Hebrew U. Receives Mega Research Grant

The Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation has made a lead donation of $50 million  – the largest donation ever given to establish a research center in Israel - to Hebrew University for the establishment of an institute for brain research. The new $130 million Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences will be dedicated next week during the meeting of Hebrew University’s Board of Governors. The decision to invest in a center for brain sciences is based on the findings of an international monitoring committee, whose members include two Nobel laureates, Prof. Bert Sakmann and Prof. Richard Axel. The committee determined that the level of research in this field [at Hebrew University] is among the highest in the world and that a newly equipped center will enable the university to be... Continue Reading

Good Decisions in Bad Times: In Praise of Federation Community Allocations

In the words of Thomas Paine (or depending on your musical taste, the Kingston Trio) – these are the days that try men’s souls. With the economy in tatters, jobless numbers swelling, and pocketbooks suffering, charities all over the country are facing decreased campaigns and increased needs. And of course in the Jewish community, the campaigns of federations have not been immune to this swift and painful downturn. Even those campaigns got an early start before the full onslaught of the economic retreat was felt have suffered substantial drop-off in contributions. In addition, there is the broad impact of Madoff, shrinking endowments and reduced government grants. Yes, these are trying times that can freeze us in the face of the challenges presented. But they are also times where we must nevertheless... Continue Reading

To Ask or Not to Ask; That Is The Question

When we thank donors, should we ask for a second gift at the same time? We all know it’s vital that we get our thank-you letter out quickly and that when it arrives it should be very good indeed. We also know that the thank-you opportunity is perhaps our best chance for relationship building, because first impressions count. But should the initial thank you include an ask for the all-important second gift? Or not? Opposite opinions from Sean Triner, co-founder and director, Pareto Fundraising in Australia and Lisa Sargent, principal at Sargent Communications, LLC in the US. Thank, but don’t ask: Why your donor thank-you letters shouldn’t ask for additional gifts or upgrades (Lisa) Can you ask too much? Reluctance to ask is instinctive, not based on data. Asking is more likely to build loyalty,... Continue Reading

Fear Can Be Paralytic, But It Can Also Be a Great Motivator

by Wagner blogger Good management is good management, and the current fiscal and economic crisis has the potential to impel nonprofit organizations toward making the tough decisions they should have been making all along, according to consultant Jack Ukeles, founder and president of Ukeles Associates, Inc. The Berman Jewish Policy Archive at NYU Wagner welcomed representatives from philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, and the general public to a March 4, 2009, forum where Ukeles and Barbara Cohn Berman discussed “Doing More With Less: Can Jewish and Other Nonprofits Turn Crisis into Opportunity?” The particular characteristics of the nonprofit field – such as a tendency to diffuse authority, the difficulty of measuring success, and dependence on outside sources for funding –... Continue Reading

Chag Shavuot Sameach

image source: Pucker Gallery David Sharir, original silkscreen, Shavuot [Translate] Bookmark:  Read More →

Bloomingdales is Also Your Competition

Dan Pallotta writing in Harvard Business Publishing Why Nonprofits Should Invest More in Advertising This weekend the main sections of the New York Times and the Daily News contained big ads for Hummer, T-Mobile, AT&T, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, and a host of electronics and furniture retailers. The home page of the Huffington Post right now is running an ad for Delta Airlines. On CNN.com it’s Netflix. ABCNews.com – Choice Hotels. Oprah.com – Crystal Light beverages. No ads on any of these pages for Darfur, ending AIDS, or curing breast cancer – indeed no ads for any 501 (c) 3. This is not an anomalous day. Gigantic consumer brands advertise. Gigantic causes don’t. Total annual U.S. marketing expenditures for all purposes are estimated to be about $730 billion. A... Continue Reading

JDC Leadership Program Helps Locals Shape their Jewish Future in Latin America

More than 700 Jewish leaders, volunteers, and students from nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean gathered in Cartagena, Columbia, in early May 2009 for this year’s General Assembly (GA). Organized by JDC ever 2-3 years, this most recent gathering provided a welcome opportunity for Jewish professionals and community leaders from all areas of the region to participate in forums exploring relevant topics such as Jewish education, fundraising, programs for youth, and attracting new community members; as well as to share best practices and network. Among the best and the brightest who attend these regional GAs are participants and graduates of JDC’s Leatid (“toward the future” in Hebrew) Latin America program. In fact, nearly all volunteer and professional Jewish community leaders to... Continue Reading

What Makes Philanthropy Legitimate?

Professor Peter Frumkin speaking yesterday at Hebrew University’s International Conference on: “The Role of Philanthropy in the Formulation of Public Policy”: The Foundation of Legitimacy Strategy Funders want to be seen as legitimate. Funders can’t be legitimate without being accountable. Funders can’t be accountable without being effective. Funders can’t be effective without a clear strategy. [Translate] Bookmark:  Read More →

Welcome to the Present and Future Tense

Tamar Snyder writing in The New York Jewish Week PresenTense Keeps Foot On The Gas Pedal While Jewish nonprofits are largely scaling back their budgets and slashing programming, PresenTense, which was launched four years ago, is a rarity in the sense that it’s still plugging forth, full speed ahead. The group, which prides itself on “growing pioneers who are solving Jewish problems with sustainable solutions,” has seen its annual operating budget rise nearly 200 percent, to $580,000 for the current fiscal year (PresenTense runs on a Hebrew calendar). “The key thing is to keep our foot on the gas pedal,” says Aharon Horwitz, co-director of the PresenTense Group. In just three years, PresenTense has emerged from an all-volunteer-run organization to a known entity employing eight staffers (many... Continue Reading

Each One of You Can Make a Genuine Difference

Ellen Frankel, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Jewish Publication Society of America, delivered the following remarks at the recent Commencement ceremony for the Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership. Dr. Frankel also received this year’s Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence from the Hornstein Program. We are grateful to Ellen for sharing with all of us her inspiring message. Charge to the Graduates of the Hornstein Program in Jewish Professional Leadership Brandeis University, May 17, 2009 Ellen Frankel, on the occasion of receiving the Bernard Reisman Award Congratulations to you all! Ye-yashair kokhekhem! After much hard work of mind, heart, spirit and body, you have earned the right to call yourselves Jewish leadership professionals. You will now go forth into the... Continue Reading

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