Discussion Transcripts

In today's economy, nonprofit leaders need to understand how to effectively promote their organizations, programs, and fund-raising campaigns. ... (6/2/2009)

Many of the nation's largest nonprofit groups and foundations in the 20th century were top-down organizations created and supported by a small but powerful group of wealthy philanthropists. ... (5/26/2009)

Many small nonprofit groups feel particularly vulnerable during these uncertain economic times. ... (5/19/2009)

Starting a nonprofit organization requires much more than identifying a worthwhile cause. Organizations need to identify potential sources of money, craft a mission statement, draft bylaws, find board members, and seek tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. ... (5/12/2009)

For most nonprofit groups, marketing takes a back seat to delivering services and raising money. As a result, organizations often fall short in their efforts to spread the word about what they do. ... (5/5/2009)

Direct-mail appeals remain an important source of income for many nonprofit organizations. But even the most experienced fund raisers say they are looking for new, more effective ways to craft the perfect appeal. ... (4/28/2009)

College students preparing to graduate this spring are facing extraordinary uncertainty about their career prospects. Not only is the job market tight, but they also confront increased competition from experienced nonprofit workers who have been laid off and businesspeople who want to change careers. ... (4/21/2009)

Charities that operate in the United States are struggling to raise money and deliver services in the face of a deep recession. ... (4/16/2009)

As the Chronicle's recent survey of big grant makers shows, some foundations are stepping up their grant making even as their assets are plunging. ... (4/14/2009)

As the economy has worsened, charities around the country have seen a sharp increase in the number of people looking for volunteer opportunities. ... (4/7/2009)

As nonprofit groups grapple with the recession, many fund raisers are seeking out new supporters ... (3/31/2009)

Running a nonprofit group has never been harder as demand for assistance grows, donations diminish, and government aid is harder to obtain. ... (3/24/2009)

As the economy continues to struggle, many charities are becoming more aggressive in their efforts to seek gifts from donors. ... (3/17/2009)

As President Obama seeks to reduce the value of the charitable deduction for wealthy Americans, fund raisers and other nonprofit experts are divided over whether his idea would cause any substantial change in charitable giving. ... (3/11/2009)

More and more nonprofit organizations are tapping into video as a powerful marketing and fund-raising tool. ... (3/10/2009)

The nonprofit work force has never been more competitive: Just as the financial crisis scuttles retirement plans of many older nonprofit workers, it's also leading many corporate executives to seek jobs at nonprofit organizations. (3/3/2009)

Cass Wheeler navigated the American Heart Association through recessions, the fallout from the 2001 terrorist attacks, and a major national reorganization — all while doubling the organization's revenue between 1997 and 2008. (3/5/2009)

As government, foundations, and companies cut back on their grants for charities during the recession, many charities are altering their fund-raising strategies to appeal more to individuals. (2/24/2009)

Digg, Facebook, and Twitter are among the most prominent online social-networking tools nonprofit groups can use to connect with supporters, raise money for their causes, and increase their visibility. (2/17/2009)

As more and more employers -- for-profit and nonprofit -- lay off workers, charities are inundated with resumes from job seekers. (2/10/2009)

Events like walkathons, silent auctions, and awards dinners generate billions of dollars for large and small charities each year. (2/3/2009)

How do some of the nation's most prominent philanthropists decide which nonprofit groups are most worthy of their donations? Will the recession change the way they make those decisions? (1/27/2009)

With the economy in a recession, many nonprofit groups face an increased demand for their services. And they must meet this higher demand at a time when many of their financial supporters are cutting back. (1/21/2009)

As the recession deepens, an increasing number of nonprofit organizations must look more closely at cutting costs — and at the grim possibility of laying off employees. (1/13/2009)

What will 2009 mean for your charity's fund-raising, grant-seeking, and budgeting efforts? What will the economic meltdown and shifting demographics mean to your bottom line? (1/6/2009)

The explosion in the number of online communication tools has created a seemingly infinite number of opportunities for advocacy groups to spread their message. ... (12/16/2008)

The recession has many organizations thinking about ways to cut costs and reduce resources. At the same time, many groups face an increased demand for their services ... (12/9/2008)

As the economy sputters, many nonprofit groups are searching for new ways to cut costs without slicing services. In some cases, collaborating or even merging with another organization is one way to reconcile this challenge. (12/2/2008)

Twitter, Facebook, and other online social-networking tools offer ways for nonprofit organizations to build connections with supporters and donors. (11/25/2008)

The financial crisis is causing significant shifts in the nonprofit job market. (11/18/2008)

How will the new president approach key charity issues? How will Congress regulate charities and handle budget and tax issues of importance ... (11/11/2008)

What can charities do to make sure they are making the best possible use of their resources to achieve their goals, especially as money grows ... (11/4/2008)

The weak economy has nonprofit organizations searching for creative ways to raise money. (10/28/2008)

Many young adults who take jobs in the nonprofit world do so with lofty ambitions to change the world. (10/21/2008)

Many charities are entering the most crucial months of the fund-raising year at the same time that many donors are dealing with the most uncertain economic circumstances of their lifetimes. (10/14/2008)

As competition for attention grows, charities need to do more than have a great mission to win attention from donors and other supporters. (10/7/2008)

The current economy has many nonprofit organizations wondering how, with limited resources, they can create attractive compensation packages ... (9/23/2008)

On the heels of the news of Lehman Brothers' collapse and the federal takeover of the financial giant AIG, many charities are bracing ... (9/23/2008)

As minority groups grow in proportion to the United States population, charities are increasingly serving more and more people with diverse backgrounds. (9/16/2008)

Annual reports can be an effective way for nonprofit groups to communicate with their donors, outline their goals and accomplishments ... (9/9/2008)

Eighty percent of the money that foundations distribute to charitable causes is earmarked for charity programs and other purposes ... (9/6/2008)

In a celebrity-driven culture, charities are often eager to enlist the support of a rock star, Hollywood actor, or big-name athlete ... (8/26/2008)

Nearly three quarters of America's largest corporations expect donations to charity to remain flat or decrease this year ... (8/19/2008)

Nonprofit executives often dream of becoming consultants who advise charities on fund raising, management practices, or other topics. (8/12/2008)

Most nonprofit leaders dream of getting a windfall gift. ... (8/5/2008)

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle has grown from a start-up to become the nation's largest and most visible foundation in the span of just eight years.... (7/29/2008)

Charities are increasingly creating endowments so they can guarantee their long-term financial health, especially in tough economic times. ... (7/22/2008)

Most charities have a strong desire to improve their ability to use the Internet to communicate more effectively with supporters, volunteers, and potential donors. ... (7/15/2008)

Charities are increasingly arranging marketing deals with companies as a way to raise money and attention. In addition to getting a portion of the sales of a product, charities that enter into these deals often get other benefits. ... (7/8/2008)

Many charities are getting serious about taking steps to become more environmentally friendly in their operations--to both protect the planet and save money. ... (7/1/2008)

As the U.S. economy struggles, gas prices rise, and real-estate values drop, nonprofit groups are increasingly feeling the pinch. How are these changes affecting charities, and what do nonprofit leaders need to know about trends in giving? ... (6/24/2008)

Nonprofit groups have long been a destination for workers who have grown tired of the grind of working in the business world. ... (6/17/2008)

Charities are increasingly turning to the Internet and e-mail as they seek large donations. ... (6/10/2008)

Volunteers are a vital part of the operations of many charities, providing labor and expertise that the groups would otherwise be unable to afford. In addition, research shows that longtime volunteers are more likely to become significant donors to organizations they support. ... (6/3/2008)

The millennial generation — people who reached adulthood at the turn of the millennium — represent a tremendous opportunity for charities. ... (5/27/2008)

United Way of America has announced a new 10-year effort designed to significantly improve the health, education, and finances of families nationwide ... (5/22/2008)

Throughout much of the 20th century, charities and businesses relied on "interruption marketing" to spread their messages. With few ways to reach donors, supporters, and consumers, organizations found that the best methods for spreading their messages were direct mail, telemarketing, and television ... (5/20/2008)

More and more women are making big gifts to charity, but nonprofit groups still struggle with how best to obtain donations and other support from women. ... (5/13/2008)

American foundations are often criticized for failing to appoint leaders who reflect the diversity of the nation and for giving too little money to groups that serve minorities. ... (5/6/2008)

Religious organizations make up a major portion of the philanthropic landscape. But until recently, they had struggled to get recognition and support from government ... (4/29/2008)

Should you believe the hype about the predicted transfer of wealth as members of the World War II and baby-boom generations die? ... (4/22/2008)

As the economy's slump worsens, grant makers face increasing pressure to help charities weather the downturn ... (4/15/2008)

Stress is a common affliction for charity workers. Employees often have massive workloads, encounter traumatic situations while helping their clients, and earn relatively little money for their efforts. And as economic times grow more turbulent ... (4/8/2008)

The economic slowdown has many charity leaders worried about their fund-raising efforts for the rest of 2008 — and beyond. ... (4/1/2008)

As a top aide to Sen. Charles Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, Dean A. Zerbe has been a prime mover in Congressional efforts to stomp out charity abuses. ... (3/25/2008)

Events like marathons, walkathons, and bike races generate billions of dollars for large and small charities each year. In 2007 alone, 30 of the nation's largest events produced $1.6-billion ... (3/18/2008)

As the baby boomers who founded and have led many of the nation's nonprofit groups reach retirement age, who will replace them?s ... (3/11/2008)

A recent study of 72 large charities shows that direct-marketing appeals are not raising as much money as they have in years past. Slumping donations and rising postal rates are causing some experts to suggest that such efforts are getting crowded out by online appeals and other solicitations. ... (3/4/2008)

During good economic times, it is often easy for nonprofit professionals to take the next steps in their careers. But when donations lag and governments trim spending on charities, those who are looking to advance their careers find fewer options ... (2/26/2008)

The shaky economy has many charity leaders worried about how their organizations will carry out their missions and pay their bills. Some individual and corporate donors are already scaling back or canceling their gifts at a time when many charities are seeing increased demand for their services. ... (2/19/2008)

The 2008 election is already proving to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. But while the campaign is getting a lot of attention, many nonprofit leaders are unsure about what the ultimate result will mean for charities. ... (2/12/2008)

Social-networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn give charities an array of new opportunities to connect with donors, volunteers, and supporters. ...(2/5/2008)

Careers in the nonprofit sector are attractive to many people in the corporate world who are looking to use their business experience to help the greater good. ... (1/29/2008)

How do some of the nation's most-generous donors decide which charities are most worthy of their contributions? How can your organization get on their radar? ... (1/22/2008)

In the wake of several high-profile charity scandals and with observers predicting that Congress will pass legislation similar to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for nonprofit organizations, Independent Sector convened the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector to create a set of guidelines designed to help groups govern themselves. ... (1/15/2008)

What will 2008 mean for your charity's fund-raising, grant-seeking, and budgeting efforts? Will concerns about the economy and shifting demographics help or hurt your bottom line? ...(1/9/2008)

Do foundations do enough to evaluate the effectiveness of charities that are seeking grants? Are grant makers too secretive about how they award money? Where can individual donors go to get reliable data about which charities to support? ...(12/11/2007)

Many charity officials do not have significant training in financial analysis so they have trouble figuring out all the implications of the decisions they make about their programs. ...(11/8/2007)

While many nonprofit leaders say diversity is important, members of minority groups remain scarce on the boards and staffs of the nation's charitable organizations. And this state of affairs can prevent some charities and grant makers from attaining full ...(10/26/2007)

As the Internal Revenue Service moves to finish the most-extensive overhaul of the Form 990 in decades, it is making numerous changes in response to suggestions from the public. ...(10/24/2007)

As executive coaches have become popular in the corporate world, a growing number of charity leaders are seeking professional coaches of their own to meet challenges on the job. Now some grant makers ...(10/10/2007)

Why do some charities make huge progress in advancing their missions -- while others do a merely effective or mediocre job?(10/11/2007)

Despite increased scrutiny from the lawmakers and the news media, and a new wave of regulation from the Internal Revenue Service, nonprofit executives continue to reap generous pay packages, according to the Chronicle's latest survey of nonprofit compensation. Top leaders ... (9/26/2007)

Product Red, the campaign to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa, has produced $28-million for charity -- and taken marketing efforts to a new level, experts say. But amid the success has come growing concern that too many charities are engaging in marketing deals ... (7/31/2007)

Online fund raising grew by 37 percent last year, according to The Chronicle's new survey of charities that raise money via the Internet. But it remains a tiny portion of groups' overall giving, and supporters' weariness of e-mail appeals, among other factors ... (6/19/2007)

Seeking Big-Gift Fund Raisers in a Hot Market