"It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich".

Sarah Bernhardt

Dear Friend,

An economics professor at Columbia University Business School, Ray Fishman, has just co-authored a book, Economic Gangsters, with Edward Miguel. In a recent Forbes magazine article he underscores how a professor can turn bleeding hearts into capitalists and vice versa. Citing a Yale Law School study, he notes that students given $10 and told that each dollar they give away to an anonymous partner will gain that partner an additional $5, tend to give more than students who are told that only $.20 will be given to a partner whom they have given one dollar. There are many other applications of this study which Fishman notes, but from a fundraising position, this backs up the fact that givers give more when they know their contributions will be multiplied. 

This is one of the reasons why challenge gifts are well received by givers as they give to meet the challenge. One dollar will get five, or one dollar will get one more really works. It needs to be used more in our fundraising endeavors.

 
Sincerely,
Douglas M. Lawson, Ph.D.

_____________________________________


Did you know?

 
COMEDIANS RAISE MONEY FOR AUTISM
On Sunday, April 13th, "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism" was hosted by the Daily Show's Jon Stewart on Comedy Central. Among the celebrities taking part in the show were Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Sarah Silverman, Conan O'Brien, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Will Arnett and Amy Poehler. The last special in 2006 raised $3 million. We hope they broke that record in 2008.
USA Today, April 14, 2008, p. 3D
 
AT&T IS GIVING $100 MILLION TO FIGHT DROPOUTS
Following Goldman, Sachs and Company's $100 million commitment to advance women's education in the developing world, AT&T is giving the second 2008 $100 million corporate grant, this time to help solve the high school dropout rate in the United States. The unemployment rate for dropouts is 60% higher than those who have completed high school. After conducting focus groups of AT&T investors, Laura Sanford, president of the AT&T Foundation, found out that "they think (corporate philanthropy) is required. They are not going to invest in companies that are not socially engaged".
The New York Times, April 17, 2008, p. A23
 
CREDIT CRISIS HITS SOME MUSEUMS HARD
Several large museums in America have been hit hard by the credit crisis. These include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The problem is the non-profit bonds these museums hold, which found their rates in some cases jumping from 4% to 15% in February. The Boston Museum has pulled out of the Bond Market and the Los Angeles Museum is replacing its current "Auction-rate" bonds with more stable bonds. The New York Met is sitting tight. Debt is never really good for a non-profit and the current crisis underscores this truth.
USA Today, April 17, 2008, p. 4B
 
ARIZONA DEVELOPER FUNDS HOUSING FOR MEXICAN POOR
Powell (Gil) Gillenwater, a Scottsdale, Arizona real estate developer has raised $1 million to build 42 two-bedroom duplexes on the outskirts of Aqua Prieta, a Mexican town 50 miles South of Tucson, Arizona. The homes have been built by Americans "who come down to build houses and to feed their souls". Of himself Gillenwater says "It has allowed me to throw off the shackles of this narcissistic ego and open myself up to the world around me".
Forbes, May 5, 2008, p. 78
 
DONATING THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE MONEY
A new search engine, SearchKindly.org, allows users to raise money for charity without giving money themselves. They do this by performing Google searches on the site. The site is paid advertising dollars which are in turn given to charity. Similar search engines are GoodSearch.com and TheHungerSite.com. Another way to give the charities something other than money is to donate your free miles to a charity. American Airlines fliers have donated more than 43 million miles, and in 2007 alone US Airways fliers gave more than 300 million miles.
The Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2008, p. R4
 
MUSIC GROUPS LINK TO HABITAT TO BUILD HOMES
Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Jars of Clay, Third Day and Switchfoot are joining with Habitat for Humanity for the Music Builds Tour beginning in Detroit on August 21st. The artists will donate $1 to Habitat for each ticket sold, and additional funds will be donated from ticket auctions, merchandise and packages in the 23 cities where they will tour. What a great idea! We hope other groups will use this idea on their tours.
USA Today, April 21, 2008, p. D1
 
OLDER VOLUNTEERS - A NEW PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCE 
Arizona, a state many choose as a retirement home, has become a leader among states that are promoting volunteering for older Americans as well as lifelong learning and meaningful work. Other states like New York, Maryland and California are following Arizona's lead. California has become the first state to create a cabinet position to promote volunteerism. The California Wellness Foundation has also funded a very important report, "California's Aging Opportunity: Building a Legacy of Good Works by Older California". This is a trend we hope spreads to all 50 states.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 17, 2008, p. 56
 
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA AND PHILANTHROPY
Since Peter Gelb took over as General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera in 2006 the budget has grown from $221.7 million to $268.3 million. At the same time its deficit has grown from $4.5 million to somewhere between $6 and $10 million.  The cause: Mr. Gelb's many exciting new innovations. With one of the smallest endowments ($336.2 million) of any major New York cultural institution, Mr. Gelb is counting on increased ticket sales as well as an increase in fundraising to eliminate the deficit. The development staff at the Met has been increased to 41 persons. Mercedes Bass, Vice Chairman of the Met and her husband Sid are leading the philanthropic charge with a gift of $25 million. A new vigorous annual campaign for funds will be followed by an endowment campaign with a goal to increase the endowment to $1 billion. We wish Mr. Gelb and the Met the best in these endeavors.
The Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2008, p. D9
 
THE SPOLETO FESTIVALS PLAN TO RENEW THEIR TIES
Fifteen years ago the Spoleto Festival in Italy and the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. parted ways. They now plan to renew their association beginning in 2009 with a joint opera production. Nigel Redden, general director of the Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, notes "This is the beginning. We share a genetic makeup, even if it's not a matrimonio (the Italian word for marriage)". This is an exciting renewal of a relationship the world of music will enjoy. These two festivals were founded by the now deceased composer Gian Carlo Menotti.
The New York Times, April 24, 2008, p. B1
 
$100 MILLION GIFT AGAIN - THIS TIME TO HARVARD
Continuing 2007's trend of gifts of $100 million or more, David Rockefeller has pledged $100 million to his alma mater Harvard University. The gift, which will be received after his death, will be for international studies. This gift follows Mr. Rockefeller's gifts to his foundation of $225 million and $100 million gifts to the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller University. This is the largest gift ever given to Harvard by an alumnus.
The New York Times, April 25, 2008, p. A17
 
COMPANIES PAYING EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTEER
Giving today's youth joining the workforce who want to work for a company that cares about society, many companies are turning to a program where they pay employees to volunteer. Among the companies promoting this new idea are Pfizer, Target, United Parcel Service and PNC Financial Services Group. A spokesman for Target touts the corporate advantages found in paying employees to volunteer: "They come back with more substantial leadership skills and a better strategic sense of how to navigate in different types of environments". Non-profit groups working with corporations on this new concept include Endeavor in New York and FSG Social Impact Advisors in Boston.
The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2008, p. D1
 
SEATTLETRIES PHILANTHROPY FOR THE HOMELESS
Seattle is trying out a plan which gives homes to homeless alcoholics. It is called the 1811 Eastlake Project, with 75 units given to homeless alcoholics. The idea is simply to give someone a home first and then work on their addiction and other problems.  Portland, Oregon has a similar program that has cut its chronic homeless population by 70%. This is a good new idea. We hope other cities will try it because it works, as numerous non-profits have proven through the years.
USA Today, April 29, 2008, p. 9A
 
CLINTON FOUNDATION LEADS WAY TO CHEAPER HIV DRUGS
Unitaid, an international drug purchasing consortium, and the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative have made deals with drug companies to lower the price on 40 generic AIDS drugs. These companies include two in India and one in the United States. Among the new discounted drugs is a $66 a year combination of drugs to treat children with AIDS. Congratulations to the Clinton Foundation and Unitaid for this important financial breakthrough.
The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2008, p. D3
 
$100 MILLION DONOR TOURS NEW ORLEANS
The Emir of Qatar, who gave $100 million to help rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, recently toured New Orleans. In his words, 'we saw what happened to New Orleans. We are part of this society. It is good for everyone to help out. I really feel sorry for the people". This international gesture of philanthropy is welcomed by the people of New Orleans and all Americans.
The New York Times, April 30, 2008, p. A14
 
AS REBATE CHECKS ARRIVE CHARITIES SEE OPPORTUNITY
Many charities throughout the United States are hoping to capitalize on the rebate checks that millions of Americans are now receiving. Charities and churches are sending out appeals to their donors to contribute part of their checks to a non-profit organization of their choice. Some groups active in this effort include Peace Action, Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranches and the VFW National Home for Children in Michigan. One fund raising consultant, Robert Sharpe, thinks this will be a bonanza for non-profits. We hope he is right.
The New York Times, April 30, 2008, p. A15

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