by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin “We think that the foundation should have glass pockets.” Russell Leffingwell, Chair, Carnegie Corporation, 1952 Effective oversight of financial systems in nonprofit organizations is key to their proper and effective functioning. This philosophy, however fundamental, has not always been universal practice nor have donors always expressed more determined expectations about the transparency of organizations they support. In today’s marketplace, nonprofits that watch over finances and share financial, programmatic and other information with their constituents build stakeholder confidence and are thus far better suited to fulfill their missions, deliver effective services and adequately address donor concerns. Nonprofit finances not only include … Continue Reading
Twelve Insights about Giving in 2012
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin 2011 has ended and, while true challenges remain, dire predictions of especially troubled times in the nonprofit world never seemed to materialize. What lies ahead for 2012? We predict another year of growth in philanthropy and another year for more giving. As we look at our crystal ball for the coming year, however, we find certain predictions difficult to make. The never-ending roller coaster rides in the U.S. and world economies, compounded by an election year likely to impact on policies, taxes, and other factors that directly affect nonprofits and charitable giving, will continue to shake things up regularly. We certainly hope that an improving economic landscape may help push charitable giving to an even more positive direction but recovering from … Continue Reading
“Takeaways” from WRJ’s Assembly and URJ’s Biennial: Women and Youth Lead the Way
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin In our recent posting about the just concluded 2011 Biennial of the Reform Movement, we lovingly chided the Union for Reform Judaism’s successful conference for focusing inadequately on preparing its leaders and constituents for the challenges of not just understanding philanthropy, but doing it. That is not to say that charitable giving is not happening, but philanthropy should be happening more and be more central to the ongoing functioning and vision for the Movement and its components. Amidst a dynamic conference where “batteries were recharged” and Jewish spiritual energy renewed and replenished, we note two national efforts which, we are certain, are the harbingers of the future. We witnessed the first at the exciting Assembly of the Women … Continue Reading
Reflecting on URJ’s Biennial: Where Is Encouraging Philanthropy?
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin The largest Jewish gathering in America - the Biennial of the Reform Movement - took place last week near Washington, D.C., attracting more than 5,000 committed Jews affiliated with 500 Reform congregations across the United States and Canada. Without any doubt, this was a memorable, electrifying event that will be talked about for weeks, months ... or maybe even years ahead. With President Barack Obama headlining a major session, the Biennial excited and re-charged so many congregational leaders and set a hopeful and confident tone for the Reform Movement. Rabbi Rick Jacobs received a warm embrace as the incoming president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), succeeding Rabbi Eric Yoffie, who has held the post for the past 16 years. Reflecting on the … Continue Reading
Jews and Donor Advised Funds: A Popular Vehicle
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin Although available for at least several decades, Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are generally considered a contemporary giving methodology for many philanthropically-focused donors today. As we approach year-end giving we wondered if Jewish donors were adequately taking advantage of the option. A survey of several organizations featuring DAF’s suggests that 2011 will be another record year for creating new DAF’s and where additional assets are contributed into existing DAF’s. Attracting some attention recently from cynics as well as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because of the belief that some people are using DAF’s as a personal bank account where they receive charitable tax deductions but are not especially philanthropically active, DAF’s are … Continue Reading
Myths of Jews, Jewish Nonprofits and Giving
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin For more than two decades, we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of nonprofits across the globe. Throughout our close partnership with these organizations, we have learned that the public images of organizations may vary from the perceptions that donors and others may hold. Let’s acknowledge that perception and reality may often be different but that they do have relevance in today’s over-communicated world, especially as changes take place in the Jewish nonprofit marketplace. Consider six myths that may impact many nonprofits: Myth 1 Nonprofits must generate revenue that exceeds income. This myth is true. Like any viable enterprise, nonprofits - Jewish and otherwise - ultimately seek to bring in more money than they spend as a general … Continue Reading
When Good Donors Go Bad
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin What would you do if you were the executive director, the campaign chair, or board member of a reputable nonprofit organization and a wealthy individual steps forward promising a multi-million dollar gift? In all likelihood, you will accept the gift graciously and then transmit warm gratitude to the donor. Depending on the size of the gift, you may probably offer a prominent, permanent naming opportunity to memorialize the support. Sounds like a straightforward process that hopefully occurs regularly at nonprofits around the world. But what happens if that same donor becomes a national headline due to immoral, untoward, or even criminal behavior? What if that well-intentioned man or woman even goes to jail because of some bad doing? Has this individual … Continue Reading
Too Many Jewish Institutions
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin In these times of continued economic uncertainty, we must fully acknowledge all of the elephants in all of the rooms and yes ... there is a big elephant in the Jewish household. Prompted, in part, by some active Internet conversations over the previous weeks, we call attention to this and seek responses from institutional leaders as well as donors. The “edifice complex” has long had its place within the American Jewish community, putting all too much community effort, resources and energy into facilities, many of which never receive the amount of use their donors and visionaries truly expected. As a community, we have funneled untold billions of dollars and other human capital into constructing Jewish institutions - museums, hospitals, social service … Continue Reading
A Special Report: Giving to Israel Down 16%
by Robert I. Evans and Avrum D. Lapin As the principals of a leading global fundraising consulting firm for Israel-based as well as Jewish organizations, we routinely take a broader view of giving to Israel to best understand the market and be able to provide accurate data on this sector. Our latest effort, a study published today called American Friends: US Philanthropic Support for Israel, confirms that American giving to Israeli causes reflects similar trends as does American giving overall, but in a much more pronounced way, demonstrating higher peaks and lower troughs. Specifically, giving to a sample of 80 leading organizations that actively fundraise in the US for specific programs in Israel decreased by 16% from 2006 to 2009, mirroring their US counterparts. Our previous study, … Continue Reading
A Millenial Looks at Fundraising and the Jewish Community
by Ben Goldberg When I considered my plans six months ago for the summer of 2011, I knew that I wanted to experience something new, to expand my knowledge of the nonprofit sector, and to develop core capabilities for my professional future. I had worked as a volunteer in nonprofits before, so I thought I knew how community organizations operated. Working for The EHL Consulting Group, the firm run by frequent eJewish Philanthropy contributors Robert Evans and Avrum Lapin that has broadly served the (primarily Jewish) nonprofit community for more than 20 years, I gained new and invaluable perspectives, hand-on experience, and exposure not accessible elsewhere. They invited me to share some reflections on what I learned from this experience and to offer some insights into where things stand from the … Continue Reading
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