Where Most Needed

Be Wary of Lawyers Bearing Best Practices

Some in the legal profession seem to be stuck in an obsolete paradigm of compliance, transparency, and good board governance for nonprofits—while the accounting profession (and Sarbanes-Oxley) advocates a holistic approach with an integrated system of internal controls as its centerpiece. 

Detroit Zoo Director Survives Bull Charge

He confesses that an anonymous accusation that he fibbed on his résumé was correct and loses a month's pay as punishment.  But the nonprofit organization that took over the zoo from the city remains in a fight for its life without an assured funding source. 

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. 

From Taxes to Disasters and Blood

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson to assume the position of American Red Cross chief. 

Religious Visa Fraud Crackdown, Finally

The Government Accounting Office found flaws in the religious visa program in 1999, and Immigration confirmed widespread fraud in 2005.  Finally, new regulations are proposed. 

Fundraiser Snags $578,000 in Amicable Departure

Florida Atlantic University pays out voluntarily on a severance agreement that only applied to involuntary terminations. 

US Federal Executive Pay Puts Charity Salaries in Perspective

External oversight keeps executive pay reasonably proportionate to the rest of staff salaries in the US Federal government, and far less than that $400,000 salary of the President.

Plain Sorority Sisters Sent Packing

The national office of the Delta Zeta sorority kicks out 23 of 35 members in the chapter at DePauw University in the week before fall final exams, including all the overweight ones.  The sorority's leadership claims there was a miscommunication. 

Botched Bingo Busts Boys & Girls Club

The state closed down operation (managed by a convicted felon) for failure to file required reports, and the former executive director collected unemployment while still writing herself paychecks.

Charity Board Service Helps Corporate Careers

Smaller charities end up with directors who view their service as an opportunity to make contacts and learn new skills.