Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tax breaks introduced for gifts of art to the nation | Third Sector

Tax breaks introduced for gifts of art to the nation | Third Sector: Donations of 'pre-eminent works' will attract up to 25 per cent relief

The government will introduce a tax relief to encourage gifts of "pre-eminent works of art" to the nation, the Treasury announced today.

The new rules will grant up to 25 per cent relief on income tax or capital gains tax to donors who give away major works of art or historical objects to the nation. Companies that donate will be eligible for a reduction in corporation tax.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Charity Bank applies to allocate profits to charity shareholders - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Charity Bank applies to allocate profits to charity shareholders - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: he Charity Commission is considering a request by Charity Bank to change its governing documents to allow it to distribute profits to its charitable shareholders, a decision that could have wider implications for all charitable companies.

Charity Bank – a registered charity – has been prompted to make the application by proposed new European banking regulations that are designed to prevent a repeat of the banking crisis at large commercial banks.

Poll finds compassion drives Canadian charity donations but people skeptical where money goes | Daily Brew - Yahoo! News

Poll finds compassion drives Canadian charity donations but people skeptical where money goes | Daily Brew - Yahoo! News: he poll by Innovative Research Group finds Canadians hew largely to the stereotype of trust and compassion "and the more trusting and compassionate you are, the more likely you are to give more," the polling firm said in a news release.

The poll also reveals many donors feel a sense of obligation to give back to society, even though about one third of those surveyed feel charitable donations let government off the hook.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Quincy Jones Arab charity song goes viral - CNN.com

Quincy Jones Arab charity song goes viral - CNN.com: The official video for "Tomorrow/Bokra," (Bokra is the Arabic word for tomorrow) has been watched more than two million times on YouTube since it was released earlier this month. The album released last week.

"People gave their soul to this project," said Jones. "This is not about records and money. This is about the young kids."

The star-studded international collaboration features 24 artists from across the Arab world and proceeds will go to fund musical, artistic and cultural projects for children in the Middle East.

The AFP Blog: Expertise and Dedication Around the World

The AFP Blog: Expertise and Dedication Around the World: Expertise and Dedication Around the World
Jennie Thompson, board member of the Resource Alliance, was a guest of AFP at our recent Leadership Academy in Montreal. Jennie told me during the Academy she had seldom encountered such an extraordinarily dedicated group of individuals from such a wide range of backgrounds—international nonprofits, large institutions and grassroots organizations—people coming from all over North America, as well as Latin America, Europe and South East Asia.

THE DAILY STAR :: Opinion :: Commentary :: Why not an Arab philanthropic spring?

THE DAILY STAR :: Opinion :: Commentary :: Why not an Arab philanthropic spring?: The developed world is gearing up to offer new aid packages to the Middle East, doling out billions of dollars in assistance funds in support of democratic transition in countries like Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Arab private donors now have a rare opportunity to affect this transition and its outcomes, and to rebuild trust in the private sector as a key driver of economic recovery.

Bangkok Post : Thai firms may need CSR for European ties

Bangkok Post : Thai firms may need CSR for European ties: It is widely believed that while big companies involved in exporting know a lot about the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), smaller companies don't care very much.

The biggest challenge in Asian countries can be explaining what CSR is, especially when small companies and investors look at it as a cost, as they are likely to equate it with philanthropy.

But now that CSR plays a larger role in global development, it is also a tool for free trade as businesses that do not take responsibility for their actions might face sanctions.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Charity Council to conduct monthly visits to promote professionalism - Channel NewsAsia

Charity Council to conduct monthly visits to promote professionalism - Channel NewsAsia: SINGAPORE: The Charity Council hopes to promote good governance practices and professionalism in the charity sector by making monthly visits to non-profit organisations.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Charity Council visited one of the family service centres managed by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society to find out how the non-profit organisation can improve further.

Donate your change and help raise �150m - Telegraph

Donate your change and help raise �150m - Telegraph: ‘Micro-donation’’ is the buzzword at the Pennies Foundation, which has created an “electronic charity box” that has already raised a quarter of a million pounds. The not-for-profit organisation has set up a new channel for an old habit – that of popping your spare change into the charity box that sits on the shop counter – and has adapted it for the internet generation.

Philanthropy should be a risky business | Adrian Sergeant | Global development | guardian.co.uk

Philanthropy should be a risky business | Adrian Sergeant | Global development | guardian.co.uk: The Bank of America study of the philanthropy of high net worth individuals is well worth a read. It provides an almost unique insight into how such individuals frame their philanthropy and take decisions in respect of allocation. I was reminded of it at the Bellagio Initiative Summit, being held in Italy this month, because of the emergence of the topic of risk in international development.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Monday, November 21, 2011

Charity Intelligence: Transparent on Transparency?

Charity Intelligence: Transparent on Transparency?: In an economic climate that's already impacting the flow of donor dollars to the nonprofit sector, Canadian charities, foundations and nonprofits are crying foul over the recent launch and national media coverage of a charity appraisal search engine by a self-appointed watchdog organization that casts a shadow over them all.

The group, Charity Intelligence Canada (Ci), itself a charity, released news of its online engine on November 15 in a press release — followed by stories in both The National Post and The Toronto Star — that caught the attention of the sector, not necessarily for its usefulness, but for what many sector experts are calling a na�ve analysis of data and lack of knowledge of CRA guidelines and how nonprofits in Canada actually work.

CharityVillage� has twice reported on Ci over the past two years here and here. Readers interested in the organization should read these articles for more information.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY | November 15, 2011 - National Philanthropy Day - A celebration of the work by exceptional philanthropists

PRESS RELEASE

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY | November 15, 2011 - National Philanthropy Day - A celebration of the work by exceptional philanthropists: November 15, 2011 - National Philanthropy Day - A celebration of the work by exceptional philanthropists

MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - Each year, on November 15th, a luncheon is hosted by the Quebec Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), recognizing great contributions in the domain of philanthropy, especially by those active in the actual community. This year marks no exception, as the luncheon celebrates the work of key contributors and also features addresses from two prominent philanthropists: Mrs. Joey Adler, President of Diesel Canada and Founder of ONEXONE, and Mr. Charles Sirois, President of Telesystem and Founder of Enablis.
Canadians continue giving: Despite stock-market volatility and downgraded economic forecasts for the coming year, Canadians intend on giving to charity with at least the same generosity they did over the last year, according to a new survey.

Poll results released by BMO Harris Private Banking show 71 per cent of those polled expect to give the same or more to charities over the next year as they did during the last 12 months.

Hospital May Refuse McDonald’s "WeightWash" Donation | Care2 Causes

Hospital May Refuse McDonald’s "WeightWash" Donation | Care2 Causes: t appears to be a first in Australia. In a move that may earn them worried admiration in the Australian health and corporate communities, a small-city hospital near Sydney, New South Wales, is considering turning down a $66,000 donation from two of the community’s good citizens. Shellharbour Hospital would make good use of the money being offered to fund new equipment for its emergency department. The hospital has gratefully received similar contributions from Glenn and Katia Dwarte before.

The problem is the hospital is having second thoughts about the source of the money. The Dwartes run the nearby Warilla McDonald’s, and Shellharbour Hospital officials are concerned that accepting the money sends the wrong message about fast food.

B. Sahakyan met philanthropists and discussed Artsakh developments programs

B. Sahakyan met philanthropists and discussed Artsakh developments programs: According to the President Levon Hayrapetyan has had a great input in the development of Artsakh and this work is among the best examples of national philanthropy, central information department of the office of Artsakh Republic President informs.

On the same day the Head of the State met also philanthropist Vahe Gabrash.

Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust - Lifestyle - News - Canadian philanthropist donates $1.2 million to Lviv Catholic University

Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust - Lifestyle - News - Canadian philanthropist donates $1.2 million to Lviv Catholic University: Canadian philanthropist donates $1.2 million to Lviv Catholic University
2 days ago at 20:44 | Kyiv Post Staff
TORONTO – James Temerty, a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist, has donated $1.2 million to fund Ukrainian-Jewish interfaith relations at Lviv’s Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).

Monday, November 14, 2011

Friday, November 11, 2011

Give it up for charity - The Globe and Mail

Give it up for charity - The Globe and Mail: Besides the widely-known annual charitable giving campaigns, there are other ways for high-net-worth Canadians to support their favourite charities.

These alternatives have taken on more prominence as members of the baby boomer cohort turn their attention to estate planning and how best to achieve their personal philanthropic goals.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Movember taches grow charity cash in Korea

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Deutsche Bank launches �10m social investment fund - Third Sector

Deutsche Bank launches �10m social investment fund - Third Sector: Money will be invested over the next three years and will go to intermediaries that lend to charities and social enterprises

Deutsche Bank has launched a �10m fund that will put money into social investment intermediaries.

The money will be invested in a similar way to cash from Big Society Capital, in that it will not go directly to charities and social enterprises but to those who lend to them.

Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Legacy income will not grow for at least two years, says Legacy Foresight - Third Sector

Legacy income will not grow for at least two years, says Legacy Foresight - Third Sector: A report from the consortium says that legacy giving has declined in each of the past three quarters

There will not be any meaningful growth in the overall legacy market for at least two years, according to the latest report from Legacy Foresight.

In its latest Legacy Bulletin, the 51 members of the Legacy Foresight consortium, which together account for 49 per cent of the charity legacies market, reported that combined income in the year to the end of September 2011 was �968m. This is a fall of 1.6 per cent on the same period last year.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Charity founders leaving Singapore

Charity founders leaving Singapore

It’s time to say ‘not’ to not-for-profit - The Globe and Mail

It’s time to say ‘not’ to not-for-profit - The Globe and Mail: But current guidelines from the Canada Revenue Agency suggest a 20-per-cent to 35-per-cent target fundraising cost ratio. Imagine the government telling a bank or software company what its expense targets should be annually. But this is what happens in our “not-for-profit” sector. At best, this stifles a charity’s current operations and its potential for greater impact in the future. At risk is fundraising innovation, prudent risk taking, launching social enterprises, creating new initiatives, enhancing service, creating brand equity – the very things lauded in the other sectors. At worst, it focuses public and policy attention on a difficult performance metric and creates a very short-term view of “investment” and “return.”

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

After hiring Sting for his wife’s birthday, philanthropist donates $25 million to York U - Parentcentral.ca

After hiring Sting for his wife’s birthday, philanthropist donates $25 million to York U - Parentcentral.ca:


Monday night, Sting kissed Pierre Lassonde’s wife.

Tuesday morning, the mining mogul gave York University a cool $25 million to bring its dream of an engineering school to life.

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE: URBAN LEGEND | Haute Living Magazine

WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE: URBAN LEGEND | Haute Living Magazine: She also has an eye for philanthropy. During her five years as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, she focused on supporting causes and groups related to women’s issues, volunteers and youth. With a passion for philanthropy and a mind for business, she was the patron of more than 300 charitable organizations. Mrs. Weston has continued to contribute her time to many of the groups, especially those organizations that work to help homeless children.

Calgary, Vancouver have different giving cultures

Calgary, Vancouver have different giving cultures

Australia To Redefine Charity In Law

Here is a link to other Australian stories http://afprc10.blogspot.com/search/label/NPAustralia

Australia To Redefine Charity In Law: Australia To Redefine Charity In Law
by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong
01 November 2011

The Australian government has launched a consultation on a new statutory definition of charity, applicable across all Commonwealth laws from July 1, 2013.

The Australian government announced in the 2011-12 Budget that it would introduce a new statutory definition of charity, and a Consultation Paper has subsequently been released outlining the background, including previous recommendations and inquiries, as well as developments that have occurred since 2003, when the issue was last substantially examined.

Promoting Philanthropy: The Minnesota/Ukraine Connection � Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog – Philanthropy Potluck

Promoting Philanthropy: The Minnesota/Ukraine Connection � Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog – Philanthropy Potluck: On October 20-21, I attended MCF’s conference in St. Paul, The Evolution of Corporate Philanthropy: Building Value and Creating Change, where discussion revolved around truly integrating corporate citizenship and philanthropy within a company’s business strategy.

The previous week in Mykolajiv, Ukraine, the Ukrainian Philanthropists Forum, in conjunction with the Center for Social Programs RUSAL, East Europe Foundation, held Ukraine’s first international conference on corporate volunteering.

Better trustees means a better skills mix for charities | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Better trustees means a better skills mix for charities | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: Attracting the right trustees is crucial for all charities. Trustees set the charity's strategy, they make the big decisions and they act as guardians of a charity's ultimate aims. Indeed, as I stressed in a previous article for these pages – a strong charity sector is founded on the trust we place in trustees to run their charities well. So a charity that lacks a committed and diverse board of trustees is likely to be at a disadvantage at the best of times, let alone during economically tough periods in which many charities are struggling.