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ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW NONPROFIT RESEARCH REPORT!
Direct Marketing Facts and Figures in the Nonprofit Industryisa relevant research product for the entire nonprofit community. This extensive report focuses on four distinct areas of the nonprofit sector: Charities and Membership Organizations; Education Services; Museums, Botanical Gardens, and Zoos; and Religious Organizations. Each area is further analyzed by eight channels. Just $79 for members. Order Now!
NONPROFIT FEDERATION OF THE DMA MARCH 6, 2008 — MULTI-CHANNEL MARKETING: THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY AND HOW Nonprofit Fundraisers: Mark your calendars for another special one-day seminar from the DMA Nonprofit Federation. Enter the brave new world of multi-channel marketing and explore the plethora of communication channels at your disposal. Then, see which channels will achieve the best results from each segment of your donor base. Space is limited. Register Now
THANK YOU, 2008 WASHINGTON NONPROFIT CONFERENCE ATTENDEES! Thank you to everyone who attended the 2008 Washington Nonprofit Conference last week at the JW Marriott. Each and every one of you helped make the event a smashing success. Mark your calendars now for next year's conference, January 29 - 30, 2009 at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel.
NONPROFIT FEDERATION HONORS KELLY B. BROWNING The Nonprofit Federation of the DMA honored Kelly B. Browning, executive VP & COO of the American Institute for Cancer Research and chief financial officer of the World Cancer Research Fund, with its 2008 Max L. Hart Nonprofit Achievement Award. Recognizing outstanding achievement by an individual within the nonprofit community, the award was presented at a luncheon during the Federation’s Washington Nonprofit Conference. Complete Announcement
MEMBERS ONLY LIST SERVE Don’t forget about this great members only resource! This is the place to ask questions, exchange ideas and get information about anything nonprofit! To join, send an email to subscribe-dmanf_online@list3.ga3.org. Once your request is approved you will receive a confirmation with posting instructions. Please read the Rules & Etiquette for participation.
NEWS
CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS TAX FORMS FOR NONPROFITS BRING MIXED REACTION Taking cues from the inquiries of Sen. Charles Grassley and the US Senate Finance Committee investigations of the past few years, the Internal Revenue Service has designed new tax forms for nonprofits to determine whether they are exhibiting sound management practices. Taxing Forms
LINN’S STAMP NEWS (VIA POSTAL NEWS BLOG) BIG PAY INCREASES APPROVED FOR TOP POSTAL SERVICE OFFICERS Postmaster General John E. “Jack” Potter and seven other senior US Postal Service officers have been granted large raises, by the USPS Board of Governors. The raises were approved May 2007 retroactive to Jan. 5, 2007, under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, which removed the top USPS officers from the federal pay cap that restricts the pay of most federal workers to that of no more than the vice president of the US. Postal Pay Increases
THE WASHINGTON POST FTC STUDY FINDS POSTAL SERVICE GETS NO COMPETITIVE EDGE After listening to complaints that being part of government gives the US Postal Service a competitive advantage, Congress directed the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. There are advantages to being part of the government, but they are outweighed by limitations and restrictions on government agencies, the FTC found. Indeed, federally imposed restraints on the post office’s operations increase its costs to provide competitive products by an estimated $330 million to $782 million a year, the FTC said. At the same time, the USPS’s benefits from being part of government help it by an estimated $39 million to $117 million a year, according to the study. No Competitive Edge ** FTC Report
DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION PRC CALLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON USPS’S COMPETITIVE PRODUCT FILINGS The PRC established dockets to receive comments on changes in rates of general applicability for two competitive products filed by the US Postal Service on Jan. 17. Docket CP2008-1 concerns the USPS’s filing to have a new Priority Mail large-sized Flat Rate Box, and Docket CP2008-2 concerns the establishment of a premium for guaranteed delivery of Express Mail on Sunday and holidays. Comments are due Feb. 19, 2008, and rates will become effective Mar. 3, 2008.
DM NEWS DM NEWS TALKS WITH DAN G. BLAIR, CHAIRMAN, POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION Q: How would you describe the PRC's role in relation to the USPS? A: The role of the PRC is to ensure transparency and accountability of the US Postal Service. As chairman, I exercise day-to-day control over the administrative process of the commission, which comprises five full-time commissioners who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Q&A
CONCORD MONITOR (NEW HAMPSHIRE) USPS RESPONDS TO ANTI-DIRECT MAIL OPINION PIECE Responding to a Jan. 11 Concord Monitor article in support of a New Hampshire proposal to establish a state-run Do Not Mail registry, Joanne Giordano, US Postal Service VP for public affairs and communications, wrote: “The economic impact of limiting or removing advertising mail is substantial. The $900 billion mailing industry contributes significantly to the health of the economy by employing 9 million Americans . . . . In 2006, advertising mail brought more than $3.8 billion in increased sales to New Hampshire’s economy and played a critical role in the success of New Hampshire businesses, large and small. It’s also important to understand that according to . . . the Environmental Protection Agency, only 2.4% of materials found in landfills across the country is attributed to advertising mail.” Giordano pointed out that consumers could employ DMA’s free, mail opt-out service DMAChoice. USPS Opinion
DMA SAYS NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWSPAPER COLUMN ON DIRECT MAIL IS MISLEADING Responding to a Jan. 11 opinion piece in support of a New Hampshire proposal to create a state-run Do Not Mail registry, DMA responded, saying the column “presents a misleading and selective set of facts about direct mail.” DMA’s letter continues: “[DMA] and its members place a high priority on environmental stewardship. Forests and tree harvesting are managed better today than ever before. In the US, nearly 1.4 billion trees are planted every year — exceeding the number harvested and contributing to an overall net growth of forests . . . . Far from being ‘wasteful,’ direct mail was responsible for contributing more than $3.8 billion in increased sales to the New Hampshire economy in 2006. In addition, direct mail is responsible for nearly 20,000 jobs in New Hampshire . . . . Consumers do have a free and convenient way to manage their mail. This month, DMA announced significant changes to the 36-year-old Mail Preference Service to give consumers even greater control.” DMA’s Entire Letter ** DMAChoice
HUNTINGTON NEWS.NET COMMENTARY: ‘THANK YOU, DMA, FOR A NO JUNK MAIL LIST.’ In a commentary piece, author Rene A. Henry, writes: “For years I have advocated what I call a ‘No Junk Mail Registry.’ But now, thanks to the Direct Marketing Association, you and I can now decide what catalogs and other mail we want or do not want to receive. I congratulate the leadership and membership for its DMAChoice, which allows us to decide what we want in our mailbox. Equally as important is the fact that the trade organization . . . took the initiative rather than being forced to do so by the federal government . . . . I also applaud DMA for understanding that telemarketers and email spammers also are major annoyances to the American public. On its website under ‘Consumer Information and Preference Services,’ DMA has information how to get your name off telemarketing lists and email lists. It also gives people the chance to remove the names of deceased individuals.” "Thank You, DMA"
DM NEWS NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS RELY ON DIRECT MARKETING Nonprofit cultural arts organizations rely heavily on direct marketing for the ticket sales, which account for approximately 50% of their annual budgets. However, it’s not enough for these organizations to simply sell tickets. To thrive, they must convert single-ticket buyers into subscription holders and/or donors by “creating value besides that one performance,” says Richard Geiger, practice manager at nonprofit software provider Blackbaud Inc. Rely Heavily
THE NONPROFIT TIMES EXPENSES CONTINUE TO PUT STRESS ON NONPROFIT BUDGETS Nonprofits were hit with increases in expenses last year that were two and three times the rate of inflation, driven by a hike in the federal minimum wage and the ever increasing cost to raise a dollar. The cost of raising money -- usually through capital campaigns -- contributed to rising expenses as charities look to develop new, alternative revenue streams in the coming years. The federal rate of inflation was more than 4.1% last year and about 3.25% in 2006. The Cost of Raising Money
DIRECT WINTERBERRY ANTICIPATES STEADY DIRECT MAIL SPENDING GROWTH Direct mail spending, including preparation, production, and postage) reached $58.4 billion in 2007, and may pass $72 billion by 2011, according to a new study from the Winterberry Group. Several factors during 2007 played a part in direct mail’s growth — for the most part stunting it. According to the Winterberry study the May 2007 postage rate increase drove marketers to increase their scrutiny of both direct mail budgets and production methods in an attempt to enhance efficiency and maintain pre-increase volume levels. In addition to supporting sales campaigns, direct mail reached a tipping point, shifting away from a “direct order” focus and toward one predominately aimed at generating prospective leads and driving traffic to other transaction channels. Spending Growth
DM NEWS FUNDRAISING OUTLOOK FOR '08 MEDIOCRE This could be shaping up to be a difficult year for some nonprofit organizations' fundraising efforts because of a combination of factors, including the tough economy, the foreclosure crisis and the upcoming Presidential election. Mediocre Outlook
NEW YORK JEWISH WEEK NONPROFITS ALREADY FEELING THE SQUEEZE — RECESSION FEARS HAVE JEWISH PHILANTHROPIC WORLD ON EDGE Leaders of Jewish foundations and nonprofits are bracing for slashes in available funding this week as global and domestic markets tumble and fears of a recession loom. And some are already starting to feel the pinch as anxiety mounts among philanthropists and leaders of the groups they fund. Feeling the Squeeze
THE NEW YORK TIMES HERE’S MY CHECK; SPEND IT ALL AT ONCE The gift horse could use a good dentist after all. When the American Red Cross said last week that a $200 million deficit would force it to make deep cuts in the headquarters staff, the charitable world detected evidence of one of its most vexing trends: the growing tyranny of donors. Tyranny of Donors
UNDAUNTED DIRECTOR AT INDIAN MUSEUM Washington — It was not exactly a welcome mat that greeted the new museum director. When Kevin Gover left his quiet life teaching American Indian law among the cactuses of Arizona to lead the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian here, he arrived during a storm of publicity about spending by his predecessor, W. Richard West Jr. But in his first in-depth interview since settling into his new office, Mr. Gover, 52, seemed unconcerned about the scrutiny he might now encounter about his own spending habits, or about the long-term effects on the museum. “This isn’t my first rodeo,” he said last week. “I took a few poundings in the past.” Undaunted
THE WASHINGTON POST NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE? IT'S A TOUGH TIME FOR SENIORS THESE DAYS, AND GETTING TOUGHER AS THE ECONOMY SLUMPS. HOW CAN WE ENRICH AMERICANS' LATER YEARS? "The generation that wouldn't trust anyone over 30," says an Allstate Insurance ad pushing the need for retirement savings, "never planned on a 30-year retirement." True enough. We boomers never imagined 30 years of R&R. But not many of us will be able to afford it, either, no matter how hard we save -- a reality that's hitting home as housing prices fall and a volatile stock market threatens dramatic declines in 401(k)s. Allstate's presumption of 30-year retirements is already obsolete. No Country
THE NONPROFIT TIMES BOARDS ARE REQUIRING MEMBERS TO GIVE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS, FINDS SURVEY More than half of nonprofits require board members to make an annual contribution, with a major share of large ones setting a minimum of $5,000. That finding, in the new edition of National Board Governance Survey for Not-for-Profit Organizations conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, comes as more and more nonprofits reshape board of directors practices and policies to fit the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Just as more public companies expect their directors own stock, nonprofits expect an investment as well. Board Members
THE WASHINGTON POST CHIEF OF VETERANS CHARITIES GRILLED ON GROUPS' SPENDING A congressional investigation uncovered new allegations of questionable spending practices at two veterans charities, including one that paid retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks $100,000 to appear in its solicitation letters using money the nonprofit raised to help soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans Charities
NEWSDAY.COM IRS EYES NONPROFIT HOSPITALS' FINANCES The nonprofit community's financial practices have been under a microscope lately, none more so than hospitals. After years of revelations about bloated executive pay, insider dealings, shady tax shelters and other financial mischief at nonprofits ranging from the Red Cross to the Smithsonian, the Internal Revenue Service has turned up the heat on charities nationwide. IRS Eyes
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS BUSINESS OF NONPROFITS: OPTIONS FOR THOSE CHALLENGED FOR STAFF, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE Two huge challenges small nonprofits always encounter are a lack of resources to hire adequate staff and to purchase new technology - both of which leverage the organization's ability to expand its capability to meet mission. A few national programs exist that help small nonprofit organizations to locate subsidized staffing, volunteer stipends and discounted technical services and equipment. Often, many nonprofits do not know about these or do not take advantage of them. While they are not without challenges and, yes, paperwork, they still present workable opportunities for nonprofits. Options
OAKRIDGER.COM MEDICAL, SCIENCE NONPROFIT LEADERS EARN MOST EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last of a three-part salary series focusing on directors of local nonprofit organizations. In Part Three, The Oak Ridger looks at the compensation paid to the leaders of seven organizations whose work is related to science, medicine, the environment, disaster relief, and to the missions of the US Department of Energy. Top Earners
TIMES HERALD-RECORD NONPROFITS WITH FINANCIAL COUNSELING CAN GET FUNDS Nonprofit organizations that offer financial counseling for homeowners can apply for a share of $180 million in new federal funding, a trio of U.S. senators including New York’s Chuck Schumer said yesterday. Schumer said that counselors play a vital role in helping distressed homeowners keep their homes. For more information, go to NeighborWorks America’s Web site.
FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT SEARCHING FOR CHARITY: WEB SEARCH SITE PROMOTES GIVING What is GoodSearch.com? It's the answer to a question two siblings asked themselves when looking for a way people could raise money for their favorite nonprofits and schools without spending money or time. GoodSearch.com is an Internet search engine, launched in 2005, from which 50 percent of advertising revenue is donated to the local and national nonprofits and schools designated by users. Searching for Charity
PC WORLD GATES: 'CREATIVE CAPITALISM' CAN FIGHT GLOBAL POVERTY BUSINESSES SHOULD LEAD PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS, MICROSOFT CHIEF TELLS ECONOMIC SUMMIT Microsoft CEO Bill Gates gave a glimpse of his future as a philanthropist in a speech in Switzerland last week, calling for a new kind of "creative capitalism" from businesses to help improve the lives of the world's poorest people. "Creative Capitalism"
MSNBC CHARITY MAKES WAVES WITH WEB WORD OF MOUTH — CONTRIBUTE: PLAYPUMPS GOES INTERNATIONAL BY HARNESSING POWER OF THE 'NET In 1989, South African advertising executive Trevor Field wasn’t looking to start a charity. He just couldn’t help himself. Making Waves
VENDOR NEWS
DM NEWS INFOUSA BUYS DIRECT MEDIA InfoUSA announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire direct marketing services company Direct Media Inc. InfoUSA CEO and chairman Vin Gupta said that the buy was a continuation of his company’s “strategy to consolidate the direct marketing industry.” In a statement, Larry May, president and CEO of Direct Media, said, “Our shareholders have voted unanimously to take this exciting step forward, ensuring our strength and growth in the years ahead.” Direct Media, Greenwich, CT, has provided list brokerage, list management, analytics, database marketing and data processing services for more than 40 years. Buyout
DIRECT MARKETING PIONEER FLORENCE LEIGHTON RETIRES Florence Leighton, who has worked in direct marketing for over 50 years, has retired from Direct Media Inc. The octogenarian said the main reason for her retirement was, “business is quiet and it seemed to be a good time.” Leighton held an executive position in the international list services division of Direct Media and is well known for her efforts to grow overseas efforts for American marketers. Her retirement comes just days after Direct Media was acquired by InfoUSA. Leighton Retires
ALC ACQUIRES MKTG LIST MANAGEMENT ALC has completed its acquisition of the List Management Division of MKTG Services. “[MKTG Services] has a really good list management portfolio, and our mission is to have quality files,” said Donn Rappaport (left), CEO and chairman of ALC. “We thought it had really good properties, and the other thing is it’s a good size for us. It’s not so large it would put us out of our comfort zone, and it is large enough make a significant difference in our growth strategy.” Acquisition
GAZETTE.NET CDR HAS NEW NONPROFIT FOCUS — WITHBROE HELPS CHARITIES CORRAL LARGE DONORS After nearly eight years of helping nonprofits grow, Nancy Withbroe has shut down her consulting business to join CDR Fundraising Group in Bowie. Withbroe, whose previous work was mainly with smaller nonprofits in the Washington, DC, region, will now have a heftier clientele of larger and nationally established organizations. New Nonprofit Focus at CDR
BREATHE CALIFORNIA BREATHE CALIFORNIA CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY Over the past 100 years, the face of public health has changed dramatically. From TB at the turn of the 20th century to asthma, diabetes and obesity today, our communities have had to face ever evolving challenges to remain healthy. Yet, through it all, Breathe California has been there leading the way in the fight to promote public health. Founded in 1908 by local residents committed to fighting the TB epidemic, the agency was the first voluntary health organization in the Bay Area. Originally known as the “TB Association”, the agency has seen its role expanded to include fighting lung health threats like tobacco use, asthma and air pollution. As a result of this expansive scope, our nonprofit organization has been on the forefront of every major public health effort to ensure that the Bay Area remains one of the healthiest places in the country. Breathe California
UPCOMING SEMINARS & CONFERENCES
MARCH 6, 2008 — MULTI-CHANNEL MARKETING: THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY AND HOW Nonprofit Fundraisers: Mark your calendars for another special one-day seminar from the DMA Nonprofit Federation. Enter the brave new world of multi-channel marketing and explore the plethora of communication channels at your disposal. Then, see which channels will achieve the best results from each segment of your donor base. Space is limited. Register Now
JUNE 3 - 5, 2008 — NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, PALM BEACH, FL C-level Directors and Executives, mark your calendars! The Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, FL will be the setting for top executives from the world’s leading nonprofit organizations to come together to network and share ideas at the fourth annual Nonprofit Leadership Summit. More information to come.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Advertise your open nonprofit position weekly to over 8000 nonprofit professionals, click herefor details!
NEWS UPDATE
