Powerful New Development Tools

The 6/28/2008 edition of HuffingtonPost.com featured an article by Julia Moulden which focused on BringLight.com, an online service that makes it easy for donors to contribute to 501(c)3 charitable organizations. I’ve been meaning to write a series of articles about Bring Light for half a year now and there simply isn’t a good excuse as to why that series isn’t done. Regardless, publishing something the wake of Julia’s excellent article will …

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Wag The Dog

A variation on a classic joke: Which came first, the grant or the program? A groaner for sure but an unfortunate reality for too many orchestras. The simple fact is that funding sources are limited and as a result, orchestras will design programs based more on grant guidelines than institutional vision…

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Full Of Sound And Fury, Signifying Nothing

Much has been written throughout the blogosphere about last weekend’s New York Times article by Stephanie Strom on the merits of certain charitable deductions. Frankly, I’m surprised the piece garnered that much attention as it seems more to do with the typical class-warfare nonsense associated with national elections than anything having to do with the inherent value of charitable giving…

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Thanks For the Cash But We’ll Need To See Your ID

There’s a sticky situation surrounding the now incarcerated investing magnate Alberto Vilar’s alleged indiscretions. The U.S. government has charged Mr. Vilar with three fraud related counts including defrauding a client of $5 million and using a high six-figure portion of those funds to make good on several defaulted pledges to performing arts organizations; including high profile groups such as The New York Philharmonic and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing …

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