Calculating the Value of Nonprofits

Giving is good business

The equation is easy to understand: A weak economy equals challenging business conditions equals reduced corporate support for nonprofits. Understandable, yes, but terribly unfortunate — and, I’m convinced, not particularly good business.

Jul 1, 2012 Winnie Comstock-Carlson

Drink for a Cause

Young social entrepreneurs value altruism over profits

Ashley Coleman has wine in her blood. Great-granddaughter of winemaker Julio Gallo, she grew up tending grapes in the family vineyard and working at its winery in Livingston. She knew the family business would color her future, but she never dreamed she would use wine to drive social change.

Mar 1, 2012 Carol Crenshaw

Wishful Thinking

Making dreams come true in the golden years

Doris Hobbs threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Sacramento River Cats game. Harriet Antonides at last became a Girl Scout at age 100. And Mino Ohye, who hadn’t seen his beloved brother in 60 years, in January would fly to Japan for a reunion.

Feb 1, 2012 Dixie Reid

Tech Appeal

Leveraging social media for a nonprofit cause

Monica Gonzalez recently logged onto the Facebook page of Weave Inc., an organization that treats survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, to post a simple message about how the nonprofit helped her overcome a nightmarish ordeal.

Jan 1, 2012 Allen Young

Driven to Win

A life-changing turnabout behind the wheel

At age 15, Erik Self sneaked into the home of a friend’s mother and, when she got out of bed to investigate the noise, stabbed her repeatedly with a survival knife. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and burglary.

Dec 1, 2011 Dixie Reid