Who's going to teach us ethics?

The DMA Nonprofit Federation is reporting today on a bill in the New York state assembly. AB9061 "would require full-time employees responsible for fundraising at nonprofits that are registered in NY and that have gross revenues in excess of $1M to take a course in the law and ethics of fundraising and philanthropy. Professional fundraisers and solicitors registered in NY would have to take course also. Charities, fundraisers and solicitors would have to certify on their NY renewal forms that all the appropriate individuals have completed the course."

This applies to virtually all "professional fundraisers" since New York, like 41 other states, requires charities and their agencies to register even if they have no presence in New York.

The DMA NF also reports: "This bill is unlikely to pass in the current legislature, but this bill is being backed by very powerful interests in New York state and is expected to be reintroduced, and pushed strongly, in the next legislature. Our lobbyist has recommended that we assemble a coalition of 25 or so large nonprofits with a New York presence that will be willing to sign a letter in opposition to this bill."

What I want to know is, WHO is going to teach the course? I mean, will the State of New York teach us? Who made them experts in ethics? Google "Sheldon Silver" (the Assembly leader) and "ethics" and see what you get.

Elliot Spitzer, who as Attorney General worked hard against nonprofits, will likely be the state's next Governor. Will he teach the class? Or maybe one of their Senators will?

Wake up! Youth do get involved!

I've been saying it for years. This latest generation wants to change the world, but they want to do it before their date on Friday. They are young, idealistic, action-oriented and have an incredible propensity to raise money. Now, I get to say in an appropriately sing-song voice, "I was right."

Today, an article in USA Today (don't make that face - I stayed in a hotel last night and it showed up at the door.) confirms my assertions. Two separate studies are being released today concluding that, "61% of 13- to 25-year-olds feel personally responsible for making a difference in the world." In the past year, "81% have volunteered." They support companies and products that are socially and environmentally responsible. They have been greatly affected by 9-11 and the Hurricanes of last year. Full story at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-23-gen-next-cover_x.htm.

Interestingly, there is also a sidebar about this generation's use of the the internet to create change. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-23-students-web_x.htm) I think it's safe to conclude that these kids want to be involved and they want to do it online and they don't want to wait until they hit their "prime giving years."

So, what are nonprofits doing to form relationships with this generation right now? Unfortunately very little. Why? Generation Next isn't on any mailing lists yet. All is not lost, though. Several "blue chip" nonprofits are developing campaigns aimed at youth. Hooray.

This summer, Save the Children launched the High FIve campaign focusing on micro-donations: http://www.savethechildren.org/Hi-Five/. In October, Oxfam and MySpace.com advertised a rock concert series benefiting and calling attention to Darfur, Sudan: http://www.myspace.com/rockfordarfur.

-Heather Fignar