Association for Managers of Volunteers Collapses In Debt
The most prominent organization representing managers of volunteers, the Association for Volunteer Administration, in Richmond, Va., is closing its doors amid allegations of embezzlement by a staff member, the dismissal of three employees (including the executive director), and the accumulation of…
By EMAN QUOTAH
Contributor
International Gathering Seeks to Give ‘Social Investing’ Mass Appeal
CONFERENCE NOTEBOOKOxford, England Al Gore is so convinced that companies whose operations are socially and environmentally responsible have a competitive ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: Project to Convert Minefields Into Vineyards Is Among Recipients of Skoll Grants edge over other businesses, the former vice…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Project to Convert Minefields Into Vineyards Is Among Recipients of Skoll Grants
Sixteen nonprofit organizations from around the world have received Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship, which ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: International Gathering Seeks to Give ‘Social Investing’ Mass Appeal were accompanied by three-year grants. The winners were: Afghan Institute of Learning, in Kabul,…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Lawmakers Earmarked $29-Billion for Pet Projects in 2006, Report Says
By Elizabeth SchwinnWashington Members of Congress spent a record $29-billion last year on so-called legislative earmarks, singling out a substantial number of charities and other institutions to receive federal funds, according to a study by a government-watchdog group. Members of Congress…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
A Charity Official Runs a Small South Carolina Town
When Carol Burdette gets out of bed at 4:30 a.m, she checks the local paper to see if anyone is calling for the ouster of the mayor of ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: A Nonprofit Takeover of City Hall Pendleton, S.C., population 3,000. Then she prays, asking specifically for grace and tact. “I want to be able to…
By Michael Anft
Contributor
A Nonprofit Takeover of City Hall
Charity officials take elected office as they seek ways to better societyWhen Dom Betro made plans to run for a city council seat in Riverside, Calif., in 2000, he received plenty of encouragement ALSO SEE:ARTICLE: A Charity Official Runs a Small South Carolina Town from his fellow nonprofit…
By Michael Anft
Contributor
Emigrant, Mont. “Try these while they’re hot,” says Pam Kirchoff, setting a tray of caramel breakfast rolls next to a plate of cherry muffins in the gleaming kitchen of the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. It’s only 6 a.m., but Ms. Kirchoff, the ranch’s pastry chef, is already in a rush: Today she and…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
The following awards have been presented for work in advocacy, fund raising, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and other areas. Aging. The National Council on Aging (Washington) has presented four national leadership awards: — The Jack Ossofsky Award went to Marc Freedman for his work as founder…
Sweetener CEO Takes Helm at Diabetes Charity
New York As head of the Merisant Company, in St. Louis, Arnold W. Donald touted the corporation’s Equal sugar substitute as a way for diabetics to sweeten their foods without disturbing their blood chemistry. Now Mr. Donald aims to sweeten diabetics’ lives in another way. Since being hired as the…
By BRENNEN JENSEN
Contributor
Boy Scouts Lose Battle in California’s High Court
The City of Berkeley may withhold subsidies from the Boy Scouts of America or any other nonprofit group that fails to comply with government anti-bias policies, the California Supreme Court ruled last month. The ruling is another legal setback for the Boy Scouts, which has faced opposition to its…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Bits: Benton Foundation Names Gloria Tristani President
The Benton Foundation, in Washington, has appointed Gloria Tristani, a former Federal Communications Commissioner, as president. The Benton Foundation works to promote communications policies that serve the public interest. For more information: Go to http://www.benton.org. Cisco Systems, in San…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Contest Will Honor Ads for Relief and Development
The Center for International Disaster Information is sponsoring a contest, “Lights, Camera, Action,” that challenges college students to create television advertisements to rally support for international development and disaster relief. Chris Palmer, an environmental-film producer, is leading a…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Low-Cost Web Tools Are Focus of May Meeting
The forthcoming NetSquared Conference will focus on how charities are using — or could be using — a new generation of low-cost Web tools, often referred to as Web 2.0 technologies. Organized by CompuMentor, a technology organization in San Francisco, the meeting is scheduled to take place May 30-31…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Kintera Earnings Report Shows Losses for 2005
While total revenue increased in 2005 for Kintera, the online fund-raising company, so too did its losses, according to the company’s year-end earnings statement. Kintera’s total revenue for the year was $40.9-million, an increase of 73 percent over the company’s $23.7-million in total revenue for…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Quest to Fight Methamphetamine Addiction Began in Leader’s Backyard
In 1996, my husband and I bought what we thought was our ticket to the classic American dream. After returning to the United States following two years of missionary work in Africa, we purchased a new home in a nice neighborhood in Seattle’s suburbs. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac bordering…
Designers Take Creative Approaches to Promoting Charitable Causes
When the Center for Women in Transition, in Holland, Mich., wanted to create a new brochure for donors, it sought to reflect in a sensitive way the hardships faced by women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence. “We’ve all heard people say, ‘Well, if he ever hit me, I’d leave.’ But…
By CANDIE JONES
Contributor