Biggest Shana Tova

Four friends on rollerblades follow a carefully planned route around Tel Aviv and record their tracks with a GPS device. The result is a stunning greeting for Rosh Hashanah across the entire city – Shana Tova!! tip to Jewish Donor Blog [Translate] swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.youtube.com/v/xKj-HG29Ijc&rel=0&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=0", "vvq-905-youtube-1", "425", "355", "9", vvqexpressinstall, vvqflashvars, vvqparams, vvqattributes); Bookmark:  Read More →

The Birth of Jewlicious

From the very beginning of our planning almost two years ago, the Jewlicious blog was highlighted in our business plan as one of the prime innovative projects emerging from a new generation of communal entrepreneurs. It would be much later before I would meet the man behind the project, ex-Montrealer and Shuk resident, David Abitbol, who would become both a friend and connector to many of the innovative programs popping up here in Israel. This morning (it’s already Monday here in Jerusalem) and just in time to welcome in 5769, David (aka ck) is featured in the Jerusalem Post. May the publicity go to his head! Mr. J-Blog from J-town Back in the early days of the new millennium, the “cool Jew” movement was just warming up, thanks to ironic, self-deferential, post-traditional brands like... Continue Reading

The ‘New Situation’ aka the Global Economic Crisis

from the Jerusalem Post: Community in Crisis Three weeks ago, a special gathering of rabbis issued an urgent call to the principals of haredi educational institutions, asking them to do their best in light of the “new situation,” and to avoid at all costs a cut in the monthly allowance for married yeshiva students.  Read More →

Trends in Giving

Fundraisers know that foundations vary widely in size, type and aims. Even with that, there are similarities that can provide useful knowledge for nonprofits. With competition for funding intensifying, and lately with the economy taking a downturn that seems to be felt in many places and at many levels, knowing something about foundations can be quite helpful. Speaking at the International Conference on Fundraising sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Gloria M. Pugliese, director of corporate and foundation relations at LaSalle University, pointed out that there are certain trends that have been identified in connection with foundations recently. They are: Program support ranks highest among the types of foundation giving, at close to 50 percent. General/operating support... Continue Reading

Getting the First Online Gift Faster

As nonprofits escalate their focus on the Internet for fundraising and base-building, there is, increasingly, a recognition that the online channel can be a constituent-friendly, cost-effective means of building relationships and raising money from individuals. New online fundraising programs, however, bring new challenges: How to acquire new constituents? How to cultivate this virtual constituent community? How to produce fundraising revenue (quickly)? How to reduce the payback period for the program investment? For nonprofits with growing online fundraising programs, there is a similar set of challenges: How to continue to grow the base? How to keep program costs in check? How to increase revenue? How to increase net proceeds (revenue less costs)? Read more from the Nonprofit Technology Network. [Translate] Bookmark:  Read More →

MediaWatch: The World Around Us

from U.S. News and World Reports: Women’s growing financial power changes the world of philanthropy Angelina Jolie isn’t the only woman wielding her philanthropic power. As a result of their growing earning power, wealth, and financial control, women have surpassed men as the biggest givers, leading to shifts in how the philanthropic world operates. from the Wall Street Journal: Social Entrepreneurship is Hot, but Finding Funding Still a Challenge Social entrepreneurship programs are sprouting all over on college campuses right now, appealing to idealistic student entrepreneurs who want to build ventures that make both profit and a social difference. But students seeking to start socially responsible ventures face a double whammy when they emerge from college and are seeking funding, according... Continue Reading

Jerusalem Innovation; Three for Three

Four incredible weeks of innovation, Jerusalem style. Two brand-new ventures, Amuta 2.0 and Tachlis 2 Point Oh!, premired to packed opening programs. Both in their own way focused on providing cutting edge resources to our communal world. Both with exciting programs taking shape over the coming year. And then last night, to an overflowing audience and live-streamed to their international community, The PresenTense organization formally opened their first permanent, year-round Institute. It was a who’s who of the (mostly) young and forward thinking innovators shaping our world from Jerusalem. The energy was infectious and provided an excellent jumping off point as PresenTense moves from summer to year round programming here in Israel. BTW, this was all accomplished with none other than Paul Cartney... Continue Reading

Creating an Online Buzz

The proper use of viral marketing can help your message spread rapidly. Take your message online and there’s no telling how many potential supporters you will reach. According to Steve MacLaughlin, Interactive practice manager at Blackbaud in Charleston, S.C., the success of any viral marketing strategy is in the “pass it on” rate. “Response rates increase dramatically when users can see that a message is coming from a friend, family member, or co-worker,” he said. “People must be encouraged to pass a message along-don’t rely on them to think of this themselves. MacLaughlin shares with us 10 tips for creating an online buzz: Provide for effortless transfer to others — keep the message simple and easy to share Continue Reading [Translate] Bookmark:  Read More →

Market Meltdown

an excellent and extensive report from the New York Jewish Week: ‘Genuine Emergency’ For Charities, Agencies As one former Jewish official called for a national emergency summit of Jewish leaders to deal with the fallout from the market meltdown, Jewish charities were grappling this week for an appropriate response to a fast-moving crisis few fully understand. The problem could be especially acute in New York City, where a tax base heavily dependent on Wall Street and the financial sector is already starting to feel the effects of the crisis. On Tuesday Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered spending cuts of $1.5 billion over two years. Those cuts could prove just the tip of the iceberg as the crisis deepens. A key indicator of the impact on high-end philanthropy could come on Thursday, when the UJA-Federation... Continue Reading

Have a Rockin’ Rosh Hashana

Thanks to all our readers and supporters!! We appreciate your checking in with us on a regular basis. And a special thanks to Chari Pere, winner of the 2008 Jerusalem Post new cartoonist contest, for this great image. And, one of the original Cool People! [Translate] Bookmark:  Read More →

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