‘Dark Money’ Nonprofits Increase Spending on Midterm Campaigns
Politically active advocacy groups that are not required to identify donors have poured more than $100-million into campaign spending during the 2014 election cycle, outstripping their efforts in past midterm elections and foreshadowing a greater role in the 2016 presidential race, the Los Angeles Times writes.
San Francisco Charity Reinstates Head Following Flap Over Blog
The Family Service Agency of San Francisco’s parent organization said the nonprofit’s CEO had shown “poor judgment” but no ill intentions in inviting employees to look at a personal blog featuring his travel photos but also idiosyncratic theories linking religion and sex, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.
U. of Hawaii Alumnus Pledges $69-Million to Business School
The contribution from the Honolulu real-estate mogul Jay Shidler raises his total giving to the university to $100-million, KITV in Honolulu and Pacific Business News report.
Foundations Lack Understanding of Causes They Support, Study Says
Only 31 percent of nonprofit leaders believe that most of the grant makers who support their operations have a “deep understanding” of the needs of beneficiaries.
Savvy Use of Social Media Helps Propel Rapid Growth for Giving Tuesday
Charities have aggressive goals for doing better than last year at promoting donations and volunteerism during the holiday shopping frenzy.
Total Private Support to the Philanthropy 400
See how giving to America’s biggest charities has changed over the last 10 years.
New Tool Helps Foundations Share Data
The Walter & Elise Haas Fund has created a plug-in that lets foundations publish information from any grants-management database on their websites.
Shaking Up the Ranks of America’s Big Charities
The nearly 11-percent gain in giving to the 400 most successful fundraising organizations came in large part because of a surge in donations from the wealthy.
Campaign Uses Texts to Promote Brushing
Parents get brushing reminders and texts that offer encouragement, quizzes, and interesting facts.