We’ve all heard the expression: “I’m not trying to solve world hunger here; I’m just trying to …” Hunger. It’s an issue so pervasive and complex—widespread and close to home; ageless yet ever-changing— that it’s become the epitome of unsolvable problems in our everyday speech. Hunger can be as painfully obvious as famine in a third-world country, or as clandestine as the kids next door counting on the local school lunch program for their main source of nourishment. The numbers [...]

In April 2009, North Dakota adopted the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) to provide guidance and authority to charitable organizations on the management and investment of funds, as well as to impose additional duties on those who manage and invest charitable funds. These duties provide additional protection for charities and help ensure that contributions are used wisely. To help readers better understand the Act, this article outlines three main parts of the act: investment, spending, and modification [...]

We are either “askers” or “givers” when it comes to fundraising. Pretty simple right? Wrong. Whether receiving a knock at your door from a school child with cookie dough or visiting with a development director pitching a college’s capital campaign, there are things all fundraisers and donors must keep in mind to improve the impact of contributions. Here are ten keen, timeless insights for maximizing philanthropy and making year-end decisions. “Askers”: Tips for Fundraising The biggest problem in fundraising isn’t [...]

North Dakotans can take advantage of state income tax credits that few others in the United States can. Since 2005, state residents have been able to participate in income tax credits for planned gifts. In 2007 the state’s business donors were given the opportunity to qualify for tax credits based upon gifts to qualified endowment funds. Both opportunities are believed to exist in only a handful of other states including Montana, Iowa, and Kentucky, and are the result of legislation [...]

Students Help Inspire Economic Development and Dreams through NDSU Project By Lisa Jackson, Today’s Giving “If you build it, they will come.”  The Enchanted Highway, Regent, North Dakota is also a story about a field of dreams. Big, metal, economic-development dreams. The first sculpture on Highway 5 began with sparks off steel, donated metal and over three dozen farmers. Gary Greff, who had never been an artist or a welder prior to 1989, created and built the first metal sculpture, [...]

 Owner of WMBA’s Los Angeles Sparks draws on North Dakota childhood to inspire education and leadership in women nationwide Carla Christofferson’s story is about overcoming obstacles and taking risks; about leadership and drive. But ultimately, it’s a story about the power of a woman boldly moving forward while generously giving back . As an owner of the W.N.B.A.’s Los Angeles Sparks and a trial lawyer with one of the nation’s most elite law firms, Christofferson is a long way from where [...]