US corporations provide $108.9m for quake relief

US corporations provide $108.9m for quake relief: "Corporations in the United States will celebrate National Corporate Philanthropy Day on Monday, February 27, highlighting the spirit of corporate giving and recognizing US companies and chief executive officers who have played leading roles in corporate philanthropy. "

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Clarity begins at home

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | Clarity begins at home: "Clarity begins at home

Charities must raise awareness of how they are run if they want to keep earning the public's trust - which means revealing a few home truths about how money is spent, finds Tash Shifrin

Wednesday February 15, 2006
The Guardian

Can you trust someone if you really don't know much about them? Maybe it depends what you know: while politicians, journalists, estate agents and second-hand car dealers continue to be met with suspicion and cynicism from the public, the magic word 'charity' taps a deep well of public trust."

Starbucks donates $1.5 million to school charity in fast-growing Chinese market

Starbucks donates $1.5 million to school charity in fast-growing Chinese market: "starbucks donates $1.5 million to school charity in fast-growing Chinese market

By JOE MCDONALD
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

BEIJING -- Starbucks Corp. on Tuesday announced a $1.5 million donation to train grade school teachers in China, raising its profile in what chairman Howard Schultz said is the gourmet coffee chain's No. 1 growth market.

The donation is the first from a $5 million fund announced earlier by Seattle-based Starbucks for charity projects in China. The company opened its first Chinese outlet in 1999 and now has 220 locations in 18 cities.

'No market to date potentially has the opportunities for us that China ultimately will,' Schultz said after a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of China's legislature, to announce the school donation."

European community programmes - Experts propose measures to increase the role of philanthropy in research

European community programmes - Experts propose measures to increase the role of philanthropy in research: "Experts propose measures to increase the role of philanthropy in research

Related EU Grant Loans Programme(s):
6th Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration aimed at creating the European Research Area
New framework programme for research, technology and demonstration activities that focus on research themes rather than instruments
Philanthropy – as provided by foundations, trusts and charities, for example – can play an important role in raising funds for research, but the potential has not been examined or used properly at European level.

So says an expert group set up by the European Commission, which has released its report “Giving More for Research in Europe”. The experts found that too little attention is given to the role of foundations and other philanthropic bodies in research, and makes recommendations as to how this could be increased, including through a better tax and regulatory environment, targeted donation campaigns and better mechanisms for attracting such funds to research. This report follows on from the Action Plan for More Research and Innovation adopted by the Commission in October 2005, which proposed national and European action to mobilise sources of funding for European research and innovation. The report will"

Report explores role of philanthropy in research funding

Report explores role of philanthropy in research funding: "Report explores role of philanthropy in research funding
Too little attention is paid to the role of foundations and other philanthropic bodies in the field of research, a report by a Commission expert group has concluded. Outside the UK, European philanthropic organisations such as charities and trusts tend not to support research, meaning European research is losing out on a potentially important source of funding."

Antigua Sun

Antigua Sun: "R. ALLEN STANFORD RECEIVES HEMISPHERIC AWARD

Monday February 13 2006

From Vernon Khelawan in Washington

Antigua’s largest single investor R. Allen Stanford, last Thursday received one of the hemisphere’s most prestigious awards during a gala ceremony at the Hall of the Americas in Washington DC.

The annual award for ‘Excellence in Leadership’ is one of the prized projects of the Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC). Mr. Stanford is the fifth recipient of the award."

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Research | Graduate gifts

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Research | Graduate gifts: "nvesting your well-earned cash in furthering human knowledge may sound a waste of money compared with paying off your mortgage. But in the US, philanthropy and private-sector funding is expected to outstrip state funding for research this year.

Not so in Europe, according to a recent report published by the European commission. Not only are we a bit more stingy over here, but, to make matters worse, our laws are rife with obstructions and disincentives against individuals and corporations supporting universities."

State Pressure Motivates Most Corporate Giving

State Pressure Motivates Most Corporate Giving: "State Pressure Motivates Most Corporate Giving
By Maria Levitov
Staff Writer

Russian businesses say that government pressure is the main reason for their involvement in social projects, according to a recent survey by the United Nations Development Program, the Russian Managers Association and the Expertiza think tank.

75 percent of businesspeople identified 'administrative pressure from the authorities' as the main incentive for supporting charitable causes, according to the poll of 210 businesspeople, government representatives and researchers."

Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy

Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy: "SPECIAL
Thaksin will do well if he can match history of philanthropy

Amid political unrest and growing criticism from opposition parties, the public and the media for his family’s dubious sale of a 49.6-per-cent stake in Shin Corp, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has said he will give an additional Bt1 billion back to so

However, his former mentor, Chamlong Srimuang, suggested that the Bt1-billion sum might be too small when compared with the Bt73 billion his family earned from the tax-free sale. Chamlong came up with the suggested figure of Bt26 billion – one-third of the total sum received for selling Shin to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

Philanthropy is a tradition of rich people in the West, but after World War II a handful of Japanese also climbed on the bandwagon. Their example may give Thaksin some inspiration on how to return assets to society.

Here are a number of billionaires who take their support for charity very seriously."

Scotsman.com News - Opinion - 'Charities continue to suffer in the wake of Moonbeams scandal'

Scotsman.com News - Opinion - 'Charities continue to suffer in the wake of Moonbeams scandal': "Charities continue to suffer in the wake of Moonbeams scandal'

PUBLIC TRUST

IT is not surprising to learn that Scottish charities continue to suffer in the wake of the Moonbeams' collapse. Even two years on mud sticks and worthy causes are still being badly hit because of actions which at best were incompetent and at worst reprehensible."

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story

Charity Village®NewsWeek: Cover Story: "Canada's International Aid Role, Part II: The Government Viewpoint
Andy Levy-AjzenkopfFebruary 13, 2006
By Andy Levy-Ajzenkopf

Our last column about international aid dealt with the views of front-line workers, NGO's and charities with regards to Canada's international aid role. Today's piece takes a look at what our government thinks about where Canada is and should be as a member of the international aid community."

Brudirect.com - Local News

Brudirect.com - Local News: "Seeing Is Believing' initiative began in 2003, with the aim of raising enough funds to help restore sight to the visually impaired individuals as well as to help make a lasting difference in their lives.

`Seeing Is Believing' is the charity tied to the Greatest Race on Earth 2005/2006 series and Henry Wanyoike, the bank's `Seeing Is Believing' Global Ambassador is competing in all four stages of the Greatest Race, comprising four marathons in Nairobi, Singapore, Mumbai and Hong Kong, which ended yesterday, as stated in a press release."

TODAYonline

TODAYonline: "Mega charity shows? Not so soon
Even if shows are revived, focus, format will be different: NKF chairman Gerard Ee

Lee U-Wen
u-wen@newstoday.com.sg

DON'T expect the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) to put on any mega fund-raisers — not just for this year, but at least for the next three to five years, said chairman Gerard Ee.
.
And even if Singapore's largest charity goes back to organising the televised charity shows which pull in millions of dollars, the focus and format will be radically different from that of the past, he said.
.
Speaking to Today at the NKF's Kim Keat Road headquarters, Mr Ee reasoned that the 'old-fashioned method' of raising money with prizes thrown in would not garner the long-term support base the new-look NKF desired.
.

TODAYonline

TODAYonline: "Non-profit, not unprofessional
SMU centre aims to align charity sector's financial needs and altruistic goals

Vinita Ramani
vinita@newstoday.com.sg

SINGAPORE'S non-profit sector, which has taken a beating following the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) fall-out, will be given a much-needed boost with a new centre at the Singapore Management University (SMU) dedicated to promoting the industry and making it more professional.
.
The Lien Foundation Centre for Social Innovation will focus on three areas — research, teaching and community outreach — to encourage more participation and better management in the non-profit sector.
.
The first of its kind in Asia, it may even potentially offer a course drawing lessons from the NKF saga. Speaking in his capacity as governor of the Lien Foundation and chairman of the centre's board, Mr Gerard Ee (picture), who is also chairman of the NKF, said the timing was entirely coincidental.
.
'We started planning this about 10 months ago, so this was before the NKF saga. The religious-minded may even call it divine intervention that this has worked out,' he said.
.
Electives in social entrepreneurship will be offered to SMU students, while the centre will also offer special modules and executive programmes for professionals in the sector.
.l take on the position of director at the new centre: 'Can business students major in social entrepreneurship and innovation so that they can eventually work in the non-profit sector? How do you bring together business needs as well as soci"

The Jakarta Post - Govt needs to promote CSR, say panelists

The Jakarta Post - Govt needs to promote CSR, say panelists: "Govt needs to promote CSR, say panelists

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is much more than mere philanthropy or charity. Rather, it is a normal business practice that needs to receive special attention from the government, a panel discussion has concluded.

The speakers at the discussion on CSR in Indonesia, which was held in Jakarta on Thursday, generally agreed that the government needed to play an active role in promoting the concept, particularly given that many Indonesian companies were still unaware of the importance of CSR in their day-to-day operations."

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | We want to do business with charities

SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Voluntary sector | We want to do business with charities: "Companies are willing to go further in supporting charitable concerns - but only if charities make themselves more approachable, and the government provides the right climate, says Sir Digby Jones

Tuesday February 7, 2006

Digby Jones
Digby Jones: 'Business needs to increase the tempo on corporate social responsibility.'

There is a danger the public is falling for the politically correct image that business is responsible for all the ills of the world.

Business can't afford simply to bleat about this, it needs to increase the tempo on corporate social responsibility. But I am so pleasantly surprised by how many companies are already involved. Sitting on the board of Business in the Community, it is incredible to see just how much is actually going on."

onPhilanthropy - We Still Haven't Found What We're Looking For

onPhilanthropy - We Still Haven't Found What We're Looking For: "Where Bill Gates and Bono put their money is of less importance than where they put their leadership. In a world of growing economies and open societies, the future vibrancy of philanthropy rests not on money but on leadership. If Mr. Gates and his colleagues would worry as much about encouraging their emerging peers in middle income countries to commit themselves to philanthropy -- and less about transferring money across borders -- the prospects for sustained private commitment to community in middle income countries would be vastly improved.

So here's my modest suggestion to the Gates and Bono: Establish a Global Philanthropy Roundtable. Focus less on spending your money than on encouraging emerging economic leaders to invest on their own societal commons. Create a Roundtable that is prestigious, where economic leaders from all economies join to share best philanthropic practices. Create a Roundtable that itself generates social expectations for philanthropy in growing economies."

Channelnewsasia.com-5 charities benefit from S$70,000 prize from 70-hour gag challenge

Channelnewsasia.com: "5 charities benefit from S$70,000 prize from 70-hour gag challenge
By Nur Azira Aziz, Channel NewsAsia


SINGAPORE : Five DJs have survived the entire 70-hour Radio Gag challenge, splitting the S$70,000 cash prize among their five adopted charities.

In all, seven DJs took the challenge of keeping silent since Sunday, as part of MediaCorp Radio's 70th Anniversary celebrations.

Celebrating 70 years of radio, the DJs took up the challenge to win S$70,000 for their station's adopted charity. "

Tags: Singapore charity contests

Samsung conglomerate to offer US$800M to charity after scandals

Samsung conglomerate to offer US$800M to charity after scandals: "Samsung conglomerate to offer US$800M to charity after scandals

Jae-Soon Chang, Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, February 07, 2006


SEOUL (AP) - South Korean conglomerate Samsung Group said Tuesday it will donate more than $800 million US in corporate and private assets to charity as part of an apology for several recent scandals."

Xinhua - English

Xinhua - English: "Charity 'has much room for improvement'
www.chinaview.cn 2006-02-07 21:37:10

BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Over the last ten years, the average personal donation made by the Chinese population has been only 1.7 yuan (0.21 U.S. dollars), the China Youth Daily quoted a source with the Children's Foundation of China as saying on Monday.

'Charity in China has much room for improvement and the government should reduce tax on donations to encourage more giving from companies,' said Tian Di, director of the managing committee of the Foundation's minors' ideological and moral education branch.

No more than 100,000 Chinese companies, a mere one percent of the country's 10 million registered firms, have had a history in making donations to charity, according to the National Developmentand Reform Commission."