The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008 - (Page 1)

The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management • www.nptimes.com • $6.00 U.S. June 15, 2008 Fundraising Fizzles For Myanmar And China Donors don’t think their money will get there BY MARK HRYWNA D onors have opened their wallets to help the devastated regions of China and Myanmar in recent weeks, but giving hasn’t reached the levels seen after the 2004 Asian tsunami or the Gulf Coast hurricanes in 2005. At press time, roughly $70 million was raised, compared to the more than $1 billion for Katrina, Rita, and the tsunami. It’s likely too early to know for sure why giving might be down, but Elizabeth Boris, director of the Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy at the Urban Institute in Washington, D.C., has some guesses. “I’m not sure that we know the answer to this and won’t until we start talking to people,” she said, but the oppressive nature of the regimes in China and Myanmar could affect giving, because they’re not particularly open to philanthropy. “They just recently let aid workers in, that’s got to play into people’s thoughts about, ‘Who’s going to use my money and how’s it going to be used?’” “There’s not that comfort level that organizations that you know and trust…will be helping people,” Boris said.“That plays into some of the reluctance to help people and pour out money.” While coverage of the recent disasters has been on the news, it might not be as dramatic or around-the-clock as the tsunami or hit as close to home as Katrina, While nonprofits have sprung into action to come to the aid of those in China and Myanmar, fundraising efforts haven’t matched those of the 2004 tsunami, for a variety of potential reasons. Boris said. The economy might be an issue, she said, but normally when something of this magnitude happens, people find a little extra here or there to give. “There’s been kind of a wait-and-see attitude,”Boris said,“and if you’re going to sit one out, this one might be the one before you venture a lot of money.” Mercy Corps in Portland, Ore., has raised almost $4.5 million for relief efforts in China and $1.4 million for Myanmar in the two weeks after those disasters, but combined that still is less than half of what it raised by the same time in response to the Asian tsunami in 2004. Part of the reason some disasters raise more than others is the death toll, which might be lower in China and Myanmar than the tsunami, even though the numbers of affected people are in the millions, said Caitlin Carson, communications officer for Mercy Corps. Media attention always plays a big role in disaster fundraising, keeping the disaster in front of donors.“While media attention for both disasters has been sustained relatively long in comparison to other disasters, it still hasn’t beat the tsunami in coverage,” Carlson said. “I think it’s hard for people to feel emotionally connected to these disasters and I think a big reason is they’re not seeing the images in the media as frequently,”said Del Martin, managing partner and chairman of Atlanta-based Alexander Hass Martin and Partners and chairman of the Giving USA Foundation. Donors “have to feel connected and want to help.And I think what makes us want to help as individuals are putting ourselves in the shoes of another individual. And anything that gets in our way cuts down our chances of opening up our pocketbooks,” she said. Given the economy, donors could very well be tightening their belts or weighing their decision to give some more, Carlson said, which is one reason why Mercy Corps have been pleased with current fundraising totals. There was some talk of disaster fatigue after a number of disasters in succession, from the Asian tsunami in late 2004 to Hurricane Katrina the next summer and the Pakistan earthquake in fall 2005. Mercy Corps “hasn’t really felt the affects of the theory of disaster fatigue because Fundraising, page 4 Complaints Filed Against Grant Institute Owners scrambling to fix problems BY MICHELE DONOHUE ore than 40 complaints have been made to various Better Business Bureau (BBB) affiliates against The Grant Institute, with some instructors alleging the organization hasn’t paid them and participants still waiting for refunds for courses that were canceled. The Grant Institute, a Los Angeles-based entity of the Institute for Communication Improvement (ICI), hosts workshops across the country to teach nonprofits and medical researchers grant writing skills. Some instructors and attendees are upset with their experiences and are questioning the company’s business and financial practices. The Grant Institute Director Anthony Jones said that he understands some of the com- Nonprofit Styles Aren’t Out of Fashion Ties, bracelets still bringing in cash with updated looks BY MARK HRYWNA M L ivestrong bracelets will go down as a fundraising phenomenon, generating millions of dollars for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), but also for nonprofits around the nation. Four years ago last month, the bright yellow silicone bracelets debuted with a goal of selling 5 million units. By summer’s end, LAF surpassed the goal and bracelets could be found around the wrists of millions of people. Assorted nonprofits capitalized on their popularity, selling different colors to represent their specific causes. Nonprofits may not make “a profit” like typical corporations, but that doesn't mean they can't hawk their wares. Merchandising can become big business no matter the organization if the market exists, from neck ties and T-shirts to toys and bedding. Licensing Nonprofit Styles, page 6 ADVERTISEMENT Photo By Raul Vasquez for Mercy Corps Grant Institute, page 4 THIS FRONT PAGE NEWS IS FOR YOU The first custom Visa program for smaller organizations has a $100 donation waiting for your group. Call 1-866-747-7488 or visit www.cardpartner.com. Photo By Matt Lankes http://www.nptimes.com http://www.cardpartner.com http://www.cardpartner.com

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The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008 Fundraising Fizzles For Myanmar And China Complaints Filed Against Grant Institute Nonprofit Styles Aren't Out Of Fashion Contents Lights. Camera. Action. Calendar New Boss At Gates Approaching Businesses Big Isn't Always Better Obama And You 'Always Do Right' New Boss At NCNA Three Networks Will Air $100 Million Cancer Fundraiser NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - June 15, 2008

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