Play plants seed of giving

Play plants seed of giving: "elling entertaining tales to youngsters aged five to 12 is what Story Theatre does best, and now artistic director Jim Leard has created a new play for small fry -with a big theme.

The Victoria company, which has specialized in delivering fables, fun and frolics to kids for the past 30 years, calls the new show Stepping Up, inspired by the idea of philanthropy and volunteering."

Int'l disaster relief operations obligation of China's armed forces - People's Daily Online

Int'l disaster relief operations obligation of China's armed forces - People's Daily Online: "China's armed forces feel obligated to join international disaster relief operations organized by the Chinese government, and to fulfill international humanitarian obligations, says a white paper on China's national defense issued Thursday."

Classics for charity - The Standard

Classics for charity - The Standard: "The MG Car Club of Hong Kong's annual concours was held recently at the Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa in Hung Hom, to raise funds for charities. More than 20 gleaming classic MG cars of different vintages were on show, including some models dating back to the early 1950s. They have been lovingly restored and kept in mint condition over these many years."

Question mark over IoF's appointment due diligence for McLean - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Question mark over IoF's appointment due diligence for McLean - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: "The charity that employed Amanda McLean in her last job but one before she took the helm at the Institute of Fundraising says it was not asked to provide a reference for her by the Institute.

McLean quit suddenly as chief executive of the Institute two weeks ago after just four months in the job, leaving the Institute to start the recruitment process all over again. She admitted the role was too overwhelming and didn’t allow her enough time with her children."

Charity Commission guidance on fee-charging charities is unclear, says NCVO - Third Sector

Charity Commission guidance on fee-charging charities is unclear, says NCVO - Third Sector: "Fee-charging schools: public benefit questionned

Umbrella body's charity tribunal witness statement highlights 'mismatch' between guidance on public benefit and its application

The Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit for fee-charging charities is unclear and its assessments of such charities have created confusion and uncertainty, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations will tell the charity tribunal."

Animal Welfare Charities and The CRA

Animal Welfare Charities and The CRA: "The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is in the midst of attempting to clarify its guidelines on how the more than 700 Canadian animal welfare charities can legally operate and continue to maintain their charitable status.

Until March 31, the agency is keeping its eyes and ears open for anyone who has a suggestion or comment on how it has worded its new proposed guidance for 'The Promotion of Animal Welfare and Charitable Registration'.

The proposal and its wording, which was released in February, has caused consternation and confusion for some sector organizations and animal welfare activists; many of whom feel the guidance is designed to stifle animal welfare charities' activities or to make it easier for the government to pull charitable status away from them.

The CRA proposal, like much of its documentation, is weighty and wordy, though interested readers will want to familiarize themselves with it and perhaps submit comments back to the agency."

MANULIFE FINANCIAL | Non-Profit & Private Sector Leaders Unveil Landmark Campaign to Transform Volunteerism in Canada

MANULIFE FINANCIAL | Non-Profit & Private Sector Leaders Unveil Landmark Campaign to Transform Volunteerism in Canada: "ORONTO, March 7 /CNW/ - A national campaign aimed at enriching volunteer experiences for Canadians and strengthening the country's volunteer sector was launched today by Volunteer Canada, the voice of volunteerism in Canada, and Manulife Financial, whose signature cause is to encourage volunteerism nationwide.

The multi-faceted, two-year campaign features an interactive website www.Getvolunteering.ca that offers volunteer tools for the public and non-profit organizations, along with creative examples of how Canadians show their volunteer spirit."

The “New Normal” Impacts Israel-Based NPO’s: Vision, Leadership and Partnership Are Key | eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource

The “New Normal” Impacts Israel-Based NPO’s: Vision, Leadership and Partnership Are Key | eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource: "The number of Israel-based Non-Profit Organizations (NPO’s) seeking to ride the expected “wave” of expanded giving in the US philanthropic marketplace continues to grow. As organizations consider next steps we caution them that many of the pre-2008 rules no longer apply.

A few decades ago, the driving force behind successful Israel-based organizations was a commitment to Israel, a core belief in the mission of the organization and effective donor recognition. Donors committed to Israel tended to readily open up “rolodexes,” enabling giving to proceed by word of mouth and through personal connection."

Measuring our giving

Measuring our giving

America for Bulgaria Foundation to allocate $43M for projects in the country - Business - The Sofia Echo

America for Bulgaria Foundation to allocate $43M for projects in the country - Business - The Sofia Echo: "The America for Bulgaria Foundation (ABF) will earmark $43 million for projects in Bulgaria within the next few years, Deutsche Welle reported on March 14 2011.

The organisation, founded in 2008, is a successor to the Bulgarian-American Enterprise Fund (BAEF), an investment fund created by the US through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The funds will be provided to promote the activities of local non-profit entities and the private sector to develop a successful and competitive market democracy."

Third sector groups lament lack of tax incentives in Giving Green Paper - Third Sector

Third sector groups lament lack of tax incentives in Giving Green Paper - Third Sector: "Organisations including the Institute of Fundraising, Acevo and the European Association for Philanthropy and Giving say financial incentives are vital

Voluntary sector organisations have criticised the Giving Green Paper for lacking proposals to incentivise giving through tax breaks.

The Cabinet Office yesterday closed its consultation on the paper, which sets out the government's ideas for building a stronger culture of giving in the UK. It said it had received more than 450 responses."

The Master Builder | Spear's WMS

The Master Builder | Spear's WMS: "IN THE SAME way that his business is taking up slack left by the government, so is Sawiris’ philanthropy. The Sawiris Foundation – for the whole family – concentrates on employment and skills, community development, health, educational scholarships, literary awards and micro-credit: by and large things which the government should be doing. As is the case across the world, the philanthropy of billionaires is replacing the duty of governments, inefficient and short-termist. Sawiris says that he is funding secured education for 35,000 people in Egypt and that he also supports heritage conservation; he gets visibly irritated when he talks of how the government of Dubai razed the old town to put up its unoccupied skyscrapers."

CSR spending to be voluntary, not mandatory, under new law - Hindustan Times

CSR spending to be voluntary, not mandatory, under new law - Hindustan Times: "The government is unlikely to thrust companies with a mandatory spend on philanthropy as was being debated earlier. The new Companies Bill will make a mention asking companies to spend upto 2% of their net profits on corporate social responsibility (CSR) but may not make it mandatory under a specific
clause. The Parliamentary Standing Committee has, however, underlined the need to mandate firms to spend on philanthropic activities."

China to normalize charity industry - People's Daily Online

China to normalize charity industry - People's Daily Online: "China called for a further normalization within the charity industry in an attempt to enhance industrial credibility and transparency, according to a press conference of the 2011 National People's Congress fourth session on March.8."

Chilean miner celebrity set to drop in for fundraiser - Local News - News - General - Illawarra Mercury

Chilean miner celebrity set to drop in for fundraiser - Local News - News - General - Illawarra Mercury: "The upbeat ex-pro footballer will skydive into a fundraiser at Macedonia Park, Berkeley, on Sunday.

It will be only the latest wonder in a fortune-filled existence carved out since October last year, when Mr Lobos became the 27th man pulled from deep underground at Copiapo, Chile."

Charity Fraud Fears Deter Canadians From Giving | Canada | Epoch Times

Charity Fraud Fears Deter Canadians From Giving | Canada | Epoch Times: "It may come as no surprise then that a growing number of Canadians are worried about fraudulent charities that intend to pocket hard-earned donation dollars.

New survey findings show that 53 percent say they are less likely to give to charities because of concerns about charity fraud, while 65 percent report an increased concern over the possibility of fraud—particularly in the wake of a natural disaster."

Israel’s Government Set to Encourage Giving | eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource

Israel’s Government Set to Encourage Giving | eJewish Philanthropy: Your Jewish Philanthropy Resource: "For the first time, the State of Israel will recognize the importance of philanthropic funds as a vital element in financing non-profit associations and social activities.

The joint Government, business sector and third sector round table has submitted to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a plan to promote both individual and corporate philanthropy in Israel. The goal – to increase the percentage of contributions."

The Tata group: Out of India | The Economist

The Tata group: Out of India | The Economist: "ata charitable trusts own two-thirds of the holding company, Tata Sons. Alan Rosling, a former Tata executive who spearheaded the group’s globalisation, liked to say, “We’re making money so that our shareholders can give it away.” The trusts funded worthy causes, from clean-water projects and literacy programmes to the various Tata institutions, to the tune of $97m in 2010. But the commitment to CSR is deeper than this.

Consider Jamshedpur, the home of Tata Steel and perhaps the world’s most successful company town. Tata Steel runs almost all the city’s institutions: these include a 980-bed hospital, a zoo, a giant sports stadium, academies for football, archery and athletics, golf courses and the local utility company. (“They provide you with a house and a car,” jokes Prabhat Sharma, head of corporate affairs for Tata Steel. “The only thing you need to bring is a wife.”) The company also employs 250 people to work with local tribespeople, to improve agriculture, health care and education, and regularly sends a hospital train farther into the hinterland. The city is remarkably well run by Indian standards, with broad avenues, green parks, reliable power and water that you can drink. Tata Steel gently mocks all this corporate philanthropy with the slogan, “We also make steel”."

Tycoon Carlos Slim opens new wing in Mexico City art museum - Monsters and Critics

Tycoon Carlos Slim opens new wing in Mexico City art museum - Monsters and Critics: "Mexico City - Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim opened a new wing in a Mexico City art museum that houses his private collection."

Tackling Britain's giving deficit | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Tackling Britain's giving deficit | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: "The government wants to help increase giving and published a green, consultative paper in December as a platform to invite ideas. The deadline for responses is next Wednesday, and a white paper will follow before the summer. At least the government recognises the importance of taking steps to tackle Britain's giving deficit. Strikingly, though, the paper barely mentioned high end giving – donations made by rich people or (as people are wont to call them nowadays) 'high net worth individuals.' A report published today by New Philanthropy Capital highlights ten practical ways that should help boost giving, including amongst the wealthy."

HNWs Need to be Nudged into Philanthropy | Spear's WMS

HNWs Need to be Nudged into Philanthropy | Spear's WMS: "Martin Brookes, CEO of NPC, says that the aim of the report is ‘to mainstream philanthropy – we need to make it part of our everyday lives’. The biggest change among HNWs could be made if private client advisers were ‘equipped to have the conversations about philanthropy. There’s movement already in private banks, law firms and family offices, but the talk is outstripping the reality.’ Once firms work out how philanthropy can be part of their business model, Brookes says, this will change."

IRIN Asia | MYANMAR: Call to build up local NGOs | Myanmar | Aid Policy | Natural Disasters

IRIN Asia | MYANMAR: Call to build up local NGOs | Myanmar | Aid Policy | Natural Disasters: "YANGON, 1 March 2011 (IRIN) - The international community should make better use of local NGOs and community-based organizations in Myanmar, while at the same time building capacity among them, aid officials say."

U.K. Holocaust Charity Donates $56-Million and Plans to Close - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

U.K. Holocaust Charity Donates $56-Million and Plans to Close - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: "U.K. Holocaust Charity Donates $56-Million and Plans to Close

March 1, 2011, 11:27 am

A British charity that supports Holocaust survivors has donated a combined $56.6-million to two other Jewish organizations and plans to give away the rest of its assets and close within five years, Third Sector Online reports."

Liverpool imposes tough restrictions on chuggers - Third Sector

Liverpool imposes tough restrictions on chuggers - Third Sector: "Restrictions for chuggers in Liverpool

From 1 April, face-to-face fundraising will be limited to three days a week at two locations only

Liverpool has become the latest city to introduce tougher limits on face-to-face fundraising.

At present one charity a day is allowed to fundraise on three different sites in the city, seven days a week.

Under a new system from 1 April, it will be limited to three days a week and only two locations will be available."