Friday, March 31, 2006

Money pit - National - smh.com.au

Money pit - National - smh.com.au: "Money pit



By Matt Wade and Ben Cubby
April 1, 2006

WERE you born after June 30, 1961? If the answer is yes, bad luck. Economic and demographic forces have been conspiring against you for decades.

That birthdate, almost 45 years ago, has become a crucial fault line in the distribution of national wealth.

More than three-quarters of all household riches are owned by those born before that date - an unprecedented portion for those over 45."

Channelnewsasia.com

Channelnewsasia.com: "The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) wants to take on Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Sembawang at the upcoming polls, and it wants to use the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) scandal as a plank.
"

Companies see benefits in charity efforts

Companies see benefits in charity efforts: "Companies see benefits in charity efforts


MAR. 30 4:35 P.M. ET Greg Allgood's job at Procter & Gamble Co. has taken him to remote, disease-plagued villages in Kenya, into some of the Western Hemisphere's poorest slums in Haiti, across rebel-ridden territory in Uganda and to tsunami-devastated Sri Lanka and earthquake-ravaged Pakistan.

While most people who work for the Cincinnati-based company sell consumer products such as Crest toothpaste and Pampers diapers, Allgood is the director of the Children's Safe-Drinking Water Project. The charitable program aims to curb the nearly 2 million child deaths attributed annually to polluted water with a water-cleansing product called Pur that the company donates or sells at cost."

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Diaspora philanthropy - INQ7.net

Diaspora philanthropy - INQ7.net: "Viewpoint : Diaspora philanthropy

First posted 01:04am (Mla time) Mar 30, 2006
By Juan Mercado
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on Page A12 of the March 30, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THEY call it 'diaspora philanthropy' -- efforts by often homesick overseas migrants to support development initiatives in the poverty-strapped homeland they left. And it is innovative -- and it has grown over fivefold in as many years.

Pooled by Filipinos abroad, the gifts, donations and services are different from 'remittances' (funds whittled from pay packets of overseas workers and sent, on a more or less regular basis, to families left behind). They are 'unilateral cash gifts, goods and services.' Some seek to jump-start projects in economically stagnant places the migrants fled from. Others cascade, helter-skelter, into a bewildering range of beneficiaries: schools, hospitals, churches, NGOs, town plazas and emergency relief. Aid for Southern Leyte mudslide victims is only the latest."

Independent Online Edition > Business News-Oxford aspires to riches with US-style fund

Independent Online Edition > Business News: "Oxford aspires to riches with US-style fund
By Gary Parkinson, City Editor
Published: 27 March 2006

A new fund was launched this morning to manage money for Oxford University colleges in an attempt to mimic the success that America's Ivy League universities have had in boosting their incomes.

Led by Karl Sternberg, a former chief investment officer at Deutsche Asset Management, Oxford Investment Management (OXIM) will start with a total of around £100m from three colleges.

Balliol has joined Christ Church and St Catherine's colleges as majority shareholders in the new business. They hold 60 per cent of OXIM, with the remainder held by its management.

It is hoped that other colleges, charities and rich individuals will be attracted to join the scheme by the expertise of its managers and the advice from Watson Wyatt, the consultant.

OXIM is to be run as a commercial company, charging fees from others that climb on board. That will allow for an income to colleges on top of their investment returns. OXIM is aiming for returns of 5 per cent above inflation over five-year rolling periods.

Both Oxford and Cambridge are facing increasingly tough competition from the leading American universities, which are much better funded.

In the United States, Ivy League schools have enjoyed impressive returns on their investm"

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

HSBC Gift-Aid facility added to ATMs - Money News

HSBC Gift-Aid facility added to ATMs - Money News: "HSBC Gift-Aid facility added to ATMs

Tue 28th Mar 2006


A HSBC Gift-Aid facility will now be available through its automatic teller machine (ATM) technology across the country.

Gift-Aid allows charitable donations to be made without being taxed, giving recipients of contributions the opportunity to reclaim any income tax paid on the amount they receive.

The bank claims to have been the first organisation to introduce the ability to make charity donations when it did so last November, following the commencement of the initiative in Mexico."

Generous Brits donate thousands to charity

Generous Brits donate thousands to charity: "Generous Brits donate thousands to charity
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2006 12:11
Generous Brits donate thousands to charity


Britons are extremely generous when it comes to donating money to charity, a new study has found.

According to research by financial services firm Clerical Medical, the average Briton will give almost £13,000 away to good causes over a lifetime, with total charity donations expected to top £8 billion this year.

Yet despite this, just 20 per cent of the 3,000 people polled believe Britons are generous, with two-thirds rating us as merely average givers.

Clerical Medical managing director John Hiew feels that we are being unduly harsh on ourselves, suggesting that the UK should be proud of its strong charitable traditions.
"

Need for Europe-wide philanthropy in support of R&D | European Union Science & Research

Need for Europe-wide philanthropy in support of R&D | European Union Science & Research: "Need for Europe-wide philanthropy in support of R&D


In Short:

A conference considering the role of private donation in the funding of European research has highlighted the need for transnational, European-scale foundations.

RELATED

* Investing in research: 3 per cent of GDP

Background:

At the Barcelona European Council in March 2002, European leaders agreed that investment in European research and development (R&D) must be increased to 3% of GDP by 2010, with at least two thirds of the total investment coming from the private sector.

CBC News: 1 in 5 Canadians don't plan to retire: StatsCan

CBC News: 1 in 5 Canadians don't plan to retire: StatsCan: "1 in 5 Canadians don't plan to retire: StatsCan
Last Updated Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:00:43 EST
CBC News

Twenty per cent of Canadians do not intend to retire at all, a Statistics Canada publication suggests.

Many other Canadians who took early retirement went back to work because they needed money, according to New Frontiers of Research on Retirement, a 458-page compilation of scientific papers and surveys released on Monday.

Non-standard work arrangements such as contract and casual work 'will worsen the financial security of future retirees' because they don't have access to workplace pension plans, Statistics Canada said in a release."

Monday, March 27, 2006

New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz: Charity workers get interest free loans

New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz: Charity workers get interest free loans: "Charity workers get interest free loans
28 March 2006

Kiwi graduates at 48 charitable organisations will be exempt from student loan interest as part of a law that comes into effect on Saturday, Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen announced yesterday.

Under the Government's student loan policy borrowers in New Zealand do not have to pay interest but those who live overseas for more than six months must.

However Inland Revenue had the discretion to grant an exemption for certain borrowers who are overseas, including post-graduate students, government employees and people who work for free or for a token payment for a charitable organisation operating overseas."

Belfast Telegraph-The naked investor: Sweet charity

Belfast Telegraph: "The naked investor: Sweet charity

By Nicholas Watts
27 March 2006

The people of Northern Ireland are famous for their charitable generosity. With careful planning charitable donations can be used to reduce capital gains tax liability and income tax in a retirement planning context.

For a number of years it has been a principle of the UK tax system that charitable giving should be rewarded by a tax benefit. The basic premise behind the system is that if you give, say, £10 to a charity the charity can then claim back the basic rate of tax, thus making your donation worth £12.82."

Meet friends, engage in charity

Meet friends, engage in charity: "Meet friends, engage in charity
Chen Qian
2006-03-27
WHEN Pai Wang couldn't find friends to hang out and play cards with, he set up a Website to solve the problem. When he became bored playing cards and hanging out, he changed the site to encourage others to join him in weekly charity activities.

Now he and the friends he has made online spend their weekends visiting lonely seniors in nursing homes, and helping out disabled children.

The 32-year-old computer engineer set up the Website (www.AAlife.com) last September, and began organizing charity activities at the end of last year. The site has attracted around 500 members to date. "

Friday, March 24, 2006

Jerusalem Post | How we give, mirrors who we are

Jerusalem Post | Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World: "How we give, mirrors who we are
By MICHAEL STEINHARDT

I have a dream in which Jewish early childhood educators in the United States, who presently receive an average salary of $9.66 per hour, can raise their own children without having to take out loans or marry rich. I have a dream in which birthright israel does not have to keep tens of thousands of potential participants on waiting lists for lack of funds. I have a dream in which non-Orthodox day schools truly rival the best private schools and the Jewish socioeconomic elite clamor to enter them.

While these dreams are, alas, remote and quixotic, American Jews have achieved levels of wealth unprecedented in our history. The problem is that we no longer give much to Jewish causes."

Channelnewsasia.com-"The People's Action Party has introduced its first batch of three new candidates for the upcoming General Election.

Channelnewsasia.com: "he People's Action Party has introduced its first batch of three new candidates for the upcoming General Election.

Among them is full-time volunteer Denise Phua.

Ms Phua, 46, is the President of the Autism Resource Centre.

She is also the School Supervisor and Acting Principal of Pathlight School, the first school for autistic children in Singapore.

Ms Phua is married, with a daughter and a son.

She has been an active volunteer since 1999 and has formed a charity organisation to help families cope with autism. "

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Islamic teachings inspire loans to poorest

Islamic teachings inspire loans to poorest: "slamic teachings inspire loans to poorest
By Zofeen Ebrahim
Updated Mar 22, 2006, 12:47 pm Refer this article
Print page

* The Islamic Banking System (University of Malaya, 1988)

LAHORE (IPS/GIN) - When Shamim Akhtar’s 20-year-old daughter developed an acute case of ulcers last year and was hospitalized, she had little choice but to approach a neighborhood lender and borrow 20,000 rupees ($330). At 200-percent interest, it meant that she had to pay Rs 2,000 ($30) to the lender every month. In 18 months, she had paid Rs 36,000 ($600) as interest.

A couple of months ago, she heard of Akhuwat (brotherhood), a Lahore-based, non-profit organization that gives out interest-free loans to poor people, and even settles the outstanding amount. Akhuwat calls it “liberation loans.”

Now, Akhtar is one of 400 people, mainly women, whom Akhuwat has liberated from the clutches of loan sharks. “We really target the poorest of the poor, the ones who cannot even access microcredit,” says Amjad Saqib, the executive director."

IOL: Charity bids to recoup €5.5m in donations

IOL: Charity bids to recoup €5.5m in donations: "A leading charity has begun a campaign to recoup €5.5m in charitable donations from the Government.

Concern has used its computer database to identify the 27,000 people who gave more than the 250 euro donations threshold last year and is contacting them individually by phone, letter and emai"

BBC NEWS | Technology | Charity gets cash for web clicks

BBC NEWS | Technology | Charity gets cash for web clicks: "Charity gets cash for web clicks
Child
The NSPCC has fought to protect children for years
Computer users who want to donate as they use the web can now use a special NSPCC website that gives cash for every search they carry out.

The NSPCC, which campaigns to end child cruelty, will receive a donation every time users carry out an MSN search via www.clickscount.co.uk.

The charity hopes the site will raise substantial funds, and organisers hope to add other charities later this year."

Douglas Dispatch-About 120 people, youth, grandparents, and every age group in between, gathered at the Growing a Community for All Ages symposium at

Douglas Dispatch: "The City of Douglas, Arizona Rural Development Council, Southeast Arizona Behavioral Health Services, Bank of America and the U.S. Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership also collaborated on the symposium, which was made possible by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation."

Monday, March 20, 2006

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Nation-Curry king hits peer hurdle

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Nation: "Curry king hits peer hurdle
AMIT ROY

Sir Gulam Noon
London, March 19: Indian businessman Sir Gulam Noon is the latest person to have his nomination for a peerage blocked because a �250,000 loan made to the Labour Party last year was not declared, it was reported today.
�I have done nothing illegal,� said Noon, who is nicknamed the �curry king� and is one of the most respected figures in the Indian community in the UK."

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

edie news centre - CSR 'best as voluntary activity' - Minister

edie news centre - CSR 'best as voluntary activity' - Minister: "CSR 'best as voluntary activity' - Minister (14 March 2006)

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has said attempts by Government to enforce corporate social responsibility would undermine its value. "

Xinhua - English-Charity looks overseas

Xinhua - English: "Charity looks overseas

www.chinaview.cn 2006-03-14 15:05:17

BEIJING, March 14 -- For the first time, overseas charity organizations and Shanghai's foreign communities will be invited to the 55th Miss World charity tour held in the city from April 22 to 23.
So far several Canadian groups have expressed interest in attending. Details are still in negotiation, according to the Shanghai Charity Foundation. "

Monday, March 13, 2006

The Tide Online-Philanthropy, panacea to dev

The Tide Online: "Philanthropy, panacea to dev
Kinika Mpi � Sunday, Mar 12, 2006
Philanthropy and humanitarian services have been identified as vehicles through which rapid, social and economic development of the country could be achieved."

ANGARA� URGES� 'CORPORATE� PHILANTHROPY'

ANGARA� URGES� 'CORPORATE� PHILANTHROPY': "ANGARA URGES 'CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY'

MANILA, March 12, 2006 (BULLETIN) Sen. Edgardo J. Angara called yesterday on businesses and civil society to practice 'corporate philanthropy�� to help ease the health and hunger problems of the country, saying that 'the commitment to social responsibility must become a driving force for every company or business enterprise.��
Speaking before members of the Rotary Club�s largest district, District 3810, Angara called attention to the sweeping health and hunger issues plaguing the country.
'More than 15 percent of Filipino families have reported experiencing hunger at least once during the last few months. More than a quarter of all children in the country ultimately leads to stunted mental and physical growth, poor comprehension, and lower performance in school,�� he said"

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

icWales - How you can do your bit to stop wasting millions on the taxman

icWales - How you can do your bit to stop wasting millions on the taxman: "How you can do your bit to stop wasting millions on the taxman

Mar 8 2006

Marlene Shalton, Western Mail


It is that time of year again and IFA Promotion, the association that promotes independent advice, has the final results of its annual survey - Tax Action.

According to the survey, four out of five (82%) UK adults will waste an unnecessary £7.6bn in tax in 2006, £1.8bn more than in 2005. And despite 31 million (70%) of us claiming to resent rising tax bills, more than three quarters (78%) of UK adults admit to doing nothing to help reduce the amount they pay. The average UK adult will therefore squander £155 this year in tax."

Most Czechs contribute to charity - Prague Daily Monitor

Most Czechs contribute to charity - Prague Daily Monitor: "Most Czechs contribute to charity

Prague, March 7 (CTK) - Four-fifths of Czechs contributed to some humanitarian organisation over the past two years, according to a poll conducted by the polling agency Factum Invenio today.

The readiness to support the projects for those in need is increasing, Factum Invenio said, while the number of those who never give any money to humanitarian projects is falling.

Some 70 percent of Czechs contributed several times to humanitarian purposes last year, while the figure was a mere 45 percent in 2004.

Two years ago, 43 percent of those polled did not support any project for those in need, but last year it was only 19 percent, the poll found."

Charity avoids penalty for fundraiser breach. 08/03/2006. ABC News Online

Charity avoids penalty for fundraiser breach. 08/03/2006. ABC News Online: "Charity avoids penalty for fundraiser breach

A children's charity has avoided deregistration after paying Cherie Blair, the wife of the British Prime Minister, to speak at a fundraising dinner in Melbourne.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says the Children's Cancer Institute Australia breached fundraising laws at a function in February last year at which Ms Blair gave a speech."

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

The St. Petersburg Times - Business - Regulating the Work of NGOs

The St. Petersburg Times - Business - Regulating the Work of NGOs: "Regulating the Work of NGOs

By Yana Leonova

In January a new federal law was signed into effect by President Vladimir Putin, introducing significant changes to the way nongovernmental organizations are regulated. When the legislation was introduced in the State Duma, the explanatory note attached to the bill stated that a mechanism of control needed to be established for NGOs. On the face of it, who could argue? Virtually every country regulates the work of NGOs. But Russian NGOs were puzzled. Why weren’t the provisions of previous legislation considered sufficient?"

Monday, March 06, 2006

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Free time

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Free time: "Free time

Charlotte Ashton is spending each month of her gap year with a different UK charity. This month, she joins a class of former drug users seeking a path into employment

Saturday March 4, 2006
The Guardian

What has had the most influence in shaping the person you are today? Family, friends, school, the media or work? Discussions like this have kicked off my Monday mornings for the past month. My fellow debaters have been a group of recovered or recovering drug addicts and alcoholics.

I agreed with most of them that family is the most influential, but my suggestion that a child's mother is surely the best person to care for it was quickly rejected. 'Not if she's a drug-taking prostitute,' one of the students retaliated."

People's Daily Online -- Demands made for charity legislation

People's Daily Online -- Demands made for charity legislation: "Demands made for charity legislation
font size ZoomIn ZoomOut

Top political advisers have appealed for charity legislation to encourage and regulate charitable activities in the country.

Favourable tax policies for charitable deeds were specially emphasized.

The proposals were put forward during the ongoing plenary session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, by the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang and a CPPCC member, Wang Keying.

According to statistics of non-Communist party's the central committee, China's charities depend on donations from overseas to a great extent.

For example, only about 20 per cent of the donations received by the China Charity Federation were from local organizations, with the rest coming from overseas."

Friday, March 03, 2006

Channelnewsasia.com-Report on regulation of charities submitted to Govt(Singapore)

Channelnewsasia.com: "Report on regulation of charities submitted to Govt
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia



The Inter-Ministry Committee (IMC) on the Regulation of Charities and Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) submitted its report to the Government on March 2.

The Committee first released its report on January 27 and held a 3-week public consultation which ended on February 17.

The report made a dozen recommendations to strengthen the regulatory framework; the governance, financial and fundraising regulations; and facilitating the work of charities and IPCs. "

Regulating the Work of NGOs

Regulating the Work of NGOs: "Regulating the Work of NGOs
By Yana Leonova

In January a new federal law was signed into effect by President Vladimir Putin, introducing significant changes to the way nongovernmental organizations are regulated. When the legislation was introduced in the State Duma, the explanatory note attached to the bill stated that a mechanism of control needed to be established for NGOs. On the face of it, who could argue? Virtually every country regulates the work of NGOs. But Russian NGOs were puzzled. Why weren't the provisions of previous legislation considered sufficient?"

Xinhua - English

Xinhua - English: "HONG KONG, March 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Cathay Pacific Airways announced the winner for a first-of-its-kind Chinese naming competition for its charity sale of a new wine, Chateau Branaire Ducru, and limited edition bottle Friday.

The winning name 'Zhou Bo Tong' comes from a popular character in the martial arts novels by Jin Yong (Cha Leung-yung). His superiority and cheerful characteristic reflect the wine's premium quality, said the judging panel of the competition.

The judging panel included a number of renowned food and wine experts, including Chua Lam, Joe Chen, Lau Chi Sun and some other celebrities along with Cathay Pacific Director of Service Delivery Quince Chong.

Cathay Pacific makes direct contributions to the community through charity projects. This time the airline is working with Chateau Branaire Ducru to offer 100 Limited Edition bottles of the2000 vintage for sale -- proceeds from which will go to The Cathay Pacific Wheelchair Bank.

Each bottle, priced at 3,000 HK dollars (387 U.S. dollars), will carry the Chinese name label created from Cha Leung-yung's calligraphy and come with a numbered certificate."

Thursday, March 02, 2006

>>> AsiaNews.it <<< Religious charities exempt from new tax

>>> AsiaNews.it <<< Religious charities exempt from new tax: "1 March, 2006
INDIA
Religious charities exempt from new tax
by Nirmala Carvalho

The provision is part of the government’s new economic plan, which seeks to combat money laundering in the country. The 2006 budget confirms the authorities’ commitment to rural development. The Finance Minister has pledged to increase the growth rate to 10%.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Development in rural areas, focusing on health and employment of the poor and of village residents, coupled with a war on money laundering including more monitoring of so-called “anonymous donations” to charitable organizations. The Indian government’s budget for 2006 confirms the commitment of the Finance Minister, PC Chidambram, to progress in rural areas, already at the heart of last year’s economic programme, and it also introduced some initiatives which impact on religious institutions.

During yesterday’s budget presentation, Chidambram announced “great sums” of money for education, health care and employment in villages. The ministry is committed to increasing the country’s growth rate from 8 to 10%.

According to information shared in the presentation, the growth of the agricultural sector exceeded 2.1% and the outlook for 2006, continued Chidambram, was good. There was no change announced for taxes on private income and that of social entities.

Particular attention was paid this year to attacking money laundering. To this end, the minister proposed a tax on all anonymous donations to charitable, non-religious organizations, previously exempt. Only donations to religious organizations will not be included in the total income of the organization and will therefore be tax exempt. An anonymous donation has been defined as any voluntary contribution where a trust receiving a contribution does not maintain any records of the identity of the donor. "

Alliance - for information and ideas about philanthropy and social investment worldwide

Alliance - for information and ideas about philanthropy and social investment worldwide: "Sustaining community philanthropy: looking for new models

In recent years community philanthropy organizations have begun to multiply around the world. Anyone involved in international philanthropy knows the enormous enthusiasm people feel for community philanthropy, especially community foundations. It is as if, in countries where grantmaking organizations as we know them are thin on the ground, they will provide the missing piece of the puzzle.

But will they? Can they? One thing seems clear: if these emerging organizations are to be sustainable, we will need to look beyond the traditional North American model.

Can a broad base of donors ensure sustainability, as in Korea, the Philippines and Nebraska, USA? Can organized philanthropy learn from indigenous traditions, as in southern Africa and Romania? Can companies and communities work together, as in Brazil, Russia and Mexico?"

Charity events to mark jail closure

Charity events to mark jail closure: "Charity events to mark Victoria Prison closure



A series of charity events will be held March 11 to 19 to mark the decommissioning of 160-year-old Victoria Prison, Hong Kong's first jail.



The Victoria Prison Decommissioning Open Days, jointly run by the Correctional Services Department and the Community Chest, include open days on March 11, 18 and 19, performances and a farewell parade on the 12th, and the Jail House Rock show on the 17th and 18th."