Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Mid Sussex News - Mid Sussex Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More

Mid Sussex News - Mid Sussex Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More: "DRAGON BOATS FOR HOSPICE
PEOPLE from Mid Sussex will be among the crews and crowds at Tilgate Park, Crawley, for the annual Dragon Boat Festival in aid of St Catherine's Hospice on Sunday (September 3).
The Dragon Boat Festival, now in its fourth year, has become a major community event in Crawley, attracting visitors from across the county. It is one of the major fundraising events for the local charity, and organisers hope to raise more than £40,000.
The festival takes places around Tilgate Park and includes dragon boat racing, traditional dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, a children's fancy dress competition, a climbing wall and an array of stalls and games."

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Unis keen to foster culture of donations | Higher Education | The Australian

Unis keen to foster culture of donations | Higher Education | The Australian: "Unis keen to foster culture of donations
Lisa Macnamara
August 30, 2006
UNIVERSITIES are scrambling to overhaul their image in an effort to draw donations from alumni and business.

As government funding continues to decline and revenues from compulsory student fees falter due to falling student demand, universities under pressure to diversify through expensive curriculum and campus restructures are boosting their philanthropic efforts.

In recent months, several leading universities have boosted their boards with business leaders and hired development officers to oversee multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns."

Philanthropy Australia: Promoting Giving

Philanthropy Australia: Promoting Giving: "What is the Guide to Giving?

The Guide to Giving is a guide to philanthropy for donors. Philanthropy is a voluntary donation of money, goods or time for the public good – sometimes called “time, talent or treasure”. The Guide to Giving explains the different ways in which Australians can give. It contains worksheets so that you can focus your efforts and plan for the future, if that is what you wish. It does not contain legal information, which is best handled by a qualified professional, but it does list further resources including professional advisors, as well as websites and further reading.

The Guide to Giving is supported by The Myer Foundation. It is available for free download from Philanthropy Australia."

The ‘business of beneficence’ - On Line Opinion - 29/8/2006

The ‘business of beneficence’ - On Line Opinion - 29/8/2006: "n the tradition of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who famously said, “The man who dies rich, dies disgraced,” under the dome of the Celeste Bartos Forum in the New York Public Library Warren Buffett recently signed five commitment letters.

These letters were addressed, one each to the foundations run by his three children, one to the foundation in his late wife's name and perhaps most significantly one to the foundation run by Bill Gates, and his wife, Melinda. With a stroke of his pen, the world’s second-wealthiest man, Warren Buffett, gave away the bulk of his $44 billion fortune in an extraordinary charity deal with Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft."

Monday, August 28, 2006

eGov monitor |-New sector input sought for SORP of the future

eGov monitor |: "New sector input sought for SORP of the future
Source: Charity Commission
Published Monday, 28 August, 2006 - 06:00


The Charity Commission and The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) today formally announced they were joining together as the new joint SORP-making body for charities in the UK.

They mark this union with a guarantee to restructure the new SORP Committee to deepen the sector's representation and bring together the diversity of experience that exists across the UK charity sector and accountancy profession."

Waterford News & Star: WIT lecture to urge millionaires create a golden era of generosity

Waterford News & Star: WIT lecture to urge millionaires create a golden era of generosity: "WIT lecture to urge millionaires create a golden era of generosity

THE benefits from philanthropy to society as well as to donor companies and individuals are to be promoted on Friday, September 8 when Kingsley Aikins, Chief Executive and President of the Ireland Funds, delivers a lecture at Waterford Institute of Technology.

Mr Aikins believes a unique opportunity now exists for the Celtic Tiger to become a ‘Philanthropic Tiger’ and feels many of the conditions are in place for Ireland to enter a golden era of generosity and become one of the leading philanthropic countries in the world over the next decade. "

Torontoist: Whither the ATM Charitable Donation?

Torontoist: Whither the ATM Charitable Donation?: "Whither the ATM Charitable Donation?

Of all the things Canadians will boast about, our banking system isn't one of them despite being one of the strongest and most advanced in the world. Early co-operation between the financial institutions allowed Canada to become world leaders in the use of debit cards and internet banking, and we have the highest number of ATMs on the planet, per capita.

That means we have no excuse for not doing what people in other countries have been doing for years: making charitable donations at bank machines. HSBC in the UK started accepting voluntary donations in 2003 after their Mexican affiliate had success with this idea. Wells Fargo in Southern California has accepted contributions to the Red Cross, and banks in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates allow payments to the Red Crescent via ATMs."

Channelnewsasia.com

Channelnewsasia.com: "Volunteerism is one of key pillars of National Education: Lui Tuck Yew
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 27 August 2006 0039 hrs


SINGAPORE : Student volunteerism is growing and the Education Ministry believes such activities are key to the new direction that National Education is going to take.

Volunteerism rate for youths is up from 17 percent in 2002 to 25 percent today.

But when it comes to thinking of new ideas to solve community problems, it seems a significant number still have a crutch mentality.
"

TheStar.com - Billionaire's boost to Buddhist studies

TheStar.com - Billionaire's boost to Buddhist studies:
snip snip>>

"While the eastern religion commends frugality and abstinence from a life devoted to material things, it also teaches generosity and kindness — which is what the immigrant billionaire from Hong Kong tries to exemplify in his philanthropy. That includes this week's $4 million gift to the University of Toronto at Scarborough, the largest donation ever received by the satellite campus."

Friday, August 25, 2006

Shakers: Chinese billionaire speaks of charity - Marketplace by Bloomberg - International Herald Tribune

Shakers: Chinese billionaire speaks of charity - Marketplace by Bloomberg - International Herald Tribune: "Shakers: Chinese billionaire speaks of charity
- Joshua Fellman

Published: August 25, 2006
HONG KONG Chinese billionaire speaks of charity

Li Ka-shing, the 78- year-old billionaire owner of Hutchison Whampoa, said Thursday that he had no plans to retire and eventually would give at least a third of his wealth to his charitable foundation.

The Li Ka-shing Foundation has disbursed or committed almost 8 billion Hong Kong dollars, or $1 billion, mostly in Hong Kong and China, Li said during a press conference about earnings for his two largest companies.

'This may spur more philanthropy in Asia,' said Michael Troth, Asia Pacific and Middle East head of global wealth structuring at Citigroup's private bank. 'An increasing number of our clients are interested in making a positive difference with their wealth and a lot of people look at what Li does when planning their affairs,' he said.

Li, who Fortune magazine says is worth $18.8 billion, joins fellow billionaires, including Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, in pledging to give away a substantial portion of their wealth. Buffett in June pledged $30.7 billion, over many years, to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest charitable commitment in history, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Like Buffett, Li has built the reputation of being a canny investor. Li became a tycoon by buying Hong Kong real estate in 1967 when riots tied to China's Cultural Revolution caused land prices to collapse.

The Li Ka-shing Foundation, established in 1980, has made grants, sponsorships and other commitments to educational, medical and health care causes, according to its Web site. About 90 percent of its funds are used for projects in Hong Kong and China, Li said. $@

German retailer plans Russian foray

ST. PETERSBURG: The chief executive of Metro said Thursday that the reta"

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Bloomberg.com: Canada-Hong Kong Billionaire Li to Give a Third of Fortune to Charity

Bloomberg.com: Canada: "Hong Kong Billionaire Li to Give a Third of Fortune to Charity

By Joshua Fellman and Clare Cheung

Aug. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong Billionaire Li Ka-shing, 78, said today he has no plans to retire and that he will eventually give at least a third of his wealth to his charity foundation.

Speaking at an earnings press conference for his two largest companies, which make up almost 9 percent of Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index, Li also said the 26-year-old Li Ka- shing Foundation has disbursed or committed almost HK$8 billion ($1 billion), about 90 percent of that in Hong Kong and China.

``This may spur more philanthropy in Asia,''"

Channelnewsasia.com-"Volunteers worried as Youth Challenge probed

Channelnewsasia.com: "Volunteers worried as Youth Challenge probed
By Loh Chee Kong, TODAY | Posted: 24 August 2006 1321 hrs



The Youth Challenge investigations have sparked anxiety among a group of youth who went on the latest humanitarian mission organised by the charity.

According to the group’s treasurer Desiree Choo, Youth Challenge owes them more than $2,000, which they had to fork out first to buy the items they were taking to Jogyakarta, Indonesia, for humanitarian work. "

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

When you can't help charity - Business - Business - theage.com.au

When you can't help charity - Business - Business - theage.com.au: "When you can't help charity

Leon Gettler
August 24, 2006
AdvertisementAdvertisement

CORPORATE employee volunteering might be booming — more corporations and charities are trying to work together. Trouble is, the two sides don't seem to understand each other and, in some cases, they just don't get on.

A special report has found frustrations and recriminations spilling over from both sectors.

Non-profits claim that corporations are just using volunteering as a cheap team-building exercise. From their side, the corporations say it's not about team-building and that the charities are just chasing handouts.

The report from Sydney's University of Technology researcher Hayley Hext "

Bangkokrecorder Urban Magazine - Bangkok Life: Voluntourism of Thailand

Bangkokrecorder Urban Magazine - Bangkok Life: Voluntourism of Thailand: "It’s official: Philanthropy is the new black. University students the world over are signing up in droves for volunteer programs and eco-tourism holidays. Africa appears to be the hottest destination for young voluntourists, however post-tsunami Thailand continues to attract its fair share of development-conscious travelers.



But with the overwhelming influx of funding and resources to Thailand’s southern coastline after the December 26 disaster, which organization should the hip humanitarian choose to volunteer for? Philanthropic experts say to opt for a reputable group that has established roots"

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Voluntary sector faces shock cuts

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Voluntary sector faces shock cuts: "Voluntary sector faces shock cuts

Mary O'Hara
Wednesday August 23, 2006
The Guardian

Voluntary sector organisations in London and the mayor, Ken Livingstone, are at loggerheads with the Association of Local Government (ALG) following a surprise proposal by its grants committee to cut by a third funding for voluntary groups operating in more than one borough."

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Charities thrive with online volunteers - Yahoo! News

Charities thrive with online volunteers - Yahoo! News: "- When it comes to volunteering, Caitrin Murphy finds satisfaction in spending 10 months helping Tijuana orphans or a Saturday building low-income homes outside Washington, D.C.
ADVERTISEMENT

But onsite projects aren't always feasible, so Murphy instead turned to the Internet and, with two co-workers, remotely created a Web site for an organization that helps farmers in the West African country of Cameroon."

Give2Asia Helps International Donors Comply With New Charitable Giving Law: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

PRESS RELEASE

Give2Asia Helps International Donors Comply With New Charitable Giving Law: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Give2Asia Helps International Donors Comply With New Charitable Giving Law
Tuesday August 22, 2:02 pm ET
Pension Protection Act of 2006 Guides Use of Donor-Advised Funds

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Give2Asia, a U.S.-based non-profit organization founded by The Asia Foundation to promote private philanthropy, will help international donors with donor-advised funds comply with new Federal legislation that regulates charitable giving. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 defines the types of charitable disbursements that can be made from donor-advised funds, and how grants from these funds must be reported to the Federal government."

The Korea Herald : The Nation's No.1 English Newspaper-KEB at forefront of philanthropy

The Korea Herald : The Nation's No.1 English Newspaper: "
Korea Exchange Bank plans to funnel at least 1 billion won ($1.1 million) each year into its charity foundation, taking forward its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

The KEB Foundation, set up in December as the first philanthropic foundation by a financial institution in the country, will assume a central part in planning and implementing the bank's corporate giving programs."
Tags:

Friday, August 18, 2006

New Director for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

New Director for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance: "Press Release Source: U.S. Agency for International Development

New Director for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office
Friday August 18, 9:55 am ET

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has a new chief of the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Office. Director Terri Hasdorff was sworn in on August 7, 2006."

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Are these the new colonialists?

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | Are these the new colonialists?: "
Are these the new colonialists?

They're the students who go abroad to boost their CVs, have a laugh - and help out in the developing world at the same time. But this week a charity claimed that young people on gap-year trips risk doing more harm than good. We ask 10 volunteers what they think

Patrick Barkham
Friday August 18, 2006
The Guardian

Buoyed by three A-levels and a place at university, Jonty and Bunty and a quarter of a million of their mates set out to save the world. First they went climbing in Kathmandu. Then they stumbled into a local school and taught English to baffled Nepalese. Fifty spliffs and a thousand emails later, they returned home with a Hindu charm and tie-dye trousers. They had lots of great stories but the world remained thoroughly unsaved."

eGov monitor |-"Charity Commission responds to Independent Complaints Review report

eGov monitor |: "Charity Commission responds to Independent Complaints Review report
Source: Charity Commission
Published Friday, 18 August, 2006 - 05:35


The Independent Complaints Reviewer for the Charity Commission today publishes her report into the complaints against the Commission she reviewed in 2005 -06.

Charity Commission Chief Executive Andrew Hind said,

'As ever, the Independent Complaints Reviewer's observations and recommendations give us important feedback on the Commission's effectiveness. Offering a free, independent review of complaints is an important way for the Commission to show that we are accountable to our customers, and to the public.

'We're pleased that the report recognises the hard work we've put in to further improving our customer services in the past year, including expanding both our Customer Network and our programme of seminars with faith-based charities."

Global Agenda: Wanted: Giver barons | Jerusalem Post

Global Agenda: Wanted: Giver barons | Jerusalem Post: "Global Agenda: Wanted: Giver barons
By PINCHAS LANDAU
[Print this Article] [EMail this Article] [Subscribe] [SMS Alerts] [JPost Toolbar] [JPost ePaper]

Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller and the other mega-tycoons who rose to prominence in late 19th century America were not renowned for being pleasant, friendly people. Their appealing sobriquet, 'the Robber Barons,' was hard-earned and justly awarded. But, having amassed their huge fortunes in whatever way they did and, perhaps in recognition of the ineluctable fact that even they would not be able to take the money with them, they determined to use some of their wealth for leaving their marks on posterity. Hence the foundations, museums and other cultural and educational institutions that carry their names, down to the present."

Charities must clean up their act - Law - Times Online

Charities must clean up their act - Law - Times Online: "Charities must clean up their act
By Alan Eccles
A couple of high-profile scandals involving Scottish charities has knocked public confidence in the sector and made many people think twice about putting their hands in their pockets for good causes."

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | G8 accused of failing Africa over Aids funds

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | G8 accused of failing Africa over Aids funds: "G8 accused of failing Africa over Aids funds

Sarah Boseley in Toronto
Friday August 18, 2006
The Guardian

UN special envoy Stephen Lewis yesterday accused the G8 countries of betraying Africa by their failure to find the money to fulfil their Gleneagles promise on the treatment, care and prevention of Aids.

In a speech at the international Aids conference in Toronto, Mr Lewis said that African governments attempting to treat their citizens were struggling with the cost and their chief fear was that the money from donor countries would dry up."

Thursday, August 17, 2006

eGov monitor |New series of conferences to support partnership in the third sector opens in the North West

eGov monitor |: "New series of conferences to support partnership in the third sector opens in the North West
Source: Futurebuilders
Published Thursday, 17 August, 2006 - 05:00


Manchester is set to host the first in a series of 10 regional conferences highlighting how the public, private and voluntary sectors can work together to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve.

With 350 delegates from local authorities, social enterprises, charities, community groups, CVS networks, government bodies and regeneration organisations, the ‘3rd Sector 1st’ conference is taking place at the University of Manchester on 12 September 2006. "

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Economic dynamism lacking in Caribbean - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM

Economic dynamism lacking in Caribbean - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM: "To onlookers outside of the region it must be somewhat puzzling that it has taken a Texan billionaire to come to the rescue of a game that has meant so much to West Indians and in which we have achieved so much. Over all these years when the West Indies excelled and dominated the game internationally for decades, everyone was quick to boast of our prowess, but sadly, none of our big shots have shown anywhere near the generosity of Mr Stanford, even when it was obvious that we were slipping fast and that the game needed an injection of new ideas and energy.
Our big shots, except for a few, much prefer to keep their riches to themselves and their families, stashed away in bank accounts in Cayman, North America and Europe. Theirs is not a culture of giving back and of philanthropy, which is such an integral part of the culture of the ruling classes of those continents. "

Hamilton Spectator - News-Charities cash in on donor-advised investments

Hamilton Spectator - News: "Charities cash in on donor-advised investments
By Steve Arnold
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 16, 2006)

More than $1.2 million in new donations has flooded into two of Hamilton's leading charities over the last year, the result of a new investing idea and changes to the country's tax laws."

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Getting charities to share

Getting charities to share: "Getting charities to share
SINGAPORE: The Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO) network will be a more closely knit one, if retired Rear-Admiral Kwek Siew Jin has his way.

The new president of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) is intent on enhancing the network of VWOs so that the better ones can help train their counterparts, and so that nobody that needs help falls through the cracks.

Barely two weeks into his job, the former Navy Chief, who fills Mr Gerard Ee's shoes at a time when the social services sector is under intense public scrutiny, has already set out concrete targets for himself."

The Resource Alliance -FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN NGOS – ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE?

The Resource Alliance (formerly known as The International Fund Raising Group): "FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN NGOS – ARE YOU RESPONSIBLE?

Financial Management in NGOs – Are You Responsible?

(The following article is a summary taken from Mango's Guide to Financial Management for NGOs: the full text is available at www.mango.org.uk/guide and Mango would welcome any feedback from users through their online survey at: www.mango.org.uk/survey.asp before 16th August 2006).

Money is the lifeblood of NGOs. They have to use it carefully to achieve their goals. However, the ability of an NGO to raise and manage funds is often undermined by weak financial management practices. There are three key messages to remember when faced with managing the financial resources of your NGO:"

Monday, August 14, 2006

Children's Safe Drinking Water: P&G Philanthropy in Kenyan Schools and New Business Models

Children's Safe Drinking Water: P&G Philanthropy in Kenyan Schools and New Business Models: "P&G Philanthropy in Kenyan Schools and New Business Models

Today we’re traveling out a couple of hours from Nairobi to visit the two schools that P&G Kenya and CFW Shops have adopted. We’re in Mberre District in the Eastern Province not far from Mt. Kenya. Liza Kimbo, the talented Executive Director of CFW Shops, and Edwin are coordinating this effort for the Shops. I’m also accompanied by my friend Tarek Elbaradi, the P&G External Relations Director for Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa."

The Observer | Comment | How to be a kitchen table heroine

The Observer | Comment | How to be a kitchen table heroine: "The tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, the war in Lebanon. One or all of the recent crises will have prompted many of you to reach for the cheque book. Such instant responses raise millions and puts paid to the lie that we are parochial in our concerns.

But for a tight-knit subculture - an undercover world of virtue and solidarity - wars and catastrophes set in motion entirely different processes of relief work: dispatching vans filled with medicines and clothes, collecting and exporting hospital supplies. These are the 'kitchen table charities' that both Gordon Brown and David Cameron recently praised - tiny, practical units run mainly by women. Their approach is direct and minimalist; there's often no office or logo and only a handful of volunteers who are motivated by anger, grief or shame and who operate with a modesty alien to some of the more self-important NGOs."

INQ7 Business - Gokongwei does a Buffett

INQ7 Business - Gokongwei does a Buffett: "Gokongwei does a Buffett

By Victor Agustin
Inquirer
Last updated 03:48am (Mla time) 08/14/2006

Published on page B3 of the August 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

JOHN GOKONGWEI JR. surprised his children and business associates at his 80th birthday party celebrations Friday by announcing that he would donate his personal shareholdings in JG Summit Holdings--equivalent to 25 percent of the listed conglomerate or about P10.25 billion--to charity"

Channelnewsasia.com-S'pore government appoints new Commissioner of Charities

Channelnewsasia.com: "S'pore government appoints new Commissioner of Charities
By Rita Zahara, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 August 2006 2206 hrs


SINGAPORE : A new Commissioner of Charities, who will now fill a full-time post to watch over charities, has been appointed.

The Chairman of the Charity Council, set up to advise the Commissioner, has also been selected.

This is the next peg in the process to tighten the rules on larger charities and make them more transparent. "

Saudi Women Form Charity Unit Under Red Crescent

Saudi Women Form Charity Unit Under Red Crescent: "Saudi Women Form Charity Unit Under Red Crescent
Ebtihal Mubarak, Arab News


JEDDAH, 13 August 2006 — After signing a petition condemning the US and UK support for Israel’s large-scale war on Lebanon, Saudi women chose not to confine their activism to words alone.

So the group has become the first women contingent of the Saudi Red Crescent Society after Dr. Salih Hamad Al-Tuwaijri, the organization’s president, accepted their proposal.

“All over the world civil society organizations have a database of volunteers they refer to in times of crisis,” said Fawziya Abu Khaled, a poet and sociology professor at King Saud University."

Donors queue up to sponsor Scottish Opera’s characters - [Sunday Herald]

Donors queue up to sponsor Scottish Opera’s characters - [Sunday Herald]: "Scottish Opera is celebrating an unprecedented surge in public donations ahead of its flagship autumn production, sparking optimism that philanthropy will play an increasingly important financial role for the company.

On launching the Play A Supporting Role scheme in March for its forth coming production of Richard Strauss’s comic opera Der Rosenkavalier (The Cavalier Of The Rose), the company had hoped to raise around £12,000 through individual sponsorship for each of the show’s 60 roles. In return, donors receive accreditation in the opera’s programme next to their chosen characters and are invited to one of two exclusive on-stage parties in October and November.

But with almost two months to go before the curtain rises, nearly 400 people have already come forward to take part in the scheme, raising the total support so far to more than £40,000."

Thursday, August 10, 2006

INDIAN CATHOLIC - NEWS SITE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE OF INDIA

INDIAN CATHOLIC - NEWS SITE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE OF INDIA: "The Indian government has come out with a new policy on the voluntary sector that recognises NGOs as partners with the government in the country’s development. It also simplifies rules, registration and norms for funding.

Here is the text of the National Policy on Voluntary Sector-2006"

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Life & Leisure-Helping the helpers

Life & Leisure: "Helping the helpers
Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi August 09, 2006
TRAINING:A company steps forward to help Indian NGOs raise resources and manage funds.

It is not enough to have good intentions and a heart aching to reduce the suffering around you. You need money too. And it is no big deal to just have money. You must know how to manage it, especially if it is money meant for the community.

Or you could end up looking like a crook in a jholawala’s clothing. And Indian NGOs are certainly not known to have the best reputation for being either fund raisers or having the skills to manage funds in the best traditions of accountability and transparency.

In response, a top global fund raiser — UK based Resource Alliance — has decided to promote the skills of both raising money, and governance among Indian NGOs."

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

BCNG Portals Page- Donating never easier

BCNG Portals Page: "
Donating never easier


By Robert Willis
Aug 08 2006

Philanthropy certainly was in the news recently when Warren Buffet the world renowned investor gave away $36 billion of his net worth. Not everyone has that kind of capital to donate but Canadians as a rule are a giving people. Stats Canada reports that donations were the highest ever reported at 6.5 billion in 2003 which was an 11.4 per cent increase over 2002. New tax changes introduced in 2006 could make Canadians even more generous in years to come.

The May 02/2006 budget will make charitable gifting a lot more beneficial to donors through the elimination of capital gains tax on gifts of publicly traded securities.

What this means is that any security that has built up capital gains over the years should be your donation vehicle of choice, as opposed to giving cash. Let me give you an example.

Let's say that you bought an investment 20 years ago for $1,000 and today it is worth $5,000 and you would like to make a $5,000 donation to your favorite charity. In the past if you sold the shares you would realize a $4,000 capital gain of which 50 per cent would be taxable at your marginal tax rate which we will say is 37.7 per cent."

Channelnewsasia.com-Why Durai was paid that package

Channelnewsasia.com: "Why Durai was paid that package
By Jasmine Yin, TODAY | Posted: 08 August 2006 1110 hrs


SINGAPORE: A former board member of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has explained the rationale behind the hefty pay package given to Mr T T Durai, the controversial chief executive who stepped down last year.

Several factors were considered before the board approved the package, said former NKF remuneration committee member Associate Professor Lawrence Chia, in court papers obtained by this newspaper. "

The Daily, Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Heritage institutions

The Daily, Wednesday, July 26, 2006. Heritage institutions: "n addition, their revenues exceeded the $1-billion mark, according to data from the Survey of Heritage Institutions, which covered approximately 1,300 for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

While total industry revenue grew by 12.5% over 2002, expenses grew at a slightly higher rate (+12.8%), pushing the deficit to about 1.0% of total revenue.

Much of the deficit was due to the not-for-profit institutions, which recorded a shortfall of $21.3 million — despite an 11.9% increase in revenue from 2002. For-profit heritage institutions, on the other hand, had revenue growth of 19.2% and a profit of $9.8 million."

Monday, August 07, 2006

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online

New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online: "It’s the time of the year where the big banquet is held during the Hungry Ghost Festival in the Hokkien belt in the country. If you have the cash you can bid for some ‘lucky’ items at the auction that follows.

JOHOR BARU: Would you pay RM68,000 for a piece of charcoal ('black gold' in Chinese), only to burn it to ashes later?

A businessman was willing to pay this sum in return for showers of divine blessings and the promise of prosperity throughout the year.

Some may dismiss this as foolish superstition. But for the adherents of the Po Doh (salvation) banquet, they are prepared to swear by it.

This is a traditional ritual during the Hungry Ghost Festival when the people are invited to bid for auspicious items at a grand auction, with proceeds going to charity."

INQ7 Business - Taking a chance on the Philippines

INQ7 Business - Taking a chance on the Philippines: "Taking a chance on the Philippines

Exec admits to being criticized for investing here
By Manuel V. Pangilinan
Inquirer
Last updated 09:58am (Mla time) 08/06/2006

Published on page B1 of the August 6, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

BUSINESSMEN the world over are exhibiting a distinct social consciousness, captured in that elegant phrase—corporate social responsibility.

It is also a time when individual philanthropy has never been so fashionable among the rich and famous."

Friday, August 04, 2006

NGO coffers swell with foreign funds

: "NGO coffers swell with foreign funds
Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi August 04, 2006
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) received a mind-boggling Rs 6,200 crore of foreign funds in 2004-05, nearly 36 per cent of the FDI received by India that year.

Put it down to the tsunami or the Kashmir earthquake, 2004-05 saw the highest-ever inflow of foreign funding to this sector.

The steep jump comes after modest hikes in fund flow since 1999 (see box). Foreign funds of Rs 5,105 crore were received in the previous year, while the figure was slightly lower at Rs 5,046 crore in 2002-2003, according to the foreign contribution regulation division (FCRA) of the home ministry, which monitors all foreign aid."

The Hindu News Update Service-BCCI to amend constitutional clause for charity

The Hindu News Update Service: "BCCI to amend constitutional clause for charity

Mumbai, Aug 4. (PTI): The Indian Cricket Board is all set to amend its constitutional clause, by which it can raise funds and muster financial support for charitable causes like fighting AIDS.

'As per the present clause, the board (BCCI) does not have the green signal to spend money on anything other than for the purpose, for which it has been formed, that is organising and running the game of cricket,' a top board source said today."

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

onPhilanthropy: Beyond Borders - Maximizing Nonprofit Effectiveness Through Collaboration

onPhilanthropy: Beyond Borders - Maximizing Nonprofit Effectiveness Through Collaboration: "Beyond BordersMaximizing Nonprofit Effectiveness Through Collaboration
By: Lilya Wagner, 08/02/06

Folk tales from any culture are meant to make a point. I recall one that my father told me when I was a child about a wise old man who called his sons together and gave them a bundle of sticks to break. One after another the sons tried to break the bundle but couldn’t, yet the task was easy if the bundle was untied and each stick broken individually. There’s a lesson in that little tale Unity builds strength and nonprofits can maximize their effectiveness by joining together in traditional as well as nontraditional ways.

In a new volume on philanthropic effectiveness, published by the Bertelsmann Foundation in Germany, the authors address the role of philanthropy in globalization. They point out the value of building coalitions across sectors which include nonprofits, business and government, and also suggest that coordinating strategy among philanthropic organizations means leveraging each other’s power and building alliances for greater effectiveness. "

Musharraf seeks support of overseas Pakistanis to fight extremism

Musharraf seeks support of overseas Pakistanis to fight extremism: "Poverty and illiteracy leads to extremism, terrorism and other ills in society,' he said at the launch of a report entitled Philanthropy by Pakistani diaspora in the US, conducted by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy."