Charities Review Council - 2007 Accomplishments

Strategic planning for 2008-2010 was completed. The results, which will guide our work for the next several years, will ensure that the Council remains relevant in its ability to provide critically important information to donors and nonprofits.

• Captured Minnesota donor giving habits and perceptions through a statewide survey

Developed and conducted a survey over the summer of 2007, providing landmark data on Minnesota donor perceptions, habits and levels of trust in charities. Results were unveiled to the nonprofit sector and the public at the annual conference of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

• Advanced relationships with community partners

To encourage nonprofit use of the Accountability Wizard to demonstrate trustworthiness to the public, the Council collaborated with many community organizations such as Community Health Charities, Emergency Food Shelf Network, Greater Twin Cities United Way, Greater Twin Cities United Way Council of Agency Executives, Hunger Solutions, Marquette Financial Companies, Metro Meals on Wheels, Metropolitan Alliance for Connected Communities, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Rochester Area Community Foundation, Second Harvest, and United Ways of Minnesota.

• Hosted nearly 200 donors and sector leaders at our Annual Forum

Record-breaking numbers attended the luncheon where Michael Wirth-Davis, president and CEO of Goodwill/Easter Seals, shared steps his organization took to publicly disclose recent employee fraud and to prevent future fraud; and Robert Franklin, recently retired Star Tribune reporter, reflected on his experience reporting on nonprofit organizations and philanthropy.

• Continued to diversify board and volunteer base

Voted to increase the size of the board from 15 to 19 members for 2008. The Council is committed to diversifying the organization through the recruitment of new board members and volunteers who will bring a blend of cultural backgrounds, diverse perspectives and expertise to the Council.

• Developed plans to update Accountability Standards in 2008

Developed plans for the update of the Council’s Accountability Standards. With extensive collaboration with community members, academics, and nonprofits, the Council projects completion by June 2009.

PROGRAMS

1) Research and review charities

Since the launch of the Accountability Wizard in December 2005, 318 charities have completed their reviews or are in process. 117 nonprofits enrolled in the Accountability Wizard in 2007. Eighty percent of Wizard participants would recommend the Wizard to other nonprofits.

2) Nonprofit services

Provided learning opportunities to charities by providing tools and resources for organizations to meet and sustain accountability. Where standards weren’t fully met, technical assistance was provided to help organizations make structural, policy or procedural changes.

Released a Meets Standards Seal Style Guide as a resource for organizations that have been granted use of the seal upon meeting our Accountability Standards. The Style Guide provides technical guidelines, recommendations for using the seal in marketing and promotional materials. Fifty percent of eligible nonprofits used the seal in their advertisements and 86% used it on their Web sites.

3) Donor information and education

• Enhanced services to better serve donors

Unveiled the online My Smart Giver personalized accounts that allow users to invite charities to participate in a review, track the progress of reviews and receive timely news on informed giving. Served as a resource for donors following high-profile disasters such as the Southern Minnesota floods, the I-35W bridge collapse and California forest fires. Enhanced monthly email newsletters with new features such as monthly Giving Tips and Giving I.Q. quizzes. Kicked off the holiday giving season with a multi-media public awareness campaign to help donors make informed giving choices during the holidays. Launched its first blog, called “Smart Giving Matters,” hosted by Rich Cowles, executive director of the Council, that debuted just in time for the holiday giving season. Developed enhanced tools and resources for grant makers.

• Increased Web site usage by donors

More users than ever are using the tools and resources on the Council’s Web site to make informed giving decisions. Web usage increased 71% in 2007. This number includes donors who use our on-line Giving Guide as well as nonprofits using the Wizard.

• Served as a media resource

Partnered with the St. Paul Pioneer Press in its annual 48-page Giving Guide special section offering tips and resources on giving issues such as smart giving practices, goods donation and taxes and giving. Responded to media requests for information on issues such as holiday giving and disaster giving during the Southern Minnesota floods, the I-35W bridge collapse and California forest fires.