Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News

Charities Wiped Out By Madoff Mess, CBS Evening News: $50 Billion Ponzi Scheme Especially Damaging To Charities - CBS News: "(CBS) Because of Bernie Madoff, Deborah Coltin is out of a job and a 401k retirement account, reports CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor. But for her, even more devastating is the impact on others.

'It is extremely tough for me to believe it and for the community to believe it,' Coltin said. 'We've been in a state of disbelief.'"

Philanthropist 'thrilled' - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

Philanthropist 'thrilled' - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA: "native, Ratcliffe was officially made a member of the Order of Canada yesterday for her philanthropy. She has supported a wide variety of community groups, charities and arts organizations in Kingston as well as in Newfoundland and Labrador.

'You give back to the places that nurtured you,' Ratcliffe said."

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Jakarta Globe

Jakarta Globe: "Ministry Backing Military Nonprofits

The Indonesian Armed Forces should be allowed to keep its small nonprofit cooperatives and foundations despite being required by law to sell off all its business interests, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said on Tuesday.

The House of Representatives passed a law in 2004 requiring the government to take over all military-owned businesses by 2009, but the Defense Ministry wants to allow the military to keep cooperatives that provide cheap basic commodities and small saving schemes for low-ranking soldiers, and foundations which offer inexpensive education for their children.

“Low-ranking soldiers and their families really need them,” Juwono said."

Donations flood in for Poppy Appeal - The Bourne Local

Donations flood in for Poppy Appeal - The Bourne Local: "Published Date: 02 January 2009
By Amy Morrish
DONATIONS totalling more than £23,000 have flooded in for two branches of the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appea"

Monday, December 22, 2008

Channelnewsasia.com

Channelnewsasia.com: "Charities expect public donations to fall in 2009
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 December 2008 1643 hrs


Photos of




SINGAPORE: Charities in Singapore are bracing themselves for the worst in 2009, and some have already seen corporate funding dip in the last quarter of 2008.

Getting the public to donate is set to be harder in 2009 with the economic crunch."

Friday, December 19, 2008

Philanthropy UK : Giving and getting: a view from both sides of the fence

Philanthropy UK : Giving and getting: a view from both sides of the fence: "By Dame Vivien Duffield DBE
Dame Vivien Duffield DBE

Dame Vivien Duffield DBE. Photo © Southbank Centre/Geoff Crawford

My Foundation director tells me that she’s having a lot of meetings with elephants at the moment. Not real ones I hasten to add. But she describes meetings in which capital plans are talked up with great confidence and no mention is made of the difficult fundraising climate in which these buildings are to be constructed: the ‘elephant in the room’ is the global economic downturn which is affecting us all and which will clearly affect many major capital projects in the coming months. She could as easily tell me that she is taking meetings with ostriches who are placing their heads resolutely in the sand. Fundraising is not an easy task right now, but honesty and objectivity are clearly the best approaches when talking to funders."

Non-profit sector comes together - CathNews

Non-profit sector comes together - CathNews: "Australia's non-profit sector will hold a 'historic' meeting at Parliament House in Canberra today to discuss mechanisms for effective national representation of the nation's 700,000 non profit organisations.

Decision makers representing philanthropy, welfare, overseas aid and many other endeavours will attend this inaugural meeting of Australia's third sector, a Catholic Social Services Australia statement says."

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Giving - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Giving - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos: "Who tends to donate more to social causes? Men or women? The rich or the poor? What kind of causes do Filipinos favor for their donations?

These were some of the questions tackled at a workshop last week organized by the Venture for Fund Raising for nongovernmental organizations. Many of these NGOs have depended mainly on grants from foreign donors. With the Philippines now considered a middle-income country, many of these donors are reducing their grants here, or are pulling out completely, so NGOs have to think about how they can diversify their funding base."

Charitable giving at Christmas

Charitable giving at Christmas: "Charitable giving at Christmas
Donating to charities during the holidays is fast becoming a tradition for families hoping to add meaning to their lives
Darah Hansen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Thursday, December 18, 2008

This year, as she has in the past, Vancouver resident Virginia Evans is giving someone the gift of sight for Christmas."

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Charity Finance | More public benefit guidance unveiled

Charity Finance | More public benefit guidance unveiled: "The Charity Commission has published supplementary public benefit guidance for four more types of charity – those that prevent or relieve poverty; those that advance religion, or education, and those that charge fees.

The additional guidance seeks to help charities in those sectors meet the new public benefit test that was introduced as part of the Charities Act 2006. The presumption that charities provide public benefit was removed in the Act, and charities must now prove that they benefit society."

Charity Governance | International NGOs ‘weak on complaints handling’

Charity Governance | International NGOs ‘weak on complaints handling’: "International NGOs ‘weak on complaints handling’

Accountability report coverInternational NGOs are more accountable than other international organisations but remain weak on transparency and complaints handling, according to the One World Trust’s 2008 Global Accountability Report.

The average score for INGOs’ overall accountability was 60 per cent, compared with 57 per cent for intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) and 49 per cent for transnational corporations.

However, that score dipped to 41 per cent in terms of transparency, and 33 per cent for external complaints handling."

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Hindus rally for Muslim charity

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Hindus rally for Muslim charity: "Hundreds of members of Pakistan's Hindu community have turned out to protest on behalf of a Muslim charity accused by India over the deadly Mumbai attacks.

The protesters in the city of Hyderabad in Sindh province complained that Jamaat-ud-Dawa was not a terrorist organisation and should not be banned."

Unwrapping the gift of giving - Lifestyle, Frontpage - Independent.ie

Unwrapping the gift of giving - Lifestyle, Frontpage - Independent.ie: "We Irish enjoy a reputation for generosity when it comes to charitable giving. Even with the recession biting, not-for-profit organisations are counting on a Christmas boost to coffers from well-intentioned shoppers.

General donations are down across the board this year --"

Ces people floués par Madoff - Bernard Madoff, scandale, escroquerie, Steven Spielberg, Elie Wiesel, fondations - Toute l'actu sur Lejdd.fr

Ces people floués par Madoff - Bernard Madoff, scandale, escroquerie, Steven Spielberg, Elie Wiesel, fondations - Toute l'actu sur Lejdd.fr: "L'existence de plusieurs fondations est aujourd'hui menacée. 'Je n'ai jamais vu une situation où des organisations disparaissent purement et simplement', a commenté Michael Nilsen, haut responsable de l'Association des professionnels de la collecte de fonds."

Fraude de ex-presidente da Nasdaq afeta entidades beneficentes - Abril.com

Fraude de ex-presidente da Nasdaq afeta entidades beneficentes - Abril.com: "Já vimos essas irregularidades acontecerem às vezes, e ela afeta as verbas das fundações. Mas trabalho aqui há dez anos e nunca vi uma situação em que as organizações simplesmente desaparecessem', disse Michael Nilsen, diretor-associado da Associação dos Arrecadadores Profissionais."

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Private Schools In Fee Revamp To Stay As Charities (from The Herald )

Private Schools In Fee Revamp To Stay As Charities (from The Herald ): "Leading Scottish private schools yesterday unveiled radical changes to their fees structures as they battle to retain charitable status - opening their doors to large numbers of pupils from less-wealthy families."

NZers second most charitable in Asia Pacific region - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz

NZers second most charitable in Asia Pacific region - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz: "New Zealanders are the second most charitable in the Asia/Pacific region, according to MasterCard's September survey of 6019 people across 14 countries.

Indonesia was the most charitable country with 88.3 percent of consumers planning to make donations and Australia came in third with 66 percent of consumers."

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dare for a good cause

Dare for a good cause: "TOP executives at NTUC Income are bending over backwards for charity - literally. On Friday, its CEO Tan Suee Chieh held a yoga lesson for 60 staff members, who each paid $10 or $20 for the 30-minute session.

Mr Tan, who has been doing yoga for three years, said he had asked his staff to go out of their way for charity, and wanted to lead by example."

Thursday, December 11, 2008

National do-not-call system goes into effect Tuesday

National do-not-call system goes into effect Tuesday: "The CRTC says calls will not stop immediately upon registration, as telemarketers have 31 days to update their own no-call lists.

Exceptions to the list include calls from charities, political parties, polling companies, newspapers selling subscriptions and organizations with which the consumer has an existing business relationship."

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

reportonbusiness.com: SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY IS THRIVING

reportonbusiness.com: SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY IS THRIVING: "The survey of 93 of Canada's largest companies found that 97 per cent made financial donations to charities and non-profit groups, with a median value of $340,000. Half of the donor companies exceeded the standard of giving

1 per cent of pre-tax profits, as recommended by Imagine's 'Caring Company' program."

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | Promoting Better Governance

eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform | Promoting Better Governance: "The Office of the Third Sector today announced plans to commission independent research into the licensing system for public charitable collections.

The Government aims to develop a new licensing scheme for public charitable collections that will facilitate responsible fundraising and at the same time deter bogus collections and prevent any nuisance to the public."

Bill Clinton Discloses Donors Behind Global Initiative Meeting in Asia | 44 | washingtonpost.com

Bill Clinton Discloses Donors Behind Global Initiative Meeting in Asia | 44 | washingtonpost.com: "Bill Clinton Discloses Donors Behind Global Initiative Meeting in Asia

By Philip Rucker
Former president Bill Clinton, who agreed to make his charitable activities more transparent in an accord with President-elect Barack Obama that paved the way for his wife to become Obama's secretary of state, today disclosed the sponsors of last week's Clinton Global Initiative meeting in Hong Kong."

CSR Asia - Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia

CSR Asia - Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia: "The research findings show unsurprising awareness levels and understanding of CSR, ranging from that limited to philanthropy to an understanding of all CSR issues and an ability to relate them to the business. It also interesting to determine how companies are managing CSR, this research found that four out of thirteen companies have dedicated CSR managers and teams, while at the other end of the scale, other companies have a member of the corporate communications team that oversees CSR. It was found that these individuals had a lower level of awareness than the dedicated CSR Managers."

Saturday, December 06, 2008

'Philanthropy has a place in the financial crisis' | Home >> Best of the Philippines >> Social Responsibility | Charity | Public Service

'Philanthropy has a place in the financial crisis' | Home >> Best of the Philippines >> Social Responsibility | Charity | Public Service: "HONG KONG – While the common view is that philanthropy could be one of the victims of the current global economic crisis as corporate, family and individual giving shrinks with bottom lines bottoming out and portfolio values slashed by plummeting stock prices, a leading Filipino industrialist has advocated a new model of philanthropy that is “integrated directly into the core business” of a corporation."

National Digest - Top Stories - (HometownAnnapolis.com)

National Digest - Top Stories - (HometownAnnapolis.com): "SEATTLE - U.S. charitable foundations gave money to international causes at record levels in 2007 and their contributions are likely to increase again this year, says a report by an organization that monitors philanthropy."

Arts Centre has big plans for $20 million endowment fund - Arts - Entertainment

Arts Centre has big plans for $20 million endowment fund - Arts - Entertainment: "'This is a deliberate commitment to the long haul by broadening and deepening our programming,' he says.

'It involves very significant funds so that we are much more than a venue management depending on hirer companies for the shows in our theatres.'

He says other centres in Australia and the region are prepared to collaborate to increase their resources.

'We are extending our horizons to a new level of international co-operation that was unthinkable five years ago.'"

Next-gen philanthropy emerges, even in Tampa

Next-gen philanthropy emerges, even in Tampa: "'Three years ago, when Brink was 26, his father began the process of selling his stock in the company he'd owned, beverage company Mona Vie. That's when the younger Brink began looking for ways to funnel some of the profits back to Brazil, the source of fruits like acai berry that were used in Mona Vie drinks. He set up a partnership with a pastor in the Rio de Janeiro slums, which ultimately provided tutoring services to more than 1,000 children. With the company's sale complete, Brink will move on to manage the philanthropic activities of his now-wealthy family.'"

Friday, December 05, 2008

Thefts fail to derail Poppy Appeal record (From Oxford Mail)

Thefts fail to derail Poppy Appeal record (From Oxford Mail): "RECORD donations have been made to the Poppy Appeal in Wantage this year, despite cash being stolen from two tins in the town.

The organiser of the appeal in Wantage and Charlton has thanked the public for their support in raising £12,832 for this year’s appeal — £1,500 more than last year."

Philanthropy awards share the positive spirit of movie great Chaplin - The Mainichi Daily News

Philanthropy awards share the positive spirit of movie great Chaplin - The Mainichi Daily News: "On the first day of the last month of this year, when the cold winds of depression were blowing hard, an awards ceremony was held in Tokyo. It is the 'Machikado Philanthropist Award' ('machikado' meaning a street corner) by the Japan Philanthropic Association, to recognize those who have made donations that played a positive role in society."

In Asia, American-Style Fund Raising Takes Off - Chronicle.com

In Asia, American-Style Fund Raising Takes Off - Chronicle.com: "Until last month, the development office at Nanyang Technical University was hidden away in a forgotten part of the sprawling Singaporean campus. The building was dated and the air-conditioning was cranky — a description that could also have summed up the university's fund-raising efforts and its alumn"

Monday, December 01, 2008

Prince Charles Creates A New Award For Arts Philanthropy

Prince Charles Creates A New Award For Arts Philanthropy: "Prince Charles has created a new award for England's most generous arts benefactors.

The awards were given out during a ceremony organized by Arts and Business. The first seven recipients of the Prince of Wales Medal for Arts Philanthropy were given earlier this week."