NON-PROFIT/
CHARITY / VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
FUNDRAISING
NONPROFIT
MANAGEMENT
VOLUNTEERING
DONATING
/ DONORS
MANAGING
VOLUNTEERS
BOARD
MEMBERS
CHILDREN
/ YOUNG VOLUNTEERS
MISCELLANEOUS
OUR
ARTICLES
FUNDRAISING
Asking
For The Money: "If You Don't Ask You Don't Get" - Generally,
the first step in asking prospects to make a donation is to send them
a letter. This is true no matter the type of campaign or potential size
of gift. In the small-gifts division of an annual campaign the letter
may be the only step, although I would recommend having it followed up
by a telephone call, if at all possible.
Fundrasing
from US Companies - If a US company or a subsidiary has an
office, factory or other location in the geographical area where your
charity operates it is an appropriate target for your fundraising. There
are the exceptions to this, but not many.
Fund-Raising
With A Net - The Internet - The excitement surrounding
Internet fund-raising and its hoped-for windfall of support for non-profits
reminds me of when direct mail and telefunding were new to the fund-raising
scene. However, Internet fund-raising is causing an even greater stir
in the non-profit world for a couple of reasons.
How
Board Members Can Become Effective Fund-Raisers - So,
you've been asked to join the board of a non-profit organization, or maybe
you're already on the board. In either case, here's some advice.
Non-Profit
Fund-Raising Demystified - When it comes to fund-raising,
there are truths and myths. The truths illuminate the path to success.
Rating
and Evaluating Prospects: Whom Do You Ask For How Much - No
one would argue the fact that every fund-raising campaign needs a goal
and that everyone connected with the campaign, including prospective donors,
needs to be aware of that goal.
Should
Your Organization Sell Products And Services To Raise Money? - I
am made increasingly aware of the conflict non-profit organizations experience
when faced with choosing between:
So,
You Were Asked To Volunteer And To Work On A Fund-Raising Campaign! -
As a businessperson, you are among the most sought-after
volunteers for support of non-profit organizations. Officials of non-profits
want you to take leadership positions with them because:
They know that you are a natural leader and a strong advocate for charitable
groups and their causes.
Tapping
The Philanthropic Well A common myth is that corporations
and foundations give most of the money to non-profit organizations
Your
Organization's Next Special Event: - “Fund-Raiser” Or “Friend-Raiser?”
- Should a special event be focused on making friends for an
organization or bringing in money? On the one hand, every organization
needs friends to help promote its mission and to be there for future fund-raising
needs. But on the other, there are bills to be paid today.
NONPROFIT
MANAGEMENT
Campaign
Feasibility Studies: Taking The Time To Find Out Whether The Time Is Right
- A campaign feasibility study is a tool a non-profit uses to
determine whether it should go ahead with a capital or endowment fund-raising
campaign. It is essential for an organization to assess the likelihood
of success for a campaign before entering into it. A non-profit that does
not do so puts the campaign, the project for which the money is to be
raised, and even the organization itself at risk.
Don't
Make Your Organization's Statement Of Purpose A "Mission Impossible"
- We read in all of the right publications and we are told by
the experts that a non-profit organization’s mission statement should
be contained on the back of a business card, declared in as few words
as possible on the organization’s letterhead, etc., --- and even,
as a national authority states, fit on a T-shirt.
Getting
to Yes - Dear Association Leader: Money doesn't grow on trees,
there is no magic bullet, and the odds of winning the big jackpot are
not in your favor. All that said, how do you go about finding sponsors
for association events? How can you increase the amount of money available
to provide quality services to your members without increasing dues? How
do you support the development of new projects and programs?
VOLUNTEERING
Corporate
Volunteering - By encouraging employees to participate in
community activities through company sponsored volunteer programs, a business
contributes to building better communities. Corporate volunteering allows
people to contribute skills and knowledge to a not-for-profit organisation
and actively participate in the community. It makes people feel good.
Helping
Volunteers to Market Their Experience on Their Resumes -
Many volunteers hold paying jobs concurrently with their volunteer positions
or will seek part- or full-time paid employment in the future. Directors
and coordinators of volunteers can offer a valuable service by helping
volunteers effectively communicate their service and skills on their resumes
and cover letters.
How
to get the most from your volunteer experience - Thinking
about doing some volunteer work in your community? Great! Not only is
volunteering good for the heart, it also benefits local organizations
and agencies that need your help to augment their staff and services.
Here are some tips to get the most from your volunteering experiences.
Postering
Secrets: How & Where to Hang Flyers On Your Campus -
Posters are cheap to produce (you can copy a couple of hundred for just
a few dollars), easy to change or update, can be put up for free, and
can be distributed by your own staff or members.
So,
You Were Asked To Volunteer And To Work On A Fund-Raising Campaign! -
As a businessperson, you are among the most sought-after
volunteers for support of non-profit organizations. Officials of non-profits
want you to take leadership positions with them because:
They know that you are a natural leader and a strong advocate for charitable
groups and their causes.
Start
Volunteering - There are many volunteer opportunities available
and finding the right one that matches your interest takes some time and
research.
The
Dollar Value of Volunteer Time - The volunteer community
has long debated the practice of assigning a dollar value to volunteer
time. Apart from any consideration of the difficulties of collecting data
or of finding appropriate dollar amounts, the arguments against measuring
volunteer contributions against a monetary standard boil down to: it doesn't
feel right.
Volunt/ar/eer/ism:
What's the Difference? - So many people ask me whether there
is a distinction between "volunteerism" and "voluntarism"
that I have written up my answer. Here it is.
Volunteer
Vacations - Although each project differs, there are some
general characteristics that you can expect most of them to have.
DONATING
/ DONORS
Gifts
with Soul - Choosing a charitable cause can be a fun family
activity that will produce many years worth of fond memories and enhanced
personal and spiritual growth for our children.
Charity
Starts With Us - Teaching our children about charitableness
needs to start with us.
Charitable
Deductions: Tax Planning - With the end of the year approaching,
it's a good time to review your tax situation with a view to finding ways
to reduce your Federal income tax liability.
Lose
the Soft Touch in 2002 - While some will try to convince
you that philanthropy should be selfless, there is no law that says philanthropy
can't be mutually beneficial to both giver and recipient.
MANAGING
VOLUNTEERS
12
Basic Needs of Every Volunteer
- 12 needs of every volunteer.
A
volunteer needs a good reason for doing the task - If work
is not meaningful, do not ask volunteers to do it. Volunteers need to
know that their contribution is important. They find time to work on projects
that contribute to goals that they support.
Creative
Volunteer Roles - As a rule, volunteer assignments are patterned
along the job descriptions of paid staff. This is because volunteers are
seen as helpers or assistants to employees. While there is nothing wrong
with this frame of reference, it is also limiting. Why not try a more
creative approach to designing ways volunteers can contribute?
Decide
Needed Roles and Set Recruitment Goals - With the scope,
goals, and strategies of your effort already in place, you can now decide
what roles are required and determine the number of marketing representatives
you will recruit for each role.
Does
Liability for Negligent Hiring Apply to Volunteers? - "A
person conducting an activity through servants or other agents is subject
to liability for harm resulting from his conduct if he is negligent or
reckless.. .in the employment of improper persons or instrumentalities
in work involving risk of harm to others."
Federal
Law Protects Nonprofit Volunteers - Volunteers for charities
and other nonprofit entities have an additional line of defense against
the threat of personal liability now that Congress has finally passed
a federal Volunteer Protection Act.
It
Starts With You ...The Volunteer Administrator - The thesis
here is that in order to build the kind of respect we want for our profession,
'It starts with us ... the volunteer administrator"-we need to think
about ourselves and how we advocate forcefully for the profession and
its integral role in helping to meet the many needs in our society.
Orientation
and Training of Event Volunteers - Orientation and training
will be different for those who serve on the leadership task force or
steering committee, and those who are providing a short-term skill or
assistance during the event itself.
Planning
for a Volunteer Center - The following has a United Way slant,
but the questions are relevant for any type of community organization
considering the formation of a local Volunteer Center.
Preparing
for the Volunteer's First Day - Every volunteer has high
hopes for his or her first day on the job. It may have taken some courage
to offer to get involved with your organization, but your initial interview
made the volunteer feel welcome. Now, how well day one goes will have
a lasting impact on this volunteer's long-term commitment.
Preparing
Your Organization - We do not want to be Pollyannas! Although
we know the benefits of working with children as volunteers, we recognize
that there are always concerns among administrators and staff members
to whom this may be a new concept.
Recognizing
Your Role - This Guide is designed to help you step back
and examine the responsibility you have been given to lead volunteers.
Recognising
Employee Volunteers - Employers may want to follow these
guidelines when considering how best to recognise and reward employee
efforts.
Reference
Checks - You should
verify the nature of the relationship between the applicant and personal
reference and the length of time they have known each other. You may be
able to increase the objectivity of the information you receive from the
reference if you stress the kinds of responsibilities that the applicant
will have if selected for the position.
Step
2: Screening - As the sensitivity of the volunteer assignment
increases, the need for multiple and more thorough screening procedures
rises.
Using
Real-Time Communications (Chat, Instant Messaging, Ec.) With Volunteers
- A growing number of organizations use real-time communications -- usually
called "chats" or "chat rooms," "instant messaging",
and sometimes called "synchronous conferencing" -- to hold online
meetings with volunteers, to allow volunteers to interact with staff,
clients, or each other, or to have live, online, real-time events.
Volunteer
Vacations - Although each project differs, there are some
general characteristics that you can expect most of them to have.
BOARD
MEMBERS
Avoiding
the Pitfalls [in Recruiting Board Members] - So, what happens
when you find this high profile person you really want, somebody like,
well…Paul Newman. He says yes to your board, but then he says he
can’t come to any of your meetings. What do you do?
Board
Chair Responsible? - The volunteer chair of the board of
a nonprofit school for aeronautics may be a "responsible person"
personally liable for the failure to withhold federal payroll taxes, according
to the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. (Schumacher
v. U.S., No. 97 C 6806, 8/17/98.)
Build
a Better Board in 30 Days
- Build a Better Board in 30 Days
How
Board Members Can Become Effective Fund-Raisers - So,
you've been asked to join the board of a non-profit organization, or maybe
you're already on the board. In either case, here's some advice.
CHILDREN
/ YOUNG VOLUNTEERS
A
Child Can Make a Difference
- The next time your child comes up with a great idea to
make a contribution to your community, give it a chance and help them
out.
Teens
in action - Let's take a look at a group of teens who had
an idea and made it work.
MISCELLANEOUS
Doing
Good, and Getting Credit for It - Someone once defined public
relations as “doing good and getting credit for it.” One area
where this is especially true is in crisis management.
Donors
and Volunteers – More Alike than Different - The concept
of philanthropy includes many types of giving, though you'd hardly know
it from the conferences, journals, and academic programs that use the
word in their titles. Most of the time, “philanthropy” is
used as synonymous to “fundraising.” No one argues that volunteering
is technically interwoven with donating, but giving of
Just
Pay Them: Volunteers' Managers Getting Shorted in Pay - Executive
and staff compensation can be a telling point for the emphases an organization
places on the way it's managed and the resources used to fund programs.
This
Trust Allows Charity To Begin At Home - Among the super-rich,
the charitable remainder trust is the most popular way of making a charitable
gift contribution, while also getting a nice tax break.
The
Philanthropic Limited Partnership - Charitable Remainder
Trusts ("CRTs") are irrevocable trusts that divvy up the benefits
of the assets they hold between income beneficiaries - you, your spouse
and possibly your kids - and one or more charities you select to receive
the assets after all the income beneficiaries die.
How
Gifts To Charity Can Avoid - Charitable gifts of retirement
assets and other IRD items often make good planning sense. But this area
of the tax law is fraught with peril, and the careful coordination of
one's estate and retirement planning is essential to insure the intended
result.
OUR
ARTICLES
Help
Your Child Help The Community - As a parent, you probably
want to guide your child to become a healthy and ethical adult. How can
you lead your child to a healthy future? What kind of activities can you
do together as a family that will steer your child towards becoming a
compassionate adult? Community service and Volunteerism are your answer.
Generate
Free PR for Your Company by Helping Your Community - Are
you looking for a unique way to catch the attention of potential customers?
Have you had a hard time getting the attention of the media and don’t
know where else to turn? Look no further, the answer has been right in
front of you the entire time. Give back to your community.
Helping
Heal Children With Art - The people who work with Artists
Helping Children provide art that brings joy and happiness to the lives
of ill, mistreated, and needy children in communities everywhere. Through
the generosity of artists, patients and community members, Artists Helping
Children helps create murals, pieces of art, and provides arts and crafts
supplies for the kids we serve.
Join
Our Mailing List
Artists Helping Children is a Children's site dedicated to comforting children by empowering artists and others to donate artwork, donated murals, donated art supplies, donated toys and a lot of love to sick and needy children. Artists Helping Children also helps artists by giving them information on how they can help the sick and poor children by volunteering to paint murals and other art for hospitals, shelters, clinics, etc. No child should ever have to be sad or have to suffer, that is why we hope that more artists and individuals will help bring colorful art to white walled institutions. We also give you ideas on how and where to donate crayons, colored pencils, clay, markers, paper, and other arts and crafts supplies ... such as what hospitals and shelters you could use these arts supplies to bring a little hapiness and joy to these childrens' lives and to so many white-walled institutions. We also have filled this site with free coloring pages & coloring printouts for children to color with as well as 1000s of free arts and crafts projects for kids to use when they need some crafts ideas. Read
Charity Articles |
Coloring Pages / Printouts 