Wednesday, June 30, 2010

CNCA - Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act - draft regulations and consultation on regulations - Blog - Global Philanthropy

CNCA - Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act - draft regulations and consultation on regulations - Blog - Global Philanthropy: "CNCA - Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act - draft regulations and consultation on regulations
Posted by Mark Blumberg on 06/29/2010 | comments (0) | permalink | forward to a friend
Posted under News | Canadian Charity Law | New Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (Federal Corporations)

Industry Canada last week released draft regulations for the CNCA, the new Federal non-profit act. There is also a “Notice from the Director — Consultation on proposed Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Regulations” dated June 25, 2010 which contains an explanatory note and a “Consultation on proposed Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Regulations”"

Civil Society - Finance - News | Hind warns sector advisers they may receive less Commission help in future

Civil Society - Finance - News | Hind warns sector advisers they may receive less Commission help in future: "Charity Commission chief executive Andrew Hind has told the sector’s professional advisers they can expect less help from the regulator in future due to funding cuts.

Speaking at the Association of Charity Independent Examiners’ annual conference last week, Hind (pictured) warned that there are “too many professional advisers, some of them big firms, [such as] audit firms and law firms” which are using the Commission “essentially to do the work they then charge the client for”."

Friday, June 25, 2010

China's New Nonprofit Regulations: Season of Instability - Blog

China's New Nonprofit Regulations: Season of Instability - Blog: "First, a review of some of the basics in regards to nonprofits in China (for more details, see our report on restrictions on AIDS NGOs in Asia or the HRW report, which I actually wrote also, on NGOs in China). China permits NGOs to register as nonprofits only with the sponsorship of a government agency. This gives the government agency control over the activities of the NGO, which is why many outside observers call these registered NGOs 'Government-organized NGOs' or GONGOs. Because of the restrictions, many small and independent NGOs in China use a legal loophole to register as commercial enterprises, meaning that they are required to pay taxes."

Chinese Philanthropy Gets Official - China Real Time Report - WSJ

Chinese Philanthropy Gets Official - China Real Time Report - WSJ: "When Bill Gates and Warren Buffett recently called for all billionaires to give away half of their wealth, Wang Zhenyao thought China should have a similar formula. We need a Bill Gates and a Warren Buffet in China, Wang says.

Wang, the head of China’s first philanthropic research institute, is calling on all Chinese billionaires to donate a million yuan a year to charity. Wang says multimillionaires should give a hundred thousand yuan annually."

Nadar sells 2.5% stake in HCL, to give money to education sector-Corporate Trends-News By Company-News-The Economic Times

Nadar sells 2.5% stake in HCL, to give money to education sector-Corporate Trends-News By Company-News-The Economic Times: "The Shiv Nadar Foundation, launched by Mr Nadar, will use this money for expanding its philanthropic efforts across thousands of schools and colleges in the country."

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Ex-official to Head Philanthropic Research Institute

Ex-official to Head Philanthropic Research Institute: "Former government official Wang Zhenyao resigns to head a newly-founded civil philanthropic institute on June 21. [Photo: Beijing Times]

Wang Zhenyao, a government official with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, has resigned from his post to head the newly established Beijing Normal University One Foundation Philanthropy Research Institute, 'The Beijing Times' reports."

Philanthropy catches on

Philanthropy catches on: "Philanthropy, like volunteerism, is a relatively new notion in Quebec, where the church took care of social affairs until the Quiet Revolution. But changing attitudes with respect to philanthropy were in clear evidence yesterday in downtown Montreal as the Fondation du Grand Montreal marked its 10th anniversary."

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

PAFs & Philanthropy � How do I ensure I’m compliant?

PAFs & Philanthropy � How do I ensure I’m compliant?: "Philanthropy Australia has produced a Trustee Handbook, created in consultation with its Members, which is an essential guide to both what trustees must do by law and what they should consider doing as good practice. The Trustee Handbook is an essential document for PPFs, Community Foundations, Family Foundations, Private Charitable Funds and Ancillary Funds, and is available for free download in PDF format from PhilanthropyWiki.

There is also a separate Trustee Handbook for PAFs which is available for download in PDF format from PhilanthropyWiki."

Civil Society - Finance - News | VAT hike will add �143m to charities' VAT bill

Civil Society - Finance - News | VAT hike will add �143m to charities' VAT bill: "The coalition government’s move to raise VAT to 20 per cent from 4 January next year will lost the charity sector in the region of �143m, Charity Tax Group has estimated."

Irish philanthropy plan launched - InsideIreland.ie

Irish philanthropy plan launched - InsideIreland.ie: "The Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey has launched a new Government initiative to support philanthropy in Ireland.

The key elements of the five point plan include an acknowledgement of the positive contribution of philanthropy in Irish society and the potential to grow 'planned giving' in the next decade."

Fundraising: good for university coffers, good for university morale | Education | The Guardian

Fundraising: good for university coffers, good for university morale | Education | The Guardian: "However, universities have another option available to them to diversify and increase funds. Results from the latest Ross-Case survey of philanthropic income for 2008-09 show that, despite the recession, total philanthropic cash income generated by UK universities rose to �511m, up from �430m in 2007-2008: the first time it has reached over �0.5bn. Fundraising is one of the few increasing income streams available to higher education, and the growing consistency and robustness of this income source is welcome."

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Philanthropy Officer in Indonesia, Part 3: "Good Friends" Program - Asian Philanthropy Forum

A Philanthropy Officer in Indonesia, Part 3: "Good Friends" Program - Asian Philanthropy Forum: "am pleased to share with you my stories from a visit to Indonesia in early May. Please visit Part 1: PKSD Mandiri School and Part 2: Bungong Seulanga Nursery."

Virgin Mobile sets record straight over texts - Third Sector

Virgin Mobile sets record straight over texts - Third Sector: "Charities now receive 89 per cent of donations

Virgin Mobile has confirmed that 89 per cent of the value of text message donations made by its customers will be passed on to charities after a Christian Aid advert in the national press earlier this month said only 40 per cent would reach the charity."

Monday, June 21, 2010

People pick charities based on life experiences

People pick charities based on life experiences: "Prior to this study, more attention was paid to questions concerning how many donors give, how much they give, what sorts of people give and why people give, but there was little attention paid to the specific question of how donors choose which charities to support.

'Donors retain an expectation that charities exist to serve the needy, yet in reality their own giving decisions are driven by many non-needs-based factors. Given the voluntary nature of charitable activity these findings are not actually that surprising, as the freedom to support things that people care most deeply about is what differentiates charitable giving from paying tax,' explained researcher, Dr Beth Breeze of the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy in the UK."

HMRC doesn't trust charities - Third Sector blog | Blogs | Third Sector

HMRC doesn't trust charities - Third Sector blog | Blogs | Third Sector: "is difficult to believe that HM Revenue & Customs likes charities very much.

Looking at the sector through the eyes of the taxman, charities are walking liabilities, profiting from generous tax breaks, but poorly-regulated and badly in need of a firm hand.

The taxman has glimpsed in the current laws potential for charities to perpetrate vast and shadowy tax frauds, and as a result has lobbied for increasingly arbitrary powers to ensure that charities cannot acquire any benefit without running it past HMRC first. Even though there is no evidence that fraud is rife in the sector, HMRC appears worried that it could break out, at any second, like measles."

Friday, June 18, 2010

BP Keeps Arts Sponsorship as Pressure Grows for Spill Damages - Bloomberg.com

BP Keeps Arts Sponsorship as Pressure Grows for Spill Damages - Bloomberg.com: "une 18 (Bloomberg) -- BP Plc, which has shed 45 percent of its market value after causing the U.S.’s worst-ever oil spill, said it will keep sponsoring the British Museum, the Royal Opera House, Tate Britain and the National Portrait Gallery in London."

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

More Changes in the Philanthropy World - Asian American Giving

More Changes in the Philanthropy World - Asian American Giving: "The philanthropy world is experiencing lots of changes in the past few months. In addition to the changes I had announced in my previous post, two additional changes caught my attention."

World's richest want better health for Latam poors | Reuters

World's richest want better health for Latam poors | Reuters: "They have both made health a cornerstone of their philanthropy efforts in recent years.

'This is the first time that we have worked together (in charity) but surely it will not be the only or the last time,' Slim told reporters at Mexico City's grand anthropology museum that celebrates indigenous cultures of Mexico and Central America.

While both men have donated a portion of their fortunes through their health charities, Gates has emphasized vaccine development and new health sciences and Slim has channeled much of his money to wellness, cultural and sports programs.

Both men, though, have emphasized the health an"

Civil Society - Governance - News | Charities warn on vetting and barring review

Civil Society - Governance - News | Charities warn on vetting and barring review: "he vetting and barring scheme would have required volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable adults to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority from next month.

It provoked much consternation in the sector, with opponents complaining that the scheme would deter volunteers and add unnecessary bureaucracy."

Civil Society - Governance - News | Terrence Higgins Trust and Crusaid merge

Civil Society - Governance - News | Terrence Higgins Trust and Crusaid merge: "HIV charity Crusaid has become part of the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), after a drop in income led it to seek a merger. Some redundancies may follow.

Crusaid, which has a turnover �1.6m, saw its income fall by over �300,000 last year."

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

'No cold calling' zones will be mapped and assessed - Third Sector

'No cold calling' zones will be mapped and assessed - Third Sector: "PFRA and Trading Standards Institute collaborate to clarify whether charities should observe the zones

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association and the Trading Standards Institute have agreed to map 'no cold calling' zones in the UK and issue guidance on how they apply to charity fundraising.

The move is intended to give charities a clearer idea about where they should fundraise from door to door."

Monday, June 14, 2010

Prince Harry pokes fun at his father as African tour begins - Telegraph

Prince Harry pokes fun at his father as African tour begins - Telegraph: "he princes’ busy schedule for the week includes visits to the Tusk Trust wildlife charity in Botswana, of which Prince William is patron, and to projects in Lesotho run by Sentebale, the charity Prince Harry helped found to educate and support children in one of southern Africa’s poorest countries."

Women Build For Women - The Jakarta Globe

Women Build For Women - The Jakarta Globe: "WBFW, set up by an Indonesian, an American and a Mexican in 2009, works to alleviate some of the hardships faced by many Indonesian women.

However, rather than wielding power tools, the women behind the organization — Marlene Setiyadi, Urai Rogers and Melba Pria — are using their financial prowess and large social networks to raise funds and carry out advocacy work to influence public policies on poverty alleviation. Both Marlene and Rogers are top-level business executives, while Pria is the Mexican ambassador to Indonesia."

Friday, June 11, 2010

[Viewpoint] Better to give than receive - INSIDE JoongAng Daily

[Viewpoint] Better to give than receive - INSIDE JoongAng Daily: "ome ask me why we need to help needy people in foreign countries when there are still many among us who require care and aid.

When I get such a question, I respond, “Why shouldn’t we help out poor people in other countries?”

We are the people of the world’s 13th largest economy. In November, we will chair a summit of the leading 20 developing and emerging countries. And we have become the 24th member of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee, a donor club among developed countries devoted to helping poor countries."

Operating a registered charity - Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) checklist for charities

Operating a registered charity - Goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) checklist for charities

Grog with a social conscience? Let's drink to that

Grog with a social conscience? Let's drink to that: "A groovy bar, set to offer a selection of international beers and wines, that just happens to be sending all profits to humanitarian projects in developing countries? I'll drink an Ethiopian lager to that."

Starting a Charity or a Nonprofit Organization | Nonprofit Library Commons

Starting a Charity or a Nonprofit Organization | Nonprofit Library Commons: "Charities in Canada must be registered through the Canada Revenue Agency and its Charities Directorate that maintains information and regulations pertaining to charitable status. This includes public charities, and public & private foundations.

Search charities by name, status or other features through the CRA database of registered charities. Note that many, but not all Canadian 'foundations' are registered charities."

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Cross-departmental taskforce will seek to cut red tape for charities - Third Sector

Cross-departmental taskforce will seek to cut red tape for charities - Third Sector: "Office for Civil Society will work with business department on cutting excess regulation, Nick Hurd tells the Commons

A cross-departmental government taskforce is being established to look into ways of cutting bureaucracy for small charities.

Nick Hurd, the civil society minister, yesterday told Parliament that his department would work with the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills to find ways of reducing regulatory requirements."

Summerside The Journal Pioneer: Business | Campground honoured for giving spirit

Summerside The Journal Pioneer: Business | Campground honoured for giving spirit: "A small P.E.I. business has been honoured for its fundraising efforts on behalf of the IWK Health Centre Foundation, winning the Outstanding Small Business Philanthropist Award from the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals."

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Philanthropy in Hong Kong: Setting an Example for the Mainland - China Philanthropy

Philanthropy in Hong Kong: Setting an Example for the Mainland - China Philanthropy: "Hong Kong lies just a hop, skip, and a jump from Mainland China yet the philanthropic landscapes of these two entities differ significantly. While Hong Kong’s third sector is still young compared to the west, it has been called the most sophisticated Asian city for philanthropy. Last year contributions from Hong Kong made up 64% of charitable donations in China and during the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the level of giving per person ranked highest in the world. What has prompted the giving habits of the Hong Kong people and in what ways will we see similar trends on the Mainland?"

Institute of Fundraising begins search for �100k to fund think tank - Third Sector

Institute of Fundraising begins search for �100k to fund think tank - Third Sector: "New centre will focus on practical research

The Institute of Fundraising has started applying for grants to raise the �100,000 it will need to run its new research think tank for the first two years.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of the institute, announced in December that it would set up a fundraising think tank after he stepped down from the advisory panel at the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy."

Monday, June 07, 2010

Channel NewsAsia - Over 2,500 bare their soles for charity walk - channelnewsasia.com

Channel NewsAsia - Over 2,500 bare their soles for charity walk - channelnewsasia.com: "SINGAPORE : More than 2,500 people went barefoot and walked five kilometres at the East Coast Park for a good cause on Saturday."

Philanthropy UK : New cross border giving regulations explained in paper from Charity Tax Group

Philanthropy UK : New cross border giving regulations explained in paper from Charity Tax Group: "Charitable tax reliefs are to be extended to certain organisations in the European Union, Norway and Iceland. The move was announced by the last government’s chancellor Alistair Darling in the 2010 Budget and the legislation is contained in the Finance Act 2010, which applies in England and Wales and became law in April.

However, foundations are aware of a degree of uncertainty about the implications of these changes for charities. Sam Macdonald, a partner at Farrer & Co LLP, has written a paper highlighting the key consequences of the legislation. This paper is available to members of the Charity Tax Group website."

Friday, June 04, 2010

Civil Society - Fundraising - News | Scope seeks loans with donations in venture philanthropy pilot

Civil Society - Fundraising - News | Scope seeks loans with donations in venture philanthropy pilot: "Scope seeks loans with donations in venture philanthropy pilot 1
Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 1 Jun 2010
Topics: Major donors | Socially responsible investment | Social enterprise

Scope has begun its first foray into leveraged fundraising with a scheme which will ask high net worth individuals for loans as well as donations."

Thursday, June 03, 2010

U of C chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson departs with $1M gift

U of C chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson departs with $1M gift: "That's because Cuthbertson, with her husband Charlie Fischer, the recently retired president and CEO of oil giant Nexen, is bestowing a parting gift on the U of C. It's a $1-million donation to kick-start the Chancellor Cuthbertson Centre for Student Success, a student and resource facility that will be housed in the school's Taylor Family Digital Library."

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

First draft of new charity accounting rules could be published by end of the year - Third Sector

First draft of new charity accounting rules could be published by end of the year - Third Sector: "Accounting Standards Board reveals timetable for change

The Accounting Standards Board hopes to present the first draft of a new accounting regime for charities and other public benefit entities by the end of the year.

The rules will be drawn up as part of the process of bringing the UK's accounting regulations in line with new International Financial Reporting Standards."

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

U.S. charitable giving set to rebound in 2010: study - The China Post

U.S. charitable giving set to rebound in 2010: study - The China Post: "NEW YORK -- Charitable giving by Americans fell about 5 percent last year to US$217.3 billion, but is forecast to rebound by up to 4.5 percent in 2010, according to a new report released on Thursday."

CTV Calgary- Telus Day of Service - CTV News

CTV Calgary- Telus Day of Service - CTV News: "The Association of Fundraising Professionals actually named Telus the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally, and that's the first time a Canadian company has ever received that recognition. More importantly though, it's just being able to give back and see the ability to make a difference,' said Josh Blair, Telus Executive V.P. Human Resources."

Report shows �57m fall in legacy value - Third Sector

Report shows �57m fall in legacy value - Third Sector: "Report shows �57m fall in legacy value

By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector, 28 May 2010

Twenty biggest legacy-earning charities suffered a combined fall of 3 per cent in most recent financial year

The value of legacy gifts to charities fell by an estimated �57m between 2008 and 2009, according to new research by the Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy.

The Legacy of the Recession, a report published this week, shows that the 20 biggest legacy-earning charities suffered a combined fall of 3 per cent in legacy income in the most recent financial year. The 20 charities together attract 42 per cent of all charitable legacies in the UK."