Thursday, March 28, 2013

Umbrella body Cemvo goes into liquidation

Umbrella body Cemvo goes into liquidation: Umbrella body and former Cabinet Office strategic partner the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (Cemvo) has informed the Charity Commission that it is in the process of winding up and has appointed a liquidator.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Rise of the Middle-Class Donor in Hong Kong

The Rise of the Middle-Class Donor in Hong Kong: Hong Kong is a charitable place. Hong Kong recently earned a respectable 19th place in Charities Aid Foundation’s The World Giving Index 2012 and 9th in the five-year ranking. According to the Hong Kong Government’s Inland Revenue Department, charitable donations amounted to over HK$9.2 billion (US$1.18 billion), comprising HK$3.73 billion and HK$5.5 billion (US$478 million and US$705 million) from corporations and individuals respectively in the 2010-11 tax year. The generosity of Hong Kong citizens has bred the proliferation of 7,194 approved charitable organizations as of March 2012.

Mission possible | South China Morning Post

Mission possible | South China Morning Post: Yes, it’s about time this privileged bunch stepped up and raised some money for the rest of Hong Kong. And that’s what they did.



HKRFU donate box

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Google launches �2m Global Impact Challenge for charities

Google launches �2m Global Impact Challenge for charities: Matt Brittin, vice-president for Google northern and central Europe, says he 'can't wait to see the ideas' that are put forward

Google is offering a share of �2m to the four UK charities that come up with the

New Big Society Network campaign aims to be 'biggest fundraising event in history'

New Big Society Network campaign aims to be 'biggest fundraising event in history': Big Society Network is preparing to launch a major Olympic legacy campaign called Britain’s Personal Best, which aims to become the “largest mass participation event in Britain, the biggest fundraising event in history and the most successful human development event in history”.

It will encourage people to set themselves challenges over the weekend of 4, 5 and 6 October 2013 and raise money for charities.

Italian-Style Coffee Philanthropy Takes Hold in Bulgaria — Naharnet

Italian-Style Coffee Philanthropy Takes Hold in Bulgaria — Naharnet: More than 150 cafes across Bulgaria have joined a goodwill initiative modeled on the Italian "caffe sospeso" tradition, which literally means "suspended coffee", according to a Facebook page devoted to the movement.

The tradition -- born in the cafes of Italy's southern city of Naples -- sees people pay in advance for one or several coffees without drinking them.

TCI Stops Giving Fee Share To Charity | FINalternatives

TCI Stops Giving Fee Share To Charity | FINalternatives:The Children's Investment Fund has ended the charitable practice that gave the hedge fund its name.

London-based TCI has stopped donating a portion of its fees to The Children's Investment Fund Foundation. The hedge fund has given one-third of its management fees to the charity since its debut in 2004, as well as donations of 0.5% of its assets under management in years it returned in excess of 11%. What is more, TCI founder Christopher Hohn and his wife have personally given more than �1 billion to the organization.

Monday, March 25, 2013

2013 Barefoot Charity Walk to Support Singapore's Elderly and Physically-Challenged - World News Report

2013 Barefoot Charity Walk to Support Singapore's Elderly and Physically-Challenged - World News Report: This year is the fifth annual Bare Your Sole barefoot walk with Habitat for Humanity and Barclays hoping to build on the huge success of the previous years and attract even more participants, be they individuals, families, groups of friends, clubs, associations, or corporates. Last year's event saw 5,000 participants take part, with over S$300,000 raised for Habitat for Humanity Singapore. The organisers hope to see more than 5,000 pairs of bare feet for Habitat-Barclays Bare Your Sole 2013.

'Philanthropy in higher education must' - The New Indian Express

'Philanthropy in higher education must' - The New Indian Express: Lauding the private sector for its contributions to higher education, Prof Prakash warned against “business orientation” in higher education. “We have 145 private universities and 95 per cent of the deemed universities are from private sector. Commercialisation of higher education in private sector is unacceptable, which could lead to institutions becoming real estates,” he said, adding that private philanthropy in higher education must be revived. He said Indian higher education faces crises in identity, resources and governance.

Momentum of charity keeps growing in India - The New Indian Express

Momentum of charity keeps growing in India - The New Indian Express: Like mercy, philanthropy is “twice blest”, as Shakespeare said. “It blesseth him that gives and him that takes”. While the giver feels the joy of his donation in his own heart, the taker is grateful for the benediction that he has received in his hour of need. In India, alms-giving and acts of charity have long been a way of life not only among the well-to-do, but also among those lower down in the economic scale, who rarely turn away the needy from the door. It isn’t surprising, therefore, that the latest India Philanthropy Report has noted a rise in the donations given by the wealthy in this country.

Reviving Egyptian Waqf to Catalyze Social Change | Wamda.com

Reviving Egyptian Waqf to Catalyze Social Change | Wamda.com: The idea of Waqfeyat Al-Maadi Community Foundation began when Founder Marwa Al-Dali started reconsidering and studying the methods adopted in development work and its funding in Egypt, and placing them within the framework of social entrepreneurship and sustainability.

India's rich begin warming up to charity, but in their own way | Business Standard

India's rich begin warming up to charity, but in their own way | Business Standard: The richie-rich club of India may be lagging behind their Western counterparts when it comes to charity donations, but philanthropy in the country is gaining momentum through a different route, experts say.

Big Mac� Fundraising | The Agitator - Fundraising, Direct Marketing and Advocacy Strategies for Nonprofits

Big Mac� Fundraising | The Agitator - Fundraising, Direct Marketing and Advocacy Strategies for Nonprofits: The Big Mac� Philanthropy Index will officially launch On April 8th. Compiled by the London-based international consultancy The Management Centre (=mc) and a 40 member team from a group of global charities, the new Index is designed to measure the relative philanthropy of countries around the world.

Before the arrival of this new sesame-seeded metric, comparative giving around the globe was measured by The World Giving Index published annually by the UK’s Charities Aid Foundation.

Friday, March 22, 2013

New social giving platform 'will pass 100 per cent of donations to charities'

New social giving platform 'will pass 100 per cent of donations to charities': Believe.in will change the way online charitable giving works by not taking a cut, claim founders Matthias Metternich and Will Cookson

A new social fundraising platform that promises to give to charity 100 per cent of the money raised through the site, including Gift Aid, has been launched today.

The founders of Believe.in said it would change the way charitable giving operates online.

The platform does not take a percentage from donations as a fee or charge charities to become members, unlike similar sites such as JustGiving and Virgin Money Giving.

Federal budget: A one-time boost to credit for charitable donations

Federal budget: A one-time boost to credit for charitable donations: First the good news. First-time donors (to charity), which means anyone who hasn’t contributed since 2007, will get a 25 per cent ‘super credit’ on top of the existing (federal) credit,” said Jamie Golombek, managing director of tax and estate planning at CIBC Private Wealth Management.

The measure, to take effect in the 2013 tax year, is intended to boost charitable giving in Canada. It could be particularly impactful here, since Quebecers typically rank near the bottom in terms of national per-capita giving.

Syria appeal raises more than �70,000 through Big Give

Syria appeal raises more than �70,000 through Big Give: Fundraising platform the Big Give has raised over �70,000 so far for the Syrian crisis.

The Big Give offered to double online donations to the emergency appeals by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), Merlin and others. This match funding has now been "exhausted", the organisation advised, but "a generous donor" is continuing to double donations to the DEC and Merlin appeals. The organisation speculates that other charities may find similar support over the next few days.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Best bits – getting ahead in charity finance | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Best bits – getting ahead in charity finance | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Best bits – getting ahead in charity finance

Expert advice from our recent discussion on professional development for those working in charity finance

11 print-related charities enter collaboration to strengthen reach

11 print-related charities enter collaboration to strengthen reach: An informal alliance has been formed between 11 print-related charities in a bid to strengthen their reach.

The charities, which include the Printing Charity, Paper Industry Charitable Trust, the Journalist's Charity and Unite the Union, hope that by joining forces they will be able to tap into each other's audience to strengthen their individual profiles.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Charity sector leaders react to budget statement | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Charity sector leaders react to budget statement | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Charity sector leaders have welcomed elements of the budget, including announcements of a consultation on gift aid and digital giving, a new tax relief for social investment and a cut in employers' national insurance contributions.

Canadians need to reverse troubling trend on charitable giving: Editorial | Toronto Star

Canadians need to reverse troubling trend on charitable giving: Editorial | Toronto Star: Canadians need to reverse troubling trend on charitable giving: Editorial
A smaller percentage of Canadians are giving to charities than in the past, though those who do are giving more. As a society we’re digging deeper into fewer pockets. It’s not a healthy trend.

India's billionaire club slow to share riches | NDTV.com

India's billionaire club slow to share riches | NDTV.com: But like other emerging economies such as China, its charitable giving still lags markedly behind that in the West where the tradition of wealthy businessmen donating chunks of their fortunes is much more deeply ingrained.

High net worth Indians gave up an average 3.1 percent of their income to charitable causes in 2011 -- up from 2010 but far behind the 9.1 percent average in the United States, according to global consultancy Bain & Company.

The Management Centre seeks data for The Big Mac� Philanthropy Index | UK Fundraising

The Management Centre seeks data for The Big Mac� Philanthropy Index | UK Fundraising: How do you measure and compare philanthropy in different countries, given their different economies, GDP's, cultures and attitudes to charitable giving? London-based international management consultancy The Management Centre is attempting to do this by pegging some standard donation values against the local price of a Big Mac� in each country's currency.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Editorial: Top pay is higher than you think

Editorial: Top pay is higher than you think: The highest figures in Third Sector's survey are from private hospitals, arts organisations and universities, writes Stephen Cook

Third Sector's survey of the 100 highest-paid jobs in the 150 highest-income charities reveals some eye-watering numbers, not least the near million-pound salary of a senior executive, until 2011, of the London Clinic, a Harley Street private hospital, and the �850,000 paid to the group chief executive of Nuffield Health.

That's what's different about this list - it includes not only the general charities familiar to us through their fundraising and campaigning, but also several types of organisation that many might not realise are charities: universities, arts bodies and professional associations, as well as the independent hospita

AFP’s Government Relations Committee Weighs in on Canada’s Anti-spam Regulations - Press - AFP

AFP’s Government Relations Committee Weighs in on Canada’s Anti-spam Regulations - Press - AFP: AFP’s Government Relations Committee Weighs in on Canada’s Anti-spam Regulations

Concerned by the potentially negative impacts on Canada’s charities, Canada’s AFP Government Relations Committee has formally submitted its position on anti-spam legislation to the Digital Policy Branch of the Department of Industry.

Schwab Charitable makes giving abroad easier - San Francisco Business Times

Schwab Charitable makes giving abroad easier - San Francisco Business Times: As part of a new partnership with NGOsource — a legal service that determines the legitimacy of foreign organizations and their ability to receive tax-deductable donations — Schwab Charitable’s Global Giving program has made international giving significantly more cost effective for its clients.

PayPal Stops Foreign Charity Donations From Singapore Accounts | TechCrunch

PayPal Stops Foreign Charity Donations From Singapore Accounts | TechCrunch: PayPal phases out donations to foreign non-profits and charities from Singapore accounts starting tomorrow, the 21st of March, and will complete this by the end of the month.

This decision is a result of PayPal failing to get a remittance license in the country from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. PayPal was able to offer remittance services over the years, till the governing body issued an instruction recently that required PayPal to stop this function in lieu of a license.

U.K. Looks to Keep Olympic Flame of Volunteerism Lit - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

U.K. Looks to Keep Olympic Flame of Volunteerism Lit - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly: The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, under the direction of its leader, Sir Stuart Etherington, has launched a campaign to recruit more volunteers for British charities. Etherington’s idea is to recapture the excitement and momentum of the volunteerism associated with the Olympics and Paralympics in London last year. The U.K. took a lot of pride in the games and ascribes part of their success to the Team London Ambassadors and Games Maker volunteers. According to Etherington, “Their guidance and expertise proved indispensable to the smooth running of the Games, and the indomitable cheer of those purple-clad champions came to define London 2012 and prove that volunteering is, at its heart, a joyful thing to do.”

Monday, March 18, 2013

Red Nose Day raises �75.1m and counting

Red Nose Day raises �75.1m and counting: The rule of the red nose shows no sign of abating, as Red Nose Day’s fundraising matches the amount raised on the day in 2011, its record-breaking year.

Early figures show that Friday’s Red Nose Day raised �75.1m for Comic Relief with the charity still accepting donations, already up on the record-breaking 2011 total of �74.3m.

'Naive' Twitter pledge leads to UK lawmaker donating $21,150 to charity | Digital Trends

'Naive' Twitter pledge leads to UK lawmaker donating $21,150 to charity | Digital Trends: During Friday night’s biennial Comic Relief Red Nose Day event on the BBC, where comedians and other entertainers come together to help raise money for various charities, Fiona Mactaggart, a lawmaker from the country’s main opposition Labour Party, tweeted to her 2000 or so followers that she would donate �1 ($1.50) to Comic Relief for each retweet.

NGOsource Launches Online Equivalency Determination Service That Streamlines International Grantmaking | Fort Mill Times - Fort Mill, SC

NGOsource Launches Online Equivalency Determination Service That Streamlines International Grantmaking | Fort Mill Times - Fort Mill, SC: A project of the Council on Foundations and TechSoup Global, NGOsource employs a streamlined process (known as equivalency determination or ED) to determine if a non-U.S. organization is equivalent to a U.S. public charity and creates a central repository of certified EDs that will benefit both U.S. grantmakers and the international organizations they support.

Nonprofit Consulting Goes Global - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

Nonprofit Consulting Goes Global - Good Advice - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: As more governments move toward democracy and greater privatization, nongovernmental organizations are popping up in new places—and the worldwide marketplace for consultants to nonprofits is heating up. For instance, some consulting companies now define themselves through a global mission, with international markets and services. And large consulting firms like Accenture have extended their global reach to encompass nonprofits as well as businesses and government.

In addition, existing nonprofit groups, especially giant international organizati

Friday, March 15, 2013

Charities 'less pessimistic' about the future despite the tough climate, report finds | Third Sector

Charities 'less pessimistic' about the future despite the tough climate, report finds | Third Sector: an Oakley-Smith, a director at PwC, says the latest Managing in a Downturn study shows signs that morale in the sector is improving

Charities are growing less pessimistic about the future despite the tough fundraising environment and a rising demand for services, according to a report published today.

Managing in the 'New Normal' – Adapting to Uncertainty is the sixth in the Managing in a Downturn series produced annually by the Charity Finance Group, the Institute of Fundraising and PwC.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Fifty-six CIOs have registered with the Charity Commission since January | Third Sector

Fifty-six CIOs have registered with the Charity Commission since January | Third Sector: The Charity Commission has registered 56 charitable incorporated organisations since registration began in early January.

The new legal form, which was included in the Charities Act 2006 and was initially intended to become available from 2008, allows charities to enter into contracts as corporate entities with limited liability for trustees and members.

60 per cent of the UK give less than �50 a year to charity

60 per cent of the UK give less than �50 a year to charity: A survey of more than 28,500 people in the UK, conducted for New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), has revealed that over 60 per cent give less than �50 a year to charity, but charities could unlock �665m more by communicating better.

A scoping survey was undertaken to identify 3,000 donors to inform NPC’s Money for Good report, published today. It simultaneously found that only 39 per cent of the 28,500 surveyed give �50 or more to charity annually.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Federation planned for charities - CHINA - Globaltimes.cn

Federation planned for charities - CHINA - Globaltimes.cn: China will set up a national service federation for charity organizations and continue to develop legislation for the sector as it struggles to reach a consensus on several issues, an official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs told a press conference Wednesday at the ongoing legislative session.

Dou Yupei, vice minister of civil affairs, said that a national coordinating charity federation will be established to promote self-regulation in the sector.

Parliamentary inquiry into Growing Giving launched

Parliamentary inquiry into Growing Giving launched: Former cabinet minister David Blunkett will be joined by Tory MP Andrew Percy and Liberal Democrat Peer Baroness Tyler in chairing the inquiry which launched yesterday with an initial focus on giving by children.

The launch was accompanied by CAF-commissioned research that estimated that children between nine and 11 years of age donate nearly �20m to charity each year, or �1.99 each a month. In its first stage, the Growing Giving inquiry will be investigating how to harness and grow giving by under-18s, and in particular how to instil habits of giving for later life.

CAF has issued a call for written evidence on how to get young people giving more.

NEW REPORT: The State of Global Civil Society & Volunteering – Latest findings from the implementation of the UN Nonprofit Handbook � Center for Civil Society Studies

NEW REPORT: The State of Global Civil Society & Volunteering – Latest findings from the implementation of the UN Nonprofit Handbook � Center for Civil Society Studies: Today, we are happy to announce the release of our new report, “The State of Global Civil Society and Volunteering – Latest findings from the implementation of the UN Nonprofit Handbook,” which compares data from the 16 countries that have produced nonprofit satellite accounts. Please see the news release below. You can also see an infographic here, and you can download the full, 16-page report here.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Fundraising, Part 7: International affairs group aims to show impact | Philanthropy North Carolina

Fundraising, Part 7: International affairs group aims to show impact | Philanthropy North Carolina: In the face of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, donors increasingly expect international relief charities to show “your work is actually accomplishing something,” says Bob Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in Washington, D.C.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Nonprofits a Major Source of Employment Growth Globally

Nonprofits a Major Source of Employment Growth Globally: A new report from the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies reveals that nonprofit organizations are major employers and major sources of employment growth in countries throughout the world.

Interview: Geraldine Kilbride

Interview: Geraldine Kilbride: The director of the Future Leaders Programme for Fundraisers says charities do less research into leadership than the private sector

Geraldine Kilbride caused a stir with her comments at a recent Resource Alliance event that the charity sector was "possibly 10 years behind the private sector" in its thinking about leadership.

Nonprofits hurt by red tape and support gap |2013 NPC and CPPCC |chinadaily.com.cn

Nonprofits hurt by red tape and support gap |2013 NPC and CPPCC |chinadaily.com.cn: Capitalizing upon the momentum generated by the so-called third sector requires a streamlining of bureaucracy over nonprofits, particularly small grassroots organizations, and extensive partnerships with governments.

I have worked at a leadership level with two nonprofits devoted to the development of China's rural education. I find that only 440,000 of the roughly 3 million nonprofits in China had officially registered before 2011, as the China Charity and Donation Information Center reports. In other words, about 90 percent operate in gray areas, which often leaves them in functional limbo.

Friday, March 08, 2013

70 per cent of sector staff surveyed find chugging 'appalling and damaging'

70 per cent of sector staff surveyed find chugging 'appalling and damaging': A majority of charity sector staff have told the Directory of Social Change that chugging is “appalling and damaging”.

The Directory Social Change (DSC) anonymously quizzed around 300 charity staff members at all levels on face-to-face fundraising, asking them if it was “brilliant and effective”, “irritating but necessary”, or “ap

Thursday, March 07, 2013

India Philanthropy Report 2013 - Bain Report - Bain & Company - Publications

India Philanthropy Report 2013 - Bain Report - Bain & Company - Publications: A major focus of the India Philanthropy Report 2013 is to delve deeper into how charitable organisations assess the impact of their work, and how they can better communicate that impact to donors. We believe that this theme is relevant to all stakeholders within the philanthropic ecosystem and is critical to both optimising the outcomes of philanthropy and boosting confidence among donors. For giving to grow to its full potential in India, it will be of paramount importance to ensure that donors and recipients have a common language and common goals around results.

European Fundraising Association reports on fundraising trends across 17 countries | UK Fundraising

European Fundraising Association reports on fundraising trends across 17 countries | UK Fundraising: Fundraising in Europe now

Despite the growth of many new forms of fundraising, such as face-to-face, digital and telephone fundraising, the report confirms that the largest single source of voluntary income in Europe remains direct mail.

Toyota NZ launches Facebook charity giveaway | Fundraising & Philanthropy Australasia Magazine

Toyota NZ launches Facebook charity giveaway | Fundraising & Philanthropy Australasia Magazine: 5 charities around New Zealand will receive a free Toyota Corolla at the conclusion of the Japanese car company’s clever social media campaign. Greg Johnson reveals how this corporate is reaching into the networks of the nation’s charities.

Toyota New Zealand is helping to promote the good work of the nation’s charities with a social media intiative that will see the top 25 nonprofits, as voted by the public, receive a free Toyota Corolla for three years. The campaign, called 25 Ways to Say Thanks (www.25waystosaythanks.co.nz), has seen over 130 charities create a profile on the Facebook app which is at the core of the campaign.

National Audit Office to investigate Charity Commission's ability to regulate

National Audit Office to investigate Charity Commission's ability to regulate: The National Audit Office will complete a report on the Charity Commission's ability to effectively regulate the sector after MPs voiced serious concerns at a Public Accounts Committee meeting this morning.

William Shawcross, chairman of the Charity Commission and Sam Younger, chief executive appeared before the Public Accounts Committee this morning to answer questions on the Commission’s investigation into the Cup Trust, which was used

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Report says new tax reliefs could unlock �480m in social investments

Report says new tax reliefs could unlock �480m in social investments: The Role of Tax Incentives in Encouraging Social Investment, was commissioned by the City of London Corporation and Big Society Capital. It says that adapting the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trust (VCT), which provide tax incentives to encourage individuals to provide venture capital to small businesses, could generate up to �165m in social investment over a three-year period and �480m over a five-year period.

Irish charities find the going gets tougher | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Irish charities find the going gets tougher | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Irish charities find the going gets tougher

The charity sector in Ireland must bridge the gap between growing demand and falling income

Green Shoots of Philanthropy in Asia | Forbes India Blog

Green Shoots of Philanthropy in Asia | Forbes India Blog: In 2012, The Global Philanthropy Forum partnered with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) of Singapore, Resource Alliance and the Community Foundation Singapore to launch the first Philanthropy in Asia Summit, a gathering of Asian philanthropists and those they support throughout the region. Asian philanthropists gathered there to teach, to learn, to reinforce one another so that philanthropy in the region, like bamboo, can grow and flourish.

Monday, March 04, 2013

Culture, uncertain economy effect giving (SETimes.com)

Culture, uncertain economy effect giving (SETimes.com): Most Turks are comparatively reluctant to donate to charity or take time out to help strangers in need, according to the 2012 World Giving Index, a report based on survey data published by the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation.

Majority of public thinks government spends too much on international aid

Majority of public thinks government spends too much on international aid: Over 70 per cent of the public think that Britain spends too much on international aid, but only 38 per cent think that spending money from the UK’s aid budget on peacekeeping and other defence-related projects is right.

Some 2011 people were quizzed by ComRes on the news that Prime Minister David Cameron was considering reassigning funding from the Department of International Development to defence.

Young musician a prodigy in charitable giving U.S. pianist, 11, has wowed audiences and raised millions for good causes

Young musician a prodigy in charitable giving U.S. pianist, 11, has wowed audiences and raised millions for good causes: Young musician a prodigy in charitable giving U.S. pianist, 11, has wowed audiences and raised millions for good causes

3 storytelling lessons | Usha Menon |

3 storytelling lessons | Usha Menon |: s our story of personal relevance to the potential donor?

The fundraiser in me has derived a very important lesson from this parable. Ganesh ensured his parents were part of his course of action, which made the decision of selecting the winner an easy task for them. I find this a good reminder when we need to tell a story of the causes for which funds need to be raised. The potential donor needs to be given a part in the story!

Friday, March 01, 2013

Just five MSPs use payroll giving

Just five MSPs use payroll giving: Only five of the 129 members of Scottish Parliament use payroll giving to donate to charity, well below the average uptake of give as you earn at other employers.