The Philanthropic Trends Digest

Dear Friend,

Can money buy happiness? In a capitalistic society, too often the answer is... yes. 
 
Michael I. Norton in a recent article in Forbes magazine answers this question in a philanthropic way. He answers, "Yes, money can buy you happiness, but only if you give it away."
 
In a survey he conducted, he asked 315 Americans how happy they would be at 10 different income levels. Up to 60,000 a year, those interviewed stated that would be happier if they had more money. Above the $60,000 level, however, the happiness return on additional income was very small.
 
Norton's explanation for this is that the additional buying power of money over $60,000 does not buy anything more than material goods - when what really makes people happy is relationships with others.
 
To further test this idea, Norton gave strangers $5 to $20 and told half of the strangers to spend it on themselves and the other half to spend it on others. The result: "Those who had spent their money on others reported feeling much happier at the end of the day than those who had spent their money as they usually did, on themselves."
 
Jefferson said it was our right as Americans to pursue happiness. Could it be that the way to find the happiness we all wish to pursue is by sharing what we have with others? And, isn't that what philanthropy is all about?

Sincerely,
Douglas M. Lawson, Ph.D.

Forbes, September 13, 2010, p. 18.


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Did you know?


NEW DATE FOR SMALL CHARITY IRS FILING
The new date for all charities with annual revenues under $25,000 to file with the IRS is October 15th. The prominent link on the IRS home page for small charities to get more information is www.irs.gov. IRS Commissioner, Douglas Shulman, is working to get the word out to small charities. In his words, "The last thing we want is for worthy nonprofits to lose their tax exemption."
The Wall Street Journal, August 28-29, 2010, p. B9.
 
 
FEWER HISPANICS SERVING ON NONPROFIT BOARDS
The number of Latinos serving on nonprofit boards is stagnating. During this recession, the level of poverty among Hispanics has increased. As a result, fewer Hispanics have been joining nonprofit boards. In Dallas, the situation is reaching crisis proportions. Whereas, most nonprofits serve many more Hispanics than ever, the number of board members is not growing. This is a situation that needs correcting. But it is going to take a lot of work.
The Dallas Morning News, August 28, 2010, p. 39.
 
IS GIVING BACK A GOOD THING?
Kimberly O. Dennis, in a recent Wall Street Journal Op-Ed piece has declared that "giving back" is not necessarily a good thing. I want to go on record as an opponent of Ms. Dennis' point of view. She feels that wealthy businessmen and women are not obligated to give back because they haven't taken anything. She says the successful entrepreneurs have enriched us in ways that were previously unimaginable and, therefore, they have no obligation to give back anything. It is obvious that Ms. Dennis has no idea of what giving is all about. She does understand that giving is the greatest joy a human can experience. She also is ignorant of what really makes us happy and content - the simple act of helping others. It is not an obligation to give back - Ms. Dennis - it is a joy which obviously she has never experienced.
The Wall Street Journal, August 20, 2010, p. A15.
 
JAY LENO RAISES $100,000 FOR GULF COAST
On August 21st, Jay Leno, the NBC late-night host of The Tonight Show, raised $100,000 at the Beau Rivage Casino Resort in Biloxi, MI. The audience of 1,500 contributed almost $90,000 and Leno topped it off with his own funds to make it $100,000. The money will be distributed by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Thank you, Jay, and may your jokes keep on making us laugh as you have in the past. 
The Albuquerque Journal, August 23, 2010, p. A5.
 
ELI BROAD TO INVEST $300 MILLION IN LA MUSEUM
At long last, Eli Broad, a billionaire, has decided to invest $300 million in a Los Angeles museum site rather than one in Santa Monica. The new museum will house his contemporary art collection which is one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world. The site for the museum was finally selected by Mr. Broad after he agreed to pay $7.7 million for a 99-year lease. He originally wanted the site for $1 a year. Congratulations - Eli! 
The Wall Street Journal, August 24, 2010, p. A5.
 
INTERFAITH U: AN EXPERIMENT JUST BEGUN
At California's Clairmont School of Theology, an experiment in interfaith understanding is underway. The theology school is attempting to house pastors, rabbis and imams under one roof to teach them how to serve their faiths and each other better. The school needs to raise $104 million to pay for this experiment and it is estimated that it will take at least 10 years for the project to get underway in full swing. The project has so far helped to boost the school's enrollment nearly 10%. It is hoped "that by encouraging students to dig deep into their own traditions alongside classmates of other faiths, they'll be helping tomorrow's religious leaders get a jump start on developing the wisdom and understanding needed to better guide a pluralistic society."
Time, September 6, 2010, p. 51.

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Thursday, September 9th, 2010 - Audley (Buddy) Wolfe, Jr.
Center for Nonprofit Advancement
1666 K Street, NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Session Topic: Creating a Strong and Effective Board
TIME: 9:30am - 11:30am
Click here for further information. 
 

Thursday, October 28th, 2010 - Audley (Buddy) Wolfe, Jr.
Center for Nonprofit Advancement
1666 K Street, NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Session Topic: Building Successful Relationships with Major Donors
TIME: 9:30am - 11:30am - Audley (Buddy) Wolfe, Jr.
Click here for further information.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010 - Audley (Buddy) Wolfe, Jr.
Center for Nonprofit Advancement
1666 K Street, NW, Suite 440
Washington, DC 20006
Session Topic: Building Successful Relationships with Donors
TIME: 9:30am - 11:30am
Click here for further information.

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