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Topics: Charitable Donations
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March 28, 2022
Fisher College of Business

Research: Cause-related marketing has a “dark side”

Good causes aren’t always good for business. New research from Annibal Sodero, assistant professor of marketing and logistics, reveals how unpredictable variability associated with cause-related marketing can backfire on a brand.
Stock image of a refugee camp
March 21, 2022
Fisher College of Business

Refugee crises: Examining and improving humanitarian assistance programs

As the war in Ukraine exacerbates the number of refugees displaced worldwide by military conflict, new research by Telesilla Kotsi, assistant professor of operations and business analytics, shines light on how humanitarian organizations can better understand the dynamics of in-kind vs. cash assistance for refugee populations.
Four reasons why museums aren't cashing in on NFTs yet
November 19, 2021
The Conversation

Four reasons why museums aren't cashing in on NFTs yet

Can non-fungible tokens generate the revenue many museums sorely need? Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting, and a colleague outline four primary reasons why museums have failed to turn the NFT craze into a financial windfall.
How NFT philanthropy could deepen inequality
August 10, 2021
Huck Magazine

How NFT philanthropy could deepen inequality

Increasingly, the super wealthy are capitalizing on the NFT boom to support charitable causes. But this could present charities with a host of new problems, including increased risk surrounding donations made using crypto assets, says Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting.
Ticket sales return to help zoos, aquariums pay bills
July 6, 2021
Marketplace

Ticket sales return to help zoos, aquariums pay bills

When zoos and aquariums closed their doors because of COVID-19, the nonprofits still had to cover the cost of feeding and caring for the animals. Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting, talks about the alternative ways these facilities generated revenue.
The NRA declares bankruptcy: 5 questions answered
January 22, 2021
The Conversation

The NRA declares bankruptcy: 5 questions answered

While declaring bankruptcy, the gun group confusingly said it was in great financial shape. Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting, and his colleagues answer questions about the organization's recently announced move.
NRA trying to change venue with bankruptcy filing
January 18, 2021
The NonProfit Times

NRA trying to change venue with bankruptcy filing

Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor of Accounting, tracks NRA finances and says signs from the NRA’s announcement indicate that the bankruptcy filing has little to do with restructuring debt but rather a legal strategy.
Elon Musk debates: How to give away world’s biggest fortune
January 8, 2021
Bloomberg

Elon Musk debates: How to give away world’s biggest fortune

Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting and an expert in nonprofits, shares some insights regarding Elon Musk's desire to give his fortune away to philanthropy. Mittendorf's advice: avoid the temptation to reinvent philanthropy and instead focus on causes and frameworks already in place. 
Why New York is suing the NRA: 4 questions answered
August 7, 2020
The Conversation

Why New York is suing the NRA: 4 questions answered

As New York state moves forward with a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association and four of its current and former officials for allegedly benefiting personally from the improper use of its funds, Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting and a nonprofit expert, explains what the repercussions might be for the gun group and its leaders.
May 28, 2020
Bloomberg Tax

Burden shifts to states after IRS eases donor-disclosure rules

It’s now on states to seek more information about nonprofit donors if they want it, after the IRS rolled back disclosure requirements. The language in the rules suggests states can require the donor information, but that would require additional state-level rules, according to Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor of Accounting.
August 9, 2019
Bloomberg Tax

$100M donation case opens window on donor-advised funds

Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting Brian Mittendorf spoke with Bloomberg Tax reporter Aysha Bagchi as part of the podcast, Talking Tax, about a case involving donor-advised funds and the tax and policy ramifications of these funds.
Brian Mittendorf
August 2, 2019
Philanthropy News

NonProfit Times names 2019 'Top 50' influencers

Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting, has been selected by the NonProfit Times as one of its Top 50 Influencers for his research into charitable giving.
July 10, 2019
Bloomberg

The NRA uses creative accounting to post surge in revenue

The embattled National Rifle Association reported some good news to its supporters earlier this year: Revenue from membership dues jumped 33% last year to $170 million. But that picture may not be as rosy as those numbers suggest: “The NRA is increasingly reliant on selling long-term memberships” and counting much of the revenue the first year, said Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting. “A very conservative approach with a five-year membership would be to record one-fifth in the current year and defer the rest.”
July 2, 2019
Vox

How a lawsuit could reveal secrets about Silicon Valley’s favorite philanthropic loophole

When professor Brian Mittendorf asks his lecture hall full of accounting students on the first day of each semester to name the 10 highest-grossing charities in the U.S., the Red Cross, United Way or Habitat for Humanity come easily. But his students miss some big ones.
May 15, 2019
NPR

As leaks show lavish NRA spending, former staff detail poor conditions at nonprofit

New documents leaked about National Rifle Association top executive Wayne LaPierre's lavish clothing and travel expenses contrast with the culture of fear, poor pay and an underfunded pension described by former staffers. Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professor in Accounting, helped NPR review copies of 2019 NRA pension documents.
April 24, 2019
The Washington Times

NRA legal troubles, Trump support drain finances

Used to making news on Capitol Hill as one of the most powerful lobbying groups, the National Rifle Association is instead making waves in courtrooms, where its troubled finances and a lengthening list of legal entanglements are taking center stage. Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professorship in Accounting, has studied the group's finances and said it hasn’t been spending like it is in turmoil.
March 8, 2019
CQ Researcher

Trends in philanthropy

Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professorship in Accounting, shares his thoughts on why tax breaks skewed toward wealthy donors could lead to a decline in overall charitable giving across the country.
February 5, 2019
Fisher College of Business

There's a Better Way Podcast: The better way to gift giving

As part of the "There's a Better Way" podcast, Aravind Chandrasekaran, associate director of the Center for Operational Excellence, talks with Brian Mittendorf, the Fisher Designated Professorship in Accounting about gift giving, for companies and individuals, and the differences between cash and non-cash gifts.