Scammers posing as youth basketball fundraisers have targeted victims in Downtown Brooklyn, New York using mobile payment apps to steal thousands of dollars. Authorities warn residents to exercise caution when approached for donations.

https://www.brooklynpaper.com/brooklyn-youth-basketball-donation-scam/

Tuesday, Dec. 3, is giving Tuesday in the USA. And I hate it because I get probably 30 emails with the subject line "Giving Tuesday", and all begging for money.

I think the day has created a frenzy with very little return on investment for nonprofits.

And here's the reality: if you haven't created a really strong relationship with people through your programming and outreach activities, you ain't getting much/any money on Giving Tuesday.

Harumph.

Your thoughts, as a donor or a nonprofit trying to get money?

I have been doing as much research as I can, but wanted to seek out any advice on starting a scholarship. I’ve worked in college access and seen the award process, but never been the one to create the award.

I’d like to make it a local scholarship for high school seniors, with a one-time award of $500. I don’t have a large amount of funding to establish, so it’s something I would like to add into annually. Should I look into nonprofits to assist with this? I’m still unsure of the legalities with all of this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

From Hurricane Milton to world hunger: How to make your donations count - from Goats and Soda

https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/10/11/g-s1-27239/hurricane-milton-helene-humanitarian-donations-charity-effectiveness

With revenues down and costs rising, a growing number of nonprofits are cutting budgets, laying off staff, and even closing their doors.

https://www.philanthropy.com/article/where-did-the-funding-go?sra=true

You have to create an account to read, but it's free to create an account (though there is a limit on how many articles you can read in a month).

As grant makers, we need to be as clear as possible about our values, the world we’re trying to build, and the transformational role that resources can play in accelerating progress. The dread, the fear, the grief of these times are all real. What’s also real is that as funders we have a set of consequential choices to make. Here are a few questions to guide the work ahead:

https://www.philanthropy.com/article/for-philanthropy-this-actually-isnt-2016-all-over-again

( you have to sign up to read, but it's free)

Collaborative philanthropy has surged in the past decade, moving billions of dollars to high-impact ventures. It’s time to dream bigger and reimagine what’s possible. By improving how we unite funders, we can make faster, bolder decisions, raise more resources, and share knowledge—while easing the burden on ventures. While we’ve seen incredible progress, there’s room to refine and strengthen this approach for the long haul. Here’s what we’ve learned and where we believe collaborative philanthropy can go next.

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/reimagining-collaborative-philanthropy

Black philanthropy stands as a transformative force for addressing racial and economic inequities.

It is about providing more than monetary support. It redefines narratives and empowers individuals to create systemic change through education, wealth redistribution, and economic development.

https://ctmirror.org/2024/11/22/closing-the-gap-the-impact-of-black-philanthropy-on-community-empowerment-orsella/

Founder of a Utah-based anti-human-trafficking nonprofit Exitus sentenced to prison for several felonies, including fraud. She used her nonprofit to trick people out of money & the judge emphasized that millions of dollars & a large number of victims were involved.

https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/utah-nonprofit-founder-sentenced/

"ProPublica’s new 527 Explorer database delves into the shadowy world of political cash facilitated by nonprofits called 527s. In this webinar, we will show users how to follow the money."

https://www.propublica.org/events/investigating-political-nonprofits-scam-pacs-and-more

San Francisco nonprofit Providence Foundation is being accused of fraud. The nonprofit is meant to help unhoused community and is accused of fraud after $100K 'disappeared.'
Always type the name of the nonprofit you are about to donate to into GoogleNews!

https://abc7news.com/san-francisco-nonprofit-providence-foundation-meant-to-help-homeless-community-accused-of-fraud-after-100k-disappeared/14776480/

Fake charity tycoon pleads guilty to siphoning millions from veterans and cancer patients.

https://fortune.com/2024/09/10/fake-charity-tycoon-pleads-guilty-to-siphoning-millions-from-veterans-and-cancer-patients/

A veteran who spread a false story blaming White House immigration policies for harming homeless veterans was charged with stolen valor and fraud this week after months of investigation into her charity, Yerik Israel Toney Foundation by the FBI.

https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2024/05/02/charity-founder-in-homeless-vets-hoax-charged-with-fraud-stolen-valor/

Daughter & son-in-law of UK NHS charities fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore personally benefited from the charity set up in his name thru lucrative deals worth more than £1m & culpable of “serious and repeated” instances of misconduct & mismanagement.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/21/captain-tom-family-personally-benefited-from-charity-they-founded-report-finds

Despite their commitment to social good, many nonprofit workers continue to face low and even poverty-level wages.

Inside Philanthropy examines recent studies highlighting the financial challenges of the nonprofit sector workforce and the urgent need for funders and leaders to address these issues.

Dawn Wolfe Reports**:** https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/nonprofit-sector-workforce-still-struggling-with-low-and-poverty-wages-studies-show

The persistent issue of low wages in the nonprofit workforce

How funders and leaders can support fair wages and better working conditions

The broader impact of improving financial stability for nonprofit staff

Related IP Resources:

IP Explainer: Multi-year General Operating Support vs. Project Support - https://ishortn.ink/0IY8VSJUj

IP Explainer: What is Capacity-Building Support? - https://ishortn.ink/dJ7hbmaX4

IP Explainer: What is Program or Project Support? - https://ishortn.ink/MtfiPObWZ

#NonprofitWorkforce #LowWages #SupportNonprofits #WorkplaceEquity #FairWages #EmployeeWellbeing #BurnoutPrevention #SustainableNonprofits #SectorImprovement #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #InsidePhilanthropy #EquitableWages #WorkforceDevelopment #FairPay #NonprofitSector

What is something you wish that public and private grant reviewers/funders knew? Something you want to tell them about the application process? Questions? Conditions?

A story from 2015 talked about how many people are annoyed by it. A lot of numbers get tossed around about how much money it raises - but I have heard from a lot of small nonprofits that get nothing significant out of it, hate doing it, say it confuses their donors who don't understand if this is the annual appeal or something they need to give to additionally, etc.

Does your nonprofit benefit significantly from Giving Tuesday? What work do you put into it to make that happen?

A young boy in Central Texas who uses his childhood artwork to raise money for veterans, first responders and their families received a prestigious “Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Texas Chapter.

https://www.kwtx.com/2024/11/14/central-texas-boy-receives-philanthropy-award-using-artwork-raise-money-veterans/

Scott is famous for her generous and significant donations through the Yield Giving that outlines her charitable work. Scott made her pledge in 2019, promising to contribute at least 50 percent of her fortune within her generation. She has also been credited for her philanthropy and continues with this consistent method of making big, targeted donations. This most recent divestment of Amazon stocks is also consistent with Bezos' charitable giving philosophy of using her wealth to give back to society without fanfare.

Story not behind a paywall:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mackenzie-scott-sells-8b-amazon-154518299.html

Story behind a pay wall:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-14/mackenzie-scott-renews-giving-after-shedding-8-billion-of-stock

From the Oregon Department of Justice:

Nonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in supporting educational, religious, artistic, health and welfare services across the country. Make your charitable donation wisely by following these tips.

Do your research.

There are more than 1 million charities registered with the IRS. Find the best charities for you by visiting one of the following websites:

• Guide Star »
• Charity Navigator »
• Better Business Bureau »

Only give to registered charities.

Before you give, check our Charities database » or call 971-673-1880 to confirm the organization is properly registered with the Oregon DOJ.

Make sure your gift is tax-deductible.

Visit the IRS website » to ensure your gift is to a qualified organization. Make sure the charity provides written confirmation of your donation. Then keep your records. Also, check to make sure the charity is not disqualified from eligibility for tax deductible donations in Oregon.

Watch out for imposters.

Bogus charities often use names or logos resembling well-established organizations. Before you respond to a solicitation, call to confirm the charity exists and is aware of any fundraising efforts on its behalf.

Resist impulse decisions to donate.

Telephone and door-to-door solicitations may be earnest requests for your support, but be wary of scam artists who want your money fast. No legitimate organization will insist that you donate immediately. Ask for written materials about the charity to learn more before making a decision.

Be careful with cash donations.

Legitimate charities will be pleased to receive a contribution by check or other secure form of payment. Never send contributions with a “runner,” by wire or with an overnight parcel pick-up service. Always make the check payable to the organization and never to the individual collecting the donation.

If you don’t remember a pledge, you probably didn’t make one.

Watch out for solicitations that look like an invoice or come from an unfamiliar organization thanking you for your previous support. Regardless of your giving history, you have no obligation to donate.

https://www.doj.state.or.us/charitable-activities/wise-giving/tips-for-charitable-giving/

List of organizations and users that the u/ukraine subreddit have taken the time to carefully vet, verify and approve. Vetting process used is detailed as well:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/wiki/charities/

Charitable giving dropped 2.1% in 2023 after inflation, according to the most recent Giving USA report. For years now, nonprofits have been worried about the decline in the number of Americans who give. This year’s Giving USA report won’t allay their concerns: Giving by individuals in 2023 dropped 2.4%. The share of overall giving that came from individual donors continued to decline, albeit slightly, from 67.4% in 2022 to 67.2% in 2023. As recently as 2013, individual donors accounted for 73% of overall giving.

https://apnews.com/article/giving-usa-report-philanthropy-indiana-university-lilly-school-9a6f1dedf4f88b5809debf75cbda02a2

https://www.philanthropy.com/commons/philanthropists-political-donations-2024-elections

GivingTuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a day when we all get dozens of emails and text messages asking for money for various nonprofits.

For 2023, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that GivingTuesday results were flat: nonprofits in the USA raised $3.1 Billion but the number of donors who gave declined by 10 percent compared with 2022.

https://www.philanthropy.com/article/givingtuesday-results-are-flat-nonprofits-raise-3-1-billion

Giving reached a high in current dollars but did not outpace inflation.

https://philanthropy.indianapolis.iu.edu/news-events/news/_news/2024/giving-usa-us-charitable-giving-totaled-557.16-billion-in-2023.html

I’m a CPA and have built a successful wealth management and CPA firm. I’m at a point in my career where I’m looking to what’s next.

I’m interested in joining a board to focus on strengthening donor relationships and providing tax guidance (for free of course). The idea is I’d run a tax projection for donors to help them give more impactfully and efficiently. Not only would it help with donor retention but can increase funding for critical programs.

If you’re part of a nonprofit and think this may help you, please reach out. I’d be interested in hearing more about your nonprofit. In particular, I’m interested in environmental conservation, climate, and wildlife preservation but I’m willing to look beyond these causes.

If you have any ideas on how I can join a board and contribute, please let me know.

Have the organizations you work for/with or volunteer on behalf of been doing election scenario planning? I hope orgs are more prepared than this and other research I've seen suggests...

Fast Company: Philanthropy and nonprofits must be prepared for political upheaval. Many aren't.

"What risks, threats, or changes are looming? To start, if Donald Trump were to return to the Oval Office, that would likely trigger major policy changes, forcing many nonprofits and impact-driven startups to pivot their strategies. Results would vary by issue areas and focus of work, but many organizations would immediately feel a heightened sense of urgency and need around their services or programs, especially in the legal, direct services, and program advocacy spaces. 

New or midsize nonprofits will struggle to weather the storm, as they may lack the financial reserves or diversified funding streams necessary to adapt quickly. These organizations could also face challenges in scaling up their operations to meet surging demand while simultaneously navigating an unpredictable regulatory environment that may reduce access to government grants or other forms of support...

...During the previous Trump administration, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union had to constantly defend civil liberties and hard-won legal protections. The ACLU famously took legal action against the administration’s travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries, arguing that it violated constitutional protections against religious discrimination. It also fought back against the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border, a policy that sparked national outrage and led to numerous lawsuits aimed at reuniting children with their parents.

If similar policies return, nonprofits will need to reallocate resources to protect immigration programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and affordable housing initiatives. Healthcare- and social-services-focused nonprofits dealing with everything from reproductive care and housing insecurity to post-incarceration reentry services and mental health support could face renewed attempts to restrict funding and impose stricter regulations. As local, municipal, state, and federal funding drops, it may fall on foundations, corporate philanthropies, social entrepreneurships, and even high-net-worth individual donors to stem the gaps—creating excess demand and competition for an even smaller pool of resources.

The risks are still present even if the map of support and donations can shift to help stem the gaps created by a change in administration. While socially minded businesses, solo donors, and social entrepreneurs can leverage their platforms and resources to address pressing social and environmental issues, they’re more limited by market forces, personal preferences, and brand alignment, all of which restrict their ability to address systemic issues in the long term."

Hello, Reddit! 👋

We’re Asociación cátodo para la Protección y el Bienestar de los Gatos, a registered nonprofit based in Fuerteventura, Spain. Our mission is to rescue, care for, and rehome stray and abandoned cats, with the goal of building the island’s first-ever cat shelter. Currently, there are no dedicated resources for cats in need, making rescue efforts very challenging. To expand our reach, we’re looking for skilled, unpaid pro-bono volunteers to support our mission remotely. Check out the open roles below!

Open Volunteer Roles (Unpaid, Pro-Bono):

🔹 Social Media Manager
Help us share our mission on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!
Skills: Social media management, content creation, community engagement

🔹 YouTube and Video Content Manager
Create and manage our YouTube channel to tell the stories of our rescue efforts and engage our community.
Skills: Video production, storytelling

🔹 Crowdfunding Specialist
Manage crowdfunding campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe to raise essential funds for rescue and rehoming.
Skills: Fundraising, campaign strategy

🔹 Tech Innovator for Smart Cat Trap Project
Develop an open-source, low-cost cat trap using microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi) to help catch and care for stray cats.
Skills: Electronics, prototyping, open-source collaboration

🔹 Remote Volunteer Coordinator
Find and manage skilled volunteers across roles, building a compassionate, engaged team.
Skills: Volunteer coordination, recruitment

🔹 Project Manager
Oversee volunteer-led projects, from social media and crowdfunding to content creation, keeping everything on track.
Skills: Project management, team leadership

Why Volunteer with Us?
This is a pro-bono opportunity to make a meaningful impact for cats in need and support our mission in Fuerteventura! We offer access to tools like Google Workspace, Canva Pro, Monday, and Make to facilitate your work with us.

Learn more and apply at: https://catodo.org/eng

Thank you for considering these volunteer opportunities. Together, we can make a real difference for these animals! 🐱💖

#VolunteerOpportunity #AnimalWelfare #RemoteVolunteer #CátodoVolunteers #NonProfit #HelpRescueCats