I’ve gotten emails from readers recently asking if my site has been on the fritz because they haven’t seen any recent Weekly Roundups. I’m happy to report that the sole reason I’ve been WAY out of touch is because on December 29th, my wife gave birth to our forth child, our first boy after three girls.  To put it mildly, my schedule is not my own.

Sorry for the tardiness, but I am officially back on track — so enjoy and keep the emails coming!

Here are links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter (yes, I’ve still been posting to Twitter) between December 12 – January 12, 2012.  This week’s topics include: U.S. Regulations • Jewish or Israel • Finance & Fiscal Health • Strategy & Governance • New Year Resolutions • Fundraising & Donor Strategy • Marketing & Branding • Corporate Culture • Social Media & Internet • Personal Development

As always, you can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Has your nonprofit filed w/ the State where it fundraises? Basics from @TonyMartignetti tony.ma/u966NF

RT @GTak: The Rise of the Charitable For-Profit Entity ow.ly/1EaJMn // hoping these lead 2 shift in thinking in other countries too

RT @GTak: IRS new online search tool for nonprofits & donors 1.usa.gov/xLkh3J

RT @DonKramer: Can a house of worship rent their facilities? Would it affect nonprofit status? bit.ly/bT1XAJ

RT @DonKramer: Can the Executive Director of a nonprofit fire a board member 4 disagreeing? bit.ly/wBiw83

JEWISH OR ISRAEL

In interesting trend of Jewish donors & the challenge to Jewish nonprofit orgs ow.ly/1DYYmA on @eJPhil

@NonprofitBanker: New Post: Israel Nonprofit Orgs Can (Begrudgingly) Now Use Credit Cards ow.ly/8Xs3V Progress?

FINANCE & FISCAL HEALTH

Packed PDF: Detecting & Preventing Fraud/Embezzlement in Your Nonprofit bit.ly/uVWgib by @VenableLLP via @Nonprofitslaw @GTak

RT @GTak: Beyond Financial Oversight: Expanding the Board’s Role in Pursuit of Sustainability ow.ly/1Cq1PN

RT @NAFund: Fiscal fitness is a great New Year’s resolution! ow.ly/8kEjj

8 key steps for Nonprofit Financial Leadership (thats right, didn’t say Management) ow.ly/1Ek0ZG via @NAFund

ABCs of Financial Oversight: Good review of the WHYs & HOWs of transparent reporting ow.ly/8ERmz on @eJPhil

What comes 1st, strategic planning 4 the future or financial sustainability 4 now? ow.ly/1FU9Qd on @eJPhil

STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE

RT @NAFund: A to Z Survival Guide for Uncertain Times via @fdncenter ow.ly/8228T

I hate learning lessons from disasters >> A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse ow.ly/91uk8

4 ingredients to keep your nonprofit connected to its mission statement ow.ly/1EdfiJ by @Cmcuesta via @npmaven

Tips from the trenches: Building a board & selling impact when launching a nonprofit ow.ly/8yIYr via @emilychan @FCNewYork

Uber comprehensive >> Legal & strategic look at having youth serve as board members ow.ly/1EEpuI by @emilychan 

Charities should trust themselves more & not jump on band wagon of “must-have” tools ow.ly/8EQs3 on @eJPhil

Using a Decision Matrix: the road to joyful decision-making, by @HildyGottlieb ow.ly/1F5Evf

42 pgs of thorough RT @emilychan: Strategic Volunteer Engagement – understand complexities & max advntgs @RGK_Center bit.ly/w8LaC6

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

RT @GTak: 5 [Optimistic] Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2012, by @nedgington ow.ly/1C6Yxv

A potporri of new Year resolutions from various nonprofit personalities ow.ly/1DcTVw Compiled by @Philanthropy

Nonprofit Law Blog: Top 10 Events in ’11 ow.ly/8v3V3 from @emilychan @GTak via @FCAtlanta // like watching a movie in fastforward!

FUNDRAISING & DONOR STRATEGY

Proof that Donor Advised Funds aren’t just 4 evading taxes >> Fidelity Charitable has best yr ever ow.ly/1F3IWL via @dan_blakemore

RT @GailPerrync: How to throw an event/party that everyone wants to attend ow.ly/8tChp // Wow. I’m flying in for next year’s!

9 Ways Board Members Can Raise Money w/o Fundraising, by @nedgington ow.ly/1FaApQ via @NAFund

RT @GTak: Refining the Art of Giving: Donating to good causes has become a complex biz ow.ly/1BYuTI on @WSJ

Dif perspective, like Drucker RT @GTak: Branson: Screw Business As Usual & Make (Huge Piles Of) $$ By Doing Good ow.ly/1BHv9y

Excellent RT @p2173: Worth a read. The Trouble With Impact Investing – Part 1 on @SSIReview shar.es/fXTd4

R the giving priorities of wealthy Americans totally off? This author thinks so ow.ly/8GLRJ via @GuideStarUSA

Inspiring story of the ripple effect 1 charity can create (& the potential we all have) ow.ly/1Eft8s

MARKETING & BRANDING

RT @phyllismufson @JobHuntOrg: Personal (& org) branding using your email signature ow.ly/8tHkx

I’m on a reading binge of articles by @Sales_Source on marketing & selling yourself & your biz/org ow.ly/1ERvoV - something 4 every1

Oy! >> The Accidental Rebranding of Komen 4 the Cure, by @kivilm ow.ly/1FlIEH ht @eJPhil // When a gr8 nonprofit lacks a com strategy

RT @HildyGottlieb: Excellent RT @kevin_monroe: 6 questions your nonprofit board can use 2 avoid a Komen-like Crisis ow.ly/1FUCHf

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Google+ intros pages >> RT @IndSector @dheyman: A primer on Google+ for nonprofit orgs bit.ly/y6Aidl

Dead-on! >> Creating a Social Media Strategy 4 Your Nonprofit: The Secret Sauce, by @askdebra ow.ly/91ozn on @eJPhil

The advantages to nonprofit orgs of using infographics ow.ly/8BSbe

CORPORATE CULTURE

Amen! RT @going_concern: 5 Reasons Why Your Boss Should Buy You an iPad tinyurl.com/8x2k8dt

RT @joannefritz: neg coverage of JPMorganChase’s “American Giving Awards” nyti.ms/uPNTAO // rare 4 public contests 2 actually do good

Gr8 takeaways >> RT @Mule_Kick: Blockbuster Misses a Golden Opportunity…Again bit.ly/sR4CBl

RT @kyleplacy: Taking Your Business Mobile: The Why & The How ow.ly/1G6meI

Powerful >> RT @augieray @mkrigsman: How Fuji survived & Kodak didn’t ow.ly/1Ek3QU (Danger of competing w/ marketing not products)

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Volunteering – A Great Way To Learn Real Executive Leadership ow.ly/1CPbvb

Gr8 Advice: Why Most LinkedIn users Don’t Get Results, by @DanSchawbel ow.ly/8gya5

How modern tech has made “getting organized” less efficient ow.ly/1E6Dz1 on @HarvardBiz via @joannefritz

RT @AlisonRapping @phyllismufson: How 2 Be a Leader When You Don’t Have Authority ow.ly/1E9JDI by @workawesome

10 questions that lead to true success (spoiler: money isn’t the answer) ow.ly/1EPpZa via @GuyKawasaki

“Failure Week” at British high school to teach students resilience & benefits of risk ow.ly/1FGILv

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between November 21 – November 27, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  Jewish Federations’ New GPT Directive  •  Jewish & Israel  •  Management & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

JEWISH FEDERATIONS’ NEW GPT DIRECTIVE

Global Planning Table Recommended to JFNA’s Board - JFNA Briefing

Federations Drop Overseas Giving Formula – The Forward

Global Planning Table Ends Funding Split between Two Agencies – Jewish Ledger (nice history & background)

The Jewish Federations’ Big Gamble – Op-Ed by Dan Brown on eJewishPhilanthropy (great discussion in the comments)

JEWISH & ISRAEL

New Canadian Foundation aims 2 expedite donations to worthy nonprofits in Israel ow.ly/1B6hiS on eJPhil // expect serious scrutiny (as with all Canadian charitable ventures)

Congratulations to Prof Eliezer Jaffe, Israel “Dean of Philanthropy”, on receiving Knesset Speakers Prize ow.ly/7AlXA on eJPhil

MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY

Global recession impact: new study shows nonprofit orgs seek financial stability ow.ly/1B4McE on eJPhil

Donor Advised Funds: answer to our prayers or devil in disguise? Op-ed on NyTimes ow.ly/7G7s3 via IndSector

Calling All Boomers: Don’t Start More Nonprofits ow.ly/7Dp5e on Philanthropy via NAFund

Does your boss know that worker disengagement costs $300 billion a yr in lost productivity? ow.ly/1AKOpk

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

Awesome & Inspiring >> Pndblog: (12 min VID) I am a Philanthropist: Diverse Voices in Giving ow.ly/7GqzM

PatrickSternal: The World’s 7 Most Powerful Philanthropists Forbes onforb.es/v7bV6R | The .000000001%

Principles that apply to so many things >> Johnhaydon: 3 Ways To Keep Cause Marketing Authentic zite.to/uHZTx9

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Askdebra: Twitter donors worth the most on social media via Stevebridger | Scoopit bit.ly/v9vL79

VID – Are LinkedIn pgs actualy more robust than Facebook pgs 4 your nonprofit ? ow.ly/1AKRai via Johnhaydon

It’s more than just Likes & Shares >> Franswaa: Thoughtful engagement matters more than we think ow.ly/7yVQp

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between November 13 – November 20, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  Israel  •  Management & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

ISRAEL 

Are countries to quick to jump the gun or is Israel truly “limiting civil society”? ow.ly/7rJX4 on Haaretzonline

Too many nonprofit organizations in Israel? To say that Fundraisinisfun thinks so is an understatement ow.ly/1AsBR8

MANAGEMENT & STRATEGY

6 questions your nonprofit should ask before hiring new staff ow.ly/1At13O on eJPhil

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

CauseWire: 5 Cause Marketing Tips to Actor Hugh Jackman & his New Nonprofit Venture ow.ly/7l9TP

Natanfund: 10 Basic Steps to Starting a Giving Circle ow.ly/1A5d3U

Could it be this simple? Shiraabel: Why Startups Fail ow.ly/1A6QLG via White_spaces 

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Johnhaydon: Case Study: The Success of No Kid Hungry’s Tweetathon (Interview w/ Amanda Hite) ht.ly/1fwqN7

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between October 10 – November 6, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  Regulations  •  Israel  •  Strategy  •  Impact & Innovation  •  Fundraising  •  Social Media & Internet  •  Entertainment

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

REGULATIONS

Especially relevant after this yr’s revocations RT @DonKramer: How 2 reinstate an inactive nonprofit ow.ly/1zf1Rz

Interesting take on taxes & their affect on how society interacts (by Kimberlytso) ow.ly/1zBaMs via HildyGottlieb & Alexandrapeters

ISRAEL

NonProfitBanker: Increasing Demands on Israeli Charities, but is it Fair? ow.ly/7if2j

STRATEGY

Very, very sound principles >> The New 10 Commandments of Strategy: Planning for our Uncertain World ow.ly/1yrnBR on eJPhil

A timely title >> God is in the Details: Planning & Implementing for Success, by Stephen Donshik ow.ly/1yrPPS on eJPhil

An oldy but especially relevant nowadays >> Charitylawyer: Collaboration Case Study – Failed Merger ow.ly/1z8o1s

Love the empirical evidence! RT KatyaN4G: 3 Leadership Skills That Count, by GreatbyChoice ow.ly/1z8mAY on HarvardBiz

Who would have thought: Leadership starts in the middle, not at the too ow.ly/1zeOEb on FastCompany

THE Question in Giving: Defining a Meaningful Gift (checkbook or S.O.B.) ow.ly/1zJqhM in Nytimes via eJPhil

IMPACT & INNOVATION

NAFund: Yes! >> SmartNonprofits & NonprofitBooks: 3 things musts to address to sustain impact ow.ly/6Z6Q2

Cool, a double whammy >> NAFund & SmartNonprofits: Foundations use investments to achieve their missions ow.ly/7cbQI

Nicely put >> NAFund: & Smartgivers: What’s really needed for nonprofit innovation? by mjwera ow.ly/1yHA9J

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Makes a great case >> Nonprofitorgs: 4 Reasons Why Nonprofit Orgs Should Follow More on Twitter ow.ly/1yumoF

It’s almost like we need a monthly update >> HildyGottlieb: A New Guide to Facebook Safety & Privacy ow.ly/1zuB1D

Compelling argument for doing a profile on GuideStarUSA >> Nptechblogs: How Do U Measure Nonprofit Impact ow.ly/1zTZRj via Convio

FUNDRAISING

A cure for your fundraising crisis? Do you suffer from Scatterization? ow.ly/70AyN on HarvardBiz

Do you kill your #fundraising efforts by talking too much? By GailPerrync gailperry.com/2011/08/the-fu…

Don’t set yourself up for failure: 5 Lies to Stop Telling Donors, by Nedgington socialvelocity.net/2011/10/financ…

Incredibly Informative: How to find the right fundraising model for your nonprofit tow.ly/1zlADw on SSIReview

Chuck-full of gr8 tips >> GailPerrync: Killer fundraising strategy for 2012! My Best Practices 4 Monthly Giving Programs http://www.gailperry.com/2011/07/20-best-practices-for-monthly-giving-programs 

Put your money where your mouth is >> GailPerrync: This donor-centered appeal letter uses the word “you” 16 times. ow.ly/7iUXm

ENTERTAINMENT

Philanthropy CAN be funny: Clinton Fdn “celebrity” video celebrates 10 yrs ow.ly/78vt7 via IShopForIsrael

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between September 12– September 25, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Israel & Jewish  •  Accountability & Impact  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet  •  Personal Development

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Lesson learned the hard way: Nonprofit run business is not always exempt from state/local taxes ow.ly/1x0ntz via PatrickSternal

JEWISH & ISRAEL

Report by EHL Consulting: Giving to Israel down 16%. How will your nonprofit cope? ow.ly/1wZCkE on eJPhil

Great analysis in haaretz of S&P’s decision to raise Israel’s credit rating & its implications ow.ly/1x20Qb

Just in time for the 2nd recession! >> 23 Jewish Nonprofit Orgs Lose their CharityNavigator 4 Star Rating http://ow.ly/6EfOZ via eJPhil

ACCOUNTABILITY & IMPACT

CEP_CambSanFran Study: Ever wonder how foundations judge effectiveness in their grantees? ow.ly/1wZPvy

GTak: Accountability in Social Enterprises (ie nonprofit org that sells product/service) ow.ly/1x54k6 // 22 pgs thorough

Do accountability measures undermine public confidence in nonprofit orgs? ow.ly/1xCBBD via Npquarterly

And none of these ideas cost $$! Ppanepento: 5 Ways Foundations Can Strengthen Nonprofit Boards http://ow.ly/6APdJ

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

NonProfitBanker: New Post: “Priorities When Deciding to Accept Donations Online” http://ow.ly/6yH3D

NAFund & GrantSpace: Mission-Related Investing: A Cautionary Tale ow.ly/1x57Uj via Pndblog // why risk charitable funds?

Is the word nonprofit no longer adequate to describe today’s sector? ow.ly/1x63t8 on eJPhil // skip to last 4 paragraphs

How to frame your fundraising ask 2 get the right respinses (+ mucho links), by GailPerrync http://ow.ly/6uWD6 via TonyMartignetti

Increase gifts by $200 per donor: 7 ways to a committed relationship with a donor, by KatyaN4G bit.ly/n6bJcW via SocialGoodToday

Definitly unique >> Sldoolittle: ‘He will melt your face w/ his philanthropy.’ Super fresh donor stewardship video! ow.ly/1xvvDN

Want to weaken nonprofit fundraising? >> 5 Online Donation Form Bad Practices, by Blackbaud ow.ly/1xCEAA via Npquarterly

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Bite-size & easy to digest >> Kanter & Blackbaud: 20 Twittertips for Nonprofit Orgs, by Christuttle ow.ly/1x7Oku

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

6 Networking Coups to Win Jobs, by Asklizryan ow.ly/1x0c8s // and win clients too!

Online donations are rising every year, becoming an increasingly important fundraising tool for nonprofit organizations.  To facilitate the growing demand and varied needs of charities, the number of online donation processors has been expanding accordingly.

As a result, charities have expressed their difficulty in sorting through the nuances and assorted extras to find the online solution(s) that’s right for them.

For this reason, I was thrilled to co-produce an event early in July that hosted representatives from the leading Online Donation Processors here in Israel (and the world); including Paypal Israel, IsraelGives, Taramta, Give2Gether, and Tranzilla.

The format allowed for a five minute presentation from each company-representative and a follow-up Q&A session. Each speaker was encouraged to forgo the usual humility and reserve expected of a panel participant and to, instead, guiltlessly sell themselves and their product.

What transpired was more of an intimate exploration into the concerns of nonprofit organizations than a survey of the various services.  I say this because in addition to the processing of donations, each portal offers added-value that is shaped, in part, by an understanding of the challenges facing today’s charities.

So which donation processor is right for you? Well, naturally, it depends on the particular fundraising-priorities for your organization. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Reports have come out over recent years about how social media can be an instrumental tool for engaging an organization’s supporters. The hope being that increased engagement will at some point (sooner rather later) lead to increased fundraising or a stronger fundraising network.

With social media still in its infancy, however, organizations are finding it difficult to create a social network that is “showing them the money.”

Give2Gether’s solution to this conundrum is to harness the power of networks inherent in social media.  As a matter of fact, it seems that its platform has the most robust integration of social media around (but don’t take my word for it).

A nonprofit creates a page on the Give2Gether site whose goal is to mimic the power of giving circles and “matching” challenges.  Proving this point, another of Give2Gether’s intriguing (and some might say crazy) options, is the All or Nothing Campaign.  Organizations can set a goal and if not matched – even if short by only a few dollars – all of the money raised is returned to the various donors. Like I said, a tad insane and virtually unheard of in the nonprofit sector but similar to how an organization might fundraise face-to-face.

The Give2Gether representative advised organizations that do not have a developed social media presence to think twice before joining Give2Gether as there are fixed monthly charges (in addition to percentage fees).

CELL PHONES & SPONTANEOUS CHARITABLE GIVING

The Red Cross was all the rage when it came to Text-Donations for Haiti: a donor saw the ad, understood the pain, and was immediately able to help the cause.  Thousands of stories like this one led to a multitude of $10 donations through cell phones, totaling an approximate $7 million dollars.

While impressive as this might be, analyses of the phenomenon showed that the success of Text-Giving is generally limited to disasters and relatively small donations; thus, only truly great numbers (and truly horrific events) can raise significant money.  Furthermore, the simplicity of the text-giving process reduces engagement between the donor and the charitable recipient to virtually zilch.

But this doesn’t mean that we should abandon cell phones as an excellent source of fundraising!

The Israeli donation portal, Taramta (in collaboration with Merkaz HaMatara), released Cellarix. The product, developed especially for cell phones, combines the availability and ease of a cell phone with the flexibility and longevity of a bank account.

The system, basically an acquirer, assigns a user an account with the same number as his cell and essentially mimics a PayPal or GoogleCheckOut account.  Donations (or any payments for that matter) can be made easily between Cellarix accounts (both the donor and nonprofit must have accounts) whenever inspiration hits, without the limitations of Text-Giving.

OLD FASHIONED, DONATE DIRECTLY ON THE SITE

While technology is making inroads even with the more traditional users, not everyone is operating circa 2005 (let alone 2011). These users are comfortable entering their personal and financial information into any and every website, whether to buy clothes or to donate to local charitable campaigns.  These consumers do not want nor need the added security and “convenience” of user names, passwords, or third-party vendors.

If this is the case, why limit them?

Tranzilla offers the donor the chance to donate directly on the organization’s website with virtually any credit card.  No third-party verification or linking required.  Short and to the point.

INCREASED SECURITY AND CONVENIENCE

For a slightly more sophisticated user, entering personal and financial information on different websites can be seen as both tedious and risky.

PayPal acts as a third party “gatekeeper,” allowing users to input their information only once and will coordinate payments with various for-profit and nonprofit merchants when the user/donor chooses to execute a transaction.

With over 230 million PayPal users worldwide, the chances are good that your customer or donor either already has a PayPal account or trusts the company enough to register for a new one.

In short, nonprofits that are looking for a no-thrills way to receive funds (i.e. don’t need a true fundraising platform) will find PayPal an excellent choice.  By-the-way, did I mention that nonprofits are eligible to receive a 1% discount?

CONDUIT SERVICES 

Sometimes, donation processing isn’t enough as many charities lack the tax-deductible status that encourages an initial gift. In such case, a Fiscal Agent or Conduit is necessary.

Groups that use Conduits in this way are charities located outside of the United States (and, thus, not considered tax-exempt in the eyes of the IRS) that are looking to fundraise in America.

(For more information, see this previous post “Defining a Conduit Organization.”)

Designed with the multidisciplinary needs of Israeli charities in-mind, IsraelGives can function both as a American or UK “Friends of” Organization, issuing tax-deductible receipts directly to donors abroad.  A crucial service for those organizations lacking a formal presence in the United States.  Of course, if your organization is only looking for a donation processor, IsraelGives can do that, as well.

(For more an “Friends of” Charities, please see my previous posts, “4 Reasons Why NOT to Establish an “Friends of” Charity” and “6 Questions to Help You Choose the Right Conduit Organization.”)

CONCLUSION: A CHECKLIST

The brief descriptions above only scratch the surface of what these donation processors offer their nonprofit clientele.

Furthermore, the considerations listed above in GREEN are not all-inclusive. The discussions and questions at the end of the event honed in on a more expansive list of concerns and priorities facing charities that are looking to raise funds on the internet:

• How are donations made? Does the organization insert code into its existing site or create a separate page on the processor’s domain?
• Does the donor also have to have an account with the processor? (ex: PayPal)
• How quickly are donations processed?
• What are the fees involved? Flat, monthly or percentage?
• What other services are offered or available (for free or fee)? (i.e. one-stop shop)
• Can the processor act as a Conduit?
• What type of receipts are offered? Are receipts provided at all? What names appears on the receipt?
• Can the processor integrate with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software or database?
• Can the portal be integrated into social media efforts?
• Can unique landing pages be created to better facilitate fundraising through tailored pages?
• What payment options are available/lacking? What kind of donor will, therefore, be left out?
• Can the portal handle Text-Giving or integrate with cell phones, smart phones and/or tablets?
• How is the customer service and/or tech support? How easy is it to reach a human being if something goes wrong?

Any considerations that you would add?  Did you get any different/additional takeaways from the session?

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey

Disclaimer: This blog houses my personal opinions and is for informational purposes only — not advice. As charity laws can be quite complex and ever-changing, please refer all questions to qualified and licensed professionals. Read the full disclaimer.

It was a pleasure to co-produce with Charlie Kalech (volunteer coordinator of JWP) and his team at J-Town Productions. See their other events here.

Many thanks to the people that live-tweeted the event: TheBigFalafel, IsraelGives, & Reach_3K

Dan Brown: While this piece wasn’t entitled, “Technology as a Journey” I do think it fits the bill. I guess that only leaves me one more piece for the series.

Photo: “Credit Card Swipe” by Robert Bahn

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between August 8 – September 12, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Israel & Jewish  •  Governance & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet  •  Personal Development  •  OP-EDs

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Does this affect your rabbi? PatrickSternal: Peter Reilly on clergy housing exemption onforb.es/oyZT70 A workable solution?

ISRAEL & JEWISH

Jaded (buy true?) analysis on Haaretz why the rich in Israel now favor “giving” back more ow.ly/1wmDyg / though, I don’t like the Buffet ex.

Could a lowering of the Bank of Israel interest rate be in the horizon ow.ly/1wrpmm

Finally, equality for all Israel nonprofit orgs as Public Benefit Companies join the list on GuidestarIL ow.ly/1wG6DW

Gr8 analysis of crossroads facing Israel & the protesters in favor of “social welfare” ow.ly/1wM6dq

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

Fiscal Sponsorship: How to create social change without becoming a 501c3, by Askmanny ow.ly/1wm3OG via GTak

The difference btwn Vision & Mission and understanding which needs to come first http://ow.ly/5Z1DA via Sethacohen33 & BrianMSeymour

A Good Reminder: 18 Questions Good Board Members Should Be Asking ow.ly/1wb8XE in eJPhil

7 steps to ensure that your gr8 ideas become gr8 programs, by Stephen Donshik ow.ly/1wb6iW in eJPhil

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

The super imp dif when fundraising btwn Push vs Pull activities, by Nedgington ow.ly/1wuLEX via eJPhil

Nice overview >> GTak: Financing Options for Social Enterprises (a.k.a. nonprofits) ow.ly/1wOWdk

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Davidcorman: 5 Ways Community Banks Can Use Social Media ow.ly/1wM84n

Nice variety & depth >> Kanter: The ROI of Social Media: 10 Case Studies | Scoopit ow.ly/1wXu6G

Is it really just a numbers game? WomenWhoTech: On avg, nonprofit orgs had 110 FB fans per 1000 email subscribers frogloop.com/care2blog/2011…

Feeling unloved? 9 Reasons Why Your Content Is Not Shared on Social Networks, by Mike_Stelzner http://ow.ly/6gDXi via eJPhil

Askdebra: Great blog post from @idealware! A Basic Introduction to LinkedIn ow.ly/1wuTPy LinkedInExpert

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

5 ways to keep your innovative ideas from drying up & blowing away, by SBLeaders http://ow.ly/1vtamm via GuyKawasaki

Rosettathurman: 15 Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Nonprofit Career ow.ly/1wba9x

OP-EDs

More $$ for proven concepts & less for the new, shiny & risky. Ex: Juno (by BobOttenhoff) ow.ly/1wIX8j via Pndblog

Can a national day of volunteering be a bad thig? Npquarterly: Obama calls to commemorate 9/11 by volunteering ow.ly/1wIJF6

Still mulling over this one: Why Steve Jobs & I Hate Charity, by Joewaters ow.ly/1wOWXG

Book review by P2173: Impact Investing ow.ly/1wXDKB via NAFund & Smartgivers

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between July 25 – July 31, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Governance & Strategy  •  Economy  •  Fundraising  •  Social Media & Internet  •  The Brighter Side

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Emilychan & L3C_RickZ: Leading Nonprofit Attorneys Answer #L3C Objections http://ow.ly/1uYsXz

IndSector: Nonprofit Orgs Can’t Afford to Sit Out Tax & Budget Debates, by Diaviv http://ow.ly/5LbQC

Common Pitfalls: “What U.S. Nonprofit Orgs Need to Know to Stay Tax-Exempt” http://ow.ly/1v2vA9 via GTak

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

The biggest question facing nonprofit orgs today: To Fee or Not to Fee? (by Npquarterly) http://ow.ly/5RzTg via GTak

Too much involvement? Donors Requiring Nonprofit Orgs to Take Mgmt Courses, bySsstrom http://ow.ly/5RziB via TonyMartignetti

ECONOMY 

Oh crud: New Data Shows Sharp Slowdown in USA Growth Rate http://ow.ly/1vaQOr

FUNDRAISING 

The ins & outs to setting a (realistic & objective) fundraising goal http://ow.ly/5RzP8 via Npquarterly

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

LJacobwith & Kirstenbullock: How Nonprofit Orgs Can Make the Most of an Online 1st Impression http://ow.ly/1vbyTi

3 things technology can and should deliver – and who does it well (by KatyaN4G) http://ow.ly/5QsyY via eJPhil // with links to examples

Nonprofit orgs have begun to change their goal when using mobile tech. Fundraising out. Engagement in. http://ow.ly/5RAq1 via eJPhil

THE BRIGHTER SIDE

GuyKawasaki: How to speak entrepreneurese http://ow.ly/1uSeOH // wow, it’s the same jargon for both the nonprofit & for-profit sectors

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between June 20 – July 17, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  United States  •  Jewish & Israeli Sector  •  International  •  Governance & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Social Media & Internet

I’m making up for lost time, so bear with me — this one’s a doozy. With more to come tomorrow.

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

UNITED STATES

Stare of the Union address…for the USA Nonprofit Sector – by T. Cohen http://ow.ly/5n220 via Nonprofitatty & Nonprofitlawyer & Nonprofitdirect

Must a nonprofit disclose the names of anonymous donors? DonKramer answers http://ow.ly/1u0aEf via GTak

DonKramer: Are nonprofit orgs restricted in number of allowed fundraising events per year? http://ow.ly/1uzOAi

How does your House of Worship’s tax status affect donations it receives? fromDonKramer http://ow.ly/1uB0mt

You can never overstate the importance of getting proper receipts for your donations http://ow.ly/1u0cxQ via GTak

Legal & regulatory considerations when changing a mission statement, by EmilyChan http://ow.ly/1tZzms via FundraisingNews

Considerations, legalities & resources when naming a nonprofit org http://ow.ly/1tWhw3 by Joannefritz via FundraisingNews

JEWISH & ISRAELI SECTOR

Well said! >> The Challenge of Fundraising in Israel http://ow.ly/1tZzCj in eJPhil

End of an era for Israel nonprofit sector as Prof Eliezer Jaffe’s GivingWisely voluntarily closes http://ow.ly/1utNne

Interesting analysis & good questions >> Broken Business Models in Nonprofit Start-ups; Case Study: JDub (on eJPhil) http://ow.ly/5EW92

INTERNATIONAL

Tremendous opportunities for growth or failure >> PatrickSternal: Scandal Underscores Chinese Distrust of Charities http://ow.ly/1uH42V

Charity gains official acceptance in Russia >> eJPhil: Dawn of a New Era for Russian Philanthropy http://ow.ly/1uHQga

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

Kanter ‘s takeaways from the Millennial Donor Summit “How To Put Fire in Your Organization’s Belly” http://ow.ly/1u1l8s

I’m a fan! Pndblog: “Michael J. Fox: Getting Results By Going the Unconventional Way” http://ow.ly/1uzNNj via CEP_CambSanFran

Does a recent survey of nonprofit executives draw the right conclusions? http://ow.ly/1uzOdt on CEP

Recharge those batteries! Npmaven: Only after a break can you have a breakthrough, by Johnsonwhitney http://t.co/E4aESar via Umairh

Open Letter from leaders of the Bronfman Foundation about its decision to spend-down http://t.co/jfR8ejb via eJPhil

EmilyChan: A key to performance measurement: Creating a Learning & Accountability Culture, by BridgespanGroup http://ow.ly/1tWdhV

Steven Donshik discusses Achieving Buy-In: The Key To A Committed Board http://ow.ly/5wpdd in eJPhil

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

Dabbling in fundraising won’t get you there – either do it fully or not at all http://ow.ly/1tYCWH via eJPhil

Nonprofitnate shares from Geoffliving 7 tips to create killer engaged fundraising campaign http://ow.ly/1u23gO

Local Businesses: Are you missing out on this important source of funding? http://ow.ly/1u6qKq by Stephen Donshik in eJPhil

Dan Pallotta in HBR: A Logo Is Not a Brand. A brand is how you’re perceived & is comprised of these: http://ow.ly/1ubtwk

How to convey your nonprofit org’s ROI when preparing a foundation grant application http://ow.ly/1uyZTw

7 tips to ensure that your brand listens to your “voice” (by JocelynHarmon) http://ow.ly/1uvViv via Nptechblogs

NonProfitBanker: Slides & Take-aways from my pres “Raising Capital: Strategies to Help Your Biz Grow or Simply Survive”http://ow.ly/5DdD4

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

Franswaa: 39 Questions Your Nonprofit Can Answer with Facebook Insights http://ow.ly/1u09l6 // now do something with the data!

When developing a social media policy, Trust Is Cheaper Than Control (byKanter) http://ow.ly/5lIIO via Johnhaydon

Online communication is changing, so I hope your nonprofit org’s strategy is changing too (by Bigduck) http://ow.ly/5wrmh on eJPhil

CharlieKalech: iWalk: Toronto UJA makes great use of QR & Mobile Tech for fundraising http://ow.ly/1tWEqJ

Links to the articles I’ve reviewed and posted to Twitter between June 6 – June 19, 2011.  This week’s topics include:  U.S. Regulations  •  Jewish & Israeli Sector  •  Governance & Strategy  •  Fundraising & Marketing  •  Donors’ Strategy  •  Social Media & Internet

As last Sunday saw me preparing like mad for my presentation at the Kishor Conference,  this week is a double Weekly Roundup.

You can stay up-to-date with these articles and more by following me on Twitter or subscribing to receive The Nonprofit Banker by email.

Tizku Lemitzvot,

Shuey
@nonprofitbanker

U.S. REGULATIONS

Study Shows How Changes to the Tax Code Could Affect Giving http://ow.ly/1tyKQl via eJPhil // only time will tell how this affects policy

PatrickSternal: Cat Lady Beats IRS http://t.co/dpJ337n // shows importance of receipts & gift acknowledgments

JEWISH & ISRAELI SECTOR

Excellent analysis on the Jewish Innovation Sector, by Bobgoldfarb http://ow.ly/5iCHr on eJPhil

GOVERNANCE & STRATEGY

Excellent points about board service I’m general (legal stuff only for USA) from Nonprofitlawyer http://ow.ly/5aNsY

Food for thought >> Tactphil: An Interview Approach to Charity Rating http://ow.ly/1tCu4G more on Charting Impact

Stonewalling in a crisis is risky business for a nonprofit http://ow.ly/1tKbAJ

This should probably affect how one should structure a nonprofit >> KatyaN4G: Seth’s Blog: Organization vs Movement vs Philosophy http://ow.ly/1tUZnV

CauseWire: How Charities Can Recruit & Keep Volunteers http://ow.ly/1tV09Y

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING

Here’s why proper donor research is so important in eJPhil http://ow.ly/1txaOL

5 reasons why this summer (and anytime for that matter) is a great time to start a Giving Circle http://ow.ly/5aSdz

What your wealthiest donors aren’t telling you: 9 Secrets to High Net Worth Donors, by GailPerrync http://ow.ly/5eceP

By recognizing a donor’s contribution we are also inviting others to participate http://ow.ly/1tIndu on eJPhil

NpTechblogs: 4 Global-Oriented Tips on Using Social Media http://ow.ly/1tLNAG via ReedStockman

FundraisingNews: What’s missing from your elevator pitch? http://ow.ly/1tV0wD

DONORS’ STRATEGY

Food for thought: Why we should expect good giving to be hard http://ow.ly/5iGsx via Mayanorton // but should it be?

Does our word usage make those that receive our charity inferior? http://ow.ly/1tJJpk on eJPhil

SOCIAL MEDIA & INTERNET

10 Common Mistakes Made by Nonprofits on Social Media, by Nonprofitorgs http://ow.ly/5dukp

Gr8 points by Askdebra why nonprofit organizations should get more personal in social media http://ow.ly/1tJNh6

NpQuarterly: Charity walks are expensive enough that some wonder if it’s worth it http://ow.ly/5gtWV // great discussion in the comments!

Reuw: 7 stupid mistakes teachers make with technology http://ow.ly/5iDJN // applicable to offices & homes the world over!

Enjoying watching Slideshare presentation by DaveKerpen: How to Make Your Org More “Likeable” http://ow.ly/5iGRx

Don’t get your org’s Twitter account terminated! RT Johnhaydon: RT Mintblogger A Handy Guide To Twitter Automation http://ow.ly/1ddFIs

This 1 is pure fun (& slightly educational) >> 3 Social Media Marketing Lessons from Comedians http://ow.ly/5lhDj via CharlieKalech