Monday, October 31, 2011

CharityVillage ® Research: Beyond the Premiums: Understanding Nonprofit Insurance

CharityVillage ® Research: Beyond the Premiums: Understanding Nonprofit Insurance

Microgiving — Small Acts Lead to Big Successes

Microgiving — Small Acts Lead to Big Successes: What is it?
In Canada, microgiving recently established a strong presence thanks to Small Change Fund (SCF), an organization with a dual goal of funding projects with small amounts of money and servicing donors across Canada. "We make sure groups get the funding they need that is responsive, timely and flexible," says Executive Director Mary McGrath, explaining how she and co-founder Ruth Richardson were frustrated witnessing great projects struggling to find funding, shut out from traditional avenues or too small to afford reporting burdens. "We knew there had to be a mechanism to get funding."

Charity Commission criticised over refusal to investigate 'political activity' at free schools charity - Third Sector

Charity Commission criticised over refusal to investigate 'political activity' at free schools charity - Third Sector: Lisa Nandy, the Labour MP for Wigan, has criticised the Charity Commission after it decided for a second time not to investigate allegations of party political activity by the New Schools Network, a charity set up to provide advice about free schools.

Nandy wrote to the regulator in September to draw its attention to an article in The Guardian newspaper.

A Chinese boomtown test drives the concept of charity - The Globe and Mail

A Chinese boomtown test drives the concept of charity - The Globe and Mail: Shenzhen has long been one of the easiest places in China to get rich. Now this boomtown is also earning a reputation as one of the simplest places to give away money, as the local government experiments with concepts that have long been anathema to the ruling Communist Party: charity, philanthropy and civil society.

BBC News - Great South Run: �3m raised at Portsmouth event

BBC News - Great South Run: �3m raised at Portsmouth event: A record 24,000 runners hit the streets of Portsmouth for the 22nd Great South Run, raising some �3m for charity.

South Asia Mail

South Asia Mail: The Oct. 14 event was one of two Diwali hospital charity fundraisers this year in the Toronto area, where about 40 per cent of Canada’s South Asians live. Together they raised $1.8-million for the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga and the University Health Network in Toronto – a significant amount of money by any measure, and a sign, Ms. Kataria said, that Canada’s South Asian community is prospering and adapting its traditions to what many South Asians see as Canadian cultural norms.

Special Report on Philanthropy: Calgary's rich history of giving

Special Report on Philanthropy: Calgary's rich history of giving: But the ingrained work ethic is still evident today, beyond the farmers' fields, in the city of Calgary which, too, has built itself on difficult work, entrepreneurs taking risks, finding success and continuing to support the community with undying loyalty.

Where the money has been earned, the money has been returned, given generously, with private donations constructing and still supporting a swath of services.

Carrying on the tradition

Carrying on the tradition: Time, treasures and talent. It was those three words and family philosophy that sent a young Pam Heard on her way, by public transit, to the Calgary Humane Society with hard-earned babysitting money in her pocket.

As a 12-year-old growing up on Riverdale Avenue, she already understood the importance of giving her time, her talent and whatever treasures she had or could earn to make her community a better place to live.

Friday, October 28, 2011

HK approves 1.5 mln HKD to relief typhoon victims in Philippines

HK approves 1.5 mln HKD to relief typhoon victims in Philippines: HONG KONG, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong government Friday approved a grant of 1.5 million HK dollars (about 193,000 U.S. dollars) from the Disaster Relief Fund for the relief of the typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Outsourcing firm to donate P4 million yearly to PHL charities - Home � Other Sections � Breaking News

Outsourcing firm to donate P4 million yearly to PHL charities - Home � Other Sections � Breaking News: TIP made the announcement during its 5th Annual TELUS Day of Service in Quezon City, where the company launched the TELUS Manila Community Board who later decided to distribute the P4 million donations to local charitable organizations.

Bleak Short Term Outlook for Egyptian Philanthropic and NGO Sectors | Foreign Policy Blogs

Bleak Short Term Outlook for Egyptian Philanthropic and NGO Sectors | Foreign Policy Blogs: Back in mid-February, amid the optimism of the immediate post-Mubarak era, I wrote a blog post exploring the future of philanthropy and the NGO sector in Egypt, noting that the field had been developing quite rapidly despite a restrictive operating environment. I speculated that if regulatory interference from the Ministry of Social Solidarity receded, the future was bright and we might witness major boom in nonprofits and civil society activity. That may still come to pass, but recent developments detailed by IRIN/Guardian Global Development paint a less hopeful picture in the near term:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Cathy Pharoah: The charity 'gift' is tarnished unless we put the emphasis back on recipients - Third Sector

Cathy Pharoah: The charity 'gift' is tarnished unless we put the emphasis back on recipients - Third Sector: There's a danger the public will become cynical about the whole concept of giving, warns our columnist

As the value of incomes, property and pensions declines, the one value to which charities can uniquely lay claim is the gift. But even that is tarnished: 'gifts' by individuals to Pargav, which funded Liam's Fox's associate Adam Werritty, were for purposes apparently closely related to business interests; after the recent court ruling, public schools can define public benefit in any terms that suit them; and "donor preference" is the new catchphrase in fundraising.

Robert Pattinson | Robert Pattinson Helps Cambodian Charity | Contactmusic

Robert Pattinson | Robert Pattinson Helps Cambodian Charity | Contactmusic: Profits from the sale of the private screening will go to the GO Campaign, which is raising money to build a permanent home for PAGE (Program Advancing Girls Education), an organisation helping to educate teen girls in Cambodia.
The UK Civil Society Almanac 2010: Workforce | Library | Research and policy | Skills - Third Sector: The report is based on the 'Work' chapter of the NCVO UK Civil Society Almanac 2010 and covers key trends and characteristics of the voluntary sector workforce, employment and volunteering.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Firm marks Global Community Day with volunteer work - The China Post

Firm marks Global Community Day with volunteer work - The China Post: As part of Citi's commitment in giving back to the local community and promoting the greater good, over 100 Citi volunteers, together with their family members, rolled up their sleeves and repainted the campus of Heping Primary School in Shiding District, New Taipei City, on Saturday, Oct. 22. Under the guidance of professionals, many of the young, first-time participants picked up buckets of paint and turned themselves into expert painters for a day, creating a fresh, colorful learning environment for the students.

Payu-Ta hosting 2nd Nonprofit Congress - KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.

Payu-Ta hosting 2nd Nonprofit Congress - KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.

Aussie Fundraisers Win Global Awards | Pro Bono Australia

Aussie Fundraisers Win Global Awards | Pro Bono Australia: Two Australians have been recognised on the global stage after being named the world’s most outstanding fundraiser and volunteer at an awards ceremony in the Netherlands.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Aussie generosity on the way back up, consumer confidence | News.com.au

Aussie generosity on the way back up, consumer confidence | News.com.au: A report released in June this year showed that the GFC impacted the amount of money Australians donated to charity during the GFC.

Queensland University of Technology's Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) found that in 2008-2009 for the first time on record, giving went down across the nation.

The total claimed as tax-deductible donations dropped to $2.09 billion, down from $2.35 billion the previous year.

Charity golf offers hole-in-one prizes worth over RM500,000 | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.

Charity golf offers hole-in-one prizes worth over RM500,000 | Daily Express Newspaper Online, Sabah, Malaysia.: Kota Kinabalu: The Rotary Club of Likas Bay's Charity Golf Tournament offering hole-in-one prizes worth over RM500,000 will be held on Oct 29 (Saturday) at the Sutera Harbour Marina Golf and Country Club.

They comprise a D'Vantage Apartment worth RM308,000 sponsored by Fine Landmark Sdn Bhd, a GWM Wingle 5 vehicle sponsored by Fook Loi Corporation (Sabah) Sdn Bhd worth RM60,000, a Proton Saga sponsored by Rintis Malay Motors Sdn Bhd worth RM43,000 and RM100,000 cash sponsored by QTC Energy Public Company Ltd Thailand.

In addition, there are also the sure-to-win prizes of two units of 32-inch LCD TV and grand lucky draw prizes of one unit of split unit air- conditioner and one unit of LCD TV. There will also be lots of lucky draw prizes to be given away at the prize presentation ceremony.

Nina Wang’s $12 Billion Fortune Goes to Charity as Geomancer Denied Appeal - Bloomberg

Nina Wang’s $12 Billion Fortune Goes to Charity as Geomancer Denied Appeal - Bloomberg: Deceased property tycoon Nina Wang’s estimated $12 billion fortune will go to her charity foundation after Hong Kong’s top court refused to hear a final bid for the estate from Tony Chan, her former feng shui adviser.

Donors could be suffering from 'crisis fatigue' warns development expert - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Donors could be suffering from 'crisis fatigue' warns development expert - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Only 32 per cent of the British public have made a donation in relation to the current Horn of Africa famine, compared with 43 per cent who donated to help those affected by the floods in Pakistan and 49 per cent who gave to the Haiti earthquake appeals last year, according to new research.

The analysis from the UK Public Opinion Monitor (UKPOM) and the Institute of Development Studies involved 1,492 people from a broad demographic who complete surveys for UKPOM every six to eight weeks.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Pink prices a grey area for charity

Pink prices a grey area for charity: However, their contribution to breast cancer charities can be as little as 2 per cent of sales, The Saturday Age has found, while some of the largest companies cap their commitment so that extra sales generate no additional money for research or patient support.

Hurd outlines ways for funders to collaborate with government | Philanthropy UK

Hurd outlines ways for funders to collaborate with government | Philanthropy UK: Minister for Civil Society Nick Hurd wrapped up the Association of Charitable Foundations’ (ACF) annual conference on Tuesday Oct 18th by outlining three ways government and private funders might collaborate in today’s "challenging environment".

Hurd suggested in a world where "anecdotes will no longer be funded’" and charities must show the measurable impact they are having in order to appease government commissioners and fulfil payment by results funding strategies, charitable trusts might collaborate to create impact measures that were coherent across sub-sectors and cost-effective even for smaller charities.

Hedge fund managers get good clipping | Reuters

Hedge fund managers get good clipping | Reuters: But the mood at the recent fifth annual hedge fund "Fight Night" in Hong Kong was exuberant, with managers and executives slugging it out to raise money for charity.

Twelve contenders, none of whom had ever donned boxing gloves before, had signed up to fight and began rigorous training in July. This year, women were allowed to compete.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Public Fundraising Regulatory Association to introduce fines for doorstep fundraising rule-breakers - Third Sector

Public Fundraising Regulatory Association to introduce fines for doorstep fundraising rule-breakers - Third Sector: Doorstep fundraising

Its PFRA Rule Book (Door) comes in the wake of a similar publication for street fundraising

The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association will fine charities and agencies whose fundraisers breach new rules for doorstep fundraising.

Funding Policy Changes Push Non-profits into Business Field | NGO Pulse

Funding Policy Changes Push Non-profits into Business Field | NGO Pulse: he recent flare-up between the government and the nonprofit sector over changes to policies governing state funding of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) has reignited the heated debate around how best to fund our social welfare services and social justice work in South Africa.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Institute of Fundraising goes for gold | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional

Institute of Fundraising goes for gold | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional: As I take on the role of chief executive at the Institute of Fundraising I've been asked to reflect on my priorities. Quite simply, my goal is to make the IoF the best membership and training organisation in the country.

Why do I want to do this? The answer is that I am driven by a commitment to social justice, to changing the world for the better. And I know that fundraisers are the lifeblood of charities. Without cold, hard cash to spend it is very difficult for charities to make the positive impact they want on the causes they care about, changing for the better the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. This is particularly true when the country is facing the difficult economic challenges it has to handle today.

Monday, October 17, 2011

China grapples with charity - Fortune Management

China grapples with charity - Fortune Management: By Bill Powell, editor-at-large

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in China in September 2010

FORTUNE -- Last year Warren Buffett and Bill Gates visited Beijing for what they thought would be the least controversial of reasons. They had arranged to have a private dinner with a group of rich, successful Chinese businessmen, and to talk with them about a subject that seems innocuous: philanthropy. The Chinese blogosphere caught wind of the dinner and erupted in chatter. "And not all of it," acknowledges Peter Buffett, "was positive."

IFC: folding letters and licking envelopes! | Reinier Spruit | 101fundraising

IFC: folding letters and licking envelopes! | Reinier Spruit | 101fundraising: Tomorrow one of the most inspirational fundraising gatherings of the world starts right here in The Netherlands: The International Fundraising Congress (better known as: the IFC).

Friday, October 14, 2011

Corporate support vital to fundraising - thestar.com

Corporate support vital to fundraising - thestar.com

Institute for Volunteering Research | Volunteering stats | Key Volunteering Facts and Figures for England

Institute for Volunteering Research | Volunteering stats | Key Volunteering Facts and Figures for England: Key Volunteering Facts and Figures for England

Payroll giving should be replaced with direct debit solicitation, say fundraisers - Third Sector

Payroll giving should be replaced with direct debit solicitation, say fundraisers - Third Sector: Growing Philanthropy in the UK says Fundraising Standards Board should have increased powers and be funded by a proportion of Gift Aid

Payroll giving should be axed, the Fundraising Standards Board should have power over all charities and be funded by a proportion of Gift Aid, according to a report based on a summit of top fundraisers.

Growing Philanthropy in the UK, a joint publication between Bristol Business School and the Institute of Fundraising, was written by Adrian Sargeant, professor of non-profit marketing and fundraising at BBS, and Jen Shang, a philanthropic psychologist and assistant professor at Indiana University in the US.

Jack Knox: A true philanthropist who put his neighbours first

Jack Knox: A true philanthropist who put his neighbours first: The Thrifty Foods founder, who died Tuesday at age 70, embodied values you just don't find in faceless corporations, the ones whose sole focus is on the well-being of their shareholders, not their communities.

Just how important Campbell's contribution was to Victoria could be measured in the nervous trembling that rippled through the non-profit sector when the grocery chain was sold to Sobeys in 2007.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Manila Standard Today -- Philanthropy rising in Asia along with wealth, says HSBC study -- 2011/october/11

Manila Standard Today -- Philanthropy rising in Asia along with wealth, says HSBC study -- 2011/october/11: Asian philanthropists are giving more, and they are shifting to a structured and focused approach to charity, according to a new report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, commissioned by HSBC Private Bank.

The report titled, Something’s gotta give: The state of philanthropy in Asia, was based on various published research and in-depth interviews with academics, consultants and prominent philanthropists from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Boom or bust affects the art of philanthropy - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Boom or bust affects the art of philanthropy - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): But, George Jones is one of a select number of West Australians who are so readily charitable.

According to research by the University of Western Australia, 90 per cent of people in the state give to charitable causes but the average dollar value of their donations is the lowest in the nation.

The national average is $424 per person with NSW ranked first on $524 while WA lagged behind on $303.

China grapples with charity - Fortune Management

China grapples with charity - Fortune Management: There are two reasons philanthropy gets people riled up in China. First, a fair number of rich folks there believe giving it away is antithetical to Chinese values -- which stress family above all. It's why some Chinese were upset when they heard (mistakenly) that Buffett and Gates were coming to tell rich Chinese how to give away their wealth. Many young Chinese were stunned when Buffett said he was giving most of his wealth to the Gates Foundation.

Industry Canada announces that on Monday October 17, 2011 CNCA will come into effect - Blog - Global Philanthropy

Industry Canada announces that on Monday October 17, 2011 CNCA will come into effect - Blog - Global Philanthropy: The long awaited Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act will come into force on October 17, 2011. Until October 16 the current legislation (the Canada Corporations Act) can be used for incorporation but as of October 17, 2011 only the new Federal Not-for-profit Corporations Act (CNCA) cana be used for incorporation. Therefore it is best if you haave signned documents to either get them in immediately or you will have to use the new forms under the new CNCA. If you use the old act you will have 3 years to move to the new act. Under the old CCA corporations will still for a few years be able to amend by-laws, of corporations, obtain supplementary letters patent, file an annual summary or surrender the corporations charter. At Blumbergs we will be busy helping organizations incorporate under the new CNCA and also transition/continue from the old act to the new act. While one does not require legal assistance with incorporation or transition for many organizations that are charities or have more complicated governance structures they may find legal assistance helpful.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/eng/cs04996.html

Draft receipitng kit for Canadian charities that issue receipts along with CRA receipting policies - Blog - Global Philanthropy

Draft receipitng kit for Canadian charities that issue receipts along with CRA receipting policies - Blog - Global Philanthropy: am working through the Charity Law Information Program of Capacity Builders to prepare a “Receipting Kit” which is a 25 page explanation of how charities should receipt

Friday, October 07, 2011

Four out of five philanthropists give to local causes | Philanthropy UK

Four out of five philanthropists give to local causes | Philanthropy UK: Four out of five philanthropists support local charities, according to research by Coutts among over 100 of its clients. The research has been published alongside a guide Inspiring Local Giving in association with New Philanthropy Capital and Community Foundation Network. It reflects the government’s localism agenda and Big Society , that aims to put communities in the hands of the people. The guide gives examples of how philanthropists can support local communities from grant-making to social investment, co-funding or setting up a charity or social enterprise.

Thursday, October 06, 2011

The Courier - Charities learning to adapt to tough financial climate

The Courier - Charities learning to adapt to tough financial climate: n its annual review for 2010-11, OSCR said there had been a high level of applications for reorganisations and mergers.

It explained: ''This is encouraging, as it suggests that charities are considering and acting upon the options available to them through the legislation, in order to manage and respond to the challenges they face.''

Governor tells WA to give more - The West Australian

Governor tells WA to give more - The West Australian: Governor Malcolm McCusker has urged West Australians to do more for charity and called on big businesses to use at least one per cent of pre-tax profits for philanthropy.

Mr McCusker said WA's giving culture had improved in recent years but the State's level of philanthropy was still behind the Eastern States.

Government to match Africa aid donations - ABC Melbourne - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Government to match Africa aid donations - ABC Melbourne - Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "Already the Australian Government is making a difference as the third-largest donor to the crisis, but now we will double every dollar raised by agencies already working in the Horn of Africa, making the public's contributions go even further," he said.

"I call on all Australians, from individuals to businesses, to donate whatever they can spare during October and November to help us save more lives. The organisations involved all have a proven track record and are already helping those affected by the famine.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Proposed VAT exemption on shared services won't help, sector bodies say - Third Sector

Proposed VAT exemption on shared services won't help, sector bodies say - Third Sector: A proposed change in tax law intended to make it easier for organisations to share services is of little use to the charity sector, according to an alliance of national bodies.

An HM Revenue & Customs consultation closes today on implementing an EU exemption designed to allow charities and other businesses that cannot recover all their VAT to collaborate more effectively.

Monday, October 03, 2011

700 people support campaign to raise rice for needy

700 people support campaign to raise rice for needy: SINGAPORE - Over 700 participants from South East Community Development Council (CDC), NTUC FairPrice came together today to launch a charity campaign which aims to raise at least half a million bowls of rice for 7,000 needy families residing in the South East District.

The campaign, known as the NTUC FairPrice Walk for Rice @ South East 2011, is part of South East CDC's initiatives to encourage community volunteerism.