Fisher Research and Insights Forefront
March 28, 2022
Fisher College of Business
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.
March 21, 2022
Fisher College of Business
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.
November 19, 2021
The Conversation
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.
August 10, 2021
Huck Magazine
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.
July 6, 2021
Marketplace
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.
January 22, 2021
The Conversation
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.
January 18, 2021
The NonProfit Times
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.
January 8, 2021
Bloomberg
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.
August 7, 2020
The Conversation
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
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
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.
August 2, 2019
Philanthropy News
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.