Tax relief cap should be replaced with higher-rate Gift Aid scheme, says IoF

Tax relief cap should be replaced with higher-rate Gift Aid scheme, says IoF: Peter Lewis, chief executive of the institute, says that plans for the cap have already had a negative impact on philanthropy

The government should replace its proposed cap on tax relief on donations with a system that allows charities to reclaim all the tax paid by higher-rate taxpayers, according to the Institute of Fundraising.

The IoF said yesterday that 77 per cent of 687 of its members who responded to a survey favoured a system in which charities could reclaim all the tax paid by a higher-rate-paying donor under Gift Aid, in the same way as they can reclaim all the tax paid by a basic rate taxpayer.

CRA - Charities - Policy and Guidance - Fundraising by Registered Charities - Guidance

CRA - Charities - Policy and Guidance - Fundraising by Registered Charities - Guidance: Fundraising by Registered Charities
Guidance

Reference number
CG-013

Issued
April 20, 2012

This guidance updates and replaces the previous version of Guidance CPS-028, Fundraising by Registered Charities.

Tax relief cap would discourage leading philanthropist from donating in the UK

Tax relief cap would discourage leading philanthropist from donating in the UK: Balwant Singh, chief executive of Kusuma Trust UK, says its founder would be discouraged from donating even though he does not benefit from tax relief

One of the UK’s leading philanthropists and his peers would be discouraged from donating money in the UK because of the government’s planned tax relief cap, according to the chief executive of his UK foundation.

Ex-NKF CEO repays $4m debt owed to charity

Ex-NKF CEO repays $4m debt owed to charity: With a final payment of $250,000, a chapter of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) saga, which involves former chief executive T.T. Durai and three former officials, comes to a close.

Mr Durai has repaid in full the $4.05 million he owed the charity, reported The Sunday Times. To avoid bankruptcy, the disgraced ex-CEO had agreed to pay the debt in instalments.

Global News | Foreign dollars a ‘minute segment’ of Canadian charities’ budgets

Global News | Foreign dollars a ‘minute segment’ of Canadian charities’ budgets: Figures provided to Global News from the Canada Revenue Agency show that out of 84,176 charities, only 2,014 reported receiving funding from foreign sources in the fiscal year ending in 2010.
The Conservative government first expressed its concern about how much money Canadian charities were getting from abroad in January when hearings for the $5.5-billion Northern Gateway Pipeline were about to begin.

15 tips to increase charitable giving in higher education | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional

15 tips to increase charitable giving in higher education | Higher Education Network | Guardian Professional: 15 tips to increase charitable giving in higher education

Our live chat on 'the future of philanthropy in higher education' covered the ways fundraising can contribute to university funding. Here, we sum up the advice from our panel

Politics and charity only mix in a handful of cases, tax returns show - Winnipeg Free Press

Politics and charity only mix in a handful of cases, tax returns show - Winnipeg Free Press: A Canadian Press analysis of the Canada Revenue Agency's charities database found 450 of the 85,000 charities registered in Canada reported spending money on political activities. That's less than one per cent of all charities.

It is possible the actual number could be higher, since charities self-report to the CRA.

Still, the finding that so few charities spend money politicking raises questions about the Conservatives' motivation for further restricting these activities.

'Chuggers' are driving shoppers away from the high street | This is Bath

'Chuggers' are driving shoppers away from the high street | This is Bath: Street fundraisers, who hassle people into giving their bank details, are driving shoppers from the high street, a survey of local authorities has revealed.

Councils are calling for updated powers to clamp down on so-called 'chuggers' – also known as 'charity muggers' – who often use aggressive tactics to obtain donations.

Charity foundations demands more transparency|Politics|chinadaily.com.cn

Charity foundations demands more transparency|Politics|chinadaily.com.cn: BEIJING - China's government put a draft regulation asking charities to regularly publish financial reports and tighten internal management up for public review on Tuesday.

The document, drafted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, requires charity foundations to regularly publish detailed reports on donations and expenditure after a charity project starts.

Cap on tax relief is fairest way to tackle deficit, says Treasury Secretary - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Cap on tax relief is fairest way to tackle deficit, says Treasury Secretary - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: he controversial cap on tax relief for charitable giving is part of a fair scheme to help ease the UK’s national debt, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Chloe Smith told an audience of charity representatives and tax specialists yesterday.

Speaking at the Charity Tax Group’s Tax Conference 2012 in London, Smith outlined the government’s justification for the move, and fielded questions from a keen audience.

Exciting times for philanthropy in Brazil | Latest from Alliance

Exciting times for philanthropy in Brazil | Latest from Alliance: It is evident that philanthropy in Brazil is playing a big part in creating positive change.

Philanthropy has cast off ‘charity’ as its organizing principle and adopted ‘social investment’. This is defined by Fernando Rossetti, CEO of GIFE, as ‘the voluntary giving of private resources in a planned, monitored, and systematic manner for social, cultural and environmental projects of public interest’. The consequence is that philanthropy is a key driver of change in the country, and able to talk both to government and to private corporations as equals.

How charities can improve their nurturing of high-net-worth individuals | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

How charities can improve their nurturing of high-net-worth individuals | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: The furore over the cap on personal tax relief for charitable donations introduced in last month's budget continues unabated. The third sector has opposed the government's plans vehemently. If unchanged, Osborne's latest budget could reverse years of work (ironically lead by the government itself) to get the wealthiest among us to be more philanthropic.

To create a larger culture of philanthropy among top earners the government needs to facilitate and encourage donations through tax relief and other benefits. However, the other side of the coin is that the third sector itself must also get better at soliciting and acknowledging gifts from high-net worth individuals.

Sector criticises 'scaling back' of the Giving Summit

Sector criticises 'scaling back' of the Giving Summit: Event planned for Natural History Museum will be very different from the one outlined in the Giving White Paper, says the NCVO's Karl Wilding

Voluntary sector umbrella bodies have criticised what they see as a scaling back of the government’s Giving Summit, due to take place on 8 May.

The Cabinet Office’s Giving White Paper, published last May and launched at an event by David Cameron, the Prime Minister, set out plans for a Giving Summit to take place that autumn.

Students ask whether philanthropy still exists in Leeds | UK news | guardian.co.uk

Students ask whether philanthropy still exists in Leeds | UK news | guardian.co.uk: Students ask whether philanthropy still exists in Leeds

Is there any truth in the old jokes and clich�s about tight-fisted Tykes? Visit Leeds City Museum today to see what a group of young historians from Leeds University have found out. Mark O'Brien reports

Does your charity have sufficient measures in place to counteract fraud? | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Does your charity have sufficient measures in place to counteract fraud? | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Does your charity have sufficient measures in place to counteract fraud?

Recent research into charity fraud revealed that more than half of the respondents think the Bribery Act will not affect them



Marcus McCaffrey
Guardian Professional, Wednesday 18 April 2012 01.30 EDT
Article history

Judges wearing wigs and robes
Does your charity have effective measures in place to protect it against fraud? Or could it be at risk of falling foul of the law? Photograph: Sang Tan/AP

Charities have rarely faced such a difficult funding environment. A combination of increasing regulation and bureaucracy, coupled with the gloomy economic climate, means that for most charities, managing finances is tougher than ever.

At the same time, demand for their services is increasing and competition for donations is intensifying. Charities are having to find new ways to deliver their services, such as using more volunteers and co-operating with new partners.

It is a double whammy that is putting unprecedented strains on charities' resources and leaving them particularly exposed to the dangers and risks of fraud.

FRSB upholds telephone fundraising complaint against Unicef UK

FRSB upholds telephone fundraising complaint against Unicef UK: Jon Sparkes, the charity's chief operating officer, says it accepts the ruling and has reviewed its procedures

The Fundraising Standards Board has upheld a complaint about Unicef UK’s telephone fundraising after the charity repeatedly telephoned someone who had asked it not to do so.

Collaborative Impact for New Philanthropy’s Demands � Blog � NetHope

Collaborative Impact for New Philanthropy’s Demands � Blog � NetHope: Global Philanthropy Forum’s President and co-Founder Jane Wales said in Forbes that new philanthropists want to affect positive social change by whatever means is most effective, most ethical and most enduring. They take on large problems and seek system-wide change.

Forbes India Magazine - The Real Benefits Of Capitalism

Forbes India Magazine - The Real Benefits Of Capitalism: Redistributing 1 percent or 2 percent of net profits through philanthropy will never fully meet India’s needs. Only leveraging the true potential of capitalism can solve our society’s most critical problems—that is, through business initiatives that create shared value by delivering profits while also serving society.

‘Philanthropy academy’ to teach Third Se... JPost - National News

‘Philanthropy academy’ to teach Third Se... JPost - National News: A first-of-its-kind academic institution focused on boosting Israel’s non-profit sector by improving its philanthropic and fund-raising capabilities is set to open its doors at the end of this month.

'Golden age' of museums threatened by Chancellor - Home News - UK - The Independent

'Golden age' of museums threatened by Chancellor - Home News - UK - The Independent: Two-thirds of Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs oppose
George Osborne's "charity tax", a poll revealed last night as the
Government prepared for a partial retreat over plans to cap tax
relief on major donations

Tories Pressure Osborne for Reversal of Charity Tax-Cap Plans - Businessweek

Tories Pressure Osborne for Reversal of Charity Tax-Cap Plans - Businessweek: Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne came under growing pressure from fellow Tories to revise plans to cap U.K. tax relief for high earners that charities and universities say will discourage donations.

The charity row intensifies | The Spectator

The charity row intensifies | The Spectator: David Cameron finds himself in the midst of a blue-on-blue barney over the charity tax, which has prompted rumours that ministers may dilute the current proposals by adopting an American-style legacy deal. Tory party treasurer Lord Fink has said that the proposed changes would ‘put people off giving’, and some boisterous Conservative MPs are openly challenging the leadership. Zac Goldsmith has penned a diatribe in the Mail on Sunday in which he says:

Charity tax relief cap under fire as philanthropists warn of funding crisis - Telegraph

Charity tax relief cap under fire as philanthropists warn of funding crisis - Telegraph: Philanthropists warned the Government’s proposed restrictions put the future of its own policies on academy schools and culture at risk. One leading figure said it represented a hammer blow to the Prime Minister’s “Big Society” philosophy.

The mounting campaign for a complete u-turn on the Budget measures was joined by members of two of the country’s wealthiest families, the Gettys and the Sainsburys, individual philanthropists who between them control hundreds of millions of pounds in funds, some with links to Prince Charles.

Tax on philanthropy is another Coalition own goal | Herald Scotland

Tax on philanthropy is another Coalition own goal | Herald Scotland: The Coalition Government could hardly have got it more wrong.

In their zeal to tidy up anomalies in the tax system they have already upset pensioners with the "granny tax" and caused ludicrous argument over the temperature of sausage rolls by imposing VAT on hot food. Now they have put charities at risk of losing hundreds of millions of pounds by alienating many of the country's most generous supporters of good causes.

Former philanthropy ambassador urges government to drop cap on tax relief | Third Sector

Former philanthropy ambassador urges government to drop cap on tax relief | Third Sector: Home �
News �
Former philanthropy ambassador urges government to drop cap on tax relief

Former philanthropy ambassador urges government to drop cap on tax relief

By Andy Ricketts, Third Sector Online, 11 April 2012

Dame Stephanie Shirley says the plans to cap relief for charitable giving are "vague and ill-considered"

Dame Stephanie Shirley, the former philanthropy ambassador, has called on the government to abandon the "naive and ill-considered" proposals to place a cap on tax reliefs for charitable giving.

Trio's epic cycle ride for donkey charity | This is Leicestershire

Trio's epic cycle ride for donkey charity | This is Leicestershire: hree friends are to cycle 1,000km across Japan to raise money for an international donkey charity.

Shane Herbert, Mick Lay and Marc Johnston, of Braunstone, Leicester, are in training for the challenging ride from Tokyo to Hiroshima.

Sector 'needs a plan B on tax relief cap' - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Sector 'needs a plan B on tax relief cap' - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The voluntary needs to be mindful of the “political reality” of the tax relief cap and come up with an alternative plan that is palatable to both the government and the sector, charity tax expert Richard Bray said last night.

Bray, who is technical director at Cancer Research UK and co-chair of the technical subgroup at Charity Tax Group, was addressing an Institute of Fundraising Special Interest Group seminar on the issue of the tax relief cap.

Wealthy are giving to near-dormant charities to avoid tax, PM spokesman says

Wealthy are giving to near-dormant charities to avoid tax, PM spokesman says: Statement comes in the face of mounting criticism of the proposed cap on tax relief for large donations

Wealthy individuals are avoiding tax by giving to charities that do little charitable work, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said yesterday.

He was speaking in defence of a Budget decision that, from April 2013, tax relief will be given only on donations that, including Gift Aid, are under �50,000 or 25 per cent of a person’s income, whichever is higher.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said that some individuals were exploiting the reliefs to reduce their tax burden.

Linking CSR with corporate values critical to success | Executive | Financial Post

Linking CSR with corporate values critical to success | Executive | Financial Post: More and more companies embark on corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. And why not? Customers like it, and perhaps even more importantly, so do employees. There’s evidence both here and in the U.S. that people – especially younger people – want to work for organizations that care about the way they impact or contribute to society. What’s more, CSR programs can be an important tool when you’re looking to align your culture with your strategy.

No charity with this new tax | Herald Sun

No charity with this new tax | Herald Sun: The Herald Sun strongly opposes the introduction of the tax, and we will continue to expose the unnecessary burdens it is blanketing over much of our society.

Prime Minister Gillard should not expect any charity from voters when they finally get to judge her at the polls for foisting such an unacceptable millstone on Australians in difficult times.

Singapore aims to become nonprofit hub - The China Post

Singapore aims to become nonprofit hub - The China Post: Singapore has attracted more than 130 “international nonprofit organizations” such as the charities Mercy Relief and World Vision International, and the International Air Transport Association, an aviation lobby group.

Business group seeks to boost philanthropy in Israel - Globes

Business group seeks to boost philanthropy in Israel - Globes: 20 prominent businesspersons are calling for an expansion of philanthropy in Israel. On their website Committed to Give, they disclose their names, and call for a critical mass of donors and donations. "We are driven by a sense of responsibility and commitment to the wellbeing and cohesion of Israel’s civil society," they write.

Millennials discover a whole world of philanthropy

Millennials discover a whole world of philanthropy: The Millennial generation, who are mostly in their 20s now, are often still in school or just starting their careers and therefore don't have as much money to donate as they do time.

"Older generations are able to donate more monetarily," Eveleigh says.

The statistics back that up. The highest rates of volunteering were found among young Canadians, while those who give the most money are more likely to be older, have higher household incomes and more formal education, according to Statistics Canada's National Survey of Giving

Money-mad Singapore aims to become non-profit hub - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News

Money-mad Singapore aims to become non-profit hub - Latest news around the world and developments close to home - MSN Philippines News

Corporate donations hit record high in FY 2010 - The Mainichi Daily News

Corporate donations hit record high in FY 2010 - The Mainichi Daily News: TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Corporate donations totaled a record 696 billion yen in the fiscal year through March 31, 2011, up 27.3 percent from the previous year, probably because many companies made donations following the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the National Tax Agency said Wednesday.

The agency estimated the amount, based on the final tax returns of 1.16 million companies selected according to their size and business categories.

Closure of NZ Charities Commission is 'against the flow' of regulation worldwide - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Closure of NZ Charities Commission is 'against the flow' of regulation worldwide - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Former director of charity services at the UK Charity Commission David Locke says the imminent closure of the New Zealand Charities Commission is "against the flow" of charity regulation throughout the world.

Locke is currently living in Australia and working as part of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) implementation taskforce, responsible for seeing in the new regulator in the country.

Philanthropy in India undergoes a paradigm shift - Corporate News - livemint.com

Philanthropy in India undergoes a paradigm shift - Corporate News - livemint.com: But at the third annual Indian Philanthropy Forum (IPF) held on Wednesday in Mumbai, the question was no longer “how do we encourage Indian philanthropy”, but “how do we encourage them to think strategically”—an indication of how far Indian philanthropy has come in just a few years.

“We have witnessed tremendous growth in Indian philanthropy in the past three years, and now must harness that interest to create real change for those living in poverty,” said Deval Sanghavi, CEO of Dasra and founder of the IPF.

CharityVillage� Research: WTF? Four-letter Words You CAN Say at a Nonprofit

CharityVillage� Research: WTF? Four-letter Words You CAN Say at a Nonprofit: WTF? Four-letter Words You CAN Say at a Nonprofit

Claire Kerr By Claire Kerr
March 19, 2012



If your nonprofit organization is like most, your mission statement doesn't include the line: "We are the generation that will make late stage cancer diagnosis F*cking History."

Service Clubs: An Optimistic Future?

Service Clubs: An Optimistic Future?: New demographics present new challenges

Baby boomers are heading towards retirement, children are engaged in activities that require more parental involvement, and technology is constantly increasing the pace of day-to-day life. Membership is down as younger people fail to replace longtime members, and the average member age continues to rise.

All of these changes point to an obvious question: will service clubs continue to play a vital role in our communities?

Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better? | NTEN

Panhandling or Hotspot Vendor: Which is better? | NTEN: We’ve all been panhandled by a homeless person on street begging for money. I bet every one of you reading this has even been aggressively panhandled. It’s awkward to be walking with your friends on a nice summer night just to have a homeless person rush you for money. Or maybe the light just turned red and you didn’t make it through the intersection. Right in front of your car is a homeless person “flying a sign”. You try not to make eye contact but the homeless man walks up to your window so you start praying the light turns green. Unfortunately, that’s how the general public interacts with homelessness. The experience is always uncomfortable and often nasty, and it reinforces wrong stereotypes about our homeless neighbors.

Oxford passes its �1.25bn fundraising goal - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Oxford passes its �1.25bn fundraising goal - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Oxford University has raised nearly �1.3bn in an eight-year fundraising campaign, the fastest campaign of its size for any European university.

Under-30s take centre stage in Indian philanthropy - Corporate News - livemint.com

Under-30s take centre stage in Indian philanthropy - Corporate News - livemint.com: Significantly, younger high net-worth individuals, or HNIs (under the age of 30), are emerging key players in philanthropic decision-making, according to the report. In the US—ranked highest by individual per-capita giving in the world—philanthropy has long been the realm of older people. Famous American philanthropists such as John D. Rockefeller, Buffett and Gates spent their youth accumulating wealth, only focusing on “giving back” later in life. Indians appear to be bucking this trend, according to the report. To be sure, even in the US, efforts by Gates and Buffett have ensured that young entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg have signed away a significant portion of their wealth to charity.

Guide published to help charities with impact reporting

Guide published to help charities with impact reporting: The Principles of Good Impact Reporting has been developed by the Charity Finance Group, Acevo and New Philanthropy Capital

A guide to good impact reporting has been published jointly by the umbrella bodies the Charity Finance Group and Acevo and the think tank New Philanthropy Capital.

The Principles of Good Impact Reporting and its accompanying guide, Principles into Practice, describes the tools charities need to measure and report their impact.

Australian School Suspends Boy Who Shaved Head For Charity | Fox News

Australian School Suspends Boy Who Shaved Head For Charity | Fox News: MORNINGTON, Australia – An Australian schoolboy was suspended after he shaved his head to raise funds for a cancer charity and support a friend who is battling leukemia.

Going beyond a "number two" haircut was against the school's uniform and grooming policy, said school principal Christopher Houlihan of Padua College in Mornington, about 25 miles southeast of Melbourne.

Many Brits feel they give as much as they can - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Many Brits feel they give as much as they can - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: More than two out of five Brits believe there is nothing that would encourage them to give more to charity because they are already giving as much as they can, according to new research.

Non-profit firms face Budget blues

Non-profit firms face Budget blues: Non-profit organisations (NGOs) are jittery about the possible inclusion in the coming Union Budget of the earlier recommendations on the Direct Taxes Code pertaining to the sector.

Some hope has been generated in the sector by the report of Parliament's standing committee on finance, headed by Yashwant Sinha, which recommended dropping many of the proposals the NGOs had objected to.

CSR vs philanthropy in India | Latest from Alliance

CSR vs philanthropy in India | Latest from Alliance: 2012 is set to bring major changes to corporate philanthropy in India. After more than five decades, the Companies Act is being updated to bring not only much-needed reforms in the area of governance, transparency and accountability, but also an institutionalization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Giving summit scheduled for May - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Giving summit scheduled for May - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy: It's time we stopped wasting food | This is Bristol

Bristol MP Kerry McCarthy: It's time we stopped wasting food | This is Bristol: Her Food Waste Bill, which was due to be presented to Parliament this afternoon, has already received cross-party support, including from Green leader Caroline Lucas and Tory Zac Goldsmith. If no objections are lodged, it will progress to the next stage of the legislative process.

GuelphMercury - Sustaining the future of philanthropy through social...

GuelphMercury - Sustaining the future of philanthropy through social...: Sustaining the future of philanthropy through social enterprise

There are approximately 80,000 registered charitable organizations in Canada, and more than 40 per cent of them are operated entirely by volunteers.

Charities employ nearly two million Canadians, and in 2006, Canadians donated a total of $8.5 billion to charities. I found it staggering to learn that this $8.5 billion in donations, plus government funding, add up to nearly 70 per cent of charitable organization budgets.

Charity law 'vital' for sector to grow|2012 NPC and CPPCC|chinadaily.com.cn

Charity law 'vital' for sector to grow|2012 NPC and CPPCC|chinadaily.com.cn: China should speed up legislation on the charity sector to ensure that more grassroots organizations can gain legal status and charity fraud is outlawed, top lawmakers and political advisers have proposed.

gulfnews : Philanthropy versus social responsibility

gulfnews : Philanthropy versus social responsibility: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is neither synonymous with Corporate Philanthropy nor an alternative. In Corporate Philanthropy, corporates donate a certain portion of their profits to charitable causes. In this context, it is perceived as "improper" for corporates to consider receiving any benefit from it.

Ethiopian Charity Law Destroys Human-Rights Groups, Amnesty Says - Businessweek

Ethiopian Charity Law Destroys Human-Rights Groups, Amnesty Says - Businessweek: Ethiopia’s ban on charities from working on human-rights issues if they receive more than 10 percent of their funds from abroad has had a devastating impact on advocacy groups in the country, Amnesty International said.

Philanthropy and the arts – Harold Mitchell's review will create a bigger funding pool

Philanthropy and the arts – Harold Mitchell's review will create a bigger funding pool: Harold Mitchell’s review of private sector arts support is a bit like Ian Thorpe in his swimming heyday.

He’s a big presence, and has dived in with a determined goal and a strategy to win “gold” for the arts, streamlining giving from the big end of town. But Mitchell is also chasing people’s “silver and bronze”. putting forward the case that the arts touches everyday Australians (think Gen Y music festivals and going to films like Red Dog).

How much fundraising is too much? - Civil Society - Fundraising - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

How much fundraising is too much? - Civil Society - Fundraising - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Fundraisers must have an honest discussion about just how much fundraising there should be or face a situation, says Michael Naidu.

After four and a half years as chair of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association, in January I handed over the reins of the organisation to Paul Stallard. He joins the organisation at an incredibly challenging but interesting time. The sector is limbering up for the Charities Act review and there are some big questions to be answered.

Charity begins at home: Promoting a culture of philanthropy – The Express Tribune

Charity begins at home: Promoting a culture of philanthropy – The Express Tribune: The ongoing European sovereign debt crisis is a present example of this continuing trend. While taxation is seen as coercive by taxpayers who try their best to evade it, charitable giving is a voluntary act that most of us, whether from the poor or the privileged, would like to perform on different scales.

The new philanthropists | Society | The Guardian

The new philanthropists | Society | The Guardian: The new philanthropists

Wealthy people giving money to the less well-off may sound Victorian, but a new generation of business people are supporting good causes in a smart, 21st-century way. And isn't it time we learned to cheer about it?

Iconic kids charity Make-A-Wish Australia closes in Perth | thetelegraph.com.au

Iconic kids charity Make-A-Wish Australia closes in Perth | thetelegraph.com.au: WA's sickest children are being deprived of their ultimate dreams, with Make-A-Wish Australia halting wish requests and closing its Perth office as the charity hits financial hardship.

Dozens of families of terminally and seriously ill children have been devastated by news the wishes they had promised their children during months of gruelling medical treatments cannot be fulfilled.

Bird charity fights Monkey World for bequest - Telegraph

Bird charity fights Monkey World for bequest - Telegraph: But her will has now sparked a complex legal wrangle - drawing in lawyers for the Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC - due to the "demise" of the New Forest Owl Sanctuary (NFOS), leaving a question mark hanging over where its �65,000 share should now go.

Mr Grieve's barrister, Christopher Buckley, said NFOS was removed from the Charities Register in August 2006 but, according to Companies House, it was only "dissolved" as a corporation in February 2007, a month after Mrs Spear died.

CMDA gala one of a kind

CMDA gala one of a kind: That sums up the Calgary Mo-tor Dealers Association and its Vehicles and Violins gala event, which features international cui-sine, fine wines and live music thanks to the CPO and the Youth Singers of Calgary's Encore vocalists. In the past 12 years, the CMDA and Vehicles and Violins has helped raise more than $2 mil-lion for a number of local agencies and causes.

The privileged inheritors

The privileged inheritors: Great interest shown in recent years in philanthropy and social entrepreneurship by several of our existing business leaders is providing a platform for the young generation to tackle social concerns. With the resources that are available to them, these entrepreneurs have an opportunity to realise the grand vision of socio-economic development of the country in their lifetime.

Philanthropy 'stymied' by red tape taken to art form

Philanthropy 'stymied' by red tape taken to art form: he senior partner of Arnold Bloch Leibler said bureaucracy associated with one of the country's main philanthropic art programs was so dysfunctional that donors had forgone pledging valuable works of art to the nation because of the red tape involved and the attitude of tax office staff and administrators of the Cultural Gifts Program.

Significant works can be pledged to collecting institutions, attracting immediate tax deductions but allowing the work to remain with the donor until his or her death.

Chef Ramsay Settles N. Zealand Charity Lawsuit | The Jakarta Globe

Chef Ramsay Settles N. Zealand Charity Lawsuit | The Jakarta Globe: Wellington. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay paid NZ$ 100,000 ($ 81,000) to settle a lawsuit for failing to appear at fundraisers for a chronically ill New Zealand girl, the event's organizers said Tuesday.

Philanthropy in the 21st Century: A Guide for Thinkers and Doers - Forbes

Philanthropy in the 21st Century: A Guide for Thinkers and Doers - Forbes: In advance of the Global Philanthropy Forum to be held April 16-18, I interviewed President and co-founder Jane Wales, who launched the Forum in 2001 in partnership with leading Silicon Valley philanthropists who shared a conviction that individuals are not only capable of advancing human security, environmental stewardship, and improved quality of life, but that they must.

Philanthropy in the 21st Century: A Guide for Thinkers and Doers - Forbes

Philanthropy in the 21st Century: A Guide for Thinkers and Doers - Forbes: In advance of the Global Philanthropy Forum to be held April 16-18, I interviewed President and co-founder Jane Wales, who launched the Forum in 2001 in partnership with leading Silicon Valley philanthropists who shared a conviction that individuals are not only capable of advancing human security, environmental stewardship, and improved quality of life, but that they must.

Backlash against chuggers as Gloucester latest city to ban 'charity muggers' - Telegraph

Backlash against chuggers as Gloucester latest city to ban 'charity muggers' - Telegraph: THE backlash against so-called “chuggers” has gathered pace with Gloucester becoming the latest city to ban the charity street fund-raisers after numerous complaints that they are “intimidating” shoppers.

China Continues to Improve Transparency in Philanthropy

China Continues to Improve Transparency in Philanthropy: China will further improve transparency in charities through a variety of measures, including formulating regulations, publicizing yearly reports and implementing annual inspections and assessments, the minister of civil affairs said Monday.

U.K. Nonprofit Umbrella Group Says Government Cuts Could Cost Charities $8.7-Billion - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas

U.K. Nonprofit Umbrella Group Says Government Cuts Could Cost Charities $8.7-Billion - Philanthropy Today - The Chronicle of Philanthropy- Connecting the nonprofit world with news, jobs, and ideas: U.K. Nonprofit Umbrella Group Says Government Cuts Could Cost Charities $8.7-Billion

March 5, 2012, 10:39 am

A report by one of Britain’s leading nonprofit-sector organizations estimated that U.K. charities could lose up to $8.7-billion in public support this year, according to the BBC.

The study by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations was based on expected income loss reported by 1,725 nonprofit groups that applied to the $158-million transition fund set up by the government to help charities hit by local and national budget cuts.

Fast facts | NCVO UK Civil Society Almanac

Fast facts | NCVO UK Civil Society Almanac: Fast facts
Civil society 2009/10 2008/09
Number of organisations

NGO Database

NGO Database: NGO Databases and Directories
Of the many queries that the NGO Cafe regularly receives, one of the most frequent is requests for contact information of NGOs in a particular country or region. This is a meta-directory of such NGO databases and directories in different regions of the world.

Rise in the number of donations in Singapore - Channel NewsAsia

Rise in the number of donations in Singapore - Channel NewsAsia: Finance Minister of State Josephine Teo said there are measures put in place to encourage the well-off to contribute more.

These include tax benefit for donations to approved charities was increased from 200 to 250 per cent in 2009.

And the government also provides matching grants for donations to institutes of higher learning and the long-term care sector.

Analysis: Charity Business - When outsourcing goes wrong

Analysis: Charity Business - When outsourcing goes wrong: When the financial outsourcing company Charity Business collapsed earlier this year, scores of charities were left without the data needed to run their organisations. David Ainsworth reports

On 12 January, Charity Business, an outsourcing company offering financial services to charities, sent an email to its estimated 200 clients saying that it was closing with immediate effect. The move came as a bolt from the blue for many of its charity clients, which relied on it for payroll, bookkeeping and accounting services.

The religious give more to charity, according to CAF report: Religious people donate more than twice as much to charity as those who are not, according to a survey by the Charities Aid Foundation.

CAF found that those who said they had religious beliefs gave an average of �576 to charity over the previous year, compared with �235 by people with no religious faith.

However, only 31 per cent of religious donors had given money to a religious activity.

The top two causes for both religious and non-religious donors were medical charities and overseas aid.

Business in the Community Conference - Number 10

Business in the Community Conference - Number 10: o help small businesses get involved in responsible practice, and to help get more young people into work the Prime Minister also set out plans for:

The launch of “Trading for Good” a new online directory for SMEs that will showcase the good work they do in the community; and provide free toolkits to help businesses get involved in socially responsible practices, like offering apprenticeships and work experience and setting up a payroll giving scheme, and,
A new careers advice web-based service – led by businesses and charitable partners – that will help inspire and support young people aged 11-24 in preparing for their future careers. It will also advertise entry-level jobs, apprenticeships and placements. Later this year they’ll launch a major website – the one-stop-shop for the best careers advice;

Nothing's Certain But Death and Taxes: A Brief Guide to Planned Giving Programs: Nothing's Certain But Death and Taxes: A Brief Guide to Planned Giving Programs
By Benita Aalto
February 27, 2012

Bookmark and Share

"The biggest wealth transfer in history is set to take place," stated a BMO Retirement Institute Report in July 2009. "In Canada, it has been estimated that Boomers stand to inherit $1 trillion over the next 20 years."

Though the actual inherited amount is acknowledged to be variable and dependent on market fluctuations, it is big enough for many nonprofits to see planned giving, bequests, and other end-of-life gifts seem as a beacon of steady funding in a turbulent sea of grants and a shrinking donor base.

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: In last month’s blog I wrote about my new focus on developing our charity’s organisational capacity and the varied work this is entailing. Since then, I’ve been working on the one thing that ties all of this wide-ranging work together: creating our business plan.

Although I was familiar with the term “business plan” before we started the process, this is the first time I’ve ever been involved in creating one.

The business plan encapsulates pretty much everything about our charity. From articulating what we do and how we manage ourselves, to describing how we plan to build upon identified opportunities and tackle weaknesses - the business plan covers it all.

City's sons and daughters bring wealth|Charity|chinadaily.com.cn

City's sons and daughters bring wealth|Charity|chinadaily.com.cn: Many of the city's improvements in the last decades are a direct result of the philanthropic endeavors of generations of Ningbo natives who now live in Hong Kong.

These former Ningbo people who moved to the special administrative region have given back to their coastal hometown through donations, establishing charity funds and investing in projects to help the city's economic development.

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal

Press Release

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal: ORONTO, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - A new survey commissioned by CanadaHelps.org and Capital One Canada, as part of Fraud Awareness Month, found that 45% of millennials (aged 18-34 years) are taking no steps to ensure a charity is legitimate before making a donation, and more than half (52%) are spontaneous, "on the fly" donors. This kind of behaviour puts millenials at risk for fraud because they are casually handing over their hard-earned money and personal information with little to no planning or due diligence.

Latest from Alliance | Latest from Alliance | News and comment on philanthropy and social investment around the world

Latest from Alliance | Latest from Alliance | News and comment on philanthropy and social investment around the world: The bar room scene occurred at the end of the first day of the annual retreat of the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), an informal network of trusts, foundations and individuals making grants on environmental and conservation issues. EFN was established in the UK to increase the overall level of financial support for environmental causes and to help environmental philanthropy to be as effective as it can be. To that end, EFN has hosted a retreat for the past four years, bringing together philanthropists with experts in the environment sector. By the end of the first day of this year’s event, participants had heard from Michelle DePass, Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and from Jonathon Porritt, the eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. These speakers and others who followed offered participants challenging and inspiring presentations, giving us much to ponder as we met over food and liquid sustenance.

BBC News - Two decorated eggs on show in London 'missing'

BBC News - Two decorated eggs on show in London 'missing': Action for Children and Elephant Family said the eggs, two of 200 in London, were reported missing on Saturday.

One was the Egg Letter Box by designer Benjamin Shine, which was on Carnaby Street, and the other, Hatch, was designed by artist Natasha Law.

Winchester mum in charity skydive to make extra day of the year count (From Romsey Advertiser)

Winchester mum in charity skydive to make extra day of the year count (From Romsey Advertiser): She will be joined in the skydive by her daughter Hannah, 19, and together they aim to raise �400 each to help fight the disease.

It is part of charity Muscular Dystrophy Campaign ‘Make Today Count’ scheme which aims to raise �30,000 on February 29 through members of the public skydiving and the charity is encouraging others to joining Christine and Hannah.

Trial of 43 NGO workers adjourned until late April - EGYPT - FRANCE 24

Trial of 43 NGO workers adjourned until late April - EGYPT - FRANCE 24: The trial of 43 NGO workers, including 16 Americans, was on Sunday adjourned until the end of April. The US is in "intense discussions" to resolve the issue, which has threatened $1.5 billion in US aid to Egypt.
By News Wires (text)

Arts-specific investment fund prepares for pilot - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Arts-specific investment fund prepares for pilot - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The arts sector could be getting a new source of income as a pilot initiative seeks to bring social investment, common elsewhere in the charity sector, to the arts.

Arts Ventures, an initiative which will attempt to marry up social investors with arts organisations wanting non-grant income, is currently looking for arts organisations interested in taking part in the pilot programme. The initiative is being set up to fund capital developments or boost earned income at arts organisations.

TODAYonline | Singapore | How community hospitals will use charity dollars: SINGAPORE - From improving services, facilities and equipment to offering better salaries to attract more staff, these are some of the ways that community hospitals are planning to use the charity dollars that will be freed up, as a result of the Government's move to increase subsidies for the intermediate and long-term care sector.

Philanthropy In Schooling Urged by Gonski Report | Pro Bono Australia

Philanthropy In Schooling Urged by Gonski Report | Pro Bono Australia: The Australian Government has commissioned a consultancy to address these concerns. Due to report in May 2012, the consultancy will develop guiding principles for school–business relationships that are voluntary and supportive, encourage good practice and emphasise mutual benefit.

A number of submissions to the Gonski review indicated that tax incentives are an important consideration for private individuals, charitable funds or foundations and businesses when making donations, particularly for major giving.

It says that despite recent initiatives to increase philanthropy in schooling, it is clear that more can be done to encourage activity in this area. Approaches to encourage philanthropy in schools should increase their capacity to form philanthropic relationships, reduce barriers to private investment, and provide national leadership and direction in focusing philanthropic activity to all disadvantaged school communities.

Charities call for payroll giving reform - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Charities call for payroll giving reform - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Institute of Fundraising members have overwhelmingly called for payroll giving systems to be universally reformed to meet expected levels of income.

More than 90 per cent of charities polled by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) said that systems needed to be fundamentally changed to boost donations to meet their requirements and government expectations.

A New Movement in Philanthropy � Acumen Fund Blog

A New Movement in Philanthropy � Acumen Fund Blog: But, my recent excitement is not only about business model innovation it is about philanthropic innovation. Due to the rise in income in many individuals in these regions a group of philanthropists are emerging, mostly business leaders, who are developing new models of philanthropy and innovating in exciting ways. Please note: I don’t want to discount that philanthropy has always been a part of these economies, as the majority of people do give back on a daily basis, in particular to their home communities (I highlight this in a recent blog about my trip to Nigeria). But, I do believe something different is happening.

Payroll Giving In New Zealand - Charity Matters

Payroll Giving In New Zealand - Charity Matters: ince 7 Jan 2010 when Payroll Giving became an option, around $2 million has been given this way, is this a lower level of take up than was to be expected; from feedback received it would appear it is, at least from charity point if view.

Charity's chief retires | This is Plymouth

Charity's chief retires | This is Plymouth: HE chair of a breast care charity has stood down after 14 years in the role.

Dame Margaret Fry has retired from the Primrose Foundation Trustees. The only person to have held the position since the foundation's inception in 1997, she has overseen the creation and growth of the Primrose Breast Care Centre at Derriford Hospital.

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons Learned from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons Learned from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse: When a nonprofit implodes, the tendency is to avert one’s gaze and hope that it was simply that one nonprofit or its specific cast of characters that made it a “one-off.” When the nonprofit International Humanities Center (IHC), a fiscal sponsor for over 200 projects around the world, imploded, it’s estimated that it took with it more than $1 million in donations that never made it to the intended recipients in what begins to look like a nonprofit version of a Ponzi scheme.

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Scotland’s charity regulator has today published a reference report to help charities understand and address potential issues in meeting the requirements of charitable status.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)'s Protecting Charitable Status is a summary of its reviews over the past six years, used as a guide for charities and information for the public.

Charities reassess brand to attract support | In-Depth Analysis | Marketing Week

Charities reassess brand to attract support | In-Depth Analysis | Marketing Week: Charities are reassessing their branding and marketing communications to try to ensure they appeal to new audiences, as they face additional funding challenges and stalled donations.

Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors | Society | guardian.co.uk

Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors | Society | guardian.co.uk: Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors

Wealthy Americans are giving more to charity as the economy improves, research shows. Here's a list of the top 10 donors

NPC launching survey on new commissioning landscape - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

NPC launching survey on new commissioning landscape - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: New Philanthropy Capital is launching a survey which will attempt to build a picture of how charities are coping with new, more complex and competitive commissioning arrangements, such as payment-by-results.

United Way-style matchmaking service to launch in London - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

United Way-style matchmaking service to launch in London - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: London Voluntary Service Council plans to use the money it won from the Transforming Local Infrastructure Fund to set up a United Way-style model of matchmaking businesses with civil society organisations to boost their capacity.

United Way is a US charity that channels requests for help from voluntary sector organisations to businesses, and generates investment from donors and large businesses in civil society organisations. Two representatives from the charity recently spent time at LVSC helping it to prepare its bid to the Fund.

Christian Aid dumps head of fundraising role - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Christian Aid dumps head of fundraising role - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The decision to make the head of fundraising post redundant follows a review of fundraising at the charity and is part of a new strategy which the charity says will build a “wider ownership for fundraising”.

As part of this new approach, Christian Aid says it will step up its fundraising training and expectations of all staff in the UK and Ireland and its core fundraising teams will work with staff responsible for building relationships with churches and motivating campaigners.

Wolverhampton limits days street fundraisers can operate in the city

Wolverhampton limits days street fundraisers can operate in the city: The city council has brought in the restrictions after 'overwhelming public feedback'


Wolverhampton City Council has cut from five to three the number of days a week when street fundraisers can operate.

The council recently resumed talks with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association over street fundraisers, after the council threatened to fine "nuisance" fundraisers up to �500.

Fundraising self-regulation could expand, says new PFRA chair - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Fundraising self-regulation could expand, says new PFRA chair - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Charity sector self-regulation is ripe for expansion, according to the new chairman of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

In an interview with civilsociety.co.uk, after three weeks in his role as the first paid PFRA chair, Paul Stallard said that with the Charities Act 2006 review underway this year, the fundraising sector has a chance to prove the effectiveness, and expand the role, of self-regulation.

Rockefeller daughter Peggy Dulany asks India Inc's scions to join Global Philanthropists Circle - The Economic Times

Rockefeller daughter Peggy Dulany asks India Inc's scions to join Global Philanthropists Circle - The Economic Times

For charities, plans to abolish street fundraising would be a catastrophe - Telegraph

For charities, plans to abolish street fundraising would be a catastrophe - Telegraph: f EveryChild didn’t send fund raisers, or as many people disparagingly call them ‘chuggers’, on to the streets of London, we wouldn’t be able to protect so many of the 24 million children growing up vulnerable and alone in the developing world.

It’s as simple as that. It might sound melodramatic but it’s true.