MrBeast has many YouTube philanthropy channels where he has built wells and etc. During his controversy recently his YouTube videos have been called into question and themed faked. Recently there was an interview with him where he talked about this and shed his side of the story. I'm just curious how are you feel about this. Do you believe him?

https://youtu.be/ssIVH--CQ34

Starts around 1:24:00

I'm looking at the possibility of adding in some additional giving days into our plan for 2025. I'm curious what others do. Do you participate in a local (city, region, state) giving day? An issue-specific (medical issue, environmental, literacy, legal, etc.)? A nonprofit giving day other than Giving Tuesday? None of them? ALL of them?

I'm learning there are so many specific giving days! If you'd like to share what your organization participates in for awareness within the group, please do so in the comments.

Thanks in advance!

The Texas Observer is a nonprofit statewide media organization based in Austin. Since its founding in 1954, the Observer has covered important stories that would otherwise be underreported or ignored. It specializes in investigative reporting, tell-it-like-it-is political coverage, and narrative storytelling. The Observer publishes a bimonthly print magazine and produces daily stories at texasobserver.org

The Observer is hiring a Director of Development to lead its fundraising efforts. This is a key leadership position within the organization. The Texas Observer has a current annual budget of $1.2 million, with a goal of growing to $1.3 million in 2025.

The Observer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.

https://www.texasobserver.org/were-hiring-director-of-development/

If you work for a nonprofit, then you probably in the deep trenches of the end-of-year giving solicitations. Your direct mail to previous donors has been sent out last week to make sure it gets to households before Christmas, your social media is full of messages meant to inspire people to send money now, before the end of the year, etc.

Is giving up for your org? Down? Flat?

Hello there, I just created a sub for philanthropy in France : r/generosite

French people, you are welcome to join ;)

Question on another group:

My mother’s phone number and address have spread throughout the “non” profit world over the years, and she receives a constant flow of pleas or money. She lives alone, so I can’t intercept the mail or phone calls.

They all pretend to represent sympathetic causes – fireman, the policeman, the children of wives of policemen and firemen, wildlife, veterans, cancer fighters, etc.

They are almost all virtually criminals, but running a charity which spends all its money on “administrative fees” is not illegal.

I explain this every time I see her. But if someone asks for money, she feels obligated and sends a check. She can’t bear to say no.

She has the same problem with people selling things like lawn service and (unnecessary) home repairs,

One idea is closing her checking account and paying all her bills online. But then they’d probably take her debit card number and clean out the account.

Anyone have similar experience? What did you do?

Some answers:

1. Take over her checkbook and pay her bills for her. That way, she doesn’t have access to it. I did this with my mom. I went over once a week and paid her bills with her at the table with me so she knew what was going out and coming in. She still felt that she was in control
2. We had her mail forwarded, closed her checking account and took over her bill paying.
3. We had a problem with this as well with my MIL. Fortunately she still had the wherewithall to understand she was being taken advantage of. She no longer donates to anyone who calls her on line. She says please send me the literature on your organization” over and over until they get tired of it.
4. When solicitors call my Mom says, “I’m not in charge of the finances, you need to talk to my son.” And it was her idea, not mine. She called to tell me about the awesome defense she dreamed up!

Not that I have that kind of money but I always fall back on GiveWell as a trusted evaluator of effective charitable giving. Thoughts?

I've seen people refer to studies showing that it takes about 5000 dollars to save a human life through malaria prevention charities or that someone can save the life of over 6000 animals by donating one thousand dollars https://animalcharityevaluators.org/charity-review/the-humane-league/2018-nov/#rf1-4-24548

I'm curious exactly how true this is. Does individual donation actually make a difference? If a single person chooses to either donate a thousand dollars or 5000 dollars or chooses to donate nothing will that actually be the difference between an extra person dying of malaria or an extra 6000 animals being bred into existence, tortured and killed that would have otherwise never been bred into existence?

Or do donations only make an actual difference when enough people do them sort of like how it makes zero difference in whether or not I personally vote in an election or just stay home.

If anyone has any evidence that a relatively small amount of money like less than 10 thousand can actually save a life of a human or farm animal I would love to see it as I think I'd find it very motivating !

I'm curious how everyone is approaching fundraising/development planning for 2025. There are a lot of potential changes on the horizon. Are you changing anything up or keeping events and campaigns the same for the coming year? Any changes to communications? I want to make some changes, but don't want to dedicate too much time to anything new in a year that could have a lot of changes.

What are you struggling with? What are you excited about? I want to hear it all!

The Santa Clara County (California) District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that six former Apple employees have been charged for tricking the tech company into matching donations that went right back into the suspects' pockets.

The district attorney's office has charged them with multiple felonies including grand theft, perjury and tax fraud.

https://abc7news.com/post/former-apple-employees-arrested-fraud-donation-program-hop4kids/15620902/

Registration is open for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)'s international conference in Seattle in April 2025. It will bring together thousands of fundraising professionals from around the globe. Immerse yourself in cutting-edge strategies, inspiring keynotes, and unparalleled networking opportunities designed to elevate your mission and drive impact.

For 60 years, AFP - formerly NSFRE - has been the standard-bearer for professionalism in fundraising. The Association of Fundraising Professionals empowers individuals and organizations to practice ethical fundraising through professional education, networking, research and advocacy.

https://afpglobal.org/

How Charities Can Boost Likelihood of Donations Via Smartphone Users

Whether you’re passionate about rescuing puppies, feeding hungry people, or helping victims of a natural disaster, you’re considerably less likely to respond to a charity’s appeal for help if you receive it on your smartphone.

And, yet, most people accessing your web site are doing so via a Smartphone.

https://today.uconn.edu/2024/03/uconn-business-researchers-discover-how-charities-can-boost-likelihood-of-donations-via-smartphone-users/

https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcpy.1418 (behind a paywall - your local library can help)

Fundamentals of Fundraising - Online Course

An excellent course for early-career fundraisers. Fundamentals provides a comprehensive overview of fundraising principles.  The course content covers the roles and responsibilities of fundraisers, with emphasis on responsibilities you are likely to encounter at the beginning of your career.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fundamentals of Fundraising eCourse is composed of seven modules that have been designed by experienced fundraising professionals to meet the real-world needs and challenges nonprofit organizations face every day.

This course includes case studies and video segments, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable. The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising eCourse offers a complete overview of the development function, featuring the most current information and techniques.

• Learn at your own pace and convenience.
• Start and stop the program at any time and resume where you left off.

Modules are also available for purchase individually.

Module 1: Overview of Fundraising

Module 2: Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program

Module 3: Marketing for Ongoing Success

Module 4: Building and Sustaining Relationships

Module 5: Securing the Gift

Module 6: Partners in Fundraising

Module 7: Management & Accountability

https://afpglobal.org/afp-fundamentals-fundraising-ecourse-20-here

Thousands of charities are asking us to donate. And this year, disasters, wars and conflict are all adding to the world's humanitarian needs. How do you ensure that your donations will do the most good?

These are the guidelines suggested by experts in humanitarian aid.

From Goats & Soda:

https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2024/10/11/g-s1-27239/giving-tuesday-charity-donations-effectiveness

Your airline points and miles can do a great many things, and one of those things is to give back to causes you care about or to help someone in dire need of those points or miles. Even small contributions can make a huge difference in another person's life. Here are some opportunities to put your points or miles to work to help with charitable causes.

More from The Points Guy:

https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/donate-points-miles-charity/

So I have decided to pursue my higher studies in sociology and go into philanthropy. In particular "Corporate social responsibility specialist". How much do you guys know about this profession? What are your views? Is there scope in the field?