Changing generations is a difficult process.  How do we best manage it?

Imagine if nearly half your state services vanished—poof! Over the course of three years, you witness the disappearance of even the most basic services. Envisioning an alternate universe is not a fanciful exercise. As a result of the worst budget crisis in our history, this is a very possible emerging reality in the state of Arizona.

Many of the services funded by state agencies are contracted out to providers, many of which are nonprofit organizations. And for many of these nonprofits, state funds are core to the survival of their missions. The fates of state-funded nonprofits, therefore, are wrapped up in the travails of state-budget policy making.

California has become the nation’s poster child for state budget crises, and every Golden State nonprofit knows how to read the dismal fiscal news: Lower revenues mean more budget cuts. In November Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com, announced at a briefing sponsored by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities that the two states with the biggest revenue declines in the five quarters ending with the second quarter of 2009 were California and New York.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, lower power to the people, theology group reflects on impact of prosperity gospel, music to our ears and more.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, foundation funds disaster journalism, something rotten in Denmark?, a note of gratitude for aid workers and more.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, new community health center money misses seven midwest states, the next generation of activist tools, Britons keep giving (just less than before) and more.

I’m a donor. I imagine you are too. I expect anyone who works in the philanthropic sector to be a financial donor. Have you ever been asked to tell your philanthropic story? Surely this is one of the most important activities you can do as a nonprofit, invite a donor to share his feelings about giving to you. Certainly this is one of the most meaningful conversations a donor could ever have, sharing her hopes and dreams. 

A fundraising consultant asks if it is unethical to be on the board of directors of a client and still be paid for his fundraising services. 

Read the Ethicist's take on mergers and continue to comment.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, foreclosure relief program stuck in first, Nashville charities reject immigrants’ kids, and two closings.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, more transparency needed in Florida nonprofits, neighborhood stabilization, tuition tax showdown in Pittsburgh and more.

Nonprofit news from around the country and the world. Today, New Jersey puts a freeze on arts funding, Smart Money’s “ten things nonprofits won’t tell you,” beware of politician-run nonprofits and more.

Continuing their roles as scourges of wasteful earmarks, Republican Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn have issued a report on wasteful American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects. Rather than dismissing all of their charges as reflections of Coburn’s well-known social and culture war issues, there are categories of their criticisms that should be addressed.