This is more of a teaser than anything else. I’ve been thinking about this for some time. I’d like to add a monthly feature where I’ll  review a book that encourages people to think about philanthropy. Generous Kids will be the first book I plan to review.

The second book I plan to review is Donna Vanliere’s The Christmas Shoes. This book was suggested to me by Chris Beach back in July. If you have any suggestions for books I should add to my reading list please let me know.  I’m not looking for textbooks.  I’m looking for story books, kids books, or short stories. Basically, books that cultivate a culture of philanthropy in a unique way.

Only two responses to the Philanthropy Primer exploratory weblog survey? That just isn’t gonna cut it.
Please take 5 minutes to give your feedback on the possible weblog version of the Philanthropy Primer. 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=v4ZH9uO4YYIFN7Rmoxir0g_3d_3d 

Remember to leave your e-mail at the end of the survey. If you leave an e-mail address you’re entered in a door prize drawing for one of two Dilbert: 2008 Day-to-Day Calendars! Monday, November 5 is the last day! 

Over the past three months I’ve had about six different people ask me how they can make a move from the for-profit sector to a job at a nonprofit.  My advice has been the same in all six cases.  

I’ll ask, do you currently support any organizations through gifts of time or money?
If they answer “no.” I tell them they are not candidates for a job at a nonprofit. To work in this field, you have to be passionate about a cause and willing to invest in that passion through a sacrifice of time, money and talent. If that hasn’t happened yet, a paycheck sure isn’t going to change that.the

If they answer “yes” I then ask, do you currently volunteer as a board member or serve some leadership role for a nonprofit? 
If they answer no I tell them to is to do some research.  Be a donor, advocate, volunteer, board member. Support an organization through gifts of time and money, put a profile on BoardNet and spend some time supporting a nonprofit.  I think this is necessary before you look to them to support you. Here is some more thought on the topic from a marketing perspective.
If they answer yes, I tell them they are in a good position to consider a job in the sector and should apply to nonprofits for a job that matches with their past nonprofit experiences and professional ability. 

Figure I might as well plug the graduate program where I’m a student. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota just released their first newsletter for graduates and current students. I love the Karla Williams soapbox section.  Heres the link to the newsletter. 
http://www.smumn.edu/phildev/P&D%20Nov.%20Newslet.pdf

This is important to note. A mistrial was declared in the case against an Islamic charity. 

There is a growing move toward the globalization of philanthropy. Not pure philanthropy mind you from micro loans to B corporations to social entrepreneurship to global cause marketing campaigns, the for-profit sector is stealing our thunder and replacing it with their version of philanthropy. 

This is driven, in part, by a Millennial generation that wants to be “invested” in the world. I see this trend as an attack on the core ideals of philanthropy. It’s time to take leadership and make sure these efforts to globalize philanthropy are truly philanthropy and not just revised business models that integrate a hybrid of social interest and cute marketing to further the interest of shareholders. 

Our first priority should be our beneficiaries, not our shareholders.

A lot of traffic regarding advanced degrees on the FundraisingSuccess website, among others.  What do you think, are these programs critical for fundraising to become a recognized profession?  Is this a good thing or not?
I haven’t much discussion about undergraduate programs in philanthropy and fundraising.  Although, according to a recent conversation I had with Patrick Rooney, Director of Research and Associate Professor of Economics and Philanthropic Studies at The Center on Philanthropy, an undergraduate program is under consideration at Indiana.
How important are these types of degrees in getting a job in the industry? How important are they for fundraisers to be viewed as “highly qualified?”

Seems like an oxymoron to me… Companies have stakeholders whose interest is profits and growth.  Nonprofits have stakeholders whose interest is social change, and compassion for others over self.  I’m still formulating my opinion on this.  I think the B-Corporation is important to consider in this discussion.
http://www.philanthromedia.org/archives/2007/10/richard_branson_on_capitalist.html
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/NewVoicesOfPhilanthropy/~3/171387238/new-partnership-between-foundations-and.html

I have not forgotten… I promised to send an opinion paper on nonprofit professional code of ethics to my mentee peers at AFP.  Linda Breen is helping me think of section headings for the last three sections… I’ll send it later this week.  Until then, here is the draft of a professional code being developed by the Independent Sector. 
http://www.nonprofitpanel.org/selfreg/