Daily News Roundup: Donors Are Going Back to Their Hometowns to Fix Them Up
Often they require a combination of philanthropy and investments with a social return. In other articles, the Ford Motor Company has agreed to pay the Abell Foundation and a technology firm to use a hybrid engine technology; Report for America, a nonprofit that works like AmeriCorps, plans to place 1,000 journalists in understaffed newsrooms by 2022; the Twin Cities is going informal, holding fewer black-tie events; and other articles about the Obama Foundation and data-analysis tools and more.
How Charities Can Prevent a Ransomware Attack
Training employees is essential as more and more organizations suffer attacks that take down entire computer systems, said a speaker at the Nonprofit Technology Conference on Thursday.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
Daily News Roundup: Schwarzman Had Long List of Demands in Exchange for $25 Million Gift
Billionaire Stephen Schwarzman wanted a portrait of himself, his brothers’ names on display, curriculum changes, and approval over the building design of the high school that was to receive his gift. In other articles, the MacArthur Foundation is giving more than $24 million to Chicago-are arts groups; a Florida hospital is getting a $25 million contribution; Ken Griffin is donating $10 million to Chicago police to fight gun violence; and much more on the arts and news and opinion.
Facebook Scandal Unlikely to Transform Charity Fundraising, Experts Say
At the annual Nonprofit Technology Conference, charity officials and consultants said it was important to check in with lawyers on privacy issues for donors.
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
The MasterCard Foundation severed relations with Michigan State, saying it was “dedicated to providing a safe environment for young people who participate in our programs.” In other news, Save the Children faces a formal investigation after complaints about employee behavior and the departure of senior staff members; the biggest Black Lives Matter Facebook page is fake but raised $100,000; and other articles on gun violence and the arts and the Stephen Schwarzman gift and more.
Daily News Roundup: $18 Million Gift to Create a Heart Center
In other news, a University of Washington institute has won $11.3 million from the Open Philanthropy Project to work on a universal flu vaccine; the L.A. Clippers Foundation is giving $10 million to renovate basketball courts in Los Angeles city parks; the National Parks Conservation Association is suing Ryan Zinke and agencies he oversees over a water pipeline in California near a national monument; Drue Heinz, a literary-arts philanthropist has died; and more.
Small Group Has Big Influence on How Advocacy and Aid Groups Use Data
The Engine Room connects nonprofits working in the field with the technology they need to succeed — and works to ensure organizations respect the privacy of the people they serve.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Unanswered Questions About Sex Abuse at Global Aid Groups
Bad behavior among aid workers tends to be covered up or overlooked for the sake of the group’s image. In other articles, donors can now tell Alexa to send money to charity; the Minneapolis Foundation racks up $100 million as its donor-advised funds gain in popularity. Plus more, including how Melinda Gates is working to promote equality for women; a look at what artificial intelligence can do for nonprofits; and an interview with Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richards.
Daily News Roundup: #MeToo Can Put Charities in a Tough Spot When It Taints Benefactors
Philanthropic efforts have suffered when powerful men they have relied on are brought down by allegations of sexual misconduct. In other articles, a drug distributor has pledged $100 million to start a foundation to fight the opioid epidemic; a look at why big donors give cash to business schools; the Kendeda Fund is giving $5.3 million to 10 public radio stations for reporting on gun violence; and more news, including the Schwarzman naming gift and a fight over a museum’s expansion.
Podcast: Using Apps and Data to Fight Disease in the Developing World
Chuck Slaughter explains how Living Goods puts technology in the hands of trained health-care workers — mostly women in local communities in Africa — to battle illnesses that kill nearly 6 million children every year.
How Chatbots Are Helping Nonprofits Do More for Less
Computer programs that simulate written human conversation can answer donor questions, gather data, share stories, encourage advocacy, and even raise money.
By ALLISON FINE
Contributor
Daily News Roundup: Melinda Gates Talks About Diversity in Tech
She also discusses problems money can’t fix and more. In other news, aid groups are scrambling to solve the problem of sexual misconduct after the Oxfam scandal; an opaque religious charity run by top U.S. housing officials raises questions; three employees of the disaster-aid charity Shelterbox have left after allegations of sexual misconduct by aid workers; and more articles about giving and about nonprofits and policy.
But the number of donors increased 0.1 percent compared with the same month in 2017.
By Eden Stiffman, Ariana Giorgi and Ben Myers
Few Nonprofits Do Enough to Make Sure Website Visitors Become Donors, Study Finds
What’s more, nonprofits are struggling to deliver email to their supporters and ensure their sites are mobile friendly.
By HEATHER JOSLYN
Contributor
Podcast: How Salesforce.com Spreads the Gospel of Corporate Giving
In this edition of the Business of Giving, Suzanne DiBianca, chief philanthropy officer at the software company, discusses the concept of giving 1 percent each of time, equity, and products back to the community.
Daily News Roundup: Donor Chops $75 Million From Big Calif. Medical Gift
Plus: Big names in tech are boosting Goldman Sachs’s fast-growing donor-advised fund, the maker of OxyContin wades controversially into anti-addiction giving; a Democratic House leader looks into the Trump Organization’s donation of profits to the Treasury; and news and views on Latino philanthropy, a growing advice club for the very rich, and the latest XPrize Foundation contest. (Hint: humanoids!)