Question of the Month
Be one of the first ten people to respond by clicking here with the correct answer to this month’s question to be entered into a drawing for a prize package from Omaha Steaks!
Who is the reigning Miss America?
Be one of the first ten people to respond by clicking here with the correct answer to this month’s question to be entered into a drawing for a prize package from Omaha Steaks!
Who is the reigning Miss America?
Miss America Walks to Support MADD Strides for Change
Some major celebrities, including reigning Miss America Jennifer Berry, actress Kelly Ripa, and country music stars Brad Paisley and Naomi Judd, are supporting the MADD Strides for Change this month. The program has 5-K walking teams in 22 cities across the country, and is designed to increase awareness of the issue of drunk driving.
The issue is a personal one for Miss Berry, who lost a close friend to a drunk driving crash. Supporters can learn more or join a walking team on-line at http://www.stridesforchange.org. You may see Miss Berry’s platform at http://www.missamerica.org/miss-america/platform-statement.asp.
Some major celebrities, including reigning Miss America Jennifer Berry, actress Kelly Ripa, and country music stars Brad Paisley and Naomi Judd, are supporting the MADD Strides for Change this month. The program has 5-K walking teams in 22 cities across the country, and is designed to increase awareness of the issue of drunk driving.
The issue is a personal one for Miss Berry, who lost a close friend to a drunk driving crash. Supporters can learn more or join a walking team on-line at http://www.stridesforchange.org. You may see Miss Berry’s platform at http://www.missamerica.org/miss-america/platform-statement.asp.
Heritage President Appointed to Salvation Army Board of Visitors
Our own John Braune, President and CEO has been appointed to the Board Of Visitors for The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth College in Atlanta, Georgia. The Board of Visitors is an appointed Board within the organizational structure of the College. It is comprised of community leaders from across the nation who believe in the mission of the Salvation Army, and commit themselves to the development and preparation of personnel for that mission by serving as:
Our own John Braune, President and CEO has been appointed to the Board Of Visitors for The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth College in Atlanta, Georgia. The Board of Visitors is an appointed Board within the organizational structure of the College. It is comprised of community leaders from across the nation who believe in the mission of the Salvation Army, and commit themselves to the development and preparation of personnel for that mission by serving as:
- Advisors to the Principal, faculty, cadets and staff by offering counsel, ideas, opportunities and assistance with program development; resource development; strengthening board membership; long range planning; and other projects that will advance the growth and stability of the College.
- Christian Fellows inspired by their work to be advocates for the College and the Christian principles upon which the Army is based.
SOTN and Erin Birch Win Big on Deal or No Deal
Special Olympics Tennessee fundraiser Erin Birch had the chance of a lifetime this spring when she got to be a contestant on NBC’s hottest new game show, Deal or No Deal. Before leaving to tape the show, Erin promised that she would donate half of her after-tax winnings to SOTN. After making some gutsy choices, she walked away with winnings of $167,000! True to her word, she presented Special Olympics Tennessee with a check for $55,000—the largest single gift the organization has received in years. The event was especially enjoyable for one of Erin’s friends, Special Olympics Tennessee athlete Matthew Drumright, who got to go to the taping with her. Congratulations, Erin!
Special Olympics Tennessee fundraiser Erin Birch had the chance of a lifetime this spring when she got to be a contestant on NBC’s hottest new game show, Deal or No Deal. Before leaving to tape the show, Erin promised that she would donate half of her after-tax winnings to SOTN. After making some gutsy choices, she walked away with winnings of $167,000! True to her word, she presented Special Olympics Tennessee with a check for $55,000—the largest single gift the organization has received in years. The event was especially enjoyable for one of Erin’s friends, Special Olympics Tennessee athlete Matthew Drumright, who got to go to the taping with her. Congratulations, Erin!
Postal Rates to Rise Again in 2007
On May 3, the US Postal Service filed for a rate increase averaging 8.5 percent, which would take effect in mid-2007. The Standard Rate, at which nonprofit mail is sent, is expected to rise about 9 percent. This change has been a concern for nonprofits who depend heavily on direct mail campaigns for their fundraising efforts. Mail is a major part of Heritage telefundraising as well, but we want our partners to know that we will do all we can to absorb that rate increase on your behalf, as simply the right thing to do if we are able.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Two Nonprofit Cases
Nonprofits were dealt a double blow in May as the Supreme Court declined to hear appeals in two important cases. One case involved the North Dakota do-not-call law, which fails to exempt nonprofits who use third party fundraisers. The nonprofits won this case in federal court, lost on appeal, and then were refused a hearing by the Roberts Court, allowing the decision in favor of the state to stand. The other case was that of Special Olympics Maryland and the National Federation of the Blind against the Federal Trade Commission over its telefundraising regulations. These losses make political efforts to address these issues, such as H.R. 4425 (see the February issue of THA for details), more important than ever. Watch this space for more details.
Nonprofits were dealt a double blow in May as the Supreme Court declined to hear appeals in two important cases. One case involved the North Dakota do-not-call law, which fails to exempt nonprofits who use third party fundraisers. The nonprofits won this case in federal court, lost on appeal, and then were refused a hearing by the Roberts Court, allowing the decision in favor of the state to stand. The other case was that of Special Olympics Maryland and the National Federation of the Blind against the Federal Trade Commission over its telefundraising regulations. These losses make political efforts to address these issues, such as H.R. 4425 (see the February issue of THA for details), more important than ever. Watch this space for more details.
Experimental Online Auction Supports Special Olympics Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin
The first ever tri-state Special Olympics on-line auction was conducted by organizations in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin May 25-June 4. The Ebay-based auction included dozens of special items such as trips, concert tickets, and many other great bidding attractions. Bid winners had the chance to throw out the opening pitch at a Chicago Cubs game, be an honorary member of the Rusty Wallace NASCAR pit crew, go to a Green Bay Packers game and be a guest on the set of “Inside the Huddle”, and even fly in World War II era planes in a real dogfight, and much more. What a creative fundraising idea!
The first ever tri-state Special Olympics on-line auction was conducted by organizations in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin May 25-June 4. The Ebay-based auction included dozens of special items such as trips, concert tickets, and many other great bidding attractions. Bid winners had the chance to throw out the opening pitch at a Chicago Cubs game, be an honorary member of the Rusty Wallace NASCAR pit crew, go to a Green Bay Packers game and be a guest on the set of “Inside the Huddle”, and even fly in World War II era planes in a real dogfight, and much more. What a creative fundraising idea!
Donor Fatigue Fears Unrealized
The natural disasters that dominated the news in 2005—the Indian Ocean tsunami, earthquakes, and numerous hurricanes—prompted many nonprofits to be concerned about their fundraising efforts. Specifically, some feared that “donor fatigue” would be an inhibitor to their fundraising campaigns, since so many people responded to special appeals following these events. Data from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) do not support those fears, however. Of 506 respondents to their survey, 76 percent reported raising as much or more in 2005 than they had in 2004—likely a result of the steadily improving economy. The remaining 24 percent reported that the major obstacle to their fundraising success was not donor fatigue, but competition from other nonprofits. This finding supports the need for charities to make their appeals unique, special, and personal—precisely what Heritage does for our partners every day.
The natural disasters that dominated the news in 2005—the Indian Ocean tsunami, earthquakes, and numerous hurricanes—prompted many nonprofits to be concerned about their fundraising efforts. Specifically, some feared that “donor fatigue” would be an inhibitor to their fundraising campaigns, since so many people responded to special appeals following these events. Data from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) do not support those fears, however. Of 506 respondents to their survey, 76 percent reported raising as much or more in 2005 than they had in 2004—likely a result of the steadily improving economy. The remaining 24 percent reported that the major obstacle to their fundraising success was not donor fatigue, but competition from other nonprofits. This finding supports the need for charities to make their appeals unique, special, and personal—precisely what Heritage does for our partners every day.
Featured Service: Got Mail?
Guess what division of our company experienced an increase of over 1000% over the prior year due to cut rate “Wal-Mart Pricing” and Outrageous Service…Well with postage rates going up and many nonprofits looking to cut out third party commissions, going to the direct source helps greatly. Our Mail Services Department can laser, fold, cut, insert and presort your mailings. Using the latest mailing technology, we offer our clients complete Direct Mailing Services, including merge/purge, genderization, parsing and personalization.
The postal software includes address hygiene, CASS/PAVE Certification, mail sortation for maximum postal discounts and the newly USPS-approved Delivery Point Validation system. We design versatile mail pieces including graphics and text. Our digital imaging systems are programmed to laser variable data. Our inserting machines are equipped with multiple cameras and accommodate up to 6 inserts, selective piece diversion, match mailing, and sequence verify via Jet Vision. Our Secap Jet 1 addressing system allows for personal color message on newsletters, envelopes, and postcards in the same pass as the address.
We have daily on-site USPS acceptance and pickup service guaranteeing expedited delivery. We would appreciate the opportunity to bid on your next print or mail project, please contact Mike Green at 800-643-8822, ext. 1403.
Guess what division of our company experienced an increase of over 1000% over the prior year due to cut rate “Wal-Mart Pricing” and Outrageous Service…Well with postage rates going up and many nonprofits looking to cut out third party commissions, going to the direct source helps greatly. Our Mail Services Department can laser, fold, cut, insert and presort your mailings. Using the latest mailing technology, we offer our clients complete Direct Mailing Services, including merge/purge, genderization, parsing and personalization.
The postal software includes address hygiene, CASS/PAVE Certification, mail sortation for maximum postal discounts and the newly USPS-approved Delivery Point Validation system. We design versatile mail pieces including graphics and text. Our digital imaging systems are programmed to laser variable data. Our inserting machines are equipped with multiple cameras and accommodate up to 6 inserts, selective piece diversion, match mailing, and sequence verify via Jet Vision. Our Secap Jet 1 addressing system allows for personal color message on newsletters, envelopes, and postcards in the same pass as the address.
We have daily on-site USPS acceptance and pickup service guaranteeing expedited delivery. We would appreciate the opportunity to bid on your next print or mail project, please contact Mike Green at 800-643-8822, ext. 1403.
The Cost of Fundraising: The Watchdog’s Strawman in Nonprofit Evaluations
(The following is the first in a series of pieces on the cost of fundraising that will appear in this space, in professional publications, and on our website.)
The numerous incidents of self-dealing and outright fraud associated with nonprofits over the last two decades have wrought greater government oversight and third-party assessment than ever before. While the number of these incidents is actually quite small, given the huge number of 501(c)(3) and other nonprofits, it is the bad actors who draw negative headlines and criticism to the nonprofit sector. Given that backdrop, the most often-used tool in determining whether a nonprofit is behaving responsibly with the donations with which it has been entrusted has become the cost of fundraising.
(The following is the first in a series of pieces on the cost of fundraising that will appear in this space, in professional publications, and on our website.)The numerous incidents of self-dealing and outright fraud associated with nonprofits over the last two decades have wrought greater government oversight and third-party assessment than ever before. While the number of these incidents is actually quite small, given the huge number of 501(c)(3) and other nonprofits, it is the bad actors who draw negative headlines and criticism to the nonprofit sector. Given that backdrop, the most often-used tool in determining whether a nonprofit is behaving responsibly with the donations with which it has been entrusted has become the cost of fundraising.
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By Phone: Marilyn Michie • 1-800-643-8822 ext. 1142
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The Heritage Advantage Feedback • The Heritage Advantage Requests
By Phone: Marilyn Michie • 1-800-643-8822 ext. 1142
Article Inquiries: Stephen Dawson