Picks of the Week: August 7 - 13, 2011

Website of the Week – National Center for Charitable Statistics

The National Center for Charitable Statistics, a project of the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, is the national repository of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States. Lobbying expenditure data for all 501(c)(3) organizations that are required to file Form 990 are available. Data are available from 1989 to 1998. The new "digitized" database will soon be available and will provide richer information on all 501(c)(3)s, including their advocacy activities. Go to: http://www.nccs.urban.org.


Publication of the Week -- Scaling Social Impact: New Thinking by Paul N. Bloom and Edward Skloot

From the publisher:"Scaling Social Impact could not be released at a more opportune moment. When resources to support social change seem more limited than ever, two of our field's most significant thought leaders collaborate to bring us some of the best, most current and engaging perspectives on a topic that to this point one might argue has been more fad than strategy. By presenting us with writings from a host of researchers and experienced field builders, Bloom and Skloot offer us not only vision but informed, research-based insights into the concept and complications of what it means to attain the highest potential of effective social programs. Click to preview this book on Amazon.com.


Trend of the Week – Online Giving Trends

On an ongoing basis, Blackbaud publishes the Index of Charitable Giving. According to the Q1 & Q2 2011 Online Giving Index overall giving increased for both Q1 2011 and Q2 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010. Charity website giving saw mixed results across the first half of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010. Charity websites with branded donation pages achieved five times more donation dollars, on average, than sites with generic donation pages. . To download the Q1 & Q2 2011 Online Giving Index, go to: http://www.blackbaud.com.


Resource of the Week – Best Web Sites To Find Grants

The Best Web Sites To Find Grants has been compiled by Don Griesmann. The list includes links to U.S. foundations and corporations and for the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. There are data banks aimed at international NGOs. There are specialized banks for animals, women, human rights, health, the environment and international development. Griesmann has included what he considers to be the best data banks for U.S. government funds including funds for international purposes. Some of the data banks require a user name, a password and an e-mail address. In some instances your account will require activation through a return e-mail to you to be returned to them or clicking on a link. To access this amazing resource, go to: http://dongriesmannsnonprofit.blogspot.com.


Tech Tip of the Week -- Move or Copy Sheets between Workbooks in Excel 2007/2010

• Open the sheet you want to move or copy
• Click the Home tab on the Ribbon
• In the Cells group, click Format
• Under Organize Sheets, select Move or Copy Sheet
• Choose where you want the sheet to be copied or moved to
• Be sure to select the create a copy box if you do not want your sheet moved