Some of the nation’s largest charitable institutions suffered major losses to their endowments in 2008, forcing them to make deep cuts in operations that would have been unthinkable only a year ago. After its endowment lost more than $3-billion in 2008, Shriners Hospitals for Children decided not…
By Ben Gose
Senior Editor
The steep decline in the stock market last year triggered an erosion of foundation wealth, with many grant makers losing nearly one-third of their assets, according to a new Chronicle survey of many of the nation’s largest philanthropies. At the 60 grant makers that provided financial data for 2007…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
Setting up an employment contract for a nonprofit executive
The president of your charity’s board, rather than a lawyer, should negotiate directly with the candidate.
Tips for locating grant makers who support mental-health care
Unless we’re talking about something with nationwide impact, your best bet is to look for local funders.
Finding a fund-raising job in a region racked by recession
Q. I’ve got 24 years’ experience in corporate giving, in fund raising, and as a loaned ambassador for my local United Way. I belong to the Association of Fundraising Professionals and actively build my personal network. I volunteer. In other words, I should have no problem finding a midlevel…
By EMAN QUOTAH
Contributor
Using a Background in Finance to Help Older Americans
In a difficult economy where many charities are dropping services and laying off workers, Volunteers of America is about to expand. Last month the 113-year-old human-services group announced the appointment of Rosemarie A. Rae to a new position, executive vice president for strategy. She will…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
Treasury Urged to Clarify Governance Requirements
A former top IRS official is asking the Treasury Department to publish guidelines that would tell charities — and the IRS itself — what the federal government specifically expects from nonprofit organizations on matters of governance. The federal tax code does not explicitly set out governance…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
IRS Offers Preview of Study on Hospital Pay and Services
A top official of the Internal Revenue Service, speaking at a conference on charitable hospitals held by the attorney general of Texas, offered a preview of findings from a much-anticipated study of more than 500 nonprofit hospitals. The report focuses on how much compensation hospitals pay to top…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Contest Honors Creative Technology
The Tech Museum of Innovation, in San Jose, Calif., is accepting applications for its annual awards, which honor the creative use of technology to promote economic development, education, the environment, equality, and health. Winners in each of the five categories receive $50,000. The deadline for…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
New Tool Maps Volunteer Openings
VolunteerMatch has added a new feature to its Web site to make it easier for visitors to find volunteer opportunities near where they live and work. Potential volunteers can now browse opportunities for giving their time — and find nonprofit organizations in their area that are looking for help —…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Cellphone Videos Hope to Change Habits
A Rutgers University professor thinks that cellphone soap operas could be a powerful tool to encourage young minority women to take steps to protect themselves from HIV infection. The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, in Millburn, gave Rachel Jones a $154,400 grant to create 12 videos that…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Knight Awards Nonprofit Media Grants
Twenty-one projects designed to help residents stay informed about local news have received $5-million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in Miami. The grants — the first round of the foundation’s five-year, $24-million Knight Community Information Challenge — went to projects…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Judy Scanlon volunteers in order to make other people’s lives easier — even though hers is very difficult. “I lost my husband in October, and my financial situation is extremely stressful,” says Ms. Scanlon, a resident of Kimball, Mich. A few years ago, after being diagnosed with leukemia, she…
By Kevin Gault
Contributor
New Financing Program Aids Businesses With a Social Mission
Persuading lenders to make a loan or extend a line of credit to a new business with a social mission is a hard sell. Even socially minded financiers have trouble taking on that kind of risk alone. The Lemelson Foundation, in Portland, Ore., hopes to change that. It has started a financing program,…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Nonprofit Organization Urges Caution if IRS Regulates Charitable Trusts
A key nonprofit association that promotes philanthropy has advice for the Internal Revenue Service on how the government could crack down on a questionable giving arrangement without thwarting well-meaning donors and charities. The association — the American Council on Gift Annuities — said it…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Nonprofit Leaders Look to Build on President Obama’s Call for Service
Charity leaders around the country vowed last week to build on President Barack Obama’s call to Americans to get to work solving the country’s problems and to act in a “spirit of service.” “We must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” he said in his…
By SUZANNE PERRY
Contributor