The NonProfit Times - December 1, 2008 - (Page 4)

page THE NONPROFITTIMES 4 Blah 12.01.08 Blah Blah Blah Blah Stressing Out And Puffing Away A lot of folks must have the old folk song Puff The Magic Dragon running through their heads. Why? Because the plummeting economy has left people running out into the cold – for a cigarette break. One in four smokers said that financial stress is pushing them to smoke more cigarettes per day, according to a study by the American Legacy Foundation of more than 2,375 U.S. adults. “It is no secret that stress is a major factor in smoking behavior,” said Dr. Cheryl Healton, president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation. “The turbulent global stock markets have caused virtually every American a certain level of stress. Those who also struggle with an addiction to tobacco products are at an increased disadvantage as they contemplate quitting, or feel the urge to smoke more cigarettes.” More than 13 percent of smokers say their quitting plans went up in smoke because of the economy woes, while unemployed smokers are lighting up more than full-time or self-employed workers. And move over Marlboro – Basic cigarettes are making a comeback. While smokers aren’t stressed enough to stop buying $7 packs,one-fifth of the smokers said they switched to a cheaper brand to save money.– Michele Donohue A Letter About Nothing Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah – that might be what you think when reading some fundraising letters. But actually having that written to you is a different story. Framingham State College sent out a fundraising letter to alumni that included “blah” written more than 100 times, according to WCVB-TV in Boston. The Framingham, Mass.based college ditched the song and dance about why it was important to fund the school and tried to have a little fun, hopefully to appeal to Generation X graduates. At one point the letter appeals,“No matter the amount, every gift counts,” caught in a sea of “blah.” It was reported that letter received only a couple dozen answers in the more than 6,000 mailing and some complaints – but still raised $2,000. Alumni received a follow-up letter apologizing for the mailing from the college’s President Dr. Timothy J. Flanagan. Officials at the college declined to discuss the appeal with The NonProfit Times. – Michele Donohue Meters Don’t Let Time Run Out So you’re walking down the street in a major metropolitan city when you come upon a panhandler asking for change.You, a) avoid eye contact and keep moving, or b) hand over some spare change in your pocket. In some cities, you might have more options coming. Five “donation meters” have been installed in downtown Atlanta in response to aggressive panhandlers who don’t take no for an answer. The spare change will be distributed to homeless outreach service organizations. After visiting Denver, which has “donation meters,” officials started thinking about installing meters in the city, Mayor Shirley Franklin told the Journal-Constitution in Atlanta. “Give Change That Makes Sense”is funded by Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Atlanta Police Foundation and the Georgia World Congress Center. The campaign comes three years after the city passed an anti-panhandling measure and an August incident in which a man was shot to death after arguing with a panhandler, according to the Journal-Constitution. In Portland, Ore., people can make a donation to Sanctity of Hope (SOH) and receive a token for every $1.25 donated.The donor can then pass out those tokens to someone in need who in turn can exchange them for food, clothing or products at an SOH mobile storefront or a participating business. - Mark Hrywna Family, Charity Benefit From House Sale George Tran doesn’t want to be bothered with selling a house in a lousy real estate market – so he’s decided to give it away. And he’s turning to the Internet to find the most worthy family. Tran, an Internet marketer, bought the house in Veneta, Ore., for $250,000. Three years and $40,000 in renovations later, Tran wants to give away the house in an Internet vote. People who want the opportunity to win the house have to pay a $19.95 registration fee and write a story about why they deserve the house at http://freehouse.wordpress.com. Internet users will then vote for the winning family, who will receive the house or a $100,000 cashier’s check.The catch? Tran hopes to raise $300,000 to cover costs. Any additional money would be divided between Habitat for Humanity, Best Friends Animal Shelter and Citizens for Health. Tran will also donate $1 for each Digg submission the Web page receives, up to $1,000, and that money will be donated to Citizens for Health. – Michele Donohue 4 DECEMBER 1, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com http://freehouse.wordpress.com http://freehouse.wordpress.com http://www.nptimes.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The NonProfit Times - December 1, 2008

The NonProfit Times - December 1, 2008 Contents A Nation of Volunteers Nonprofits Start Franchising Page 4 Tidings Of Good Cheer Donor-Restricted Endowments Membership Revenue Isn’t Free Divining A Skills Set Special Report: 2008 The Year in Review The Revised 990 Giving And The Economy Annual Buyers Guide Advertiser Index NPT Jobs Resource Directory

The NonProfit Times - December 1, 2008

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