The ASPCA recently help their 2008 Canine Talent Show in the spirit of "I Love NYC Pets Month". The dogs were judged on creativity and attentiveness to the handler, however, being cute totally helped.

Read more about this event on the ASPCA blog.

It's undeniable that this election year is perhaps the most attention grabbing and exciting one in years. This same excitement has increased passions in people and organizations towards one candidate, however, as a nonprofit, is there a liability in publicly endorsing someone?

It makes sense that a nonprofit may want to endorse a candidate who has made it a point to support a nonprofit's cause- but are there limitations? Have guidelines been setup?

Tim Mooney at Nonprofit Law Podcast tackles this in his most recent podcast title, "Can a candidate use our space?"

Listen to it here.

Brought to us by Google and Specialized Bicycle Components, the Innovate or Die Pedal-Powered Machine Contest was a contest designed to inspire innovation and environmental change by highlighting the benefits of cycling.

The Challenge: Invent and put together machines that transform zero-emission human energy into new and useful purposes.

The Result: Success- hundred folds. Entries from all around presented their own ideas, the winner however, took a Playpumps-esque idea and made it mobile. The Aquaduct:  Mobile Filtration Vehicle, a bicycle that not only provides an environmentally friendly transportation, but also provides a means to create and move clean filtered water long-distances. It was designed to target problems in areas where clean water is not readily available, and as a result, leads to millions of deaths every year.

I present to you the winner the Innovate or Die contest, The Aquaduct:  Mobile Filtration Vehicle...

Be sure to also check out the other entries on their YouTube page here.

Sources:

• Google Blog
• Innovate or Die Contest Page

When I think of the new year, two things always come to mind, first is a desire for change, and second, a reminder to balance my check book for tax filing. This doesn't just apply to one's personal life, but also  to one's foundation. A change in mission, a change in revenue acquisition, or even a change in address requires reporting to the IRS.

Tim Mooney, in his latest podcast goes over steps and points to keep in mind when reporting to the IRS.

Listen it to here.

Be sure to visit the site to download related resources, as well as other non-profit podcasts.

Amy Looper, interviews Tracy Gary, the author of Inspired Philanthropy: Creating A Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy.  Looper's purpose in the podcast is to bring donors, advisors, and nonprofits together in for a common purpose.  Within the interview, Gary discusses the various free resources available on the Inspired Philanthropy website.

Heckuva blogger line-up on Dr. Stephen Goldstein's Fundraising Success radio show on WXEL in Florida this week - blogger Kelly Cleiman of the Nonprofiteer, Web 2.0 guru Beth Kanter, and Sean Stannard-Stockton of Tactical Philanthropy all make appearances. Great stuff - a philanthropy blogging all-star team!

• Download Podcast

Here's a new one: a nonprofit (Oxfman) blogging a government gathering (the G8 Summit) to make a point about policy. Oxfman is taking the live protest to another level with a blog and series of videos aimed at bringing its core issues around poverty and hunger to fore against the backdrop of te G8 leadership gathering. Here's a taste - in this video Eve Odete from Oxfam is being interviewed during a stunt where the "Big Heads are dressed like Pinocchio." She explains how the "G8 broken promises are affecting Africa." Hence the big noses.

Over at his Tactical Philanthropy blog, Sean Stannard-Stockton has another in his terrific podcast serieson philanthropy - this time with Jeff Martin, director of media relations for the Council on Foundations. The podcasts covers "the events that led up to bloggers being invited to attend the recent conference, plans to provide streaming video of conference sessions next year and the need for transparency to be embraced by foundations." Good stuff.

• Listen to Podcast

From Sean Stannard-Stockton's Tactical Philanthropy blog - an excellent podcast featuring our own Dr. Ssan Raymond. According to Sean, "Susan touches on themes such as the blending of for profit and nonprofit models, the intertwining of economic and social advancement and even responds to Phil Cubeta’s disparaging description of Micro Finance as “Micro Loan Sharking."

• Launch Podcast