Social Entrepreneur blog for the world changers
Social Entrepreneurship
Do Small Businesses Really Need the SBA’s Help?
Jan 20th
The SBA's Small Business Development Centers serve over 500,000 entrepreneurs a year, but they're still on the budget chopping block.
How Fine Art America Built Its Business by Bootstrapping
Jan 20th
Before you even think about asking someone to invest in your business, consider what Sean Broihier of Fine Art America did.
After Bankruptcy, Kodak’s Philanthropy At Risk
Jan 20th
Kodak, one of America's oldest film companies, recently filed for bankruptcy. It's unclear what's to come in the company's future, but one thing was made clear: Some difficult choices are in the cards for the company's philanthropic efforts.
Channel 13 WHAM in the Rochester area reported yesterday that because of the bankruptcy, Kodak was likely to scale down their corporate philanthropy. The company had written on its website that "in the near term … it is likely that we will have to make difficult choices about our philanthropic investments and activities."
Although Kodak's philanthropy has significantly dwindled since 1990, the company and its employees have still funded many groups. For example, the United Way of Greater Rochester has seen millions of dollars come into the organization from Kodak. In addition, Kodak founder George Eastman has financed some of Rochester's greatest institutions, such as the Eastman School of Music, the home of Kodak Hall (which the company recently helped renovate with a $10 million donation).
It's still possible for Kodak to continue donating money during the bankruptcy process, but it will more than likely have to scale back on a major scale while they deal with creditors. You can read more about this story on WHAM's website.
Channel 13 WHAM in the Rochester area reported yesterday that because of the bankruptcy, Kodak was likely to scale down their corporate philanthropy. The company had written on its website that "in the near term … it is likely that we will have to make difficult choices about our philanthropic investments and activities."
Although Kodak's philanthropy has significantly dwindled since 1990, the company and its employees have still funded many groups. For example, the United Way of Greater Rochester has seen millions of dollars come into the organization from Kodak. In addition, Kodak founder George Eastman has financed some of Rochester's greatest institutions, such as the Eastman School of Music, the home of Kodak Hall (which the company recently helped renovate with a $10 million donation).
It's still possible for Kodak to continue donating money during the bankruptcy process, but it will more than likely have to scale back on a major scale while they deal with creditors. You can read more about this story on WHAM's website.
A Search-Engine Startup with the Frequent Flyer in Mind
Jan 20th
MileWise lets users manage their travel rewards programs and search for flights that offer them maximum benefits
Shark Tank vs. Undercover Boss: Which Are You Tivo-ing?
Jan 19th
See what's coming up on both shows this season, which kicks off this week.
Dealing With Office Politics
Jan 19th
Office politics: They are a powerful thing in every office and, whether they like it or not, nonprofit managers have to deal with them.
In their book "Make Talent Your Business," Wendy Axelrod and Jeannie Coyle say managers must first acknowledge the existence of organizational politics. You can't tackle a problem, after all, if you don't believe it exists. Further, Axelrod and Coyle encourage leaders to show their employees how to navigate the twisted webs of office politics. They suggest the following tips:
In their book "Make Talent Your Business," Wendy Axelrod and Jeannie Coyle say managers must first acknowledge the existence of organizational politics. You can't tackle a problem, after all, if you don't believe it exists. Further, Axelrod and Coyle encourage leaders to show their employees how to navigate the twisted webs of office politics. They suggest the following tips:
- Clarify and adjust assumptions about organization politics. Yes, people often use political skills for unprincipled self-serving. Employees who can read the dynamics, however, can create and sell effective solutions.
- Help map the bumpy political terrain. Make sure employees get a full view of the landscape, so they know where danger points occur.
- Coach employees to build a portfolio of politically smart approaches. Set a strategy, influence others and adapt familiar skills to political solutions.
- Prepare for and sometimes rehearse the handling of complex situations. Employees will do better after having had the opportunity to fine-tune messages, practice handling questions, listen to opposing views, think through their reactions and adapt an appropriate personal presence.
Can’t Miss Tax Deductions
Jan 18th
Tax season is beginning to heat up as we move closer to April. Here's the big question: Are you getting all you can from your tax deductions?
In an article for The Huffington Post, Lisa Greene-Lewis, managing editor of the TurboTax Blog, wrote about the advantages of filing your tax returns early. She wrote that an estimated 80 percent of taxpayers will get a federal tax refund if they file before the end of February. How much is that refund, you ask? It's expected to top $3,000 this year. That's certainly not chump change.
Lewis also wrote about the value of claiming standard tax deductions. It's important not to leave any money on the table while filing your taxes. Lewis offered some deductions you can claim that will help your cause:
In an article for The Huffington Post, Lisa Greene-Lewis, managing editor of the TurboTax Blog, wrote about the advantages of filing your tax returns early. She wrote that an estimated 80 percent of taxpayers will get a federal tax refund if they file before the end of February. How much is that refund, you ask? It's expected to top $3,000 this year. That's certainly not chump change.
Lewis also wrote about the value of claiming standard tax deductions. It's important not to leave any money on the table while filing your taxes. Lewis offered some deductions you can claim that will help your cause:
- Job Search Expenses: Most Americans were involved in the job search last year, but many probably didn't know they could claim job search expenses as a deduction. It's true: As long as you were searching for work in your same profession, you can deduct expenses such as resume preparation, career seminars, and even travel.
- Dependent Friends: Good news: Your support for your deadbeat roommates can finally pay off! If they have been out of a job for a while, they may count as a "qualifying relative." This will allow you to treat them as dependents.
- Income Tax Credit: The down economy of the past few years has caused the loss of income for many Americans. If you are counted among that group, you may now qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC). The EIC allows you to keep more of what you earned, and can give you a credit of up to $5,000 depending on the size of your family.
- State and Local Sales Tax Deduction: If you live in a state with no income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming), you can claim a state and local sales tax deduction. If you don't live in one of those states, a year of heavy spending may still give you a greater deduction.
How Would SOPA Affect Nonprofits?
Jan 18th
Visitors to Wikipedia or Google today will find things a little different. Both sites are participating in a web-wide "black out" to protest pending anti-piracy legislation in Congress.
The two bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), have drawn heavy criticism from its detractors, who say that the laws are an assault on the "free and open Internet." The legislation would essentially allow the Justice Department to shut down websites accused of copyright infringement without a traditional court hearing.
You're probably wondering: How would either of these laws affect nonprofits? According to The Huffington Post, SOPA and PIPA could have a huge affect on fundraising. SOPA would give the government the ability to block suspicious sites' Domain Name System (DNS) servers, which convert .com names into IP addresses. This could have a direct impact on a nonprofit's donation process, as interfering with the DNS servers makes websites more vulnerable to identity theft and cyberattacks.
Some organizations are already speaking out against the legislation. In the same piece, The Huffington Post mentioned that Global Voices, an international volunteer community of citizen journalists, is joining the protests by "going dark" for 12 hours. The organization is concerned that the laws would "inflict broad damage" to the work of digital activists around the globe, and would hinder free speech.
Learn more about SOPA and PIPA by reading the full article from The Huffington Post.
The two bills, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), have drawn heavy criticism from its detractors, who say that the laws are an assault on the "free and open Internet." The legislation would essentially allow the Justice Department to shut down websites accused of copyright infringement without a traditional court hearing.
You're probably wondering: How would either of these laws affect nonprofits? According to The Huffington Post, SOPA and PIPA could have a huge affect on fundraising. SOPA would give the government the ability to block suspicious sites' Domain Name System (DNS) servers, which convert .com names into IP addresses. This could have a direct impact on a nonprofit's donation process, as interfering with the DNS servers makes websites more vulnerable to identity theft and cyberattacks.
Some organizations are already speaking out against the legislation. In the same piece, The Huffington Post mentioned that Global Voices, an international volunteer community of citizen journalists, is joining the protests by "going dark" for 12 hours. The organization is concerned that the laws would "inflict broad damage" to the work of digital activists around the globe, and would hinder free speech.
Learn more about SOPA and PIPA by reading the full article from The Huffington Post.
Recruiting From Outside The Organization
Jan 18th
Cross-Posted From The Nonprofit Job Seeker
It's probably a safe assumption that your nonprofit is looking to find that great employee who will bring their organization to the next level. Too bad everyone else is, too.
Many nonprofits are turning to the Internet for their recruiting. Organizations are finding it much easier to find new employees by using social media sites and online job boards. These are all great recruiting tools, but it's important to remember they aren't your only options.
In “The Big Book of HR,” Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem remind organizations of the following recruiting methods to use in addition to the Internet:
It's probably a safe assumption that your nonprofit is looking to find that great employee who will bring their organization to the next level. Too bad everyone else is, too.
- Former Employees: Not every employee that left went out on bad terms. If you have a good exiting process, it will be easy to identify the reasons they left, and which ones you would like to have back.
- Retirees: It is becoming increasingly difficult for retirees to live without some income. Consider bringing some of these individuals back to do special projects.
- Radio/TV Ads: If you have enough room in your budget, take out an ad on the radio or TV to invite job seekers to your career Website.
- State Employment Offices: All states have offices where you can list open positions. These agencies do a great job of linking job seekers to open positions, so don't discount the amount of help you can get from them.
Internet Blackout Day on January 18
Jan 17th
WordPress.org is officially joining the protest against Senate Bill 968: the Protect IP Act that is coming before the U.S. Senate next week. As I wrote in my post a week ago, if this bill is passed it will jeopardize internet freedom and shift the power of the independent web into the hands of corporations. We must stop it.
On January 18, 2012 many sites around the web — from small personal blogs to internet institutions like Mozilla, Wikipedia, reddit, and I Can Has Cheezburger? – will be going dark in protest and to drive their visitors to sites like americancensorship.org to take action and help fight the passage of the Protect IP Act. So will WordPress.org.
If you want to join the protest by blacking out your WordPress site or applying a ribbon, there is now a variety of blackout plugins in the WordPress.org plugins directory. While joining the protest in this manner is laudable, please don’t forget to also make those phone calls to U.S. Senators — they’re the ones with the voting power.
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