Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: March 1-5

Evening hours next week! We will be open until 8:00pm on Tuesday, March 2.

We invite you to our classes this upcoming week:

Tuesday, March 2, 6:00-7:30pm
The No-Fail Approach to Soliciting Individual and Corporate Gifts

Friday, March 5, 9:00am-4:00pm
Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course
$125

Unless otherwise noted, the classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Firespring Partners with Digital Community Foundation to Provide Funding Opportunity for Georgia Nonprofits

The following information is provided courtesy of Julie Plyler, Program Manager, Nonprofit Solutions at Firespring.

Firespring, a Nebraska-based marketing and internet services company, has partnered with the Digital Community Foundation, a private, 501(c)(3) foundation also based in Nebraska, to provide funding for up to 10 Georgia nonprofits that will include 25% of every website project, up to $5,000 per organization. Each site will be built on top of a content management system and integrated with a prepackaged set of functional tools.

To qualify, each participant must:

1. be located in or service constituents in Georgia; and
2. be a 501(c)(3); and
3. be approved by the DCF board.

Each participant receives a $6,000 custom website with the following functional tools:

• Content Management System (CMS)
• Event Calendar & Registration Tools
• Website Membership Management
• Online Giving Programs
• SEO Content Management Tools
• E-mail Marketing Tools
• + more than 20 other components

Plus, the following support and services on an ongoing month-to-month basis:

• Site Hosting
• Site Statistics
• Ability to Update Site Content (built-in CMS)
• Unlimited Staff E-mail Accounts
• Monthly E-mail Marketing Services (w/ templates)
• Initial and Ongoing Training & Support
• Ongoing Development Upgrades to CMS

In summary, each participant receives a unique, customized website with comprehensive training and support. The total cost for your organization is $4,500 (the Digital Community Foundation pays the other $1,500), plus $150 per month after your new site is launched. If your budget is strapped, other lower-cost options are available.

If your organization is interested in applying for this grant, please contact Firespring at nonprofit@firespring.com or call 877.447.8941. They can provide you with an application and visit with you further about your specific needs to determine if this program would be a good fit for you.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Scholarships Still Available for Foundation Fundraising Course in Atlanta

This Spring, the Foundation Center is offering several essential courses to help you get through today's fundraising environment. Scholarships are still available for Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course in Atlanta next Friday, March 5, from 9am-4pm. Scholarships are intended for under-resourced nonprofits in Georgia - click here to see if your organization qualifies.

Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course is intended for representatives of nonprofit organizations who are new to foundation fundraising.

The foundation approach to funding presents distinct challenges and opportunities for nonprofits. This course will help you understand the grantmaking objectives of independent, corporate, and community foundations, identify grantseeker resources, and effectively partner with grantmakers.

BENEFITS:

• Gain a better understanding of the philanthropic landscape and the world of foundations
• Adopt the terminology used in foundation fundraising
• Prepare your organization to become a desirable partner to grantmakers
• Understand the process of getting grants

TOPICS:

• The characteristics grantmakers look for in their nonprofit partners
• Foundations and their role in philanthropy
• Characteristics of foundations, corporate donors, and grantmaking public charities
• The proposal process
• Researching grantmakers to target the best prospects before submitting a proposal

BONUSES:

• Applicable for six continuing education points for CFRETM International initial or re-certification
• Complimentary one-week subscription to Foundation Directory Online Professional
• Free copy of Foundation Fundamentals, 8th edition (a $39.95 value)
• Workbook outlining all course topics
• Templates for worksheets used in the course

Registration fee: $125
Register online here.

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

New Volunteer Leadership Opportunity for Young Professionals

 A few months ago I wrote about the importance of organizations cultivating the next generation of donors by establishing young professionals groups. Last year, the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta followed suit by launching Young Professional Leaders, a program aimed at donors age 40 and under. The purpose of this group is to connect upcoming leaders and harness their power to improve communities. The group’s focus is on philanthropy, advocacy, volunteerism and leadership.
Nominations for the Young Professional Leaders Advisory Board are currently being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 31. Click here to learn more and apply.

Asia Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Reminder - Arts in Crisis Tour Tomorrow at Ferst Center

Tomorrow, join us for a discussion with Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, at the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech.

Mr. Kaiser will be interviewed by Susan Weiner, executive director of the Georgia Council for the Arts, during a conversation that aims to stimulate audience dialogue and present solutions to the challenges that many arts organizations are facing. Mr. Kaiser will address the issues of fundraising, board development, budgeting, and effective marketing.

Prior to the program, there will be an opportunity to meet Mr. Kaiser over coffee in an informal session.

When:

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
10:00-11:30am
Registration, coffee and networking begins at 9:00am.

Where:

Ferst Center for the Arts
Georgia Tech
349 Ferst Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30332

Directions:

Click here for directions to the Ferst Center.

Parking:

Parking is available in the deck adjacent to the Student Services Building on Ferst Drive (see directions above) for a flat fee of $5 for this event.

This free event is open to the public, but registration is required. Register online here or contact the Ferst Center box office at 404-894-9600.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Are You Ready for Mobile Giving?

The recent earthquake in Haiti seems to have marked a turning point in the development of mobile giving. According to mGive, the company that worked with the American Red Cross to set up a text donation campaign in the wake of the disaster, more than 2.5 million people texted $10 pledges to Haiti relief in the week immediately following the earthquake. And that was just one of many mobile giving campaigns that were created to help fund relief efforts.

A December 2009 survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 83% of adults own a cell phone or smartphone and 35% of those owning a mobile device had used it to access the Internet at some point. The use of texting or SMS (short message service) has been popular with teens and young adults for some time, but is now spreading to other demographics as well, as seen in the growth of services such as Twitter.

In light of these changing demographics and the highly-publicized success of the Haiti relief texting campaign, many nonprofits are taking note of the potential of mobile giving. But while creating a text donation program enables donors to give quickly and easily, there are some major considerations for any organization examining the possibility of a campaign. Listed below are a few resources that will be helpful for nonprofits exploring this issue.

• Texting for Charitable Dollars: The Definitive Guide to Mobile Fundraising
  Explains how a mobile giving program works, including fees, contracts, and service providers, and outlines the steps a nonprofit should take to start a mobile campaign.


• Nonprofits: Time to Get Mobile
  Provides considerations for nonprofit organizations exploring mobile giving and discusses steps for starting and marketing a mobile fundraising campaign.


• 5 Real Challenges For Non-Profit Texting Campaigns
  Presents five primary considerations for nonrprofits considering a mobile giving campaign.


• A Balanced Look at Text-Message Giving
  This podcast features Wendy Harman, social media manager at the American Red Cross, and Geoff Livingston, chief marketing officer at Zoetica Media, discussing the potential advantages and disadvantages of text donation campaigns.


• 2010 Nonprofit Text Messaging Benchmarks
  This report, the first of its kind, provides benchmarks by which nonprofit organizations can measure their success with texting, and illustrates the various ways in which organizations are using text messaging.


• Mobile Giving Foundation
  The Mobile Giving Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that works with nonprofits and wireless service providers to facilitate mobile giving and ensure that text donations are convenient, immediate, private and secure.


• mGive Foundation
  The mGive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity created to certify nonprofits wishing to participate in mobile giving, and to facilitate the flow of funds from carriers directly to participating nonprofits.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: February 22-26

Evening hours next week! We will be open until 8:00pm on Thursday, February 25.

We invite you to our classes this upcoming week:

Tuesday, February 23, 10:00-11:00am
Introduction to Corporate Giving

Wednesday, February 24, 10:00-11:30am*
Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative
at the Ferst Center for the Arts
*Registration, coffee and networking begins at 9:00am

Thursday, February 25, 5:15-6:45pm
Proposal Writing Basics

Thursday, February 25, 7:00-8:00pm
Proposal Budgeting Basics

Friday, February 26, 9:30-11:00am
Grantseeking Basics

Friday, February 26, 11:15am-12:15pm
Introduction to Foundation Directory Online

The classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Demystifying the IRS Form 1023

You are passionate about your cause. Your passion drives you to serve the community without help from foundations, corporations, or even small businesses. You’re making a difference, but know you could do more if your organization was a 501(c)(3) public charity. You’ve looked at the IRS Form 1023, the paperwork that needs to be successfully completed to obtain recognition of 501(c)(3) status, but are still clueless about how to fill it out.

If this scenario describes you, then join Kelli Byers Hooper, Esq., Partner at Hooper & Honore, LLC, at the Foundation Center for a special presentation on understanding the IRS Form 1023. This session will follow our regular Before You Seek a Grant class on March 10, which further explains the process of forming a nonprofit and preparing to apply for foundation funding. This presentation will be geared toward individuals who are interested in applying for 501(c)(3) status for a nonprofit organization and will address questions in regards to:

• "Magic language" which must be used in the 1023
• Writing addendums for the 1023 application
• Top 5 pitfalls of nonprofits that can delay approval of the 1023 application

Come with your questions and get the clarification you need. Click here to register.

Asia Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

2009 Slate 60 List of Top Philanthropists Released

It's that time of year again and the online magazine Slate has released its list of top donors for 2009. The annual Slate 60 highlights the largest charitable contributions by American philanthropists during the previous year.

With the economy having a harsh impact on charitable giving, overall contributions were down and 2009 was an especially bad year for mega-gifts. Still, the donors of the Slate 60 came through with over $4 billion in commitments to philanthropic causes.

The top 10 for 2009:

1. Stanley F. and Fiona B. Druckenmiller
   ($705 million)
2. John M. Templeton
   ($573 million)
3. William H. (Bill) III and Melinda F. Gates
   ($350 million)
4. Michael R. Bloomberg
   ($254 million)
5. Louise Dieterle Nippert
   ($185 million)
6. George Soros
   ($150 million)
7. Eli and Edythe L. Broad
   ($105.2 million)
8. J. Ronald and Frances Terwilliger
   ($102 million)
9. William P. Clements Jr.
   ($100 million)
10. Pierre and Pam Omidyar
    ($92 million)

Visit the Slate web site to read the full article, to view biographies of the donors, or to search the interactive database of donors for the past 14 years.  

Want to learn more about cultivating individual donors for your nonprofit? Come to our special presentation on March 2, The No-Fail Approach to Soliciting Individual and Corporate Gifts. Presenter Betsy Baker of The Grant Authority will present best practices for approaching individual and corporate donors. The event is free and registration information can be found here.

Can't make it to the presentation? We also have helpful resources listed in our FAQs about individual donors.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: February 15-19

We invite you to our classes this upcoming week:

Tuesday, February 16, 10:00-11:15am
Introduction to Fundraising Planning

Thursday, February 18, 10:00-11:15am
Fundraising in a Challenging Economy

The classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta