The Importance of Gift Acceptance Policies

Formal Gift Acceptance Policies Help Donors as well as Non-Profits by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin If history is any indicator, the Internal Revenue Service will audit only about one percent of the returns that individual American taxpayers file. And while some of these audits are done at random, many result from donors who may try to over-value their non-cash charitable gifts. This leads us to an important and perhaps critical recommendation for every non-profit: all organizations should create and implement formal gift acceptance policies that address any and all possibilities. Non-profit leaders should review these guidelines annually and be prepared to strictly enforce the policies. In addition to making cash contributions, the IRS encourages individuals to donate items like clothing, food... Continue Reading

Transparency: An Enduring Component of the Non-Profit World

by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin The Jewish and non-Jewish media have offered various opinions and news reports about non-profits and their financial behaviors. After reading “Raising The Bar”, a provocative editorial in New York’s Jewish Week recently and a highlighted posting on eJewish Philanthropy (February 8th) we feel compelled to further discuss the importance of financial transparency. Today the “new normal” demands that the philanthropic world respond to contemporary measures that serve to protect donors and force non-profits to diligently follow rules that are sometimes difficult to swallow. And these rules impact all Jewish non-profits including (or especially) houses of worship. One impending deadline is approaching that impacts non-profits and addresses financial transparency.... Continue Reading

Be Jewish Calendar Conscious

Be Jewish Calendar Conscious: It’s time to get working on Holiday appeals by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin The holidays are never on time . . . either too early or too late . . . or so the old line goes. With the first six weeks of 2010 under our belts, most people have settled into the new decade and a “fresh” calendar. Holidays come and go, the kids are back in school, and everyone is now into “the new normal” that allows for different perspectives on the economy, fundraising and the new ways of the world. Whatever you may think about what the next 6-12 months will bring, deadlines and milestones still present themselves! Take out your Jewish calendar now and be advised: important dates may be just around the corner and they require strategic thinking. This year, the first Seder is... Continue Reading

The Re-Introduction of the Major Gift

by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin The push for major gifts re-emerges as a critical strategic focus for non-profits to recapture strength, meet goals, and move into “the new normal. Non-profit fundraising success in 2010 will be predicated on an organization’s capacity to become re-invigorated and to secure major gifts. The downturn in the economy clearly caused some donors to scale back and hold off on certain aspects of their giving, but that does not mean that charitable capacity or commitment no longer exists. Therefore, it is important to develop an understanding of your major donors’ interests as well as your abilities to accurately determine a realistic “ask” without being too cautious, inhibited or out of line. Too often, volunteer and staff leaders of non-profits are reluctant... Continue Reading

Reaching Donors in 2010: Old vs. New Ways

Reaching Donors in 2010: A Conversation with Ralph Siegel, Marketing Specialist by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin “I have only heard how important [social networking] is; I have yet to see how effective it is.” How to most effectively utilize social networking tools for fundraising truly captured attention at eJewishphilanthropy.com and throughout the non-profit world last year. We know from firsthand experiences that Facebook, especially, and other internet-based media had been touted as panaceas to generating access to new donors and untapped dollars. Citing the almost unbelievable fundraising results from the Obama presidential campaign, we – and others – encouraged non-profits to emulate the lessons learned. The results for non-profits, however, have just not materialized and... Continue Reading

Can Investments and Charitable Giving Co-exist?

by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin Obtaining financial support for non-profit organizations has always required unique approaches, looking for the next set of creative ideas and methods to tap into pockets of financial resources. Long considered “trail blazers” in mobilizing support for myriad non-profit organizations of all types and sizes, the Jewish community has often introduced exactly those innovations that become the “new angle” to attract dollars for causes, projects, or organizations that have become critical to the sustainability of a vibrant Jewish world. We tell ourselves that we remain at the cutting edge, but are we? And in trying to stay there, are we true to the “first principles” and values of tzedakah or being opportunistic? Since 1950, The Development Corporation... Continue Reading

When Will the Jewish Community Truly Go “Green”?

by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin With the United Nations-sponsored international summit on climate change in Copenhagen capturing worldwide headlines, we questioned how American Jewish organizations and their donors are responding to growing environmental challenges. In heeding the often heard slogan “Think Globally/Act Locally”, are environmental concerns attracting attention in the Jewish community? How do Jewish donors and leaders feel about the greening of our agencies and being and/or becoming good stewards of our planet? Are Jewish donors thinking and responding differently than non-Jewish philanthropists? Charitable giving to environmental causes by all donors has historically been about two percent of the giving “pie.” Giving USA reported that 2008 donors directed only $6.58... Continue Reading

Let’s Pay More Attention to Jewish Women as Donors!

by Robert I. Evans & Avrum D. Lapin “Jewish women give more, make decisions more emotionally, and are more consistent donors.” Clearly to many, women are making a significant impact in the Jewish philanthropic community as dedicated leaders, donors, volunteers, and advocates. In our recent interview with New York City leader and donor Susan Stern, we learned more about the growing role of women in Jewish philanthropy and the “hot buttons” for women donors. Her personal insights into the roles, expectations and goals of Jewish women involved with charitable causes made us more curious about how Jewish non-profits are reaching out to Jewish women. Is this demographic receiving the appropriate attention and being stewarded as we recognize woman as important donors? In our experience working... Continue Reading

Is Your Non-Profit In Compliance?

by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin We have frequently addressed the importance of being transparent to donors and making sure that each non-profit organization raising funds in the United States is prepared to start 2010 strong. One important topic we feel compelled to raise (again) in greater detail is compliance. As you strive to strategically plan for the coming year, it is important to make sure that your organization is in full compliance with a number of governing bodies and local, state, and national laws and therefore meet important standards designed to protect donors as well as non-profits. Being in cooperation with appropriate statutes will position each non-profit to experience continued growth. Is your IRS 990 form filed correctly? Are you meeting the set of expectations of the IRS... Continue Reading

Have Non-Profits Forgotten to Say “Thank You”?

by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin Following last Friday’s posting, “Saying Thank You in the Social World”, we felt compelled to elaborate on the importance of this subject and how non-profits should be incorporating donor recognition into their fundraising program. No two words have created as much consternation today for nonprofits as “thank you.” This is a topic that is always important, and punctuated during the difficult economic times when gifts may be more difficult to secure or when other pressures set varying priorities. Donors at all levels and from all walks of life want to feel appreciated and be assured that their contributions are making an impact. While some may think that the time-worn mandate to express appreciation is almost “old news,” we are regularly shocked to... Continue Reading

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