Is your nonprofit considering constructing a new wing or building based on receiving one substantial donation? Before it does, the board should consider all possible outcomes, including ending up in court. Helga Wall-Apelt, a former board member of Florida State University’s Ringling Museum of Art, contributed $6 million to the museum in 2006 for a …
Posts Categorized: Fundraising
Florida Enacts Tighter Regulations on Charities and Fundraisers
Do you remember when, in April, we told you that Florida’s lawmakers were concerned that 11 of the 50 worst charities were based in Florida. Now they are following through on their promise to do something about it. Last month Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law a comprehensive revision of the state’s charitable solicitation …
NY Attorney General Announces $25 Million Settlement
Earlier this month, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced the $24.6 million settlement his office secured after an investigation into direct mail fundraising abuses at one of the country’s largest veterans’ charities, the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF). The AG’s Charities Bureau, which conducted the investigation, determined that the abuses were perpetrated by DVNF’s two …
Is the New American Express Campaign Cause Marketing?
American Express recently released an advertisement titled “Spent: Looking for Change.” The ad watches more like a documentary about the high costs for low-income people living outside the traditional financial system. The film is narrated by Tyler Perry and follows four families who are “unbanked” or “under-banked” and must use alternatives to banking such as …
A New Twist on Cause Marketing: Drinking for Charity
When you’re making a purchase, are you more likely to choose the brand that promises to give a portion of the sale to charity? This type of marketing, commonly known as cause marketing, has become commonplace in recent years. We recently told you about Amazon Smile and you have likely seen Starbucks’ new campaign touting …
AmazonSmile: Shopping for Charity
Ever wish a portion of all of your purchases supported charity, not just purchases of pink water bottles and (RED)TM t-shirts? AmazonSmile does just that. When you purchase from the website, the company will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charity (you choose from nearly one million charities). This is in …