Stacy Palmer, the Chief Editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, has called our current time “the golden age of philanthropy.” Why? Because giving in America has never been better. Even after the fall off from Katrina-related giving, donations to America’s largest charities grew by 4.3 percent last year, to $67.5-billion, according to The Chronicle’s annual Philanthropy 400 survey.

These are heady times for some, with thousands, millions, even billions exchanging hands. In the last couple years the American Red Cross has received several billion dollars in contributions! I can imagine you’re thinking, “Well we’re not the American Red Cross, that’s for sure.” True, but as the Red Cross floats on the rising tide, so can you. Now is the time to evaluate your organization’s streams of revenue. There are many different options to consider… certainly more than golf outings and bake sales! Here are just a few…

- Art auctions
- Outdoor hikes (like a 5K but with hiking boots in the woods)
- Major donor campaigns
- Spare change campaigns (at schools and churches)
- Home-host dinners
- Celebrity dinners
- Extreme sports events
- Commercial enterprise
- Legacy giving

The Thomas Scott Company is currently helping one of our clients fill a significant gap in their funding strategy through a spare change campaign. You’d be amazed at the potential funding available in people’s “change jars”.

So put on your thinking cap and jump aboard the Golden Age of Philanthropy train. What a wonderful opportunity to do a lot of good for a lot of people!

I find myself sequestered in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. I’m here to do a couple workshops for the Blount County Partnership; one on grant writing and general fundraising, and the other on board development (both sold out!). After the workshops I’ll be consulting with the Blount County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board – I’m helping them transition the foundation to more of a community foundation.

Community Foundations are a wonderful trend in the last 15-20 years. More and more small to medium sized municipalities and counties are discovering the long-term value a community foundation can establish for the future of their communities. A community foundation is a tax-exempt, independent, publicly supported philanthropic organization established and operated as a permanent collection of endowed funds for the long-term benefit of a defined geographic area.

One of the services The Thomas Scott Company is now offering is assistance in the establishment of a Community Foundation. For more information go to: www.thegrantwritingcoach.com.

Hello everyone - I’m back in the saddle. After a seven month hiatus I am blogging again. Basically several people asked me why I had quit and encouraged me to have it a go again. The answer to their question was simple - I didn’t know anyone cared. But hey, apparently there are many out there that ARE reading this blog. Go figure.

My renewed purpose comes with a renewed focus: the majority of my readers are related to nonprofits so I will primarily address them. Some entries will also include some personal updates because some of the feedback I got was showing an interest in what I was up to.

I’ll add entries every Monday morning and on other days when the occasion demands.

Today I want to draw your attention to two upcoming workshops: November 6th in Franklin, TN at The Factory, and November 8th in Maryville, TN. Both workshops will feature new material I have added to keep up with changes in the IRS code as well as best practices in the field. I also want to draw your attention to the change in our firm’s identity: we will continue to do business as TheGrantWritingCoach but we have begun to emphasize the umbrella company due to increased business for foundations and nonprofits in areas other than grant writing. The company’s name is The Thomas Scott Company. You’ll be seeing more of The Thomas Scott Company (TSCo) in the future.