Voluntary charity code announced - The Irish Times - Thu, Jun 28, 2012

Voluntary charity code announced - The Irish Times - Thu, Jun 28, 2012: Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has been urged to use his influence to ensure the implementation of the Charities Act that was passed in 2009 but has not been enacted in full.

The appeal came from Deirdre Garvey, the chairwoman of the group that developed a new voluntary governance code to promote transparency in the charity sector. Mr Hogan unveiled the code today.

Commission to start spot checks on accounts of big charities too - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Commission to start spot checks on accounts of big charities too - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Charity Commission is to expand its system of spot checks on charities’ accounts to encompass organisations of all sizes, not just small charities.

The revised policy is revealed in the regulator’s 2011/12 annual report and accounts, published today. It states that instead of only conducting random checks on accounts of charities with income of less than �25,000, in future it will review a sample of accounts of charities of all sizes, to check that they meet relevant accounting requirements.

CCNI releases social media guidance for charities - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

CCNI releases social media guidance for charities - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) is providing charities with tips to ensure that their social media use does not break the law or jeopardise reputations.

CEBF survey asks if charity sector needs its own benevolent fund - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

CEBF survey asks if charity sector needs its own benevolent fund - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Charity Employees Benevolent Fund (CEBF) has launched a survey to research attitudes within the charity sector towards the need for its own benevolent fund.

CEBF survey asks if charity sector needs its own benevolent fund - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

CEBF survey asks if charity sector needs its own benevolent fund - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Charity Employees Benevolent Fund (CEBF) has launched a survey to research attitudes within the charity sector towards the need for its own benevolent fund.

Charity Commission updates guidance on public benefit

Charity Commission updates guidance on public benefit: he commission has launched a three-month consultation on the amended version

Charities will need to demonstrate that they provide public benefit through their stated purposes rather than their activities, according to revised guidelines from the Charity Commission.

The commission, which today launched a three-month consultation on the amended public benefit guidance, now says that it is only necessary for an organisation to have charitable purposes to be identifed as a charity.

HK Jockey Club's century-old mission lives on, growing ever stronger|Charity Special|chinadaily.com.cn

HK Jockey Club's century-old mission lives on, growing ever stronger|Charity Special|chinadaily.com.cn: Adding impetus to the city's growth over the years has been the Jockey Club's unique, not-for-profit business model, which means that the surpluses from its operations are all re-invested in the sport and the community at large. In the past 10 years alone, the Club has donated HK$11.7 billion to more than 1,200 charitable and community projects.

In Egypt's complex political environment NGOs suffer - Daily News Egypt

In Egypt's complex political environment NGOs suffer - Daily News Egypt: There are over 28,000 NGOs in Egypt registered with the Ministry of Insurance and Social Affairs, according to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), many of which suffer from a lack of human resources as well as sources of funding.

Charity Scandals in China Blamed for Steep Drop in Donations - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Charity Scandals in China Blamed for Steep Drop in Donations - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: Charity Scandals in China Blamed for Steep Drop in Donations

June 25, 2012, 9:28 am

Giving in China plunged by nearly 18 percent in 2011, with a raft of scandals involving charities contributing to the decline, according to the state-run China Daily.

Tag overhauls fundraising training after Sunday Telegraph expos�- Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Tag overhauls fundraising training after Sunday Telegraph expos�- Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Street fundraising company Tag has pulled together a new training regime for face-to-face fundraisers after a Sunday Telegraph expos�found a campaign the company ran for Marie Curie Cancer Care breached numerous rules and regulations.

The Fundraising Standards Board and Marie Curie have both launched investigations into the training and behaviour of fundraisers involved in the campaign that encouraged donors to sign up to a small text donation, which was then followed up with a direct debit conversion call by Tag’s sister company, Listen.

Forbes Names Asia Society Co-Chair Ronnie Chan 'Hero of Philanthropy' | Asia Society

Forbes Names Asia Society Co-Chair Ronnie Chan 'Hero of Philanthropy' | Asia Society: Asia Society's Co-Chair Ronnie Chan was one of those philanthropists, getting the nod for his contributions to the "Greater China" region. Forbes' John Koppisch writes that Chan was chosen in part for driving fundraising for Asia Society's "gleaming new building in Hong Kong," and donating $1.3 million from his own wallet.

Singapore's donations to charities hit 10-yr high in 2011 | My Sinchew

Singapore's donations to charities hit 10-yr high in 2011 | My Sinchew: Singapore's donations to charities hit 10-yr high in 2011

Foreign

2012-06-21 15:36

SINGAPORE, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's corporations and members of the public contributed a 10-year record high of tax deductible donations to charities with a total value of 896 million Singapore dollars (705.5 million U.S. dollars), up 15 percent compared to last year.

Umbrella bodies collaborate to advise on best use of reserves - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Umbrella bodies collaborate to advise on best use of reserves - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: CFG, Acevo, the Institute of Fundraising and Sayer Vincent today launched a new publication on how charities can better manage their reserves.

Beyond Reserves is co-authored by the four umbrella bodies and discusses whether reserves could be apportioned more effectively and creatively to better serve the charity and its beneficiaries.

NCVO and Volunteering England in merger talks - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

NCVO and Volunteering England in merger talks - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Volunteering England have entered merger talks and could be one organisation by early 2013.

Formal discussions are due to commence this summer following agreement by both boards of trustees after a joint working party, which had been set up to review the options for working together, concluded that there was “a very strong case for a full merger”.

Voluntary sector network daily: Thursday 21 June | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Voluntary sector network daily: Thursday 21 June | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Voluntary sector network daily: Thursday 21 June

From payroll giving to marketing, we round up some of the most useful and interesting links from around the web

Victoria Advocate | Nonprofits disappointed over hotel-motel tax fund requirements

Victoria Advocate | Nonprofits disappointed over hotel-motel tax fund requirements: While Victoria City Council has not decided how much of the 15 percent to allocate toward the HOT fund program, area organizations are already submitting their applications, hoping for a cut.

2012 Australian Philanthropists - Forbes

2012 Australian Philanthropists - Forbes: Our four philanthropists from Australia are putting money into medical research, helping children in Cambodia and opening a bold art museum.

Click here for the full story on Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy

BUSINESS - Bank launches new service: Philanthropy consultancy

BUSINESS - Bank launches new service: Philanthropy consultancy: “Yapı Kredi Private Banking has provided pioneering and exclusive services from inheritance to art consultancy to cater for the expectations of our customers. We aim to guide our customers in making effective donations,” Yapı Kredi Head of Marketing and Product Management, Private Banking and Wealth Management İmre T�yl�said June 18. She was speaking at a seminar titled “Effective Donation and Inspiring Donation Stories” at the Rahmi M. Ko�Museum in Istanbul. The service is being provided in collaboration with the Third Sector Foundation of Turkey.

Giving donors control over comms reduces retention, finds survey - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Giving donors control over comms reduces retention, finds survey - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Allowing donors to choose how a charity communicates with them has a negative effect on donor retention, according to an annual report on face-to-face fundraising.

Charities increased the amount of contact they had with donors signed up via face-to-face fundraising in 2010, but the researchers behind the annual Donor Acquisition and Retention Survey (DARS) warn that allowing donors to choose how they are communicated with at the outset reduces the retention rate by 3.5 percentage points over five years.

Sri Lankans are charitable, but within reason - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE

Sri Lankans are charitable, but within reason - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE: Sri Lankans are charitable, but within reason
June 19, 2012 (LBO) – Sri Lankans give generously to help the poor, the needy, the religious and their old schools, but fight shy on giving to civil society organisations, a preliminary study showed.

Coalition Plans to Promote Philanthropy | Pro Bono Australia

Coalition Plans to Promote Philanthropy | Pro Bono Australia: The Federal Coalition says it plans to increase philanthropic contributions in Australia by re-establishing the Community Business Partnership (CBP) if elected into Government at the next Federal Election.

Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services Kevin Andrews said in Government the Coalition it would encourage a culture of philanthropy and giving in Australian life through the Community Business Partnership as well as by removing “unnecessary red tape”.

New intent and bold innovations in corporate philanthropy - The Economic Times

New intent and bold innovations in corporate philanthropy - The Economic Times: On June 1, when 40 of India's wealthiest gathered in Bangalore for a closed-door discussion on philanthropy hosted by Bill Gates, Azim Premji and Ratan Tata, the room was split into two groups. Some were interested, but still hesitant to give away large chunks of their wealth. For the others, the question was not 'how much to give', but 'how to give' in order to maximise impact.

My job? Making myself redundant - The National

My job? Making myself redundant - The National: As chief executive of the Emirates Foundation, the nation's leading charitable and philanthropic organisation aimed at youth development, Clare Woodcraft says it has world-class local talent and the 'essence of sustainability' is to work herself out of a job.

Being social - Hindustan Times

Being social - Hindustan Times: “In India, philanthropy is at a nascent stage. But with the youth – an important target – getting socially conscious, being associated with social causes increases film celebrities’ brand impact range, while giving a face to a cause,” said Hitesh Gossain, business head, Percept Talent Management.

MTV’s Power of One study finds that 42% of India’s youth is gung ho about participating in a movement for a cause that affects them.

Editorial: Social business blurs boundaries

Editorial: Social business blurs boundaries: As the space between charities and social businesses gets smaller, Stephen Cook asks if the tax regime should be reconsidered

As economic austerity threatens to become permanent, many charities are doing all they can to diversify income and become less reliant on grants and fundraising. That often means moving to a more commercial, social enterprise model.

Government appoints former 3SC chief executive as 'crown representative' for the sector

Government appoints former 3SC chief executive as 'crown representative' for the sector: Michael O'Toole, former head of the third sector bidding consortium, takes on new role managing the relationship between government and the sector
Click here to find out more!

Michael O’Toole, the former chief executive of the third sector bidding consortium 3SC, has been appointed as the government’s ‘crown representative’ for the voluntary sector.

The position is one of several created by the government to manage its relationship with suppliers in different areas.

New charity domain name in the pipeline - Civil Society - IT - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

New charity domain name in the pipeline - Civil Society - IT - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The Public Interest Registry has applied to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers for permission to establish the .ngo domain name for charities and non-profit organisations around the world.

Toronto Disaster Relief Committee passes the torch | NOW Magazine

Toronto Disaster Relief Committee passes the torch | NOW Magazine: After 14 years of uncompromising advocacy on behalf of the homeless, the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee is shutting down.

Chinese magnate donates $750m to foundation for senior citizens - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 12, 2012

Chinese magnate donates $750m to foundation for senior citizens - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 12, 2012: A CHINESE shipbuilder who grew his group’s turnover by more than 250 per cent in the years since 2008, to $2.5 billion last year, has given away his $750 million shareholding in the business to a foundation that helps Chinese senior citizens.

Fund-raising initiatives to continue

Fund-raising initiatives to continue: What they could not do for their child, they now hope to achieve for orphans and other children battling critical illnesses.

Nur's parents made this pledge amid their grief on Saturday.

Her father, Mr Muhammad Ghazali, 27, a security supervisor, said that these were their preliminary plans and they would share more details soon.

How many Canadians give, and other trends in Canadian philanthropy - The Globe and Mail

How many Canadians give, and other trends in Canadian philanthropy - The Globe and Mail: How many Canadians give, and other trends in Canadian philanthropy

Former secretary gives $1-million to Parks Canada, its largest ever donation - The Globe and Mail

Former secretary gives $1-million to Parks Canada, its largest ever donation - The Globe and Mail: An avid camper and lover of the outdoors, Marjorie LeDrew wanted to get more Canadians to visit national parks. That’s why she bequeathed $1-million to Parks Canada, the largest private donation to the national parks system in its 101-year history.

World’s Top 10 Givers

World’s Top 10 Givers: Hence philanthropy is on the rise and the rate of charitable giving in 2011 surpassed economic growth in both the UK and US, he added.

According to Hymers, a foundation is the most popular structure among super rich philanthropists.

Donors focus on poverty relief, disaster mitigation - Social Issues - VietNam News

Donors focus on poverty relief, disaster mitigation - Social Issues - VietNam News: QUANG TRI — Donor representatives focused their discussions on poverty reduction and natural disaster mitigation in central Viet Nam during the mid – term Consultative Group Meeting that opened in Quang Tri Province's Dong Ha City yesterday.

Addressing the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said the Central was the most populous region in the country with nearly 19 million people, accounting for 21.9 per cent of the national population. However, Deputy
the scale of its economy was small, ranked fourth nationwide

'Invaluable' Queen’s charities raise �1.4bn a year - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

'Invaluable' Queen’s charities raise �1.4bn a year - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Charities supported by the Queen raise a combined �1.427bn a year, research from the Charities Aid Foundation has found.

The 510 British charities supported by the monarch raised the princely sum in the last financial year, according to CAF.

Among those 510 charities are some fundraising giants; Cancer Research UK, which raised �351m in the last year on record; British Red Cross, which raised �119.9m; and Barnardo’s which raised �43.5m.

A letter from Syria: 12 trucks of aid and a tragedy � Red Cross Blogs

A letter from Syria: 12 trucks of aid and a tragedy � Red Cross Blogs: Last month, we sent experienced delegate Alasdair Gordon-Gibson to work for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Damascus. Now back in the UK, Alasdair writes about his experiences.

Make CSR mandatory, says philanthropist Sitaram Jindal

Make CSR mandatory, says philanthropist Sitaram Jindal: The idea of legislation for corporate houses to make charity mandatory might sound pushy, but veteran industry warhorse Sitaram Jindal, who set up his charitable trust as early as in 1969, foresees the need of one immediately to push Indian industry into more vigorous philanthropy in the social sector.

Turning Slumdogs Into Millionaires: One Hedge Fund Manager's Quest - Forbes

Turning Slumdogs Into Millionaires: One Hedge Fund Manager's Quest - Forbes: Unable to find an organization that met his value-investor’s need for efficiency and ROI, he decided to simply start his own. His Dakshana Foundation (dakshana means “to give or receive a gift” in Sanskrit) would initially be funded in 2006 with $577,000 of his own money (to date he has contributed $5.5 million).

The idea behind Dakshana was to find some of India’s most brilliant and poorest kids and prepare them for the rigorous entrance examination for the Indian Institutes of Technology. The IITs are a group of the nation’s most prestigious engineering and technology universities. Its graduates are virtually guaranteed employment and success.

Third of small charities can't cope with volunteer demand, survey finds - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Third of small charities can't cope with volunteer demand, survey finds - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: More than half of English and Welsh small to medium-sized charities have seen interest in volunteering rise, but nearly a third are unable to cope with the demand, a survey has revealed.

Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, which surveyed 660 charities, has found that 56 per cent have seen interest in volunteering opportunities increase, with medium-sized charities with incomes of between �101,000 and �300,000 receiving the greatest level of interest.

A veritable feast of philanthropy | Bangkok Post: food

A veritable feast of philanthropy | Bangkok Post: food: Despite the little joke, in August last year Bangkok witnessed that it took only 19 of them to raise some 12 million baht in one evening for the improvement in the quality of lives and education of hundreds schoolchildren around the country. And, though it might sound too saccharine a sentiment, that's simply because they all have truly charitable hearts.

Eleven weeks from now, the City of Angels will experience a repeat of this magnanimity.

Hurd: sector must now move on from tax relief cap row - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Hurd: sector must now move on from tax relief cap row - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Minister for civil society Nick Hurd has said it is important that the charity sector draws a line under the row over the tax relief cap on charitable donations so it can work with the government on agendas that really matter for the sector.

India-born professor donates sustainability award money - CanIndia NEWS | CanIndia NEWS

India-born professor donates sustainability award money - CanIndia NEWS | CanIndia NEWS: Bawa, distinguished professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, is the 2012 winner of the Gunnerus Sustainability Award from the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and letters (DKNVS).
He gifted the prize money to the Bangalore-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a research institution in the areas of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Bawa is its founder and president.