Gena Rotstein's blog

Apple has recently decided to prohibit the use of apps by non-profit organizations that would allow iPhone users the ability to make donations.  As a philanthropic advisor, and the CEO of Canada’s first (and only) donor-centered charitable search engine, I find this problematic for two reasons:

1. I feel that is not Apple’s place to be the Gate Keeper of whom and how people can donate to charities. 
    
2. The charitable marketplace is the second largest contributor to Canada’s economy, and as a service provider to both charities and donors, it is important to note that the charitable sector does not respond to market pressures in the same way as other sectors.  Large smart phone manufacturers and corporations, such as Apple, need to recognize the changes that are occurring in the charitable sector marketplace, most especially the way that people are directing their charitable dollars. 

If Apple wants to make significant social change, while attracting and retaining their current iPhone users, then they need to let donors choose how to donate rather than limit their donation methods.

What we advocate for is open access to information on the charitable sector.  This can be achieved by working with charities and other 3^rd party evaluators to ensure that iPhone users have up-to-date information   reflecting what the users/donors want, not only what the charities want to share.    Place2Give.com is that solution.  We are the conduit to smart philanthropy.   It is through systems like ours, that Apple and other smart phone operating systems can ensure their users have access to information about Canada’s charitable sector. 

It's been a rough start to 2011 for millions of people hit by natural disasters.  The aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti is still being felt, and will be felt for some time.  Australia is just starting to dry itself out from the massive floods that hit Brisbane and other parts of Queensland.  Brazil is reelling from the landslide that has flattened part of Rio de Janeiro.  And while all this is going on, many of you are opening your hearts and your wallets to support provide aid, reconstruction, medical assistance and general support.  But are we falling into a pattern of support that is inconsistent at best and harmful at worst?

The other day I was having a conversation with a friend who is planning her SUMMER holidays (I am still trying to figure out what I am doing next month...) and we got to talking about her plans to head over to Africa to do some volunteering. 

There is a difference between voluntourism and philanthropic travel.  It is important to understand the effects that your generous donation of time and resources to a community can have both positive and negative effects.  It is also important to make sure that your experience is a positive one, especially if you are "footing the bill" to improve the lives of others.

I can't believe that 2011 has already arrived!  It seems like 2010 flew by.  The past 12 months have seen remarkable generosity by our clients, their friends and colleagues - we surpassed the $2MM mark in annual donations and have strengthened relationships with organizations across Canada and developed new ones with charities in the United States.  Our approach to adaptive philanthropy is taking off.  How can you tap into this effective process of giving?  Here are four basic steps for you to create your own charitable giving plan:

1. Decide if you want to focus locally, nationally, internationally or a combination of geographic locations
2. Identify what issue or area of interest you want to address
3. Research charities that are operating in that area of interest (for a list of questions to ask see the first blog post of 2008)
4. Decide on how much and when you want to donate
5. Donate through Place2Give.com or directly to the organization(s)
6. Keep in touch with the organization(s) that you support and be clear as to the expectations that you have for your investment - how the funds should be used, when and how you want to get updates
7.  Share your story to encourage others to join you in your philanthropy

Guest blogger: Karine Aviv

I’m fairly new to on-line giving.  I’ve always been the average donor who gives to the charities who succeeded in canvassing me during their campaigns.  I don’t have a history of consistent giving so I wonder, if the shift is towards on-line giving, how will the charities “catch” donors like myself, who, in between raising 3 children and working part-time really don’t have that much time to surf the charity sites.

What does e-Harmony, your investment broker and the fundraising department of a charity have in common?

Compatibility Scores... yup, you heard me.  Think about it - e-Harmony asks a series of questions to spit out a score that will match you with your perfect date; your investment manager asks you a series of questions to make the right financial portfolio; and fundraising departments rate their donors and their prospect.  Did you know that part?

The latest issue of Karma & Cents I share some thoughts around local support and international support.  At the end of the day, the questions that should be asked are the same for both local and overseas philanthropy.  In addition to these questions, below is the 2010 list of reviewed and recommended charities.

1. What is the track-record of the organization?
2. How are they being held accountable (either by myself as the donor, or by some other third party)?
3. How are they measuring impact and reporting that back to you?
4. What are the costs for solving the issue... really?
5. Is the board of directors actively engaged either at a strategy level or at an operations level (this also speaks to the "sophistication" of the organization and how well equipped they are at solving the identified problem)?
   Read more »

With Christmas right around the corner International Aid organizations like World Vision and Oxfam are promoting their "Gift Catalogue" of charitable products like goats, ducks, hens and rabbits.  How effective is buying livestock for someone living on less than a dollar a day?  It depends on the other supports that are provided the family who receives the animal.  It also depends on if that animal is indigenous to the region.

Photo from the Brampton Tanzania Trust. Read more »

In response to the Globe & Mail article published yesterday, "Charities see alarming trends as donors become older, fewer" I think this Paul Waldie is crying fire in a crowded theatre.  Read more »

In response to the Globe & Mail article published yesterday, "Charities see alarming trends as donors become older, fewer" I think this Paul Waldie is crying fire in a crowded theatre.  Read more »