Urban Institute: Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy

Composition of Tax-Deductible Charitable Contributions

paffairs@urban.org ( Joseph Rosenberg) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Taxpayers who elect to itemize can claim a deduction against federal income tax liability for contributions made to registered charitable organizations. While cash gifts still account for the vast majority of charitable donations reported on tax returns, gifts of noncash property have grown as a share of total contributions. Gifts of corporate stock, mutual funds, and other investments account for the largest share of noncash donations and are almost exclusively reported by high-income taxpayers.

Tough Times, Creative Measures: What Will it Take to Help the Social Sector Embrace an Outcomes Culture?

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Venture Philanthropy Partners) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Sparked by the publication of Leap of Reason by Mario Morino, this symposium convened a select group of twenty leaders from government, nonprofits, philanthropy, and business to discuss a challenge that has limited the collective impact of the social sector: the lack of encouragement and support in the nonprofit community for disciplined, data-driven management. The symposium explored barriers to and opportunities for making performance management more common in the social sector. Participants discussed possible solutions that would advance performance management, including the Outcome and Effective Practices Portal (now called PerformWell), an online resource for nonprofits seeking assistance with identifying indicators and tools to measure their outcomes.

Late Fall 2011 Nonprofit Fundraising Study

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Additional Authors) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofits report being "cut to the bone" in their budgets and fundraising results have not improved over the past year. Nonprofit organizations, particularly smaller entities, are struggling to secure funding for the vital services they provide in their communities. The Late Fall 2011 Nonprofit Fundraising Study examines fundraising results and their implications for organizational operations, and alerts managers and donors alike to consider the priorities facing the nonprofit sector in 2012 and beyond. The survey represents a unique collaboration by the Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics with Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Giving USA Foundation, Blackbaud, and GuideStar.

Are You Ready for the Charity Challenge?

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

More than 1.4 million nonprofit organizations were registered with the Internal Revenue Service in 2009, 19 percent above 1999. How much do you know about the nonprofit sector?

What's Been Happening to Charitable Giving Recently? A Look at the Data.

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This brief attempts to access the trends in charitable giving and how the current economic turmoil has affected the nonprofit sector - the main topic of an August 2011 roundtable hosted by the Tax Policy and Charities project at the Urban Institute. Twenty-five experts on tax policy and the nonprofit sector convened to discuss past trends in giving, the charitable sector's current situation, and the possible effects of proposals to modify the charitable deduction.

The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Public Charities, Giving and Volunteering, 2011

paffairs@urban.org ( Katie L. Roeger, Amy Blackwood, Sarah L. Pettijohn) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends from the eighth edition of The Nonprofit Almanac 2011, prepared by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute. We highlight the growth in the number and finances of 501(c)(3) public charities, as well as key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering.

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative: Survey on current charitable organizational practices around fundraising

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Additional Authors) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

As the fourth quarter of 2011 beginstypically the most important time of year for fundraisingfewer than half of surveyed nonprofits reported fundraising increases during the first half of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. This report from the Nonprofit Research Collaborative fundraising survey discussing changes in giving in the first half of 2011, fundraising methods, investments in fundraising, and campaigns. The survey represents a unique collaboration by the Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics with Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Foundation Center, Giving USA Foundation, Blackbaud, and GuideStar.

A Better Measure of Fundraising Success

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Association of Funding Professionals) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute and the Association of Fundraising Professionals established the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) to conduct research on fundraising effectiveness (maximizing growth), and help nonprofit organizations increase their fundraising results. The basic FEP concept is that overall growth in giving from one year to the next is the net of gains minus losses, and can be increased most effectively by reducing losses. Piloted in November 2006, FEP collects and publishes annual fundraising data from nonprofit organizations enabling them to measure and compare their fundraising gains and losses to those of similar organizations. This article describes Growth-in-Giving (GiG) reportsa simple, reader-friendly format that provides a picture of fundraising gains and losses. The article illustrates scenarios that support growth-oriented fundraising strategies

2011 Fundraising Effectiveness Survey Report

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Association of Funding Professionals) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute and the Association of Fundraising Professionals established the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) to conduct research on fundraising effectiveness and help nonprofit organizations increase their fundraising results.Piloted in November 2006, FEP collects fundraising data from nonprofit organizations beginning with data for 2004-2005. The Fundraising Effectiveness Survey enables participating groups to measure and compare their fundraising gain and loss ratios to those of similar organizations. This report incorporates data from the 2,377 responses with 2009-2010 results received as of February, 2011 and covers year-to-year fundraising results for 2010.

Revoked: A Snapshot of Organizations that Lost their Tax-Exempt Status

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Katie L. Roeger) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

More than 275,000 organizations have lost their tax-exempt status for failing to file a return with the IRS for three consecutive years. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 required most tax-exempt organizations to file a return with the IRS and called for automatic revocation for nonprofits that failed to file a return for three consecutive years. The majority of organizations are believed to be defunct, but the IRS announced special steps to help existing nonprofits reapply for tax-exemption. This brief provides a snapshot of the nonprofits that have lost their tax exempt status and examines these organizations by type, age and location.

Nonprofit-Government Contracting in the Nation's Capital: Challenges and Opportunities

paffairs@urban.org ( Erwin de Leon) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

Findings from the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropys National Survey of Nonprofit-Government Contracting and Grants show that a majority of human service organizations in Washington, D.C. are struggling due in part to challenges posed by working with the government in providing programs and services to District residents. At a forum of nonprofit leaders and government representatives, participants confirmed the studys findings, shed light on issues unique to the city, and proposed initial recommendations to address some contracting challenges.

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative: November 2010 Fundraising Survey

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute, Additional Authors) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Nonprofit Fundraising Survey reports on the fundraising results of more than 2,500 nonprofit organizations in 2010. Overall, 35 percent of charities reported an increase in private contributions for the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Thirty-seven percent reported a decline. The major factors cited for the decline included fewer individuals giving, and smaller amounts for the typical gift. The survey represents a unique collaboration by the Urban Institute's National Center for Charitable Statistics with GuideStar, Indiana University's Center on Philanthropy, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Foundation Center, and Blackbaud.

From Awareness to Action: A Case Study of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's Philanthropic Strategy

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption was created in 1992 to increase adoptions from foster care in North America. A decade later, the Foundation concluded that it needed to change its philanthropic approach to achieve that goal. In response, the Foundation launched the Wendy's Wonderful Kids initiative, in partnership with Wendy's, to implement and evaluate an alternative method to finding families for hard-to-place children. This case study examines the Foundation's philanthropic strategy to enhancing its effectiveness, identifies lessons that may help other foundations, and draws implications for the respective roles of private and public initiative in addressing major social issues.

National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracting: State Profiles

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

This compilation of state profiles from the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit-Government Contracting and Grants, provides national and state-by-state snapshots of human service organizations that have contracts and grants with local, state and federal governments. The individual state profiles are designed to document the extent of nonprofit-government contracting, processes and problems. They also examine the impact of the recession on these organizations and the cutbacks they have made to keep their programs operating. States are also ranked according to number of grants, types of issues, and actions taken by human service nonprofits to address the challenges they face.

Human Service Nonprofits and Government Collaboration: Findings from the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit Government Contracting and Grants

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

This report explores the results of the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit-Government Contracting and Grants, a study of human service organizations designed to document the extent of nonprofit-government contracting, processes and problems. It also examines the impact of the recession on these organizations and the cutbacks they have made to keep their programs operating. While contracting problems are not new, many are exacerbated by the deep recession that has reduced government budgets and private contributions. Nearly 33,000 human service nonprofits have government contracts and grants, and 9,000 organizations with expenditures over 100,000 were surveyed for this study.

Contracts and Grants between Human Service Nonprofits and Governments

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

This brief summarizes results of the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit-Government Contracting and Grants, a study of human service organizations designed to document the extent of nonprofit-government contracting, processes and problems. It also examines the impact of the recession on these organizations and the cutbacks they have made to keep their programs operating. While contracting problems are not new, many are exacerbated by the deep recession that has reduced government budgets and private contributions. Nearly 33,000 human service nonprofits have government contracts and grants, and 9,000 organizations with expenditures over 100,000 were surveyed for this study.

Hammered by the Recession, Most Human Service Nonprofits Say They're Having Major Problems with Government Contracts

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Wracked by the anemic economy, human service nonprofits helping families and communities weather the recession report "serious and widespread" problems with their government contracts and grants, a new Urban Institute study concludes. These problems include government payments that do not cover the full cost of services, complex and time-consuming applications and reporting requirements, and governments changing the terms of existing agreements and paying contracts late.

Can Budget Offices Help Us Address Demographic Pressure?

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

As pressures mount on the nation's long-term budget, the Congressional Budget Office now views the aging of the population as the main stressor and health care costs as a close second. Yet, CBO and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have traditionally offered only limited analysis and estimates on addressing these demographic concerns, often leaving them to the Social Security Administration, which focuses only on the Social Security piece of the budget puzzle

D.C. Out-of-School Time Programs Tackle Outcome Measures

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

Funders and nonprofit leaders are increasingly looking for information that demonstrates the achievements of community-based programs. In this results-oriented environment, the Urban Institute, The Center for What Works, and the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation worked together to create a pilot program that developed and tested a series of outcome measures for out-of-school time (OST) programs. This brief describes the process followed and the results achieved. The pilot demonstrated that OST providers are eager to learn how to better manage their programs, keep young people engaged, and demonstrate their accomplishments. The challenge is to expand this work to all OST programs in the District and beyond.

The Nonprofit Sector in Brief: Public Charities, Giving and Volunteering, 2010

paffairs@urban.org ( Kennard Wing, Katie L. Roeger, Thomas H. Pollak) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends in the number and finances of 501(c)(3) public charities as well as key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital resources to the nonprofit sector. It includes the most recent data available.

Small Nonprofit Organizations: A Profile of Form 990-N Filers

paffairs@urban.org ( Katie L. Roeger) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

In an effort to keep better track of nonprofit organizations, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 mandated that the more than 714,000 nonprofits with gross receipts less than $25,000 needed to file the new Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard. This new form requests basic information such as an organization's address, officer name, and website and is the first data to ever be collected on the smallest nonprofit organizations.

This brief provides an overview of the new 990-N filing requirement, profiles the organizations filing the 990-N, compares 990-N filers to larger filers, and provides a brief look at small nonprofits reporting terminations on Form 990-N.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: A Look at Organizations that May Have Their Tax-Exempt Status Revoked

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Katie L. Roeger) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

In an effort to keep better track of nonprofit organizations, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 mandated that the more than 714,000 organizations with gross receipts less than $25,000 needed to file the new Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard. Any organization that fails to file for three consecutive years will have their tax-exempt status revoked. The three year window closed for most organizations on May 17, 2010 and over 292,000 organizations have not yet complied with the new mandate. This brief highlights the type, size, age, and location of organizations that have not yet filed Form 990-N.

Who Helps Public Schools? Public Education Support Organizations in 2010

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

There are more than 19,000 nonprofit organizations devoted to supporting public education in the United States. These organizations include booster clubs, parent-teacher groups, public education funds, scholarship funds, high school alumni associations, and others. This report assesses the current status of education support organizations; provides details on the activities, capacities, and resources of public education funds; and compares Public Education Network member organizations with other types of education funds. On the basis of a survey of public education funds and an analysis of the latest data available from the National Center for Charitable Statistics, the report identifies key similarities and differences among the groups.

The State of Society: Measuring Economic Success and Human Well-Being

paffairs@urban.org ( Erwin de Leon, Elizabeth T. Boris) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

This study provides an overview of a broad range of existing measures that go beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to offer a more complete and accurate picture of how a society and its economy are faring. Based on a review of the literature and an analysis of major arguments and rationales for moving beyond GDP as a measure of national well-being, this report identifies 14 categories of national well-being. It synthesizes hundreds of indicators found in 28 reports that present alternative indices and systems of well-being into 79 indicators organized under these categories.

The Nonprofit Sector in Brief : Public Charities, Giving and Volunteering, 2009

paffairs@urban.org ( Kennard Wing, Katie L. Roeger, Thomas H. Pollak) — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends in the number and finances of 501(c)(3) public charities, as well as key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital resources to the nonprofit sector. Figures on giving and volunteering include the most recent data available. Data reported on the nonprofit sector are from 2007—a snapshot of the sector just before the U.S. economic recession.

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in the Baltimore-Washington Region's Nonprofit Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

The nonprofit sector in the Baltimore-Washington region is undergoing a profound, albeit quiet, revolution driven by demographic change. The people and communities that nonprofits serve increasingly reflect a multiracial and multi-ethnic world, and a new generation of leaders will soon emerge as baby boomer executives retire. This report examines whether the Baltimore-Washington regions nonprofit sector reflects the new demographic realities. The report, based on a representative sample of 501(c)(3) organizations, documents the extent to which the regions nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse. It also analyzes diversity by the organizations size, type, and geographic location, and examines how the sector has been affected by the current economic downturn.

A New April 15: Make It a Day of Giving (Efficiently)

paffairs@urban.org ( C. Eugene Steuerle) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

President Barack Obama on January 22 signed into law a provision allowing charitable gifts made for Haiti relief during February and most of January 2010 to be deducted on 2009 federal tax returns. This noble sentiment would work a lot better if deductions were allowed for all giving made to qualified charities by April 15.

Good Intentions Aren't Enough

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

In an interview for Faith & Leadership, DeVita discusses the role of faith-based organizations in disaster relief and Katrina's lessons for relief in Haiti. Faith-based organizations are good at providing immediate relief, but have less capacity to support sustained recovery in areas devastated by natural disasters. Planning ahead, working with large, established organizations and connecting with local people are keys to successful relief efforts.

An Analysis of Potential Tax Incentives to Increase Charitable Giving in Puerto Rico : In Brief

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

This policy brief summarizes the findings of a larger report on potential tax incentives to increase charitable giving in Puerto Rico. Improved incentives for private charitable giving would strengthen nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico. Taxpayers may choose between a 100 percent deduction for contributions over 3 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) or a 33 percent deduction for contributions with no floor. Deductions may not exceed 15 percent of AGI. Removing the 15 percent ceiling would be a relatively cost effective way of encouraging more giving.

An Analysis of Potential Tax Incentives to Increase Charitable Giving in Puerto Rico : Final Report

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Improved incentives for private charitable giving would strengthen nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's income tax allows itemizers to deduct charitable contributions, but with limits. Taxpayers may choose between a 100 percent deduction for contributions over 3 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) or a 33 percent deduction for contributions with no floor. Deductions may not exceed 15 percent of AGI. Removing the 15 percent ceiling would be a relatively cost effective way of encouraging more giving. Reducing the 3 percent floor, though generating less additional giving per dollar of revenue loss, would encourage broader participation.

Community-Based Organizations and Immigrant Integration in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

This study examines immigrant integration through the lens of community-based organizations. Based on interviews with nonprofit leaders and an analysis of data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics, the study found that immigrant-serving nonprofits provide a wide range of programs and services to foreign-born communities which promote the social and political mobility of newcomers. Findings also suggest a potential spatial mismatch between immigrant-serving organizations and the people they serve. The organizations are concentrated in the metropolitan area while immigrant populations are growing in the outer suburbs. Moreover, different political and administrative structures and policies affect the ability of these nonprofits to serve their constituents.

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California's Nonprofit Sector: An Overview

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

This policy brief summarizes the findings of a larger report on racial-ethnic diversity in California's nonprofit sector (see www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=411977). It documents the extent to which California's nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse, and analyzes diversity by an organization's size, type, funding patterns, and geographic location within the state. The brief examines how California nonprofits with diverse leadership have been affected by the current economic downturn, and presents three models for measuring diversity using different definitions of organizational diversity.

Measuring Racial-Ethnic Diversity in California's Nonprofit Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger, Max Niedzwiecki) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Decisionmakers in California and across the country are facing critical challenges related to diversity. But until now, there has not been a comprehensive picture of how California's nonprofit sector has responded to this demographic transition. This report, based on a representative sample of California's 501(c)(3) organizations, documents the extent to which California's nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse. It analyzes diversity by an organization's size, type, funding patterns, and geographic location within the state, and examines how California nonprofits with diverse leadership have been affected by the current economic downturn. The report also presents three models for measuring diversity using different definitions of organizational diversity.

Latinos Are the Least Represented Group of Color in California's Nonprofit Sector

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Latinos, California's largest minority population, are the most underrepresented group of color in the state's nonprofit sector, according to the first systematic study of racial and ethnic diversity in California's nonprofits.

Central Louisiana in Focus

paffairs@urban.org ( Katie L. Roeger, Carol J. De Vita) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

This series of fact sheets provides a quick overview of the nonprofit sector in each of the nine parishes that comprise Central Louisiana Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn. Each fact sheet provides information on the number of nonprofits and congregations found in the parish; the types of services offered; basic financial measures, such as total revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities; sources of revenue; and a measure of fiscal health. The fact sheets also include basic demographic information for the parish, such as total population, median age, race-ethnic composition and median household income. A companion report, A Profile of Nonprofit Organizations in Central Louisiana, provides a detailed analysis of the size, scope, fiscal health, and other dimensions of the sector.

A Profile of Nonprofit Organizations in Central Louisiana

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Katie L. Roeger) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit organizations in Central Louisiana are an integral part of community life, helping people in need and providing cultural and civic opportunities to local residents. Yet most people have only a vague idea of the number and types of nonprofits in the region or the financial resources needed to support and sustain this work. This report is a comprehensive study of Central Louisiana's nonprofit sector. It examines the size, scope, and financial underpinning of the sector, and explores the extent to which nonprofits and religious congregations collaborate with each other and with other groups. It also reports the challenges that nonprofit and faith-based leaders see as critical to the region. A companion report, Central Louisiana in Focus, provides a statistical fact sheet for each of the nine parishes in the region.

Cultural Development and City Neighborhoods

paffairs@urban.org ( Carole E. Rosenstein) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

Cities around the world are building urban cultural life as a way to develop local economies and revitalize urban centers. But they have done less to recognize and systematically promote the cultural lives of urban neighborhoods and their residents. This brief examines four characteristics of city cultural policy that affect cultural development and cultural life in neighborhoods. The brief is informed by policy forums held by The Living Cultures Project in New Orleans in 2008-2009 to address key policy issues confronting neighborhood and cultural life.

Five Questions For Thomas Pollak

paffairs@urban.org ( Thomas H. Pollak) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Thomas H. Pollak, coauthor of "Washington-Area Nonprofit Operating Reserves" answers five questions about local nonprofits financial health. This first-of-its-kind study looks at the operating reserves of public charitiesfrom soup kitchens to job-training centers to local arts groupsas reported in their 2006 tax filings. The study found that most nonprofits had weak reserves before the downturn, leaving them vulnerable to effects of the recession.

Washington-Area Nonprofit Operating Reserves

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Thomas H. Pollak) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report, funded by the Meyer Foundation, looks at the operating reservesthe cash and other liquid assetsof public charities in the Washington Metropolitan area. Using IRS Form 990 data, the report found that 57 percent had reserves insufficient to cover three months of expenses, a level that many experts consider the minimum necessary for financial stability. This leaves them especially vulnerable to the rapid declines in revenue or increases in expenses that occur in economic downturns like the present. A substantial perecentage of all types and sizes of organizations lacked adequate reserves.

Trends in Charitable Giving in North Carolina and the Research Triangle 1997-2006

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Petya Kehayova) — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Charitable giving in North Carolina has been on the upswing for nearly ten years, but the economic downturn is affecting individuals' ability and willingness to give. Using tax returns stripped of personal identifiers, the report examines charitable giving by North Carolina tax payers and those in the Research Triangle. Overall, charitable giving by North Carolinians is higher than the national average both in terms of dollars given and the share of gross adjusted income given. Yet, despite its relatively high levels of income, Triangle residents give less to charity than the average Tar Heel. Even among high-income earners (those with adjusted gross income of $100,000 or more), Triangle residents give about the same amount in absolute dollars, on average, but about a half percentage point less than their statewide peers. Regional and county variations in giving suggest that fundraising appeals must be carefully targeted to be successful.

Limited Life Foundations: Motivations, Experiences and Strategies

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Although most foundations are established in perpetuity, the limited life option is attracting more attention. This monograph helps fill a gap in the literature by examining the motivations, strategies, and experiences associated with the decision to "sunset" and comparing the attitudes and practices of perpetual and limited life foundations. The report draws on survey data on over 800 private foundations with varied longevity plans, and in-depth interviews with 31 foundations that have considered or plan termination.

The Role of Faith-based and Community Organizations in Providing Relief and Recovery Services after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

paffairs@urban.org ( Carol J. De Vita, Fredrica D. Kramer) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

This research brief examines the relief and recovery services provided by faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) in the Gulf Coast region after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The study included a telephone survey of 202 FBCOs that provided services and in-depth case studies of eight organizations. The brief explores how FBCOs functioned during this time-i.e., what they did, who they served, and with whom they collaborated-and offers lessons learned for planning for future disasters. The brief summarizes the findings from the full report "The Role of Faith-Based and Community Organizations in Post-Hurricane Human Service Relief Efforts," available at http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=1001245.

The Role of Faith-Based and Community Organizations in Post-Hurricane Human Services Relief Efforts

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The events surrounding hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 produced one of the largest disaster responses by nongovernmental, charitable organizations, including both faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs). This report is based on a telephone survey of 202 FBCOs that provided disaster-related human services and in-depth, field-based case studies of eight organizational responses after the hurricanes. The survey findings address what types of services were provided, to whom, and the collaborations used by FBCOs to deliver services. The case studies explore what motivated the response in 2005 and suggest how such efforts might connect with the larger disaster response and human service delivery systems to provide needed services in future disasters (For more information, contact Principal Investigators Carol J. De Vita and Fredrica D. Kramer).

Boundaries Between Nonprofits and Business Are Increasingly Blurred, Scholars Say

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofits and businesses interact in more and newer ways every year as powerful economic and social forces change. Nonprofits adopt more business-like practices, corporations support nonprofits through cause-related marketing, and social entrepreneurs create private businesses to achieve social goals. Nonprofits and Business, a new Urban Institute Press book, explores these and many other ways the two sectors collaborate, compete, and clash.

The Broader Movement: Nonprofit Environmental and Conservation Organizations, 1989-2005

paffairs@urban.org ( Baird Straughan, Thomas H. Pollak) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This study, the first comprehensive look at IRS data on more than 26,000 environmental and conservation organizations 8,000 of which had revenues of $25,000 or more reveals a core of prominent national organizations and a larger, more rapidly growing universe of regional, local, and other specialized groups. Taken as a whole, the environmental movement expanded in number of organizations, members, and in total revenues almost every year since 1960. It focused less on advocacy than on projects and education, and was younger, more densely networked, and more dependent upon grants and contributions than was the nonprofit sector in general.

A Better Way to Deal With the Leadership Crisis

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower) — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Too few boards are doing a good job of helping nonprofit grops carry out their missions, explains Francie Ostrower in this Chronicle of Philanthropy commentary. They need to be more active in fund raising, monitoring programs, community relations, educating the public, and monitoring the board's own performance.

Civil Society Structures Serving Latinos in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area

paffairs@urban.org ( Guillermo Cantor, Carol J. De Vita) — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Over the past decade the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area has become increasingly diverse, driven in large part by the growth of the Latino population. By 2006, almost 610,000 Latinos lived in the region. Today's immigrants, like those before them, contribute to the development of civil society organizations and rely on them for services and activities. Yet little is known about these organizations and the ways they help newcomers build and engage in civil society. This brief provides an overview of nonprofits and religious congregations in the Washington, D.C. region that focus on providing services and support to the Latino population.

Facts and Figures from the Nonprofit Almanac 2008 : Public Charities, Giving, and Volunteering

paffairs@urban.org ( Amy Blackwood, Kennard Wing, Thomas H. Pollak) — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief highlights trends from the seventh edition of "The Nonprofit Almanac 2008", prepared by the National Center for Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute. The Almanac is the latest in the Urban Institute's series of statistical profiles of the nonprofit sector and focuses primarily on 501(c)(3) public charities. We also highlight key findings on private charitable contributions and volunteering, two vital components of the nonprofit sector. This brief includes the most recent available data (2005 and 2006).

Boards of Midsize Nonprofits: Their Needs and Challenges

paffairs@urban.org ( Francie Ostrower) — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Nonprofit boards are receiving increased attention from policymakers, media, researchers and the public. Yet most research, policy proposals, and best practice guidelines have been oriented toward large organizations. This brief helps fill a major gap in our understanding by focusing on governance among midsize nonprofits, identifying certain problem areas, and suggesting strategies that those engaged with midsize nonprofits may find helpful in strengthening their boards. The discussion uses data on the subset of 1,862 midsize organizations in our Urban Institute National Survey of Nonprofit Governance, the first national representative study of nonprofit governance.

"Disturbing Levels of CEO Dissatisfaction With Board Performance" at Midsize Nonprofits, Study Finds

paffairs@urban.org ( Urban Institute) — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Most heads of midsize nonprofits give their trustees low marks for fundraising and monitoring board performance, an Urban Institute study of nonprofits with annual expenses between $500,000 and $5 million has found.