Philanthropy Front and Center - Washington, DC

New Digital Publication - Celebrity Foundation Directory

The Foundation Center has just published the first edition of the Celebrity Foundation Directory.

This new title includes detailed descriptions of thousands of foundations started by VIPs in the fields of business, entertainment, politics, and sports. Through their private foundations, many notable individuals have made significant contributions to help underserved populations and provide support for medical research, green technology, and countless other causes they care about. Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods, and Michael J. Fox are just a few examples of individuals who have made headlines for their support to philanthropic causes.

This new directory links celebrities with their grantmaking organizations and will help you identify which individuals or organizations may have an interest in funding your programs and activities. The interactive digital format allows for faster access to foundation profiles and includes links to additional grantmaker data online. The directory is also fully indexed for quick reference to information on individuals and foundations.

The Celebrity Foundation Directory is available for purchase at our web site. Buy now >>

Visit the Marketplace section of our web site for more information on this and other Foundation Center publications.

Is Your Organization Raising Money Online?

Did you know that the only form of fundraising that didn't decline in 2008 was donations given online? Revenue from direct mail, special events, and planned giving all decreased last year.

This was just one valuable piece of information heard during our TechSense program on October 16, A Rookie's Guide to Online Fundraising. Rebecca Higman from Network for Good talked about how any nonprofit can enhance its presence on the Internet and start its own online giving program. Based on Network for Good's experience, even a small organization -- one with a budget under $250,000 -- can raise an average of over $10,000 a year through online giving.

If you missed this program, you can view the slides from Rebecca's presentation online. And here are some of the other key takeaways from the program:

• Online fundraising is the Great Equalizer -- it can be used by nonprofits of any size, not just the big, well-known organizations. And it's not as hard (or expensive) to get started as you may think!

• All kinds of people donate online, not just young people. In fact, about 52% of online donations come from the Baby Boomer generation.

• People give online for lots of different reasons, including:
  • it's easier than writing a check.
  • they can make a donation quickly, like to help after a natural disaster.
  • it can be anonymous.
  • they can use "autopay" options to give regularly to causes they care about.

• Bad web site design is the "donation killer." Make sure your Donate button is big, bold and easy to find.

• Develop a strategy for your online giving program. Sure, it's great to be on Facebook and to send out email newsletters, but how is this all working together?

• Focus on your donor's experience. Remember, it's not about you -- it's about them! Talk about what your donors can do to help and how their contributions make a difference.

About 50% of online charitable donations come in during the month of December, so it doesn't pay to put this off any longer! You can find lots of other useful information about online giving on Network for Good's training site, Fundraising123.org.

Has your organization started raising money online? If you have, tell us about your experience!

Ready for America's Giving Challenge?

When the first edition of America's Giving Challenge was launched in late 2007/early 2008, social networks and online giving were a still novelty for most people. Sponsored and widely promoted by the Case Foundation, PARADE Publications, and Causes on Facebook, the challenge did much to change that. Indeed, 71,000 people participated in the month-long campaign, which generated a total of $1.8 million in donations to nearly 700 charities.

Well, the challenge is back and expectations for the new campaign, which runs through November 6 at 3:00 EST, are high. The program has been designed to serve as "an example of how social networking is transforming the way people participate in philanthropy," and this year participants have the opportunity to compete for daily and overall cash awards totaling $170,000 ($150,000 from the Case Foundation and $20,00 from the Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation at the Aspen Institute).

Nonprofit organizations and individuals who wish to participate can get involved in one of two ways:

Champion a cause. Individuals who are passionate about a specific cause can become "cause champions" and compete to obtain the most donations for their cause through the Causes application.

Promote, donate, or join a cause. All individuals are encouraged to take part in the challenge by joining, promoting, or donating to causes they care about. (Facebook membership is not required to donate to a Giving Challenge cause.)

To learn more, to register to compete, and/or to donate to a cause, visit: http://www.americasgivingchallenge.com/.

This post came from our sister blog PhilanTopic – which will update the results as they are tabulated and released. Good luck to all!