The Magic Number?

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Should all non-profits aim for that magical 75% / 25% ratio of program costs to administrative costs? What makes a “high-impact” non-profit high-impact? Should we assign a number to something like “impact” or should we define it differently?

Washington Life Magazine asked Catalogue President, Barbara Harman (me), Catalogue Director of Partnerships Kathy Jankowski, and the Nonprofit Roundtable’s Chuck Bean, to think about these questions. Check out our answers in this piece and let us know what you think!

Center for Inspired Teaching on “Waiting for Superman”

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Aleta Margolis, founder and executive director of the Center for Inspired Teaching, urges our community to see the new documentary Waiting for Superman, not simply as a criticism of our current educational system, but rather as a call for action and a paradigm shift. See the full article for her fascinating suggestion.

Washington Jesuit Academy Donor Speaks Up

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Read the profile of Founder and CEO of the Ruppert Cos, Craig Ruppert, whose firm donates to Washington Jesuit Academy and Jubilee Housing, among others. “It’s usually the company executives who receive the recognition for donating money to charitable causes. In our organization, the real philanthropists are the 700 employees who make up our company. It’s their hard work that keeps us profitable and able to give.” WJA is spotlighted for its great success with inner city kids. Read more here.

Hope House Summer Camp in the News

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Barbara Harman

When children meet their incarcerated fathers in a summer camp behind bars, some extraordinary things happen. Click here to read the story and watch the video.

Beacon House in the Washington Post

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Read here a great profile of a donor who did “everything from hanging sheetrock to helping parents find a safe place for their kids” at Beacon House.

Mentoring today on WAMU

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Barbara Harman

The folks at Mentoring Today help create genuine new beginnings for young people at the New Beginnings Youth Center. Read and hear about it here.

Collegiate Directions in Chronicle of Higher Ed

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Follow the story of Jose Otero as he navigates the complex world of financial aid on the way to the college of his dreams — all with the help of Theresa Atta and Nina Marks of Collegiate Directions. Read the story here.

Collegiate Directions in the Washington Post

Posted on April 21, 2010 by Barbara Harman

President Nina Marks calls for a “common financial aid offer” form, similar to the “common app” that now simplifies the application process for high school seniors. The idea is to simplify the bewilderingly complex business of interpreting financial aid offers from colleges and universities — especially for families whose children are “first in their generation” to go to college. Read Nina’s excellent op-ed here.

Falls Church McLean Children’s Center on WUSA-9

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Falls Church McLean Children’s Center will be featured on WUSA Channel 9′s Friday’s Heroes segment, hosted by Derek McGinty, Friday April 9th, between 5:30-6:00. Tune in to see their kids and teachers in action!

Give a Gift Card for Mother’s Day

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Barbara Harman

Check out the Catalogue’s Gift Cards and give something special to the Mom Who Has Everything. A gift card lets Mom pick out her own favorite nonprofit, so you don’t have to guess on her behalf. And no worries about outfits that don’t fit or flowers that fade (Mom doesn’t). If you’re in a hurry, let us know and we’ll send Mom a message saying that her gift card from you is on the way.

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