Key lawmakers ask fundamental questions about the types of organizations that deserve tax exemptionsWashington One of the most powerful lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week opened a wide-ranging inquiry into nonprofit organizations, raising fundamental questions about what constitutes a charity and…
By Harvy Lipman and Elizabeth Schwinn
Former Opera Singer Hits High Note Helping Newark’s Children
Newark, N.J. It is a cold Tuesday morning, and William Madsen has just arrived at the end of his commute. Each weekday he leaves his home in Maplewood, N.J., an affluent town of 24,000, for nearby Newark. The distance between the two places registers a scant five miles, but they are different…
By Jennifer C. Berkshire
Contributor
Using Direct Mail to Solicit Big Gifts
The Mercifully Brief, Real World Guide to Raising $1,000 Gifts by Mail, by Mal Warwick, says nonprofit organizations can attract gifts from major donors through mailings, not just through personal visits. Mr. Warwick describes how his company, which provides fund-raising and marketing advice to…
By Caroline Preston
Contributor
Engaging Foundations in Public-Policy Advocacy
Investing in Change: A Funder’s Guide to Supporting Advocacy argues that grant makers have a crucial role to play in shaping public policy. It describes the legal restrictions on foundations that engage in advocacy themselves or that support advocacy through their grant making, and gives tips on…
By Caroline Preston
Contributor
Making Communities Safer Through Citizen-Police Cooperation
Community Policing: The Past, Present, and Future, edited by Lorie Fridell and Mary Ann Wycoff, examines how citizens and police officers can work together to reduce crime and make their neighborhoods more livable. The book, supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, explores ways that…
By Caroline Preston
Contributor
In an era when America is fiercely divided politically and journalists are scrutinizing nonprofit groups and donors, philanthropists should take care in giving to controversial causes. Otherwise they might become fodder for opinion writers or those looking to grind a partisan axe, writes Worth…
By Caroline Preston
Contributor
‘Congressional Quarterly’: Charity Lobbying
Charities and foundations are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to lobby Congress as lawmakers step up their scrutiny of nonprofit groups, reports Congressional Quarterly (April 18). For instance, Independent Sector, which represents 500 charities and foundations, paid $200,000 last year to…
By Caroline Preston
Contributor
House Passes Repeal of Estate Tax
In a step opposed by many charities and private foundations, the House of Representatives has voted to permanently repeal the federal estate tax. The controversy over repeal of the tax will now be taken up by the Senate. Under current law, the estate tax will be phased out gradually in coming…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Bushes, Cheneys Provide Charitable-Giving Data
The White House said that the Bushes made their gifts last year to a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and AmeriCares.
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
The following awards have been presented for work in advocacy, fund raising, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and other areas. Environment. The Goldman Environmental Foundation (San Francisco) has presented its 2005 Goldman Environmental Prize to grass-roots environmental activists from six…
Fired Habitat Founder Establishes Rival Charity
In a move that could prompt a legal battle, Millard Fuller, the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity International, who was fired from his position three months ago, has established a new organization with a similar mission and name. Mr. Fuller has announced the creation of Building…
By Ian Wilhelm
Contributor
A Public-Radio Reporter Helps Build Alaskan Wilderness Trails
Everyone in Alaska has a story of how they ended up here. I grew up in Wilton, Conn., and when I was in fourth grade I had a camp counselor who later moved to Alaska. He kept in touch with me and sent me pictures. I put a map of Alaska on my wall, and I always wanted to come here. I’ve always loved…
Blending Business With Charity Can Be ‘Head-Busting’ Work
Milwaukee To solve the social problems facing the United States, nonprofit organizations need to forge new kinds of relationships with the corporate world, Jeffrey B. Swartz, chief executive officer of the Timberland shoe and apparel company told more than 550 nonprofit and business leaders…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Fund Raisers’ Pay Hits New High, Compensation Survey Finds
The median salary of U.S. fund raisers jumped last year by more than 15 percent, to $72,050, or about $10,000 more than in 2003, according to a new survey by the ALSO SEE:TABLE: Salary and Benefits Paid to Fund Raisers Association of Fundraising Professionals. The finding marks the biggest earnings…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Contributions to Canadian Churches
Members Contributions Full or confirmed Total Total Per full or confirmed member Per member Apostolic Church in Canada 1 1,450 1,740 $1,705,737 $1,176 $980 Armenian Holy Apostolic ChurchCanadian Diocese 2 85,000 85,000 855,000 10 10 Baptist Union of Western Canada 3 20,427 20,427 5,107,654 250 250…
Contributions to U.S. Churches
Members Contributions Full or confirmed Total Total Per full or confirmed member Per member Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America 2,311 2,311 $133,000 $58 $58 Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection 1,619 1,765 5,216,942 3,222 2,956 American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. 1,433,075 1,433,075…