Hurd: 'Government does not understand civil society'

Hurd: 'Government does not understand civil society': Nick Hurd minister for civil society, has condemned the government for its lack of attention to and understanding of civil society, suggesting a culture change is necessary.

Hurd made the comments when concluding a roundtable event for small charities hosted by the Directory of Social Change. The event, with a theme of trusteeship, was an opportunity for smaller charities to question Hurd about governance issues.

PASC to examine charity chief executive pay

PASC to examine charity chief executive pay: The issue of charity chief executive pay is to be examined by a committee of influential MPs, which includes two politicians who have already been publicly critical of charity executive pay.

The Public Administration Select Committee is inviting written evidence on the issue of salaries for chief executives in the charity sector, ahead of an oral session on the topic, currently scheduled for 17 December.

BBC News - The City Story exhibition celebrates philanthropy

BBC News - The City Story exhibition celebrates philanthropy: An exhibition marking 800 years of philanthropy in London is due to open in a former 14th Century monastery.

The Charterhouse, in Farringdon, is staging The City Story which explores London's history of philanthropy through stories past and present.

Companies tie giving abroad to bottom line, local needs � Philanthropy North Carolina

Companies tie giving abroad to bottom line, local needs � Philanthropy North Carolina: Local needs and corporate financial performance in countries in which they do business are the main factors that drive U.S. companies to make social invests abroad, a new study says.

Eighty-six percent of companies that gave internationally say they plan to increase or maintain the size of their foreign giving budget, says the study, commissioned by Global Impact and prepared by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Government snubs civil society group on lobbying bill

Government snubs civil society group on lobbying bill: A group of civil society organisations working to address concerns on the lobbying bill has said it is disappointed that Deputy Leader of the House Tom Brake was prevented by Leader of the House Andrew Lansley from giving evidence for its new report.

The Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement, chaired by Lord Harries of Pentregrath, has published its final report on the lobbying bill, which will be presented to peers in the House of Lords today, one week before the controversial bill returns to the floor of the Lords for committee stage.

NSPCC's income falls again but charity returns to surplus

NSPCC's income falls again but charity returns to surplus: NSPCC’s income dropped again in 2013 to below �130m but efficiencies mean it reported a budget surplus for the first time in six years.

The charity’s income for 2013 fell by �6.3m from �135.7m in 2012 to �129.4m. The charity's income has been in decline since 2009, when it was �157.5m, and last year it saw its income drop by �13m on the previous year.

How Subhas Dhar's Gudville is trying to help philanthropy make business sense - The Economic Times

How Subhas Dhar's Gudville is trying to help philanthropy make business sense - The Economic Times: Gudville, a website that he is building, aims to bridge the gap between those wanting to do good and organisations that can help them do so. It is currently being beta-tested in the Silicon Valley.

"Philanthropy has to make business sense. It's about making capitalism work for social responsibility," said Dhar, 46. By the end of this year, he expects to sign up 50,000 users on the portal.

NCVO income grew by �1.5m in last financial year

NCVO income grew by �1.5m in last financial year: The merger of NCVO and Volunteering England helped NCVO end the last financial year with an income uplift of �1.5m – though even without the VE revenue, the umbrella body grew its income by 14 per cent during the year.

Oxfam to cut 125 jobs as part of major restructure

Oxfam to cut 125 jobs as part of major restructure: Oxfam has today announced a restructure of its UK-based operations that will result in the loss of 125 UK jobs.

The reshape is part of a shift in Oxfam’s strategy, which includes focusing more of its resources on a smaller number of poorer countries.

With great wealth comes great responsibility - Business - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

With great wealth comes great responsibility - Business - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): This week, mining magnate, Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest made headlines by donating $65 million to Western Australian universities, the largest act of philanthropy in Australia's history. He then followed it up in London where his Walk Free foundation was behind the launch of the first Global Slavery Index, which measures and ranks slavery in 162 countries, including Australia. His aim: to use his economic power not just to enrich his family economically, but give back at the same time.

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :

Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :: all started with a presentation from United Way encouraging the staff of Trinidad Systems Limited (TSL) to “give” monthly contributions to that organisation comprised of a national system of volunteers, contributors, and local charities, helping people in their own communities. TSL then matched the total staff contributions given to United Way, and in an effort to do even more for the community, members of the TSL staff were encouraged to come up with their very own charity event to increase the company’s total contributions to United Way.

Lord Loomba's charity raises 1,50,000 pounds for Indian widows | Business Standard

Lord Loomba's charity raises 1,50,000 pounds for Indian widows | Business Standard: Over 1,50,000 pounds have been raised for the welfare of 10,000 poor widows in India by a charity founded by Britain's House of Lords' member Raj Loomba.

The UN accredited Loomba Foundation, hosted its annual dinner at the Guildall here yesterday.

National Kidney Foundation gets new chief executive in November

National Kidney Foundation gets new chief executive in November: The leadership change comes at a time when the charity is ready to step out of the shadow of its 2005 scandal, which exposed lapses in its corporate governance, and return to active fund raising.

Top 50 Gifts Voting Takes Off | Pro Bono Australia

Top 50 Gifts Voting Takes Off | Pro Bono Australia: he People’s Choice voting for Australia’s top philanthropic gifts has taken off with more than 400 people adding their vote in just four days.

The Top 50 Philanthropic Gifts of All Time were announced in Melbourne on Monday revealing a rich history of ‘giving’ in Australia and the public has been invited to vote online to decide Australia’s Top 10 Gifts.

The Pro Bono Australia website showcasing the gifts has had almost 6000 visitors.

WJTV News Channel 12 - Mining magnate gives $62M to Aussie universities

WJTV News Channel 12 - Mining magnate gives $62M to Aussie universities: PERTH, Australia (AP) - Mining magnate Andrew Forrest pledged on Tuesday to give 65 million Australian dollars ($62 million) to university education in his home state in one of Australia's largest philanthropic donations.

The chairman of iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group said AU$50 million will be used to establish the Forrest Foundation to fund scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships at all five universities in Western Australia state.

Melt the “charity chill” - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders

Melt the “charity chill” - Information, research and resources for fundraisers and their leaders: "Say “advocacy” around activists, and many people will picture confrontational stunts rather than strategic alliance-building behind the scenes. But the latter is one of the most effective tactics charities have adopted to tackle huge problems like passing laws against drunk driving, restricting smoking and toughening laws for equity.

Ken Wyman believes that charities must advocate. Charities represent millions of people whose expertise and voices belong in public policy discussions, he says."

'via Blog this'

BBC News - Can kindness movements make a difference?

BBC News - Can kindness movements make a difference?: Thankless though the task seems, Ng is just one of many residents of the city who have been inspired by the Singapore Kindness Movement, a government-funded body which aims to promote helpful and courteous behaviour amongst its people.

Nobel Fund Might Seek Donors as Investments Underwhelm - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Nobel Fund Might Seek Donors as Investments Underwhelm - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: The organization that bestows the Nobel Prize will look into soliciting charitable donations as other strategies to boost revenue have fallen short, according to Bloomberg.

The Nobel Foundation said late last year that it was moving more money into hedge funds, which have underperformed relative to stocks of late. The investment move came six months after the Stockholm-based nonprofit cut the monetary award for its prestigious prizes by 20 percent.

CAF chief takes issue with Commission’s terrorism warnings

CAF chief takes issue with Commission’s terrorism warnings: Charities Aid Foundation chief executive John Low has defended international charities working in conflict zones, saying they expend enormous effort to ensure their donations do not find their way to terror groups.

In an article for the Huffington Post, Low appeared to take issue with recent high-profile comments by Charity Commission chair William Shawcross that corruption by terrorist groups is one of the biggest threats facing the voluntary sector nowadays.

Trust Company Takeover Means Less for NFPs | Pro Bono Australia

Trust Company Takeover Means Less for NFPs | Pro Bono Australia: he outcome of this corporate takeover is of vital importance to the sector as trustee companies are the largest administrators of philanthropic monies in Australia. These monies were left by generous (dead) individuals and families on the understanding that the trust/foundation would be maintained in perpetuity for the benefit of the most disadvantaged in the community. The founders are no longer there to advocate and most have no independent (i.e. Non-trustee Company) trustees to challenge any decisions.

Today, trustee companies manage “over 2,000(sic)” charitable trusts and foundations with assets of approximately $3.2 billion.

Comic Relief offers gift aid software to other charities

Comic Relief offers gift aid software to other charities: Comic Relief will offer its gift aid claim software to other charities for free from next week, after some charities revealed they might miss the deadline to update their systems.

The HMRC-accredited Gift Aid Interface Linked software will be available to other charities from 18 October on an open source basis, and IT managers should be able to integrate the software into their existing systems.

A popular mainland charity is coming to a restaurant near you | South China Morning Post

A popular mainland charity is coming to a restaurant near you | South China Morning Post: hi Fan for Charity Hong Kong is a chance to do just as the name suggests, to sik fan (eat) for charity. The event is billed as an alternative to buying a table at a charity banquet.

Instead, it offers seats in at least 18 hot restaurants and all proceeds from the night's wining and dining go to charity.

On November 16, each restaurant will set aside a table for about 10 guests and create a special menu, most with wine pairings and other drinks included. Every table has an official host

Social Business and Philanthropy - Is There Room for Both? | Michael Harris

Social Business and Philanthropy - Is There Room for Both? | Michael Harris: In the short-term, a move towards social business will not render our charities irrelevant overnight. On the contrary, the funding gap for charities in the UK reaches into billions of pounds and these are organisations that provide vital public services where the government's wallet runs out - think hospice nurses, medical research, skills training, and care services. So whilst we should dive in to social business and shake up the status quo, we are obligated to re-double our responsibilities in the meantime by continuing to give, and to give more.

Ten foundations 'account for nine-tenths of social investment by trusts and foundations' | Third Sector

Ten foundations 'account for nine-tenths of social investment by trusts and foundations' | Third Sector: en foundations with endowments exceeding �100m are responsible for nearly 90 per cent of social investment by charitable trusts and foundations in the UK, new research by the Association of Charitable Foundations shows.

Shawcross says sector is happy with lobbying bill changes

Shawcross says sector is happy with lobbying bill changes: Charity Commission chair William Shawcross told an audience of charity lawyers yesterday that most of the voluntary sector was happy with the changes to the lobbying bill that have been proposed by the government.

Skills-Third Sector launches first skills website for charities | Charity Digital News

Skills-Third Sector launches first skills website for charities | Charity Digital News: Skills-Third Sector, with co-investment from UKCES Growth and Innovation Fund, is due to launch an interactive online skills platform to help charities find training to develop their workforce. It will be the first comparison site for the sector, giving charities the chance to source skills, compare offers and find training.

The first version of the platform went live this week,

Charity calendar celebrates the work of retired dogs - Lancashire Evening Post

Charity calendar celebrates the work of retired dogs - Lancashire Evening Post: The charity calendar, celebrating the work of retired Lancashire Police Dogs, is now on sale and will raise vital funds for the police charity.

Extra Life and Sony partner for 25-hour charity drive | Joystiq

Extra Life and Sony partner for 25-hour charity drive | Joystiq: Due to laws in the UK and Australia restricting the ability of non-profit organizations to raise funds in either country, international participants will need to play their marathons for the benefit of the international efforts of three hospitals: Boston Children's, SickKids in Toronto, or Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Advancing Philanthropy - Publications - AFP

The Fall Advancing Philanthropy features a variety of articles on International Philanthropy and Fundraising.

Advancing Philanthropy - Publications - AFP: "20  VIVE LA DIVERSITÉ IN GLOBAL FUNDRAISING
How to better understand and appreciate cultural influences on philanthropic action
By Lilya Wagner, Ed.D., CFRE

Charities Aid Foundation: why funding the front line can boost effective giving | Fund the Front Line | theguardian.com

Charities Aid Foundation: why funding the front line can boost effective giving | Fund the Front Line | theguardian.com: When people think about philanthropy, they want to connect with, and make a tangible impact on, the causes they care about most.

At the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) we work to help people make the biggest difference they can to causes all round the world. That's why we are supporting the Fund the Front Line campaign.

Global Fundraising: How the World is Changing the Rules of Philanthropy-Association of Fundraising Professionals Bookstore

An AFP Wiley book.

Global Fundraising: How the World is Changing the Rules of Philanthropy-Association of Fundraising Professionals Bookstore: A practical guide to the challenges and successes of global fundraising, written by an international team of highly respected philanthropy professionals and edited by two of the leading nonprofit thinkers, Global Fundraising is the first book to genuinely offer a global overview of philanthropy with an internationalist perspective.

As the world becomes more interdependent, and economies struggle, global philanthropy continues to increase. More than that, nonprofits are taking up roles that have traditionally been filled by the government—including social welfare, healthcare, and human rights. Global Fundraising provides complete coverage of the implications of this growth for nonprofit culture and how it drives changes in fundraising practices.

GlobalGiving UK: bringing front line NGOs to your doorstep | Fund the Front Line | theguardian.com

GlobalGiving UK: bringing front line NGOs to your doorstep | Fund the Front Line | theguardian.com: This initiative demonstrates generous examples of philanthropy by the FTFL partners and acts as an exciting initiative to encourage charitable giving in a time of reduced official aid flows and reservations as to the effectiveness of charitable donations.

Charity Commission distances itself from Telegraph warning on giving to Syria

Charity Commission distances itself from Telegraph warning on giving to Syria: Chair of the Institute of Fundraising, Mark Astarita, has accused William Shawcross, chair of the Charity Commission of “undermining giving to Syria”, after Saturday's Daily Telegraph quoted Shawcross saying some money donated to Syria “undoubtedly” went to extremist groups.

And today the Charity Commission distanced itself from the piece, saying Shawcross’ comments have been taken out of context.

Wolfson family awarded Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy | Third Sector

Wolfson family awarded Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy | Third Sector: Dame Janet Wolfson de Botton, chair of the Wolfson Foundation, will collect the medal at a ceremony at the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh on 17 October
The prestigious Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy is to be awarded to the Wolfson family, founders of the Wolfson Foundation.

The grant-maker supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science and medicine, the arts and humanities, education and health, and disability. More than �750m has been awarded in grants to about 10,000 projects over the past 58 years

Lobbying bill amendments don’t go far enough, say umbrella bodies

Lobbying bill amendments don’t go far enough, say umbrella bodies: NCVO and Acevo issued a joint statement criticising the government's amendments to the controversial lobbying bill for not going far enough to protect charities' campaigning activity.

Human Dignity Trust is too political to be a charity, Commission rules

Human Dignity Trust is too political to be a charity, Commission rules: The Human Dignity Trust, which campaigns against the criminalisation of homosexuals in foreign countries, has failed to convince the Charity Commission to register it as a charity.

The Trust will appeal to the Charity Tribunal.

Oct 9: CEO Of AFP To Present On Philanthropy | Bernews.com

Oct 9: CEO Of AFP To Present On Philanthropy | Bernews.com: Bermuda will soon have a professional organisation which promotes the ethical raising of funds in our charitable sector. A Bermuda Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals [AFP] is in the works for 2014 and the CEO and President of AFP International will be on the island next week to give presentations on fundraising and philanthropy to donors and nonprofits.

New crowdsourcing platform links tech-skilled volunteers with charities | Charity Digital News

New crowdsourcing platform links tech-skilled volunteers with charities | Charity Digital News: The Atlassian Foundation today previewed its innovative crowdsourcing platform, MakeaDiff.org, which will allow nonprofits to coordinate with technically-skilled volunteers who want to help convert ideas into successful projects.