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Survey: Social Versus Commercial Entrepreneurs - Social entrepreneurs are motivated by their values and identity, but that doesn't mean they don't want to build their businesses. (02/22/12

Give a Man the Means to Fish: From Paternalistic Charity to Venture Philanthropy - New models of philanthropy offer a new approach to tackling society's most intractable problems. (02/22/12)

Why Companies Make False Corporate Social Responsibility Promises - No major corporation can get by now without saying they're doing good things for society. (02/22/12)

Corporations: Personhood Conferred, Citizenship Earned - Did court-awarded rights for businesses lay the groundwork for responsibilities of citizenship? (02/21/12)

A Decade of Outcome-Oriented Philanthropy - An increasing number of foundations seek to achieve clearly defined goals. (02/21/12)

'Good Counsel: Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits' - A review of the new book by Lesley Rosenthal, general counsel of Lincoln Center. (02/21/12)

Should You Consider Becoming a Benefit Corporation? - B Corp designation gives boards of directors more latitude to consider both social and financial goals. (02/20/12)

Nonprofits Outpace Businesses in Job Growth - Increased government spending triggers more nonprofit employment. (02/20/12)

Why Social Change Is Good for Business - A business can profit by influencing the social issues that are affecting it. (02/20/12)

UC Berkeley Attempts to Restrict Distribution of Lecture Notes - Copyright policy forbids sharing notes with students in another class and commercial distribution. (02/17/12)

How To Solve The Good Business Generation Gap - The old guard and the new guard can work together for maximum impact. (02/17/12)

Citizens United Revisited? Buckle Up, Chief Justice Roberts - On Friday night, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the Montana Supreme Court's December decision upholding a century-old ban on corporate political spending. (02/17/12)

Nonprofits Fear That Money in Fiscal Sponsor's Care Has Vanished - About 200 small California groups may have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in donated funds. (02/17/12)

Top 10 Essentials to Include in an Employee Handbook - A poorly drafted document can be disastrous for a company. (02/16/12)

New York Nonprofit Overhaul Proposed - Revised law would add new board requirements and streamline state contract process. (02/16/12)

Social Entrepreneurs Use Startups to Change the World - Impact investors are inundated by commercial enterprise opportunities. (02/16/12)

Massachusetts Considers Initiative to Increase Charitable Giving - The new type of donation would access retirement account funds. (02/15/12)

A Guide to Political and Lobbying Activities - The report focuses on restrictions on political activity by nonprofits. (02/15/12)

Impact Investing Creates Template for Responsible Capitalism - Profitable investments can also address social and environmental challenges. (02/15/12)

Can Voluntary CSR Disclosure Increase Shareholder Value? - Study looks at stock prices following sustainability reports. (02/14/12)

Charities Oppose Obama Plan on Limiting Charity Write-Offs - Nonprofit leaders fear the proposal would stifle giving. (02/14/12)

Employment Law Update: Romance in the Workplace - A relationship between employees with different levels of authority can cause trouble. (02/14/12)

IRS Makes Finding Charity Status Easier - Anyone can check the new database of nonprofits that have lost their tax-exempt status. (02/13/12)

The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - CSR is moving beyond simple philanthropy to play a more critical role in company strategy. (02/13/12)

Selling Donated Goods: How Ethical Is It? - It's often legal to sell donated items but nonprofits need to follow the IRS rules. (02/13/12)

CSR and Sustainability in 2012: Five Trends - Experts report mistrust of government's ability to tackle issues and a growing desire for corporate transparency. (02/10/12)

B Corp Premieres Today in New York State - New legal structure allows for benefit corporations that focus on social good as well as profit. (02/10/12)

Unpaid Intern: The Unpaid Employee? - What to consider when reviewing your practices concerning unpaid interns. (02/10/12)

Harvard's Voluntary Payments Spur Providence to Press Brown - The strapped city seeks to emulate the $19 million in non-tax payments Boston will receive from Harvard and other institutions this year. (02/09/12)

Patent Troll Claims Ownership of Interactive Web - And Might Win - Pioneers of the early web testify against software patents they believe threaten online innovation. (02/09/12)

Could a General Counsel Have Helped Komen Avoid Planned Parenthood Firestorm? - The "devil's advocate" shoes are often filled by in-house counsel. (02/09/12)

Investing for Impact: How Social Entrepreneurship Is Redefining the Meaning of Return - A new report provides insight into the major trends shaping impact investing and its ability to tackle some of the world's most intractable problems. (02/08/12)

Deficit-Driven Developments - The recession spawns a new culture of collaboration between nonprofits and businesses. (02/08/12)

Why an International Trade Agreement Could Be as Bad as SOPA - Intellectual property provisions may harm freedom of expression. (02/08/12)

Harvard Study Bodes Ill for Corporate Social Responsibility - One critical component of CSR seems to be on the wane: corporate responsibility to local communities. (02/08/12)

US Appeals Court Rules California's Prop. 8 Unconstitutional - A federal appeals court declared today that a state can't ban same-sex marriage solely because a majority of its voters disapprove of homosexuality. (02/07/12)

Is the Social Enterprise Bubble About to Burst? - Social entrepreneurs discuss the value of using market solutions to solve development challenges. (02/07/12)

Time to Demand Nonprofit Transparency in Elections? - New PAC law may result in the nonprofit sector adding to the corruption of the electoral system. (02/07/12)

'We the People' Loses Appeal With People Around the World - "Among the world's democracies, constitutional similarity to the United States has clearly gone into free fall," says a new, data-intensive study. (02/06/12)

Fast-Growing Charity Funds Raise Issues - Donor-advised funds can hold cash for longer periods. (02/06/12)

Lucy Bernholz Reviews 'Philanthropy in America: A History' - Author Olivier Zunz traces 100-year evolution of nonprofits and foundations. (02/06/12)

Egypt Defies US by Setting Trial for 19 Americans on Criminal Charges - Egypt's insistence on putting 19 Americans on trial in an investigation into foreign funding of nonprofits has shaken its 30-year alliance with the US. (02/06/12)

Garth Brooks Gets His Donation Back - Hospital pays $1 million after failing to name health center after his mother. (02/03/12)

Nonprofit News Groups Consider Merger - Differences in mission may lead California's AG to challenge the prospective union, experts say. (02/03/12)

Komen Foundation Reverses Funding Decision on Planned Parenthood - Faced with a deluge of opposition, the breast cancer advocacy group reversed a decision that would have cut off funding to some Planned Parenthood projects. (02/03/12)

Board Disbands Housing Nonprofit Under FBI Investigation - Greed, mismanagement and questionable financial practices trigger dissolution. (02/02/12)

Benefit Corporations and the New Advocates - A critical look at allowing a company's board to put social objectives ahead of profits. (02/02/12)

Does Your Nonprofit Need Legal Counsel About Using Social Media? - New book helps nonprofits understand legal challenges. (02/02/12)

Creating Shared Value - Business leaders at Davos move beyond simple charity and public relations. (02/01/12)

New Hampshire Bill Requires Training for Nonprofits - The law mandates fiscal management and ethics sessions for at least one board member. (02/01/12)

A Dozen Law Schools Hit With Lawsuits Over Jobs Data - Lawsuits claim schools don't reveal true picture of post-graduate employment. (02/01/12)

Social Entrepreneurs Appeal for Change in Davos - A total of 30 social entrepreneurs attended the World Economic Forum this year to promote ethically and ecologically responsible business practices. (01/31/12)

The Darkest Day in the History of American Super PACs - Florida's Republican primary demonstrates impact of Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. (01/31/12)

IRS: Big Charity Filed Misleading Tax Return - Audit claims Food for the Hungry overstated value of donated goods received. (01/31/12)

Lawmakers Act to Stem Suppliers' Abuse of Workers - A California law and a national bill could pressure companies to purge their supply chains of human rights violations. (01/30/12)

The "Global 100" Ranks the World's Most Sustainable Companies - Top businesses focus on "clean capitalism" and creating green jobs. (01/30/12)

State Dept: Americans Take Refuge at Cairo Embassy - The unusual step of offering US citizens diplomatic refuge follows Cairo's crackdown on NGOs, including several funded by the US government. (01/30/12)

A 21st Century NGO - A handful of Yale medical students support a Nepal hospital from 8,000 miles away. (01/30/12)

Dignity Memorial Buries 1,000th Homeless Veteran - Vietnam War veteran Stevenson L. Roy died broke and homeless, but Wednesday he received a funeral with full military honors in recognition of his service. (01/27/12)

Executive Liability Rising for Private, Nonprofit Firms - Many nonprofits feel no need to insure board and executives. (01/27/12)

A New Kind of Bond Could Save Taxpayer Money and Improve Social Services - Bonds will let the government task private companies to solve public challenges. (01/27/12)

Yale Class to Donate 100k - Students distribute grants as part of philanthropy curriculum. (01/26/12)

With New Law, Profits Take a Back Seat - Eight states allow "benefit corporations" to focus on social good. (01/26/12)

FBI Plans to Monitor Social Networks - FBI will search social media for content relating to terrorism and other threats. (01/26/12)

How SOPA Anti-Piracy Bill Could Affect Nonprofits - The House's Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) could shut down nonprofit web sites accused of copyright infringement. (01/25/12)

The Trouble With Impact Investing - Providing organizations with capital at below market rates can trigger unintended consequences. (01/25/12)

Collision in the Making Between Self-Driving Cars and How the World Works - Experts say questions of legal liability, privacy and insurance regulation might pose far more problems than the technological issues. (01/25/12)

Clinton's Vision: Aligning Business and Philanthropy - Former President Bill Clinton promotes capitalism's capacity to solve the world's problems while enhancing profits. (01/24/12)

What to Do About IRA Charitable Donations - Sixty federal tax provisions expired in 2011, but one stands out for causing older taxpayers trouble: the individual-retirement-account donation rule. (01/24/12)

4th Circuit Court Refuses Review of Terrorism Policy - The court tossed out a 9/11 detainee's damage suit, ruling military detention and interrogation policies can't be challenged for damages in federal courts. (01/24/12)

Supreme Court: Search Warrants Needed When Police Use GPS to Track Suspects - The ruling represents a serious complication for law enforcement nationwide, which increasingly relies on high tech surveillance of suspects. (01/23/12)

Scalia on Unlimited Political Ads: Turn Off the TV - Justice Scalia offers a simple remedy for the Super PAC-fueled explosion of political ads unleashed by "Citizens United": just ignore them. (01/23/12)

Judge Jed Rakoff on Free Love, the Death Penalty, and Wall Street Justice - Meet the judge who could singlehandedly force a revolution in the way corporate America is policed. (01/23/12)

Massachusetts May Try Social Impact Bonds - The bonds would let investors fund social programs and get a return from those that successfully address issues and generate savings for the state. (01/23/12)

In Fight Over Piracy Bills, New Economy Rises Against Old - Last week's online blackouts sent an unmistakable message to lawmakers grappling with new media issues: Don't mess with the Internet. (01/23/12)

A Rotary Engine - Can a businessmen's club eradicate polio from the world? (01/20/12)

A Fundraiser Goes Behind Bars - An executive director leaves his job running a microfinance fund to help prison inmates. (01/20/12)

9 Tips for Raising More Money in 2012 - Fundraisers must remember to focus on the basics, including reminding donors what their money is accomplishing. (01/20/12)

Social Entrepreneurship: Taking Matters into Your Own Hands in an Age of Austerity - Rupert Scofield of FINCA International offers five lessons for entrepreneurs who are thinking of taking the plunge into social action. (01/20/2012)

Judge Rules Vermont Can't Shut Nuclear Plant - A judge blocked Vermont from shutting down a reactor, saying the state is trying to regulate nuclear safety, which only the federal government can do. (01/19/12)

Nonprofits Added Jobs Faster Than Businesses Last Decade, Study Finds - The study also found nonprofits are the third largest type of private employer in the US, behind only retail trade and manufacturing. (01/19/12)

Does Charity Advocacy Pay Off? You Bet! - A new study by a group that promotes advocacy says nonprofit efforts have reaped billions of dollars in benefits to communities. (01/19/12)

Charities Ask Supreme Court to Uphold Health Care Law - Charities and patient-advocacy groups say the Supreme Court should uphold a health care law that requires most Americans to buy health insurance. (01/18/12)

Web Protests Piracy Bills, and Two Senators Change Course - Internet protests Wednesday quickly cut into Congressional support for anti-web piracy measures as lawmakers abandoned and rethought their backing. (01/18/12)

At the Heart of Innovation, Failure and Trust - A report from the first-ever Intersection Event, held in Pixar's HQ and including innovators in fields from entertainment to philanthropy. (01/18/12)

How Fares the Dream? - If King could see America now, says Paul Krugman, he would be disappointed: Goodbye Jim Crow, hello class system. (01/17/12)

The Co-operative Advantage: A Rich and Varied Contribution to Social Enterprise - As we begin the UN International Year of Co-operatives, Rory Ridley-Duff looks at how co-operative values can improve management practices. (01/17/12)

The Wrath of a Great Leader - How Martin Luther King, Jr. wrestled with anger, and what we can learn from his example. (01/17/12)

NJ to Test Nonprofit-Run Schools in Urban Districts - Nonprofit organizations can apply to develop and run public schools in three New Jersey cities under a 10-year pilot program. (01/16/12)

Honor Martin Luther King By Supporting His Causes - Though Monday is a national day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are other ways to pay tribute to the civil rights leader. (01/16/12)

Shaking Up the Long Tail - Donors who use cell phones to donate do more than give. They talk about it. Lucy Bernholz calls them "roaming reflexive donors." (01/16/12)

33 Entrepreneurs Who Make This World a Better Place - Need inspiration? Here are 33 people who are changing the world for the better. (01/13/12)

Lessons for the Social Sector From the Arab Spring - Effective causes need networks of people with the strength to pull together in the face of opposition, says NPR's social media senior strategist. [audio] (01/13/12)

The Power of the Interim Executive Director - In a leadership transition, an interim executive director can take the helm, help the board and staff, and lay the groundwork for a successor's success. (01/13/12)

IRS Urged to Improve the Process of Reinstating Dropped Charities - An internal monitor says the process of reinstating charities that have lost their tax-exempt status is unnecessarily burdensome. (01/12/12)

Toppling a Paradigm, Building a New One in Europe: From Subsidies to Investment - In continental Europe, the financing problem is not a lack of funds, but an abundance of funds conditioned with anti-entrepreneurial incentives. (01/12/12)

Budget Cut Could Curtail Oversight of National Service Programs - The Corporation for National and Community Service must lay off most of its staff and sharply curtail activities due to a "severe and damaging" budget cut. (01/12/12)

An Alternative to .org? Say Hello to .ngo - A proposed .ngo domain could give nonprofits another way to show their legitimacy to online donors. (01/11/12)

Call for Civic Learning - A new report makes the case for an elevated level of civic knowledge and democratic engagement among college students. (01/11/12)

NCB Capital Impact: Investing Billions into Underserved Communities Nationwide - COO Annie Donovan of NCB Capital Impact on the organization's founding, milestones, challenges and opportunities, leadership lessons, and more. (01/11/12)

Why CSR's Future Matters to Your Company - In 2012, every enterprise, large and small, will be forced to make corporate social responsibility a focal point. Four areas stand out. (01/10/12)

Free Expression: Five Questions with Jack Balkin - What's the most serious threat today to free speech? What's your take on SOPA? Is the Roberts Court a free-speech friend or foe? Jack Balkin responds. (01/10/12)

Chicago Will Levy Fees on Cash-Strapped Nonprofits - Facing a $630 million budget shortfall, Chicago plans to phase out fee waivers for water, sewer, and other city services for nonprofits. (01/10/12)

Behavior Change: The Biggest Challenge Facing Social Entrepreneurs - Making solar-powered lanterns? Turning waste into energy? Easy. Getting people to change their daily behavior? Now there's a challenge. (01/09/12)

Breyer on Recusal Kerfuffle: Move Along, Nothing to See Here - With the High Court mulling the Clean Water Act, Texas redistricting, and health care reform, concerns about ethics are always in session. (01/09/12)

How to Reach the Constitutional Question in the Health Care Cases - While the Supreme Court agreed to hear three challenges to the 2010 health care reform, they may not resolve the constitutional questions at stake. (01/09/12)

The Trouble With Not Defining Social Enterprise - Avoiding definition has allowed it to be co-opted by others and let private sector opportunists masquerade as social entrepreneurs, says Declan Jones. (01/06/12)

Firms With Benefits - A new sort of caring, sharing company gathers momentum. (01/06/12)

Five Fundraising Questions for 2012 - Despite positive reports of successful year-end appeals, fundraising will challenge charities in 2012. Here are some questions fundraisers are asking. (01/06/12)

The Next Generation of Philanthropy: An Interview with Jessamyn Lau - The program leader of the innovative Peery Foundation discusses impact investing, Gen Y, social media, and mission-related investments. (01/05/2012)

SCOTUS Expected to Weigh Montana Campaign Finance Appeal - The US Supreme Court is expected to wade into the debate over corporate cash in politics again, just in time for the 2012 election season. (01/05/12)

Making Volunteering More Popular by Making It More Relevant - Many people have skills (accounting, design, communications) that are incredibly valuable for nonprofits and would make volunteering more rewarding. (01/05/12)

Sasha Dichter of Acumen Fund on 2011 and the Year Ahead - Chief Innovation Officer Dichter discusses progress in building a funding pipeline in 2011, and how to get more capital flowing to the sector. (01/04/12)

Businesses Seek California's New Benefit Corporation Status - On the first business day after a new law took effect, the first wave of companies file papers to put people and planet on a par with profit. (01/04/12)

Yoxi: A New Media Platform for Social Innovation Rockstars - "Changing the world should be fun," says media executive, social entrepreneur, and impact investor Sharon Chang. (01/04/12)

Patagonia Becomes A California Benefit Corporation - On the first day that CA-based companies can change corporate status to become a Benefit Corporation, Patagonia puts its principles into practice. (01/03/12)

Best Ideas of 2011: The Reshaping of Capitalism - Capitalism is slowly undergoing a massive transformation, one demanded by Occupy Wall Street and answered by the social enterprise movement. (01/03/2012)

10 Donors to Watch in 2012 - Ten philanthropists and grant makers who could make a big difference in 2012 and beyond. (01/03/12)

Missing Chinese Lawyer Said to Be in Remote Prison - The brother of Gao Zhisheng, a prominent dissident rights lawyer who had been missing for 20 months, says he is being held in a prison in Xinjiang. (01/02/2012)

Teachers and Social Entrepreneurs - An interview with Ellen Moir, founder and executive director of New Teacher Center (NTC). (01/02/2012)

The Year of Controversial Giving - What does 2012 have in store for giving, especially the impact-driven approach called "philanthrocapitalism"? Here are 10 predictions. (01/02/2012)

Richard Branson on Measuring the Success of 2011 - "To find solutions, we at Virgin have had to consciously cast aside traditional thinking, form unusual partnerships and consider unorthodox answers..." (01/02/2012)

2012 Resolutions for the Nonprofit World - Diverse leaders and thinkers offer their hopes and challenges for the new year. (12/30/11)

Montana Court Restores Corporate Campaign Spending Ban - The Montana Supreme Court ruling bucks a high profile U.S. Supreme Court decision granting political speech rights to corporations. (12/30/11)

Donations From the Rich to Charities Rose in 2011 - There many more gifts of at least $1 million, and the number of commitments that exceeded $100 million also grew. (12/30/11)

For Entrepreneurial 'Change Agents,' a Green MBA - An increasing number of colleges are offering courses or entire programs devoted to green business practices in response to growing demand. (12/30/11)

The Disappearing Barriers Between Business And Nonprofits Are Driving Innovation - Now both types of organizations are influencing each others' practices and finding ways to work together. (12/29/11)

New Laws Ring in the New Year - A wide range of new legislation goes into effect on January 1. (12/29/11)

Redevelopment Agencies Face Closure in California Supreme Court Ruling - California's high court rules that state lawmakers have a right to seize $1.7 billion to solve the state deficit. (12/29/11)

A Manifesto for Sustainable Capitalism - Al Gore and David Blood on how businesses can embrace environmental, social and governance metrics. (12/29/11)

Cities Face Tough Choices as US Slashes Block Grants Program - CDBG was devised to bypass state governments and send money directly to big cities, giving them broad leeway to decide how to spend it. (12/28/11)

Volunteering: A Great Way To Learn Real Executive Leadership - One of the best ways for young managers to experience the kind of leadership needed for the C-Suite is to do volunteer work early in their careers. (12/28/11)

Changing Assumptions About the Ultra Poor - The best way to help the ultra poor is not to give them a handout, but an opportunity. (12/28/11)

Nonprofits Still Hurting - The crippled economy continues to squeeze nonprofits, with smaller organizations under the greatest stress, a new report says. (12/28/11)

Philanthropy Buzzwords of 2011 - Words like "disruption" and "amplify" echo across the nonprofit world, but nothing is more ubiquitous than the Twitter hashtag. (12/27/11)

Understanding Where the Big Gifts Will Come From in 2012 - Two fundraising experts offer advice and predictions about which big gifts donors will find most attractive in 2012. (12/27/11)

Charities That May Have Benefited From Hacking Seek to Make Refunds - In one of the biggest giving weeks of the year, large nonprofits face a new challenge in identifying unauthorized contributions. (12/27/11)

Should 2012 Be the Start of a Decade of Sustainable Capitalism? - John Elkington asks whether we shouldn't be raising our sights considerably in the coming year. (12/24/11)

Living with the Gates Foundation: A Retrospective - A summary of articles and discussions about the Gates Foundation's impact on global social change. (12/23/11)

A Nonprofit Blends Old and New to Help Women Entrepreneurs - From business training to legendary lemon meringue pie, the Women's Exchange in Baltimore has been serving it up since 1880. (12/23/2011)

The Trajectories of Organizations in Growth and Decline - An organization that attempts to do too much, too fast will almost certainly decline as quickly as it grows. (12/23/11)

Justice Department Rejects SC Voter ID Law, Calling It Discriminatory - The Obama administration rejected the new law requiring photo ID at the polls, saying it discriminates against minority voters. (12/22/11)

Millennials to Business: Social Responsibility Isn't Optional - As consumers, employees and entrepreneurs, Millennials are shifting the norms of corporate America's conduct, ethical imperatives and purpose. (12/22/11)

How Entrepreneurs with Social Vision Secured Venture Capital - The more philanthropically focused eyeglass maker Warby Parker turned down venture interest, the more it was pursued. (12/22/11)

A New Approach to Funding Social Enterprises - How financial engineering can make it possible to channel investment from the financial markets to organizations devoted to social ends. (12/21/11)

News Flash: Progress Happens - The daily news is dominated by daunting problems. Here, for a change, are some social solutions. (12/21/11)

Donor-Advised Fund Grants Inch Up in 2010 - While assets grew fast, the increase in grants was not as healthy. (12/21/11)

Opinion: Don't Break the Internet - PIPA and SOPA pose grave constitutional problems and could be disastrous for Internet stability and security as well as free expression, say the authors. (12/20/2011)

Simple Lessons in Nonprofit Insurance - If anything can go wrong, it probably will. That's why nonprofits need liability and property insurance. (12/20/11)

S Corps, C Corps, and B Corps, Oh My! Why Corporate Structure Matters - We must shift our expectations for companies to make business choices based upon fair returns for all stakeholders. (12/20/2011)

Half of Charities Say Holiday Giving Season Has Been Happy - Many charities are raising more in November and December than they did a year ago, and one in five say giving is growing by more than 20%. (12/19/11)

Schools Restricting Online Conversations Between Teachers and Students - The stricter social media guidelines are meeting resistance from some teachers in the form of constitutional challenges on free speech grounds. (12/19/11)

Could Silicon Valley Rethink Philanthropy? - Saying tech titans should be more philanthropic, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen encourages the youngest billionaires to give away their money now. (12/19/11)

How SOPA Affects Students, Educators, and Libraries - The act's vague language and overbroad enforcement methods all but ensure it could be used to stifle student and educator speech, critics say. (12/16/11)

Will Benefit Corporations Change the Way NYC Does Big Business? - "Ten to twenty years from now this will be the standard way of doing business," says B Lab's Andrew Greenblatt. (12/16/11)

Nonprofits See Mixed Results in Federal Budget Deal - Arts and national service spending would drop, but deep cuts to public broadcasting and antipoverty aid were fought off by Democrats. (12/16/11)

Opinion: Philanthrocapitalism Is Not Social Change Philanthropy - Too few philanthrocapitalists ask hard questions about the model of economic growth that has made their acquisition of wealth possible, says Kavita Ramdas. (12/15/11)

Opinion: False Dichotomies and Philanthrocapitalism - Philanthrocapitalists are vital to moving beyond blame-game rhetoric to figure out solutions to the world's problems, say Matthew Bishop and Michael Green. (12/15/11)

The New Measures for Improving Nonprofit Performance - Alnoor S. Ebrahim and Mario Marino discuss differences and similarities between performance measurement in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. (12/15/11)

Google Gives $40M to Boost Education, Fight Slavery, and Increase Tech Access - Emphases include improving educational levels of girls in developing nations, fighting human trafficking, and promoting science and math education. (12/14/11)

Why New York Just Became a Better State for Businesses - Last night New York became the seventh state to pass a law allowing socially-minded businesses to be designated as benefit corporations. (12/14/11)

Richard Branson: Screw Business As Usual (and Make Your Money by Doing Good) - As long as entrepreneurs can make huge sums while helping others, he says in his new book, why do business any other way? (12/14/11)

New Study Helps Quantify Women's Philanthropic Clout - Women control or are equal partners in philanthropic decision making in three out of four rich couples, a new study finds. (12/13/11)

Health Care Case Adds Pressure for Cameras in Supreme Court - Having agreed the hear a federal health care law dispute, the justices now face the strongest challenge yet to their ban on televised hearings. (12/13/11)

OECD Calls on Members to Defend Internet Freedoms - The group of 34 developed countries urges policy makers to support investment in digital networks and to take a light touch on regulation. (12/13/11)

New Legal Structures for Social Entrepreneurs - There are now several innovative legal structures designed for entrepreneurs who are driven as much by mission as by money. Here's an overview. (12/12/11)

Social Entrepreneurs: Gary Hattem and Asad Mahmood - Closing the Eye Fund, a social investment project providing low-cost loans to eye-care hospitals in China, Nigeria and Paraguay, took more than five years. (12/12/11)

Online Giving Important to Donors 60 and Up, New Study Says - Fundraisers need to shift their thinking to reflect the reality that older donors are a key demographic in online giving. (12/12/11)

Divine's Sweet Partnership With Its Supporters - Social enterprises can learn from how Divine mobilised volunteers and supporters. (12/12/11)

The Power of Small - You don't have to be a giant foundation to have a measurable impact. (12/12/11)

B Corporations: Do They Really Indicate Good Companies? - Certain aspects of the certification process should ensure that these companies are really ready to walk the walk of their social mission. (12/09/11)

The 10 Essential Steps to Successful Social Entrepreneurship - Seventh Generation founder Jeffrey Hollender knows how to start a triple-bottom-line business. These are his tips for doing it right. (12/09/11)

Homeowners Offer Houses to Charities Instead of Cash - Since the collapse of the real estate market, charities and nonprofits see a trend toward property owners wanting to donate houses. (12/08/11)

NAACP Turning to UN as It Protests 'Concerted Attack' on Minority Voting Rights - The NAACP alleges a concerted effort to repress the voting rights of poor, predominantly African-American and Hispanic voters in America. (12/08/11)

State Budgets Could Challenge Nonprofits Through 2013 - To cope with challenges, nonprofits urged to make changes to boards and fundraising approach and to recruit the unemployed as volunteers. (12/08/11)

Opinion: Grant Makers Must Do More to Stave Off State Cuts to Education - Foundations need to take a strong stand against state cuts that target public education, writes the president of a family foundation in Texas. (12/07/11)

Supreme Court Has Hard Time Finding an Easy Test for Patents on Medical Processes - Defending its patents before the Supreme Court, Prometheus Labs has a problem: its procedures don't sound like much of a discovery. (12/07/11)

European Commission Initiative Will Unlock Social Sector's Potential - The EC's new Social Business Initiative would create an ecosystem conducive to social businesses, in part by facilitating access to funding. (12/07/11)

Why We Give to Charity - Emerging research on charitable giving yields a difficult truth: Thinking harder about how to give makes us less likely to give at all. (12/06/11)

Supreme Court Ready for TV? It's a Split Decision - Televising Supreme Court proceedings would benefit the public, some told the Senate, while others called the idea possibly unconstitutional and harmful. (12/06/2011)

The New Philanthropists: Tech Entrepreneurs Giving While Living - Scarce resources and growing social needs are driving philanthropic innovation, says Thomas Tierney, and technology has become a major enabler in the field. (12/06/11)

MBAs Lend Their Skills to Nonprofit Boards - Programs that pair MBAs with nonprofits that need their skills are giving students a way to obtain board experience and have a social impact. (12/05/11)

Helping Nonprofits Benefit From Fresh Ideas - Insight Labs, a nonprofit in Chicago, gathers outside experts to help charities think through tough questions. (12/05/11)

In an Open-Source Society, Innovating by the Seat of Our Pants - "The Internet isn't really a technology," says Joichi Ito. "It's a belief system, a philosophy about the effectiveness of decentralized, bottom-up innovation." (12/05/11)

Philanthropy Without Borders Emerging - The players are shifting and the lines are blurring in the "social economy." (12/02/11)

Mayo Takes Patent Case to US Supreme Court - The case involves a centuries-old argument: can patent protection be applied to a medical or scientific idea? (12/02/11)

Guantanamo for US Citizens? Senate Bill Raises Questions - Legislation passed by the Senate and headed for the House could allow the US military to detain American citizens indefinitely. (12/02/11)

Part Two: Investing Beyond Exit - How committed is your social enterprise — not just the management team — to impact? Is it truly "impact first"? (12/01/11)

Can Venture Capital Save The World? - An extraordinary Forbes cover story profiling Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO and founder of the Acumen Fund. (12/01/11)

Rich vs. Poor Debate Over School Fundraising - A California school district considers redirecting some private donations meant for affluent schools to those with fewer rich supporters. (12/01/11)

Part One: Constructing the Case for Impact Investment - Two essential questions for social entrepreneurs: Are you committed to your target market? Will people want what you provide? (11/30/11)

To Advance Their Cause, Foundations Buy Stocks - Foundations increasingly use program-related investments to connect with profit-making ventures that advance their missions. (11/30/11)

Potential $15 Billion Windfall for Effective Nonprofits - A new study shows that about 5% of giving could be steered to high-performing charities if nonprofits did more to inform donors. (11/30/11)

Sentiment Builds for Banning Corporate Personhood, But Tough Road Ahead - 'We the People' versus 'We the Corporation': How far should a constitutional amendment go to roll back corporate rights? (11/29/11)

Avoiding Trouble: What Nonprofits Can Learn From Sex-Abuse Scandal - Never give a free pass to any charity official, no matter how high profile, and get independent help investigating charges of wrongdoing, say two legal experts. (11/29/11)

Should Philanthropies Operate Like Businesses? - Donors have every right to expect measurable progress toward agreed-upon goals. Or not. Should businesslike thinking trump social values? (11/29/11)

Before You Join That Board... - It may be an honor. And it may be a pain. Before joining a charity's board, here are some things to consider. (11/28/11)

Strength in Numbers - As big donations fall, nonprofits look to make up the shortfall in volume. The trick is reaching the masses. (11/28/11)

Putting Charities to The Financial Test - Is an organization about to go bust? Before you give them money, you need to do some due diligence. (11/28/11)

Royalties From New Book Earmarked for Occupy Wall Street Movement - The nonprofit magazine Yes! oversees publication of a chronicle of the two-month-old protests. (11/23/11)

Intellectual Property Strategy: a Book, a Panel, and a Movement - John Palfrey's new book takes a more positive view of IP that looks for ways to improve an organization's bottom line or mission by sharing. (11/23/11)

Unexpected Innovation Lessons from the Do Lectures - Social innovation is weird, tough, uncertain, unready, necessarily messy, and always a work in progress. (11/23/11)

Big Consultants Increasingly Turn to Nonprofit Clients - Big management-consulting companies have stepped up their efforts to serve charities and foundations. (11/22/11)

The Continuing Lesson of the Aramony Scandal - The death of a flamboyant charity wrongdoer sends a reminder to regulators. (11/22/11)

Super Committee Breakdown Could Hurt Nonprofits - Federal aid to nonprofits and the charitable deduction for wealthy donors are among charity leaders' concerns. (11/22/11)

What They Don't Teach Law Students: Lawyering - Law schools have long emphasized the theoretical over the useful, leaving law firms fairly resigned to training their hires how to actually practice law. (11/21/11)

Measuring Leadership Development - While measuring the results of leadership development can be tough, it can also be one of the social sector's greatest performance improvement tools. (11/21/11)

Calling All Boomers: Don't Start More Nonprofits - We have too many charities already, says Mark Rosenman. To change the world, we need to fix social, political, and economic institutions instead. (11/18/11)

Congress Weighs Fighting Internet Piracy Like the War on Drugs - Protecting intellectual property is important, says Conor Friedersdorf, but SOPA would harm innocents and undermine due process. (11/18/11)

How Not to Handle Succession in the Arts - There could be worse ways to handle succession planning than the one chosen by the Miami City Ballet, says Kelly Kleiman, but it would be hard to think of one. (11/18/11)

Organization: The Next Big Innovation - The next big disruptive force will come from a shift in mindset that will refocus our efforts on improving our organizational effectiveness. (11/17/11)

Roundtable on Impact Investing - Impact investing leaders from around the world discuss their experiences, key trends, and how to make impact investing more effective. (11/17/11)

Wealthy Donor's Book Puts Spotlight on Ordinary Donors - Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen has written a book on giving that combines her expertise as a philanthropist and scholar. (11/17/11)

More Money Can Beat Big Money - Why do we need publicly funded elections? Because campaigns financed by the 1% will never earn the confidence of the 99%, says Lawrence Lessig. (11/16/11)

Has a Harvard Prof Mapped Out the Next Step for Occupy Wall Street? - Lawrence Lessig's call for state-based activism toward a Constitutional Convention could give the uprooted movement a political project for winter. (11/16/11)

Open Philanthropy: Dragging Foundations Into the Internet Age - Lucy Bernholz wants the giant organizations that dole out millions in funding to become more transparent, open, and democratic. (11/16/11)

Opinion: Stop the Great Firewall of America - Congress, under pressure over IP theft, is considering legislation that would bring major features of Chinese-style Internet censorship to the US. (11/15/11)

A Donor Helps Push Innovation at Wharton - The fund will award grants to ventures that grow out of university courses, part of a larger innovation effort at the prestigious business school. (11/15/11)

New Fund to Promote Innovation in Philanthropy - The North Carolina group hopes the money will draw attention to new approaches to social problems and help it expand. (11/15/11)

Getting Local: How Nonprofit News Ventures Seek Sustainability - Understanding how to create social and economic value and how to adapt and innovate are just as important as good content. (11/14/11)

Supreme Court Agrees to Settle Fight Over Obama Health-Care Law - The health-care law hangs in the balance, but the case is also about the power of Congress and the role of Supreme Court precedent. (11/14/11)

Controversy Over Drug Values at Aid Groups: A Look at a Key Player - How international aid groups and a company that supplies drugs to the nonprofits make use of the lack of clarity in accounting rules. (11/14/11)

With Eye on Future, Nonprofits Shift Focus to Planned Giving - Legacy societies offer a chance to build strong relationships with donors that will pay off down the line. (11/12/11)

Split Definitive - For the first time in a century, the Supreme Court is divided solely by political party. (11/11/11)

Interview: From Crowdsourcing to CouchSurfing - CouchSurfing co-founder Casey Fenton on managing crowdsourced resources, reaching a common vision, and building global community. (11/11/11)

How a New Foundation Listens to Its Community - The Community Foundation of South Jersey, now in its second year, finds ways to help eight diverse counties work together to address their issues. (11/11/11)

Head Start Is Given New Rules for Grants - For the first time, Head Start programs must meet certain standards to qualify for renewal of federal grants. (11/10/11)

For Profit or Nonprofit? That Is the Question - Penda Health offers a case study of a for-profit model bringing real value to a cause more often championed by nonprofits. (11/10/11)

Accounting Board to Research Nonprofit Financial Standards - Two new projects seek to streamline the way nonprofits complete their annual financial statements. (11/10/11)

Learning from Peter Drucker and the Girl Scouts - Frances Hesselbein, who headed Peter Drucker's Leader to Leader Institute and Girl Scouts USA, shares lessons in nonprofit leadership. (11/10/11)

More Than 12M 'Encore Entrepreneurs' Want to Start Nonprofits or Small Businesses to Create Jobs, Serve Community - Aspiring entrepreneurs between 44 and 70 see financial risks in today's economy, but most are undeterred. (11/09/11)

Social Entrepreneurship and the Next Generation of Giving - The term "social entrepreneurship" lies at the heart of a growing movement of socially motivated thinkers and businesspeople. (11/09/11)

Google Lawyer: Why the Patent System Is Broken - From the center of the escalating mobile patent wars, Google's patent counsel argues that the system itself is broken. (11/08/11)

Police Use of Global-Positioning Devices Questioned by US Supreme Court - At issue: Should police have unbridled freedom to place GPS devices on cars to track criminal suspects? (11/08/11)

Appeals Court Backs Obama Healthcare Law - A Washington appeals court ruled Tuesday that President Obama's heavily disputed health-care law is constitutional. (11/08/11)

The Importance of Earned Income in Your Funding Model - While earned income may not play a big role for your organization today, the potential for financial sustainability is too great to ignore. (11/07/11)

Funding Collaboration - By creating a replicable resource infrastructure, the Catalyst Fund could provide a national model for funding nonprofit collaborations. (11/07/11)

The Business of Social Innovation - One way to nurture and propel local economic growth from the bottom up is by supporting and providing incentives for social enterprises. (11/07/11)

New Group to Endorse Politicians Who Pledge to Strengthen Nonprofits - Next year, CForward will set up a political action committee to start funneling money to those campaigns. (11/04/11)

Senators Seek to Preserve Low Nonprofit Postal Rates - Fund raisers and nonprofit leaders breathed a sigh of relief this week when four senators introduced the new bill. (11/04/11)

Can You Hear Me Now? Nonprofit Voices at the Supercommittee - If the supercommittee finds a way of extending its mandate, the already huge challenge for nonprofits will be increased geometrically. (11/04/11)

The Good Business Model at Goodwill - Goodwill Industries International has been running a complex social enterprise since long before the term was coined. (11/03/11)

Innovation and Impact: Enough Talk, More Do - Cynthia Gibson suggests asking harder questions and pushing for better answers from those preaching about impact and innovation. (11/03/11)

Impact Investing Through DAFs - How do you invest in high-risk, proof-of-concept approaches to solving environmental and social problems if you are risk-averse? Gift it. (11/03/11)

Corporate Giving Has Narrowed in Wake of Financial Downturn - Companies that support nonprofits increasingly target one or two social issues rather than spreading funding across multiple program areas. (11/02/11)

Why Donations to Occupy Wall Street Are Tax-Deductible - Because donations are accepted through a charity serving as a fiscal sponsor, donors can get a tax break for supporting the effort. (11/02/11)

Hyperpartisanship' Dominates Concerns of Nonprofit Leaders - Politicians' polarization and gridlock are eroding the work of nonprofits, say grantmakers, but foundations can help restore civility. (11/02/11)

Occupy Wall Street Raises More Than $450,000 - So much has been flowing in that organizers have started sending money, goods, and financial advice to "Occupy" protesters in other cities. (11/01/11)

Few Nonprofit Employees Feel Financially Prepared for Retirement, Survey Finds - About 45% reported considering jobs outside the nonprofit world because of financial concerns, including retirement. (11/01/11)

Wisconsin Nonprofit Reportedly Helped Support Cain Campaign - Run by top aides to Cain, the group apparently covered tens of thousands of dollars in campaign costs. (11/01/11)

Washington Hospitals Benefit From New Tax Rules - Changes in state property tax rules mean tens of millions in tax dollars will be refunded to some nonprofit hospitals. (10/31/2011)

Teaching the Key Skills of Successful Social Entrepreneurs - Seven important competencies that are essential for success. (10/31/11)

Beyond the "Will Not!"; "Will So!" of Tax Reform - Should nonprofits support "increased marginal tax rates and a cap on the charitable-giving deduction on giving"? (10/31/11)

Corporations Must Become Socially Conscious Citizens - Every business has a deeper purpose than short-term profit maximization — and, more importantly, a responsibility to all of its stakeholders. (10/28/11)

Necessity is the Mother of Innovation - Our models of service delivery in the poverty law world are broken, says Tony Lu, and we need to fix them fast. (10/28/11)

Roughly 1 in 7 Foundations Holds Mission Investments - Larger foundations are more likely to seek both social and financial returns. (10/27/11)

Interview: Empathy, Collaborative Entrepreneurship and the Power of You - An audio interview with Ashoka's Bill Drayton exploring different approaches to creating change. (10/27/11)

End the Patent Wars - A decision by the nation's top patent court shows that the recent America Invents Act does not go far enough to fix the patent system. (10/28/11)

New Law Would Require Warrants for GPS Surveillance - Law enforcement would need a warrant to access historical or real-time location data about an individual from a technology provider or device. (10/26/11)

Government Could Hide Existence of Records under FOIA Rule Proposal - A proposed rule to the Freedom of Information Act would let federal agencies pretend certain law enforcement or national security documents don't exist. (10/26/11)

Obama Tax Plan Would Have 'Modest' Impact on Giving, New Study Finds - The proposal to limit the value of charitable deductions for the wealthy would cost charities less than $1 billion. (10/26/11)

Unreasonable, Maybe, but It's on a Social Mission - Entrepreneurs who want to change the world have got to be a little crazy, says Unreasonable Institute co-founder Daniel Epstein. (10/25/11)

Charities Oppose Plan to End Their Postal Discounts - Charities are protesting Congressional plans to gradually phase out the discounts they receive for mail appeals and other materials. (10/25/11)

Discussion Transcript: Hot Issues in Aiding Immigrants to the United States - Social service organizations and foundations are scrambling to deal with new needs created by state laws aiming to limit immigration. (10/25/11)

Jeff Skoll Joins Forbes' Biggest Givers List, Receives Global Humanitarian Award - Billionaire Jeff Skoll, former President of eBay, has championed the concept of the "social entrepreneur." (10/25/11)

How 'Hybrid' Nonprofits Can Stay on Mission - To avoid 'mission drift,' hybrid organizations should focus on who they hire and how they socialize those employees. (10/24/11)

Philanthropy Runs Deep for African-Americans - A new book assembles stories of 60 Charlotte residents who demonstrate a legacy and history of giving that extends back centuries. (10/24/11)

Duke Foundation Creates Nation's Biggest Artist-Grant Program - Performing artists now have something new to dream about: a $275,000 phone call from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. (10/24/11)

Chief Justice: Volunteer Lawyers, Law Students Provide Invaluable Service to Us All - The need for pro bono legal work has never been greater, says Wisconsin's Chief Justice. (10/21/11)

Microsoft's Top Lawyer Recruits Celebrities and Colleagues to Start Charity - Kids in Need of Defense provides free legal assistance to immigrant children in courtrooms across the country. (10/21/11)

ABA's "Celebrate Pro Bono Week" Expands to Meet Growing Demand of Nation's Poor - Lawyers organize events in communities across the nation to provide legal services and promote pro bono efforts. (10/21/11)

America's Top Fund-Raising Groups Face Big Struggles - Big charities expect fund raising to improve in 2011, but the increase won't come close to making up ground lost in the downturn. (10/20/11)

Philanthropy as Infrastructure? - As a society, says Lucy Bernholz, we should not encourage the replacement of public responsibilities by private philanthropy. (10/20/11)

Five Investments You Can Skip - The list of things a nonprofit "must" do to be effective is now miles long – and ridiculous, says Aaron Hurst. (10/20/11)

Unique Volunteer Model Flourishes - These partners don't just write out checks for a cause: they give professional skills, as well as cash, to nonprofits with success potential. (10/19/11)

New Jersey Social Innovation Institute Launched - Social ventures promoted by the institute may be affiliated with nonprofits, but will operate as social enterprises. (10/19/11)

White House Event on Nonprofit Finance to Be Streamed Live - A daylong seminar on "pay for success" projects, which offer a new way for governments to finance social programs, will take place on Friday. (10/19/11)

Obama Nominates Los Angeles Lawyer to 9th Circuit - The choice of Paul Watford for the overburdened federal appeals court drew praise from both sides of the aisle. (10/18/11)

Social Change a Priority for Americans - Almost all Americans made an effort to effect positive social change last year, and most say it is important to them personally, a new study says. (10/18/11)

Senator Steps Up Pressure on Nonprofit 'Supporting Organizations' - A top GOP senator pressed the Treasury Department to complete a study of "supporting organizations" that finance the activities of specific nonprofits. (10/18/11)

Book Review: 'Five Chiefs' by John Paul Stevens - The retired Supreme Court justice reminisces on his dealings with five Chief Justices: Vinson, Warren, Burger, Rehnquist, and Roberts. (10/17/11)

Obama Names Florida Volunteer Leader to Head National Service Agency - Wendy Spencer, head of Florida's commission on volunteerism and community service, was named Monday to head the federal unit. (10/17/11)

'Disruptive Forces' Face Nonprofits - A new report details six emerging trends that organizations must embrace in order to succeed. (10/17/11)

Nonprofit Brings Together Young Wealthy People to Support OWS Protesters - A new web site enables young wealthy people to pledge solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protesters. (10/14/2011)

Equity in Arts Funding: We're Not Even Close - A new report argues that arts grantmaking "disregards large segments of cultural practice, and by doing so, disregards large segments of our society." (10/14/11)

Four Models for Managing Digital at Your Organization - There are typically four models to consider: informal, centralized, independent, and the holy grail of excellence — the hybrid model. (10/14/11)

Nonprofit News Groups Face Long Delays in Winning IRS Blessing - Journalistic groups feel stymied financially and operationally by the lag; meanwhile, the IRS seems concerned about the precedent it will set. (10/13/11)

Corporate Revolution for Good! - Even as Wall Street is being occupied and corporations reviled, a revolution is quietly raging that empowers corporations to be a force for good. (10/13/11)

A Quest for Hybrid Companies That Profit, but Can Tap Charity - California is the latest state to permit flexible-purpose corporations, a new type of company that puts social goals ahead of profit. (10/13/11)

US Judge Orders Delay in Michigan Welfare Cuts - A federal judge halted enforcement of a new state law ending assistance to thousands of families on welfare for four years or more. (10/12/11)

California Charities Sue State Over Spending Cuts - Charities serving the developmentally disabled took California to court, challenging the legality of budget cuts affecting their services. (10/12/11)

NJ Cuts Hit Services for Hispanics - Deep budget cuts for the New Jersey agency that aids Latino immigrants are squeezing services at nonprofits that rely on state money. (10/12/11)

Nonprofit Mergers: Are You Negotiating with the Right Party? - It's critical to know who ultimately makes decisions for your nonprofit partner during the negotiating process. (10/11/2011)

What Steve Jobs Gave to Nonprofits - He didn't sign The Giving Pledge, but Steve Jobs gave nonprofits something far more valuable: a radical leveling of the technological playing field. (10/11/2011)

Cutting the Budget Without Hitting an Artery - Nonprofits must keep accountability and transparency in mind in deciding what to cut — and not cut — from their budgets. (10/10/11)

Limits on Charity Tax Breaks for Jobs Bill No Longer Likely - The plan to limit the tax break the wealthy get for itemized deductions, including charitable gifts, appears to be dead. (10/10/11)

Fundraising Climate Still Tough, Survey Finds - Less than half of nonprofits surveyed raised more in the first half of 2011 than they did in the same period a year earlier. (10/10/11)

California's New B Corp Law Eyes Social, Environmental Interplay - California businesses will be able to set up shop as Benefit Corporations under a new law signed Sunday by Governor Jerry Brown. (10/10/2011)

Dream Act Becomes Law in California - Undocumented immigrants can now apply for state-financed scholarships and aid at state universities. (10/08/2011)

WIPO Boss: Web Technology Should Have Been Patented - The Web would have been better off if it had been patented and its users had to pay license fees, WIPO head insists. (10/08/11)

Price Tag for Charity Tax Break Loss: At Least $2.9 Billion - A study released today says the cost to nonprofits could go as high as $5.6 billion. (10/07/2011)

Podcast: How to Seek Volunteers Using Social Networks - Social networks help charities recruit volunteers and give them a way to spread the word about the charities they help. (10/07/2011)

Government Nonprofit Policy: How Much More Can the Sector Take? - Government has routinely picked battles with the nonprofit sector. When will we start fighting back? (10/07/11)

Who's Really in Charge of Board Performance? - When the board performs poorly, should the board get the blame? Not so much, says Rick Moyers. (10/06/2011)

State Regulators Seek Ways to Police Social Media Appeals - Charity regulators worry that social networks lack safeguards to protect donors from fraud. (10/06/2011)

10 Traits Nonprofits Need to Make Successful Financial Changes - What makes some organizations more likely than others to adopt change effectively? Here are 10 answers. (10/06/2011)

Kickstarter Hit With Patent Claim Over Crowdfunding - Is this "method for" patent just another "existing business strategy in internet form"? (10/05/2011)

California's Reader Privacy Act Signed into Law - The update to the state's reader privacy law covers e-books and online book services as well as local bookstores. (10/05/2011)

Will Copyright Stifle Hollywood? - In Golan v. Holder, the Supreme Court considers whether Congress went too far in altering the copyright system. (10/05/2011)

Five Lessons from Nonprofit and For-Profit Scandals - Five ideas that are simple, practical, and — based on the number of scandals in the headlines — too often ignored. (10/04/2011)

Taking CSR to the Next Level - Businesses need to stand for a social purpose, even if that means walking away from conventional business thinking. (10/04/2011)

To Rescue Politics, Adopt Small-Donor Reforms - An outline of a method of financing political campaigns "that would not produce the cynicism that stains the current system." (10/04/2011)

New State Rules Raising Hurdles at Voting Booth - New laws "could make it significantly harder" for more than 5 million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012. (10/03/2011)

Nonprofit Trustees Urged to Get Involved in Public Policy - A national nonprofit leader tells board members to "wake up and use your voice" to oppose government funding cuts. (10/03/2011)

National Service, NPR Face New Challenges From House Republicans - A key spending committee is recommending deep cuts in 2012 for the Corporation for National and Community Service and NPR. (09/30/2011)

Does Philanthropy Really Want Entrepreneurs? Maybe Not - Donors hate seeing grantees fail – but how can nonprofits be entrepreneurial without embracing risk? (09/30/2011)

Sustainable Excellence: The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World (Podcast) - Aron Cramer explains the need to bridge the gap between businesses for profit and nonprofit organizations. (09/30/2011)

New Ethics Tool Available for Fundraisers - A new tool helps fundraisers measure how ethically their organization treats its donors. (09/29/2011)

Tax-Exempt Status of Rove, Burton Groups Challenged - Campaign-finance watchdogs submitted a complaint to the IRS about major Republican- and Democratic-leaning nonprofits. (09/29/2011)

Catholic Nonprofits Protest Rules Requiring Contraception Coverage - Social-service agencies say they need broader exemption from new federal health-care requirements. (09/29/2011)

Support for Nonprofit Affiliates Studied - Nonprofit networks with multiple affiliates are looking for ways to improve their impact and effectiveness. (09/28/2011)

Bill Clinton Leverages Contacts and Genius to Garner $6.5 Billion - Clinton's masterful performance at CGI showed attributes that all nonprofits would do well to emulate. (09/28/2011)

Lessons in Working With Trustees - Tips for working with board members from the BoardSource annual meeting in Atlanta. (09/28/2011)

Charity Fundraising Results See No Change in First Half of 2011 - As Q4 begins, less than half of nonprofits reported year-over-year fundraising increases in the first half of 2011. (09/27/2011)

To Spend Out, or Not To Spend Out? What Every Foundation Should Ask - To spend out, or not to spend out: that is the question for foundations. At least, it should be. (09/27/2011)

Scaling Social Impact by Giving Away Value - Stephen Song founded a social enterprise that aims to make starting a phone company as easy as launching a blog. (09/27/2011)

As Social Media Grow, So Does First Amendment Appreciation - A new study finds a clear relationship between student use of social media and support for free expression rights. (09/26/2011)

Opinion: More Foundations Need to Seek Feedback from Grantees - Power imbalances in philanthropy make candid criticism a rarity, but some groups are trying to get past that. (09/26/2011)

Finally, Socially Responsible Investors Can Measure their Impact - A new social-impact rating system promises to tell socially responsible investors where their money can best be used. (09/26/2011)

Watchdog Group Adopts Change in Rating System - Charity Navigator revamped its financially focused ratings system to give equal weight to governance and openness. (09/23/2011)

Five Ways Foundations Can Strengthen Nonprofit Boards - Many foundations want to do more to strengthen boards. How can we make sure their efforts don't do more harm than good? (09/23/2011)

Finding Your Funding Model - A road map to help leaders identify and develop the right funding model for their organization. (09/23/2011)

How Nonprofits Can Avoid Politicking Online - A Washington nonprofit tells how charities can keep their web sites from violating IRS rules against politicking. (09/22/2011)

Outspoken About Outcomes for Nonprofits - Mario Morino's new book on "managing to outcomes" in the social sector includes plenty of tough love. Peter Drucker would have approved. (09/22/2011)

The Role of Planned Giving in a Campaign - In economically shaky times, planned giving is essential to give donors a sense of confidence and control over their assets. (09/21/2011)

Net Giving Still Trails Pre-Recession Levels - Nonprofits did better in 2010 at acquiring and keeping donors, but still lost money through donor attrition and smaller secured gifts. (09/21/2011)

White House Jobs Plan Short-Shrifts Nonprofit Employers - The Obama jobs plan seems to provide different benefits to nonprofit and for-profit employers. Why? (09/21/2011)

$1.3 Trillion in Broken Federal Spending - A new report assessing accuracy in US federal government expenditure reporting gives the government a resounding F. (09/20/2011)

White House and GOP Trade Charges on Charity Write-Offs - Will limiting charity write-offs for the wealthy ultimately help nonprofits, or does Obama's proposal amount to a "tax on soup kitchens"? (09/20/2011)

22 New 'Genius' Prizes Awarded - Twenty-two people have received $500,000 no-strings-attached prizes from the MacArthur Foundation. (09/20/2011)

Former Key Senate Aide to Help Foundations Navigate Capitol Hill - Foundations don't understand how to advance their causes, says former Schumer aide M. Jeff Hamond. (09/19/2011)

Does My Nonprofit Need to Pay Tax? - If tax-exempt organizations had to pay tax, they wouldn't be "tax-exempt," right? Not exactly. (09/19/2011)

Assessment a Challenge for Funders - Foundations are unsatisfied with their ability to measure impact and want boards more involved in assessment. (09/19/2011)

Survey: Americans Don't Know Constitution, Civics - Americans have a poor grasp of the Constitution and its powers, highlighting the need for better civic education. (09/19/2011)

Charities' Fundraising Barely Keeping Up With Lost Donations - Charities are barely raising enough from new and repeat donors to keep up with losses from people who have stopped giving. (09/16/2011)

Blessed Coffee Among First Benefit Corporations in Maryland - "People think I'm crazy, people think I'm stupid" for giving up half the profits, says the Ethiopian-born owner. (09/16/2011)

A Case for Nonprofit Regulation - One of America's wealthiest nonprofits has failed to fix conflicts of interest and other governance issues. (09/15/2011)

Nonprofits Fight Proposal to Curb Charity Tax Breaks - Charities are already courting lawmakers to protest limits on write-offs by wealthy donors. (09/15/2011)

Can USC Really Raise $6 Billion? - No private organization has ever tried to collect that much from a single drive. (09/15/2011)

White House Names New Head of Social Innovation Unit - Jonathan Greenblatt served as chief exec of the company that oversees Good magazine and helped create All for Good. (09/15/2011)

Is It Time for Mandatory Pro Bono? - The chasm between the need for legal assistance and the availability of free legal services for the poor demands bold changes. (09/14/2011)

7 Hot Topics from SOCAP 2011 - Here are 7 hot topics from SOCAP 2011, a conference focused on "accelerating the flow of capital to social good." (09/14/2011)

Walmart Commits $100M to Help Women - In the wake of the High Court reversal of Dukes v. Walmart's class-action status, Walmart pledges $100M to help women. (09/14/2011)

Patently Misguided - Patents have gone from enablers of invention to weapons of business warfare. How can we tip the balance back toward innovation? (09/13/2011)

MacArthur Fund Unveils New Approach to Environmental Grants - The effort expands environmental giving to tackle major threats to ecosystems, such as climate change and overfishing. (09/13/2011)

Obama Jobs Bill Limits Charitable Deductions for Wealthy - The $447B jobs bill would be financed mainly by limiting the percentage of income wealthy donors could write off. (09/13/2011)

Jobs Bill Includes Nonprofits in Tax Credits - The new jobs bill offers tax credits to nonprofits that hire veterans and the long-term unemployed. (09/13/2011)

9/12: How Forming Nonprofits Eased The Grief For Victims' Families - Three stories of organizations created after the attacks by those who lost loved ones. (09/12/2011)

Apple Announces 10K Employee Matching Gift Program - Apple will match giving by employees, dollar for dollar up to 10K per year. Good start, says Perla Ni. (09/12/2011)

Interview: How Simon Greer Became a Lover, Not a Fighter - An interview with the incoming president of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. (09/12/2011)

Impact Investing and Social Entrepreneurship: A Way Forward - Forbes interviews Cordes Foundation co-founder Ron D. Cordes on impact investing and the founding of ImpactAssets. (09/11/2011)

Gender Gap Persists in Nonprofit CEO Pay - The divide is biggest among large nonprofits, according to a new study. (09/09/2011)

White House Restrictions on Lobbyists Said to Harm Nonprofit Advocacy - Obama's effort to keep lobbyists out of certain federal jobs has done little to curb influence by special interests. (09/09/2011)

President Proposes Two Tax Breaks That Could Benefit Nonprofits - Other proposals, however, could take the form of income tax credits and thus be unavailable to nonprofits. (09/09/2011)

Podcast: Sustaining Social Change Long After Disaster Has Struck - The head of the Greater New Orleans Foundation on maintaining community momentum after the crisis has passed. (09/08/2011)

B Corp Breakdown - A Canadian perspective on the US wave of Benefit Corporation legislation and related developments in Canada. (09/08/2011)

SOCAP11 Observations From Day 1+ - Thoughts on philanthropists, convergence, metrics, impact, dealmaking, patient capital, and the need for plain talk. (09/08/2011)

The Lessons of 9/11 Philanthropy, a Decade Later - Post-9/11 nimbleness provides a useful model as charities deal with today's weak economy. (09/07/2011)

Nonprofit Employment Up Despite Downturn - Nonprofit jobs grew nearly 1% from 2009 to 2010, the third straight year of growth in the face of the economic downturn. (09/07/2011)

Volunteering Gets New Attention on Career-Networking Site - Volunteering is getting new visibility on career-oriented social networks like LinkedIn. (09/07/2011)

Podcast: Leadership Trends of the 21st Century - How are philanthropic organizations being affected by the demands for "high-performance" nonprofits? (09/06/2011)

Judging Success in Funding Medical Research - How can the governing boards of charities funding applied medical research decide if their efforts have been successful? (09/06/2011)

Nonprofits Must Invest in Their Leaders - Nonprofit executive directors, boards, and funders need to be smarter about professional development. (09/06/2011)

Massachusetts Auditor Seeks Expanded Powers to Investigate Charities - The top state government-aid oversight official wants authority to track spending of any public funds. (09/02/2011)

CEO Who Claimed Board Conflicts Leaves Antihunger Nonprofit - The Heifer Foundation chief exec who is suing four board members over governance issues has left the charity. (09/02/2011)

Intern for Death Penalty Group Sued for Violating Attorney-Client Privilege - A nonprofit legal org that represents death-penalty defendants is suing a former intern who wrote a book about a former client. (09/02/2011)

State Regulators Shine Spotlight on Social Media - With charities raising more and more money on Facebook and Twitter, state regulators are looking for ways to stop con artists. (09/01/2011)

In Troubled Times, Boards Must Step Up - When instability is the rule, organizations need the best from their boards and their directors. (09/01/2011)

NY and AZ to Investigate Sham 9/11 Charities - But the 10-year delay highlights how excruciatingly far we are from "real-time" oversight and accountability, says Rick Cohen. (08/31/2011)

Foundation Helps Consultants Help Nonprofits - St. Luke's Health Initiatives invests directly in consultants to give local nonprofits access to the training they need. (08/31/2011)

Can Nonprofits Be Profitable? - Some community development organizations have adopted a new gold standard: the self-sustainability percentage. (08/31/2011)

Charity Begins Abroad - Big developing countries are shaking up the world of aid. (08/30/2011)

New Organizations Pose Challenges for Nonprofit Consultants - New business-charity hybrids raise questions about governance, measurement, and what skills consultants need to advise them. (08/30/2011)

What If We Could Build the Nonprofit Sector from Scratch? - What would we change? What would we create? John Brothers considers the possibilities. (08/30/2011)

University Mounts $6 Billion Campaign - The University of Southern California effort seeks to set a new fundraising record. (08/29/2011)

No Grants for Churches from Google for Nonprofits - Groups that post "religious content" or consider religion or sexual orientation in hiring need not apply. (08/29/2011)

The Business of Sustainability - The B Corporation and other sustainable business models are gaining momentum in northern California. (08/29/2011)

Innovation Agents: Sasha Dichter of Acumen Fund - Sasha Dichter talks to Fast Company about making a difference for global social good. (08/26/2011)

NJ Supreme Court Decision Chips Away at Nonprofit Confidentiality - The court rules a NJ nonprofit subject to the same open-record disclosure standards as the city governments it represents. (08/25/2011)

Two-Thirds of Donors Plan to Cut Back on Giving This Fall - Two in three Americans plan to cut back on charitable giving due to economic uncertainty or personal financial blows. (08/25/2011)

Nonprofits Are Expected to Use Social Media During Disasters - One in three Americans expects relief groups to provide aid within an hour after victims post a request online. (08/25/2011)

Social Innovation Fund Urged to Document Grant Decisions Better - An IG report says the federal grant program should document in more detail how it decides which orgs get money. (08/24/2011)

Succession Seen as Issue in Nonprofits - Only 36% of executive directors at nonprofits say there is someone who could take over the organization if needed. (08/24/2011)

Executive Directors Should Invest More Time on Their Boards - To get more from their boards, executives must do more than just grumble about their performance. (08/23/2011)

Texas Students Sent from Classroom to Courtroom - Thousands of Texas students who get in fights or disrupt class end up in criminal court. (08/22/2011)

Recession Seen Weakening Most Nonprofits - Most nonprofits say they've been weakened by recession and market turmoil, with minority-led groups hurt the most. (08/22/2011)

NJ Drops Proposal to Make Charities Tell Donors About Earmarking - Nonprofits had complained about administrative overhead and reduced flexibility. (08/19/2011)

Some RI Lawmakers Criticize Legislative Charity Grants - Budget woes are bringing increased scrutiny to legislators' discretionary grants to charities. (08/19/2011)

The Missing Link in School Reform - Educators, policymakers, and philanthropists are overselling the skilled individual teacher and undervaluing collaboration. (08/19/2011)

Senate Candidate Nets Hefty Consulting Fee from Nonprofit He Founded - One expert says Khazei's work is legal, but could jeopardize the group's tax status. (08/18/2011)

Two Groups That Help Nonprofits Are Planning to Merge - The GOOD-Jumo deal may signal a consolidation among online intermediaries set up to help nonprofits. (08/18/2011)

Learning About Finance: Advice for Nonprofit Leaders - Budding nonprofit leaders need to understand that nonprofits are created on dreams, but run on money. (08/17/2011)

Illinois Department of Revenue Denies Tax Exemptions for 3 Hospitals - The key question: How much charity care must a not-for-profit hospital provide to get a pass on property tax? (08/17/2011)

Ten Years Later, 9/11 Charities' Missions Continue to Evolve - Charities formed in the wake of the 2001 attacks have broadened their missions in the intervening years. (08/17/2011)

CEO Pay Flat at Boston Nonprofit Hospitals in 2009 - Despite slight declines from the year before, top execs at Boston nonprofit teaching hospitals drew seven-figure pay in 2009. (08/16/2011)

Texas Governor's Charitable Giving Under the Microscope - How do GOP presidential candidates stack up when it comes to charity? HuffPo looks at Rick Perry's record of giving. (08/15/2011)

Corporate Giving Demands Business Acumen - Sustainable corporate-giving programs must go beyond "doing good" and boost the bottom line, a new study says. (08/15/2011)

No Panic at Big Fund Over Stock Market Gyrations - Schwab Charitable's strategy for a stress-free ride on the stock-market roller coaster. (08/15/2011)

IRS Handling of 501(c)(4) Donations Draws Ire of Both Parties - A former IRS official calls the July 7 gift tax flip-flop "a tumor on the integrity of the IRS." (08/11/2011)

What's Next: Antipoverty Apps - mPowering app awards goods and services to people in extreme poverty when they make beneficial choices. (08/11/2011)

Fundraising Strategy: Befriend Powerful Lawmakers - Some favorite nonprofits of California state lawmakers are getting big gifts from big business. Coincidence? (08/11/2011)

Wisconsin Says No to Money for Nonprofits - Governor Walker's nixing of grant applications to feds shows where new "states' rights" claims are headed. (08/11/2011)

Alabama Track Fights Tax on Charity-Run Bingo - A dog track fighting a $75M state tax bill for e-bingo proceeds says the machines were licensed by charities. (08/10/2011)

How a Double-Dip Recession Could Affect Giving - Giving figures for past downturns show what could happen if the US economy is again in recession, or soon will be. (08/10/2011)

It's Tough Making Some Brands 'Responsible' - For CSR to work, consistency and commitment are key, says a forthcoming study. (08/10/2011)

18 Nonprofit Georgia Hospitals Spending Little on Charity Care - A new analysis found 18 tax-exempt facilities spending less than 3% of adjusted gross revenue on free care. (08/09/2011)

Top 10 Tips for Running a Nonprofit Hiring Process - Any hiring process takes thoughtful planning, and that goes double for nonprofits. Here are 10 tips on doing it right. (08/09/2011)

Oxfam Suspends Haiti Workers for Alleged Misconduct - The global relief charity said it has suspended a portion of its Haiti staff over misconduct allegations. (08/09/2011)

Control and Influence: Balancing Nonprofit Governance Rights Among Stakeholders - Those seeking to control a nonprofit or balance governance rights among stakeholders need to understand the options. (08/08/2011)

Contributions, Grants up at Fidelity Charitable - Manager of largest US donor-advised fund posted record contribution and grant value levels in the first half of 2011. (08/08/2011)

Pro Bono Goes High-Tech, and Homeless Veterans Benefit - The Minnesota Justice Foundation uses online video to link homeless veterans in Duluth with volunteer lawyers in Minneapolis. (08/08/2011)

Federal Innovation Fund Awards $46M in New Grants - The money is divided between 5 newcomers and 9 of last year's grantees. (08/05/2011)

A Top Twitter Official's Advice for Charities - The author of Twitter for Good tells how social sector orgs can tweet with maximum impact. (08/05/2011)

Is the Nonprofit Merger Trend Actually Trending? - Evidence seems to indicate that nonprofit mergers have become a nationwide trend. (08/05/2011)

Budget Deal Puts Pressure on Nonprofit Advocacy - The debt accord kicks off a competition for federal aid as lawmakers face new requirements to cut spending. (08/03/2011)

School Voucher Bills Flood GOP-Led Statehouses - State-level GOP electoral gains are fueling a new push for vouchers and tax breaks to help parents send kids to private schools. (08/03/2011)

Why Financial Reserves Are No Longer Optional - What was once an option is now a necessity for organizations navigating turbulent times. (08/02/2011)

Charitable Deduction Untouched in Debt-Ceiling Deal - But fundraisers aiming to preserve the deduction could still face challenges as Congress seeks new cuts. (08/02/2011)

American Institute of Philanthropy Gives Charities Failing Grade - A new charity rating guide by watchdog AIP has handed out 'F' grades to dozens of organizations. (08/02/2011)

Giving Continues to Rebound - Charitable revenue grew overall and online in the three months ended in May compared to 2010, two new reports say. (08/01/2011)

Philanthropists Start Requiring Management Courses to Keep Nonprofits Productive - Concerned about the management of nonprofits, some donors are handing out human resources advice along with the money. (08/01/2011)

What is Unrelated Business Income? - Beyond their tax-exempt purpose, what business activities can tax-exempt orgs conduct? Here's a quick look at the rules of UBI. (08/01/2011)

Education Program Gets Mixed Score on Innovation - The federal grant program Investing in Education is praised for its promotion of proven ideas but dinged for focusing on the "usual suspects." (07/28/2011)

Funders Demanding More Metrics - Grantmakers want metrics from nonprofits to show their impact; meanwhile, few nonprofits are happy with their own processes. (07/27/2011)

Most of America's 50 Richest Funds Pay Their Board Members - 38 of the 50 richest foundations pay their board members, a practice that is now drawing scrutiny. (07/26/2011)

The Growing Importance of Endowments - The past few years have shown that for nonprofits of all types and sizes, endowments are a necessity, not a luxury. (07/26/2011)

We Should Expect Good Giving To Be Hard - If you want your gift to have an impact, you have to find the opportunities other donors have missed. (07/26/2011)

ABA Faces Scrutiny Over Scarce Jobs and High Debt for Law Grads - The ABA, which accredits law schools, is pressed to help keep student debt levels down and reduce default risk. (07/25/2011)

Corporate Giving Slow to Recover as Economy Remains Shaky - Cash donations rose in 2010, but big companies expect a flat year ahead, a survey finds. (07/25/2011)

Nonprofit Hospitals' Assets Grow - But strong two-year investment performance was still barely enough to bring three-year numbers back into positive territory. (07/25/2011)

Fulfilling the Promise: Social Investment - Social investment can let social entrepreneurs scale their impact hugely, but mismatches can have unintended consequences. (07/22/2011)

Racial, Gender Gaps at Central Florida Nonprofits - Minorities are under-represented among top execs, and male CEOs' salaries exceed those of women. (07/22/2011)

Arizona Launches Fundraising Web Site for Border Fence Construction - A $50M campaign seeks private gifts for an Arizona state effort to block migration from Mexico. (07/21/2011)

NJ to Make Charities Tell Donors They Can Earmark Money for Programs - The proposed rule aims to keep donors from being misled, but nonprofits worry about reduced flexibility and added costs. (07/21/2011)

Study: 6,000 Indiana Nonprofits Lose Tax-Exempt Status - The findings "raise questions about the complexity of federal regulations of nonprofit organizations." (07/20/2011)

House Bill Would Provide Permanent Extension for IRA Charitable Rollover - The new bill would permanently extend the IRA charitable rollover and expand it to allow increased charitable giving. (07/20/2011)

New Debt Plan Calls for 'Reform' of Charitable Deduction - The federal debt proposal calls for changing the charitable deduction as part of a planned tax code overhaul. (07/20/2011)

Turning Nonprofit Executive On-Boarding on Its Head - Ironically, say the authors, "on-boarding" transitions are often best addressed by incoming execs, not by the boards who hire them. (07/19/2011)

Leader to Step Down From White House Social Innovation Office - The White House is seeking a replacement for Sonal Shah, first head of its Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. (07/19/2011)

Maine's Governor Pushes Stricter Medicaid Eligibility - The governor will keep pushing for a major reduction in Medicaid benefits. (07/19/2011)

Proposal Takes Aim at Charities That Evade Taxes Offshore - Senator Grassley has introduced legislation that would deny some federal money to charities that put money in offshore accounts. (07/18/2011)

Minnesota Nonprofits Face 'Disarray' as Shutdown Drags On - "Nonprofits don't run on air," says one official as the budget impasse continues. (07/15/2011)

US Deficit Proposal Could Cost Top Teaching Hospitals Billions - Proposed cuts in Medicare subsidies for teaching hospitals could cost leading US medical institutions $5.8 billion a year. (07/15/2011)

The Challenge of Organizational Learning - A study finds three common barriers to knowledge sharing across nonprofits and their networks, along with ways to overcome them. (07/15/2011)

What Is an Endowment? - To maximize the gift's impact, a donor needs to know the type and rules of the endowment being solicited. (07/14/2011)

Drop in Giving from Tax Change Feared - Three fundraisers in four expect donations to drop if Congress enacts a White House proposal to limit the charitable deduction. (07/14/2011)

Not All Tax Deductions Are Equal - It's vital that lawmakers continue to use tax policy to encourage charitable giving, says William Daroff. (07/14/2011)

NJ Senate Fails to Override Governor's Social Service Cuts - Democratic state senators, needing 27 votes, fail to overturn line-item spending vetoes by Republican Governor Christie. (07/13/2011)

Root Capital Makes Money Investing Where Wall Street Won't - Investing in sectors most business people find too risky, this firm is doing well by doing good. (07/13/2011)

Fiscal Sponsorship & Dormant Projects, Part I: Liability Risks - It can be easy for an organization to "forget" about dormant projects. Here's why you shouldn't. (07/12/2011)

Fiscal Sponsorship & Dormant Projects, Part II: Removing Dormant Projects from the Books - Key considerations for fiscal sponsors in exercising proper oversight and avoiding liability. (07/12/2011)

Fate of Charitable Deduction Still Unclear in Debt-Ceiling Talks - Fundraisers may see a statement by House Speaker John Boehner as a sign of hope. (07/12/2011)

The Limited Returns on Fundraising Support for Nonprofits - Leveraging donor dollars by boosting nonprofits' fundraising capability seems like a no-brainer. Is it? A new study says no. (07/11/2011)

Budget Talks Could Put Tax Breaks for Donations in Peril - As US lawmakers meet in secret, nonprofits fear new limits on charitable deductions for the wealthy. (07/11/2011)

Van Dusen v. Commissioner: A Win for Nonprofit Volunteers - The US Tax Court clarifies the grounds for deducting expenses incurred while volunteering for a 501(c)(3). (07/11/2011)

New Budget Year Sees States Cutting Medicaid Payments - More than a dozen states have reduced Medicaid payments to doctors, hospitals, and other providers that treat poor patients. (07/08/2011)

Minnesota Shutdown Takes Toll on Nonprofits - Charities whose funds were cut off are bracing for a prolonged emergency situation. (07/07/2011)

IRS Drops Investigations of Big Donors to Advocacy Groups - The IRS now says it won't enforce gift taxes on donations made to nonprofit advocacy groups. (07/07/2011)

Lawmakers in Two States Strike Down Bills to Regulate Nonprofits - Efforts in Massachusetts and Oregon to place new financial restrictions on nonprofits have failed to become law. (07/06/2011)

Ohio Shift on Medicaid Could Hit Nonprofit Nursing Homes - Ohio's new budget makes major changes in the way the state's Medicaid program covers long-term care. (07/06/2011)

Four Paths to Becoming a Grant Maker - How do grant makers get their jobs? The Chronicle of Philanthropy spoke with four foundation executives to find out. (07/06/2011)

Firms Urged to Fuse Corporate and Social Interests - Corporations need to do better at building social change into their business strategies, a new report says. (07/05/2011)

Revival Pits Detroit Against Donor - The partnership between Detroit and the Kresge Foundation is fraying, threatening the progress made so far. (07/05/2011)

New Ethics Questions Arise for Nonprofit - New potential conflicts are found on the board of a troubled Massachusetts nonprofit. (07/05/2011)

'Freedom From Fear' Awards Show Grant Making at Its Best - Two foundation program officers turned the $10K they won into an ambitious effort to honor people who aid immigrants and refugees. (07/01/2011)

Troubles Loom for Minnesota Nonprofits as Government Shuts Down - Friday's shutdown cut off aid to many nonprofits that do business with the state. (07/01/2011)

New California Budget Cuts Deep in Medical and Social Services - Universities, courts and the poor would be among those losing funding. (07/01/2011)

The Board Needs to Get Out More - Getting into the community can increase the board's commitment to the organization and its mission. (06/30/2011)

More Legal Structure Choices for the Socially Responsible Business - From benefit corps to L3Cs, it's been a busy year for proponents of new legal forms. (06/30/2011)

Planned Parenthood Sues to Halt Funding Cutoff in Kansas - The agency asked a judge to stop the state from stripping it of federal family-planning funds. (06/29/2011)

Nonprofit Can Sue Ex-Intern Accused of Document Theft - The Muslim advocacy nonprofit claims 12,000 docs were stolen for publication by the intern's father. (06/29/2011)

Investors May Fund Massachusetts Social Programs - State explores "pay for success" proposals from nonprofits that tie investors' profits to cost savings. (06/29/2011)

Illinois Borrowing Tax Funds Intended for Charities - Facing a huge budget deficit, the state has borrowed $1.17M from money taxpayers had designated for charities. (06/29/2011)

Charity Bracelet Sales Land Lady Gaga in Court - A Michigan legal network is suing Lady Gaga over her sale of wristbands to benefit Japan earthquake victims. (06/28/2011)

Housing Charity Investigated Over Use of Renovated Homes - The California nonprofit is accused of allowing employees and relatives to live in several of the units. (06/28/2011)

Foundation Leaders Become Jailbirds in Push for DC Voting Rights - Activists in the social sector are rallying to protest the District's lack of representation in Congress. (06/27/2011)

House Proposal Would Simplify Foundation Excise-Tax Rate - The bill would change the way private foundations pay taxes on investment income by creating a flat tax rate. (06/27/2011)

Book Throws Lifeline to Nonprofit Boards - Board Member Orientation explains the board's role and tells what new board members need to know. (06/24/2011)

Nonprofits Clearing Hurdles to Innovation - New report outlines key strategies nonprofits are using to innovate despite resource constraints. (06/24/2011)

AmeriCorps to Step Up Efforts to Prevent Members From Political Work - The federal agency came under House scrutiny after two members helped Planned Parenthood train advocates. (06/23/2011)

Generic Drug Makers Not Liable for Warnings - A divided Supreme Court ruled that generic drug makers are not liable for warnings copied from brand-name equivalents. (06/23/2011)

America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs 2011 - BusinessWeek chose 25 top social enterprises based on impact, innovation, and business success. (06/23/2011)

Charity Violations Earn Nashville Company a Five-Year Ban in Ohio - Consumer complaints led to a deal with the Ohio AG. (06/22/2011)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Term Limits - When forming a new nonprofit, should members have term limits? What kind? Here are the pros and cons. (06/22/2011)

Giving to Nonprofit Hospitals Grows - Donations to US nonprofit hospitals and health-care systems grew 8% last year, but fundraising costs grew and ROI fell. (06/22/2011)

The Other America's Philanthropy - The 2011 Giving USA numbers suggest a crisis of declining giving for human services and a deepening class divide. (06/21/2011)

Charity Founded by 'Three Cups' Author No Longer Faces Donor Lawsuit - The Central Asia Institute was dropped from a class-action lawsuit seeking return of donations. (06/21/2011)

Dropping the Ball on Government Programs - When government seeks philanthropy's help finding the most effective programs, should big foundations sit on the sidelines? (06/21/2011)

Walmart Wins Class Action Ruling - The US Supreme Court has ruled that a sex discrimination case against Walmart cannot proceed. (06/20/2011)

NJ Program Helps Struggling Fathers Get Back on Track - A charity founded by Newark's mayor offers mentors, job training, and other support to help fathers earn and care for their kids. (06/17/2011)

A Logo Is Not a Brand - Brand is much more than a name or a logo. Brand is everything, and everything is brand. (06/17/2011)

From the Field: Impact First - These East African social enterprises have two things in common: an impact-driven model and a plan to "scale big." (06/17/2011)

How to Attract Event Sponsors - Corporate and foundation leaders explain how they decide whether to sponsor a charity's event. (06/16/2011)

Crowdsourcing Social Change - Have today's nonprofits lost sight of the true value of volunteers? (06/15/2011)

Facebook Firings and the Labor Relations Board: What Nonprofits Need to Know - Is it illegal to trash-talk your boss on a social media platform? (06/15/2011)

IRS Considers Changes in Disclosure Rules - Affiliates of national groups such as Habitat for Humanity could be required to provide financial info to the IRS every year. (06/15/2011)

Five Tough Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Ask about Growth - Organizational growth can require painful adjustments related to people, finances, partners and allies, organizational culture, and outcomes and impact. (06/14/2011)

Planned Giving: Lessons from the Dead - Planned giving can appear out of reach to many nonprofits, but it's more manageable than you think. (06/14/2011)

IRS Plans Monthly Updates of Tax-Exempt Roster - Every month hundreds, if not thousands, of groups will lose tax-exempt status over failure to file paperwork. (06/14/2011)

NC Lawmakers Bar Money to Planned Parenthood - North Carolina's law specifically names Planned Parenthood as its target. (06/13/2011)

Podcast: Focusing on What Is Possible - Activist/author Peter Block says change is more likely when nonprofits build on community strengths, not weaknesses. (06/13/2011)

Nonprofits Urged to Set Knowledge Goals - Nonprofit leaders want to find, share, and use knowledge but lack effective means and measurable goals. (06/10/2011)

IRS Announces Retroactive Relief Program for Revoked Nonprofits - The IRS has announced a process for organizations to obtain retroactive reinstatement of their tax-exempt status. (06/10/2011)

275,000 Nonprofits Lose Tax Exemptions - No tax break for donors who give to groups that have lost their exemptions, IRS warns. (06/09/2011)

Open Philanthropy - How can we get more foundations to share the data they collect? Lucy Bernholz makes a modest proposal. (06/09/2011)

ACLU Alleges VA Misused Property Targeted for Homeless Vets - The ACLU has filed a lawsuit claiming the VA misused over 300 acres committed to house and serve homeless veterans. (06/09/2011)

Bankruptcy No Solution to Nonprofit World's Woes - With more and more nonprofits crushed by debt, it's time to think creatively and aggressively. (06/08/2011)

Build Trust with Your Community - Forget celebrities — the key to fundraising is building trust with constituents. Here's how. (06/08/2011)

How to Prepare for an IRS Employment Tax Compliance Audit - Nonprofits may face challenges — and, possibly, significant tax liabilities. (06/08/2011)

Does Fair Trade Have a Future? - The debate revolves around its impact — or not — at the base of the pyramid (BoP), and its ability to achieve its original mission. (06/07/2011)

Corporate Responsibility 'Mandates' Outlined - Every successful corporate social responsibility strategy shares four basic mandates, a new study says. (06/07/2011)

Charities Lose Supporters Through Aggressive Fundraising - Nearly 40% of people have stopped supporting a charity over aggressive fundraising methods. (06/07/2011)

Massachusetts Foundations Scrutinize Board Member Pay Restriction - The proposal's fine print concerns some grant makers. (06/07/2011)

What is Reasonable Nonprofit Compensation? - A guide to help nonprofits avoid IRS penalties for violating tax rules on employee compensation. (06/06/2011)

President of Atlantic Philanthropies to Step Down - Gara LaMarche tells colleagues "it's time for a pause and a reset." (06/06/2011)

New Round of Federal School-Innovation Grants Announced - The Education Department will award $150 million to nonprofits and school districts in the second round of "i3" grants. (06/06/2011)

Group Asks AG to Probe Rapture Leader for Fraud - Religious watchdogs call for investigation of Harold Camping's Rapture campaign. (06/06/2011)

Giving Pledge, Hollywood Style - Fishburne, Kardashian, Bieber, and dozens more use name and fame to boost donations. (06/03/2011)

Leadership Through Board Service - Emily Chan of Nonprofit Law Blog shares resources and insights on legal issues related to board service. (06/03/2011)

Feds Pull Planned Parenthood Workers - Officials yanked two AmeriCorps workers from Planned Parenthood assignments, citing guideline violations. (06/03/2011)

US to Indiana: New Law Violates Medicaid Rules - The new Indiana law bars Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid money. (06/02/2011)

Fund Long-Term Health, Not Short-Term Workouts - The key to capacity building: make it part of everything you do. (06/02/2011)

Nonprofits and the Work Made For Hire Doctrine - Nonprofits often fail to secure ownership over copyrights in commissioned works. (06/02/2011)

Is Charity Status Becoming Irrelevant? - The nonprofit world has a big embrace. Too big? Doug White on the meaning of a nonprofit world where "anything goes." (06/01/2011)

"Poor Economics" Needs a Theory - A "patient understanding" opens new opportunities to reduce poverty by creating the environments in which people thrive. (06/01/2011)

Businesses Register for Maryland LLC 'Benefit' Law - The new law protects benefit LLCs from lawsuits by members for putting people and planet over profit. (06/01/2011)

What You Don't Know About Copyright, but Should - A lawyer and librarian has pointers for the copyright-confused multitude. (05/31/2011)

Building a Better Board - To create a great board, recruit and choose board members with the same care you give to hiring senior staff. (05/31/2011)

How Tax Code Changes Could Affect Giving - A new CBO study looks at how changes in the way donors calculate deductions would affect giving — and the federal budget. (05/31/2011)

Resist Sarkozy's Quest to Regulate the Internet - Obama should avoid this innovation-smothering approach at all costs, says Gary Shapiro. (05/27/2011)

Q&A: Roundtable on Shared Value - Execs from 10 major corporations discussed this innovative new approach to business. (05/27/2011)

In 'Food Deserts,' Oases of Nutrition - Why did a development organization go into the restaurant business in Jakarta? (05/27/2011)

Being the Only B - The owner of the only certified B Corporation in Kentucky assesses the pros and cons of the certification. (05/27/2011)

Former Cisco CEO and Wife on the Challenges of Giving - Giving Pledge signers John and Tashia Morgridge share their experiences in education philanthropy. (05/26/2011)

Quotes from Glee and Nonprofit Governance - From popularity contests to lashing out, the Nonprofit Law Blog finds wisdom in Glee. (05/26/2011)

Philanthropy Pioneer Payton Dies - Robert L. Payton was a key figure in creating the field of philanthropic studies. (05/26/2011)

Eliminating the Charitable Deduction - The question isn't whether people pay. It's how. (05/25/2011)

How to Save Community Development from Budgetary Free-Fall - At the NACEDA conference, opportunities for progress in difficult times. (05/25/2011)

Minnesota Campaign Shares 20 Stories to Fight Budget Cuts - Selling lawmakers on the need for tax increases with daily examples of how cuts would hurt. (05/24/2011)

While in France, Watch What You Download - Should digerati gathering in Paris for E-G8 worry about France's new digital piracy law? (05/24/2011)

Massachusetts May Ban Board Pay by July - An amendment to the state budget would prohibit nonprofits from paying board members. (05/24/2011)

Men and Women Differ on Choice of Causes, Social Media - For women, it's bullies and childhood obesity; for men, the Tea Party movement or climate change. (05/23/2011)

NC Bill Would Require Nonprofits' Financial Data on Demand - Taxpayer-funded nonprofits would have to provide financial statements upon written request. (05/23/2011)

Charity Nixes Comcast Grant After Threat Over Tweet - Keep your money, the teen film makers' charity tells the media giant — we'll take free speech instead. (05/23/2011)

Google, Hollywood and the Politics of Piracy - Search engines are caught smack in the middle of the copyright debate. (05/22/2011)

Interview: George Soros on Philanthropy - The 80-year-old billionaire addresses his legacy and leadership succession. (05/20/2011)

Big Gifts Are Back - While many charities struggle with fundraising, America's richest donors are giving large. (05/20/2011)

Funding for Native Americans Dives - Foundation grantmaking targeted to Native Americans fell 30.8% to $68M in 2009, says a new report. (05/20/2011)

Comcast Giveth, Comcast Taketh Away - Careful what you tweet — especially if your nonprofit is funded by Comcast. (05/19/2011)

Six Myths About Obama's Plan to Limit Charitable Deductions - Misinformation much? Nonprofit Quarterly lists six myths about the president's plan. (05/19/2011)

Nonprofit Charged with Illegal Dismissal for Facebook Posts - The NLRB says a New York nonprofit illegally fired five employees after they went on Facebook to criticize working conditions. (05/18/2011)

The Elusive Craft of Evaluating Advocacy - Unconventional methods are required to measure the effectiveness of advocacy orgs. (05/18/2011)

Has the Social Innovation Fund Forgotten the Heartland? - A look at the SIF grant process finds a pattern of underinvestment in flyover states. (05/16/2011)

Speaking Out Against Government Funding Cuts - A community foundation head gets militant in defense of Pittsburgh area nonprofits. (05/16/2011)

The Profitable Side of Nonprofits, Part I: Earned Income - Your nonprofit has a problem: it's profitable. What's a tax-exempt org to do? (05/13/2011)

The Profitable Side of Nonprofits, Part II: Legal Structures - What started as a trickle is now a serious revenue stream. What new form should your org take? (05/13/2011)

Few Raises for Fund Raisers in 2010 - A study shows fund raisers' median pay fell $1,000 to $65K between 2009 and 2010. (05/13/2011)

Interview: Aleem Walji - Rahim Kanani interviews the World Bank Institute's Aleem Walji on innovation, development, and the future of social enterprise. (05/12/2011)

'Three Cups' Lawsuit Could Open Path for Many Donors to Sue - Two Montana lawmakers seek class-action status for a case charging they were duped into making gifts. (05/12/2011)

Fundraisers 'Leaving Money on the Table' - A new study finds donors who could and would give more, if nonprofits did more to persuade them. (05/12/2011)

New Zealand High Court Nixes Greenpeace Charity Status - Greenpeace New Zealand's political activities mean it cannot register as a charity, the High Court has decided. (05/11/2011)

Providence Mayor Plans to Tax Nine Nonprofits - The new mayor plans to tax nine tax-exempt hospitals, colleges and universities. (05/11/2011)

How to Launch a Social Enterprise - Pick an idea (not the perfect idea) and run with it. ThinkImpact's founder/CEO describes the process. (05/11/2011)

'Cautious Optimism' for Community Foundations - Community foundations are walking a fine line between immediate and longterm needs, a new study says. (05/10/2011)

Nonprofit Authors Take Notes From 'Three Cups' Scandal - Who gets the royalties when nonprofit execs write books? Charities are assessing their policies. (05/10/2011)

Arts Groups Fight Proposed D.C. Ticket Tax - D.C. arts groups are fighting a proposed 6 percent tax on tickets in the mayor's 2012 budget. (05/10/2011)

Legal Considerations When Engaging Volunteers - Volunteers are often the lifeblood of an organization — but without proper planning and management, they can expose nonprofits to liability. (05/09/2011)

The Evolution and Future of Social Enterprise - Rahim Kanani interviews Mirjam Schöning, head of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. (05/09/2011)

It Takes Three to Tango - The latest thinking about not-for-profit management and philanthropy shows deep differences between U.S. and European approaches to social challenges. (05/09/2011)

Wealthy Plan to Give More - Wealthy people plan to increase their philanthropy to pre-recession donation levels, a new survey says. (05/06/2011)

More Than Discounts: The Connection Between Groupon and Charity - How Groupon is using its platform to help raise money for and awareness about nonprofits. (audio) (05/06/2011)

'Giving Pledge' Signers Gather for First In-Person Meeting - The signers of the Giving Pledge, including Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett, meet in Arizona. (05/06/2011)

What to Do About the Problems Philanthropy Creates and Perpetuates - Five guidelines help New Mexico grantmakers avoid doing harm in their quest to do good. (05/05/2011)

Indiana Takes the Lead in Trying to Defund Planned Parenthood - GOP governors and legislatures aim to deprive Planned Parenthood's clinics of state and federal moneys. (05/05/2011)

Climate Activists Target States With Lawsuits - Attorneys representing kids and young adults are filing legal actions in every state to force government action on climate change. (05/04/2011)

Court Denies Motion by Animal Charities in Helmsley Trust Case - A New York court declined three animal-welfare groups' request to reopen a case regarding the charitable trust established by the late Leona Helmsley. (05/04/2011)

Ford Foundation Gives $100,000 Awards to 12 Social-Change Leaders - Winners work on a wide range of causes, from arts and culture to human rights and technology. (05/04/2011)

Knight Foundation Supports International Legal Fund for Journalists - The new fund will help pay for legal representation, offer advice and legal resources, and take on test cases involving digital media. (05/03/2011)

Start-Up Choices in Business Models - Getting to a model that delivers real social impact can take iteration and experimentation. (05/03/2011)

Online Fundraising Strategies That Beat the Bad Economy - A look at four groups that have built successful online fundraising efforts. (05/03/2011)

How to Become a Social Entrepreneur - Turning a passion into a successful nonprofit takes serious business acumen. (05/02/2011)

Are Social Entrepreneurs Heroes? - Skoll World Forum special podcast: Heroism, risk, and three outstanding social entrepreneurs. (05/02/2011)

Email Voting: A Simple Trap for Nonprofit Boards - Email voting is a new trend in nonprofit governance that may run afoul of the law. (05/02/2011)

Voting Members vs. Self-Perpetuating Boards - Will your new nonprofit be board-driven or member-driven? Charity Lawyer's Ellis Carter sorts through the issues.

Letting Go - How foundations undermine their own efforts through micromanaged solutions to social problems, and how they can foster high-impact strategies instead.

Are You Building an Institution of Change? - Long-term change requires building institutions that outlast their founders. Timothy Ogden on the lessons of Grameen Bank.

Humanitarian Group Criticizes Maker of HIV Drugs - Doctors Without Borders wants Johnson & Johnson to make patents on three HIV drugs available to cut costs for patients in developing countries.

New York AG Plans Charity Law Reform to Cut Red Tape - The reform of cumbersome laws and regulations burdening NY charities aims to ease "a looming crisis."

Transparency as a Tool in Vetting Good Nonprofit Work - Two development and relief nonprofits model financial transparency far beyond requirements, showing donors how spending and mission align.

Nonprofit Fraud Far From Widespread - "Three Cups" notwithstanding, the notion of rampant abuse in the social sector flies in the face of the evidence.

Giving Grows Overall, Falls Online - Charitable revenue for the quarter was up 3% over last year, while online giving fell 8.6%, two new reports say.

Accounting Change Cuts Antipoverty Charity's Revenue in Half - A new accounting rule has slashed the value of Feed the Children's donated goods.

Four Things Boards Should Understand About Operating Reserves - With government support uncertain, nonprofit boards must put more emphasis on setting money aside.

When Recession Hit, Americans Gave Far Less Than Predicted - New IRS numbers testify to the enormous financial hole nonprofits are in.

'Three Cups of Tea' Scandal Offers Lessons for Charities, Trustees - Nonprofits must get better at explaining their finances, promoting independent governance, and considering public perceptions.

Trust Key to Giving by 'Millennial' Donors - U.S. donors age 20-35 give to orgs they trust, are motivated by mission, and prefer giving online, says a new study.

Arts Can Help Cities Climb Back - Declining funding has arts orgs promoting the economic and civic benefits of a flourishing arts landscape.

GuideStar Report on Impact of IRS Nonprofit Status Revocations - What revoking the tax status of up to 321,000 nonprofits will mean for the nonprofits involved, donors, and other nonprofits.

How Grant Makers Can Help With Nonprofit Cash Crunches - Grant makers seek ways to provide "flexible" capital for charities pinched by a tight credit market.

Nonprofits Increasingly Pay Local and State Taxes, Study Finds - Nearly two-thirds of nonprofits are paying state and local governments despite their tax-exempt status, a new study says.

Foundation Giving Flat in 2010 - Giving by U.S. foundations fell 0.2% to $45.7B in 2010, rebounding from a record-high 2.1% drop in 2009.

Starting Social Innovations with a 'Worm's-Eye View' - Peter Sims on Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus, the subject of the new film To Catch a Dollar.

How a Donor Mixes Investments and Grants - Ron Cordes is focused on "investing for impact" as well as grantmaking, and working up tools to help others do the same.

Nonprofits Call for Changes to 'Arcane' Lobbying Rules - A coalition of charities and foundations wants to change federal rules that restrict nonprofit lobbying.

Greenpeace Sets Possible World Record in Facebook Campaign - The Greenpeace "Unfriend Coal" campaign page drew more than 167,000 fans and spawned more than 80,000 comments.

Greg Mortenson's 'Three Cups of Tea' - Will the 60 Minutes report alleging fabrications harm aid work?

Health Funders Urged to Target Underserved - A new report says underserved communities are the top priority of less than a third of 880 grantmakers surveyed.

Nonprofit Hiring Outlook Improves - Nonprofits are adding jobs as the economy improves, a new survey of employers finds.

Ethical Businesses With a Better Bottom Line - The triple bottom line draws reader praise, but businesses ask: Can we be B Corps and still survive?

Bloomberg and Clinton to Merge Climate Groups - The Clinton Climate Initiative will merge with C40, a coalition of US cities, on efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Candid Talk About Getting the Rich to Give - Three signers of the Giving Pledge discuss why the rich should donate more and what they hope the pledge will achieve.

Budget Battles Shift Government's Relationship With Nonprofits - The intensifying focus on the deficit means nonprofits will be fighting for every dollar.

A New Type of Hybrid - Social entrepreneurs have crafted a hybrid model that can operate as a for-profit and as a nonprofit.

Obama Deficit Plan Would Limit Charity Write-Offs by Wealthy - Proposed limits on itemized deductions aim to narrow the federal deficit.

A Scorecard for Companies With a Conscience - How can a triple-bottom-line business keep big corporate buyers at bay? Become a B Corp, that's how.

Foundation Boards Still Lack Diversity - Do the people who control US foundations' $580B in assets reflect the communities they serve?

Federal Budget Deal Cuts Funding for Many Nonprofits - Groups like Planned Parenthood avoided deep cuts, but many social programs will suffer.

Informal Giving Circles - How groups of individuals can coordinate their charitable giving without the formal hurdles.

Giving for Japan Disaster Tops $246.9M - Fundraising in the wake of the massive earthquake still lags behind the rate for other recent disasters.

'F' in Governance for Private Nonprofit School - A lawsuit says an administrator's misuse of $1M led to the school's bankruptcy.

Maryland's Nonprofit Sector Expands - A new study shows that for Maryland nonprofits, jobs and startups are both on the rise.

How Nonprofits Kept Michigan Afloat - Jobs at Michigan nonprofits rose 23% over 10 years as other jobs plunged 21%. Good for workers and the safety net. Bad for the tax base.

Unscrambling MRIs and PRIs - Key facts private foundations should know about pursuing mission-related and program-related investments.

ATMs Raise $1.5M for Red Cross - Wells Fargo's pathbreaking ATM "donate" button has raised $1.5M for the Red Cross so far.

Foundation Giving Expected to Rise in 2011 - Giving in 2011 could grow by 2-4 percent, nearing or beating pre-recession grant making, says a new study.

IRS: Don't Abuse Deductions for Charitable Giving - The IRS includes "misuse of tax-exempt organizations" in its 2011 list of "dirty dozen" tax scams.

Tears for Tech - Social media catalyze everything from disaster relief to revolution, yet most funders in a recent survey devoted 10% or less to tech-related grants. Why?

Social Networks in 2015: How Will People Connect for the Greater Good? - A new report explores how an increasingly connected world will affect the way people push for social change.

Charting the Tax-Exempt World - This amazing interactive graphic charts changes in the tax-exempt sector since 1991.

Fiesta Bowl's Lesson: Boards Must Watch for Red Flags - The scandal at the football bowl should prompt charities to remind their boards what to do when they see signs of trouble.

2011 DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards - Check out the winners for tips on creating videos that will help hook viewers on your cause.

Governance, Policies, and the New Form 990 - How do your nonprofit's policies affect the governance questions in the revised IRS Form 990?

2011 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study - Performance stats from 40 orgs, from fundraising to email response rates.

GOP Prods IRS to Scrutinize Tax-Exempt Groups - Targeting AARP health care advocacy, House Repubs urge increased IRS scrutiny of tax-exempt orgs.

Digital Annual Reports Lure Readers and May Save Cash - How to move from paper to digital annual reports, and why you might want to.

Memorializing Nonprofit Board and Committee Meetings - A plain-language guide to what should be included in nonprofit meeting minutes and what should be left out.

State of the Nonprofit Sector in 2011 - The annual survey reveals a year of challenges, hope, and creativity.

2011 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study - Performance stats from 40 nonprofits, from fundraising growth to email response rates.

New "Flexible Corporation" Introduced in California - CA Senator DeSaulnier introduces the latest variation of the "for-benefit" corporation

Charitable Solicitation Laws - Charity Lawyer Blog begins a new series on fundraising, starting with the basics on commercial co-ventures.

Obama Creates Council to Promote Social Change - President Obama forms the White House Council for Community Solutions to support social projects and civil affairs.

5 Hard Questions Non-Profits Should Ask - Tough questions to get non-profits thinking.

10 Great Social Innovation Reads - A list of Must-Read books in the field of social innovation.

"Why State Officials Step In to Clean House at Nonprofits" - One attorney general discusses the need for regulators to step in when a nonprofit's leadership fails

Virginia Constitution Prohibits State Funding to Private Charities - VA attorney general issues legal opinion that could prevent millions of dollars from flowing to nonprofits in the state

"Governance as Leadership" - An interview with William Ryan, author on "Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards"

"An Uncomfortable - But Necessary - Conversation" - Tim Delaney, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, takes on the tough questions facing nonprofits as a result of historic state budget shortfalls

New LawForChange Blog, "Metaphors, Models, Charts, and Choices" - Robert Wexler simplifies complex legal choices for non-lawyer social entrepreneurs

IRS Reminds Small Charities to Check Reporting Requirements, "They May Have Gotten Simpler" - More tax-exempt organizations can file the new "e-Postcard" version of their Form-990

"Boards Can't Just Abandon an Insolvent Nonprofit" - Member of attorney general's charity unit discusses fiduciary duties of boards overseeing insolvent nonprofits

"Five Reasons Board Leaders Should Have Term Limits" - Rick Moyers of the Chronicle of Philanthropy offers prescription for dealing with "disengaged or misbehaving board chairs"

New Nonprofit Law Blog, "10 Keys to Starting a Nonprofit - Private Foundation" - Gene Takagi outlines steps and legal requirements to consider

"15 Firms Take Advantage of New Maryland Law Establishing 'Benefit' Corporations" - Washington Post reports on new legal entity and free upcoming workshop

"Form Should Follow Function" - New Nonprofit Law Blog asks, "Can a charitable nonprofit be profit-making and sustainable without donations?"

Collaboration vs. Dissolution - Charity Lawyer advises on how failing nonprofits can save crucial programs

Colorado Proposes New Benefit Corporation Legislation - Bill outlines proposed requirements for corporations to be considered benefit corporations under Colorado law.

"2011: The Year to Shape Up Nonprofit Boards" - Fast Company "Expert Blogger" Alice Korngold offers advice on how nonprofit boards can "get in shape" for the new year.

"The Wisdom of Crowds? Groupthink and Nonprofit Governance" - A review of Melanie Leslie's new publication

A New Team Joins "The Watchdog" Blog - Attorneys general bringing nonprofit oversight to the blogosphere

"Does Unrelated Business Activity Detract from the Charitable Goal?" - Nonprofit Law Prof Blog explores the pros and cons

The Directors' Dozen: A Guide for Directors of Nonprofit Organizations - New resource from Foley Hoag LLP: prudent activities for governing boards of nonprofit corporations

Colorado Benefit Corporation Legislation - Legislation is similar to the Maryland Benefit Corporation, but with a few major differences

Maryland Benefit Corporation Client Advisory - Resource by Amy Kincaid of ChangeMatters and Jon Widrick, Esq. of Ascensus Law Group provides useful overview of new legal entity

How Private Is 'Private Charity'? - Princeton economist Uwe E. Reinhardt argues most U.S. charitable giving is tax-financed public subsidy

"Rethinking Capitalism" - Harvard professor Michael E. Porter explains why business leaders must focus on shared value

The New Congress Will Bring New Agenda for Nonprofits - Chronicle higlights what the nonprofit world can expect from the 112th Congress

New Estate Tax Law Could Hurt Charity - Forbes article predicts, while billionaires like Gates and Zuckerberg will still "give big," changes in federal estate tax law will lead many ordinary donors to cut back

Top 10 Events of 2010 - Nonprofit Law Blog rounds-up top 10 events of 2010 affecting the nonprofit sector

New IRS Report for Tax Exempt Organizations - Highlights from 2010 and plans for 2011, what nonprofits can expect as oversite increases

Connecticut's New Governor Creates Nation's First Cabinet Position for Nonprofits - Newly-elected governor Dan Malloy reserves a seat for cabinet-level nonprofit advocate

Congress Urged to Set Time Limit on Revoking Tax-Exempt Status - Annual report by national taxpayer advocate calls for statute of limitations on IRS decisions to revoke nonprofit tax-exemption

New Effort Rallies Americans to Donate Tax Cuts to Charity - New website seeks to "raise money privately and to change public policy"

NY Times article argues: "It's Time to Rethink the Charity Deduction" - Economist Richard Thaler proposes alternatives to "preposterous" tax laws on deductible donations

"Foundations Rethink Going Long" - Philanthropists increasingly prioritize long-term impact, WSJ finds

NPR Cites "Explosive Growth" in the Field of Social Entrepreneurship - Story profiles social innovators promoting "change you can invest in"

"Definitions" - SOCAP blog explores new and old definitions of social enterprise and impact investing

"Key Facts on Foundations’ Public Policy-Related Activities" - Foundation Center publishes December 2010 report

Ten for the Next 10: 2010 - 2020 - A forcast of what will matter in philanthropy and social investing in the coming decade

Nonprofit How to on Boards - The Nonprofit Times compiles useful resources on nonprofit management

For Many Executive Directors, an Unwarranted Lump of Coal - Performance reviews and executive compensation- Chronicle reports on how boards can be "less Grinchlike" in 2011

IRS Steps Up Scrutiny of Nonprofits - Agency plans to increase oversight of range of charity activities in the next year, including loans and employment taxes.

Resources for Nonprofits in Washington, DC - DC Bar Pro Bono resources for 501c3s highlight management and legal issues

Want to Avoid Fraud? Look to Your Board - A guide on how to protect your nonprofit against fraud

How Will the New Tax Law Affect Your Nonprofit, Your Employees, and the People You Serve? - National Council of Nonprofits provides an overview

"Ripped from the Headlines! Nonprofit Governance Challenges from Front Page News" - Takeaways from the BoardSource Leadership Forum

Obama Creates Council to Promote Social Change -

Bill of Rights Day Reinterpreted - "Donor" and "Volunteer Bill of Rights" put new spin on historic document

Senate Bill Would Extend IRA Tax Break for Charitable Gifts - New tax bill would extend tax break through 2011 for people who donate to charity using money from their individual retirement accounts

5 Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2011 - Social Velocity forcasts "brighter times ahead" for nonprofits

Bill to Improve Government Support for Charities Faces a Tough Climb - Bill supported widely by nonprofits has gained little support in Washington, Chronicle of Philanthropy reports

"A Huge Shift In Business Began on October 1st, 2010" - Article explores how legal recognition for Benefit Corporations is changing the business world.

Disclosure Runs Into 140-Character Limits - New York Times article exposes frequent violations in cause-related marketing

Hybrid Corporations: What Business Are You In? - From B Corporations to L3Cs, this Fast Company article describes the pros and cons of "the new 'it' thing in social enterprise"- hybrid corporations.

Mission and Money: A Dangerous Mix - Article explores how mixing nonprofit missions with for-profit motives could have unforseen risks and consequences.

Top 10 Legal Risks for Nonprofit Boards - Nonprofit Law Blog summarizes the 2010 BoardSource Leadership Forum presentation on the top ten legal risks facing nonprofit boards

Law Students Increasingly Drawn to Pro Bono Work, Financial Times Reports - Study finds more students valuing both the social dimension and added skills that come from pro bono work

New York Times Published Special Section on Philanthropy -

Intelligent Investing: A New Way to Invest in Nonprofits - Forbes article discusses the creation of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, a capital marketplace for "philanthropic equity"

Best Practies: B is for Benefit - The benefits and risks associated with "for benefit" corporations

Guidance from IRS on Cell Phone Rules Is Still Pending - Nonprofits may finally get some relief from the burdensome record-keeping requirements associated with employer provided cell phones.

Nonprofits Struggle to Survive and Maintain Services - Washington Post article discusses impact of recession on nonprofit

The Lame Duck Session - National Nonprofit Counsil reviews what nonprofits can expect when Congress returns

BoardSource Nonprofit Governance Index 2010 Released - Report reflects dissatisfaction with degree of nonprofit board diversity

Effects of the Elections on the Nonprofit Community - National Nonprofit Counsil Newsletter publishes Special Election Edition

Study Questions Effect of "Unrelated Business Income" of Charity Programs - As nonprofit organizations earn more unrelated business income (UBI), the proportion of their budgets that they spend on programs goes down, according to a new report.

"10 'STOP' Signs on the Road to Board Recruitment" - Nonprofit lawyer Hildy Gottlieb discusses warning signs that organizations are not ready to recruit

India's 2% corporate philanthropy law a good idea? - New law requiring corporations to spend 2% of their net income towards philanthropy counters conventional US definition of CSR

Kiva Expands Microlending Reach to U.S. Businesses - International microcredit organization expands reach to small businesses along the U.S. Gulf Coast

"Money Laundering in Nonprofits" - Huffington Post editorial discusses how tax incentives allow nonprofits to "launder" corporate money

Hybrid Model for Nonprofits Hits Snags - New York Times article discusses unique challenges faced by organizations with both for-profit and nonprofit components

A Lively Debate About Tax Incentives - Independent Sector hosts heated discussion on how tax incentives affect charitable giving

Nolo Offers Guide to Help Nonprofits Register to Fundraise in Every State - "Nonprofit Fundraising Registration: The 50-State Guide" shows nonprofits how to comply with each state's rules and avoid legal trouble

'Impact Investing' Teeters on Edge of Explosive Growth - New York Times article discusses the growth of the social entrepreneurship industry.

USAID Announces Development Innovation Ventures Program (DIV) - New initative will invest in promising high-risk, high-return social ventures

"Dancing With the Board" - Chronicle of Philathropy article advises nonprofits on how to cultivate better board-executive partnerships

Harvard Business Review's "15 Steps for Successful Strategic Alliances (and Marriages)" - Article explores steps to forming healthy strategic partnerships

Fed Court Rules Christian Humanitarian Organization Can Use Religious Belief as Basis to Hire and Fire - Decision on World Vision could open the door to more faith-based hiring and firing

WIPO Launches Global IP Laws Database - On-line global database ("WIPO Lex") provides up-to-date information on national intellectual property laws and treaties

IRS Releases Advance Draft of 2010 Form 990 - A preview of the federal tax form for charities

New 'Benefit Corporation' Legislation Takes Effect in Maryland - New legal structure for companies promoting social or environmental good

Top 5 Fundraising Legal Tips for Nonprofits - Useful legal resource on the basics of fundraising from the Nonprofit Law Blog

"Big Business Matters" - Stanford Social Innovation Review article argues that "social intrapreneurs" are the answer for business’s woes

Gubernatorial Candidates Discuss Their Agendas for Nonprofits - Chronicle surveys major-party candidates in 37 state gubernatorial races on how their policies would affect nonprofits

Tough Economic Times for Nonprofits a Key Topic for Charity Regulators - Need to protect charities and donors during the recession was a key theme at National Association of State Charity Officials annual meeting

USPTO Launches Effort to Incentivize Humanitarian Technologies - New initiative encourages businesses to develop and disseminate technologies that address humanitarian needs

Harvard Law School Corporate Governance Forum: Spotlight on Boards - Article examines how legal rules, expectations, and "best practices" influence board performance and behavior

Mergers, Alliances Act as Tools to Strengthen Organizations - Nonprofit Business Advisor on the processes and benefits of mergers for nonprofit agencies.

How Much to Pay the Executive Director? - Blue Avocado article explores legal and practical guidelines of executive compensation

Board Members Are Not Hypothetical Constructs - Guidestar article explores the "real process" of board development

Why Charities Should Be Political - Editorial challenges readers to re-examine assumptions on nonprofits, philanthropy, and politics.

Nonprofit Law Blog and the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) Explore Key Legal Issues for Nonprofits - Recent blog highlights issues related to public charity/private foundation distinctions, lobbying and political activities, and fiscal sponsorship

Shattering the Myth About Diversified Revenue - Chronicle of Philathropy article explores how the diversification of revenue sources can be subject to the "laws of diminishing returns."

Why Are Mergers Among Social Enterprises So Rare? - New blog on Social Edge explores the reluctance of many social entrepreneurs considering mergers in the social sector.

Private School Tax-Exemption Denied for Failure to Comply with Racial Nondiscrimination Policy - IRS denies application because the school failed to establish that it had a racially nondiscriminatory policy towards students

Directors of N.Y. Nonprofit Accused of Improper Oversight - Investigation finds charity directors unaware of the organization's activities or budget, which included $75-million in government funding.

Does Nonprofit Status Offer the Best Way to Achieve Your Mission? - Chronicle of Philanthropy article advices social sector organizations to "follow form with function."

"The Peanut Solution" - New York Times article highlights the controversy over a French patent for Plumpy'nut, a peanut paste used to reduce malnutrituion and famine in Africa.

Alliance for Justice Releases Guide to Laws on Election-Related Activities for Nonprofits - New edition of "The Rules of the Game" reviews federal tax and election laws which govern nonprofit organizations in an election year.

IRS Releases Form to Help Small Charities Claim New Health Care Tax Credit - New tax break is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage to their workers.

Year-End Giving Could Get a Lift From Political Tax Debates - Chronicle of Philanthropy reports how anticipated tax increases may stimulate charitable giving this year.

How Much Must Charities Disclose About Donors? - A Senator urges health groups to tell the public how much money they get from medical companies

Harvard Business Review Article Calls for “clear rules and norms” for Social Enterprises - Timothy Ogden discusses the "thorny questions" raised by social entrepreneurship

Democrats Say Conservative Nonprofit Group’s Ads Violate Tax Law - The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has filed a complaint with the IRS charging that advertisements financed by a nonprofit conservative group are political and violate the organization’s tax exemption.

Nonprofit Associations Urged to Abide by FTC Rules & Protect Consumers from Conflicts-of-Interest - Lack of FTC authority over nonprofit debt relief agencies may leave consumers vulnerable to "unscrupulous providers."

Religion-Based Groups Protest Restrictions in Bill - Over 100 organizations protest pending legislation that would prohibit them from receiving federal money if they consider a job applicant's religion when hiring.

Charities’ Ties to For-Profit Thrift Chain Trigger Debate - A for-profit retailer that sells deeply discounted secondhand clothes obtained from donations to charity is creating unease in the nonprofit community.

Judge strikes down nonprofit's bid to keep donors private - The Center for Individual Freedom had challenged Illinois law requiring disclosure of campaign contributions.

Pro-Israel Group Sues IRS Over Delay in Charity Applications - Activist group alleges that the IRS is holding up applications for tax-exempt status from organizations that oppose the federal government's policy on Israel.

Nonprofits Adding Jobs While Businesses Lose Them, Study Finds - Nonprofit employment grew by 2.5 percent a year from 2007 to 2009, while businesses lost jobs.

NY Times Reports: "Popular Pressure Ushers Recent Progressive Tilt" - Study attributes recent wave of reform initiatives undertaken by the Administration and Congress directly to grassroots advocacy.

IRS Offers One-Time Filing Relief Program for Small Nonprofits - Small nonprofits which have not filed required returns for the past three consecutive years can preserve their exempt status by filing returns with the IRS by October 15, 2010.

Federal Court Determines Online Worship Group Is Not a Church - A religious nonprofit that conducts worship services on the Internet and radio does not meet the IRS definition of a church, according to a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling.

IRS Releases Two Revised Publications on Charitable Contributions -

North Carolina Joins Six Other States in Passing L3C Legislation - On August 3, 2010, Governor Bev Perdue signed Senate Bill 308 which enables a new kind of social business entity - called a Low Profit Limited Liability Company - to be established under North Carolina law.

Startup Visa Bill Offers New Pathway to Citizenship for Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs - Recently, Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) from Colorado joined the list of co-sponsors for the StartupVisa Bill of 2010, designed to encourage non-U.S. entrepreneurs with funding from American investors to start businesses in the U.S.

New York Legislation Limits Charitable Deductions for "High Earners" - The New York Senate approved a budget measure to cap the deductions that high-income earners can claim on their state tax returns for charitable contributions.

Recent Advertising Battles Point to Importance of IP Protection for Social Sector Organizations - Typically associated with the corporate world, trademark disputes are becoming increasingly common among charities and other nonprofits.

Congresswoman Introduces Bill to Strengthen Nonprofit-Government Partnerships - New legislation introduced to improve mechanisms for collaboration between the federal government and the nonprofit sector.

Lawmakers Seek to Regulate Nonprofit Salaries - As part of broader austerity measures, state legislators and regulators seek to limit salaries paid to top executives of state-funded nonprofits.

IRS Scrutiny of Sponsorship Revenues Likely to Increase - The IRS is likely to scale up its review of corporate sponsorship revenues received by nonprofits.

U.S. Healthcare Reform: Expanding Partnerships with the Social Sector - The Affordable Care Act provides for the expansion of partnerships with community-based health organizations, leading to new funding opportunities in the sector.

Companies Use Nonprofits to Bypass Ban on Earmarks - In spite of the Congressional earmark ban, businesses have created parallel non-profit entities to channel taxpayer dollars to their organizations.

IRS Advisors Propose an Online Tutorial for Charities on Compensation - The latest report from the non-profit advisory committee of the Internal Revenue Service proposed the creation of an online tutorial for managers, boards, and advisors of charities to help them better understand tax rules on executive compensation.

NY State Charities Registration Cure Program - June 30 Deadline - Effective immediately through June 30, 2010, the Attorney General in New York State is offering a cure period for charities not properly registered with the Charities Bureau or delinquent in filing annual financial reports.

IRS to Continue Accepting Tax Returns for Small Nonprofits - Though the May 17 deadline has passed, the IRS announced that small nonprofits should still file tax returns to avoid losing their tax-exempt status.

IRS Delays Software Release - The IRS recently announced that Cyber-Assistant, a new software designed to enhance the clarity and accuracy of exemption applications, will not be available until 2011.

Nonprofits Feeling Increasingly Threatened in China - The Chinese government has tightened its control on the civil sector through targeted tax investigations and new restrictions on receiving donations from abroad.

John Gomperts Appointed Director of Americorps - The Corporation for National and Community Service recently announced that John Gomperts will serve as the new Director of Americorps.

The IRS Continues Commitment to Strict Governance Standards - Sarah Hall Ingram, Chief of Appeals for the Internal Revenue Service, recently reiterated the IRS' commitment to encouraging charities to adopt good governance practices at a seminar in D.C.

Many Nonprofits to Lose Exempt Status - As reported in the New York Times, as many as 400,000 nonprofits may lose their tax-exempt status beginning May 15 due to a failure to file Form 990 tax forms with the IRS.

Maryland Recognizes the Benefit Corporation - On April 13, 2010, Maryland became the first state to approve legislation that recognizes the "benefit corporation," a legal entity that permits both social and monetary return.

Paul L. Carttar Named Director of Social Innovation Fund - The Corporation for National and Community Service recently named Paul L. Carttar as the director of Social Innovation Fund.

National Service Agency Issues Final Notice on Social Innovation Fund Grants - The Corporation for National and Community Service issued its final notice on how it plans to spend the Social Innovation Fund.

Nonprofits Divided over Citizens United? - The Hudson Institute's Bradley Center hosts a panel discussion about the implications of the Citizens United case for nonprofits.

Charitable Boards Need to Focus on New 990 - Form 990, the informational tax return that charitable organizations file each year with the Internal Revenue Service, imposes important new demands on charitable boards of directors.

New Head of National Service Agency Sworn In - Patrick Corvington, an expert on nonprofit leadership and a senior associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation, was sworn in on February 18 as the new CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Mr. Corvington was nominated for the post by President Obama in October 2009 but he was not confirmed by the United States Senate until February 9.