Archive - Feb 1998 - News Items

Print and design company Foremost has launched Charity UK, "the complete resource for UK charities and fundraisers." They publish a list of fundraising ideas [formerly at http://www.foremost.u-net.com/funds.html], some current appeals [formerly at http://www.foremost.u-net.com/appeals.html], and a list of other Net resources for UK charities and fundraisers.

Reports have reached the ICFM of more than one bogus Lord approaching charities in relation to fundraising. In the last issue of ICFM's Update readers were warned of a 'Lord Houston'. Now it seems there is an equally dubious 'Lord Lanchester' who successfully duped a Bond Street gallery into letting him walk off with a painting without paying for it.

The Millennium Commission has launched a Web site that lets fundraisers view details of all capital projects funded so far. You can view the also view the 185 projects by county.

Mark Demko's article On-Line Solicitors: Tangled Web in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, (29 January 1998) examines 'one-stop' charity Web sites that "make it easy to give but raise questions about regulation".

The US Planned Parenthood charity has won a court case regarding the www.plannedparenthood.com domain name. The US Second Court of Appeals upheld an injunction issued in March 1997 that prevented an anti-abortion activist from using the plannedparenthood.com domain.

USNonprofit-l, the e-mail discussion list which mirrors some of the postings on the newsgroup soc.org.nonprofit is moving. To find out how to resubscribe to the list at its new home, read UK Fundraising's E-mail lists for fundraisers.

The American Philanthropy Review has launched the world's first on-line international registry of consultants who serve the nonprofit sector. Consultants Registry OnlineTM is a central registry of individuals and firms offering consulting services, including fundraising, management, law, accounting, real estate, computers, marketing, advertising, executive search, and Web site design.

The Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers has distributed a questionnaire to its members asking for opinions on how to develop its services to members. The last membership survey was conducted in 1994 and revealed a desire among members for a professional qualification for fundraisers.

The Imperial Cancer Research Fund has unleashed Cupid [formerly at http://www.icnet.uk/cupid/] to bring joy to lovers as St Valentine's Day draws near, and to raise some funds at the same time. Donors can send any of five e-mail Valentine's cards to their loved one, in return for a suggested donation of £5.

The Independent on Sunday newspaper began a campaign on 8th February "to stop the rot in the arts." In particular they are campaigning "for a change in taxation policy which would permit individuals to make simple tax-free contributions to theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries". The newspaper feels that the UK government could learn from the US Internal Revenue Service.