Weekly News Recap: September 29, 2017
Prince Harry greets children as he leaves The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Saturday. (CHRIS JACKSON / GETTY IMAGES FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION)
Never begin a day until it’s written on paper. -Jim Rohn
Episode 6 of our podcast BrainTrust Philanthropy Powered by ViTreo! was posted yesterday. Titled Why You Need to Hire a Data Scientist at Your Nonprofit, this episode features Gena Rotstein, Melody Song, and John Gormaly. Listen or subscribe on our website to never miss an episode.
Best practice
- Lakeland College and Eagle Builders - Dairy Learning Centre (YouTube) LLOYDMINSTER STORY Really lovely profile and thank you video (also, the cows are really cute). ViTreo is proud to be working with Lakeland College. 9/13/17
News
Coca-Cola chosen as exclusive cold beverage supplier to University of Calgary campus (UToday) CALGARY STORY Well, there you have it. Coke is it. At least for this round. Last round it was Pepsi. "The University of Calgary recently awarded the cold beverage provider contract to Coca-Cola; a trusted household name and a company with extensive history and experience in the beverage industry." 9/25/17
Thelma Chalifoux, Canada’s first Indigenous woman to be appointed to Senate, dies at 88 (Global News) CANADIAN STORY A great human. RIP. Ms. Chalifoux. "Thelma Chalifoux, Canada’s first Indigenous woman to be appointed to Senate, dies at 88." 9/24/17
The universe is under construction, at least at the Telus World of Science Edmonton (CBC) EDMONTON STORY "While the space-time continuum has been breached at Telus World of Science Edmonton, the science centre is anything but a black hole. The centre is undergoing a major renovation with work continuing on the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre and space gallery." 9/23/17
'It's not just add Indigenous and stir': U of S's indigenization approach raising questions (CBC) SASKATOON STORY A cautionary tale. "Some University of Saskatchewan members are raising questions about the school's efforts to 'indigenize,' especially how it will tackle its goal of making Indigenous content mandatory of all students." 9/23/17
Swift Current youth shelter set to close doors after lack of operating funds (CBC) SWIFT CURRENT STORY "An emergency shelter for at-risk teens in southern Saskatchewan is slated to close less than a year after it opened because of a financial shortfall. Dorie's House opened its doors in January, after people in Swift Current, Sask., volunteered months of their time to make the facility a reality." 9/22/17
New mâmawêyatitân centre works to build community in North Central neighbourhood (CBC) REGINA STORY "The smell inside Regina's new mâmawêyatitân centre is fresh and the building's architecture is immaculate, but it's the people you'll find inside who make it feel welcoming. North Central Regina's mâmawêyatitân centre has been officially open for almost two weeks and students, elders and workers alike are settling into their new space." 9/22/17
Prince Harry tours CAMH, greets crowds in lead-up to Invictus Games (Toronto Star) TORONTO STORY Nice profile for the hospital at the epicenter for mental health in Canada, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. ViTrēo Is proud to be working with CAMH. 9/23/17
Red Deer food bank struggling to keep up with demand (CBC) RED DEER STORY "The Red Deer Food Bank says it's struggling to keep up with demand, even as Alberta's economy rebounds. The food bank's executive director, Fred Scaife, said demand for hampers is up by 15 per cent this year. And, for the first time in 20 years, he's had to use donated cash to buy food such as pasta, rice and dry soup." 9/23/17
Cultural Kitchen connects the world over a meal (St. Albert Gazette) ST. ALBERT STORY Looks yummy! ViTrēo is proud to be working with the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village. "The Cultural Kitchen just started its fifth season with an atypical Canadian night featuring beef stew and bannock." 9/23/17
Calgary homeless population still 'living on the edge' despite drop in numbers, shelter director says (CBC) CALGARY STORY Despite this headline, this is actually a good news story. "New research from the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy suggests the city's ten-year plan to address homelessness might be working. The study tracked the number of stays in emergency shelters since Calgary embarked upon its plan in 2008. According to their data, emergency shelter stays — measured as a percentage of Calgary's adult population — has fallen by nearly 40 per cent." 9/22/17
Social Seen: EPL Gala (Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON STORY Some photos from another successful gala for the Edmonton Public Library. 9/22/17
‘Hand in Hand’ Hurricane Relief Telethon Raises More Than $55 Million (Variety) "'Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief' announced [...] that the hourlong telethon featuring the likes of Justin Bieber, Beyonce, and George Clooney had raised more than $55 million, which will aid the victims of both hurricanes Harvey and Irma." 9/20/17
Large number of natural disasters may be leading to donation fatigue (KATU) "It's a real thing." September 2017
Books to read
- The pioneering women who fought to build Canada's first women's shelters (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT "Runaway Wives and Rogue Feminists" -- it is going on my list. 9/26/17
Life and career hacks
4 Genius Strategies to Stop Time and Live Longer Than Everyone Else (The Mission) Everyone of these inspires me. I especially love #2 and I have dreamed about doing #3 (sort of like old school air traffic control). 9/21/17
Color, psychology and design (UX Planet) Colour is so interesting. Three great facts about colour beginning with "[fact] 01 : Color preferences go along with the gender difference." 9/18/17
How this daily worksheet improves my life by 10x (ART + marketing) Not all the questions here will lead to tasks that are easy but this is a seriously good set of questions. 9/15/17
These 3 Brand Languages Will Change The Playing Field For Your Company (The Startup) These are such powerful concepts. "Own the language, own the customer." 9/14/17
Tools
- Our nonprofit needed a cheaper way to send email blasts. So we engineered one. (freeCodeCamp) "If you need a more cost effective solution for your mailing list, this might be it." 9/15/17
Lists of lists
- AFP Top Ten: Sponsorship Packages, Philanthropic Advisors, PSAs, Special Event Ideas & More! (AFP eWire) Each week, AFP gathers the top blog posts, videos, articles and other resources to help you keep on top of latest trends and reach your fundraising goals In recognition of the great curation by AFP's Michael Nilson, we wanted to share. I found the article on sponsorship packages refreshing and, even, a bit challenging. I also enjoyed the two articles on how to convert volunteers to donors -- good stuff in both. 9/27/17
Studies and reports
- Following A Plan, Plus Four Donor Identification Methods, Key to Finding Major Gift Success (AFP eWire) Fascinating research, much of it validates what we already know. Interestingly, according to the research, getting boards to rate prospects does not matter. Good to know. 9/27/17
Philanthropic personalities
- Mark Zuckerberg will no longer try to reclassify Facebook stock to fund his philanthropy (Recode) "Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will no longer try to reclassify the company’s stock, settling a major class-action lawsuit with shareholders. Zuckerberg wanted to reclassify Facebook’s stock so he could sell shares — to fund the ambitious philanthropic projects he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are leading — while retaining control of the company." 9/22/17
Philanthropic controversy
A $200-million donation threatens to tar UC Irvine's medical school as a haven for quacks (Los Angeles Times) We shared this story in last week's recap. It continues to spur significant and polarizing discussion in the marketplace. "The only reason ‘integrative medicine’ exists is to integrate quackery into medicine." 9/22/17
George Clooney, Heidi Klum, More Stars to Defend Harvey Weinstein in amfAR Donation Dispute (US Magazine) Yes, we are quoting from US Magazine."Famous faces are coming together to back longtime Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein after amfAR board members complained about an agreement between him and chairman of 13 years, fashion designer Kenneth Cole, that proceeds from an auction would go both to the AIDS charity and American Repertory Theater (ART) at Harvard." 9/22/17
University accepts $50 million donation from Stephen Ross amid fire from students (The Michigan Daily) We posted about the controversy in last week's recap. "Business students [...] are worried accepting the donation will send a negative message to their fellow students and the country, as the U.S. Tax Court ruled against Ross in August for 'grossly' overestimating the value of a tax-deductible gift to the University. The case between the IRS and Ross pertained to a Southern California property donated by Ross — a real estate mogul — to the University. Though the University sold the property for $2 million, and later valued it at $5 million, Ross and his business partners claimed a $33 million charitable tax deduction. The IRS took issue with the discrepancy in its own valuing of the property at $3.4 million, almost 10 times what Ross filed the tax deduction as." 9/20/17
Trends and shifts
TrueDonate: A New Cryptocurrency Donation System Is Entering ICO (Cryptocoins) If your nonprofit needs to accept a cryptcurrency (like Bitcoin), this platform looks like it can help. 9/26/17
Q&A: How Mastercard uses data for better philanthropy (Devex) Cool! Mastercard is opening up its data for research that can help the nonprofit sector and they are offering grants to help nonprofits use their own data. 9/25/17
Faced with multiple natural disasters, charities broaden their appeals (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT "A flood of natural disasters around the world in the last month has some aid organizations taking a different approach to fundraising to prevent donor fatigue. With so many disasters in the news right now, there can be a numbing effect for donors, said Kate Bahen, managing director of Charity Intelligence Canada." 9/23/17
Philanthropy Examines its Role in Shifting Economic Landscape at Roundtable Conference (Philanthropy Roundtable) I completely agree. "Work is the best solution to poverty which is why we need to solve the upskilling challenge." 9/22/17
Large gifts
Cleveland Clinic department receives large donation (Sun Sentinel) "The Cleveland Clinic's Orthopaedic Surgery Department received a $2 million gift from Jeff Levietz and the Levietz Family Foundation." 9/26/17
UA receives $5 million donation (Tuscaloosa News) "A $5 million donation will help build a high-tech cyber security lab and fund research in business-data intelligence at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. The donation, made by Marillyn A. Hewson, a UA alumna and chairwoman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin, was announced [...] at Bidgood Hall, where the lab will be located." 9/26/17
Donation by Netflix CEO creates new program to Bowdoin (Coastal Journal) "Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings, and member of Bowdoin College’s Class of 1983, has donated $5 million towards creating a new program to help low-income, first-generation, and other underrepresented students." Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine. 9/26/17
Seattle's Museum of Flight receives largest-ever donation of $17 million (KOMO News) "The Museum of Flight has received the largest bequest in its 52-year history, a donation of more than $17 million to help provide educational opportunities for young people interested in a career in aerospace, science or technology. The gift is from the estate of Betty Houston, an aviation buff and widow of World War II bomber pilot Frank "Sam" Houston." 9/26/17
EVERTEC Increases Hurricane Relief Donation to $1 Million (Businesswire) "Evertec [...] announced the Company will donate a total of $1 million for hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico." 9/25/17
Focused Ultrasound Foundation Receives $10 Million Donation Pledge (NBC) "A Charlottesville organization that works to transform the treatment of medical disorders has received a generous contribution from an anonymous donor. That donor has made it easier for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation to receive $10 million within the next few years. The donor has pledged up to $10 million that has to be matched one for one by 2022." 9/25/17
What does a college do with a $200 million commitment? For one, build a new campus (Miami Herald) This gift follows on a gift the Patels made earlier this year. We shared that story in our March 17, 2017 recap. "Nova Southeastern University is expanding to a new Clearwater campus, thanks to a record-setting donation from a Tampa-area couple. The $200 million philanthropic commitment — NSU’s largest ever — from cardiologist Dr. Kiran Patel and his wife, pediatrician Dr. Pallavi Patel, will go toward $50 million in scholarships and building a Tampa Bay Regional Campus on the former site of Clearwater Christian College." 9/25/17
I'M DONATING A MIL TO PUERTO RICO (TMZ) Yes, we are posting a link from TMZ. Yes, that is their headline. That said, congrats to J Lo. "J Lo made the announcement [...] in NYC alongside the state's governor, Andrew Cuomo, saying the American island nation was in desperate need of help after being devastated by Hurricane Maria ... which she said she'd contribute to with a mil from the proceeds of her Vegas show." 9/24/17
Rolling Hills Local School District receives $42 million donation (Times Reporter)I like this gift but I do not like the term. 30 years; $1.4 million per year; that is a long time to amortize a gift. "The Rolling Hills Local School District soon will have new facilities — at no cost to the district taxpayers — thanks to an energy provider coming to Guernsey County [...]. Guernsey Power Station announced the agreement which will see $42 million given to the district over a span of 30 years. The sum will pay 51 percent of the construction tab with the remainder picked up by the state." 9/22/17
Booth donation kickstarts $350 million Kansas Athletics fundraising campaign (University Daily Kansan) "University alumnus David Booth announced [...] a $50 million donation to a Kansas Athletics fundraising campaign that is part of a $350 million, five-year strategic vision." 9/22/17
Carlos Beltran starts Hurricane Maria relief effort with $1 million donation (ESPN) "Carlos Beltran is the latest athlete to use his well-known profile to raise money for the victims of a natural disaster. Beltran, a Puerto Rico native, and his family kicked off a fundraising campaign for those affected by Hurricane Maria with a video on his donation page detailing their $1 million donation and asking for any amount to help rebuild their home country after the disaster." 9/22/17
Two philanthropic families unite for a $1M donation to support PACE arts center (The Daily NonPareil) "The families of Dick and the late Deanne Miller and John and Anne Nelson have donated a combined $1 million toward the creation of the Hoff Family Arts and Culture Center in downtown Council Bluffs." Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. 9/22/17
Annette Simmons makes 11th $1 million donation to Crystal Charity Ball (Dallas News) We first profiled Mrs. Simmons in our December 2, 2016 recap. At that time, she had just made a $50 million gift to Trinity River Park in Dallas. She is quite the woman. "Annette Simmons continues to build on her 37-year history of support for the Crystal Charity Ball with another donation of $1 million. She and her late husband, Harold, began giving to the group early in their marriage, she noted. This is the 11th time the Simmons gift totaled $1 million." 9/22/17
Muskegon Community College gets $1.5M donation to name downtown center (MLive) "[The] Carolyn I. and Peter Sturrus Technology Center is the official name of Muskegon Community College's downtown campus following a $1.5 million naming donation." Muskegon Community College is a community college located in Muskegon, Michigan. 9/21/17
Sobey family gives $6.5 million to NSCC in record-setting donation (Metro News) NOVA SCOTIA STORY Congrats to NSCC and thank you to the Sobey family. "The Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) received its largest ever donation [...] when the Sobey Family unveiled $6.5 million in various contributions [...]. The largest portion of the donation, $4 million, will be used to establish a permanent bursary program to recruit and assist students who may have not have considered postsecondary education an option for themselves otherwise [...]." 9/24/17
Cal State San Marcos receives $1 million donation for student veterans facility (KUSI News) This is a cool gift to support veterans who are students. "Cal State San Marcos officials announced [...] that the school received a $1 million donation from the San Diego-based Epstein Family Foundation to support its center for student military veterans." 9/20/17
Motown Museum expansion effort lands $1 million Erb donation (Michigan Foundations) "A $1-million gift from the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation is the latest step as museum officials aim for a $50-million transformation of the West Grand Boulevard site, home to Motown's original Hitsville U.S.A., studio and headquarters." 9/20/17
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