A Third of Foundations Increased Their Giving in 2020
Fueled by a strong stock market, private foundations reported an average 13.1 percent return on their investment assets and community foundations 12.1 percent, allowing many to maintain or increase their giving, according to a new survey.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Most Nonprofits Are Highly Effective. Check the Data.
Over the past six years, ImpactMatters and then Charity Navigator analyzed data on both the cost effectiveness and overall success of nonprofits. They came to a clear conclusion: The myth of nonprofit ineffectiveness is just that — a myth.
By Elijah Goldberg
Contributor
Amid Calls to #TaxTheChurches — What and How Much Do U.S. Religious Organizations Not Pay?
Megachurches and their leaders can be superrich. So why don’t the IRS and local authorities see a cent in taxes? A scholar explains.
Impact Investing Works. Here’s How Our Family Foundation Made Sure It Makes a Real Difference.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation voted in 2017 to ensure all of its endowment was invested in ways that were in sync with its charitable mission. Here’s how the chairman of its board, Jaimie Mayer suggests others can pursue the approach wisely.
By Jaimie Mayer
Contributor
Strong Hiring at Nonprofits Means 60% of Jobs Lost to Covid Have Been Restored
Education groups are hiring fastest while health-care organizations are lagging. At current rates, it will take until September 2022 for the nonprofit world to expand beyond pre-pandemic levels.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Critics Worry Supreme Court Ruling on Donor Disclosure Will Make Charity Fraud Easier
The Supreme Court on Thursday voted 6 to 3 to overturn a California donor-disclosure law that critics said was a needless intrusion on donor privacy and would hurt giving.
By dan.parks and Michael Theis
Key Economic Indicators Show How Charities Are Affected by Split in Recovery for Rich and Poor
Services for the poor will continue to be in high demand and groups that raise small gifts face continued challenges, but organizations that rely mostly on the wealthy for revenue should fare well.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Habitat for Humanity Struggles With High Construction Costs
Local affiliates had to limit volunteers over virus concerns, then revenue was dented by the temporary closure of the group’s ReStores, and pandemic-induced kinks in the supply chain caused construction delays.
Study Points to Continued Growth in Giving in 2021
New analysis from the Fundraising Effectiveness Project points to an increase in new and retained donors as well as an uneven fundraising landscape skewed by large gifts.
By Emily Haynes
Senior Editor, Nonprofit Intelligence
Value of Charitable Deduction for All Americans Still Unclear
Charitable giving was sluggish in 2020, according to “Giving USA,” making it hard to see a clear benefit from the temporary tax provisions allowing Americans to deduct charitable gifts even if they don’t itemize.
By dan.parks and Eden Stiffman
Nonprofit Hiring Accelerates in May With 63,000 New Jobs
But nonprofit employment is 6 percent lower than it was before the pandemic hit.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
Nonprofits Need to Embrace Transparency, Even if the Supreme Court Rules to Protect Donor Privacy
Greater financial transparency, made increasingly possible by technological innovation and new social norms, is becoming a hallmark virtue of the 21st century for young people raised on social media and smartphones. Their vision for a more transparent world will become the expectation in the years to come, and they will only trust nonprofits that are open.
By Christina Asquith
Contributor
Sens. Grassley and King Push Measure to Accelerate DAF and Foundation Giving
Two key U.S. senators introduced legislation Wednesday designed to spur faster payouts from donor-advised funds and foundations, giving new momentum to an effort that has deeply divided philanthropy.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Biden Budget May Spur More Charitable Giving, Experts Say
Nonprofits advocates — also noting the absence of an effort to limit the value of itemized deductions, including contributions to charity — generally gave the budget plan high marks.
By dan.parks
Contributor
Warning Signs Emerge for Fundraisers in Latest Economic Reports
While overall growth remains strong, consumer confidence fell, the stock market was flat, and unemployment remains stuck well above pre-pandemic levels.
By Michael Theis
Contributor
As Pandemic Eases, College Fundraisers Are Optimistic About Meeting Goals
But when it comes to fundraisers’ plans to return to the office, leaders and lower-level fundraisers are not on the same page.
By Michael Theis
Contributor