rural women improve the economic health and viability of their communities.    READ MORE
Report Yields New Insights on Giving Circles
(March 7, 2005) A new study by New Ventures in Philanthropy about giving circles shows a small but growing phenomenon that poses new opportunities and challenges for fundraisers.    READ MORE
Manitoba the Most Generous Province, Again
(Feb. 21, 2005) For the fifth consecutive year, Manitoba is Canada's most generous province, according to How Giving are Canadians? The 2004 Generosity Index, released today by The Fraser Institute.    READ MORE
Fundraising Competition Increases as U.S. Charities Number 800,000
(Jan. 24, 2005) Charities can look forward to additional fundraising competition as the Internal Revenue Service now reports that there are nearly 800,000 charitable organizations in the United States, double the number than existed in 1990.    READ MORE
U.S. Ranks Seventh in Study of International Nonprofit Sectors
(Jan. 21, 2005) The United States ranks only seventh in the world in its level of private philanthropy as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), according to a new study from Johns Hopkins University.    READ MORE
Many Charities Misreporting Fundraising, Administrative Costs
(Dec. 13, 2004) Public and donor pressure to keep administrative and fundraising expenses low may be leading nonprofit organizations to underreport such costs, according to a new study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute.    READ MORE
How Generous Is Your State?
(Nov. 15, 2004) Southern and Midwestern states are the most generous in the United States, with Mississippi being named the most generous, according to the eighth annual Catalogue for Philanthropy Generosity Index.    READ MORE
Canadian Giving Reaches Record High
(Nov. 8, 2004) Charitable giving by individuals in Canada reached $6.5 billion in 2003, the highest level ever reported.    READ MORE
Majority of 'Higher Net Worth' Canadians View Need for Private Philanthropy
(October 4, 2004) According to a recent survey, 73 percent of 'higher net worth' Canadians believe there is an increased need for private philanthropy or public sources of funding.    READ MORE
Confidence in U.S. Charitable Organizations Remains Unimproved
(September 27, 2004) American confidence in charitable organizations continues to remain 10 to 15 percent lower today than it was the summer of 2001, according to a recent survey.    READ MORE
Study Defines Size and Scope of Canadian Voluntary Sector
(September 27, 2004) Findings from a landmark study on Canadian nonprofit organizations and registered charities were released last week at the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy's annual symposium in Toronto.    READ MORE
Charities Not Charging Enough for Marketing, Sponsorship Deals
(Sept. 7, 2004) Most charities are not charging their for-profit partners enough fees for marketing and sponsorship arrangements, according to a new study by Chicago-based IEG, a firm which studies the sponsorship industry.    READ MORE
New Reports on How and Why Canadians Give, Volunteer
(Sept. 2, 2004) The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy has published five new reports with details and statistics on Canadian giving and volunteerism.    READ MORE
Estate Tax Repeal Hurts Charities, New Evidence Suggests
(August 13, 2004) The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released two new studies that indicate that the repeal of the estate tax will have a significant negative impact on charitable giving.    READ MORE
A 'Golden Age For Philanthropy' Ahead?
(Aug. 9, 2004) The July 29 issue of The Economist predicts that another golden age for philanthropy and charitable giving is about to occur not only in the United States, but also around the world.    READ MORE
New Strategies for Bequest Solicitations
(July 19, 2004)  Charities should not limit their solicitations for bequests (often known as 'legacy solicitations') to the traditional group of wealthy donors, a new study advises. Instead, they should extend their reach to nearly all contributors or individuals who have benefited from the charity's work or programs.    READ MORE
U.S. Corporations Embracing Cause-Related Marketing
(July 6, 2004) A recent study has found that U.S. corporations are strongly committed to cause-related marketing, with many businesses planning to increase funding for these types of programs.    READ MORE
Use Of Premiums, Freemiums Rises In 2004
(July 6, 2004) Nonprofit organizations have increased the use of donor incentives across most categories during the first quarter of 2004, according to a recent study by ParadyszMatera's MarketTrends, which tracked offers and promotions in the disease/health, nature/wildlife and humanitarian fundraising categories.    READ MORE
New Strategies to Attract Baby Boomer Volunteers
(July 2, 2004)  Baby boomers have the promise of becoming a social resource of unparalleled proportions, but charities face special challenges in trying to reach them, according to a new report by the Harvard School of Public Health-MetLife Foundation Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement.    READ MORE
U.S. Charitable Giving Surpassed $240 Billion In 2003
(June 21, 2004) American individuals, estates, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $240.72 billion to charitable causes in 2003, according to Giving USA 2004, a study released by the Giving USA Foundation.    READ MORE
U.S. Nonprofit Employment Rate Increasing Faster than Business, Government
(June 7, 2004) Between 1997 and 2001, the rate of employment grew faster for the U.S. nonprofit sector than for either business or government, according to a new study by Independent Sector.    READ MORE
Giving To All Nonprofits, Especially Religious Organizations, Increased In 2003
(May 31, 2004) Giving to all nonprofit organizations, and especially religious organizations, increased substantially in 2003, according to a new report by The Barna Group Ltd., an independent cultural analysis and strategic consulting firm in Ventura, Calif.    READ MORE
Canadian Family Foundations on the Cusp of Change
(May 24, 2004) As reported in a May 20, 2004 article in Montreal's The Gazette newspaper titled 'World of Charity on the Cusp of Change', the roles and responsibilities of Canada's charitable foundations established by the wealthy are on the brink of major change.    READ MORE
Is too Much Volunteering Bad for Your Health?
(May 21, 2004)  A recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health suggests that that volunteering time and energy to charitable projects may be detrimental to an individual's physical health.    READ MORE
'Average' Family in U.S. Contributes More Than 40 Percent of All Giving
(May 17, 2004)  Households earning less than $100,000 annually contribute more than 40 percent of all giving in the U.S., according to new data compiled by The Giving USA Foundation of the American Association of Fundraising Counsel (AAFRC) Trust for Philanthropy.    READ MORE
Nine in Ten Canadian Millionaires Will Donate to Charity in 2004
(May 17, 2004)  Nearly 90 percent of Canadian millionaires intend to make a financial contribution to a charity this year, according to the Ipsos-Reid Affluent Canadians Report.    READ MORE
Report Reveals What Grantees Value in Foundations
(May 17, 2004)  A new report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy has identified several key areas that charity grantees most value in the foundations that fund their programs.    READ MORE
'MIDDLE RICH' DONATE LOWER PERCENTAGE OF WEALTH THAN OTHER GROUPS
(May 10, 2004)  A new study by San Francisco-based NewTithing Group has concluded that charitable giving in the United States would have increased by an additional $41 billion in 2001 if individuals in the upper middle class and 'middle rich' had given as much as other income classes.    READ MORE
URBAN INSTITUTE RELEASES STUDY ON FOUNDATION PRACTICES, ATTITUDES
(May 6, 2004) - The Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., has conducted a study that reveals a wealth of data about the attitudes and practices of different types of foundations, including how they view effective philanthropy and the monitoring and evaluation processes.    READ MORE
DYNAMIC BOARDS AND HOW TO DEVELOP THEM
(April 12, 2004) - What makes a nonprofit board truly effective? According to an article in the most recent The McKinsey Quarterly, the best nonprofit boards not only become involved in CEO selection, fundraising and high-level policy development, but also much more.    READ MORE
U.S. Foundation Giving Declines Slightly in 2003
(April 12, 2004) - Grantmaking foundations in the United States gave an estimated $29.7 billion to charities in 2003, a slight decrease from the $30 billion granted in the previous year.    READ MORE
VOLUNTEERISM DECLINING IN CANADA?
(April 12, 2004) - In the April 2 edition of The Globe and Mail, a social scientist indicates that, contrary to popular belief, volunteerism rates in Canada are on the decline.    READ MORE
FOUNDATIONS FOCUSED ON MISSIONS IN 2002
WASHINGTON (AFP eWire-March 29, 2004) - There's good news and bad news in the recent report Foundation Giving Trends: Update on Funding Priorities issued by the Foundation Center in New York City. 'Foundations largely stuck by their missions and grantees in the bleak economic environment of 2002,' said Loren Renz, vice president for research at the Foundation Center. Nevertheless, foundations did make adjustments reflecting the economic climate. 'Given declining endowments, foundations shied away from making as many major capital commitments and tried to shore up grantees with increased operating support,' Renz added.    READ MORE
MANY NONPROFITS USING VOLUNTEERS INEFFECTIVELY
(March 1, 2004) - A joint study by the UPS Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the USA Freedom Corps has revealed that 80 percent of nonprofits rely on volunteers for critical activities, but admit they do not have the resources or knowledge to manage them as they might like.    READ MORE
New Study Examines Regional Differences In U.S. Philanthropy
(Feb. 17, 2004) - Independent Sector has released a new study that reveals three major factors or characteristics influencing philanthropic activity across the United States.    READ MORE
Educational Endowments Slowly Improving
(Feb. 9, 2004) - U.S. educational endowments improved last year, but schools will likely still face challenges during the next few years, a new survey from the Commonfund Institute reveals.    READ MORE
Tips from Members: The Planning Study Process, Part Two
(Feb. 9, 2004) - When considering a capital or endowment campaign, organizations need to consider conducting both an internal assessment of the organization's readiness and an external assessment of the willingness and ability of the organization's constituency to support the campaign. Last week, I discussed the internal assessment aspect; this week I am focusing on the external assessment.    READ MORE
Crafting Memorable Messages that Capture the Public's Attention
(Feb. 2, 2004) - Studying urban legends can teach nonprofits how to craft appealing and galvanizing messages, according to an article in the winter 2003 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review.    READ MORE
Social Change Organizations Attract Alienated Youth
(Feb. 2, 2004) - Youth uninterested in traditional youth organizations are embracing social change organizations because they allow them to take an active role in improving their communities, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Tips from Members: The Planning Study Process
(Feb. 2, 2004) - When considering a capital or endowment campaign, a major undertaking for most organizations, there are two things that need to be done in order to determine the likely success of a campaign: an internal assessment of the organization's readiness and an external assessment of the willingness and ability of the organization's constituency to support the campaign. This week, I will focus on the internal assessment aspect. Next week, I will discuss the external aspect.    READ MORE
Fundraising Costs Project Conducts Case Studies
(Jan. 26, 2004) - An ongoing study to evaluate nonprofit fundraising and administrative costs is expected to release new findings in 2004.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Coping in Tough Financial Environment
(Jan. 26, 2004) - U.S. nonprofits faced a daunting economic atmosphere last year but managed to cope by responding actively and creatively to fiscal pressures, a new report says.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Struggle to Keep Talented Employees
(Jan. 26, 2004) - While most nonprofit employees are deeply committed to their jobs, low salaries, high workloads and the lack of opportunity for advancement make it difficult for the employees to stick with their jobs, a new report on Canada's nonprofit sector shows.    READ MORE
Foundation Leaders Debate Problems Outlined in New Report
(Jan. 20, 2004) - Foundations have failed to adequately address the issues of effectiveness and accountability, opening the door for Congressional and public scrutiny, argued the author of a new report examining the foundation environment. A panel of foundation leaders debated the points in the monograph 'Trouble in Foundationland: Looking Back, Looking Ahead' on Jan. 15.    READ MORE
Engaging youth in your nonprofits
(Jan. 12, 2004) - Young donors and volunteers in Canada want more say in the nonprofits to which they give their time and money, a new report shows.    READ MORE
More Americans Volunteer Last Year
(Jan. 6, 2004) - Four million more Americans volunteered from September 2002 to September 2003 than the previous year, increasing the volunteer rate in the United States from 27.4 percent to 28.8 percent, according to new government statistics.    READ MORE
Deal Effectively with Change at Your Nonprofit
(Jan. 6, 2004) - Nonprofit leaders can learn how best to deal with changes in their organizations thanks to a new report from the charity regulator in the United Kingdom.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Concerned about Revenue and Staffing
(Jan. 6, 2004) - At the end of 2003 the three greatest challenges for nonprofits were revenue, staffing and operating costs, according to a recent survey.    READ MORE
Bill, Melinda Gates Lead the Way for 'Superphilanthropy'
(Jan. 6, 2004) - Today's top philanthropists bring a 'businesslike rigor' to philanthropy and a hands-on 'carpe diem giving,' according to a BusinessWeek article announcing the magazine's second annual Top Philanthropists list.    READ MORE
Canadian Nonprofits Less Hierarchical than For-Profits
(Dec. 22, 2003) - When looking for new employees, nonprofits should stress their tendency to have shared decision-making, individual control over work and an atmosphere of mutual respect, a new report from Canada suggests.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Not Responding to Sarbanes-Oxley
(Dec. 22, 2003) - While many nonprofits have heard of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act, few have implemented changes in response, according to a new survey.    READ MORE
American Fundraisers Optimistic as Holidays Approach
(Dec. 15, 2003) - Fundraisers are much more optimistic about the giving climate than they were six months ago, according to the latest Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI) from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.    READ MORE
Mississippi the Most Generous State in Charitable Contributions
(Nov. 24, 2003) - Some of the poorest states in the country are the most generous when it comes to giving to charities, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Study Examines Informal Volunteering by U.S. Adults
(Nov. 24, 2003) - Nearly 90 percent of adults 45 and older have volunteered in a formal or informal setting in the past year, a new study from AARP shows.    READ MORE
International giving saw huge jump in late '90s
(Nov. 17, 2003) - International giving by foundations increased 131 percent between 1998 and 2001 - far greater than the 71 percent increase in overall grant dollars, according to a new report from the Foundation Center.    READ MORE
Don't Miss out on Giving, Volunteering Opportunities from the Baby Boomer Generation
(Nov. 17, 2003) - Baby Boomers in the United States offer a wealth of volunteer and giving opportunities for nonprofits, according to a new report on the over 50 generation.    READ MORE
Largest U.S. Charities See Decline in Giving
(Nov. 3, 2003) - Contributions to the largest charities in the United States dropped in 2002 for the first time in 12 years, according to an annual survey by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.    READ MORE
Charities Would Lose Millions if Estate Tax Eliminated, Report Says
(Nov. 3, 2003) - If the U.S. Congress decides to fully repeal the estate tax, charities will lose approximately $10 billion in giving every year, according to a new study.    READ MORE
Canadians Work on Better Evaluation of Nonprofits
(Oct. 14, 2003) - Canadian nonprofits tend to evaluate their programs and services at least once a year, but how such an assessment is conducted could be improved, a new report found.    READ MORE
Fundraising Improving for Nonprofits
(Oct. 14, 2003) - Fundraising efforts fared better in the beginning of 2003 compared to the previous year, but many nonprofits are still struggling, a new survey shows.    READ MORE
Fundraisers Help Nonprofit Theaters Through Tough Economic Times
(Sept. 15, 2003) - Large increases in individual contributions in the past five years helped many nonprofit theaters stay afloat in 2002, but their future remains uncertain, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Individuals Continue to Give to Charities in 2002
(Sept. 15, 2003) - Donors reported maintaining their giving levels as individual giving remained relatively stable last year, according to Giving USA 2003.    READ MORE
Survey Confirms: Direct Mail Still Has Impact
(Aug. 29, 2003) - Direct mail plays an influential role in donors' giving decisions, a new survey shows.    READ MORE
Few Affluent Americans Plan on Leaving Estate to Charity
(Aug. 22, 2003) - Most affluent Americans aren't planning on leaving their estate to nonprofits, a new poll shows.    READ MORE
Workplace Alternative Funds Raise Millions for Charities
(Aug. 15, 2003) - Workplace giving programs offering alternatives to United Way campaigns are on the rise, growing nearly 36 percent from 1996-2001, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Fundraising Costs: Size, Age Matter
(July 18, 2003) - A new study provides evidence that administrative and fundraising costs vary widely among nonprofits due to factors such as organizational age, size and mission.    READ MORE
Boston Nonprofits Vital to Economy
(July 18, 2003) - A Boston organization's study is helping spread the word about the tremendous impact nonprofits have on the economy.    READ MORE
Survey Shows Nonprofits Challenged by Fundraising
(July 18, 2003) - Fundraising is the biggest challenge nonprofits are facing, according to a new survey.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Run Successful Businesses to Raise Money
(July 11, 2003) - In an economic climate in which many nonprofits are looking for new funding sources, one answer is to start a business venture.    READ MORE
Giving USA Shows Increase in Donations in 2002
(June 23, 2003) - Giving in the United States grew by 1 percent in 2002 to an estimated $240.92 billion, in part because of increased giving by corporations and estates, according to the new Giving USA report released today.    READ MORE
War, Economy Hindering Fundraising Efforts
(June 20, 2003) - Fundraising professionals' outlook on giving fell almost 19 percent from a year ago, according to the recently released Summer 2003 Philanthropic Giving Index by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.    READ MORE
Internet Fundraising Brings In The Money For Large Charities
(June 20, 2003) - Online giving was a bright spot during a dark economic period last year for many of the country's largest charitable organizations, according to a new study in The Chronicle of Philanthropy.    READ MORE
Show Me the Nonprofit Job!
(June 13, 2003) - American college students are very interested in careers in public service and view the nonprofit sector as the best way to help people, according to a new report.    READ MORE
Report Examines U.K. Trends In Voluntary Sector
(May 30, 2003) - An aging population and the increasing diversity of households are among the top trends that will affect the voluntary sector in the United Kingdom in the coming years, according to a new report from a U.K.-based think tank.    READ MORE
Canadian Nonprofits Want More Long-Term Funding, Less Restrictions
(May 23, 2003) - Funders are placing such strict restrictions on funding in Canada that it makes it difficult for charities to stick to their missions, according to a new report.    READ MORE
British Don't Plan Their Charitable Giving
(May 16, 2003) - One-third of the British throw coins into public water fountains, believing the money will go to charities - a finding that illustrates the lack of well thought-out giving in Britain, according to a new report.    READ MORE
Study Suggests Charities Could Save $100 Billion
(May 16, 2003) - A new study by the consulting firm McKinsey and Company, co-written by former Sen. Bill Bradley, says that the American charitable sector could save more than $100 billion through program reforms, improving effectiveness and cutting back on fundraising costs.    READ MORE
Survey Will Measure Use of Volunteers by U.S. Nonprofit Sector
(May 9, 2003) - A new national survey by the Bush Administration will evaluate how nonprofits use volunteers. The Corporation for National and Community Service, a part of USA Freedom Corps, announced the launch of a new survey on April 30.    READ MORE
Canadians Tend To Volunteer More if Their Bosses Support Their Efforts
(May 2, 2003) - When employers in Canada support their workers' volunteer efforts, the employees tend to volunteer more hours, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Nonprofits Have Major Impact Around the Globe
(April 25, 2003) - A new report provides an overview of the nonprofit sector in 35 countries, including data on countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.    READ MORE
Canadian Nonprofits See Websites as Important Tools
(April 25, 2003) - Canadian nonprofits recognize the vital role websites can play in their organizations, according to a new survey.    READ MORE
Foundation Giving Stabilizes After Six Years of Growth
(April 18, 2003) - Giving by U.S. foundations remained steady in 2002, but a decline is expected in 2003 as the economy woes catch up, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Canadians More Generous When Giving Is Planned
(April 18, 2003) - Canadians tend to give more when they plan their charitable donations ahead of time, a new survey shows.    READ MORE
Tax Itemizers Give More at All Income Levels
(April 18, 2003) - Taxpayers who itemize their tax returns donate more to charity than those who don't itemize - regardless of income level - according to a new report from Independent Sector.    READ MORE
Giving, Volunteering Decline When People Face Economic Concerns
(April 11, 2003) - When people are worried about their personal economic situation, overall giving and volunteering drops, a new report shows.    READ MORE
Projected $41 trillion transfer of wealth still valid
(Jan. 16, 2003) - Despite the slowing economy and turbulent stock market, the researchers who estimated that US$41 trillion in wealth would be transferred from one generation to the next over the next five decades, of which US$6 trillion would be given to charity, maintain that their figures are still right on target.    READ MORE
Generosity Index Highlights Giving in U.S., Canada
(Jan. 3, 2003) - About the same percentage of tax-filers in the United States and Canada donate to charities, according to the 2002 Generosity Index: Comparing Charitable Giving in Canada and the US, recently released by The Fraser Institute.    READ MORE
Survey Reveals Drop in Charitable Giving
(Jan. 10, 2003) - A new survey indicates that contributions to most nonprofits decreased or remained flat in January through October 2002 compared to donations during the same period in 2001.    READ MORE
Survey Details Declining Trust in Nonprofits
(Dec. 13, 2002) - The pool of American donors is shrinking and experiencing a crisis of confidence in the nation's charities, according to a new survey.    READ MORE
Survey: Social Responsibility Programs Valuable to Canadian Corporations
(Nov. 1, 2002) - According to a new survey, Canadian companies still place a high priority on giving back to the community even in an uncertain economy.    READ MORE
Itemized Charitable Contributions Up Six Percent from 1999
(Aug. 29, 2002) The average amount of itemized charitable contributions reported on tax returns increased to $3,636 in 2000, compared with $3,441 in 1999, according to the third quarter 2002 Giving USA Update from the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy. The new average represents a six percent increase from 1999.    READ MORE
AFP Analysis: GAO report on IRS oversight of charities
(July 10, 2002) How does the recently released recommendation from the General Accounting Office about the IRS' oversight of charities affect you and your organization? AFP analyzes the report.    READ MORE
Report: Lack of diversity hurts philanthropic organizations
(June 28, 2002) A recent report from the Joint Affinity Groups states that the lack of diversity on the staffs and boards of charitable organizations may impede the field's ability to respond effectively to the needs of minority communities.    READ MORE
AAFRC releases 2001 Giving USA Numbers
(May 23, 2001) George C. Ruotolo, Jr., CFRE, chair of the AAFRC Trust for Philanthropy has announced that total giving reached an estimated $203.45 billion for 2000, an increase of 6.6 percent over $190.79 billion in 1999.    READ MORE
Donors Increasingly Give Online
(Feb. 2, 2004) - Donors are using the Internet to give online, and at the same time, many nonprofits are planning to increase online fundraising this year, according to two new surveys from Kintera Inc.    READ MORE
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