onPhilanthropy: Articles: The Top Ten Trends in British Philanthropy

onPhilanthropy: Articles: The Top Ten Trends in British Philanthropy: "The Top Ten Trends in British Philanthropy By Fiona Hodgson, 8/29/07 With philanthropy enjoying an unprecedented boom in the United States, it’s an interesting time to look at how its British counterparts compare. Although both countries can trace their philanthropic traditions to similar “ancestors,” the growth of philanthropy in Britain has followed a more uneven course. Today, however, there are many signs that the UK is on the cusp of a philanthropic boom of its own:"

Diana rows reignite with charity chief's anger - Telegraph

Diana rows reignite with charity chief's anger - Telegraph: "Diana rows reignite with charity chief's anger By Richard Edwards and Andrew Pierce Last Updated: 7:14am BST 30/08/2007 The head of one of Princess Diana's favourite charities last night criticised the memorial service to mark 10 years since her death for reigniting rows of the past and called for organisers to 'move on'."

Swampscott entrepreneur brings Web approach to charitable giving - Swampscott, MA - Swampscott Reporter

Swampscott entrepreneur brings Web approach to charitable giving - Swampscott, MA - Swampscott Reporter: "Qambio' means 'change' in the Andalusian dialect of Spanish, and change is exactly what Swampscott entrepreneur Ben Moreno is hoping to achieve through his new company of the same name. Qambio, a very new kind of Web site, has been in development since 2002 and was launched 10 months ago. The company places a new spin on philanthropy, giving both donors and beneficiaries more personal involvement in the process."

Business Report - Individuals fill gaps in corporate giving

Business Report - Individuals fill gaps in corporate giving: "Individuals fill gaps in corporate giving August 29, 2007 By INGI SALGADO Cape Town - Taking steps to ensure that philanthropic giving is purposeful and effective is no longer just the domain of South African corporates or the very wealthy. Individuals are starting to demand greater accountability from the projects they support. And the internet has become a convenient platform from which to match their philanthropic impulses with causes close to their hearts."

Compassionate teener builds homes on her 17th Birthday - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Compassionate teener builds homes on her 17th Birthday - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "Habitat for Humanity is particularly proud of a very special, dedicated volunteer. She is 17-year-old Alexandra Madrigal Eduque. Exposed to Habitat through an immersion program run by the school she attends, International School of Manila, Alex’s “Habititis” became so intense she spent an entire summer building homes for the needy at Baseco Bagong Buhay Village in Tondo, Manila."

Around Tempe: Philanthropy entrenched in city's culture

Around Tempe: Philanthropy entrenched in city's culture: "Around Tempe: Philanthropy entrenched in city's culture
Nancy Puffer Special to The Republic Aug. 28, 2007 07:35 AM
Sometimes people like to give money to a cause as part of celebrating life's milestones, as a way to give back to the community or to remember the less fortunate during holidays and times of prosperity. Tempe has a strong culture of philanthropy that supports a variety of local social service agencies that exist largely through donations. If you don't have a specific charity or favorite cause you support, you might consider donating to the Tempe Community Foundation, a local program that collects monetary donations and uses the interest earned on it in ways that will keep providing a source of money for Tempe charities for many years to come."

Microfinancing: The little loans that could -- and do - 08/20/2007 - MiamiHerald.com

Microfinancing: The little loans that could -- and do - 08/20/2007 - MiamiHerald.com: "Microfinancing: The little loans that could -- and do Mainstream bankers are beginning to get interested in microfinancing. Posted on Mon, Aug. 20, 2007
BY JIM LANDERS Dallas Morning News SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Mexico -- Give a poor woman a loan to help her weave skirts or bake tortillas, and soon her business, her family and her self-image improve. So it was with Esparanza Pérez Garcie, 52, who sells tacos and other foods at her little restaurant in the artisans' marketplace here. Her one-room kitchen and dinette faces a covered patio that fills with noise as southern Mexico's rainy season sends its daily deluge spilling down the mountains. Customers welcome the shelter, and the quesadillas and chalupas sell for 50 cents apiece."

MindaNews - ROUNDTRIP: BANSALAN-HOLLAND: Mindanawon's transnational engagement

MindaNews - ROUNDTRIP: BANSALAN-HOLLAND: Mindanawon's transnational engagement: "GOUDA, The Netherlands NETHERLANDS (MindaNews/26 August) -- Ever heard of diaspora philanthropy? This collective donation by migrant communities to their homeland is increasingly becoming part of the global philanthropic landscape. Sometimes called “transnationalism,” diaspora philanthropy is defined as the process by which immigrants from the same region form a group and pool their resources together to help their hometown as their way of maintaining links with their place of origin."

CTV.ca | Burt Reynolds heading to Toronto for charity event

CTV.ca | Burt Reynolds heading to Toronto for charity event: "Reynolds is being given a lifetime achievement award on Sept. 10 by Best Buddies Canada for his decades of children's charity work in his native state of Florida and beyond. Best Buddies is an international charitable organization dedicated to fostering friendships between students and people with intellectual disabilities."

Reuters AlertNet - Care says no to $46 million

Reuters AlertNet - Care says no to $46 million: "f there's one thing you don't hear of very often in the aid sector, it is relief groups turning down donations. So it's no surprise that Care International's decision to turn down $46 million of U.S. food aid has raised sparks. Care says it will phase out by 2009 'monetised' food aid from the U.S. government. This is effectively surplus grain given by the U.S. to aid groups to ship and sell in the developing world to fund relief programmes. Supporters say it is a legitimate and effective way of raising and transferring money. Critics say it simply distorts local markets, undercuts local farmers and -- put simply -- hurts those it is intended to help."

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News

The Electric New Paper, Singapore - The Electric New Paper News: "WHILE everyone was having fun at the school carnival, one student was busy barking instructions and questions into a walkie-talkie in one hand and a handphone in the other. Click to see larger image

Despite the din and chaos, Charles Lee, 16, had a perpetual smile on his face. After all, this was his event and things were going well. Charles had to celebrate the recent National Day differently from other students. It was a perfect occasion to help the less fortunate, he thought. So, five months ago, the Secondary 3 student at Presbyterian High approached his principal with this suggestion - let's hold a National Day charity carnival."

CPCS - Philanthropy.org

CPCS - Philanthropy.org:
"About the 2008 Program The 2007 Emerging Leaders International Fellows are (back to front; left to right): Rasma Rozenberga, Latvia; Maria Carolina Trevisan, Brazil; Fabiana Hernandez Abreu, Uruguay; Sache Cantu, USA; Allyson Reaves, USA; and Angela Wing Kong Seng, Hong Kong. The Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’s Emerging Leaders International Fellows Program provides leadership training through applied research and professional mentorships for young scholar-practitioners in the nonprofit sector. The program is open to scholars and practitioners interested in building Third-Sector capacity in the United States and overseas. This year’s Fellows will be selected from abroad and also from communities of color under-represented in the U.S. grantmaking sector. Fellows are based at The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, where they design and pursue an individualized research project and participate in a seminar with Third-Sector leaders. Specific topical areas are chosen each year."

Translating CSR into business strategies

Translating CSR into business strategies: "Translating CSR into business strategies By SUSAN TAM KUALA LUMPUR: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are not only about philanthropy but translating these ideas into practical business strategies. Securities Commission chairman Datuk Zarinah Anwar said Malaysian firms were at different levels of development and achievement in implementing CSR-driven efforts."

Three NGOs licensed to open rep. offices in Viet Nam

Three NGOs licensed to open rep. offices in Viet Nam: "Ha Noi (VNA) – Three foreign non-governmental organisations, which have been involved in aid providing programmes in Viet Nam for years, have been licensed to extend their operation and open representative offices in the country."

Maximum estate, gift tax rates to be lowered to 40% - The China Post

Maximum estate, gift tax rates to be lowered to 40% - The China Post: "The Cabinet finalized a plan yesterday to reform the country's estate and gift taxation system that will lower the maximum rates for the two categories of taxes from 50 percent at present to 40 percent."

Charities Aid Foundation - Charities clock up on compliance

Charities Aid Foundation - Charities clock up on compliance: "Charities clock up on compliance 22 August 2007 Clock with pound signsA news survey has shown that half of UK charities spend between 28 and 50 days every year in efforts to implement new legislation."

Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca

Nova Scotia News - TheChronicleHerald.ca: "Association president Mitch Gillingwater said Ms. Lucas will receive $2,500 for year one and $3,750 for each of her following three years while completing her bachelor of arts, with a major in psychology. The cash comes from a special student-run fundraising campaign, created to improve access to post-secondary education. 'It’s very unique — no other student union or student association across Canada has engaged in such a large fundraising campaign to create an opportunity bursary like this,' Mr. Gillingwater said Monday. The association even received honourable mention this June at the 2007 Maritime Philanthropy Awards and has been approached by the University of Lethbridge in Alberta for advice on how to start up a similar initiative."

Artists get fellowship grants - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Artists get fellowship grants - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "The Asian Cultural Council Philippines (ACCP) announces this year’s recipients of fellowship grants who will observe, conduct research, and study their respective artistic specializations."

Osprey Media. - The Kingston Whig-Standard - Ontario, CA

Osprey Media. - The Kingston Whig-Standard - Ontario, CA: "Swimmer determined to cross Lake Ontario; Fourteen-year-old to retry record attempt Lisa Jemison Local news - Saturday, August 18, 2007 @ 00:00 Two-and-a-half weeks after 12-foot waves forced Natalie Lambert to shore in her bid to swim across Lake Ontario, she's jumping right back in. Lambert has announced that on Aug. 27 she will make her second attempt at becoming the youngest person to swim 52 kolometres from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto. Her swim, dubbed the Swim the Difference Marathon, will continue to raise funds for the Y Knot Abilities programs. The 14-year-old said she is more confident heading back to the lake."

Youths discover gift of birthday giving - Yahoo! Canada News

Youths discover gift of birthday giving - Yahoo! Canada News: "ALGARY (CBC) - A handful of children and teenagers are making donations instead of accepting gifts on their birthdays, in what some are calling a growing trend in philanthropy. ADVERTISEMENT 'We are seeing more recent examples here in Calgary,' said Keith Steel, director of the Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal College. 'I think that there's an increasing degree of social consciousness among young people, and they actually want to do something.'"

How to avoid paying inheritance tax - Times Online

How to avoid paying inheritance tax - Times Online: "How to avoid paying inheritance tax The simplest way to avoid inheritance tax (IHT) is to make gifts while you are still alive. Every tax year you can give away £3,000 of assets and they will not count towards your estate for IHT. If you do not use up the full exemption in one year you can carry it forward, but for one year only. Gifts of up to £250 to an unlimited number of different individuals are also tax-exempt, but you cannot use both exemptions to give to the same person. You can also give £5,000 to your children as a wedding gift. Grandparents can hand over £2,500, and anyone else can give £1,000."

Charities Aid Foundation - Students should not be charity mugs

Charities Aid Foundation - Students should not be charity mugs: "Students should not be charity mugs 17 August 2007 Mother holding childThe Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) has warned that students wanting to volunteer during their gap year should check charities' credentials."

Online Recruitment - Charities lose up to 50 days a year preparing for new legislation

Online Recruitment - Charities lose up to 50 days a year preparing for new legislation: "Charities lose up to 50 days a year preparing for new legislation 17/08/2007 Half of organisations in the charity sector spend between 28 and 50 days each year keeping abreast of and complying with new legislation, according to new research. 13% spend more than 50 days on compliance while a further 13% write off 13-25 days a year to new legislation. Only a quarter spend fewer than 13 days preparing for legislation. Yet 43% of charities believe that the recently introduced equality & diversity legislation doesn’t go far enough to encourage equality and diversity in the workplace. 3 out of 4 respondents (71%) believe that many organisations pay lip service to equality and diversity but few deliver on their promises."

Kerre Woodham: Why giving generously is a sign we're evolving - 12 Aug 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

Kerre Woodham: Why giving generously is a sign we're evolving - 12 Aug 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news: "And behind the pictures in the social pages, and beyond the black ties and the boobs and the bling, are people who think nothing of forking out thousands of dollars to support worthy causes. Philanthropy and altruism are relatively new concepts for Kiwis who have grown up with a welfare state. For generations, we've accepted that the state will provide, but increasingly, as the state is providing less and individuals are demanding more, we've looking to the wealthy to make up the shortfall."

Private charity pledges welfare assistance to Arab local councils - Haaretz - Israel News

Private charity pledges welfare assistance to Arab local councils - Haaretz - Israel News: "Private charity pledges welfare assistance to Arab local councils By Yoav Stern and Yair Sheleg, Haaretz Correspondents A private charity has announced plans to donate funds to local Arab councils in Israel, in a move that will substantially increase their budgets for public welfare. The president of the National Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Rabbi Yehiel Eckstein, approved this week the expansion of the group's operations in 20 Bedouin and Druze municipalities by NIS 1.7 million, in addition to the NIS 9 million it already supplies to other Arab municipalities."

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Northeast

The Telegraph - Calcutta : Northeast: "Guwahati, Aug. 8: Undaunted by the charges of alleged nexus with rebel outfits and misappropriation of funds, NGOs in the Northeast have pledged to rebuild their image and carry on their work to reach out to more people across the region.

Joining them in their endeavour is the UK-based Resource Alliance, a non-profit group, which, along with various non-governmental organisations, attended a seminar today."

Charitable approach needed to encourage philanthropy - Media, Business - Independent.ie

Charitable approach needed to encourage philanthropy - Media, Business - Independent.ie: "Charitable approach needed to encourage philanthropy

Legislative problems work against a philanthropic culture here

By Joe Brennan
Thursday August 09 2007

CHARITY would appear to be alive and well in Ireland, with figures out this week showing that Daffodil Day, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, raised a record €3.8m in aid of the Irish Cancer Society this year.

'There's no doubt that we're a charitable society, but it's a spontaneous thing with us,' said Kingsley Aikins, chief executive of The Worldwide Ireland Funds. 'However, there isn't a philanthropic culture of planned or strategic giving.'"

Channelnewsasia.com-"Over 3,800 Singaporeans to receive National Day Awards this year

Channelnewsasia.com: "Over 3,800 Singaporeans to receive National Day Awards this year
By Foo Siew Shyan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 August 2007 1811 hrs

Special Report
• National Day 2007

SINGAPORE : A former politician, a social service sector stalwart and a late unionist.

They are the 3,824 Singaporeans who have been named in this year's National Day Awards.

1441 of those honoured are women, about 400 more than last year."

ePolitix.com - Charity funding 'too complex'

ePolitix.com - Charity funding 'too complex': "Parliament's spending watchdog has criticised the 'baroque complexity' of funding arrangements for national charities.

In a report published on Wednesday, the National Audit Office said the public services of 12 large charities, including the British Red Cross and Citizens Advice, were undermined by a lack of co-ordination in the delivery of funding.

Some £742m of public funds go to the voluntary sector from a range of bodies including central government departments, local authorities and primary care trusts"

The Scotsman - International - Stars back £1m appeal to help victims of South Asia flooding

The Scotsman - International - Stars back £1m appeal to help victims of South Asia flooding: "A £1 million appeal was launched today to help some of the most vulnerable people hit by severe flooding in India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

More than 360 people died and 20 million people were affected by flooding caused by two weeks of persistent rain."

Kate pulls out of charity boat race | UK Latest | Guardian Unlimited

Kate pulls out of charity boat race | UK Latest | Guardian Unlimited: "Kate Middleton has pulled out of a charity boat race due to security concerns surrounding media coverage of the event, organisers have said.

Prince William's on-off girlfriend has been in training with an all-female team who will compete against a group of men in the Beauty v Brawn challenge across the Channel."

theedgedaily.com-Rat Race hits record-breaking RM1.5m

theedgedaily.com: "At 5pm today, look out for the familiar sight of people in their office wear, and some eye-catching costumes, racing through the main business district of Kuala Lumpur.

It’s the return of The Edge-Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Rat Race, which is briskly running into its eighth edition this year.

This year’s event has set another new record with the participation of 116 teams of five runners each from 71 local and foreign, private and public-listed companies."

Channelnewsasia.com

Channelnewsasia.com: "SINGAPORE: Some 100 people spent a total of 24 hours on a stationary bicycle in a cycling marathon organised by the Down Syndrome Association (DSA) and the Lions Club of Singapore Metropolitan to raise public awareness of the condition.

Among the participants were 16 youths, aged 9 to 25, with Down Syndrome."

The Herald : News: OTHER NEWS

The Herald : News: OTHER NEWS: "t has been criticised as commercial and egocentric but philanthropy is emerging in at least one component of Edinburgh's festival season.

For every ticket bought for the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, a child in Malawi will be fed for a month.

The festival, one of a number running throughout August in the capital, includes high-profile international speakers such as Baltasar Garzon, the Spanish judge best known for indicting former Chilean dictator General Pinochet, philanthropist Sir Tom Farmer and philosopher Julian Baggini."

Canadian nonprofit answers call for assistive IT

Canadian nonprofit answers call for assistive IT: "As it often happens, it was Nigel Livingston's own differently abled child who inspired him to form CanAssist, the nonprofit assistive technology group that, earlier this month, was recognized for its efforts with a $750,000 Canadian ($704,000 U.S.) grant from the provincial government.

CanAssist is run out of and is partially funded by the University of Victoria, where the seven-year organization got off the ground with a simple request from a community member. After a near-drowning accident, a young man became blind and experienced spasms where his finger would lock into place."

Channelnewsasia.com

Channelnewsasia.com: "President Nathan graces inaugural Yellow Ribbon Charity Gala
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 August 2007 2358 hrs


SINGAPORE : Prison inmates showcased their talents at the inaugural Yellow Ribbon Charity Gala on Friday evening.

Among the audience was Guest of Honour President SR Nathan."

“Business shouldn’t be the government’s business.” - Nepali Times

“Business shouldn’t be the government’s business.” - Nepali Times: "You continue to equate microcredit with social business and Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, thinks that it should be commercialised to reach millions more poor people.
Omidyar sees microcredit as a profit-maximising business. I see it as a social business to help the poorest, and we keep on fighting (laughs). I define a social business as a non-loss, non-dividend business that is different from philanthropy in that a social business returns the invested money to its owners. Micro credit should be a social business. We do it to help the poor get their rice. When the poor become rich enough to have that 15-course dinner, then commercial bankers can come in, offer additional financial services and make money off them. Until then, the profit-maximising approach is similar to that of village money-lenders who come with gleaming eyes. Omidyar understands returns, and he is arguing on behalf of a business principle, which I understand."

Saipan Tribune

Saipan Tribune: "ll that philanthropic effort Binsol tried to execute-from the first mile (Japan) to the last mile (the Philippines)-using her computer. She never forgot thanking 50 Filipino donors from seven countries through the website of Binsol's cyber nonprofit group Tulong Pinoy Movement, www.tpmovers.org.

Binsol won't be clicking her mouse anymore: the 36-year-old died in Japan recently"

United Way invests $9-million in Peel

United Way invests $9-million in Peel: "Mississauga - United Way of Peel Region plans to invest more than $9-million in 2007/08 to help improve social conditions so that everyone in Peel can thrive. The funding for local use comes from donors who contributed to the 2006 campaign. An additional $2.9-million raised in 2006 was designated by donors to other United Ways and registered charities."

The Jakarta Post - NGO, retailer form 'green team'

The Jakarta Post - NGO, retailer form 'green team': "NGO, retailer form 'green team'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A Singapore-based fashion retailer and an environmental non-governmental organization launched Tuesday a 'going green' collaboration to create a better and healthier environment.

'We have asked our staff and customers to start thinking about the importance of the environment, in order to help reduce the effects of global warming,' said Ravelra Supit, the marketing communication manager of the Club 21 clothes retailer."

The business of ethics remixed | Hard News

The business of ethics remixed | Hard News: "The business of ethics remixed

Corporations have to integrate 'social responsibility' into their business agenda to protect environmental, social and human rights of the vast majority

Sudhir K Sinha Delhi

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a highly misunderstood and misinterpreted term in India. The core of CSR is what a company essentially does in terms of philanthropy or charity in the community in which it operates. This understanding of 'India Inc.' has traditionally been continued, practised and modelled vis-à-vis the evolving global understanding of CSR that takes a larger view of business impacts and helps business achieve a balance or integration of economic, environmental and social imperatives."

Charities Aid Foundation - Scots could fail charity test

Charities Aid Foundation - Scots could fail charity test: "Scots could fail charity test

1 August 2007

Thousands of Scottish charities could lose their charitable status and face fees after one charity failed a new charity test due to a technicality.

After the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) was one of eight Scottish charities to face a pilot charity test, due to language issues, lawyers say that most charities formed before 2005 are unlikely to pass the test."