It's faster to copy and paste here what we say about the magazine on it's own blog than try to describe it myself: "GivingCity Austin is formerly GoodCause, but the mission and everything else is just the same. GivingCity is a local Austin blog and magazine about philanthropy and volunteering. Our mission is to inspire, connect, and recognize donors and philanthropists - novice and experienced - and raise awareness about the needs of Central Texans."

So, it's a PDF only magazine, we didn't print one. During the design process, we worked on optimizing it to be read onscreen, or if you'd prefer (though we'd prefer you didn't) to be printed out and read, fitting readable spreads on letter-sized paper. Our goal is to eventually have both a print and digital version available. By that point the print version would be the primary product, with the digtal version probably acting more a supplement to or mid-month update or something...or maybe a seperate entity in its own right. Hell I don't know yet, we ahven't figured that out yet.

Anyway, I'm always bitching about other magazines, so now's your chance to bitch about one of mine! Please follow this link to download the first issue - it's completely free - and leave a comment either here or on the GivingCity blog. Seriously, I'm always looking for feedback, even if you hate it, please take the time to tell me why. I'm especially interested to hear about how easy/hard it is to read and navigate... there are several navigation options, some built into the layout, and the others offered by Acrobat or the browser/application your computer opens PDF files in.

We're pretty proud of it, we did it on not even a shoestring budget after all. The next issue is due to be available on December 1st, and we're working on it in our spare time and whenever we can (we do have full-time jobs as well!).

If you are doing fundraising for non profit organization, first and foremost you should know that you are doing a really wonderful thing. Not many people take time out of their busy life to do volunteer work, let alone fundraising which is going to be going towards a good cause, no matter what the details may be. Read More  Fundraising for Non Profit Organization

At the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' 2008 Annual Conference last week, MCN and MCF jointly sponsored the opening reception, with support from the Northwest Area Foundation.

The party featured brief conversations with some of the newest movers and shakers in the Minnesota foundation world:

• Trista Harris, executive director, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
• Peter Hutchinson, president, Bush Foundation
• Randi Ilyse Roth, executive director, Otto Bremer Foundation
• Kevin Walker, president and CEO, Northwest Area Foundation

These leaders' remarks were informative, but they were also candid, relaxed and sometimes downright funny. I got a really good feeling from the Q & A. Without even trying (or so it seemed), these individuals exemplified so many of the MCF Principles to which all our members subscribe, such as clearly stating mission and goals, engaging grantees in thoughtful dialogue, building respectful relationships, and being clear and timely in our communications with constituents.

Okay, now you may be thinking my connection to the MCF Principles is a bit contrived, but honestly, isn't a principle something to live by? So whether we're sitting at our desks writing lengthy grant guidelines (or lengthy grant proposals) or enjoying beverages and a laugh with our nonprofit colleagues, shouldn't our principles shine through regardless?

So, sign me up for the next party where we do a little socializing and a little information sharing all at once. It's kind of like great design: form and function all in one package.

Join the conversation: Did you attend and enjoy last week's MCF/MCN reception? What other get-to-know-you events should we plan between the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors?

- Wendy Wehr, MCF V.P. of Communications and Information Services

The not for profit event will include a battle between Michael Lohan and whoever makes the highest bid to fight him. The bidding starts at $5,000.

The Fight For Charity is being held on Nov. 24 at the Hilton Long Island in Melville. The event consists of 10 boxing matches of amateur fighters. Charities such as the Long Island Community Chest and Family Residence & Essential Enterprises  benefit from the money raised from the event.

For information to purchase tickets in advance, contact The Fight for Charity at 516-870-1583 or www.lifightforcharity.com.

A room full of fellow word-geeks? More perfect still!

Saturday night I attended a fundraiser for a local nonprofit called Write Around Portland, which brings writing to marginalized communities such as those within jails, shelters, and rehabs; and to marginalized people such as at-risk kids, battered women, and the mentally ill. As the moderator said, writing can be worthwhile, transformative, and healing.

I feel like I'm supposed to write a deeply felt and meaningful post because it's a wonderful cause. If I ever get my act together in true humanitarian style, Write Around Portland is the organization I'll join...truly...

But, shoot...Can I just write about the interactive writing and word games instead?

I love word games, love love love word games. From prompts, we typed wacky stories one sentence at a time with old typewriters. We taped nonsense sentences to the wall (reminiscent of those refrigerator word magnets) in a game called "word salad." We played Mad Libs, Boggle, boardless speed-Scrabble, and, the best fun yet, Wordigo poker.

I didn't bid in the silent auction for moleskin journals customized by artists and local luminaries. However, I participated in my own way by drinking one too many herbal-infused vodka tonics. 

Everywhere, glasses filled with mini red scrolls revealed writing from Write Around Portland participants. Now, I bring you the deeply felt and meaningful portion of this post.

Excerpt from a teen boy in residential drug and alcohol treatment:

Some people say I'm a lost boy.
Some people say I've lost my joy.
Some people say I should go on home.
...
Some people say I've been shot at.
Some people say I've shot back.
...
Some people say they know my life.
Some people say they know my struggles and my fights.
Some people say you weren't good for me.
...
Some people say I'm a boy who's dumb.
Some people say I'm a boy who's in love.
...

Excerpt from a veteran living with PTSD:

I come from a long line of people stretchng back to a dim beginning. We were tribes with names and languages of melodious strains, and a certain knowledge of all things in the world. There were particular ways to tend to the rounds of the day, the seasons, the years...

But those voices are quiet now, long dead and mostly forgotten. I am the last of the lone scouts, working my way to the far distant shore. I carry memories of things I cannot know, and am called to speak stories I never heard. The old ones wait to see if I can find my voice before my sweet short passage ends...

The Minnesota Council on Foundations, other regional associations of grantmakers and the national Council on Foundations have been working diligently over the last two years to encourage Congress to either extend the IRA Rollover or make it permanent. The Council will continue its work in 2009 to encourage Congress and the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to support and pass the Public Good IRA Rollover Act. This bill has tremendous potential to accelerate charitable giving for the benefit of the citizens of Minnesota and the nation. It is an important expansion of the charitable provisions that will have a critical impact on those in need and are served by our front-line charitable and faith-based organizations.

- Chuck Peterson, MCF VP of member relations and operations

photo credit

Sightline Daily | Northwest News That Matters

Top Picks of the Day

10. Views: One Species Versus 1.8 Million Others
Let's acknowledge our overpopulation, and do something about it, before it gets worse. The frogs and caddisflies and deer and the ecosystems they participate in will thank us. High Country News 09/29/2008

Looking for an easy way to communicate your organization's mission? 

Recent statistics have shown that 63% of people are watching online video, up from 32% just a year ago. I promise you that unlike our wavering economy, this statistic is only going to increase. Lucky for you, video is one of the easiest, most effective methods of connecting with your target audience.

What can I do to create a good video?

If you don't have the funds to hire a freelance videographer, stop thinking like Scorcese and start thinking practical. Pick up a Flip camera and tripod for starters. Draft up a shoot plan, find a spokesperson or someone impacted by your organization's mission and shoot a 2-3 minute spot. Plug in the Flip into your computer, make some minor edits (editing software included - the added great bonus of the Flip), click share on YouTube and wah-lah!

*Obviously I recommend you put more time and effort into creating a spot than just this, but my intention is to let you see that the basic framework doesn't have to be a production plan that costs thousands upon thousands of dollars.

But, won't my message simply be lost amongst the millions of other online nonprofit videos?

This is where you can make a difference and where too many nonprofits fail to act. Do yourself a favor and apply for YouTube's nonprofit program. It's hardly an "application process" as you'll almost certainly be accepted after YouTube takes a day or so to confirm that you're a nonprofit. Not only is it free, but the program allows you to brand your YouTube channel as well as individual video pages - a huge advantage for increasing the visibility of your mission to viewers. Companies pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for this type of branding on YouTube and you have the ability to take advantage - for free.

Beyond that, you'll need to carefully optimize your video with an appropriate title, description and tagging as well as embed the spot on your website and other social networking sites - but that's for a future post.

But, how will I know if my videos are effective?

Glad you asked. YouTube Insights provides all the statistical and analytical data you need. From referral search terms to breakdowns on your viewers' demographics, YouTube has you covered.

So, if you're thinking about how to increase your visibility and capitalize on ever-increasing online audiences, consider taking advantage of video. You won't be disappointed.

-Scott

Boston cited the Internal Revenue Service’s Political Activities Compliance Initiative (“PACI”) as the organization that has traditionally investigated referrals related to politicking from the pulpit.

He quoted the PACI’s 2006 compliance report which indicated that, in regards to the 2004 election, PACI received 166 referrals alleging improper conduct by non-profits, of which 110 were investigated. Of the 110 investigated, more than 40% involved churches (that’s a total of 47 referrals). The remaining referrals related to non-church nonprofits.

What Boston doesn’t explain is that approximately 90% of the church-related political interventions were substantiated by the IRS. PACI confirmed political interventions in only 45% of the referrals by non-church nonprofits. So what were the consequences for the violators?

About 12% of the non-church nonprofits received either final revocations or proposed revocations of their tax exempt status. Not a single church received a revocation or proposed revocation of its tax-exempt status. Instead, the churches received written advisories.

I tried to find the text of the written advisories on the IRS Web site, but could not locate any. Thanks to National Public Radio, I was able to locate a copy of a June 9, 2005 letter from the Internal Revenue Service to All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. I don’t know if All Saints was one of the churches included in the referral statistics provided by PACI in its report. However, the IRS clearly states in its letter to All Saints:

“Our concerns are based on a November 1, 2004 newspaper article in the Los Angeles Times and a sermon presented at the All Saints Church discussed in the article. The article entitled, ‘THE RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE Pulpits Ring With Election Messages,’ states that the sermon, given on October 31, 2004 to a congregation of 3500, delivered a searing indictment of the Bush administration’s policies in Iraq, criticism of the drive to develop more nuclear weapons, and described tax cuts as inimical to the values of Jesus. The sermon is entitled, ‘IF JESUS DEBATED SENATOR KERRY AND PRESIDENT BUSH’.”

The letter also refers to a list of questions, but the questions were not attached to the copy I was able to read. So I’m not exactly sure what specific questions the IRS asked.

Regardless, Marcus S. Owens of the law firm Caplin & Drysdale responded to the IRS on behalf of All Saints on October 11, 2005. Owens frames the examination as a First Amendment issue of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. He states:

“While [All Saints Church] understands and respects that the mission of the IRS is to administer the federal tax laws, it trusts that you similarly appreciate that the tentative findings of the agency challenge the core values of the congregation of the Church, clearly placing its First Amendment principles at stake.”

I don’t know if there was any other correspondence that took place between the two entities from June 9 until October 11, but Owens’ October letter certainly doesn’t provide any answers to any questions. So I can only imagine the legal wrangling that might have happened in the interim.

In any event, I was not able to locate All Saints on an IRS list of organizations that have had their tax-exempt status revoked, so I can only assume that All Saints suffered nothing more than a written advisory.

My concern is that the IRS is not immune to the so called “sacredness” of the church when it comes down to it. After all, as the 2006 PACI report shows, of the entities investigated, church political interventions were far more common than those of non-church nonprofits. Yet it certainly appears that non-church nonprofits were far more likely to be sanctioned for their actions. Why?

More about this tomorrow.

The Story

Several of us visited the site of the wedding a few weeks ago.  It's a gorgeous outdoor site about 45 minutes from the Twin Cities.  We talked about the general plan for the audience and the general direction of the procession.  We talked about meeting in a different place and processing from an unexpected direction.  We had the rehearsal in the Twin Cities the day before the wedding.  We weren't at the actual site because of the commute.  We talked about spacing and order and meeting times all of those good rehearsal things.

The day of the wedding, we were dealing with unexpected and unexperienced things.  We were putting up a few decorations, enlisting the help of friends who had arrived early, and navigating effective communication with important people we didn't really know, such as the parents of the bride and groom. There were nerves and deadlines and uncomfortable shoes - it was just totally different to be there than it was to plan it.

While in the thick of this reality, I completely lost any sense of those plans we had made weeks ago and even the day before.  I remembered most of them, but they somehow didn't seem relevant anymore.  Everything around me was totally different than it was when we had made those plans, so my instinct was to improvise.

Looking back on that instinct is frustrating.  I knew exactly what I was supposed to do, but I felt compelled to go against it and start from scratch .  It's kind of ridiculous.

The Point

The point of this is that I see parallels in nonprofits.  Most of us have a great idea of what the best practices are, from communication to filing to education.  We have a plan.  But then we come to deadlines or audits or budget cuts and there is a definite instinct to toss the plans out and start from scratch.

How can we not only share best practices, but do so in a way that acknowledges that they'll feel way different in the midst of actual reality?

Has anyone else noticed this instinct?

As many of you are aware, I've been advocating cause-inspired marketing as a potential strategy for AMC-managed clients.  And, I'm very excited to have received ASAE's prestigious Associations Advance America Summit Award next week on behalf of DrakeCo and one of our clients (the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation) for its Trees for Troops program.

This blog is intended to serve as a cause marketing resource for associations and not-for-profits.  As you will see, we'll be posting case studies that demonstrate the power of cause marketing. 

And, we welcome your submissions to our file of case studies.  You can send them to info@drakeco.com ... please put Cause Case Study Submission in the subject line.

Steve

First off, for two seriously hilarious sites I discovered this week. The highlight is definitely Sarah Silverman's "The Great Schlep," where she encourages young jews to visit their grandparents in Florida and threaten not to visit anymore unless they vote for Obama. Check it out, I laughed so hard I cried.

Second is buymyshitpile.com, a site that "give[s] regular Americans the same opportunity to sell their bad assets to the government" after the recent economic crises. Some of the things people are posting are certainly not work-friendly, but some of them are quite funny...don't waste too much time on this site, but it's worth a look for a chuckle.

Third is perhaps the best anti-Palin campaign I've heard about. I'm not sure if it was Planned Parenthood's idea or not...I assume so. Basically, people are forwarding around the idea to make a donation to Planned Parenthood in Sarah Palin's name, as an "honorary" gift. You can make the donation to Planned Parenthood here and use McCain's campaign address: McCain for President, 1235 S. Clark Street, 1st Floor, Arlington, VA 22202. Brilliant, and I hope LOTS of people do it.

Lastly, something a little sad and a little lighthearted. Read on my favorite work distraction website that little Nyac, the otter in this amazing video that made me cry the first time I saw it, has died. :( So sad, but still this video restores my faith in this world, and makes me even more sure that animals have just as many emotions as we do and deserve every right that we have as humans. Watch it until the end, when she reaches over to re-clasp hands. It's electrifying.

We are apparently approaching or already at Wall Street Armageddon (Wall Street being an actual street in New York, which I sometimes forget). Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are the two biggest victims of the current financial crisis and were largely located downtown. The effect of all those firms imploding should have an impact on New Yorkers, obviously. But what should we expect?

According to this video from Thirteen about the financial crisis and New York, a third of New York City's tax base comes from Wall Street. The Wall Street Journal says the financial services industry has let go of 11,000 jobs and:

Jobs in financial services tend to be more important for the overall economy. About 5% of New York City's jobs are in financial services, but they account for about a quarter of wages, some $60 billion in 2006, according to the New York Office of the State Comptroller. That same year, personal and corporate taxes paid by the securities industry accounted for about 10% of the city's tax revenue.

Bloomberg has called for $1.5 billion in cuts from city spending, meaning potential cuts in everything from schools to subway service.

The New York Sun reports we could see fewer banks branches. I'm not particularly troubled by this, seeing as there are more bank branches in New York than Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts combined.

No one knows how big the impact will be and when we'll all really feel it. So what does this mean for those of us working at nonprofits? Are grants, donations and funding going to slowly evaporate? A brief note on WNYC said this:

The financial crisis is likely to have a direct impact on many of the city's nonprofits, which rely on corporate gifts. Fran Barrett is the executive director of Community Resource Exchange, which works with hundreds of nonprofits, including soup kitchens and housing programs. She says the economic downturn will create a great demand for social services, just as nonprofits have to lay off their own employees.

BARRETT: We've got all this talent and ability to help, and it's just so frustrating that there are people out there who need our help, but the nonprofit sector will be limping along because it won't be able to sustain itself.

REPORTER: Barrett says there are about 20,000 nonprofits in the city, and they employ more people than finance, insurance and real estate combined.

How do you feel about all of this? What have you done in recent weeks to prepare for the future? I've considered moving around my 401k, clearing out my Washington Mutual bank account and, of course, stuffing cash in my mattress.

For more details, please visit www.actforalexandria.org to download the registration form.

Leave your comment below, or write me at buzzmc.blog@gmail.com

BlackRock Center for the Arts