Walnut Creek Scouts Go South of the Border - Health - redOrbit

Walnut Creek Scouts Go South of the Border - Health - redOrbit: "MEMBERS OF Walnut Creek Girl Scout Troop 31693 are super summer travelers. During June and July, 10 of the girls headed south of the border to Cuernavaca, Mexico, for a Friendship Session at Nuestra Cabana, one of the worldwide Girl Scout and Girl Guide event centers.

Accompanied by adults Kandi Lancaster, a teacher at Walnut Creek Intermediate School and the travel troop leader, and Jennifer Smith of San Jose, the Cabana hosts up to 100 girls and the Walnut Creek contingent made new friends from the states of Texas, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, as well as from such countries as Peru, Canada and Portugal, said Lancaster."

Princess Mary glams up for dinner - Breaking News - National - Breaking News

Princess Mary glams up for dinner - Breaking News - National - Breaking News: "Denmark's Crown Princess Mary moved along the red carpet through the National Gallery of Victoria's Art Deco entrance in a black cocktail dress looking every bit the chic jet-setter she has become.

The occasion was The Alannah And Madeline Foundation dinner, an organisation that works to keep children safe from violence.

Princess Mary is its international patron."

Students to get marks for charity work - Times Online

Students to get marks for charity work - Times Online: "University students who volunteer with a charity or complete work-placements during their studies could earn marks towards their degrees, under a new nationwide credit-based system.

Under a new credits system, to be introduced in England from September 2009, students will be able to build up credits, or points, for the number of hours of work put in to their study and the level of achievement attained."

Bank’s charity event attracts 900 participants

Bank’s charity event attracts 900 participants: "SCOPE International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered Plc., United Kingdom, organised a 5km Mass Walk recently to raise RM80,000 to benefit children living with HIV/AIDS and other underprivileged groups."

Independent charity regulator is long overdue - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Independent charity regulator is long overdue - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "The Australian landscape is densely populated with charities, a positive feature in light of the two million Australians who live in poverty, the one billion people globally who live on less than a dollar a day, and the millions more who need assistance that only the not-for-profit sector can provide."

Charity in Bulgaria begins to take new meaning - Life news

Charity in Bulgaria begins to take new meaning - Life news: "Charity in Bulgaria begins to take new meaning
18:18 Thu 28 Aug 2008 - Svetlana Guineva


Bulgarians are becoming more charity-oriented and are willing to set aside more money or personal time for charitable causes, representatives from three NGOs told a news conference on August 28. But people wishing to donate should exercise more caution when selecting a cause to support, participants from the Bulgarian Donor’s Forum (BDF), the Bulgarian Charities Aid Foundation (BCAF) and website save-darina.org, said."

Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea

Digital Chosunilbo (English Edition) : Daily News in English About Korea: "Korean wave star and actor Won Bin, who was named goodwill ambassador for UNICEF last year, has joined Louis Vuitton and men’s magazine GQ, this time for a new charity project."

Donors back charities that 'invest according to objectives' - Third Sector

Donors back charities that 'invest according to objectives' - Third Sector: "Donors back charities that 'invest according to objectives'

By David Ainsworth, Third Sector Online, 11 August 2008

Five in six people are more likely to give money to a charity if it has an investment policy consistent with its own objectives, according to a new survey from the Ethical Investment Research Service."

Charity cash to help grass roots groups

Charity cash to help grass roots groups: "VOLUNTARY groups in South Devon are to benefit from their share of a £2.8million charity cash pot.

Grant-giving charity Devon Community Foundation has been given the cash to help support community groups and kick-start investment in community projects.

Voluntary groups already on the frontline in tackling social exclusion and building better communities in Torbay and South Devon will be able to apply for their share of additional grants, worth around £180,000.

Money will also be used to help encourage businesses to donate to local causes by providing match funding."

The Province

The Province: "This month, pharmacy chain London Drugs is helping to donate more lenses.

The program is called 'Get Style, Give Sight.' For every pair of Infokus-brand reading glasses purchased at the chain this month, a pair will be donated to the Society.

Since 1995, the organization has supplied close to 50,000 people in 14 countries with prescription lenses — among them Zanzibar, Kenya, Guatemala, Peru, India, Malawi and Cambodia."

Wrexham aid worker says cash making difference in Kenya - Evening Leader

Wrexham aid worker says cash making difference in Kenya - Evening Leader: "A WREXHAM-based aid worker has returned from Kenya where she visited communities recovering from last year's post-election violence as well as those dealing with increasing droughts."

AIDS 2008 | Spanish, Latin American NGOs Sign Declaration Urging Governments To Prioritize Efforts To Fight HIV/AIDS - Kaisernetwork.org

AIDS 2008 | Spanish, Latin American NGOs Sign Declaration Urging Governments To Prioritize Efforts To Fight HIV/AIDS - Kaisernetwork.org: "IDS 2008 | Spanish, Latin American NGOs Sign Declaration Urging Governments To Prioritize Efforts To Fight HIV/AIDS
[Aug 08, 2008]

At the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City on Wednesday, more than 30 nongovernmental organizations from Spain and Latin America signed a declaration calling on governments in Latin America to increase efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, Xinhua/People's Daily reports. The declaration calls on governments to prioritize HIV/AIDS in ties between Spain and Latin American countries."

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Ambush-hit NGO stops Afghan work

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Ambush-hit NGO stops Afghan work: "An aid group has suspended its work in Afghanistan - after 20 years - following the killing of three female aid workers in an ambush near Kabul."

Taliban wages war on aid groups | csmonitor.com

Taliban wages war on aid groups | csmonitor.com: "Kabul, Afghanistan - A Wednesday attack that killed three Western aid workers in Afghanistan raises concerns that the Taliban is attempting to force the expulsion of all foreign humanitarian workers from the troubled country.

'This was the worst attack in many years and is a major escalation of hostilities,' says Sayed Rahim Satar, vice chairman of the Afghan NGO Coordinating Bureau."

VOA News - Olympic Sponsors Represent Force for Change in China

VOA News - Olympic Sponsors Represent Force for Change in China: "Corporate sponsorship of the Olympics is now a long and accepted part of the games. By supporting the games, corporations hope to cash in on both the publicity and goodwill generated by the world's most watched athletic competition."

Living in Peru » News » Bill Clinton, Frank Giustra & Carlos Slim donate $10 million to Peru's needy

Living in Peru » News » Bill Clinton, Frank Giustra & Carlos Slim donate $10 million to Peru's needy: "The donation was announced during a meeting between former President Clinton and the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Alberto Moreno in Mexico City."

Mega-donations: NUS, NTU bag biggest sums

Mega-donations: NUS, NTU bag biggest sums: "WHEN it comes to pulling in mega-donations, universities lead the pack, The Straits Times has found.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) drew $112 million and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), $72 million, in their last financial year. In the case of NUS, four in five donors in its last financial year were alumni.

Both institutions are no stranger to big gifts. In the 2005/06 financial year, for instance, NUS received $154 million; NTU, $65.2 million in its 2005 financial year."

Asian Philanthropy Forum: State of the world's wealth

Asian Philanthropy Forum: State of the world's wealth: "India, China and Brazil had the highest growth of high net worth individuals (HNWI) at the country level according to the latest Merrill Lynch and Capgemini report, World Wealth Report 2008. Driven by market capitalization growth in emerging countries, the wealth of the world's HNWIs increased by 9.4% in 2007. In 2007, 10.1 million individuals worldwide held at least US$1 million in financial assets, an increase of 6.0% over 2006. Understanding where the wealthy are, how they invest and following these trends provides us a glimpse into how they approach their charitable investments."

VAT reform threatens jobs of charity staff - Telegraph

VAT reform threatens jobs of charity staff - Telegraph: "The Treasury has 'grossly underestimated' the cost of imposing VAT on the wages of temporary social care and charity workers, locum doctors and financial services staff and if it pushes ahead it will lead to significant job losses, the recruitment industry has warned.

The measure, announced by Alistair Darling in March, will withdraw a concession granted in 1998 to agencies supplying temporary staff in industries that are zero-rated for VAT. It will force agencies to charge VAT to their customers, including NHS Trusts and charities, which they cannot reclaim."

Philanthropy in a time of recession - will anything give? - The Irish Times - Wed, Aug 06, 2008

Philanthropy in a time of recession - will anything give? - The Irish Times - Wed, Aug 06, 2008: "ANALYSIS: Despite the economy's darkening shadow, Irish people must keep tackling social inequities, writes Jackie Harrison

OVER THE last few weeks, a number of people have asked me whether the current downturn in the economy will sound the death knell for philanthropy in Ireland, which is after all only in its infancy."

Taipei Filipinos lead fundraising for Aklan - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Taipei Filipinos lead fundraising for Aklan - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "MANILA, Philippines -- A charity drive supported by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (Meco) in Taipei raised NT$100,000 (roughly P145,000) for the victims of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen) in Aklan."

Charity looking to rope in volunteers - WalesOnline

Charity looking to rope in volunteers - WalesOnline: "EVER fancied experiencing the thrill of abseiling 80ft down the side of the Civic Centre in Ebbw Vale? Well now’s your chance!

Children’s charity NCH Cymru has organised an abseil down the borough civic building on Saturday, October 11."

Salvos raise record $71 million - Breaking News - National - Breaking News

Salvos raise record $71 million - Breaking News - National - Breaking News: "he Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal has raised a record $71 million this year, despite the difficult economic times.

The overall appeal, including doorknock, direct mail and business donations, raised just over two per cent more than last year."

New accounting standards proposed for charities

New accounting standards proposed for charities: "New accounting standards proposed for charities
By Theresa Tan
'These draft proposals reflect our aspirations to promote greater transparency and accountability of the charity sector by improving the standards of financial accounting and reporting,' said Mr Low (above). -- PHOTO: ZAOBAO
IN a move to ensure more transparency and accountability, the Accounting Standards Council (ASC) is proposing that all charities comply with one set of its new accounting standards, regardless of their size or status.

Mr Low Puk Yeong, Commissioner of Charities, who is also chairman of the ASC committee for charities, said the draft proposals have taken into account feedback given by the charity sector, auditors and public donors."

Singapore: S’poreans Donate Billions To Charities | My Sinchew

Singapore: S’poreans Donate Billions To Charities | My Sinchew: "he report put paid to a popular perception: that donor fatigue, especially in the light of scandals involving big-name charities, had taken hold. In fact, individuals donated about 40 per cent more to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs): $255 million ($187 million dollar) last year, compared to $184 million ($185 million dollar) in 2006. IPCs are charities that are allowed to give donors tax exemptions such as the National Kidney Foundation."

Walking for charity

Walking for charity: "* Central
* North
* South & East
* Sunday

Star Space
Saturday August 2, 2008
Walking for charity

PERMANIS Sdn Bhd, the bottler for PepsiCo International, joined hands with the Malaysian Insurance Institute to stage the Insurance and Takaful Walk 2008 recently.

The walk-a-thon, which started from Dataran Merdeka, covered a 5km and 7km route and was a charitable event for the Persatuan Keba­jikan Kakitangan Jabatan Penyiaran RTM to benefit the underprivileged."

Charity begins at work - Service Industries - Management Today

Charity begins at work - Service Industries - Management Today: "Helping employees donate to charity via your payroll costs nothing - and charities end up better off...

Here at MT we’re big fans of Workplace Giving, a Government scheme to get more people donating to charity via their employer. The benefits are obvious: if you make a charitable donation out of your net salary, you have to pay tax on it first. But if the donation comes straight off your gross salary, your chosen charity gets all the tax payable – without the Revenue taking its pound of flesh. So for a higher rate taxpayer, your £60 donation to Oxfam is magically transformed into £100, without you or your employer needing to spend an extra penny. Apparently if every donor did this, it would yield an extra £900m a year for charity (although presumably it would all come out of the Treasury’s coffers, which wouldn’t please the Prime Minister at the moment)."

Macau Daily Times - Charity Poker tournament raises HK$88,500 for Caritas

Macau Daily Times - Charity Poker tournament raises HK$88,500 for Caritas: "Charity Poker tournament raises HK$88,500 for Caritas PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 01 August 2008
The Macau Cup that was held in the PokerStars Macau Poker Room at the Grand Waldo Casino raised HK$88,500 for Macau Caritas last week.
The Cup is held every two months and its charity tournament on July 25 collected HK$1,500 from every of the 59 player and the sum was later donated to Macau Caritas."

Kevin Rudd gives wealthy a serve on charity | The Australian

Kevin Rudd gives wealthy a serve on charity | The Australian: "KEVIN Rudd has challenged the corporate sector and wealthy individuals to lift their support of charitable causes, accusing them of failing to pull their philanthropic weight.

The Prime Minister said last night that Australians were the world's second-most generous private donors to non-government aid organisations.

But he said research suggested affluent individuals and companies were giving at a lower rate than their counterparts in comparable countries such as Britain, the US and Canada."

The art of corporate sponsorship - Press & Journal

The art of corporate sponsorship - Press & Journal: "The art of corporate sponsorship
David Priestley, director of leading global recruiters Source-People, discusses how companies can benefit from sponsoring art-based projects

Published: 01/08/2008

CORPORATE sponsorship of the arts is becoming a popular means by which organisations can achieve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims; last year donations from UK businesses totaled over £170million."