Picks of the Week: January 17 - 23, 2010

Website of the Week -- Standards for Excellence Institute

The first program of its kind in the United States, the Standards for Excellence Institute is a national initiative that promotes the highest standards of ethics and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, and operations, and facilitates adherence to those standards by all nonprofits. The Institute, an operating division of Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations (Maryland Nonprofits), uses the Standards for Excellence program, a comprehensive system of nonprofit sector self-regulation as its vehicle for effective change. The Standards for Excellence program works to strengthen the ability of nonprofit organizations to act ethically and accountably in their management and governance, while enhancing the public's trust in the nonprofit sector. For more information, go to: www.standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org.


Publication of the Week -- Change Philanthropy: Candid Stories of Foundations Maximizing Results through Social Justice edited by Alicia Epstein Korten and Kim Klein

From the publisher: This groundbreaking book shows how to increase funding for social justice philanthropy. Social justice philanthropy provides direct services to alleviate suffering and works to transform the systems and institutions that cause that suffering. Written in an engaging, easy-to-read style, Change Philanthropy offers an insider's view what works and what doesn't work when developing grantmaking strategies in support of social change. It gives clear guidance showcases foundations of all types and sizes including Liberty Hill Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Needmor Fund, Jacobs Family Foundation, Discount Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Schott Foundation, Ford Foundation, and the Open Society Institute. The book also includes a wealth of illustrative examples and contains practical suggestions and tips that can be applied immediately to support any social justice agenda.
• Offers a guide for increasing funds for social justice programs and suggestions for foundations on which programs to fund
• Gives step-by-step advice for developing a successful grantmaking strategy
• Includes a wealth of examples from leading foundations

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com.


Trend of the Week -- GuideStar's Eighth Annual Nonprofit Economic Survey

A survey of public charity and private foundation employees was conducted online from October 1, 2009, until October 15, 2009, the eighth annual nonprofit economic survey conducted by GuideStar, and the third of three such surveys conducted by GuideStar in 2009. The purposes of the survey were to compare how charitable organizations fared during the first nine months of 2009 to previous years and to try to gauge the effect of the downturn in the economy on the American nonprofit sector. Key findings include:

• 51 percent of respondents who accept contributions saw a decline in contributions over the first nine months of 2009 versus the same period in 2008. The major factors cited for a decline in contributions were fewer individuals giving (69 percent) and smaller gifts (69 percent).
• 62 percent of respondents had experienced an increase in demand for their organization's services in 2009.
• 36 percent of grantmakers decreased total monetary payouts; 27 percent gave more.
• Despite the tough year, most organizations were hopeful about 2010. Some 36 percent planned budget increases, and 29 percent expected to be able to maintain their current level of expenditures.
• For those organizations that expected to reduce their 2010 budgets, reduction in program services (59 percent) and salary freezes (54 percent) were the most frequently used techniques for making ends meet.

For more information, go to: http://www2.guidestar.org.


Resource of the Week -- Resource Guide On Corporate-Nonprofit Collaboration

Weber Shandwick and the Gill Foundation have released "Business of Change," a resource guide focused on corporate-nonprofit collaboration to promote equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The 104-page guide, available free to download, is a first-of-its-kind collection of best practices with actionable and practical ideas to help nonprofits and corporations advance LGBT equality.

• The Business of Change guide includes:
• Overview of the changing landscape of corporate philanthropy
• 2009 Business of Change survey results
• Glossary of terms
• Information on organizations that provide indices rating LGBT equality
• 110 questions nonprofits should consider prior to partnering
• Case studies of innovative collaborations between LGBT nonprofits and corporations

To download a copy of the guide, go to: http://www.webershandwick.com.


Tech Tip of the Week -- Adding Paste Values to the Quick Access Toolbar in Excel 2007

Using the Paste Values option in Excel lets you strip formulas from your data and paste only the resulting values. In Excel 2007 the Quick Access Toolbar is a great way to simplify using this feature. Here's how:

• Click the Office button in the upper left corner of the Excel 2007 Screen
• Click the Excel Options button at the bottom of the Office window to display the Excel Options dialog box
• Click Customize in the left pane
• Under Choose commands select All Commands
• Select Paste Values
• Click Add and then OK