Check out our most recent podcast featuring Sean Stannard-Stockton, author of the Tactical Philanthropy blog, who joins us to talk about the upcoming Tactical Philanthropy Forum on November 19th in San Francisco.  Sean has some heavy hitters joining him for the event, including Paul Brest of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Bill Somerville of the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. 

We look forward to hearing about the discussions held at this event - as they are sure to be insightful.

Readers of this blog probably aren't surprised to hear that Isaac Castillo of the LAYCis a fan of ETO Software, but did you ever think it would go this far?

We might be biased, but we think Isaac's Query Wizard beats out any Obama, McCain, Hannah Montana, or other costume de jour this year. 

Happy Halloween!

Check out Social Solutions featured here in a Fast Company article. The piece details not only nonprofit's need for funds and the tools, such as ETO,  that can help secure them, but also the software's ability to increase program and organizational effectiveness.   Anisha Chablani at Roca and Isaac Castillo at LAYC, phenominal users of ETO,  are also included. 

A good time to spread the word of the need for nonprofit effectiveness. As we all encounter a slow economy, organizations have to find a way to stand out and prove their worth to funders. What better way than through ETO.

Fast Company, nonprofit, LAYC, Roca

Listen to our most recent podcast, in which Kevin Harris, VP of Sales at Social Solutions discusses his role as well as details the economic effects on nonprofits and how ETO can help.

(Due to an unforseen error, please fast forward to the 5 minute mark to hear the podcast.)

If you’ve seen USA Today’s recent Q & A article offering tips on giving – and giving smarter – you know it contains some useful common sense tips for the donating public.

As a first step, we know to beware of email solicitations from dubious sources, the old fake change bucket at the shopping center schemes and to resist giving over the phone without first examining some materials from the charity that’s seeking a donation.

The article gets some things right – like giving with your head and not your heart and making sure to do your due diligence regarding an organization’s financial statements and structure before giving – but misses the mark on others. For instance, should our first step really be to “focus on your interests and priorities”?  This might be a tad elementary in our book.

Without question, we advocate giving to an organization/cause that you’re passionate about and have an emotional connection to.  Not only will you be more involved in your giving, but you’re likely to keep giving if you have a native interest in where your money is going. 

But let’s not forget, it’s important to realize that you can still give to “pet” causes and give to effective organizations at the same time.  Just do a little more digging, that’s all.

No matter what the cause we know some organizations are more accountable and more effective at delivering results than others.  Make sure to check their efforts and ask questions. Make sure to give to that organization that is focused not only on its performance but on measuring its efforts and relating that to its performance. 

With GuideStar estimating that there are 1.7 million nonprofits in the U.S. alone, shouldn’t you find the one that gets the most bang for your buck?  Give smart this year, identify and reward organizations who value getting the job done and prove that their efforts continue to lead to successful outcomes.

Extra, Extra!  Check out today's Cleveland Plain Dealer where philanthropy writer April McLellan-Copeland includes the Superstar Foundation's call for applications in her column. 

We're always excited to see some buzz about the Foundation ... spread the word to any and all Superstars you know of!

In the midst of all the news about the financial meltdown on Wall Street and Capitol Hill and how it will impact the nonprofit sector we were struck by an interesting piece in the International Herald Tribune that talked about the issue of donor anxiety as related to high net-worth individuals.  While the sector is bracing for big changes as a result of the crisis and what this might mean for fundraising and corporate giving, this article discusses the pressure facing those who have big money and are likely to give in spite of the gloomy economic climate.  And how do these individual philanthropists and donors in general, give responsibly?  By looking at the impact of their dollar.  Sounds simple ... but it is a crucial step that is often overlooked. 

Responsible giving is more than looking at one of the many online charity rankings.  It is more than selecting a group based on its name or mission.  Responsible giving is making sure that when your dollar leaves your hand it arrives in the hands of those who will do something with it.  Something that makes a difference.  Something that counts. 

The uncertain future of Wall Street has almost every industry questioning its financial future — the nonprofit sector included. Speculation of today’s economy and the impact on the nonprofit world has been addressed over and over (see here, here, and here). This latest financial crisis seems to have convinced many that the impact will be great. Mike Spector of the Wall Street Journal addresses the crisis and how charities and other organizations who heavily rely on corporate giving are already feeling the aftermath of the fall of giants like Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and the uncertainly of other major institutions.  According to Spector, many NYC organizations rely on gifts from the financial industry and those that do are already feeling the heat.

It is times like these that organizations need to tell—and show—potentials  donors and funders exactly what they are doing with their money.  This will make for more effective giving, in the hope for a more effective sector.

How might the latest financial crisis affect the industry as a whole — corporate giving, individual donations, fundraising, etc.?  Sound off in our comments section.

We’re so excited this day has come ... The Superstar Foundation announced today that it is now accepting nominations for the best social services professionals across the country!  For full details, read today’s announcement and be sure to check out the requirements and download the application here.

We’re reminded of how moving it was when founder Steve Butz first announced the Foundation ...


Great pay for great social service workers doing great work — it doesn’t get much better than that.

Check out our most recent podcast featuring Anisha Chablani, deputy director of Roca and a boardmember of the Superstar Foundation.