Salvation Army major killed, robbed...

December 29, 2009

 

Salvation Army major killed, robbed

A Salvation Army major was shot dead in front of his wife and two children by two men who demanded money the major had collected from the charity's iconic red kettles, The New York Daily News reported Dec. 25 (see Salvation Army murder story). As of Christmas day, the gunmen remained at large.

Charities court supporters through social media

Many charities are looking for new donors by riding the social-media wave, Tweeting and Facebooking about their latest events and needs, The Detroit News reported Dec. 28 (see tech-savvy charity story). For example, Forgotten Harvest in Illinois has been Tweeting almost daily about its food-collection effort to the group's 511 Twitter followers.

Proliferation of charity runs risks event fatigue

With charity runs and walks multiplying across the country, some organizers of the events worry participants could experience event fatigue, The Arizona Republic reported Dec. 28 (see charity event fatigue story). While participating in an event tends to increase a participant's emotional connection to a cause, the proliferation of events means increased competition for dollars and participants.

Case Foundation mans red kettles

Jean Case, founder of the Case Foundation, and her husband Stephen, founder of America Online, joined other foundation staffers to man Salvation Army red kettles outside a Macy's in Washington, D.C., in late December, The New York Times reported Dec. 24 (see Case Foundation story). The funder, which helps nonprofits mobilize support through social networks, complemented its high-tech roots with old-school charity.

Microfinance gains popularity amid questions

As people look for ways to do good, and rack up tax deductions prior to Jan. 1, microfinancing is becoming more popular, The New York Times reported Dec. 25 (see pay it forward story). However, microfinance nonprofits must make clear exactly how donors' "investments" work in order to avoid misunderstandings that could anger contributors.

Belk charity sales raise $4 million for charity Belk's semi-annual charity sales netted more than $4 million for local charities throughout the department store's 16-state market area, The Asheville Citizen Times reported Dec. 28 (see Belk charity story). The next charity sale will be held May 1.

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