Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement: United Ways Since 1876, by Richard N. Aft and Mary Lu Aft, chronicles the history of the organizations now known as United Ways. The book is broken into chapters covering specific years, with each chapter containing information about relevant…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Overview of Foundation Support for the Humanities
Foundation Funding for the ALSO SEE:Grants for the Humanities Doubled in a Decade Humanities: An Overview of Current and Historical Trends, by Loren Renz and Steven Lawrence, summarizes grant-maker support of archaeology, ethics, history, literature, and other humanities-related programs. Ms. Renz,…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Tips to Help Family Foundations Face Change
Facing Forever: Planning for Change in Family Foundations, by Elaine Gast, is designed to help grant makers cope with changes in foundation leadership, fluctuations in assets, family discord, and other challenges. Ms. Gast, who previously worked in the family-foundation unit of the Council on…
By Jessica Kronstadt
Contributor
Founder’s Widow Proves to Be Perfect Match to Lead Organ-Donation Group
When Brian Broznick lost his two-month battle with pancreatic cancer in November, he left behind an $18-million organization and 65 staff members who had a deep connection with the man who had founded and led their charity for 16 years. The Center for Organ Recovery and Education, a Pittsburgh…
By PETER PANEPENTO
Contributor
John Kerry Offers Plans on National Service
Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, has proposed spending $10-million a year to encourage the development of new approaches to enlisting Americans to volunteer. In a campaign speech, Mr. Kerry said his Citizen Patriots Fund would “support a new generation of social entrepreneurs…
By BRENNEN JENSEN
Contributor
Generous Gifts May Mean Empty Pews, Study Finds
By Elizabeth Schwinn Do people sometimes treat their gifts to churches and other religious institutions as a substitute for attendance at services? The answer is Yes, according to an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The economist Jonathan Gruber analyzed data from two…
New IRS Rules Change Corporate Deductions
By Elizabeth Schwinn The IRS has issued new regulations designed to make it easier for U.S. multinational companies to take deductions for their charitable contributions. The rules took effect as soon as they were issued last week, but the government said it might make changes if it hears…
IRS Releases Letters Revoking Charity Status
By Elizabeth Schwinn In the wake of a recent ruling by a federal appeals court, the Internal Revenue Service has started to make public the letters the tax agency sends to groups that explain why it has denied or revoked their tax-exempt status. The decision to release the letters -- which reverses…
The following awards have been presented for work in advocacy, fund raising, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and other areas. Arts. Americans for the Arts (Washington) has presented its 2004 Selina Roberts Ottum Award, which recognizes exemplary local arts leadership, to Lynn Barnett, executive…
Senate Panel Approves Nonprofit Security Bill
A Senate panel has approved legislation to authorize the federal government to spend up to $100-million a year to improve security at nonprofit-owned buildings that are determined to be at increased risk for a terrorist attack, including churches and synagogues. The bill, the High Risk Nonprofit…
By Elizabeth Schwinn
Contributor
Muslim Charity Indicted in Federal Court on Charges That It Supported Terrorists
One of the nation’s largest Muslim charities and seven of its top officials were indicted last week in federal court on charges of providing $12.4-million in support during the past nine years to the Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, an alleged terrorist organization. In a 42-count indictment,…
By Brad Wolverton
Contributor
Nonprofit Leaders Express Concern About Some Ideas Advanced by Senate Aides
Washington As senators consider new legislation to stamp out legal abuses at charities and foundations, key Senate aides met late last month with about 100 nonprofit officials to solicit their views on possible changes to rules governing the nonprofit field. Many of the comments from nonprofit…
By Brad Wolverton
Contributor
A court fight pits a university against two former employeesOn his first day of work, Sinclair E. Hugh grew uneasy about his new job. It was July 1999, and Mr. Hugh, then 59, was changing careers. He had spent the past decade as a human-resources consultant, working with for-profit companies, but…
By Alison Stein Wellner
Contributor
Advocacy Groups Discover the Power of Blogs to Spread Their Messages
TOOLS AND TRAINING By Peter Panepento Earth Share of Washington had staked its claim in cyberspace. The only problem, says Dave Manelski, the group’s program coordinator, was that its territory drew few visitors. The Seattle nonprofit group serves as a hub of information for its 65 member…
By PETER PANEPENTO
Contributor
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (Washington): Announced the retirement of David G. Imig, president and chief executive officer, effective upon the naming of a successor. American Red Cross, Heartland Chapter (Omaha): Appointed James K. Brown, public-support officer at the…
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…