Nacubo Meeting Attendees Say Economic Downturn Is Not All Bad News

Construction costs are down, and public colleges are benefiting from higher enrollments, officials say.

Full-text article by Goldie Blumenstyk is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 6.30.09. [Subscription required.]

The Clash Of Ages: How Technology Divides Workers

If you're a boss, what do you do about employees who love to tweet, text and social network throughout the day? It's a question companies are grappling with as the generation gap threatens to create a communications divide.

Full-text article by Joshua Brockman is available via National Public Radio, 6.22.09. (Audio also available).

I'm Going to Harvard. Will You Sponsor Me?

Unithrive, a nonprofit site that is the brainchild of three Harvard graduates and which made its debut last month, matches alumni lenders and cash-strapped students, who post photographs and biographical information and can request loans up to $2,000.

Full-text article by Allen Salkin is available via The New York Times, 6.12.09.

Tufts U. Finds Success in Building Up Overseas Alumni Networks

With graduates all over the world, Tufts University has expanded its alumni-relations office and placed a high priority on international networking.

Full-text article by Beth McMurtrie is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 6.11.09. [Subscription required.]

Princeton Alumni Association Introduces iPhone-Friendly Web Site

Princeton University's information-technology office developed an iPhone-friendly Web site for alumni celebrating class reunions at the university’s campus this year. The app enables alumni to access event schedules, maps, and news alerts on iPhones and other smartphones.

Full-text article by Erica R. Hendry is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 6.10.09.

Facebook Brings in Payment System

Facebook has begun tapping a new revenue stream with the introduction of an internal payments system, a move that might help the fast-growing social networking website achieve profitability while being less reliant on advertising.

Full-text article by David Gelles is available via The Financial Times, 6.2.09.

The Future of Direct Mail

Predictions that direct-mail returns will drop by up to 40 percent over the next five years have prompted a spirited debate on Frogloop, a blog about nonprofit online marketing, notes Prospecting, the Chronicle’s online fund-raising column.

3 Reasons For Prospect Research Before The Economy Improves

Nonprofits are coming around to the notion of prospect research is to fundraising what the research and development (R&D) department is to a for-profit corporation, according to Tony Glowacki, CEO at Bethesda, Md.-based WealthEngine.com.

As prospect research services are made more available, more nonprofits are starting to use them, Glowacki said. “That value proposition is taking a stronger hold in the market,” he said. It’s important to look at prospect research regardless of whether stock or real estate markets are down.

Full-text article is available via The NonProfit Times, 5.28.09.