How Fundraisers Can Combat the 'Mobile Giving Gap'

Plus, women athletes score a big gift; and a letter points out the importance of giving circles ADVERTISEMENT [Philanthropy Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. DATA AND RESEARCH [Donors Less Likely to Give on Smartphones — How Fundraisers Can Combat ‘Mobile Giving Gap’]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( Charities are losing out by failing to see the importance of adapting their fundraising appeals across device types. ADVERTISEMENT [Donors Less Likely to Give on Smartphones — How Fundraisers Can Combat ‘Mobile Giving Gap’]( GIFTS ROUNDUP [Women’s Olympic Rugby Team and Women Athletes Score Big Gifts]( By Maria Di Mento [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, a performing arts center receives $10 million from its original funder, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, the Pratt Institute, and other nonprofits land big gifts. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR [Coverage of Everyday Donors Overlooks the Rise of Giving Circles]( Collective giving could help address declining donation trends and strengthen grassroots philanthropy. WEBINARS [August 15 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Well-crafted budgets demonstrate sound fiscal management, show how spending aligns with mission and goals, and engender trust. Join us for CRAFTING PROPOSAL BUDGETS THAT INSTILL CONFIDENCE to learn from Jeanette Hall, director of finance and operations, Phoenixville Community Health Foundation and Lynne Weikart, Ph.D., retired professor, CUNY. ONLINE FORUMS [Tomorrow: August 6 at 2 p.m. ET | Register Now]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join us for How MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates Are Transforming Philanthropy. You’ll hear from Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Dr. Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change, and Kendra Davenport, CEO of Easterseals. They’ll examine the impact and influence of Scott’s and French Gates’s giving, how their approaches align and differ, and how their giving is shaking up philanthropy. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE [Chronicle of Philanthropy Subscription] Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to nonprofit news and analysis. Nonprofit News From Elsewhere Online The American director of an infant-formula charity and adoption agency in Malawi is under investigation for possibly using contributions to pay for a jet-setting lifestyle and facilitating dubious adoptions. State Department investigators say Jason Carney used the bank accounts of his charity, 2nd Milk, to pay about $172,000 in credit card bills for personal expenses. Meanwhile, officials in Malawi say he was arranging adoptions to U.S. parents that had not gone through the necessary government approvals, including at least one in which he appears to have thwarted the efforts of some relatives to keep the child. Carney did not respond to requests for comment. ([Wall Street Journal]( subscription) The donor who presented Florida A&M University with a blockbuster gift this spring before it quickly fell apart has rescinded the donation. Gregory Gerami gave the school stock in his hemp-farming operation that he said was worth $237 million. Questions quickly arose about that figure and about Gerami’s financial wherewithal, especially in light of a previous failed promise of $95 million he had made to a university in South Carolina. The results of an independent investigation into the debacle at FAMU are imminent. Gerami said he pulled the gift because “certain FAMU officials were damaging his business” and have not signed paperwork that would allow him to receive a tax deduction on it. ([Myrtle Beach Sun News]( Background from the Chronicle: [Mega-Gift Fiasco at Florida A&M Shows Nonprofits What Not to Do]( More News - Trump Cites Opportunity Zones. Their Success is Middling ([New York Times]( - Background from the Chronicle: [Will New Tax-Law Policy Help Needy Communities or Luxury Condo Developers?]( - A Former Monk Who Won Powerball Is Giving Millions to Theaters ([New York Times]( - Background from the Chronicle: [Can a Lottery Winner Run an Effective Foundation? Meet Roy Cockrum]( - In the Food Desert Of Woonsocket, R.I., They Just Want to Feed the Needy ([Boston Globe]( - Long After They Survived the Nazis, They Use A.I. to Remind the World ([New York Times]( - Investigation of Queer Works CEO Stretches Beyond Palm Springs, Riverside County Officials Confirm ([Palm Springs Post]( Opinion - Jewish Philanthropy Has Wide Ripple Effects, Especially After October 7 ([Jerusalem Post]( - Healey Is Right — the Shelter System Is at a Breaking Point ([Boston Globe]( Note: In the links in this section, we flag articles that only subscribers can access. But because some journalism outlets offer a limited number of free articles, readers may encounter barriers with other articles we highlight in this roundup. EDITOR'S PICKS OPINION [My Nonprofit Was Ghosted by MacKenzie Scott. It Still Haunts Me.]( Anonymous [STORY IMAGE]( Left in the dark about where it went wrong, the author’s organization has become an underdog in its field as those who received Scott gifts flourish. OPINION [Is Your Nonprofit Brat?]( By Michael Bellavia [STORY IMAGE]( The Harris campaign offers important lessons in how to use memes to draw attention to an issue and reach younger audiences. FUNDRAISING [How Social Media Can Help Nonprofits Cultivate Donors]( By Rasheeda Childress [STORY IMAGE]( The authors of “One Click to Give” say everyday donors want to give, but want community first. ADVERTISEMENT RECOMMENDED WEBINAR [Join our webinar]( —Sound budgets demonstrate to grant makers your nonprofit’s financial health, show how your spending aligns with your mission and goals, and instill trust. Yet some grant seekers focus on perfecting the narrative elements of proposals while overlooking errors, gaps, and other problems in their budgets. This is an expensive mistake: Weak budgets can break a strong proposal — and cost your nonprofit a grant. How can you build proposal budgets that assure grant makers and improve your odds of securing support? Join us for a 75-minute webinar on Thursday, August 15 at 2 PM ET to learn from our expert guests. [Register now.]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES Find your next nonprofit role in The Chronicle Career Center: - [Executive Director of Development, Major Gifts (Hybrid - SF Bay Area)]( — Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health - [Chief Development Officer]( — National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America - [Senior Director of Development, The Shepherd School of Music]( — The Shepherd School of Music, Rice University [Search all job openings →]( Hiring? [Post a Job.]( [Chronicle of Philanthropy Logo]( This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Philanthropy]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037