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 in a drawing for this month’s prize, the Fairytale Brownie Sampler!
Who is the current US Surgeon General?
Be one of the first ten people to respond by clicking here with the correct answer to this month’s question to be entered in a drawing for this month’s prize, the Fairytale Brownie Sampler!Who is the current US Surgeon General?
National Games a Huge Success
The first ever USA National Special Olympics Games in Ames, Iowa were a spectacular success! An amazing army of volunteers, coaches, and family members helped make this once-in-a-lifetime event one that neither they nor the athletes will ever forget. The Games included, by the numbers:
The first ever USA National Special Olympics Games in Ames, Iowa were a spectacular success! An amazing army of volunteers, coaches, and family members helped make this once-in-a-lifetime event one that neither they nor the athletes will ever forget. The Games included, by the numbers:
- Over 8,000 volunteers
- 3,000 athletes
- 2,000 coaches and delegates
- 10,000 family members
- 30,000 spectators
Hundreds of Sponsors Support the National Games
Now that the medals have been awarded and the torch has been passed, what can we do to make sure that the same spirit embodied at the National Games lives on? One way is to use them as a springboard for further donor cultivation. With such a powerful story to tell and for which to thank those who made the games possible, these sponsors represent a unique opportunity for further communication and appreciation, with the ultimate aim of creating major gifts and ongoing sponsorships. To view the list of sponsors of the National Games, you may click here.
Now that the medals have been awarded and the torch has been passed, what can we do to make sure that the same spirit embodied at the National Games lives on? One way is to use them as a springboard for further donor cultivation. With such a powerful story to tell and for which to thank those who made the games possible, these sponsors represent a unique opportunity for further communication and appreciation, with the ultimate aim of creating major gifts and ongoing sponsorships. To view the list of sponsors of the National Games, you may click here.
Timothy Shriver Honored by US Surgeon General
On July 1, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver received the first medal of the National Games—the Surgeon General’s Medallion, from US Surgeon General Richard Carmona. Carmona noted Shriver’s service in improving the lives of the intellectually disabled and others. This award is the highest honor that the Surgeon General can give to an individual, and is one for which the organization can be proud.
On July 1, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver received the first medal of the National Games—the Surgeon General’s Medallion, from US Surgeon General Richard Carmona. Carmona noted Shriver’s service in improving the lives of the intellectually disabled and others. This award is the highest honor that the Surgeon General can give to an individual, and is one for which the organization can be proud.
Healthy Athletes Thrive in Ames
A special feature of the National Games was that of the Healthy Athletes Initiative. Here, athletes were able to have medical screening done, in keeping with strategic initiatives by Special Olympics in recent years. This effort would not have been possible without the many volunteers and medical staff who put in their time and effort, which is greatly appreciated.
A special feature of the National Games was that of the Healthy Athletes Initiative. Here, athletes were able to have medical screening done, in keeping with strategic initiatives by Special Olympics in recent years. This effort would not have been possible without the many volunteers and medical staff who put in their time and effort, which is greatly appreciated.
White House Birthday Party Honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver
The occasion of the accomplishment of reaching one million new athletes in five years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was honored at a White House dinner on her birthday last month (she declined to share which birthday it was!). Pictured at left is Global Messenger Loretta Claiborne presenting President and Mrs. Bush with jackets bearing the number 2,256,733—the current number of Special Olympic athletes worldwide. Some of their number are pictured here in the presentation as well. What a remarkable accomplishment for a remarkable organization!
Special Olympics Utah Takes Home Best of State AwardThe Utah 2006 Best of State Award went to Special Olympics Utah last month. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the community and bringing together the best in business, education, government, and the arts in the category of Education/Training Institution or Service. Congratulations!
Buffett Donates Billions to Gates Foundation
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett made headlines last month with the announcement that he would donate the majority of his $44 billion to the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett, who professes to not believe in dynastic wealth, chose to donate this money to the Gates Foundation over a period of several years, instead of leaving it all for his children. This decision closely followed Gates’ announcement that he would be leaving his responsibilities at Microsoft in 2008 to devote his time to the Foundation, which supports education and disease efforts.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett made headlines last month with the announcement that he would donate the majority of his $44 billion to the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation. Buffett, who professes to not believe in dynastic wealth, chose to donate this money to the Gates Foundation over a period of several years, instead of leaving it all for his children. This decision closely followed Gates’ announcement that he would be leaving his responsibilities at Microsoft in 2008 to devote his time to the Foundation, which supports education and disease efforts.
Giving to Nonprofits Hits $260 Billion
Giving to US nonprofits hit a record $260 billion in 2005, according to Giving USA. That figure, while impressive, is slightly below the inflation-adjusted rate of 2000. Much of the giving was driven to relief efforts for natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but the plurality continued to support religious organizations. The report also showed a decline in planned gifts, contrary to all expectations.
Giving to US nonprofits hit a record $260 billion in 2005, according to Giving USA. That figure, while impressive, is slightly below the inflation-adjusted rate of 2000. Much of the giving was driven to relief efforts for natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, but the plurality continued to support religious organizations. The report also showed a decline in planned gifts, contrary to all expectations.
Heritage Published in DM NewsThe June 23 issue of DM News featured articles exclusively about search engine marketing, and we are grateful to share with you that one of our team members had a piece published in it. The topic was how an organization can test the Google AdWords system free before investing in it. You may view the article by clicking here. We are also pleased to report that we will have an article published in The NonProfit Times in August, which we will share with you in our next issue.
Crossfire: Threats and Opportunities in the Estate Tax Changes
A major challenge facing Congress this election year is that of the estate tax. This issue is one that nonprofits have a major stake in, due to the possible ramifications of such a change. Supporters of extending estate tax reductions beyond their sunset-date of 2010 hold that allowing wealthy families to pass along a higher portion of their estate to their heirs increases the likelihood that more will be given to nonprofits in the long-term. Opponents take the position that higher estate taxes drive will-drafters to make gifts to nonprofits so that their estate value will fall below the threshold and thus not cause tax problems for their family beneficiaries. This issue is one that we will be tracking closely and reporting on in this space as events unfold.
A major challenge facing Congress this election year is that of the estate tax. This issue is one that nonprofits have a major stake in, due to the possible ramifications of such a change. Supporters of extending estate tax reductions beyond their sunset-date of 2010 hold that allowing wealthy families to pass along a higher portion of their estate to their heirs increases the likelihood that more will be given to nonprofits in the long-term. Opponents take the position that higher estate taxes drive will-drafters to make gifts to nonprofits so that their estate value will fall below the threshold and thus not cause tax problems for their family beneficiaries. This issue is one that we will be tracking closely and reporting on in this space as events unfold.
What Attrition Does to YOUR Donor File
Have you ever considered the effects of attrition on your donor file? Put another way, what would you do if you lost 10,000 donors in a year? To see how this issue has affected one of our major partners, please click here.
Have you ever considered the effects of attrition on your donor file? Put another way, what would you do if you lost 10,000 donors in a year? To see how this issue has affected one of our major partners, please click here.
For All Your Mailing Needs
How often have you asked your donors for money to support you? And how many times have you shared with them your progress, vision and mission? How neat and cool is it when a donor or family member thanks you… So you might consider a postcard, letter, personal note that Heritage mail services can include with mass mailings for discounted rates. [more..].
How often have you asked your donors for money to support you? And how many times have you shared with them your progress, vision and mission? How neat and cool is it when a donor or family member thanks you… So you might consider a postcard, letter, personal note that Heritage mail services can include with mass mailings for discounted rates. [more..].
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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