Nonprofit Management
Network for Good | June 17, 2022
New data released by nonprofit online charitable giving platform Network for Good reveals you can count on American generosity in times of crisis. Donations to support people during natural and man-made disasters, both in America and abroad, was consistently one of the most popular online giving categories over the course of the organization’s 20-year history, during which it has processed and disbursed more than $4.3 billion in donations to more than 350,000 U.S. charities.
Despite economic and job instability in 2020, charitable donations processed by Network for Good increased by 37.5 percent compared to the previous year. While there was a slight decrease in 2021, online giving by Americans is still 10 percent above pre-pandemic levels, suggesting the tendency towards generosity remains high.
Network for Good is forecasting Americans will continue to give generously in 2022, with donations to support the people of Ukraine via Network for Good partners quickly reaching more than $12M through May of this year.
Network for Good was founded in 2001 to enable online donations following the 911 attacks, and since then, we’ve seen Americans consistently answer the call to help others in need. People want to help, and we work closely with our corporate and online partners as technology and consumer behavior evolve to continue to make it safe and easy for donors to give to causes they care about.”
Abby Ross, CEO, Network for Good Donor Advised Fund
In between crisis events, giving to causes that support animals, religious development and the arts have seen growing interest by donors, whereas donations to education and healthcare have decreased in popularity relative to other causes in recent years.
Americans’ willingness to help in times of crisis also means their attention may be fleeting as the next emergency unfolds.
Online giving to civic and social justice causes more than doubled from 2019 to 2020 in response to the murder of George Floyd, but saw a nearly 50 percent drop the following year.
While donations supporting environmental causes have been growing steadily over the years, its share of total giving has declined from 6 percent to 3 percent.
Mental health charities have seen increasing awareness over time yet only secure just over 2 percent of overall giving.
While crises and news events can generate large volumes of donations in a very short time, nonprofits and the people they support also have long-term needs that may go unmet once the news cycle has moved on.
“There is a simple way to make your donation go farther. Rather than giving one lump sum, donate smaller amounts throughout the year to allow the charity you choose to more efficiently use those dollars to maximize their impact,” said Ross.
Network for Good provides the following tips to help Americans ensure their donations reach the charities that matter most to them:
Consider the source – donate through a trusted platform. Giving to a Donor Advised Fund via a social or corporate platform that works with an organization like Network for Good provides a level of security and safety for your donation.
Do your research – make sure the organization is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, or give through a platform, like Network for Good, which does this vetting on your behalf.
Maximize impact – give sustained monthly donations versus a lump sum to help your charity of choice better manage their finances and help your dollars go further.
About Network for Good
Network for Good is a 501(c)(3) Donor Advised Fund (DAF) committed to unleashing generosity through online giving. We power causes through an innovative giving platform that securely and efficiently enables people to donate funds to their favorite charities. Since 2001, we have disbursed more than $4 billion dollars to more than 350,000 unique charities across the United States.
Read More
Financial Management
Independent Financial Group | May 26, 2022
Independent Financial Group, LLC, a San Diego-based independent broker-dealer, donated a combined $232,500 to seven charities in 2021: Promises2Kids ($50,000); Wayfinder Family Services ($50,000); Challenged Athletes Foundation ($50,000); The Mitchell Thorp Foundation ($50,000); Just in Time for Foster Youth ($25,000); The San Diego Nice Guys ($5,000); and the Well Community For Women ($2,500).
IFG's donations went to charities operating in San Diego and in the state of California, supporting foster children, youth, and adults; children with critical illnesses; children and adults with disabilities; and families facing economic hardships.
When Joe Miller, David Fischer, and I founded IFG, we agreed that giving back to our community, quietly and consistently, would be a central part of our mission. The three of us are fathers, and our community has been good to us and to our families. We want to make sure that all children and young adults in San Diego, and in the state of California, are being raised with the support and opportunities they need to thrive."
Scott Heising,IFG CEO and Co-Founder
To date, IFG has donated nearly one million dollars to various charitable organizations.
About IFG's Selected Charities
Promises2Kids responds to the needs of foster children and those who have been removed from their home due to abuse and neglect. The Challenged Athletes Foundation provides opportunities and support for physically disabled athletes so they can pursue active lifestyles and competitive athletics. Wayfinder Family Services (formerly Junior Blind of America) offers a full range of essential services that meet the needs of people of all ages, including the visually impaired, foster youth, youth with serious medical conditions or trauma, and their families. In memory of their son Mitchell, Brad and Beth Thorp founded the Mitchell Thorp Foundation with the goal of supporting families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses and disorders. Just in Time for Foster Youth aims to help foster youth as they transition to adulthood, supporting their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and well-being. The Nice Guys of San Diego have worked since 1979 to support local families who have fallen on tough times. The Well Community for Women is a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to serving women by offering coworking spaces, childcare support, after-school enrichment programs, and other programs and events.
About Independent Financial Group
Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG) is a privately held independent broker-dealer based in San Diego, California. Founded in 2003, IFG provides an array of business solutions supporting more than 640 independent financial professionals across 389 offices nationwide. IFG was named among the "Fastest Growing Private Companies in the US" by Inc. 5000 in 2020, for the eighth time since 2010. San Diego Business Journal ranked IFG "#12 Among the Largest Private Companies in San Diego" in 2020. In 2022, IFG was ranked 19th largest among national independent broker-dealers by Financial Advisor Magazine, based on revenue.
Read More
Nonprofit Technology
The Giving Block | May 25, 2022
The Giving Block, a Shift4 company, announced the launch of the "Miami Impact Index Fund", a first-of-its-kind fund that enables donors to give to numerous local nonprofit organizations with a single crypto donation. The Giving Block is a leader in crypto philanthropy, making cryptocurrency fundraising easy for nonprofits while empowering donors to give cryptocurrencies to their favorite causes. This is the first time that The Giving Block is working with a city to highlight local charities through the platform.
Miami has been so welcoming to the crypto community and it is the perfect city to work with to create our first-ever local impact index fund. We are excited to work with Mayor Suarez to bring crypto philanthropy to Miami, through our Miami Impact Index Fund. All donations to the impact index fund will be matched through our 'Caring with Crypto Campaign."
Alex Wilson, Co-Founder of The Giving Block
"Caring with Crypto" is a historic crypto fundraising campaign designed to raise more than $20 million for nonprofit organizations on The Giving Block in partnership with parent company Shift4. Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman will personally match the first $10 million in crypto donations through the initiative, with the company aiming to create the largest cryptocurrency fundraising campaign in history. To date, Caring with Crypto has raised more than $12 million for hundreds of charities.
The Miami Impact Index Fund will allow donors to give to Miami area nonprofits on The Giving Block's platform with one donation. All donations to the fund will be split evenly to all participating causes. Participating causes include: Chapman Partnership, Jackson Health Foundation, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Nicklaus Children's Health System, NU Deco Ensemble Inc., Third Wave Volunteers Inc., and United Way Miami, among others.
The Giving Block also brings crypto philanthropy to Miami through a partnership with The Miami Foundation for "Give Miami Day" on November 17th, allowing donors to give crypto for the first time since the event's inception in 2012.
"Giving back to our community is the core reason behind the Miami Movement. Innovative companies, just like The Giving Block, are a clear sign that we are on the right track of building an economy—and a future—that delivers for everyone," said Miami Mayor, Francis Suarez.
About The Giving Block
Founded in 2018, The Giving Block, a Shift4 company, is turning Crypto Philanthropy into one of the greatest forces for good on the planet by making cryptocurrency fundraising easy for nonprofits while empowering donors to give Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their favorite causes. The Giving Block currently enables more than 1,000 mission-driven organizations, charities, universities, and faith-based organizations of all sizes to accept cryptocurrency donations and helps them maximize their fundraising outcomes with strategic consulting and personal support.
Read More