Thinking Big by Starting Small: Student Service-Learning & Civic Action

Anyone who has volunteered or been a part of a fundraiser knows that you get back so much more than what you give. And, while this applies to people of all ages, youth definitely benefit the most.

Today, many students begin volunteering or fundraising for charities at a young age, often teaming up with their schools, sports teams, or community organizations in order to support a charitable cause.

Collecting and Implementing Feedback: The Difference Between Good and Great

As we consider the evolution of our ratings, Charity Navigator sees collecting and learning from constituent feedback as a potentially critical marker of organizations’ capacity for impact. It implies organizations are taking steps to learn more about the individuals, groups, and communities they serve, and iterating on their current programs and products to become more effective.

And, it is our hope that, over time, donors will consider the ways organizations are engaging with the people they serve and learning from those interactions as part of their charitable research knowing that it’s an indicator of healthy, innovative charity.

At Charity Navigator, we are committed to making more and more decisions based on feedback from our donors, users, and the charities we evaluate. Here are some of the reasons we collect constituent feedback and why we think it is valuable to the evolution of our charity ratings and the nonprofit sector...

How Funding and Innovation is Paving the Way for Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Douglas Feil is the Chief Programs Officer at National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). As a part of NBFC’s mission to help patients and inspire hope through early detection, education, and support services, Douglas discusses what the future of breast cancer looks like today and in the future.

With October’s arrival, the display of the pink ribbon brings breast cancer awareness month top of mind. The purpose of this month is to not only remind women to take control of their health and get their mammograms, but to also educate new generations of women on what breast health is and the importance of early detection.

In 1965, philanthropist and cancer advocate Mary Lasker wrote a letter to pioneering cancer 
researcher Sidney Farber. Encouraged by recent breakthroughs in cancer treatment, she wrote, “The iron is hot and this is the time to pound without cessation.” These words echo today, especially to those working to end the suffering of patients and families facing breast cancer.     

The future of breast cancer is like a drive through a lifting fog. There’s a lot we can see in front of us, but finding a cure – that elusive horizon – remains clouded. Breast cancer death rates have declined by more than 40% in the last 30 years thanks to improvements in early detection and treatment, but more than 40,000 women and men still die each year. That’s why the future of breast cancer must be rooted in drastically decreasing the mortality rate in the coming decades through scientific innovation, improved early detection methods, and more targeted therapy options for patients. 

Though it’s difficult to sift through the myriad of recent developments in breast cancer and how they will shape the future, here are a few exciting ones:

Ask A Fundraiser: Deeper Dive into Match Campaigns

In my last post, I gave a brief overview of what match campaigns are and what donors should know about them. Now, I’ll be answering some of the questions our readers had, as well as explain these increasingly popular fundraising campaigns at an even deeper level. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments! Your question or comment may be featured in a follow-up post.

What is Donor Retention and Why Should I Care?

Does it feel like charities have a way of getting in touch with you everywhere? They show up in your mailbox, your inbox, and even call your home.

At Charity Navigator, we’ve heard from many donors who say this approach is annoying. Some are irritated by the number of solicitations they receive from organizations. Others question the efficiency (and legitimacy) of charities who solicit donations over the phone.

While we’re not here to defend these fundraising strategies or verify their efficiency, we do understand why charities are interested in reaching you. Before you recycle that mailer, delete that email, or hang up the phone, here are a few things to consider...

Ask a Fundraiser: What is a Match Campaign?

Your donation will be tripled!

Your donation will be matched!

Your donation is doubled!

1=2, 1:1, 1:2

Have you ever received an email or piece of mail from a charity that referenced a matching challenge like the one above and wondered what it really meant or how it actually worked? Charity Navigator is here to answer all your questions about these special campaigns.
What is a matching campaign?