Every gift makes a difference | The Australian

Every gift makes a difference | The Australian: "In recent weeks the Australia Council for the Arts has warned cultural organisations to prepare for a very tough second half of 2009. Although private donations remain solid, there are grave fears that people will stop giving as the global financial crisis rolls on.

But arts organisations have one thing in their favour: their supporter base is made up of people who love the art form. These mostly middle-aged and older men and women express their gratitude to opera companies, ballet companies, orchestras, libraries, galleries, museums and theatre groups by donating annually. Often their contributions are less than $1000. But arts administrators know, particularly in bleak times, that every bit helps."

Pals plan world golf marathon for charity - The Star

Pals plan world golf marathon for charity - The Star: "PALS from Doncaster are preparing to go around the world in six golf courses.
In a bid to raise £250,000 for Help for Heroes and Cancer Research UK - and break a world record - the four friends aim to take in top-class courses in Egypt, Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and America, over just five days."

PRI.ORG | Philanthropy in China a year after the Sichuan earthquake

PRI.ORG | Philanthropy in China a year after the Sichuan earthquake: "Last year's Sichuan earthquake prompted an unprecedented outpouring of donations and volunteers from throughout China, but has it sustained?"

Do Online Fund-Raising Contests Squeeze Out Foreign Charities? - Philanthropy.com

Do Online Fund-Raising Contests Squeeze Out Foreign Charities? - Philanthropy.com: "Do Online Fund-Raising Contests Squeeze Out Foreign Charities?

Epic Change, a charity raising money for a school in Tanzania, is a finalist in one of a mushrooming number of contests that enable Web users to vote for nonprofit groups. But Stacey Monk, its founder, sees a big challenge: the lack of Internet access for would-be voters in Tanzania."

Flu, crisis hinder Canadian's charity project in China

Flu, crisis hinder Canadian's charity project in China: "he home, a charity project initiated in 2004 to accommodate and train poor and handicapped people, is have a serious financial problem amid the global A(H1N1) influenza prevalence and economic downturn.

Benefactors had cut their donations since last December, 'those who used to donated 1,000 yuan (US$147) monthly only gives 300 now,' he said."

Most opposed to 'free-form' accounts for small charities - Third Sector

Most opposed to 'free-form' accounts for small charities - Third Sector: "Charities are not in favour of giving more freedom to small organisations in the next Statement of Recommended Practice, research by the Charity Commission has found.

About 60 per cent of charity accounting experts responding to commission research said they did not want more 'free-form' accounting for small organisations involving less requirement to follow the Sorp, which gives charities guidance on how they should set out their annual reports and accounts. Only 19 per cent backed more freedom for small charities."

ZENIT - Aid Agency Reports Record Donations

ZENIT - Aid Agency Reports Record Donations: "Aid Agency Reports Record Donations

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, MAY 26, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Despite the worldwide economic recession, Aid to the Church in Need reported record donations over the past year in their recently published annual report.

A press release from the agency stated today that the donations from 18 different countries of Europe, North and South America and Australia, equaled over €82 million [$115 million], a 3% increase from the previous year."

Meeting on Financial Trends Raises Millions for Cancer Research - Philanthropy.com

Meeting on Financial Trends Raises Millions for Cancer Research - Philanthropy.com: "Meeting on Financial Trends Raises Millions for Cancer Research

Some 1,000 hedge-fund managers will pay $3,000 a head to attend a charity fund-raising event tomorrow that doubles as an often-prescient conference on financial-market trends, Bloomberg reports."

Bike marathon honours fallen Marine (From Oxford Mail)

Bike marathon honours fallen Marine (From Oxford Mail): "THE father of Royal Marine Dale Gostick is making a poignant cycle ride through France with 240 others as a tribute to his fallen son and other service personnel.

The cyclists are undertaking a 350-mile ride across France to raise funds for the military charity Help for Heroes."

Study describes growth of community foundations in Mexico

Study describes growth of community foundations in Mexico: "Study describes growth of community foundations in Mexico


A newly released study offers an in-depth look at the community foundation field in Mexico, describing the emerging field and offering recommendations to help its further growth."

China Philanthropy: Donating to Grassroots Charities in China: Wisdom or Folly?

China Philanthropy: Donating to Grassroots Charities in China: Wisdom or Folly?: "Donating to Grassroots Charities in China: Wisdom or Folly?

I recently came across this post at the GiveWell blog that comes out strongly for not giving to small and untested charities (the context presumably is in the US where GiveWell is based). The author Holden Karnofsky gives a strong argument:"

Metro - Canucks fans score goats for Kenyans

Metro - Canucks fans score goats for Kenyans: "“We started with a Facebook group for the guys on the team, but then they told their friends who told their friends and it just went from there,” Nagtegaal said yesterday.

To date, 875 goats have been purchased through the “Goat Canucks Goat” charity. They will be delivered in July."

Dutch news - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English

Dutch news - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English: "Night of the Tip raises 120,000 euros for charity
Published: Monday 25 May 2009 06:25 UTC
Last updated: Monday 25 May 2009 07:20 UTC
During the 'Night of the Tip', 120,000 euros was raised for charity at the weekend. Under the slogan 'Keep the change, change the world,' customers at participating bars and restaurants are encouraged to leave generous tips. The proceeds go to development projects, and the event aims to raise public awareness of the need for structural development."

Wedding hongbao for charity

Wedding hongbao for charity: "While most newlyweds use their hongbao money to cover the cost of the wedding, Mr Tan and Ms Toh donated theirs - which amounted to $3,000, after a top-up from the couple to make it a 'nice number' - to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

'We thought it was a good opportunity to give back to society,' said Ms Toh, 24, a corporate treasurer at Temasek Holdings."

Charities avoid measuring performance, says New Philanthropy Capital - Third Sector

Charities avoid measuring performance, says New Philanthropy Capital - Third Sector: "Culture 'reinforced by lack of skills'

Most charities do not have the skills, the will or the structures to measure and communicate how effective they are, delegates to the conference of the Charity Finance Directors' Group will be told this week."

How about a career in university fundraising? | Education | The Guardian

How about a career in university fundraising? | Education | The Guardian: "At a time when many graduates are asking 'Where are the jobs?', there is a socially vital role for employers that involves asking, in some desperation: 'Where are the staff ?' That expanding area of recruitment is in the increasingly professional field of attracting philanthropic funding to education. The government has made great strides to recognise the vital role of the higher education sector, but public funding is a finite resource that will only be able to take us so far."

Colleges urged to take more responsibility for student volunteers - Third Sector

Colleges urged to take more responsibility for student volunteers - Third Sector: "Volunteering England points to 'lack of support' to ensure their safety

Volunteering England has urged sixth-form colleges to introduce stricter measures to protect students who volunteer.

In a new report, Safeguarding Student Volunteering, the charity says colleges should vet organisations in which their students volunteer and screen students to make sure they are suited to the placements."

Exotic destination for gap year teenagers - Peterborough Today

Exotic destination for gap year teenagers - Peterborough Today: "Once there, they will stay with the Masai tribe, help building desks in schools, revamp classrooms and teach some of the youngsters."

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management

The NonProfit Times - The Leading Business Publication For Nonprofit Management: "Knowing Who Can Afford What
Prospect research yields information about supporters

By Mark Hrywna

If your organization's budget quadrupled from one year to the next, where would you get the money to support your mission? Two words: prospect research. That was the predicament faced by Operation Homefront, which provides emergency assistance for members of the military and their families. 'Our budget has just skyrocketed because of programming. It has taken us to a new level of need for how much we have to raise,' said Barbara Moore, Operation Homefront's director of individual giving. 'Growth is absolutely why we're in prospect research. We don't have a choice,' she said."

Venture Philanthropy Grows More Popular in Europe - Philanthropy.com

Venture Philanthropy Grows More Popular in Europe - Philanthropy.com: "European Foundation Centre
Venture Philanthropy Grows More Popular in Europe

The terms “venture philanthropy” and “social entrepreneurship” continue to gain greater coinage in Europe, and one conference session presented case studies of such efforts in Estonia and Germany."

Takeaway owner puts on running shoes for charity - Goole Today

Takeaway owner puts on running shoes for charity - Goole Today: "Published Date: 14 May 2009
TAKEAWAY owner Betty Chan is certainly using her noodle when it comes to raising funds for a worthy cause.
Currying favour with the National Autistic Society is the 38-year-old who runs the AAA Chinese in Market Place, Snaith, having decided to run various races across the country this year for the charity."

Caudwell charity ball raises record £1.7m

Caudwell charity ball raises record £1.7m: "A spokesman for Caudwell Children said that expectations had been low, amid fears that givers would be less generous because of the tough financial climate. But the 820 guests managed to raise an additional £300,000 from last year's total."

PERU: Microbusiness Helps Women Weather Crisis

PERU: Microbusiness Helps Women Weather Crisis: "n Peru, the impact of the global crisis has led to a plunge in exports, spending cuts and a rise in social tension, especially among the poor.

Against that backdrop, microfinance takes on a special importance because it channels funds into keeping afloat small businesses, which are a lifeline for the lowest income sectors, said Arenaza.

In Peru, which has an economically active population of 10.6 million people, 35 percent of whom are women, there are an estimated three million microbusinesses, which by definition employ five or less people.

Microloans are mainly granted in developing countries, fomented by government policies, local and international NGOs, and regulated financial institutions."

globeandmail.com: Splashy, interactive – and falling apart

globeandmail.com: Splashy, interactive – and falling apart: "Daley and other museum professionals say the recession is making a bad situation worse. “Care of collections has always been difficult to finance. There are not a lot of grants or programs for it,” says Nancy Noble, CEO of the Museum of Vancouver. “It will be worse now because foundations that have supported it in the past wouldn't have as much money.”"

'Goat Canucks Goat' campaign scores 684 for African villagers

'Goat Canucks Goat' campaign scores 684 for African villagers: "The Vancouver Canucks may be out of the playoffs, but their efforts will live on — in Africa — after some charity-minded fans decided to do more than grow a beard to support the team."

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Millionaire gives away his estate

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Millionaire gives away his estate: "A Northumberland millionaire is selling his £16m country estate and giving every penny of the proceeds to charity."

Little Amy (5) provides inspiraton for Glagsow runners in Women's 10K - the Glaswegian

Little Amy (5) provides inspiraton for Glagsow runners in Women's 10K - the Glaswegian: "A BRAVE Glasgow family were among 10,000 women who celebrated crossing the finishing line of the Ignis Asset Management Woman's 10k last weekend."

U.S. Congregations Aid Developing World with $8.6B| Christianpost.com

U.S. Congregations Aid Developing World with $8.6B| Christianpost.com: "Religious organizations in the United States gave a total of $8.6 billion to the developing world in 2007, making up nearly a quarter of the total U.S. giving to developing countries, a new national survey reveals."

CNW Group | THE SALVATION ARMY | The Pinch: Gifts of Securities to The Salvation Army Drop by $5.8 Million in 2008

CNW Group | THE SALVATION ARMY | The Pinch: Gifts of Securities to The Salvation Army Drop by $5.8 Million in 2008: "TORONTO, May 13 /CNW/ - The financial crisis has impacted donors that give appreciated securities to The Salvation Army, according to new figures released today. For the year ended March 31, 2009, The Salvation Army saw a $5.8 million, or 83 percent, drop in securities-related giving. While dollars raised declined from nearly $7 million in 2007 to $1.2 million in 2008, the number of planned securities gifts also declined precipitously from 289 to 142 - a 51 percent drop."

College buddies ride 2,000 miles for orphanage

College buddies ride 2,000 miles for orphanage: "ATAMOROS, Mexico — After bicycling 18 days and 2,000 miles through eight states and across the U.S.-Mexico border, three former Michigan State football stars Tuesday reached their goal line — the gates of the “City of the Children,” an orphanage for parentless or abandoned Mexican youth."

CSR Asia - Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia

CSR Asia - Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia: "13 May 2009
Stop confusing CSR with philanthropy
Filed under: Asia Philippines Philanthropy CSR — Richard Welford @ 08:58 am
A recent article appearing in the Phillipines' Business Mirror starts with the statement that 'corporate philanthropy, popularly known as corporate social responsibility (CSR),"

Charities with cash in the bank 'should not continue fundraising' - Third Sector

Charities with cash in the bank 'should not continue fundraising' - Third Sector: "Call for tough action on charities with large reserves

The Charity Commission should prevent charities with large reserves from fundraising, some respondents to the Charity Commission's third stakeholder survey have suggested."

Walta Information Center - Ethiopia’s New NGO Legislation Long Overdue and a Step in the Right Direction

Walta Information Center - Ethiopia’s New NGO Legislation Long Overdue and a Step in the Right Direction: "Ethiopia’s New NGO Legislation Long Overdue and a Step in the Right Direction PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 12 May 2009



By Tesfaye Hailu

Ever since the ‘‘Charities and Societies Proclamation’’ has been made public, a few NGO/CSO representatives and their supporters have been vigorous in making their dissenting voices heard. Some, in fact, appear to be hell bound to gain a political mileage by making a rights issue out of the legislation."

How effective are charity trustees? We may be about to find out | Society | guardian.co.uk

How effective are charity trustees? We may be about to find out | Society | guardian.co.uk: "Many charities are not effectively governed, says a typically provocative and timely new report from New Philanthropy Capital (NPC). Should we be worried? Being badly governed is not the same as being badly managed."

Red Cross Philanthropy Library Set Up In Tianjin - ChinaCSR.com - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability News for China

Red Cross Philanthropy Library Set Up In Tianjin - ChinaCSR.com - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability News for China: "Tianjin Red Cross Society is reported to have set up the first batch of nine philanthropy museums during this year's World Red Cross Day on May 8."

In Asia » Blog Archive » Changes in Chinese Philanthropy One Year After the Sichuan Earthquake

In Asia » Blog Archive » Changes in Chinese Philanthropy One Year After the Sichuan Earthquake: "Prior to the earthquake, philanthropy in China was a concept and activity relegated to the ultra wealthy within the country, and to corporate philanthropy from domestic and international businesses. However, the earthquake changed all of that - beginning with a groundswell of support from tens of millions of Chinese people from all walks of life, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid."

Grant Makers Pledge $90-Million for Overseas Think Tanks - Philanthropy.com

Grant Makers Pledge $90-Million for Overseas Think Tanks - Philanthropy.com: "Grant Makers Pledge $90-Million for Overseas Think Tanks

By Caroline Preston

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and a research institute in Canada announced today a new effort to bolster think tanks in poor nations."

BBC NEWS | UK | Oxfam plea as donations fall 12%

BBC NEWS | UK | Oxfam plea as donations fall 12%: "Donations to Oxfam's network of 714 UK shops have fallen by 12% so far this year - the first drop in eight years."

Sky Sports | Home | Don't miss these | Charity wallpapers

Sky Sports | Home | Don't miss these | Charity wallpapers: "The campaign 'There is Moore to know' features a series of powerful images with England stars Theo Walcott, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, David James, Micah Richards and Shaun Wright Phillips.

And skysports.com has teamed up the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to offer these unique images to download as your wallpaper."

Philanthropy award given to two ‘giants’

Philanthropy award given to two ‘giants’: "Two “giants of philanthropy” were honoured with an award from the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation Wednesday.

Dan Greenberg and Barbara Crook were presented with the Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka award during a day-long conference put on by the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Recession, donor fatigue hammer B.C. charities

Recession, donor fatigue hammer B.C. charities: "Too little money -- and too many organizations vying for donations -- are the biggest blocks to charitable giving in B.C., says Ipsos Reid pollster Daniel Savas."

Festival diary: Saluting the volunteers - EDP24

Festival diary: Saluting the volunteers - EDP24: "Festival diary: Saluting the volunteers

IAN COLLINS

Last updated: 06/05/2009 08:18:00
Maybe a recession makes us look at our assets with added appreciation, but how to begin to assess the colossal value of volunteering?

Some say we are in at the last gasp of the volunteer spirit - and the amateur army defending the fabric of our society - since so many charitable and community groups now rely on a dwindling band of stalwarts long past the official age of retirement."

Fears for charity jobs as quarterly staffing figures fall - Third Sector

Fears for charity jobs as quarterly staffing figures fall - Third Sector: "The number of people working in charities and voluntary organisations fell by 8,000 in the last quarter of 2008 from an all-time high of 724,000 in the preceding quarter, prompting fears that the recession has triggered a sustained fall.

But some commentators have pointed out that the steady growth in the sector's workforce of the past 10 years has been punctuated by other short-term falls and that more figures were needed before a trend could be discerned."

Do we need an ombudsman for volunteers? - Third Sector

Do we need an ombudsman for volunteers? - Third Sector: "THE CASE FOR: LEWIS SMITH, COORDINATOR, VOLUNTEER RIGHTS GROUP

The argument about the need for extra protection for volunteers will not go away. If someone who is working for a charity as a volunteer uncovers malpractice, or is accused wrongly of malpractice, they will in about a third of charities have access to an internal complaints procedure."

Royal Ottawa can count on biggest donors

Royal Ottawa can count on biggest donors: "OTTAWA — Since quietly pledging $1 million to the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre three years ago, Ottawa businessman Peter Foustanellas and his wife, Eva, have not let a weak economy slow the pace of their giving."

Charity pours heart out online

Charity pours heart out online: "A CHARITY in Singapore has raised the bar in transparency by giving its major donors online access to its day-to-day accounts."