Philanthropy

Glossary of Philanthropic Terms [read more]
Dearborn (IN) Community Foundation 

This online tool provides definitions to key terms in the field of philanthropy.

Looping: Taking Engagement to the Next Level [read article]
UJA-Federation of New York

This presentation introduces the concept of looping in building and maintaining philanthropic relationships.

Reality Check at Camp Finance [download PDF]
New York Nonprofit Press

This 2004 article from the New York Nonprofit Press summarizes the events at the Third Annual Camp Finance, sponsored by the Council of Community Services of New York State. Workshops targeted new trends in auditing, such as electronic filing for nonprofit tax returns, general financial accountability, and fraud prevention.

Wrongdoing by Officers and Directors of Charities: A Survey of Press Reports 1995–2002 [download PDF]
Marion R. Fremont-Smith and Andras Kosaras

This article provides an account of criminal and civil wrongdoings by officers and directors at charitable organizations as reported in the press, highlighting the ongoing need for strong oversight and governance at nonprofit agencies.

Faith & Philanthropy: The Connection Cetween Charitable Behavior and Giving to Religion [download PDF]
Independent Sector

This 2002 report on trends in giving and volunteerism in the United States reveals several interesting facts, including families that give to both secular and religious causes give more overall than families that give to only one or the other.

Studying Philanthropy, and Doling Out Real Cash [download PDF]
Michelle York

This 2006 New York Times article examines how one small liberal arts college in New York gave teams of students $10,000 to give to nonprofits of their choice — after they properly researched the organizations.

Beyond Duty and Obligation [read article]
Sharna Goldseker

This paper explores the differing motivations driving philanthropy in the next generations, providing names and timelines for generations in the giving spectrum: traditionals (1900–1945), baby boomers (1946–1964), Generation X (1965–1980), and Generation Y/Milennials (1981–1999). The paper also provides characteristics for each generation that can help to understand the unique opportunities and challenges when it comes to soliciting them.

Other Materials

For copies of the following materials, contact 1.212.836.1883 or .

Campaign Goal Setting: The First Step to Success
UJA Southeast Region

This 1997 workbook explains the benefits of setting campaign goals: how to set effective goals, what data to collect, and how to analyze the data to determine success.

Co-Ordination in Philanthropy
I. Edwin Goldwasser

This address to the Chicago Council of Jewish Women from 1919 gives us an opportunity to look back nearly 100 years to see how federations dealt with such issues as the coordination of giving, budget oversight, and planning. It's surprising how relevant many of these issues are today.

The Courage to Look Up: American Philanthropy and Global Leadership in the World of Ideas
Susan Raymond, Ph.D.

This 2006 paper looks at the types of changes happening in the United States and around the world, from science and technology to the rise of world trade and the influx of immigration. How philanthropy has changed and adapted to these changes is the paper's main topic, and it argues that modern philanthropy has become too business like and avoids risk at the detriment of supporting new and innovative program and services.

Exploring the Next Generation of Retirees: The Baby Boomers
Merrill Associates

This short article highlights that baby boomers are not a homogenous group, but multifaceted individuals with diverse perceptions of and expectations for retirement. The article links these differing retirement expectations to likely giving and volunteer trends.

Frictionless Fundraising: How the Internet Can Bring Fundraising back Into Balance
Michael C. Gilbert

This 2003 article from Nonprofit Online News offers insight into how fundraisers can use new technology to deepen their relationships with current givers and develop new relationships.

My Way or No Way: Fundraising Nightmares and How to Wake Up From Them
Lilya Wagner

This July 2008 case study examines what happens when a volunteer steering committee chair highjacks the fundraising process. The case will help professionals think about how to manage problem lay relationships.

Philanthropic Responsibility and Obligation
Jerome Burton

This brief article from Sh'ma links philanthropic giving to core Jewish value, explores the questions of what is community, and talks about what counts toward valued giving.