I met with one of the folks in Advancement as we are in the process of increasing scholarship opportunities for students in our social work program. In this discussion, we talked about the use of wealth screening as a tool to leverage funds for the university. There are now (or has been for those of you that eat and drink fund raising trends) software where nonprofits can screen and identify donors in their database.

Because tax and asset holdings are public information, nonprofits can strategically determine which donor relationships can be enhanced.  One of the companies that provides wealth screening software is Kintera where nonprofits can identify donors for planned giving, annual funds and capital campaigns. Another company that provides such software support is Growthdesign.

Here are some others to check out:

Qbase

AskAnalyzer

Blackbaud Analytics

WealthEngine

WealthPoint

There are criticisms of this software. Some think that this tool is not cost-effective in the long run. Others state that while it provides an understanding of donor assets and wealth, donors ultimately need to loyal to your organization in order to increase their giving.

HUD is offering free grant writing training through the Art and Science of Grant Writing workshops. All in all, 60 free grant writing workshops will be held in different parts of the country.  These workshops are organized and sponsored by HUD’s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.

The award-winning documentary series Speaking of Faith produced by American Public Media recently aired a fascinating conversation on evangelical political involvement between 3 different “types” of evangelicals: Chuck Colson, Rev. Greg Boyd and Shane Claiborne. It is interesting to see the variety of opinions and perspectives of the positives and limitations of evangelical political involvement. This program was also highlighted on Jim Wallis’ blog called God’s Politics here.

If you would like to obtain the podcast for the Speaking of Faith series, follow this link.

The Chalmers Center for Economic Development will offer their “Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry” distance learning course twice this fall. The first offering is scheduled for August 18 - September 13, 2008 and the second for October 20 - November 15, 2008. The fall offering of the follow up course, “Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development,” has one remaining seat; however, it will be offered again in Spring 2009. fall-foundations-announcement

I recently spoke (April 16th) at a Taylor University chapel. If you would like to listen to my talk here — “What is Shaliom?”. The chapel was well received by students and colleagues on campus.

The University of Bath Centre of Development Studies which offers degrees, seminars and research in international development houses a research project called Wellbeing in Development Countries. This research group attempts to formulate the theoretical concept of well-being in developing countries. The research group collaborates with organizations in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Peru and Thailand to produce their work.

The Centre of Development Studies is part of the University of Bath which offers undergraduate, masters and PhD degrees in international development. The Centre also hosts seminars throughout the year - some for the public, some just for the university community. The Centre also has an excellent links page.

Today, President Bush announced his new HUD chief.   Steven Preston, former administrator of the Small Business Association was announced as the new HUD chief pending confirmation from the senate.  This happens weeks after former secretary Alphonso Jackson resigned from his position amidst professional misconduct charges.   It is concerning that a former SBA administrator is now in charge of HUD - Preston, while a talented and seasoned corporate bureaucrat, lacks significant experience in housing and community development issues.  For more information, please read the following Washington Post article on the new development.

I’m back from another conference. I haven’t posted for a while….

Have you checked out GoogleOrg? This is the “hybrid” philanthropic arm of the technology giant. Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin started this organization back in 2004:

” Google.org is a hybrid philanthropy that uses a range of approaches to help advance solutions within our five initiatives. We operate in a traditional manner by supporting our partners’ work with targeted grants. But we can also invest in for-profit endeavors, such as efforts by companies to develop breakthrough renewable energy technologies. Our structure also allows us to lobby for policies that support our philanthropic goals. Additionally, we can tap Google’s innovative technology and, most importantly, its inspired workforce. We’ve already begun to donate and invest Google.org’s funds, and we expect to continue to do so in the future. “ (http://www.google.org/about.html)

For a list of their recent grants and equity investments click here.

If you would like to search for recent videos and clips about GoogleOrg, there is a channel you can subscribe to on youtube.com. Below are two videos from an international development and technology conversation for NGOs by GoogleOrg in February 2008.

Alphonso Jackson, HUD Secretary announced his resignation this morning after being mired for months in personal and professional controversy.  You can find out more about the resignation which is effective April  18  here on washington post.com.  Also here is a recent House Financial Services Committee oversight meeting with the HUD Secretary.

John and Vera Mae Perkins, who grew the Christian Community Development movement in the United States, will be hosting a “Sons and Daughters” conference in Jackson, Mississippi.  The conference is convened by the Perkins’ foundation, The John H. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development.  This is a wonderful networking opportunity for the next generation of Christians involved in community development to engage with and learned from seasoned veterans.   The conference will be held from May 8-11, 2008.  More information can be found here.