The Chronicle of Philanthropy is tracking donations for Hurricane Katrina, if anyone is interested in how much is being given, to which charities, and in the case of institutional donors, by whom. See: http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2005/09/2005090501.htm

While the nonprofit industry as a whole confronts concerns about accountability, getting and keeping new donors remains the biggest challenge facing individual nonprofits, a new study says. Blackbaud, a Charleston, S.C.-based software company serving nonprofits, conducted an online survey of 1,000 U.S. nonprofit professionals to determine the challenges they face.

The campaign to turn 9/11 from a day of mourning into one of charity and cooperation has been gaining strength nationwide. Recently, the New York-based One Day's Pay organization launched a $500,000 regional campaign called "NYC Remembers." The nonprofit group, founded prior to the first anniversary of the 2001 attacks, hopes to bring together the region in a spirit of voluntary charitable service on Sept. 11.

After a brief emergency session to consider funding for hurricane relief last week, Congress begins its busy fall schedule today. While Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-MT) are still expected to introduce charitable legislation this fall, the busy September schedule may push back the introduction of the bill until October. Grassley is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will now be considering appointments for two vacancies on the Supreme Court after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.