Thursday News Round-Up

OK, I know it's Friday. [Thursday is the day I pick up my organic produce from the CSA, so the day got away from me. Probably more information that anyone needs to know!]

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New ideas of what truly motivates donor giving, from research presented at "Experimental Approaches to the Study of Charitable Giving," a conference funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and sponsored by Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Bank of America increases giving for health, housing, and the arts.

Times were when a yacht under water spelled disaster, but that was before the luxury submarine became a billionaire trend.

Robert Frank reports on trust fund baby trends in the LA Times. Free registration required.[Researcher Musings: Does anyone actually tell the truth when asked for birthdate and income on a free registration form?]

Time Magazine’s coverage of the latest web “tools” for researching individuals underscores the need for attention to ethics and factual verification in fundraising research. [Note: This is an editorial comment, not an article summary.] As researchers, we need to be aware of what is being said on privacy issues and online ethics; we're in the thick of it.

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Have a great weekend!

Is There a Cure for APRA Conference Syndrome?

Years ago I read an article about a malady called Jerusalem Syndrome. Symptoms, which occur during a visit to the city of Jerusalem, include the presence of religious delusions or obsessions that can last over several days.

Well, readers, I believe I may have suffered from a similar malady over the past week. Experts believe "APRA Conference Syndrome" is caused by being in a room with 1200 other advancement researchers and attending multiple prospect research workshops and panels. The Syndrome (which is exacerbated by listening to Keynote Speakers) include the following:

• Believing that you have discovered the Holy Grail of wealth estimation formulas
• Thinking that all your coworkers back home will be as delighted to here about data modeling theories as your APRA Conference Buddies
• The delusion that you will actually have time to implement all the fantastic new ideas you picked up from experts in the field
• Experiencing visions of flawless prospect management systems
• The realization that you have stumbled on a rare Eden filled with intellectually curious, generous, down-to-earth and dedicated colleagues (this one lasts more than a few days...)

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I will be back to more substantive posts as soon as I finish doing my laundry. A big Thank You and Best Wishes to all of you that make up this professional community.

Thursday News Round-Up

Recent News on Philanthropy and the Wealthy (some links may require subscriptions):

Pretty sure nobody missed this one, but just in case: The New York Times compares today’s wealthiest with the barons of the Gilded Age.

The Wall Street Journal’s “Wealth Report” defines a new acronym: YAWNS (“Young, Wealthy but Normal”).

CNN tracks celebrity donations to political candidates.

Donors’ multimillion pledge to go towards enhancement and expansion of school’s planned giving effort (Ohio Wesleyan).

The Senate Finance Committee scrutinizes the Robin Hood Foundation for investing it’s “nest egg” in Board Members’ hedge funds. The Wall Street Journal’s Wealth Report had a different take on the issue. Nonetheless, by the end of this week, the Robin Hood Foundation had announced that it would stop investing in its donors’ and members’ hedge funds.