W12 Introduction

W12 Introduction Nonprofit Solutions “Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.” —Author Unknown This week, you will explore nonprofit solutions for changing the world for good. Nonprofit charitable organizations are a modern invention. While good Samaritans and charitable giving have a long history as evidenced in Biblical teachings, fundraising for charity and organizing businesses to provide charitable programs and services began more recently, in the early 1800s, and expanded during the Progressive Era B (1896-1916) which was a period of social activism and pollical reform. Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 publication of “The Gospel of Wealth " is sparked interest among the wealthy and middle class in charitable giving. Carnegie promoted the idea of owing a duty to society. The book is considered a foundation document in the field of philanthropy. One famous quote from the books suggests that “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.” Organized charitable fundraising on a national scale was first envisioned by Charles Ward and Frank Pierce of the YMCA. They hired a publicist, used corporate sponsors, celebrities, and paid ads to raise money for building projects and national expansion. During World War Il, service organizations such as the YMCA, the Red Cross, Salvation Army collaborated and pooled resources and campaign efforts to support the war and create the United Service Organization for National Defense & (USO). This established a continuing tradition for collaboration and partnerships among service organizations. The War on Poverty & during the 1960s brought additional social reform, welfare support, and tax reform to support charitable organizations. In 1969, the Tax Reform Act established legal code for the IRS known as Section 501(c)3, which established tax exemptions to donors for charitable giving to organizations fitting the 501(c)3 £ status. This created the official nonprofit sector.