Computer Recycling Hits Many Obstacles
A new report, “Islands in the Wastestream,” analyzes the field of nonprofit computer refurbishers, the benefits of computer reuse, and the obstacles holding the field back. Published by CompuMentor, a technology charity in San Francisco, the report says nonprofit programs that refurbish discarded…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
New Technology Coalition Shares Patented Approaches
A group of technology and consulting companies that work with nonprofit organizations has agreed to share any business procedures to which the companies hold exclusive rights. Members of the new Nonprofit Innovation Alliance have agreed to pool current and future “business-method patents” -- which…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Public Confidence in Nonprofit Groups Is on the Rise in America, Survey Finds
Affluent, college-educated Americans have more faith in nonprofit groups than they do in government, business, or ALSO SEE: TABLE: Credibility: American and European Views of Four Charities TABLE: How Trust in Nonprofit Groups Compares With Views of Other Organizations news organizations, according…
By BRENNEN JENSEN
Contributor
Merger of Jewish Groups Fails to Meet Expectations, Report Finds
Five years ago, three major Jewish groups folded themselves into a new organization that became the 20th century’s largest nonprofit merger. A new report by two independent scholars says that the organization created out of the merger, United Jewish Communities, has failed to live up to…
By DEBRA NUSSBAUM COHEN
Contributor
NAACP Disputes Timing of Audit, Refuses to Turn Over Records to IRS
Washington The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has refused to provide the Internal Revenue Service with documents and other information it needs to audit the organization, saying the tax agency overstepped legal bounds last year when it started an investigation of the…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Tax Agency Declines to Create Separate Charity Database
As Congress and others step up their scrutiny of charities, many lawmakers, watchdog groups, academic researchers, and others are disappointed that the Internal Revenue Service has decided not to set up a database that will make it easy for the public to gather data in the informational tax returns…
By Harvy Lipman
Contributor
Boy Scout Council Denies Padding Enrollment as FBI Investigates
A Federal Bureau of Investigation examination of an Alabama Boy Scout council has put the spotlight on a rumor that has long circulated about the Boy Scouts: that some local affiliates of the national charity pad their membership rolls to make paid Boy Scout recruiters look good and to coax more…
By Debra E. Blum
Contributor
Housing Group Fires Its Founder
Habitat for Humanity’s staff, volunteers divided by departure of charity’s leaderFor nearly 30 years, Habitat for Humanity has called on people to pick up hammers and help construct homes for the poor. But this month, an ad hoc group of Habitat volunteers calling themselves the Habitat Partners…
By BRENNEN JENSEN
Contributor
Beset by financial and organizational problems, a venerable charity makes major changes to stay afloatThe National Conference for Community and Justice has spent the past 78 years fighting prejudice. Now it is fighting for its life. The organization, which for most of its existence was called the…
By GRANT WILLIAMS
Contributor
Congressional Unit, White House Seek to Curb Abuses of Charity Tax Breaks
Washington Scrutiny of nonprofit organizations continues to escalate, as President Bush and a powerful Congressional committee urged lawmakers to take action on what they identified as dozens of abuses involving charities and foundations. While the $2.6-trillion budget President Bush submitted to…
By Brad Wolverton
Contributor
President’s plan would increase role of religious groupsWashington President Bush last week put into concrete terms his vision of compassionate conservatism. In the 2006 ALSO SEE:TABLE: The Nonprofit World and President Bush’s Budget: Key Proposals spending plan he proposed to Congress last week he…
By Harvy Lipman
Contributor
Percentage of Americans Who Volunteer Is on the Rise
By Sharnell Bryan Fifty-seven percent of American adults volunteered for a charitable cause in 2004, an increase of 9 percentage points over the proportion that volunteered in 2003, according to a new survey. The survey was commissioned by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a nonprofit…
By Sharnell Bryan
Contributor
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation (North Hollywood, Calif.): Appointed Terri L. Clark, executive director of the Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, to be executive director. Animal Compassion Foundation (Austin, Tex.): Appointed Anne Malleau, coordinator at the Colonel K.L.…
Following are summaries of recent reports by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. This private group reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The alliance does not approve or disapprove of charities, and urges potential donors…
The Nonprofit World and President Bush’s Budget: Key Proposals
Spending in fiscal 2005 Proposed for fiscal 2006 Arts and Culture Corporation for Public Broadcasting $390,000,000 $390,000,000 Historic Preservation Fund 72,000,000 66,000,000 Institute of Museum and Library Services 280,564,000 262,240,000 National Endowment for the Arts 122,000,000 122,000,000…
Salaries and Benefits at Foundations
Who Was Eligible for a Bonus All staff members Only professional staff members Only administrative staff members Only CEO Other Community 57.1% 8.3% 4.8% 15.5% 14.3% Independent 56.3 6.3 4.7 4.7 28.1 Family 70.8 0.0 12.5 8.3 8.3 Public 68.4 5.3 5.3 21.1 0.0 All 60.9 5.6 6.5 11.2 15.8 Note: Based on…