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50 Shades of Credibility

Recently, a donor asked a director at a nonprofit I am involved in, for some information about another stakeholder. The director politely declined citing that the information was confidential. It did not end there. The donor insisted that the questions be answered justifying it by mentioned there were rumors circulating. The director reiterated that the information was indeed privileged. The donor was reminded that this matter did not involve or affect the donor in any way. It was something that was already been resolved.

The donor tried again to rationalize and explain why the need for the information. It was clear this was a trust issue. The prying continued with trying to convince the director the information could be told, “just this once, in total confidence!”

The irony of this situation is laughable. First pressing for confidential or otherwise private information is bad manners. Second, if the director were to divulge the information, how credible would it be? This would negatively affect the director’s credibility and trust within the organization. Would anyone have faith in a colleague or friend who broke another’s trust to appease someone else? Would the information even be accepted? Like integrity, there are not 50 shades of credibility. You either are credible, or not.

Leaders often find themselves in situations where they have few or no one to confide in. It is part of the job. This can lead to stress, but an insistent coworker can make it more stressful than it needs to be.

This conversation ended with the director having to break off communication, telling the donor the topic was off limits.

Give a Brick to Kids Are Heroes

by Admin

Kids Are Heroes is nonprofit organization that nourishes young social entrepreneurs. This Saturday, the Kids Are Heroes Young Leaders Summit gives young activist entrepreneurs the opportunity to highlight their work, learn, and network with each other. It all takes place during the Kids Business Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nonprofits are businesses too and they all need capital to kick-start their missions. There are two ways to donate online to Kids Are Heroes. The first is a straightforward donation via PayPal. Donors can contribute a quick one-and-done monetary donation or better yet, sign up for a monthly subscription. There is no minimum donation, click here to give now.

The second method is fun and comes with some donor recognition. Add a brick to the Kids Are Heroes “fund wall” and you will help a worthy cause by buying a virtual brick. Donors can ad an any image and a link to thier website. I chose the first method, but that was before I ran into the brick wall!

This Saturday, February 7, meet the founders of Kids Are Heroes at Cobb Galleria Center at the Kids Are Heroes Pavilion in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The keynote speaker is Marcus Lemonis a well-known entrepreneur and star of the television show, The Profit.

Kids Are Heroes: Social Entrepreneurs

by Admin

Kids Are Heroes is a nonprofit that encourages young business people between the ages of five and 18 to pursue their social entrepreneurship aspirations. Started in 2009 with a website built to save homeless animals, the mission quickly expanded to include the welfare of people and the environment as well. Not long after that, Richard Branson highlighted the organization on his “PitchTV” television show. I was fortunate to speak with co-founder Gabe O’Neil about the organization and how he and his daughter, MaryMargaret O’Neill, got started.

Gabe says many children are picked on and feel isolated because of their entrepreneurial nature. With Kids Are Heroes, these budding ‘treps are suddenly mainstream and surrounded by other young entrepreneurs who share their open-minded spirit. Kids Are Heroes serves as an incubator and network for these young social entrepreneurs.

Kids Are Heroes is in its eighth year and will be part of the Kids Business Expo this Saturday, February 7 in Atlanta, Georgia. The one-day conference serves young entrepreneurs between the ages of 12 and 18. The day is filled with everything from marketing seminars, young ‘trep networking opportunities to a trade show! The goal is to provide future business leaders with the information they need for to fulfill their plans. The conference is a perfect fit for Kids Are Heroes. With complimentary goals and the same target audience, coupling Kids Are Heroes with the Kids Business Expo was an easy choice for Gabe.

Attendees this year will have the good fortune of listening to keynote speaker and well-known working entrepreneur, Marcus Lemonis. Star of one of my favorite television shows, The Profit, Lemonis answered the call to speak

Setting Goals

by Admin

With the start of every new year, there is always talk of new goals. I see many new faces in the gym, those who want to get in shape or lose weight. My leadership group is loaded with talk of ambitious endeavors. Entrepreneur friends want a new startup opportunity or to grow their existing business to a new level.

My goals include:

Revise my book and get one, if not two more out the door!
Spend more time on my start-up and beat a few deadlines
Grow the nonprofits I work with now and give more to charity
To travel more

No matter what the goal, don’t let anyone squash your dream or ideas. Listen to good advice from secure, knowledgeable people but do not give into the naysayers. Negativity can stem from fear, jealousy and other insecurities.

Make your goal more than just a wish. Plan the steps and take notes. You do not have to know all the steps to the end, you will learn along the way.
Ten days from now, I will have taken a few more steps along the paths of two of my goals. As I sit on the long plane ride, maybe I will write a little as well. Every day I think about my goals and what I can do to get there.

Doubling Up: Charitable Contributions of Stock

by Admin

Tax loss harvesting is a term investors use to describe the process of timing investment losses to offset taxable income. This is especially common at the end of any year. Another way to reduce taxable income is to donate stocks to an eligible charity. Most Americans donate cash to charities.

Philanthropists can also donate capital assets such as property, stocks, bonds, jewelry, coins or even vehicles. Gifting stocks is a way to double the benefits of philanthropy. By donating stocks or other property, donors potentially reduce income tax liability, plus avoid paying tax on the capital gain of the investment. The stock is transferred directly to the charitable organization. Wells Fargo Advisors gives nice breakdown of the potential tax benefits of giving stock versus cash.

According the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, stock donors must gift appreciated publicly traded stock, with a long-term holding period to organizations that are qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions. Gifts of appreciated publicly traded stock, with a long-term holding period, to public charities. Although donors can gift stocks with a short-term holding period or those held at a loss, more restrictions apply. Be sure to check IRS Publication 526 and your tax consultant for advice.

This communication does not provide tax or legal advice. Additional issues may exist that will affect Federal tax treatment of the transaction. The communication was not intended or written to be used, or relied upon by the reader or any other person to avoid federal tax penalties.

Meaningful Ways to Give

by Admin

Yesterday was Giving Tuesday, a global event that celebrates and encourages charitable giving. On Giving Tuesday, or any day of the year, anyone can learn about how to begin giving or ways to give even more. Giving need not be confined to just one day or one season. Practice philanthropy as a daily, weekly or monthly discipline. Remember donations do not always need to be in the form of money. Someone somewhere needs all gifts of goods, services and knowledge.

Here are meaningful ways for anyone to give to the world we share:

Donate your brain! Not your actual brain. Teach a skill to someone who trying to better themselves, make a career transition or anyone that use your knowledge to lift themselves higher. In 2015 I will be teaching NJ ‘treps from various startups how to create buzz around their ideas.
Volunteer at an animal rescue. Better yet, fall in love with a furry friend and take a pet or two home with you.
Sponsor a coat or blanket drive. This is an easy one. Connect with a local charity or religious organization that can use or distribute gently used coats.
Coach a sports team. Coaching is a way to help kids, enjoy yourself and possibly get some exercise at the same time. Experiences is appreciated, but not always required.
Organize a food drive for a local food pantry.
Participate in a community clean or other day of service. Get your employer to sponsor part of it, and maybe they will count it as paid time off!
Donate blood!
Of course, cash is king! Be sure to get a receipt!
Double down by doubling your cash donation! Many corporations match contributions. Contact your human resources department and find out if your donation is eligible.