Harvard Political Review - Lending and Leading

Harvard Political Review - Lending and Leading: "Matt Flannery is the CEO and Co-founder of Kiva.org, a popular website that allows individuals from around the world to loan as little as $25 at a time to entrepreneurs in the developing world. In just two years, Flannery's vision has exploded, helping to facilitate over 30,000 “microloans” funded at a total value of over $22 million. In an interview with HPR, Flannery discussed not only how Kiva itself brings about social change, but also how it represents a fundamentally new means through which such change may take place."

The Press Association: Bocelli charity video for download

The Press Association: Bocelli charity video for download: "are To Live will be available through the ActionAid website www.actionaid.org.uk for digital download from May 5.

Organisers of the project said it is the first commercial music video whose price is determined by what individual consumers want to pay.

All proceeds will go directly to international development charity ActionAid,"

How non-profits are using social networking to raise money and awareness -- chicagotribune.com

How non-profits are using social networking to raise money and awareness -- chicagotribune.com: "Online social networks used to be just gathering places for friends and long-lost acquaintances. Then the marketers arrived, followed by politicians and job recruiters, all looking to tap into a growing mass of young people who are spending much of their time on the Web. Now, non-profit organizations are testing ways to raise money through these networks, betting that the Internet's viral nature will open fresh avenues for fundraising and marketing."

Evans School hosts Microsoft forum about corporate giving - The Daily of the University of Washington

Evans School hosts Microsoft forum about corporate giving - The Daily of the University of Washington: "Last night, the Evans School of Public Affairs hosted a forum on corporate social responsibility as part of an ongoing course offered at the Evans School that features lectures from various leaders of business and industry.

The lecture featured two representatives from locally based corporate giant Microsoft: Jane Broom, senior manager of the company’s Puget Sound community affairs, and Jennifer Wolcott, the manager of employee engagement. Students asked the speakers about how their companies have contributed to the communities and regions in which they operate."

miramichileader.com - School, Kinsmen helping in developing countries

miramichileader.com - School, Kinsmen helping in developing countries: "A non-profit group, Kiva (Swahili for 'agreement' or 'unity') is the world's first and perhaps only online 'micro-lending' organization, meaning participants in the group loan small amounts of money to selected entrepreneurs.

James M. Hill teacher Tyson Theriault said the 26 students in his World Issues 120 class became involved with Kiva when a representative of the Miramichi Kinsmen asked if the school would be interested in participating."

The NonProfit Times - Email Donor Lists Growing, Open Rates Dropping

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Email Donor Lists Growing, Open Rates Dropping

Open rates for email campaigns and fundraising messages have declined for the past three years, but those who have provided an email address are starting to churn out at a slower rate. And, those who give online are giving more than in previous years.

And, just because you send an email and it's opened, don't expect any action from about 60 percent of the recipients.

Those are a few of the findings of a study of online activities across a three-year period of 21 large organizations by the nonprofit technology organization NTEN in Portland, Ore., and consultants M+R Strategic Services, with offices in eight cities and based in Washington, D.C. The new report covers two years and is coupled with an earlier study."