Where Most Needed

Big Churches, Small Groups

Mega churches concentrate efforts on developing small group leadership skills to keep their members engaged on a personal level.  Perhaps secular nonprofits need to pay attention. 

Indictment Says Nonprofit Was Founded with Millions in Fraud Loot [Updated]

Alan Fabian is charged with using some of the $32 million gains from a phony computer leasing scheme to start the Centre for Management and Technology, a high-profile Baltimore organization using technology to help nonprofits.  (But the Daily Kos may have it wrong: he's not necessarily the same guy listed as a supporter of a certain GOP presidential candidate.)  And the Mitt Romney campaign confirms that he's resigned as co-chair of his national fundraising committee. 

Barbershop Harmony Society Restyles

The group has achieved a name change, headquarters relocation, and acceptance of a modern repertoire to attract younger members, despite grumbling from the old guard.  And the organization offers a wealth of accessible, online help for local groups that want to organize—better than what many nonprofit advisors have to offer. 

How Charities and Nonprofits Jump the Strategic Planning Hurdle

Strategic planning, a management technique long ago rejected by for profit businesses, thrives in the charity industry mostly because funders insist on it.  And the exercise has drifted from both strategy and planning to emphasize consensus-building instead. 

For-Profit Firm Cracks the Combination at the Combined Federal Campaign

Playing by the rules of the federal workplace giving program (similar to the United Way campaign), charity coalitions managed by Maguire/Maguire capture $60 million of the nearly $270 million given by federal workers. 

Help for the Worried Wealthy

Services thrive that give advice to people who literally have more money than they know what to do with.

Mercy Corps Puts NetAid Out of Its Misery

By absorbing the floundering organization left over from the 1999 concert, Mercy Corps gains a presence in online youth advocacy. 

Good Riddance to Grassroots Fundraiser

Kim Klein, the guru of expending huge effort on raising very small amounts of money, is retiring. 

Federal Grant Earmarking Leads Universities to Lobbyists

So a Senator wants to know how extensive earmarking has become among major institutions.

ActionAid Report Slams Consultant Role in International Development

The report's critique may have domestic application to the proliferation of nonprofit capacity building consultants in the US.