Stormy Weather Pushed Giving Higher for 2012

Stormy Weather Pushed Giving Higher for 2012

Charitable giving in the United States is estimated to have grown 1.7 percent on a year-over-year basis during 2012, with small organizations doing the best and large organizations losing ground. Had it not been for Super Storm Sandy last October, fundraising might have posted an overall loss.

Online giving is estimated to have made a rebound of 10.7 percent, with medium-sized organizations leading the way but all sizes showing gains.

This is some of the data from a new Charitable Giving Report, developed by financial and fundraising software firm Blackbaud in Charleston, S.C. The data is gathered from 3,144 nonprofits representing $7.9 billion to total fundraising. The online report involved 2,581 organizations, which brought in $512 million online.

Giving to faith-based organizations grew by 6.1 percent, according to the Blackbaud data. This gave a boost to overall giving since giving to religious organizations receives the greatest share of giving. Last year’s Giving USA report showed giving to religion was 32 percent of all giving by individuals during 2011.

Arts and culture, environment and animal welfare categories were the only other sectors to experience fsmaundraising growth in 2012 at 1.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively. Education was up 1.9 percent.

International affairs took the largest overall hit, declining 4.7 percent, followed by healthcare dropping 3.4 percent, human services down 1.2 percent, and public/society benefit down 0.5 percent.

The education number conflicts with a recent Council for Advancement and Support of Education report that showed fundraisers for colleges and universities estimated that giving to their institutions grew 5.5 percent during 2012 and predicting additional growth of 5.8 percent in 2013.

Small organizations in the Blackbaud report (less than $1 million) showed growth of 7.3 percent, with medium organizations ($1 million to $10 million) gaining 2.7 percent. Large organizations declined 0.3 percent. Overall, it was a 1.7 percent gain.

When it came to online giving, medium organizations led the way at 14.3 percent growth. Small organizations came in at an 11.8 percent gain and large organizations gained 7.2 percent. While online showed significant gain, at $512 million it remains less than 10 percent of all giving by individuals.

The last three months of every year shows an uptick in giving. There was a huge boost due to giving for Super Storm Sandy. Giving showed year-over-year improvement in each month, with December showing a 17.69 percent year-over-year gain. The slowest month was July, with year-over-year gain of 6.52 percent.

The same was true online, with December showing a 22.4 percent year-over-year gain. The next largest gain was 8.6 percent for October. The slowest month was January with a 5 percent year-over-year gain, according to the organizations in the Blackbaud study.

For the Online Article Click Here

New York State CDP News

Grant Opportunity for Research Using CDP Data

As you may know, the Cultural Data Project's goal has always been to strengthen our sector by providing data that will help better tell the story of the sector's assets, contributions and needs. Using CDP data, regional research organizations in numerous states have been able to provide a clearer snapshot of arts and culture, demonstrating how vital a role the sector plays.

We want to make sure you are aware of a unique research grant opportunity through the new Arts & Culture Research Fund in The New York Community Trust. Supported by The Trust, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York Council for the Humanities, and The John R. Oishei Foundation of Western New York, the Arts & Culture Research Fund has announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for research studies focused on understanding the cultural sector in New York.

Competitive Arts & Culture Research grants, ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, will be awarded to nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored individuals/organizations who submit proposals for projects that make use of New York State CDP data and explore significant topics related to the state's creative community.

We are excited to be working with the Arts & Culture Research Fund on this inspiring initiative and can't wait to see how the findings of the selected research projects will guide and inform conversations on the cultural sector in New York.

All proposals must be received by 12:00 pm ET on March 15, 2013 by the Arts & Culture Research Fund.

For questions about the Arts & Culture Research Fund application and eligibility, see the RFP or email kem@nyct-cfi.org at The New York Community Trust.

For questions about New York State CDP data, email CDP's research team at research@culturaldata.org. To see recent research and advocacy featuring CDP data, visit www.culturaldata.org and click on CDP in Research.

For the full article click here

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

DiNapoli Finalizes Fiscal Monitoring System

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Monday his office has finalized plans to implement a statewide fiscal monitoring system that would publicly identify local governments experiencing financial strain.

DiNapoli: Inappropriate Payments Cited In Kingston Audit

The city of Kingston made $23,000 in improper payments to employees for unearned leave time, according to an audit released Thursday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. As a result of the audit, former fire chief Richard Salzmann was arrested and charged by Ulster County District Attorney D. Holley Carnright with offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.

DiNapoli: Empire BlueCross BlueShield Paying Hospitals Windfalls For Special Medical Items

New York State health insurance provider Empire BlueCross BlueShield has routinely allowed hospitals to charge excessive amounts for special medical items such as implants, drugs and blood, because they did not sign agreements to limit reimbursement for those items, according to an audit of the New York State Health Insurance Program released Friday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: Utica Facing Continued Fiscal Challenges

The city of Utica continues to struggle with recurring budget gaps and has nearly depleted its fund balances, according to a fiscal report issued Tuesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report is the latest in a series of fiscal profiles on cities across the state.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Thursday announced his office completed audits of:

the Big Flats Fire District No. 2; the Golden Glow Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.; the Lincoln Fire District; and, the Village of Richmondville.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases School Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Thursday announced his office completed audits of:

the Hadley–Luzerne Central School District; and, the Hyde Park Central School District.

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's Weekly News

DiNapoli: Municipalities Should Ensure Background Checks For Youth Program Workers

Local governments could do more to conduct background checks on individuals working in municipal youth program services, according to an audit released Friday by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli Approves Terms of $3.14 Billion Tappan Zee Bridge Contract

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli last Friday announced he has approved a $3.14 billion contract between the state Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors to design and build the new Tappan Zee bridge.

Officers of Albany Nanotech Complex Safeguarding Public Funds

Fuller Road Management Corp., the not for profit corporation that runs the State University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, is fulfilling its duties to support and provide appropriate internal controls over operations and activities, and promoted an ethical business climate at the multi–billion dollar facility, according to a report released Friday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: State Tax Revenues Up, But Still Lag Projections

Tax collections through December totaling $46.4 billion were $48.3 million below the state’s latest estimates and $685.3 million below initial estimates in April. Higher than anticipated personal income tax collections in December likely reflect income paid before federal tax increases take effect in 2013 for high income taxpayers, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said last week in releasing the December cash report.

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Municipal Audits

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli Thursday announced his office completed audits of:
the City of Beacon; the Midway Fire District; the Niagara Falls Housing Authority; the Orleans County; the Town of Otto; and, the Village of Spring Valley.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Fund is Now Accepting Grant Applications

February 1, 2013 (Syracuse, NY) - The Allen Speiser Memorial Fund for Vocational Rehabilitation is accepting grant applications from programs that promote the placement and retention of employees with disabilities in the workforce. The application deadline is March 8, 2013. Eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit, human service organizations that serve people with disabilities in Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cortland and Cayuga Counties.

The Speiser Fund provides grants of up to $2,000, or $4,000 for collaborative projects involving two or more organizations, to agencies that support education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and raises awareness of the employment potential of people with disabilities.

Programs that address job placement and retention through one or more of the following methods will be considered:

• Training for auxiliary personnel – training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide workplace oriented services to individuals with disabilities.
• Equipment and assistive technology – any items or pieces of equipment that will be used to enhance functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
• Materials for building and enhancing job readiness – materials that professionals or employers can use to enhance the employability skills of individuals with disabilities.
• Work supports promoting job accommodation – may include assistance preparing for work, getting to and from work, meeting personal needs in the workplace, and performing job functions.

Visit www.cnycf.org/grants for guidelines and an application form. Questions may be directed to Danielle Hurley at (315) 883-5554 or DHurley@cnycf.org.

Formerly the C.I.G.S. Foundation, the Allen Speiser Memorial Vocational Rehabilitation Fund has been in existence for more than a decade. The Fund offers grants to support special projects, make new investments, provide additional staff training – filling in the gaps that aren’t covered by government sources or other private funding. Vocational rehabilitation is the process of assisting people with any disabling condition to acquire the social, educational and work skills that will lead to employment.

The Speiser Fund is a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.

SIDS Prevention Fund Awards $3,600 Grant

February 1, 2013 (Syracuse, NY) - The Syracuse SIDS Prevention Fund, a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, recently awarded a $3,600 grant to The Children’s Consortium. The grant will be used to expand the SIDS prevention materials offered through the Baby Beginnings program at Crouse Hospital.

The Children’s Consortium Baby Beginnings program addresses SIDS prevention through increased community education and outreach. The program is designed for all parents of newborns through age three, with special attention given to parents in Onondaga County. It has three key components: Parenting, Literacy and Health and Wellness. Baby Beginnings is offered at Crouse Hospital and annually reaches more than 2,000 parents within 48 hours of delivering their babies. During room visits, Parent Educators provide important information on safe sleep, car safety and child development.

The Syracuse SIDS Prevention Fund, administered by the Central New York Community Foundation, was formed in 2007 as a permanent field-of-interest fund. It was established with the accumulated earnings from the Syracuse SIDS Golf Classic to support the elimination of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome through increased community awareness, including parent support programs and risk reduction education, as well as medical research.

Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region. The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.

Pulaski Fund Awards $8,400 in Local Grants

February 1, 2013 (Pulaski, NY) - The Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund awarded $8,400 in grants to Pulaski-area nonprofit organizations.

Pulaski Academy & Central Schools received $2,400 to support the Alternative Energy Club’s project to create a biodiesel vehicle and processing station. The project aims to teach students engineering and science application skills to make the students more competitive in the workforce and as they enter college.

Preservation & Revitalization of Pulaski (PROP) received $3,000 in support of new village welcome signs.The project aims to enhance the impression of Pulaski as a welcoming community.

Pulaski Congregational Church received $3,000 to support the Rhea LaVeck Memorial Classical Music Concert Series. The concert series honors longtime Pulaski church organist and public school teacher Rhea LaVeck by providing a series of five classical music concerts throughout the year.

The Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund is a union of gifts contributed by the people of the Pulaski community that makes grants to support programs and projects of importance to the area.  The Pulaski Fund is a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. Since its inception in 1992, the Fund has provided over $200,000 in grants to benefit the Pulaski community. People can learn more about the fund and contribute at www.cnycf.org/Pulaski.

Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region.  The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.